Canajoharie Central School recently announced its two top scholars for the class of 2018. Madeline Elliott is the valedictorian, and Samantha Field is the salutatorian.
Madeline Elliott has pursued a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities throughout her high school career. She has been a member of the band, handbell choir, and is a former member of orchestra. She has also been a member of Athletic Association, International Club, CanjoCares Community Service Club, and National Honor Society. She served as vice president of Ski Club, secretary of History Club, class representative to Student Council, and treasurer of the Odyssey of the Mind team. She was the girls’ varsity soccer team captain as well as the Cross Country Skiing team captain.
Madeline was awarded MVP of the girls’ varsity track and field in 2016 and is the school recorded holder in the 4 x 800 meter relay.
She was selected to attend the WAC Leadership Conference and the HOBY Leadership Seminar and was the recipient of the Harvard University Club Award.
Outside of school, Madeline volunteered with the Canajoharie/Fort Plain Environmental Study Team, testing local water ecology for New York state. She was involved in the Global Program Solving Task Force, working to develop solutions for community issues, and was Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara’s student cabinet member.
Madeline will attend Cornell University in the fall.
Samantha Field has been active inside and outside the high school classroom. She has been a member of the high school band, string orchestra, jazz band, high school choir, handbell choir, electric strings, and Company of Song. She was named student conductor of Concert Band and Company of Song as well as president of the Canajoharie High School Concert Band.
She has served as class president from 2014-2016, secretary of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), and vice president of National Honor Society.
She was a member of the International Club, History Club, Student Council, SADD, NADA, and Odyssey of the Mind. She was selected to attend the HOBY Leadership Conference in March 2015 and was awarded the recognition of National AP Scholar for receiving a score of 5 on the AP Bio, AP US History, and AP English Language Composition exams.
Outside of school, Samantha has volunteered as an assistant instructor at Cherry Valley Zen-Do-Kai Karate and was awarded Sempai (junior instructor). She traveled to England and France with the People to People Program as well as England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland with the Education First Tour. She is also a member of WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or Willing Workers on Organic Farms) Independents and WWOOF Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
Samantha will attend the University of Vermont in the fall.
The academic top 10 students of the class of 2018 also include:
• Sydney Weingart, who will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology;
• Louis Hand, who will be attending Rhode Island School of Design;
• Jordan Porter, who will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute;
• Madison Koelbl, who will be attending Binghamton University;
• Danyell Monk, who will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology;
• Alvin Sullivan, who will be attending Hartwick College;
• Phillip Levertt, who will be attending Clarkson University;
• Nickolas Kocjan, who will be attending Keuka College.