The Schuylerville Central School District Class of 2020’s commitment to community service and academic achievement truly exemplifies the district motto, “Schooling, Caring, Succeeding.” Among the 120 students who are expected to graduate at this year’s commencement ceremony, are the following “Top 10” students who are graduating at the top of their class.
Valedictorian Kaela Ellis
Kaela Ellis is graduating with a 98.90 academic average. Ellis spent her time at Schuylerville High School committed to academics, extracurricular activities and giving back to the community. She served as president of Student Council and Environmental Club, was her Class Vice President and also a member of the National Honor Society. Ellis was also involved in Envirothon, Girls State, Math League, Climate Summit, played soccer and was a contributor to “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal.”
Ellis immersed herself in service outside Schuylerville High School, as vice president of the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities, as a board member on the Hudson River Community Advisory Group, as a participant in the League of Women Voters’ Students Inside Albany conference, and as a member of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership organization. Locally, she was also a volunteer at the Schuylerville Public Library.
Ellis’ list of honors is extensive. She earned the Harvard Book Award; NYSCLSA Student Recognition Award; Dale Hawley Award; University of Albany Multicultural High School Achievement Award and is an AP Scholar. During her high school years, Ellis was an intern at the Alliance for Quality Education and at the Saratogian, as well as a summer intern at the United Nations.
Ellis is the daughter of Nicole Popplewell & John Ellis. She will attend Harvard University where she will major in Government.
Salutatorian Audrey Sickles
Audrey Sickles is graduating with a 98.60 academic average. She was involved in several clubs and activities during her time at Schuylerville High School, including French Club; FFA (reporter during sophomore year, vice-president during junior year and secretary senior year); National Honor Society, Prom Committee, and as a council member for Symphonic Band. Sickles was also very involved in athletics, playing junior varsity and varsity volleyball and softball, as well as club volleyball.
Sickles took a rigorous academic course load, including several AP classes and Intermediate French I and II through State University of New York at Albany. She received the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award in Recognition of Superior Intellectual Promise in the Field of Science as well as the FFA Empire Degree, the highest honor a student can receive at the FFA state level.
Sickles has volunteered her time as a counselor at a local youth camp, as an assistant youth softball and youth volleyball coach, as a reader and altar server at a local church, and was a Knights of Columbus teen volunteer.
Sickles is the daughter of Valerie Milonovich and Raymond Sickles. She will attend Cornell University and major in biology/animal science.
Sydney Alexanian
Sydney Alexanian is graduating with a 98.59 academic average. During her four years at Schuylerville High School, Alexanian immersed herself in academics, athletics, clubs, activities and community service. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Math League, SADD Club and Varsity Club, and was the Spanish Club treasurer. Alexanian ran indoor and outdoor track, as well as cross country, all of which she was the team captain for. Alexanian excelled both on and off the field, and was named a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete.
Alexanian attended the annual Safe Spring Student Leadership Conference at Skidmore College, volunteered in youth sports teams and other activities sponsored by the Upstate New York Autism Alliance (UNYAA), and assisted with the Saratoga Springs Little League’s Challenger Program, an adaptive baseball league for kids with physical and developmental challenges. In addition she was a counselor for the Educating Young Engineers (EYE) Program, a tutor, and helped run the Schuylerville concession stand during events.
Alexanian’s honors include earning the Rensselaer Medal, a scholarship for outstanding math and science students, and the Clarkson University SAE Engineering Scholarship. She also had her artwork published in “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal.”
Alexanian is the daughter of Stephen and Dawn Alexanian. She will attend Clarkson University and major in mechanical engineering.
Emma Nesbitt
Emma Nesbitt is graduating with a 98.36 academic average. During her four years at Schuylerville High School, Nesbitt immersed herself in academics, athletics, clubs, activities and community service. She was a member of the National Junior Honors Society as well as the National Honors Society, Spanish Club, Varsity Club, Prom Committee, Students Against Destructive Decisions Club, Student Council, and Symphonic Band, for which she was a council member and secretary. Nesbitt earned awards for Outstanding Achievement in Algebra I and Geometry, as well as the RIT Computing Medal Award. Musically, Nesbitt participated in the New York State School Music Festival and was an All County Band member.
Nesbitt was involved with several sports during her high school years, running varsity indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and cross country, all of which she was the team captain for. Nebsitt also played JV and varsity soccer and was named a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete.
Nesbitt has an extensive list of activities and causes that she has volunteered her time to, including: Schuylerville Be An Athlete Camp; setting up the athletic field at Schuyler Park; distributing iPads in the school district; Schuylerville Fall Festival; Rett Syndrome Fundraiser Dance; South Glens Falls High School Charity Marathon Dance; South Glens Falls Running of the Bulldogs 5k; elementary and middle school field days; assistant soccer and softball coach for Old Saratoga Athletic Association, and the Students Sharing Opportunities and Responsibilities (SSOAR) Program at Saratoga Hospital. Nesbitt also served as a Ballston Spa Girl Talk Leader, a peer mentoring program for Ballston Spa middle school students.
Nesbitt is the daughter of Beth and Frank Nesbitt. She will be attending St. Lawrence University and majoring in biology on a medical track.
Abigail DeLor
Abigail DeLor is graduating with a 98.20 academic average. DeLor was involved in several extracurricular activities at Schuylerville High School, while also dedicating much of her time to community service. DeLor was a member of Spanish Club, serving as its secretary; National Honor Society; Art Club; Student Council, and Drama Club, during which she was a member of the backstage crew for “Once on this Island” and “Les Miserables.” DeLor also played one year of varsity tennis. She has volunteered her time to the Students Sharing Opportunities and Responsibilities (SSOAR) Program at Saratoga Hospital and assisted with fundraising for the Lyme Action Network.
DeLor took a rigorous academic course load during her high school years, including several AP classes, as well as University in the High School Spanish IV and V through UAlbany. Her list of honors and recognitions include the George H. Ball Community Achievement Award, Outstanding Achievement in Algebra II, and the Carol A. Leary Scholars Award. DeLor was also published in “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal” and the “Talent Unlimited Art Journal,” and attended the Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists in 2020.
DeLor is the daughter of Matt and Gina DeLor. She will attend Bay Path University and major in forensic science.
Charles Luzadis
Charles Luzadis is graduating with a 97.70 academic average. During his four years at Schuylerville High School, Luzadis was very involved in athletics and extracurricular activities. He was a member of National Honor Society and Varsity Club, and served as president of both during his senior year. Luzadis was also involved with Spanish Club and Math League.
Luzadis’ athletic career at Schuylerville High School included four years of playing baseball and football, and two years of basketball. He was the varsity football team’s captain during his senior year. He was recognized by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc. with its Scholar-Athlete Award, for demonstrating academic achievement, school & community leadership and football performance.
Luzadis also dedicated his time to coaching youth sports organizations through OSAA and travel leagues, assisted with fundraising for several non-profits and community members in need, and volunteered for My Way Up.
Luzadis is the son of David and Melissa Luzadis. He will attend Binghamton University and major in biochemistry.
Meghan Clark
Meghan Clark is graduating with a 97.66 academic average. During her four years at Schuylerville High School, Clark immersed herself in extracurricular activities, athletics and music. She was co-president of the Debate Club, the treasurer of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Yearbook Club, Spanish Club, Student Council and Drama Club. Clark took a rigorous academic course load, with several AP and college level classes, and attended the New England Young Writers’ Conference. She received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from the University of Rochester, which honors a student’s achievements in the social studies and humanities classes. Clark played field hockey throughout high school, as well as varsity tennis.
Clark was very musically involved during her time at Schuylerville High School. She was a member of the Jazz Ensemble, Senior Chorus, Vocal Ensemble, Treble Choir, Christmas Choir, NYSMMA, All County Chorus, All County Band, Area All State Band, and was co-president of the Symphonic Band. Clark also dedicated her time to tutoring young children to help them learn music.
Clark is the daughter of Lisa and Ken Clark. She will attend the University of Rochester and major in molecular genetics.
Devon Dunkle
Devon Dunkle is graduating with a 97.21 academic average. During his time at Schuylerville High School, he was involved in athletics for several seasons, playing football and wrestling. Dunkle is the son of Maragrace Keppel and David Dunkle. He will be attending University at Buffalo and majoring in accounting.
Hannah (Lainey) Koval
Lainey Koval is graduating with a 97.00 academic average. During her time at Schuylerville High School, she immersed herself in extracurricular activities, athletics and community volunteer work. Koval was the FFA secretary for two years and spent her senior year as the vice president. She was also the lacrosse representative for Varsity Club for four years, and a member of the Spanish Club and National Honor Society.
Off-campus, Koval spends a lot of her time working on her family’s dairy farm, Koval Brothers Dairy. She is a member of the Saratoga County 4-H, shows cows at the Saratoga County Fair, and is part of the Saratoga County Dairy Promotion. She was named the Saratoga County Dairy Princess in 2019-20, represented dairy farmers in Saratoga County and promoted the consumption of milk and dairy products throughout the region. Much of Koval’s community service is tied to the Saratoga County Dairy Promotion, where she volunteered at fairs, gave presentations, and participated in school programs and parades. She also volunteered at several FFA events through the years, including community service projects.
On the field, Koval was also a leader. She played varsity field hockey and lacrosse since her freshman year, and was the captain for both teams her senior year. Koval coached fourth and fifth grade field hockey teams during the summers, and was also a volunteer for coaching clinics. Koval was also a member of the ski team her junior year.
Koval is the daughter of Jennifer and Christopher Koval. She will be attending Cornell University and majoring in agricultural science.
Eva Drohobycky
Eva Drohobycky is graduating with a 96.98 academic average. During her four years at Schuylerville, she was very involved in extracurriculars and athletics. Drohobycky was a member of French Club, Art Club, Student Council, Yearbook Club, SADD club, Prom Committee, and was the treasurer for Student Government her sophomore year. Drohobycky played lacrosse and volleyball for all four years of her high school career, and was the volleyball team captain her senior year.
Artistically, Drohobycky received several honors, including being selected into the 2020 Talent Unlimited Art Journal and the 2019 and 2020 SPAC Festival of Young Artists. She was published in “The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal” several times.
Drohobycky earned an academic scholarship from Sage College, as well several Outstanding Achievement awards in Earth Science, French 2 and U.S. History and Government. She was also a member of the National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society.
Her volunteer work includes time spent at the Hudson Crossing Park’s Cardboard Boat Race, the Festival of Trees, and the St. Nicholas Day parade. Drohobycky also devoted service hours to Schuylerville’s JV, modified and club volleyball teams. In addition, a lot of her service hours come from academic tutoring in various subjects.
Drohobycky is the daughter of Valerie Munson-Drohobycky and Stephan Drohobycky. She will be attending the University of Rhode Island in the Honors Program.