Herkimer Central School District recognized 54 students in grades 10-12 with Academic H Awards on Tuesday, Dec. 20, for earning an average of 90 or above for every marking period of the 2021-22 school year.
While introducing the awards, High School Principal Mary Tomaso said that some people might attribute the students’ achievement to “just being smart,” but friends, family and teachers know that academic success requires sacrifice, hard work and studying.
“The Academic H is our way of acknowledging your commitment to scholarship,” Tomaso said. “This self-discipline and dedication to learning are personal qualities that will serve you well in your future.”
The Academic H Awards are held annually to honor students in grades 10-12 for their success in the prior school year with certificates and “H” pins. Current seniors will receive their 2022-23 Academic H Awards at graduation, and students in grades 9-11 will be recognized at next year’s ceremony.
The ceremony also features a former Herkimer student returning each year to give current students some insights into life after high school. The guest speaker is traditionally the Student Council president from four school years prior, and this year’s speaker was 2018-19 Student Council President Johanna Humble.
‘A path that works for you’
Tomaso said she likes to invite recent graduates to speak in order to give students some extra hope and inspiration that their experiences at Herkimer can lay the foundation for great success if they put their heart and mind into it.
Humble talked to students about how she attended Onondaga County Community College to study interior design, but decided to change to a different career path. She spoke about the challenges of going to college during COVID-19 and having to start taking classes remotely.
She transferred to Herkimer College in fall 2020 and decided she wanted to study law. She later transferred to SUNY Canton, where she majored in legal studies and graduated last week. She pointed out to students the importance of putting thought into your schedule and how that can help you succeed and even graduate faster than the usual timeframe. She also credited taking College Now classes while in high school with helping her accomplish her goal of graduating early.
“I got to graduate early even though I went to three colleges,” she said.
Humble has applied to Albany Law School and plans to become a criminal prosecutor.
She offered students various tips for attending college such as to keep their syllabus, stay organized, ask questions, make use of professors’ office hours, avoid procrastinating and be involved in making your schedule.
“It’s up to you to find a path that works for you,” she said.
After the ceremony, Humble said she hopes students were able to benefit from hearing her story and advice from going through college. Going from a Herkimer student to a college graduate returning to speak to current students went by faster than she realized, she said.
“It doesn’t feel like I graduated three years ago,” she said. “It feels like it was yesterday.”
After the speech, Tomaso thanked Humble for her insights and inspiration.
“You are proof of what I always tell people: Herkimer graduates do great things,” Tomaso said. “I have always admired your work ethic, your commitment to family and your leadership.”
Award winners
Near the end of the ceremony, high school counselor Carolyn Saugh announced the award winners, and Tomaso handed out the certificates and pins.
Tomaso then congratulated the honorees.
“Your families are proud of you, and so am I,” Tomaso said. “For the 26 of you who are new to this honor, know that as your classes get more challenging and your responsibilities increase, it gets more difficult to earn this distinction. For the 11 of you who have earned it for three consecutive years, kudos to you. Not only does it represent high honors, but it also represents Herk pride, hard work, a whole lot of heart and hope for your futures.”
The following are the 2022 Academic H Award winners:
10th grade:
- Bianca Barreto
- Sydney Bell
- Sophia Blais
- Danny Bleaking
- Christopher Farrell
- Brian Flint
- McKenna Gargas
- Fauziatu Ibrahim
- Madison Marusic
- Alyx McArthur
- Audrey McDonnell
- Lilia McLean
- Chase Pettengill
- Zachary Petucci
- Logan Pullman
- Avery Richard
- Anjali Saugh
- Ayla Simpson
- Vanessa Verenich
- Cadence Weaver
11th grade:
- Christian Allen
- Arrissa Bunker
- Zoey Caldwell
- John Campagna
- Kyle Carney
- Jayden Crandall
- Nicholas Ferreras
- Danielle Gilbert
- Juleighanna Herringshaw
- Nicholas Lamanna
- Cassandra Larzelere
- Abbigail O’Hara
- Julian Ruffule
- Dirk Salamon
- Naeleah Santiago Vazquez
- Victoria Stapf
- Cameron Voce
- Leslie Xiao
- Don Zhao
12th grade:
- Hannah Allison
- Kendall Biamonte
- Bailey Bray
- Melia Couchman
- Julia Dorantes
- Jacob Lamanna
- Lilliana Langdon
- Joshua Leskovar
- Caden Marusic
- Abigail Polus
- Jenna Riesel
- Robert Stone III
- Izabella Vredenburg
- Logan Williams
- Oksana Yudchits
Herkimer Central School District students in grades 10-12 who won Academic H Awards pose on stage following the ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Herkimer Central School District students in grades 10-12 who won Academic H Awards pose on stage following the ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Herkimer High School Principal Mary Tomaso speaks to students during the Academic H Awards ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Herkimer Central School District Class of 2019 graduate Johanna Humble speaks on Tuesday, Dec. 20, to current students in grades 10-12 who won Academic H Awards.