BY THOMAS LUCKIE III
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Free Academy Class of 2019 valedictorian Shelby Ross and salutatorian Jake VanHouse were recognized by the Ogdensburg City School District Board of Education and administration at Monday’s meeting.

Valedictorian Shelby Ross, the daughter of Kevin and Juliette Ross, currently ranks number one in her class of 113 seniors with a grade point average of 98.65.

She will graduate in June with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors and an annotation denoting Mastery in mathematics and science.

Athletically, Ross has participated in soccer, basketball and spring track throughout high school and been recognized as a Section X Academic All-Northern recipient, Sportsmanship Award recipient and a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete.

Ross is also a member of the National Honor Society and Whiz Quiz.

Outside of the classroom, Ross holds a part-time job at a local restaurant and has completed many community service projects through extracurricular activities.

Ross has received the Alan Krause Citizenship Award, a St. Lawrence County Evergreen STEM Scholarship and the St. Lawrence University Aubsbury/North Country Scholar Award.

She recently represented Ogdensburg Free Academy on WWNY-TV 7 News at Noon as an Academic All-Star.

After being accepted to a number of colleges and universities, Ross plans to pursue a major in chemistry or mathematics at SUNY Potsdam.

Salutatorian Jake VanHouse, the son of Derek VanHouse and Meghan Fetterly, currently ranks second in the senior class with a grade point average of 98.38.

VanHouse will graduate in June with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors and an annotation denoting Mastery in mathematics and science.

A four-year standout on the OFA golf team, VanHouse has also participated in soccer and hockey throughout high school.

In golf, VanHouse received Section X All-Northern recognition and earned a spot in the state tournament all four years. He has also earned Section X All-Academic Awards and NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Awards in all three sports.

VanHouse has been involved in the instrumental music program, participating in NYSSMA solos and Area All-State band.

A member of the National Honor Society and Whiz Quiz, VanHouse has also served as a volunteer referee for numerous youth sports in the community.

Expected to receive a New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship at graduation, VanHouse has applied to University at Buffalo, Daemen College and Elmira College. He plans to major in pre-medicine and biology.

Both Ross and VanHouse will be seated at the head table at this year’s OFA Academic Banquet, which recognizes students who have attended the banquet all four years of high school.