MADRID – The Madrid-Waddington Central School District recognizes the Class of 2024 leaders.

Students who have achieved the designation of Cum Laude - “with distinction,”  have earned a grade point average of 90 or better.

Larry Blakemore Jr. is the son of Juanita and Larry Blakemore Sr. He will be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University. Larry is a recipient of the Clarkson Merit Scholarship, Clarkson SAE Scholarship, Clarkson University Engineering Scholarship, Clarkson Alumni and Clarkson Visit Scholarship, the RIT Presidential Scholarship, the Merit Scholarship from SUNY Canton, and the SUNY Canton Woodcock Family Endowed Scholarship, the SUNY Polytechnic Dean Scholarship and the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Scholarship and Award. While at Madrid-Waddington, Larry has been a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, History Club, Drama Club, Whiz Quiz, North Country Science & Technology Entry Program, Liberty Partnership Program, E-Sports, and Drone Soccer. Larry is the president of the Speech and Debate Club and the Language Club. He won multiple 1st place awards in the Oral Interpretation Category for Speech and Debate as well as in the Extemporaneous Speech Category. Larry also does the morning announcements and has played various roles in the fall plays and spring musical productions. He traveled to Italy and Greece with the History Club. Larry participated in various leadership programs to include Project Challenge, Horizons, and the GE Leadership Day at Clarkson University as well as the NCSTEP/STEP Statewide Student Conference and LPP Leadership Summit. He has volunteered many hours in service projects within the community throughout the years for Key Club, National Honor Society and Boy Scouts of America. Larry is a member of the Order of the Arrow Honor Society within the Boy Scouts of America organization, has earned multiple Merit Badges and a Life Rank. He has been an Altar Server and a Lector at St. Mary’s Church in Waddington and at St. John’s in Massena. Larry has consistently been on the Honor and High Honor Roll and has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Zoey French is the daughter of  David and Denise French.  Zoey plans on attending SUNY Canton to study Veterinary Science Technology. During high school, Zoey has been involved in a variety of activities such as Chorus, Stardust singing group, Select Chorus, Band and Stage Band. She participates in Drama Club, Varsity Club, is a member of the National Honor Society, Yearbook, Area All State and All County Vocal Ensemble.  Zoey plays soccer, is a member of the Cheerleading team and participates in Varsity Softball. She has served as Treasurer of Tri-M Music Honor Society, was Captain of the Girls Varsity Soccer team and Cheerleading team, as well as Treasurer of the Cheerleading team. Zoey has participated in several events within her community which include the Madrid Dam Music Series, has played TAPS for Memorial Day celebrations and has been a member of the Waddington Homecoming Band.  Zoey has volunteered her time with the Madrid-Waddington plays and musicals and keeps busy with her work on the Madrid-Waddington School Board of Education serving as the Student Liaison. Zoey has been awarded the Sage College Junior Scholarship, and was recommended for the St. Lawrence University Augsbury-North Country Scholarship Award and the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass Award.  Zoey has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Bailey Giorgi is the daughter of Stephen Giorgi and Kellie Giorgi. Bailey intends to pursue a career in Mechanics. Bailey is a wonderful student, achieving High Honor Roll throughout high school.  She is a leader in the Automotive program at Northwest Technical Center in Ogdensburg, is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She enjoys participating in Band and Stage Band. Bailey has earned a New York State Regents diploma with a Career and Technical Endorsement.

Connor Thrasher is the son of Heather Baxter. Connor plans on attending Universal Technical Institute in Pennsylvania and majoring in Diesel Technician.  Connor has been on the High Honor Roll throughout high school and participates in the Automotive Technology program at NorthWest Technical Center. Connor has earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Career and Technical Endorsement.    

The following students have achieved the designation of Magna Cum Laude “with great distinction,” earning a grade point average of 93 or better.

Kyle Murphy is the son of Joe and Lisa Murphy. Kyle plans on attending SUNY Canton, majoring in Business Administration. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Varsity Club, served as Class Treasurer for three years, and was a member of stage crew for the high school musicals. He played varsity soccer, serving as Captain his senior year and received the Section X Second Team All Northern Award and the Section X Athlete of Distinction Award. He played Varsity Hockey for the Norwood-Norfolk Icemen, serving as an Assistant Captain his senior year, receiving the Section X Athlete of Distinction Award. He has enjoyed playing high school golf and has participated in several local golf leagues, with plans to play at the college level for SUNY Canton. Kyle has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.  

Aaron Putman is the son of Clark and Nancy Putman. Aaron plans on attending SUNY Morrisville, majoring in Agricultural Engineering. Aaron has achieved High Honor Roll throughout high school. He is a member of the Varsity Club and participates in many community events. Aaron has been an athlete in Cross Country, Basketball and Track. He has had a part-time job for several years at McKnights River Breeze Farm. Aaron has been awarded the SUNY Morrisville Trustee’s scholarship. Aaron has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.    

Lillan Todd is the daughter of Eric Todd and Tina Sawyer. Lillan plans on attending SUNY Cobleskill majoring in Animal Science. During high school, Lillan has been involved in a variety of activities including History Club, Outing Club, Whiz Quiz, Varsity Club, Yearbook staff and National Honor Society. Lillan is a three sport athlete in Basketball, Softball and Volleyball. She was the captain of her Softball and Volleyball teams. She received a second team all Northern Award for Volleyball and the Nicole Fleury sportsmanship award for basketball. For all three sports, she has been awarded the Section X Athlete of Distinction. She is also the President of Key Club. She has had part-time employment at Breezy Maples Farm, Madrid-Waddington school fitness center, and the Madrid recreation program. Lillan has earned the Advanced Regents diploma, Mastery in Science. 

Students who have achieved the designation of Summa Cum Laude - “highest distinction,” have earned a grade point average of 95 or better.

Erica Bates is the daughter of John and Andrea Bates. Erica plans on attending Elmira College to study Nursing and will play softball. While in high school, Erica has participated in Outing Club, Whiz Quiz, is a member of the National Honor Society, Language Club, Science Olympiad, Yearbook and Varsity Club. She is Vice President of Key Club, Treasurer of Whiz Quiz and Co- Captain of the Girls Varsity Volleyball, Basketball and Softball teams. Erica works two jobs throughout the school year. She is a Certified Nurse’s Aide at United Helpers and is a Supervisor at the MWCS Fitness Center. Erica has been awarded several scholarships this year including the Evergreen STEM Award, the Nihanawate Chapter Scholarship and the Elmira College Key Award. Erica has also received several athletic awards such as Athlete of Distinction, 2nd Team All Northern and the Sharp Shooter Award for Basketball and the Golden Glove Award for Softball and the Coach’s Award. Erica has earned an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors, Mastery in Math.

Alan Boswell is the son of Wyatt and Adrienne Boswell. Alan plans on taking a gap year after graduation and then will attend Clarkson University to study Civil Engineering. While in high school, Alan has been very active in the music program and has been in several plays and musicals. He has participated in Select Chorus, Stardust singing group, Band, Stage Band and Chorus. Alan is a member of National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He is the Treasurer for Stardust and the Nest. During his junior year, Alan was awarded the Clarkson University Leadership Award, the RIT Computing Award, Sage College Student Award and the University of Rochester George Eastman Award. Alan earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors, Mastery in Math and Science.

Hunter Bowman is the son of Mandy and Vernon Bowman. Hunter will attend SUNY Potsdam in the fall and study at the Crane School of Music. Hunter plans to pursue a career in Music Education. While in high school, Hunter has participated in Chorus, Band, Stage Band, Select Chorus and Stardust singing group. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Tri M Music Honor Society and the Potsdam Community Band. During his Junior year of high school, Hunter was awarded the Sage College Scholarship and was most recently awarded the SUNY Potsdam Freshman Scholarship. Hunter has earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors, Mastery in Math and Science.

Nicholas Moquin is the grandson of Emily and Henry Sharlow. Nicholas will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in Exercise Science. Nicholas was awarded the RIT Grant and the Presidential scholarship. He was selected as the WWNY TV 7 - Academic All Star and has been a High Honor Roll student throughout high school. Nicholas has served as Senior President of the National Honor Society, Sophomore Vice President and Senior Class Secretary. Nicholas has also held a part-time job year round this past year. For sports, Nicholas participated in Track and Field from Sophomore through Senior year, Cross Country during Junior year and Wrestling during Senior year. Nicholas has earned an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors, Mastery in Math and Science.

Elliott Woodward is the son of Nicole and Josh Page. Elliott plans on attending SUNY Potsdam with intentions of applying to the Crane School of Music for Music Theory. He has earned the SUNY Potsdam NH Provost scholarship. While attending Madrid-Waddington, Elliott has participated in a variety of clubs and organizations, such as Chorus, Stardust, Select Choir, Band, Stage Band, Speech and Debate, History Club, Drama Club, and Whiz Quiz. He also has had numerous lead roles in multiple Madrid-Waddington plays and musicals. He has been a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and is Class President. Elliott has participated in NYSSMA, All-County, Vocal Select, Jazz All-County, and was a sound engineer for the Madrid Dam Music Series. Elliott has earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors, Mastery in Math and Science.