This year, Hudson Falls honored 32 seniors as honors graduates. They are students who embody academic excellence and strive to do their very best. Congratulations to this year’s honors grads!
In alphabetical order, they are:
Natalia Armstrong is the daughter of Tom and Akhila Armstrong. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, as well as choir and choraliers. Natalia was a member of the art club her freshman year, took part in All-County her junior year, and is a member of the book club. She is a member of the student council and has taken part in several school-sanctioned activities. Her volunteer work includes putting together thanksgiving baskets, setting up for dances, helping at her local church, and tutoring her peers when needed. Natalia will be attending Boston University in the fall to study chemistry.
Alexis Arquette-Parker is the daughter of Maynard Parker jr and Vicky Arquette. She is a member of the National Honor Society, youth court, and mock trial. She has participated in NCBI, prom committee and Alexis has played Volleyball throughout her high school career and also played softball 9-10th grade. Her community service includes volunteering at the festival of trees, operation Santa, and helping at a local animal shelter. Alexis plans to attend Siena with a partial scholarship to major in political science with a pre-law track.
Kassandra Chaidez-Soberanes is the daughter of Hilda Soberanes and Salvador Chaidez. Kassandra played field hockey her freshman year and ran Indoor and Outdoor Track her junior and senior years. She has participated in Art Club all four years of High School and Spanish Club her freshman year. She has volunteered in charity events for the Glens Falls Hospital her sophomore and junior years. Kassandra will be attending Siena College in the fall to study finance.
Alexis Chainao is the daughter of Virginia and Benjamin Miller. She is a member of the orchestra and student council. She has participated in NYSSMA and All-County. Her community services include Big Brothers / Big Sisters, assembling thanksgiving baskets, and planting at Patroon Land Farm to help grow crops for the hungry. Alexis is a member of SUNY Adirondack Upward Bound. Alexis will be attending SUNY Oswego in the fall. She will be majoring in Biology and pursuing a career in dentistry.
Emily Collins is the daughter of Dean and Melissa Collins. She has participated in Basketball and Track. Emily has won several awards for her yearbook cover designs with her original artwork. She plans to attend college for a degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Animation/Illustration.
Stephen Currier III is the son of Stephen & Caitlin Currier. Stephen is a member of the National Honor Society. He played JV & Varsity Basketball, JV & Varsity Football, and Varsity Baseball. He volunteered his time to the youth basketball program. Stephen will be attending Inspiration Academy in Bradenton, FL as a member of their baseball team.
Thanaphat Darunsonthaya (North) is the son of Sulee and Ann Darunsonthaya. He is a member of the National Honor Society. He participates in track and field and wrestling for two years. He also volunteered at Pee Wee wrestling tournaments and putting together Thanksgiving baskets. Thanaphat (North) will be attending University at Buffalo this fall and major in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering.
Hayleigh Girard is the daughter of Christina Blanchard and Jason Girard. She has been a member of Choir, Choraliers, Band, and Jazz Band all four years of high school, attending NYSSMA as a freshman and sophomore. She is also an athlete, participating in Soccer, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track. She qualified for the New York State Outdoor Track Championships as a sophomore. Hayleigh has recently been accepted into SUNY Cobleskill, and is planning to participate in sports and major in Canine Training and Management.
Nicole Hamelin is the daughter of Russell and Dixie Hamelin. Nicole is a member of the Science National Honor Society. She is in art club and is a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters. Nicole has also volunteered at Pine Knolls Church Food Pantry. Nicole has received two Hudson Falls V.I.P. awards this year and two Principal’s Awards in 10th and 11th grade. Nicole will be attending SUNY Adirondack for Psychology to pursue a career as a Therapist.
Owen Hesselfeldt is the son of David Hesselfeldt and Rosada Craft. He participated in Games Club throughout high school. He plans to enter the workforce after high school and then attend college for a robotic engineering degree.
Andrew Hogan is the son of Sean and Courtney Hogan. Andrew played 4 years of Football, Basketball, and Baseball. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. In the fall, Andrew will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to study engineering and will be play football.
Jack Hogan is the son of Angie and Joseph Hogan. Jack is a member of the National Honor Society. Athletically, he is a 4-year varsity track and field athlete, a 3-year varsity basketball player, and played on the varsity soccer team for one year as a senior. Jack’s community service includes assembling and delivering holiday baskets, and mentoring at Hudson Falls youth basketball sessions. Jack plans to attend Princeton University in the fall to study economics and compete on the men’s track and field team.
Kya Konkol is the daughter of Kevin and Dawn Konkol. During her high school career, Kya participated in Varsity Track and field, Indoor track and field, and varsity and USA swimming. She has been a member of NHS since her junior year. Her community service includes volunteering at the SPCA and various school events. Kya will attend SUNY Adirondack in the fall, majoring in business.
Isaac Kwasniewski is the son of Ted and Melissa Kwasniewski. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Hudson Falls orchestra and chamber orchestra. Athletically he has participated in basketball and soccer throughout his high school career, and also ran track in his senior year. Isaac will be attending SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in the fall, and potentially attend graduate school afterward to pursue a career in wildlife biology.
Allison Lashway is the daughter of Jay Lashway and Mary-Beth King. She has participated in Art Club 9th through 12th grade. She has also participated in choir since 7th grade and orchestra since 5th grade and plays the violin. She has been a member of the Chamber Orchestra and Choraliers since 10th grade. She has also participated in Drama Club since 9th grade. She has been part of the cast and crew for “Almost, Maine”, “Into the Woods”, “The Curious Savage”, “Hunchback of Notre Dame”, and “Jekyll and Hyde”. She was inducted into the Thespian Society in 10th grade. She was inducted into the National Honor Society in 12th grade and was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society in 11th grade. She participated in Skills USA in 11th grade and has been a Student Ambassador for the ECCA (Early College Career Academy) programs since 11th grade. Allison will attend SUNY Canton in the fall and will pursue a degree in Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science. Her career goal is to work for the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center and work in the SVU (Special Victims Unit).
Carter Lewis is the son of Jon and Christine Lewis. He has participated in varsity soccer for three years, varsity football for one year, indoor track for one year, and outdoor track for four years. He was a part of the 4 by 100 relay team that won Foothills his sophomore year. He plans to attend SUNY Adirondack to study business.
Dylan Morton is the son of Michael and Sheila Morton. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. Dylan is Co-Captain of the Varsity Academic Quiz Bowl team and has been on the team for the past four years. He is also a member of the Varsity Tennis team. Dylan is the recipient of the Masonic Lodge Scholarship and RIT Presidential Scholarship. He will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall majoring in computer exploration.
Chris Petteys is the son of Ruth and Chris Petteys. He is the Vice President of the National Honors Society, President of the Science National Honor Society, and treasurer of the Hudson Falls Wrestling Club. Chris was team captain of both the varsity wrestling and soccer teams. In wrestling, Chris was a Sectional Champion, a two-time state qualifier, and placed 3rd in the 2020 NYS tournament. Chris’s community service includes yard work for the elderly, baking pies for the community, setting up and referring Pee Wee Wrestling tournaments, volunteering at the eagles club haunted house, and babysitting kids from the community. Chris plans on attending Gannon University in the fall to continue his wrestling career and study electrical engineering.
Ora Plude is the daughter of Lena Cibelli and Caroline Cibelli. She is a member of the band and choir. Ora has participated in NYSSMA and All-County festivals. She is a member of Mock Trial, SAGA, and the Methodist Church Youth Group. Her community service includes Big Brother Big Sisters, Back to School Bash, spaghetti dinners, and preparing lunch for seniors at the Kingsbury Senior Center. Ora participated in football cheerleading in her freshman year. She plans on attending Siena College in the fall and majoring in Social Work.
McKayla Prouty is the daughter of Terra Phillips and Eric Prouty. She is a member of the National Honor Society, SAGA, Choir, Choraliers, Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra and has participated in Nyssma and All-County. McKayla is also a member of the Drama Club and National Thespian Society participating in many musicals and plays such as Almost Maine, Curious Savage, Into the Woods, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Jekyll and Hyde. Her community service includes Big Brother Big Sisters, serving thanksgiving dinners, and a couple of toiletry drives. McKayla has received the New York State Comptroller’s Achievement Award and will be attending SUNY Adirondack in the fall.
Jack Repsis is the son of Louise Eddy and Duane Repsis. He was a member of choraliers and academic quiz bowl. Athletically Jack was very successful in the sport of wrestling eventually placing 5th in section 2 at the NYSPHAA Section 2 championships. Jack was always solely dedicated to improving himself and his brothers on the mat.
Noah Richmond is the son of Tracy and Bill Richmond, and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society through the Graphic Design program at BOCES. He participated in the Skills USA competition for the 2019-20 school year, and would have done so for 2020-21, had it not been canceled due to COVID-19. Noah has been a member of Glens Falls Tae Kwon Do since September 2018 and is currently an Advanced Yellow Belt. Noah’s community involvement has also included participating in Boy Scouts for four years, and as a scout, volunteered at multiple community events including Hudson Falls Hometown Holidays and Sandy Hill Days. Noah plans to attend SUNY Adirondack next year to study Media Arts for a 2-year Bachelor’s Degree, then transfer to SUNY Oneonta to continue his studies.
Emmalee Stark is the daughter of Scott and Marianne Stark. She is President of both the National Honors Society and the Class of 2021. She is also Treasurer of the International Thespian Society and a member of the Choraliers. Emmalee has participated in NYSSMA, All-County and Area All-State festivals. As a member of the Drama Club, she has participated in numerous musicals including Once Upon a Mattress, Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Athletically, she has participated in volleyball all four years of high school. Her community service includes her participation in Big Brothers Big Sisters and the National Coalition Building Institute. She also volunteered with AMORAK Youth. Emmalee will be attending Long Island University in the fall, pursuing a BFA in musical theatre.
Nathaniel Stickney is the son of Patrick Stickney and Sandy Hart. Nate was the videographer of the basketball team for 3 years of high school and 1 year for the football team. He also played baseball for 2 years, golf for 3 years, and football for 1 year. Nate has volunteered at many events for his church and helped kids make cookies at the Festival of The Trees his Junior Year. He is also a member of the National Honors Society. In the fall, Nate will attend SUNY Binghamton to study statistics.
Hannah Strong is the daughter of Kelly Smyth and Bill and Adriana Strong. She has played varsity volleyball for four years, club volleyball for seven years, and outdoor track for three years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. Her community service includes Operation Santa Claus, Power of Pink, and Salvation Army bell ringing. Hannah is attending Hartwick College in the fall.
Victoria Sullivan is the daughter of Valarie and James Sullivan. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. She has participated in soccer all four years of her high school career. Victoria will be attending SUNY Plattsburgh in the fall with a major in Nursing.
Logan Tyler is the son of Travis and Lisa Tyler. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Choraliers, Chamber Orchestra, Science National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. Logan has participated in NYYSMA and All-County festivals for both violin and voice. He is a member of the Drama Club and has participated in many school musical productions including Once Upon a Mattress, Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Logan is also a member of the Thespians Society. Athletically, Logan has participated in soccer and volleyball. His community service includes his participation in Big Brothers Big Sisters and the National Coalition Building Institute. Logan will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, majoring in nursing on a pre-med track.
Mikayla Varney is the daughter of Brett and Erin Varney. She has been a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Roots and Shoots, and Student Council. Athletically she has participated in softball for three years, and soccer and basketball all four years of high school. Her community service includes highway clean-up with Roots and Shoots and volunteering to set up and work the concession stand during the Luciano Invitational for three years. She was the treasurer of the Spanish Club for two years as well as the captain for her soccer and basketball teams in 9th and 12th grade. Mikayla will attend SUNY Cortland in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.
Tyler Weaver is the son of Katherine and Christopher Weaver, brother of Jonathan Weaver, and grandson of Regina & William Vogt (*Pronounced VOTE) and Pamela & the late Dale Weaver. He is a two-year member of the National Technical Honor Society, sings in the choir, and plays trumpet in the high school band, as well as in the jazz band. Tyler thoroughly loved being part of the clay shooting club throughout their high school career and enjoyed being part of the drama club for two years. He is a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a purple belt in Hapkido. Tyler’s community service includes volunteering every Sunday morning at St. Joseph’s Church in Fort Edward. He entered into the PTECH program in 9th grade and will be celebrating his completion ceremony for the ECCA program next month at SUNY Adirondack. Tyler is already utilizing his skills from the ECCA program in the workforce and plans to continue his education at SUNY ADK next year to complete his degree in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering.
Sarah Webster is the daughter of Steven and Andrea Webster. She is the secretary of both the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. She’s also a member of the Spanish National Honor Society. Sarah participated in orchestra and NYSSMA early in her high school career. She volunteers at Glens Falls Hospital and the Open Door Mission outside of school, as well as several hospital charity events. Athletically, Sarah has participated in varsity softball since her freshman year and she’s played on a travel team year-round starting at age eight. Sarah was accepted into the nursing program at the University of Pennsylvania. She’s planning on becoming a nurse anesthetist.
The Class of 2021 Salutatorian is MacKenzie Pisani. She is the daughter of Laura and Ben Pisani. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Science Honor Society and is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate. She is a founding member and contributor to the Queensbury school newspaper and is a HOBY ambassador. Athletically, MacKenzie has participated in varsity field hockey, swimming, and softball, and plays on a travel softball team. In 10th grade, she was named to the All-Foothills council 2nd team for softball. Her community service projects include volunteer coaching youth softball teams, organizing pollution and upcycling day for elementary schoolers, and registering voters at a BLM march. She was awarded the president’s volunteer service award in 2021. MacKenzie is committed to St. Michael’s College to play Division II softball, and she plans to major in international relations and political science, hoping to build a career in non-profit work or humanitarian law.
The Class of 2021 Valedictorian is Caleb Koutrakos. He is the son of Kimberly Rohm and Steven Koutrakos. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society. He has participated in TRIO Upward Bound and the Naval Academy Summer Seminar. Athletically he participated on the Varsity Tennis team, Varsity Swim team, and Varsity Cross Country team. Caleb will be attending the United States Naval Academy.