Greewich's top students, Salem's class photo, new credit union to break ground
We’ll push our discussion of local restaurants and their economic survival to later this week. If you have something you’d like to contribute to that discussion, send us an email.
For now, we have some items to catch up on.
To start, Greenwich CSD sent us their Top 11 list just yesterday. Here it is:
GREENWICH CENTRAL SCHOOL ANNOUNCES TOP GRADUATES IN THE CLASS OF 2025
Mr. George Niesz, Greenwich High School Principal, is announced the top students of the Class of 2025.
Pictured from left to right:
Back row (left to right) – Lillian Kelley, Chloe Bentzen, Eli Buretea-Bloom, Joseph Radovich Jr., Ava Aierstok, Luna Paradis Wiebe
Front row (left to right) – Allison Chuhta, Morgan Foster, Brooke Demianenko, Kayla Stewart, Olive Magowan
The Top 11, in order:
Allison Chuhta - Allison is the daughter of Suzanne Fariello and Steven Chuhta. She is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Future Farmers of America (FFA, President), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA, President), Equality Club (President), Jazz Band, High School Band, Hope Club, Washington County Region All County Band, Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity Soccer and Varsity Field Hockey. She is also a volunteer with Greenwich’s Youth Lacrosse and Youth Soccer program (Coach), Breakfast with Santa, Wiawaka Retreat for Women and is a Little League Snack Bar Employee. She is the Washington County Alternate Dairy Princess and a SUNY Adirondack Summer Program Faculty Assistant. Allison received The University of Rochester’s George Eastman Young Leaders Award, RPI Medalist Award, FFA Star Sophomore Award and Scholar Athlete (‘22,’23 and ‘24). She was on the High Honor Roll (2019-Present), a 2024 Girls State Participant and an Accredited Agricultural Parliamentarian.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “Never fear the shadows, they simply mean light is shining nearby.”
Future Plans - Allison will be attending Cornell University majoring in food science.
Morgan Foster - Morgan is the daughter of Amy Wise Foster and Leigh Foster. She is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS, Committee Leader and Volunteer Event Coordinator), Spanish National Honor Society (President), Spanish Club (President), Mock Trial, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA - Vice President), Hope Club (President), Greenwich Band, All County Band, JV/Varsity Girls Soccer, JV/Varsity Girls Lacrosse, ADK Peak Club Lacrosse, All County Chorus, Varsity Choir, UAlbany Promusica Selective Assamble and Youth Church Choir (Lead). Morgan is positioned to earn her Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of Civic Readiness. She is a Volunteer at College Axis Project, Greenwich’s Youth Soccer and Lacrosse programs (Coach), Comfort Community Food Pantry, Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center (Counselor), Leukemia Lymphoma Society and Happy Hope Factory. She is a recipient of the St. Lawrence North Country Scholarship, an NYSSMA Athletic Scholar and an AP Scholar. She is also a Competitive Sailor and Senior Instructor at Menauhant Yacht Club. and works at Piper Boutique.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “Enjoy things not going to plan, because no good story happens from things going right.”’
Future Plans - Morgan will be attending Amherst College to study Biology on the Pre-med track.
Joseph Radovich Jr. - Joe is the son of Joe and Karin Radovich. Joe played football, basketball and ran track while at Greenwich. Joe is also a member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “Sometimes, less is more.” Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe
Future Plans - Joe will be attending Binghamton University majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Olive Magowan - Olive is the daughter of Kristi and Adrian Magowan. She is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Mock Trial Team, Drama Club, Equality Club, Math League, Chorus and Varsity Choir. She is the 1st place winner of the VFW Essay Contest locally and 2nd place winner regionally. Olive has earned mastery on every regents exam taken.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “I’m not convinced I know how to read. I’ve just memorized a lot of words.” Nick Miller, New Girl
Future Plans - Olive will be attending Hamilton College studying Government & Statistics. She hopes to later attend Law School.
Luna Paradis Wiebe - Luna is the daughter of Jennifer Wiebe and Syrus Sipperly. Luna is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Varsity Soccer (Captain and Defensive MVP), Varsity Basketball, Varsity Lacrosse (Captain and received Coach’s Award) and Varsity Track & Field. She is a volunteer with the Greenwich Gardeners, Boys and Girls Club and Greenwich’s Junior Basketball Camp and Youth Soccer Program (coach). Luna is positioned to receive the Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of Civic Readiness. She is the recipient of the St. Lawrence Augsbury/North Country Scholarship, Scholar Athlete, Entrance Scholarship for University of Victoria, Canada, PTSA Award and the Presidential Gold Certificate. She is also a NY State certified Lifeguard.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “It’s the people that make the place.” My Grandpa
Future Plans - Luna will be attending McGill University in Montreal, Canada and hopes to be back to visit her Greenwich family.
Lillian Kelley - Lillian is the daughter of Randall and Rechelle Kelley. Throughout high school she has studied both French and Spanish. Lily is also an advanced art student and is positioned to earn her Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of Civic Readiness.
Future Plans - Undecided
Eli Buretea-Bloom - Eli is the son of Sylvia Bloom and Mihai Buretea. He is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Band (Clarinet), Jazz Band (Tenor Sax), Chorus, Drama Club, Saratoga Youth Symphony (Cello), French Club, Math League and Boy Scout Troop 27. Eli has earned his Eagle Scout rank (highest achievement in Scouting). He has received the Clarkson University High School Achievement Award and the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award.
Future Plans - Eli plans to attend Swarthmore College to study Engineering and continue in musical ensembles.
Chloe Bentzen - Chloe is the daughter of Michael and Jeannine Bentzen. Chloe is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS-Treasurer), Future Farmers of America (FFA), FFA Farmland Chairwomen, Rensselaer County Equine 4H (Treasurer), Washington County Fair Jr. Committee (President), Breakfast with Santa Chairwomen, Equality Club, Student Council (Vice President of her class). She has received the University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Book Award, NYSUT Retiree Council 10 Scholarship and the National Bronze Team for FFA Parliamentary Procedure.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Dr. Seuss
Future Plans - Chloe will be attending SUNY Oneonta majoring in Elementary Education.
Brooke Demianenko - Brooke is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Students Against Destructive Decisions Club (SADD), Hope Club, Student Council, Varsity Tennis, JV/Varsity Lacrosse and ALA Girls State. She worked at the Lakeside General Store, Wallies of Greenwich and the Little League Snack Bar. She has volunteered with the Red Cross Blood Drive, Greenwich Tractor Parade, the summer reading program, Youth Lacrosse (Coach), Greenwich’s Halloween Parade and Breakfast with Santa.
Future Plans - Brooke will be attending Fairfield University studying at the Dolan School of Business.
Kayla Stewart - Kayla is the daughter of Jeremy and Kristin Stewart. Kayla is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Equality Club. She has received the President's Education Award for Academic Excellence, 4H Horse Communications Award and was NYS FFA 1st place winner in the Parliamentary Procedure contest. Kayla enjoys riding her horse “Bob” and reading.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “Not all goodbyes are sad. For example, "Goodbye high school.” Unknown
Future Plans - Kayla will be attending SUNY Adirondack in the fall with a dual acceptance to SUNY Plattsburgh studying social sciences with a major in Psychology.
Ava Aierstok - Ava is the daughter of Emily and Kevin Aierstok. She is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS-Treasurer), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA-Secretary), Yearbook, Band (Trash Can Band and Jazz Band), Math League, Art Club, Spanish Club (Vice President), Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council, Hope Club, Mock Trial and Equality Club. She is also a part of Varsity Soccer, Indoor Soccer, Lacrosse, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track. Ava has volunteered with the Greenwich Youth Soccer Program and Avery’s Little Army Soccer Fundraiser ($1000 raised). She is positioned to earn her Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of Civic Readiness. Ave received an award from RPI and the St. Lawrence Augsbury/North Country Scholarship. She was also a member of Carrie Woerner’s Student Advisory Committee.
Words of Wisdom or Favorite Quote - “It’s better to feel pain than nothing at all.” Lumineers
Future Plans - Ava is going to Boston University to study Mathematics.
Congrats to these students and all graduates!
Here is the Salem Press’s class photo and caption for Washington Academy:
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Salem Washington Academy graduates who received their diplomas on Friday evening, June 27 in the Salem Central School high school gymnasium before family, friends, faculty, and Board of Education members.
Members of the graduating class are Ethan Christopher Adams, Ava Grace Holmes, Kathan Robert Armstrong, Reagan Taylor Jackson, Blaise Roman Barrett, Sophia Mae Keays, Charles Barboza Ceglowski, Hunter William Kenyon, Jack Soden Conners, Makayla Maria Kline, Declan Foskett Donaldson, Anna Rose Maxwell, Liam Thomas Eddy, Dalin Mykl McKittrick, Lucianna Lee Eldridge, Dylan James McMorris-Hotaling, Wyatt Jackson Fifield, Sean Markis Miller, Socrates Fronhofer II, Luke Thomas Miner, Natalie Francine Gallagher, Justin Morey, Jacob Harrison Getty, Madeline Noelle Palulis, John Harrison Getty, Eden Frances Patrick, Cameron Elizabeth Gilles, Destiny Marie Peña, Alyssa Rose Groesbeck, Alyssa Hillary Phillips, Kiernan Michael Haskell Hunter, Allen Ricard, Mason Richard Hayward, Patrick Emmett Sartell, Camden Michael Hill, Breanna Marie Vincent, Magnolia Jane Hoge, Jonah D. Wallace.
–Tom McMorris Photo
Ground Breaking Friday for New Credit Union Between Hannaford and CVS
Hudson River Community Credit Union plans to break ground on its newest branch in Greenwich on Friday, July 11.
The ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. to noon at 1167 State Route 29, between Hannaford and CVS. The event will feature remarks from HRCCU CEO Sue Commanda, local officials, and community leaders.
The new branch is intended to expand access to financial products and services for residents of Washington County and surrounding communities. Credit union representatives said the project reflects HRCCU’s continued investment in providing high-quality financial services across the Capital Region.
Attendees at the ceremony will have the opportunity to view renderings of the planned facility and witness the official groundbreaking, complete with hard hats and ceremonial shovels.
HRCCU board members, staff, and members of the community are expected to attend.
And Now for the Comics — ‘9 to 5’ by Harley Schwadron
More tomorrow!