Friendship Central School proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2024 during its 160th Commencement Exercise held on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Twenty-six seniors crossed the stage to receive their diplomas as family members, friends, faculty, and community members gathered to honor their accomplishments and celebrate the next chapter in their lives.
Diplomas were presented by Mrs. Judy May, Superintendent; Mr. Martin Pizur, Principal; and Mr. W. Scott Ritchie, President of the Board of Education. Members of the Friendship Central School Class of 2024 included Trilee Blauvelt, Oceana Burleson, Shelby Carpenter, Karlee Cochran, Malakhi Coish, Grace Drumm, Dakota Evingham, Damien Gardner, Ashlyn Golden, Nash Jordan, Olivia Marks, Kody Marvin, Hannah Pierce, Lillian Rehler, Cash Ritchie, Nevaeh Ross, James Scranton, Alina Sisson, Kristiana Smith, Nicholas Sortore, Tyler Thornton, and Jazmine Truax.
Message of Inspiration
The commencement ceremony featured special remarks from the Class of 2024’s top academic leaders. Olivia Marks delivered the Valedictorian Address, while Nevaeh Ross presented the Salutatorian Address. The class also welcomed Lindsey Weaver, the graduates’ former Pre-K teacher, as the guest speaker. Her reflections on watching the students grow from their earliest school experiences to graduation created a meaningful and memorable moment for the graduating class and their families.
Academic Scholarships, Honors and Awards
Numerous awards and scholarships were presented in recognition of academic achievement, leadership, service, athletics, and future career pursuits. Olivia Marks was recognized as Valedictorian, while Nevaeh Ross received the Salutatorian Award. Members of the National Honor Society included Ashlyn Golden, Olivia Marks, Nevaeh Ross, James Scranton, and Alina Sisson.
Additional scholarship and award recipients included Trilee Blauvelt and Nash Jordan, who received the Allegany County Pomona Grange Award. Ashlyn Golden, Olivia Marks, and Alina Sisson earned the American Red Cross Scholarship. Nevaeh Ross received the Belva Waite Scholarship, Dennis Amore Scholar/Athlete Award, Jerry Swift Memorial Athletic Excellence Award, and the Le Moyne Athletic Scholarship. Olivia Marks was awarded the Cardi Health Professions Scholarship. Shelby Carpenter received the Donahue Family Scholarship, Friendship CSD CSEA Scholarship, Friendship Designated Alfred State Scholarship, Friendship Rotary Scholarship, and the Friendship-Cuba Masonic Lodge Scholarship.
Ashlyn Golden and Olivia Marks were recipients of the FCS Student Council Scholarship, Friendship Cheese Festival Scholarship, Friendship Legion Auxiliary Scholarship, Friendship Legion Scholarship, Friendship Legion S.A.L. Scholarship, National Honor Society Scholarship, and New York State Academic Excellence recognition. Ashlyn Golden and Alina Sisson also received the Friendship Rod & Gun Club Scholarship, while Olivia Marks and Nevaeh Ross were honored with the Friendship Teachers’ Association Scholarship.
Additional award recipients included Cash Ritchie, Nicholas Sortore, Karlee Cochran, and Dakota Evingham, who earned the Friendship Fire Department Scholarship. Jazmine Truax received both the Friendship Homecomers Scholarship and the Friendship-Cuba Masonic Lodge Scholarship. Ashlyn Golden earned the JCC USA Scholarship, while Alina Sisson received the M. Gretchen Probst Scholarship. Hannah Pierce was recognized with the Suzanne Lester-Walker Memorial Scholarship. The TJ Mott Student/Athlete Scholarship was awarded to Ashlyn Golden and Nevaeh Ross.
Students receiving Off to College Awards included Shelby Carpenter, Ashlyn Golden, Olivia Marks, Hannah Pierce, Lillian Rehler, Nevaeh Ross, Alina Sisson, and Jazmine Truax. Friendship Yearbook Awards were presented to Ashlyn Golden, Olivia Marks, and Alina Sisson. The Friendship Youth Baseball Memorial Award, honoring Leon and Lynn Collins, James Schneider, and Jerry Swift, was awarded to Nevaeh Ross and Olivia Marks.
World of Work Awards recognized students entering the workforce or career pathways following graduation and were presented to Trilee Blauvelt, Oceana Burleson, Karlee Cochran, Malakhi Coish, Grace Drumm, Dakota Evingham, Damien Gardner, Nash Jordan, Kody Marvin, Cash Ritchie, James Scranton, Kristiana Smith, Nicholas Sortore, and Tyler Thornton.
Friendship Central School congratulates the Class of 2024 on their many accomplishments and wishes each graduate continued success in their future endeavors.