AHS 2020 Student Awards, National Honor Society, NYS Science Honor Society, Smart Scholars graduation

Amsterdam High School held its 2020 student Awards Night ceremony on Thursday, June 11, remotely due to COVID-19. View the awards ceremony recorded on the district YouTube channel. Award winners are also listed below.

Class of 2020 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Amsterdam High School 2020 Valedictorian – Matthew Murphy
Amsterdam High School 2020 Salutatorian – Rein Desbiens
View 2020 Val & Sal bios

Presentation of Honor Students

The New York State Board of Regents offers the following honors to students with exemplary academic performance. A student who earns an average score of 90 or higher (without rounding) on required exams is eligible for a Regents Diploma with Honors or a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation with Honors. Students must have achieved a 90 or above using the following exams: English Language Arts, Global Studies, US History, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, and two science regents. Congratulations to the following students who have met the requirements of this rigorous accomplishment and will be receiving a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation with Honors. The students receiving this honor for the Class of 2020 are:

Kye Desbiens
Rein Desbiens
Philip Hans
Syadda Husain
Noah Mascaro
Matthew Murphy
Zachary Rulison
Andrew VanEps

Presentation of Student Government Senior Officers

Student Government President: Tyler Krackow

Student Government Vice President: Kayli Hoefs

Senior Class President: Jake Palczak

Senior Class Vice President: Shanna Foster

Presentation of Scholarships and Awards

Raymond Alvarez- Mercado
– English Department Outstanding Student

Zackary Amell
– Karen Houlihan Golden Memorial Award

Nicolas Antonelli
– Lee N. and Grace Q. Vedder Endowment Fund Scholarship
– Glen-Mohawk Association of Churches Scholarship

Peyton Ausfeld
– Mr. Arthur Cotugno Memorial Scholarship
– Greater Amsterdam School District Hall of Fame Athletic Scholarship
– Patrick J. Liverio Football Scholarship
– Frank Butch Miller Old Timers Football Award
– Jimmy G. Memorial Scholarship

Walter Bates
– Art Department Outstanding Student

Tahlea Bonilla
– Art Department Outstanding Student

Joclyn Bottisti
– The Foundation of Fulton Montgomery Community College Scholarship Award

Victoria Britton
– Art Department Outstanding Student

Mia Brown
– Karen Houlihan Golden Memorial Award

Nicolas Carbone
– Costa Lazarou Athletic Scholarship

Cameron Chrzanowski
– Peter Lansburg Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship

Grace Clark
– Band Booster Award

Daian Colon
– Paul and Karen Wassel Memorial Award

Josie Cronk
– Band Booster Award

Katelynn Demitraszek
– Peter Lansburg Memorial Choral Award
– Costa Lazarou Athletic Scholarship

Francesca DeRosa
– Matthew Martuscello Memorial Award

Kye Desbiens
– Herbert Lurie Memorial Award
– Deann Rosmarino Memorial Award

Rein Desbiens
– Herbert Lurie Memorial Award
– Deann Rosmarino Memorial Award
– Amsterdam Teachers Association Salutatorian Award
– CTW Award for highest Math and Science Regents

April Feathers
– Business Department Outstanding Student

Shanna Foster
– NYS Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award – Commitment, Character, and Courage

Astrid Fuentes-Dimas
– English Department Outstanding Student
– Dorothy Wemple Literary Award
– Sam Picciocca Memorial Scholarship

Sheridan Gowen
– Art Department Outstanding Student

Jacob Greco
-Mr. Arthur Cotugno Memorial Scholarship
– Glen-Mohawk Association of Churches Scholarship
– Math Department Outstanding Student
– Eric S. Crane Memorial Award
– Jimmy G. Memorial Scholarship
– Sam Picciocca Memorial Scholarship

Maria Hamblin
– Karen Houlihan Golden Memorial Award

Philip Hans
– Mr. Arthur Cotugno Memorial Scholarship
– Glen-Mohawk Association of Churches Scholarship
– Jimmy G. Memorial Scholarship

Katherine Hemsley
– Sarah J. Stark Memorial Award
– Greater Amsterdam School District Hall of Fame Academic/Community Scholarship
– Deann Rosmarino Memorial Award
– CTW Scholarship Award
– Elizabeth Cady Stanton Women’s Consortium Scholarship
– Social Studies Department Outstanding Student

Kayli Hoefs
– Amsterdam Retired Teachers Association Scholastic Award
– Amy King Steenburg Soccer Memorial Award
– Sam Picciocca Memorial Scholarship

Syadda Husain
– Frederick Smith Memorial Award
– CTW Award for highest Math and Science Regents
– Life Science Department Outstanding Student

Philip Johnson
-Mr. Arthur Cotugno Memorial Scholarship
– Joseph A. Longobardo Memorial Scholarship
– Jimmy G. Memorial Scholarship

Emma Kelly
– Foreign Language – Spanish Outstanding Student Award

Tyler Krackow
– Mr. Arthur Cotugno Memorial Scholarship
– CTW Scholarship Award
– Math Department Outstanding Student

Timothy Kruger
– Band Booster Award
– National School Choral Award

Jannessa Leahey
– Paul and Karen Wassel Memorial Award
– Choral Excellence

Ehunixe Lopez
– Mary King Dyson JROTC Memorial Award

Rory McNamara
– The Women’s Health of Amsterdam T. Donald and Betty Ann Rapello Scholarship
– Montgomery County Band Award

Matthew Murphy
– Mr. Arthur Cotugno Memorial Scholarship
– Costa Lazarou Athletic Scholarship
– Jerome H. Schaffer Award
– Lee N. and Grace Q. Vedder Endowment Fund Scholarship
– Amsterdam Teachers Association Valedictorian Award
– Business Department Outstanding Student
– Math Department Outstanding Student
– Physical Science Department Outstanding Student
– Social Studies Department Outstanding Student

Anthony Odendahl
– Drama Outstanding Technical Award
– Social Studies Department Outstanding Student
– Choral Directors Award

Stephanie Ordonez
-Montgomery County Music Teacher Scholarship

Jacob Palczak
– Kathleen Brown Memorial Scholarship
– Mr. Arthur Cotugno Memorial Scholarship
– Costa Lazarou Athletic Scholarship
– Carmella and Anthony Marcellino Memorial Award
– Deann Rosmarino Memorial Award
– Amsterdam Teachers Association Award
– Student Government Scholarship Award
– Social Studies Department Outstanding Student

Katherine Phetteplace
– Carmella and Anthony Marcellino Memorial Award
– NYS Attorney General’s Triple “C“ Award – Commitment, Character, and Courage

Natalia Quinones
– 12th grade recipient of the Barbara and Robert Reidy Humanitarian Award
– Michael Paul Pallotta Memorial Scholarship
– Band Booster Award
– NYS Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award – Commitment, Character, and Courage
– Jimmy G. Memorial Scholarship

Alaya Rivera
– English Department Outstanding Student

Ashley Rivera
– Abigail King Jackson Reading/English Memorial Award

Keegan Robataille
– The Robert Louison Drama, Broadcasting, and Television Award
– Gerald P. Barnell Memorial Award

Zachary Rulison
– Band Director’s Award
– William Harrison Bowhall and Dora Newkirk Bowhall Memorial Award

Jailyn Salisbury
– Drama Student Outstanding Acting Award

Jiarmani Santiago
– Lewis L. Carosella Memorial Award

Nicole Tepan
– Karen Houlihan Golden Memorial Award

Anaida Urriola
– Allison King Softball Memorial Award
– King-Jackson Teammate of the Year Scholarship

Andrew VanEps
– Herbert Lurie Memorial Award
– Glen-Mohawk Association of Churches Scholarship
– Math Department Outstanding Student
– Louis Armstrong Award

Adriana Vicinanzo
– Choral Directors Award

Nicholas Auspelmyer
– 10th grade recipient of the Barbara and Robert Reidy Humanitarian Award

The Douglas Hutchinson Memorial Fund gave to students in need because of Coronavirus Pandemic in lieu of their scholarship this year.

Junior Awards

David Bertuch
– Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Rensselaer Medal for Outstanding Math and Science Students – $120,000 ($35,000 per year)

Justin Bishop
– Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award ($10,000 per year)

Lorenzo Bottisti
– University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology ($10,000 per year)

Dominic Buckley
– Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award – $40,000 ($10,000 per year)

Hailey Duma
– Elmira College Key Award:- $80,000 ($20,000 per year)

Trevor Dzikowicz
– 11th grade recipient of the Barbara and Robert Reidy Humanitarian Award

Natalie Flint
– Le Moyne College Heights Award – $55,000 ($13,750 per year)

Nicholas Gaetano
– Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal Award and Scholarship – $32,000 ($8,000 annually)

Olivia Holloway
– Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation and Creativity Award and Scholarship – $32,000 ($8,000 annually)

Matthew Hughes
– Russell Sage College – The Student Sage Award – $60,000 ($15,000 per year)

Rebecca Kaminiski
– Clarkson University Achievement Award- – $48,000 ($12,000 per year)

Gianna King
– Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award – $40,000 ($10,000 per year)

Alexander Kline
– Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation and Creativity Award and Scholarship – $32,000 ($8,000 annually)

Marley Liszczynskyj
– University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award ($10,000 per year)

Alinah Marinov
– University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award ($10,000 per year)

Gabriela Maroto
– Saint Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement & Social Conscience ($16,000 up to full tuition)

Elizabeth Marshall
– Russell Sage College – The Student Sage Award – $60,000 ($15,000 per year)

Thomas Marten
– Russell Sage College – The Student Sage Award – $60,000 ($15,000 per year)

Carter Martin
– Russell Sage College – The Student Sage Award ($15,000 per year)

Najah Martin
– Russell Sage College – The Student Sage Award – ($15,000 per year)

Katelyn Mickel
– Russell Sage College – The Student Sage Award – $60,000 ($15,000 per year)

Lauren Mowrey
– Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal Award and Scholarship – $32,000 ($8,000 annually)

Justin Pettica
– Clarkson University Leadership Award- $60,000 ($15,000 per year)

Emma Pierce
– Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award – $40,000 ($10,000 per year)

Lucas Sarabia
– University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award ($10,000 per year)

James Shatas
– Saint Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement & Social Conscience ($16,000 up to full tuition)

Alex Slovack
– Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award ($10,000 per year)

Jaclyn Stanavich
– Russell Sage College – The Student Sage Award – $60,000 ($15,000 per year)

Sydney Szczepanik
– Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award – $40,000 ($10,000 per year)

Yamilette Vazquez
– Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award – $40,000 ($10,000 per year)

Emily Yandik
– Elmira College Key Award – $80,000 ($20,000 per year)

National Honor Society

The National Honor Society inductions for Amsterdam High School were held remotely on May 28. View the ceremony on the district’s YouTube channel. Award winners and honorees are also listed below.

Presentation of Regents Honor Students

Noah Mascaro, Andrew VenEps, Matthew Murphy, Syadda Husain, Kye Desbiens, Philip Hans, Rein Desbiens and Zachary Rulison

Academic Outstanding Senior Awards

Social Studies -Tyler Krackow, Jacob Greco
English – Jade Pimental
Science – Matthew Murphy
Mathematics – Rein Desbiens
Spanish – Emma Kelly

Members of National Honor Society Seniors

Class of 2020 Seniors: Emma Kelly , Nicholas Antonelli, Tyler Krackow, Peyton Ausfeld, Mackenzie Lindsay, Reece Bledsoe, Noah Mascaro, Emily Brittain, Rory McNamara, Ashlynn Bolesky, Alexis Mittelstadt, Tahlea Bonilla, Matthew Murphy, Anika Cislo, Jacob Palczak, Nicolas Carbone, Jade Pimentel, Grace Clark, Natalia Quinones, Sofia Dayian, Erin J. Rivera, Katelynn Demitraszek, Jacob Greco, Kye Desbiens, Ashley Rivera, Rein Desbiens, Michael Rocas, Shanna Foster, Zachary Rulison, Skylar Grybos, Emily Schaufelberg, Philip Hans, Noah Tatun, Katherine Hemsley, Morganne Tighe, Kayli Hoefs, Anaida Urrida, Syadda Husain Andrew VanEps, Brianna Jones, Adriana Vicinanzo , Philip Johnson, Marlena Welsher

New Inductees: Nicholas Auspelmyer, Taylor Brickwedel, Francesca Catena, Lucy Cornett, Corey Delisa, Brianna Francisco, Sierra Goodson, Lawrence Guisti, Sydney Hoefs, Jessica Holloway, Jennifer Homrighaus, Syed Usaed Husain, Layla Kellogg, Kathryn Kowalczyk, Jaseiry Lamboy Rosado, Shelby Lamont, Noah Marshall, Jayla McGaffin, Garrett McHeard, Brenna McNamara, Brian McNamara, Leah Moorman, Aurora Morley, Errol Quinones Jr., Yarelis Rodriguez, Mason Sarabia, Taylor Smith, Aniah Sturdivant, Netanya Weiss

Juniors: Arianna Colon, Carson Cotugno, Evan Iannuzzi, Thomas Marten, Sydney Szczepanik

New York State Science Honor Society Awards

The New York State Science Honor Society was established to recognize students who excel in science. The students who are members have demonstrated their ability in science and math in the classroom and have participated in science related activities in the school and community.

NYSSHS provides activities and an environment where these students can further develop their knowledge of science and technology. The Amsterdam Chapter of the society was established in June 2017. Each year the group participates in regional and local activities and events to encourage students participation in science. This year’s graduating seniors will be attending institutions such as Syracuse University, Pennsylvania State University, Villanova University, Siena College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Rochester Institute of Technology and majoring in science fields such as pre-med, biochemistry, chemical engineering, veterinary science and pharmacy.

On June 10, the group inducted seven new members: Nicholas Auspelmeyer, Syed Husain, Alexander Kline, Carter Martin, Brenna Mcnamara, Gabriela Maroto and Lauren Mowrey.

Smart Scholars graduation/awards ceremony

The Smart Scholars graduation and awards ceremony for Amsterdam High School was held remotely on June 16. View the ceremony on the district’s YouTube channel below. Award winners and honorees are also listed below.

Smart Scholars is a New York State Early College High School (ECHS) program that provides students with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. Students are dual enrolled and take both college and high school classes to better prepare them for college after graduation. The program is targeted to students who are traditionally underrepresented, and students receive academic support from the school/college partnership to ensure that they are ready to participate in rigorous courses. The program serves to increase high school graduation rates while reducing student tuition costs.

2020 Graduates

Daniel Bublak, Anika Cislo, Katelynn Demitraszek, Astrid Dimas, Divine Diplan, Yvette Espinoza, Cuba Fernandez, Kiarra Fraticelly, Ashley Gonzalez, Sebastian Greco, Syadda Husain, Brianna Jones, Davelynn Mora, Natalia Quinones, Brandon Ribot Diaz, Ashley Rivera, Alanis Seeley, Devin Senecal and Nicole Tepan.