Valedictorian – David Bertuch

The Valedictorian of the Amsterdam High School Class of 2021 is David Bertuch. Bertuch, who is graduating with an overall average of 100.23, has taken the most challenging courses during his four years in high school and excelled at every challenge. This includes a schedule packed with honors level, Advanced Placement college credit bearing courses in every core subject. Bertuch is the Senior Class President, AHS National Honor Society Treasurer (10-12) and Science Honor Society President (11 and 12). He is a member of the Amsterdam High School Marching Rams (9-12) and served as Drum Major his junior and senior years. He is also a member of the AHS RamPage school newspaper staff, participated in the Science Bowl (10-12) and played AHS Boys Soccer (9, 10, 12). Bertuch has always been an inquisitive student and has never shied away from working hard to obtain answers to the most challenging questions. It is this driven work ethic that has kept him at the top of his class for the last four years. Bertuch plays on pursing a college degree in Computer Engineering at Cornell University in the fall. Best of luck to our driven Valedictorian! We look forward to hearing about all his unparalleled future successes.

Salutatorian – Lucas Sarabia

The Salutatorian of the Amsterdam Class of 2021 is Lucas Sarabia. Sarabia, who is graduating with an overall average of 99.33, has taken every honors, Advanced Place and college credit course available at AHS and has excelled in every subject area. Sarabia is a member of AHS National Honor Society (10-12), Science and Technology Entry Program (9-12) and the Liberty Partnership Program (9-12). He is also a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (9-11) and the Science Honor Society (11-12). He has been a member of the Drama Club since 10th grade, a member of the Track and Field team in 9th grade and AHS’ Varsity Swimming and Diving Team (9-11). Sarabia participated on the Fulton YMCA Flying Fish Team as well (9-11). Sarabia is known for his quiet sense of humor and admired for his intellect by his peers. He plans on pursuing a major in Physics as an undergraduate at Syracuse University in the fall and someday earn a Ph.D. in Physics. Best of luck to Lucas! We know he will continue to do amazing things.

Other Top 10 graduates of Class of 2021

Emily Yandik – No. 3

Emily Yandik is ranked No. 3 in the Class of 2021. Yandik has taken several honors and AP classes and has excelled in each of those courses. She is a member of the National Honor Society and  has been a member of the  Amsterdam Rams Tennis team (9-12). Emily’s dedication to any endeavor is limitless. She will attend Hartwick College in Oneonta this fall and study Nursing. We would like to wish Emily good luck with her future endeavors. 

Olivia Holloway – No. 4

Olivia Holloway is ranked No. 4 in the Class of 2021. She is President of the National Honor Society and Club Interact (Rotary), founder and editor of The Rampage, the high school’s newspaper, and she has been involved in the Mock Trial program this year. As a sophomore, she was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for volunteering more than 100 hours at the Amsterdam Free Library, where she is now employed part time. Holloway has been a member of the Marching Rams Majorettes (dance) team since freshman year and has danced outside of school at a studio for about six years.  She plans on attending Binghamton University in the fall and major in Biology, with a minor in English. She hopes to later attend a graduate program and seek a career as a Physician’s Assistant.

Justin Pettica – No. 5

Justin Pettica is ranked No. 5 in the Class of 2021. Pettica is a member of the National Honor Society (10-12) and the New York State Science Honor Society (11-12) where he holds the leadership position of Historian. He is also a NYSPHAA Scholar Athlete. Pettica is a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in June 2020. He gave back to the Amsterdam Youth Soccer Club that was such a big part of his life as part of his Eagle project. He is an active participant on the Boys Soccer team (9-12), the Track and Field team (10-11), and the Boys Tennis team (12).  He volunteers as a server for St. Ann’s Episcopal Church at their monthly community meals. Justin plans to attend Clarkson University in the fall major in Chemical Engineering.

Natalie Flint – No. 6

Natalie Flint is ranked No. 6 in the Class of 2021. Flint is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Government, a GASD Board of Education student representative, and a Angelo Santabarbara Student Cabinet member. She is also a member of the Marching Rams Majorettes, the General Federation of Women’s Club Juniorettes and played Tennis (All-Star) Basketball and Softball. She is also a New York State Scholar Athlete. She plans on attending Boston College in the fall and major in Applied Psychology and Human Development. She is leaning toward a career in counseling and community programming.

Alinah Marinov – No. 7

Alinah Marinov is ranked No. 7 in the Class of 2021. Marinov is a member of the National Honor Society (10-12) and New York State Science Honor Society(11-12). She was an active participant on the AHS Cross Country team (9-11), Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams (9-11), Marching Band (9-11), and Operations Smile (9-11). She participated in the New Visions Health Careers program through HFM BOCES. She works part time at River Ridge Nursing Home as a dietary aide. Marinov plans to attend Stonybrook University in fall and major in Biomedical Engineering.

Najah Martin – No. 8

Najah Martin is ranked No. 8 in the Class of 2021. Martin is in the Smart Scholars program where she was dually enrolled in high school classes and college classes at Fulton Montgomery Community College.  She has earned 28 college credits through this program in addition to meeting her high school requirements. She is a member of Masterminds (10-12), the National Honor Society (10-12), Tri-M Honor Society (11-12) and the AHS RamPage school newspaper staff (11-12). Martin plans to attend Binghamton University in the fall and major in Political Science with the goal of continuing her education to become an attorney.

Thomas Marten – No. 9

Thomas Marten is ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2021. Marten has participated in the New Visions Health Careers program through HFM BOCES. He is a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in June 2021. In grades 9-11 he was in the Marching Band where he was a low brass section leader. He has been active in Drama Club as a technician (lights, sound, and all things backstage), and an active participant in Operation Smile. He has been a member of the National Honor Society in grades 11-12. He also volunteers at Landis Arboretum. Marten plans on attending Stonybrook University in fall and major in Biomedical Engineering.

Alexander Kline – No. 10

Alexander Kline is ranked No. 10 in the Class of 2021. Kline is a member of the National Honor Society and the New York State Science Honor Society. A 14-time member of the Principal’s List, he is graduating with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and Mastery in Math and Science, and with 33 college credits earned while in high school. Kline is an Eagle Scout, a Humanitarian Award winner, and a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete. He played soccer for four years, three years as team captain, and indoor and outdoor track. He plans on attending SUNY Oswego in the fall and major in Mathematics.