2009 Top Ten

Kathleen Autilio, daughter of Ralph and Sheila Autilio, is the valedictorian for the c= lass of 2009. Her activities include National Honor Society, Class President and Vice-President. She has danced ballet for the past= sixteen years currently with the Northeast Ballet and the Myers Studio. She was selected as ambassador to = the HOBY Leadership Conference in 2007. She was the recipient of the Rensselaer Medal for Science & Math= and the Smith College Book Award. She has taught Sunday school and has been involved in community projects. She will be attendi= ng Smith College in the fall.

Michael Capano, son of Michael and Diane Capano, is the salutatorian for the class of 2009. Mike has played Varsity Soccer & Basketball throughout high school. He has been highly involved with National Honor Society, DECA and served as his class President and Vice-President. He has coache= d youth basketball and soccer and has regularly helped out at the Senior Citizen’s Center and his church.&nbs= p; Last year, he received the Williams College Book Award. He will be attending the University of Massac= husetts at Amherst in the fall.

Dustin Watson is third in this year’s graduating class. He is planning to attend NYU Polytechnic Institute in Brooklyn as a Mechanical Engineering major. Dustin was a member of varsity soccer and varsity track teams, as well as being a member of the National Honor Societ= y. Dustin also helped coach younger players in the Fulton United Soccer League. Additionally, he works at the Gloversville Price Chopper. Dustin is the GHS recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Science Award and attended the National Youth Leadership St= ate Conference. He is the son of Sandra and Rick Watson.

Andrew Ficili, son of Nancy Ficili and the late Richard J. Ficili, is ranked fourth= in the class. Andrew has played Varsity Golf throughout high school and this year serves as captain. He has been active with our Student Government Association and currently serves as President. He has also been involved in National Honor Society and Mentoring. He also volunteers consistently for community service projects. He will be attending Saint Rose College in the fall.

Nicole Webber is ranked fifth in the class of 2009. Nicole has been very active in music, sports and clubs during her tenure at GHS. She is a member of the Se= lect Choir, and has served as an officer in Student Government, Operation Smile, Class of 2009 and National Honor Society. Nicole has won numerous awards for her athleticism on the basketball court, and was Captain of the GHS squad t= his year. She also plays for the FM Starz in the AAU league. Daughter of Penny and Joseph Webber, she is planning to attend Roberts Wesleyan College in the fall.

Kelli Garguilo, daughter of Gregory and Rita Garguilo, is ranked sixth in the class. Kelli created the GHS Operation Smile Student Chapter, an organization which raises money for operations for children born with facial deformities. Her other activities include being= Class Vice President for 2 years, officer for the Student Government Association = and involvement in many community projects. Kelli attended New York State Girl’s State last summer. She also works part-time. She will be attending Syracuse University in the fall.

Jill Brown, daughter of Jeffrey and Nancy Brown, is ranked seventh in the class. She has played Field Hockey throug= hout high school and this year served as co-captain. She has also been highly involved = in Student Government, Key Club, and is the Class of 2009 secretary. Jill also volunteers with her chur= ch, has served on a summer mission to rebuild homes and has volunteered at the local soup kitchen. She will = be attending St. John Fisher College in the fall.

Eighth in the Class = of 2009 is Deidre Pinkerton. Daughter = of Marilyn and Thomas Pinkerton, Deidre plans on attending the University at <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Albany to major in= liberal arts. She has been a vital part of the music program at GHS, accompanying t= he choirs as well as performing with the Symphonic Band. Deidre has also participated in numerous NYSSMA festivals. Additionally, she plays the pian= o at her church. Deidre has been on the volleyball and track teams at GHS and is= a member of Operation Smile.

Shawna Clark, daughter of Judy Clark, is ranked ninth in the class. Shawna was inducted into our County’s Youth Court as a sophomore.= She has consistently made Principal’s List throughout high sch= ool. She is also involved in SGA and the Foreign Language Club. She has participated in many community service activities. She’s an active member of her class. She will be attending = Fairfield University in the fall.

Rounding out the lis= t of the top ten students in the class of 2009 is Jayme Peterson. She is planning to attend Keuka College and is majoring in Criminology/Criminal Justice. Jayme is an active member = of the Indoor and Outdoor track and field teams, as well as serving as the man= ager of the GHS Cross Country team. During her tenure at GHS, Jayme participated= in Band, NYSSMA, All-County Band, Student Government, Operation Smile, Masterm= inds and the Foreign Language Club. Jayme has been recognized as a scholar athle= te and has received leadership award from New York State. She is the daughter of Judie and Antonio Siler.