Harrisville announces graduating class of 2024

Valedictorian

Hailey Meagher, daughter of Matthew and Sarah Meagher, of Harrisville, has earned the highest academic award of valedictorian for the class of 2024.

Hailey has been accepted to a variety of prestigious universities, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Clarkson University. She intends on studying aeronautical/aerospace engineering during her undergraduate career.

At graduation, Hailey will receive an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and Mastery in both Science and Mathematics. Hailey’s seven-semester academic average is 99.12%. She will have a total of 33 dual enrollment credits, which she obtained through North Country Community College, Jefferson Community College, Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Potsdam.

Hailey has always been active in a variety of school extracurriculars. She is currently the president of the district’s National Honor Society, Student Representative Assembly and Art Club. In addition, she serves as vice president of Green Team, YAC and the school’s Back Pack programs. The activity that has been most meaningful to Hailey was being a captain of the HCS Varsity Girls Soccer Team. She said this helped her gain confidence and leadership, as well as form memorable friendships.

Hailey has participated in many community service activities. She is a member of the Lewis County Youth Bureau, in which she attends monthly meetings. She also has assisted with the Green Team’s Roadside Cleanup and organized a winter coat and can drive for National Honor Society.

Hailey’s honors include:

• National Honor Society
• Harrisville Central School Academic Letters and High Honor Roll
• Clarkson University Leadership Award
• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Innovation and Creativity Award
• Alfred University CANY Award
• Rochester University’s George Eastman Young Leaders Award
• Northern NY Community Foundation: Evergreen STEM Scholarship
• Embry-Riddle Presidential Scholarship
• Embry-Riddle Women of Excellence Scholarship
• WWNY TV 7 Academic All-Star

Salutatorian

Elaine LaVancha, daughter of Darek and Jean LaVancha, of Harrisville, has earned the second highest academic award of Salutatorian for the class of 2024. Elaine plans to study engineering at either Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) or Clarkson University during the upcoming fall semester.

Elaine’s academic grade point average for seven semesters is 97.15%, and she will receive a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and a Mastery in Mathematics at graduation in June. Elaine has received 30 dual enrollment credits through a variety of institutions, including North Country Community College, Hudson Valley Community College and Jefferson Community College.

Elaine has been active in many school groups and sports. She is a former member of the National Junior Honor Society and is currently vice president of the Bonaparte Chapter of the National Honor Society. She has been a member of the High School Chorus, Soccer Team and Softball Team for four years. She is the treasurer of the school’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Yearbook Club, Green Team and Student Representative Assembly. Elaine was a member of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), where her team’s project was sent to the International Space Station.

Elaine’s favorite activity has been being part of the Green Team. She says it makes her feel as though she is making a difference in not only her environment but her community as well. She has participated in numerous community service activities, including Roadside Cleanup

and collecting the recycling around the school.

Elaine’s honors include:

• National Honor Society
• Harrisville Central School Academic Letters and High Honor Roll
• Clarkson University Achievement Award
• Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award
• University of Rochester’s Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award
• Elaine was also accepted into Clarkson University’s Honors Program and will receive a $2,000 scholarship every year she attends the university.

Top Vocational Award

Connor Jenack, son of Edward and Jessica Jenack, of Harrisville, has earned the Top Vocational Award for a senior with two years in a vocational program for the class of 2024. Connor has an overall GPA of 94.18% and will receive a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation in June.

Connor has been accepted into Mohawk Valley Community College’s Aircraft Maintenance Program, where he received a full-tuition scholarship and is guaranteed a job upon graduation.

Connor attends St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Southwest Career and Technical Education Center in Fowler for metalworking. Through SWT, his academic studies have provided a wide range of experiences. Connor says he has learned the importance of efficient communication. He also had the opportunity to make the signs for the Gouverneur Fair.

Connor is an active member of the school’s Student Representative Assembly, High School Band and Chorus, as well as the Varsity Soccer and Baseball teams. Connor’s most meaningful memory from high school is meeting his lifelong friends.

Connor’s honors include:

• National Honor Society
• National Technical Honor Society
• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Innovation and Creativity Award
• Harrisville Central School Academic Letters and High Honor Roll

Announcing the Class of 2024

Nearly 30 Harrisville Central School District students are expected to graduate on June 28. The anticipated graduating students are listed below: