Ray Bartlett is presented his award from Board of Education President Graydon Dutcher.
The Walton Central School District recently held its annual scholastic achievement awards ceremony, honoring those for the 2023-24 school year.
The Board of Education also gave out its annual Distinguished Service Award. BOE President Graydon Dutcher introduced winner Raymond Bartlett, who has taught music at the school for 40-plus years.
Bartlett doesn’t just encompass a block of time that was dedicated to the Walton Central School District. He goes well beyond that – a lifetime of dedication not only to the school district, but the community at large.
For more than 40 years, Bartlett has been a fixture as a music teacher at Walton. It’s safe to say that he’s led our pep bands and other musicians in “Orange Crush” hundreds – if not thousands – of times over those years. But this story goes well beyond the playing of our favorite fight song.
He may very well be the textbook definition of a Walton Warrior.
A lifelong resident, outside of a few years away for college, Bartlett graduated from Walton in 1980. His entire school tenure was spent at Walton and it was during those formative years where his love of music grew. His father was very musical and was often singing, or playing the accordion or cornet. There were always records playing in the house and the family would sing together at home and in church.
After high school, he studied music in college and during several summers came back to Walton and served as the assistant band director for the marching band.
In August of 1984, Dr. George Mack recommended to the Board of Education that Bartlett should be hired as a Jr-Sr High School music teacher and the 40-year journey was set to begin.
During his tenure at Walton, he continuously goes above and beyond the scope of the job. He cares deeply about his students and gives them tremendous opportunities, including yearly trips to Broadway, a trip for a competition, and annually about seven concerts between the groups. He takes groups to NYSSMA, All-County, Area All-State, and All-State.
Bartlett also makes sure there is a band at pep rallies and at most home football games. Walton’s marching bands are a fixture in local parades and, each year, he directs and conducts the school musical.
Walton’s music room is just that – a music room. Students are often in there practicing and learning. His knowledge of stage set up and the school’s sound system is unmatched. He’s often helped other groups understand the system so the lighting and sound is perfect for their needs.
He gives back to the community as well. He’s worked to make sure veterans had a trumpet player available to play at funerals, even if it meant doing it himself. Bartlett has played in and recruited others to play for community ceremonies at Veterans’ Plaza. And in a time when community bands aren’t as prevalent as they once were, he still conducts a community band that is open to people of all ages.
It also wouldn’t be a Delaware County Fair without seeing Bartlett there. He’s been involved with the Fair since his early 20s, first as a money runner for the ticket sellers at the gates, and eventually as the head of ticket sales, which he has done for the last few decades.
Church has also been a constant and he’s been very active throughout his life. He’s constantly taking part in community services, mostly as a musician, of course.
A loyal co-worker and a team player, Bartlett has always been willing to help in a moment’s notice. He has been described as an upstanding citizen, a remarkable teacher, a talented musician, a kind and supportive person who you can rely on, and a man of integrity.
It’s the 28th year the award has been given. The award is given to somebody who has gone above and beyond in service to the Walton Central School District.
Following the award, many Walton students were honored for academic achievement for the 2023-24 school year. Students were recognized in all departments, including science, English/language, math, social studies, business, agriculture/technology, health/home and career/physical education, art, and music. Superintendent Awards were also handed out.
For more photos from this event, please visit our Facebook page.
Walton CSD BOE Distinguished Service Award recipients
2023-24: Raymond Bartlett
2022-23: Barbara Geidel
2021-22: Jami Aubin
2020-21: Lori Cucciare
2019-20: Rick Robinson
2018-19: Corey Phraner
2017-18: Larry Light
2016-17: Robert Lang
2015-16: Dorothy Elmore
2014-15: Greg Graupman
2013-14: Rosie Greene
2012-13: Patrick Covell
2011-12: Tina Miner-James
2010-11: Dawn Northrup
2009-10: Frank Ward
2008-09: Jim Hoover
2007-08: George Shackelton
2006-07: Janet and Carl Gregory
2005-06: Andy Jackson
2004-05: Raymond Nichols
2003-04: Dr. George F. Mack
2002-03: Joanna Meade and Christina Hewitt
2001-02: Beverly Wright
2000-01: Peggy and George Bolton
1999-2000: Ron Galley
1998-99: Florence McNeil
1997-98: Lovey Kopetz
1996-97: Diane Meredith
Student Award winners
Superintendent’s Award
Cailet Cordner-Ryan
Dexter DaCunha
Tinsley Endress
Tanner Neale
Liam Russell
Daphne Schmidt
Hayden Schmidt
Miranda Schmidt
Lena Storrer
Heidi Tucek
Ava Hoover
Finnley Kane
Zoey Kille
Callan Neale
Giovanni Roselli-Lattimer
Tylee Northrup
Noah Scofield
Annabelle Wagner
Jayden Wright
Maia Fassler
Isis Guervaz
Noah Hood
Kayleigh Ostrander
Julianna Roy
Colton Walley
Jacob Constable
Mayla Evans
Anika Fassler
Brynlee Hunt
Liam Kane
Paige LeBarge
Ava Merwin
Esther Salvia
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Lila Trimbell
Avelyn White
Kennedy Williams
Annalia Yetto
Carter McNamara
Addalyn Strub
Elijah Williams
William Neske
Aurora Siniscalchi
Addyson Trimbell
Addison Yetto
Aiden Chambers
Math
Noah Scofield
Connor Stanton
Julianna Roy
Richelle Wood
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Brynlee Hunt
Addison Yetto
Amelia Somers
Kennedy Williams
Mayla Evans
Raegan Foster
Samuel Smith
Phade Lindsay
Gianna Pagan
Kylie Wood
Chasidy Constable
Marcus Marano
Addalyn Strub
Caragh O’Connor
Aiden Chambers
Aurora Siniscalchi
Jordan Covey
Science
Noah Scofield
Finnley Kane
Julianna Roy
Maia Fassler
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Esther Salvia
Kai Storrer
Tenlei Wood
Angelas Mills
Caden Scofield
Addyson Trimbell (2)
Aurora Siniscalchi (2)
Chasidy Constable
Amelia Somers
Addalyn Strub
Aiden Branigan
Elijah Jones
Elijah Williams
Kennedy Williams
Annalia Yetto
Social Studies
Noah Scofield
Jayden Wright
Callan Neale
Brystal Hunt
Julianna Roy
Kayleigh Ostrander
Jacob Doig
Owen Hodges
Anika Fassler
Noah Howland
Liam Kane
Kennedy Williams
Maisy Rhinehart
Nova Monaster
Gavin Harrington
Carter McNamara
Aiden Chambers
William Neske
Caragh O’Connor
Addyson Trimbell
Kylie Wood
Olivia Barnes
Abigail Doig
English/Language
Noah Scofield
Tylee Northrup
Rhylie Hill
Ava Hoover
Reaghan VanTyle
Rylee Mead
Kayleigh Ostrander
Isis Guervaz
Avelyn White
Mayla Evans
Maisy Rhinehart
Johnny Ball
Elijah Williams (2)
Carter McNamara
Aiden Chambers
Jacob Morse
Jordan Covey (3)
Reese Underwood
Leila Pedro
Maxwell Dutcher
Noah Hood
Colton Walley
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Annalia Yetto
Karlee McClenon
Savannah Morales
Ryder Stone
Addison Yetto
Caragh O’Connor
Agriculture/Technology
Nathaniel Harrington
Maddisen Scofield
Anika Fassler
Brynlee Hunt (2)
Joshua Gladstone
Jerrod Stanton
Delana Wood
Olivia Barnes
Julianna Roy
Damien Tolbert
Kennedy Williams
Carter McNamara (3)
William Neske
Daniel Sullivan
Matthew Eisele
Ethan Hall
Aiden Branigan
Health/Physical Education/Home and Careers
Colton Walley
Kayleigh Ostrander
Justin Somers
Olivia Barnes
Tylee Northrup
Rilynn Daye
Brynlee Hunt
Grace Walley
Arianna Rosario Encarnacion
Zoe Bartlett
Nico Catalano
Nolan Evans
Jacob Constable
Ryder Stone
Gavin Harrington
Christopher Schamber
Korbyn McDonald
Zoey Kille
Mayla Evans
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Katelyn Gregory
Chasidy Constable
Caragh O’Connor
Olivia Bartlett
Art
Zoey Kille
Haven Barnes
Westin Torres
Austin Scutt
Liam Kane
Avelyn White
Maisy Rhinehart
Justin Somers
Lorelai Angevine
Elias Bayne
Layne VanValkenburg
Maddison Barnes
Aiden Chambers
Addison Yetto
Arianna Rosario Encarnacion
Phade Lindsay
Music
Ava Hoover (2)
Josilynn Covell (2)
Isis Guervaz
Nolan Evans
Noah Hood
William Bartlett
Damien Tolbert
Kalea Boulanger
Kahrin Vesterfelt
Harley Mullineaux
Rilynn Daye
Benjamin Dougherty
Elijah Williams (2)
Maddox Little
Noah Scofield
Zoey Kille
Esther Salvia
Logan Viscio
Paige Barriger