Posted Friday, April 23, 2021
The Walton Central School District has named its valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2021.
The valedictorian is Emma Harby, and the salutatorian is Celeste Mingle. Each is scheduled to speak during the annual graduation ceremony, which is currently scheduled for June 26.
Valedictorian
An active student in all facets, Harby has been involved with many clubs and sports throughout her tenure at Walton. The senior class vice president also serves as vice president of the National Honor Society.
Academically, Harby is highly decorated. She’s earned scholastic achievement awards in nearly 20 subjects and has consistently earned the Superintendent’s Award. She’s also been named the scholar-athlete for soccer and track from the Midstate Athletic Conference.
On the athletics side, Harby is a two-sport athlete and has excelled as well. She has served as captain of the girls soccer and track teams. She also has participated in state qualifiers for track.
Harby is also a talented musician and was selected for area all-state as a freshman, and again as a senior. She’s also a member of the Varsity Club, Yearbook Club, and Travel Club. She also traveled to Costa Rica as part of the Travel Club during her junior year.
Harby is the daughter of Jacob and Amy Harby and plans to major in business in college.
Salutatorian
Mingle has also set high standards, being a member of many clubs and sports.
A strong student who has mastered every New York State Regents exam she’s taken, Mingle has received scholastic achievement awards in almost 20 subjects throughout her high school years. She’s also earned the Superintendent’s Award during all four years of high school.
Her extra-curricular calendar is consistently full as well. As a sophomore, she was one of Walton’s HOBY Ambassadors, and during that same year she acted in the district’s performance of “Shattered Dreams,” an anti-drunk driving campaign. She also had the opportunity to write a short book of poetry and prose in place of taking English 11.
A member of the National Honor Society, Mingle also has been part of the Drama Club, Speech and Debate, Student Council, and the Travel Club. She also played cello in the orchestra for two years and has been a four-year member of the varsity girls soccer team.
Mingle is the daughter of Mary Greene and plans to attend SUNY Cortland, where she will major in outdoor recreation and outdoor leadership.
Honor graduates
Walton has also announced its top honor graduates and they are as follows:
Katelynn Ostrander (Daughter of Josh and Jamie Ostrander), Layla Sprague (Daughter of Albert Klimas), Kandra McGraw (Daughter of Scott and Leslie McGraw), Antonia McCormack (Daughter of Michael McCormack and Michele and Thomas Napoleone), Kora Young (Daughter of Jeffrey Young and Patricia and Eric Jones), Ellissa Beach (Daughter of Troy and Bonnie Beach), Riley Gancio (Granddaughter of Rich and Peg Gancio), Anthony Cetta (Son of Joe and Lori Cetta), Abigail Closs (Daughter of Robert Closs and Kimberly Young), Sierra Tweedie (Daughter of Rodney and Tammie Tweedie), Grace Rhinehart (Daughter of Rob and Lisa Rhinehart), Cael Howland (Son of Mike and Beth Howland), Allison Charles (Daughter of Kevin and Erica Charles), George Haynes (Son of George Haynes Jr. and Lisa Haynes), Nicole Kuna (Daughter of Richie and Michelle Kuna), Carson Watkins (Son of Nate and Rocio Watkins), Brynne Backus (Daughter of Brian Backus and Lorinda Pierce), Kaleb Sovocool (Son of Daniel and Stacie Sovocool).