CANTON – Canton Central School recently named their academic top ten students for the class of 2016. The following students were named to the list.

• Zachary Barnes is the son of Carol Gable and W. David Barnes of Crescent Street, Canton. Zach has been involved in music, theatre, Model UN, and Whiz Quiz during his four years in high school. He is the student director of the high school jazz combo, and takes lessons in music composition. He has appeared onstage in productions including The Pajama Game, You Can’t Take It With You, Cinderella, and Once Upon a Mattress. Around the community, he has played music at various local venues. In the fall, he will attend Brown University, where he tentatively plans to double major in music and history.

• Brandon Calton is the son of Rick and Shirley Calton of Heuvelton Street, Rensselaer Falls. Throughout high school he has participated in a variety of activities ranging from student government to musicals and plays. Freshman year he became involved in Student Council, first as a representative, then vice-president, and now, president. As well, he has been the vice-president of his class since freshman year. Freshman year also marked his entrance onto the stage. In the spring of freshman year, he began participating in the school productions beginning with The Pajama Game. The following year he participated in You Can’t Take It With You and Wonderful Town. Junior year he participated in The Matchmaker and this year he was involved in Done to Death and Once Upon a Mattress. As a result of his work in productions, he was inducted into Thespians his junior year. During junior year, Brandon was also inducted into the National Honor Society, of which he is currently vice-president. As a member of National Honor Society, Brandon participated in a number of community events which included Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Go Red for Women Campaign, fun night, two American Red Cross blood drives, and Make a Difference Day. Brandon has decided to pursue a career in law at St. Lawrence University.

• Samantha Curtis is the daughter of Jim and Karen Curtis of Brewer Road, Canton. While balancing honors and AP classes, Sami has played several sports, including soccer, basketball, and horseback riding. Sami is also the vice-president of the Canton FFA Chapter, co-president of the Class of 2016, a member of the National Honor Society, and extremely active in community service. In her spare time, Sami enjoys outdoor activities such as barrel racing, horseback riding, and fishing. Sami has been accepted to Cornell University and is taking a deferral to Potsdam State. She plans to major in agricultural education and agriculture business.

• Luke Frazer is the son of Michael and Edith Frazer of Woods Drive, Canton. He has been on the High Honor Roll for his entire high school career. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Thespian Troupe. Along with his academic achievements, Luke has been actively involved in the music and theater programs. He has been a member of multiple groups including Jazz Band, Senior Band, Select Choir, Vocal Jazz, and Senior Chorus. Luke has participated in NYSSMA, achieving the honor to attend Area All-State and multiple All-County vocal performances. During the past four years, Luke has performed in the high school fall and spring theater productions, and for three summers he volunteered in Community Theater productions with the Grasse River Players and The Sunday Rock Legacy. Luke will attend The Rochester Institute of Technology this fall in The Golisano College of Computing.

• Kiersten Larrabee is the daughter of Rob and Beth Larrabee of Haley Drive, Canton. She is the co-president of her class, president of National Honor Society, and treasurer of Thespian Troupe 259. She has participated in the school’s productions of plays and musicals. Along with her passion for the stage, she loves to sing and has participated in the Select Choir and Vocal Jazz groups at school, completed NYSSMA solos, and has been selected for Area All-State Choir, All-County Vocal Jazz, and All-County A Capella ensembles. She is a member of the Whiz Quiz team and was a member of the varsity swim team her sophomore and freshman years. In her free time, Kiersten volunteers at a leadership seminar called HOBY, dedicates her time as a Houli Camp volunteer coach in the summer, contributes as a member of the St. Lawrence Women’s Academy for Leadership, and volunteers her time at events in the community. She has recently volunteered at Help Sami Kick Cancer and the blood drive at Canton Central. As part of the Vocal Jazz group, she also has sung for the Red Hat Ladies at Maplewood Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. This fall she plans to attend St. Lawrence University where she will pursue math and education.

• Mary Kait Mace is the daughter of Pat and Helen Mace, Route 11, Canton. Throughout high school she has participated in varsity soccer, lacrosse, and hockey, where she has been named co-captain for all three sports, as well as the treasurer of the hockey team. Mary Kait earned the All Northern Academic Award nine times. She is also a member of the St. Lawrence Thunder Hockey team as well as the National Honor Society where she serves as secretary. She has volunteered her time by being a member of the Crary Mills Playground Committee helping with several fundraisers and coaching at both a summer soccer camp and a Pee Wee Soccer team. This fall, Mary Kait plans to attend Norwich University where she will pursue a major in sports medicine.

• Samantha Mace is the daughter of Pat and Helen Mace, Route 11, Canton. Throughout high school she has participated in varsity soccer, lacrosse, and hockey, being named co-captain in all three sport as well as earning All Northern Academic Award nine times. She has been a member of the St. Lawrence Thunder Hockey team, as well as the National Honor Society. Samantha has volunteered her time by serving on the Crary Mills Playground Committee and coaching a summer soccer camp. She plans to attend SUNY Potsdam this fall where she will pursue a major in statistics.

• Molly McMasters is the daughter of Phil McMasters and Suna Stone-McMasters of Canton. She is involved in Jazz Band, Senior Band, and Senior Chorus and has been a member of the Jazz Combo and Select Chorus. Her involvement in theatre includes two lead roles: one in Done to Death and one in Once Upon a Mattress as evil queen Aggravain. Molly enjoys cultivating plants. Molly is a member of the National Honor Society, volunteering as a tutor for elementary students, community cleanup, as well as working in a soup kitchen. She has also volunteered her time in the summer helping to prepare the ADK semester campus. Molly is a three-year member of varsity lacrosse, a four year member of indoor track team, and one year member of spring track. She will be attending St Lawrence University in the fall with an interest in Environmental Studies.

• Anna Monroe is the daughter of James and Fran Monroe of Hillside Drive, Canton. Anna has involved herself in academics and extracurriculars throughout high school. She has challenged herself with AP courses such as European History, US History, Language and Composition, and Environmental Science. She was a proud member of the Model UN council and the Whiz Quiz team, as well as the competitive Environmental Club, which won a country-wide envirothon and ranked 12th out of 44 teams in a state championship. Anna was involvement in school plays and musicals, and invested herself in backstage set design. The Jazz Combo and Vocal Jazz inspired her love of music-making. She was a member of the National Honor Society. Anna will be attending Bard College in the fall.

• Sarah Rivers is the daughter of Rebecca and William Rivers of Miner Street Road, Canton. Sarah has a variety of interests including math, sociology and the arts. At her high school, Sarah plays flute in Jazz Band, Jazz Combo and Senior Band, on top of engaging in a rigorous academic schedule. After school, she is involved in Model UN, student government, dance, and Canton's Thespian Society. In her community, she is a member of the Unitarian Universalist youth group and works as a Peer Educator for SLC Teens HELP. However, her main love is theatre, which she will continue to pursue next year at Vassar College.