MADRID -- The Madrid-Waddington Central School has announced its class leaders of the graduating class of 2020-2021. These students have achieved the designation of Cum Laude "with distinction" and Magna Cum Laude "with great distinction", and Summa Cum Laude "with highest distraction" having a grade point average of 90, 93 or 95 or better respectively.

CUM LAUDE

Benjamin Averill, son of Carla and Matt Averill, plans to attend SUNY Oswego, majoring in Zoology and has earned the Presidential Scholarship.

While attending MWCS, Averill participated in chorus, Stardust singing group, select choir, drama club, varsity club and is a member of the National Honor Society. He also demonstrated great leadership skills while playing soccer, hockey, baseball and working a part time job. Averill earned an Advanced Regents diploma with mastery in science.

Taylor Bettinger is the daughter of Nichole and Randel Bettinger and plans to pursue degree in either biology or law.

She has been an honors student throughout high school, participates in the culinary arts program earned high praise for her strong work ethic and dedication. Bettinger earned a Regents diploma with technical endorsement.

Riley Burke is the daughter of Eric and Michelle Burke, plans to attend SUNY Potsdam, majoring in elementary education, and is awarded the Dean’s Scholarship from SUNY Potsdam.

While in high school, Burke participates in chorus, Stardust, select choir and drama club. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Varsity Club.

Burke is secretary of the senior class and participated in varsity volleyball and track and field, where she earned Academic All-Northern for each season. She has played very dynamic roles in the spring musicals past productions and works two part time jobs. Burke earned an Advanced Regents diploma with mastery in math.

Thomas Cafarella is the son of Tony and Anita Cafarella, who plans to attend SUNY Oswego in the fall majoring in Broadcasting and Communications and he has earned the Dean's Scholarship and the Great Laker Scholarship.

Cafarella participated in a variety of clubs and organizations such as chorus, Stardust, select choir, band, drama club, Whiz Quiz, varsity club, National Honor Society and yearbook.

Cafarella is resident of Tri M Music Honor Society, captain of the esports team, participates in varsity boys hockey and cross country and track. He is a Channel 7 Arts All Star and was awarded Channel 7 Athlete of the Week for his leadership in varsity hockey. He reads the morning announcements and is one of the school’s sporting event broadcasters. Cafarella works as front end cashier at Price Chopper during his free time and has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Lydia Kingston the daughter of John and Lisa Kingston, who will attend SUNY Potsdam majoring in psychology. Kingston is a very kind person who is goal oriented and is a great help to her family, babysitting, her nieces. She ran spring track and has earned an Advanced Regents diploma with mastery in science.

Hannah Kirby is the daughter of Melissa Kirby, who plans to attend SUNY Buffalo in the majoring in physics. She was awarded the Robert A. and Dorothy Stender Sweet Physics Scholarship from SUNY Buffalo and has been accepted into their Honors program for freshmen.

Kirby is a member of stage band, National Honor Society and Tri M Music Honor Society. She has participated in All County Band and Area All-State. She earned an Advanced Regents Diploma with mastery in science.

Fletcher LaValley is the son of Tammy and Chris LaValley who will attend SUNY Canton, majoring in nursing. LaValley was awarded Technical Student of the month for his outstanding work at BOCES. He is taking a variety of college classes through the nursing program and has demonstrated strong dedication to the field. Fletcher will graduate with a Regents diploma with technical endorsement.

MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Emma Davis is the daughter of Lori Grenier and Daniel Davis, who will attend SUNY Plattsburgh and major in psychology. While in high school, Davis has participated in band, cheerleading and did competitive gymnastics in Ontario, Canada. She works part time and volunteered at the local food pantry. Davis earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Madison Hicks is the daughter of Alyssa and Jamie Hicks, who is attending St. Lawrence University majoring in psychology.

Hicks is a recipient of the Augsbury/North Country Scholarship. She participates in chorus, Stardust, select choir, band, and drama club. She was volunteer scorekeeper and team manager of the girls volleyball team for three seasons and is a lifeguard at Waddington Beach. Hicks earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors, mastery in math and science.

Keli Kingston is the daughter of Derek and Shauna Kingston who is attending Clarkson University majoring in Engineering.

Kingston participated in chorus, band, NCSTEP and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plays basketball, softball, soccer and works a part time job during the summer. Kingston will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma with mastery in math and science.

Sebastian Rubin is the son of Mark Rubin and Joselyn Murphy who plans to attend the University at Buffalo majoring in psychology. Rubin participated in band and National Honor Society and earned an Advanced Regents diploma with mastery in science.

Sean Shannon is the son of Kevin and Shannon Shannon and brother to Kate Shannon, who will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a men's track and field recruit majoring in architecture. He received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Access grant and Leadership award for his academic excellence.

Shannon is a member of National Honor Society, history club, varsity club, and the outing club. He has been on high honor roll for his entire high school career.

Shannon is a talented artist and had his artwork entered in the North Country Art Teachers’ Association Art show as well as the Remington Art Museum show. He was a three sport athlete in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track and field being ranked number one in Section X in both the 600m & 800m run.

Shannon was a team captain for cross country and outdoor track and field and has received many athletic awards including the Coaches Award for spring track, Most Valuable Runner for indoor track, Section X All Academic for cross country, indoor & outdoor track and received the Sportsmanship Award. He received 2nd Team All Northern for the 4X400m relay, 4X800m relay, and 600m. He was also on the 1st Team All Northern 4X800m relay.

Shannon has been the athlete of the week for indoor track and field and is a two time state qualifier for cross country and a New York State qualifier in the 600m and 4x800m relay. Shannon earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors, mastery in mathematics and science.

SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Jessica Evans is the daughter of Dan and Michele Evans who will attend SUNY Potsdam, majoring in business. She was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship from SUNY Potsdam.

Evans is a member of chorus and select chorus. She is vice president of Stardust, secretary of Key Club, and secretary of National Honor Society. Evans runs track, was a figure skater and participated in dance for eight years, competing for three years. Evans has earned an Advanced Regents diploma with mastery in math.

Emma Maskell is the daughter of John and Lisa Maskell who will attend Nazareth College in the open path program. Maskell has received the Nazareth’s Dean Scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence.

Maskell is a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, yearbook club, drama club, Key Club, and has continually been an active member of Stardust and select choir. Maskell has been class president for the Class of 2021 as well as the president of Stardust and Key Club. She participated in cheerleading and won the sportsmanship award for Section X. She has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Emily Pandel is the daughter of Richard and Martha Pandel, who will attend the University at Buffalo and the Honors College majoring in nursing with future plans to pursue a Master’s Degree to become a nurse anesthetist.

Pandel is a member of National Honor Society, varsity club, drama club, history club, outing club and Key Club and Stardust. Pandel has been class vice president.

She was a two-sport athlete playing track and field, cross country and indoor track and field. She received the Coaches Award for spring track, has volunteered her time in the community, is a member of the rescue squad and has worked a part-time job. She is the recipient of the Pride of New York Scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence. Emily earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors, mastery in math and science.

Emma Plumley is the daughter of Nicole Thompson and Robin Plumley who will attend St. Lawrence University as a women’s basketball recruit and plans to major in psychology and minor in exercise science, with plans to pursue a master’s in occupational therapy. She is the recipient of the St. Lawrence University Augsbury Scholarship, as well as the Legacy and St. Lawrence Grant in recognition of her academic excellence.

Plumley is a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, history club, varsity club, and has continually been an active member of Stardust and select choir. She was a two-sport athlete playing soccer and basketball, until an ACL injury ended her soccer career. Plumley has consistently been on the high honor roll, been a two-year captain of the basketball team and has received many athletic awards, including two Section X First Team All-NAC East, NYSPHAA Scholar Athlete, WWNY Athlete of the Week and the Coach Dack Outstanding Senior Award. She volunteered refereeing athletic events with younger children and plans to work at a nursing home this coming summer. Plumley earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Phoebe Zagrobelny is the daughter of Michael and Michelle Zagrobelny who will be attend Michigan State University in the College of Natural Science RISE program majoring in packaging science/engineering. She is the recipient of the Evergreen STEM Scholarship and the Michigan State University grant in recognition of her academic excellence. Phoebe was awarded the Rensselaer Medal Award from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony Award from Rochester Institute of Technology in recognition of her academic accomplishments and commitment to social issues.

Zagrobelny is a member of the yearbook club, history club, drama club, varsity club, environmental club, and has continually been an active member of Stardust, select choir, band, stage band and marching band.

Zagrobelny is class treasurer, the treasurer of Tri-M Music Honor Society and the president of the National Honor Society. She has been a talented athlete playing hockey, soccer, volleyball, and track and field. She was the recipient of the WWNY Academic All Star and received the 2018 Sportsmanship award for Section X in Girls Varsity Hockey. In 2020, she served as the student representative for the Section X Athletics Advisory Committee.

She volunteered at the Waddington Community Center and with the Waddington summer recreation program, while working a part-time job. Zagrobelny earned an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors, mastery in math and science.