BRASHER — Morgan Francis has been named salutatorian and Kaleigh Recore has been named valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at St. Lawrence Central.

Valedictorian Kaleigh Recore is the daughter of Wilfred and Kelly Recore, has excelled academically and demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to her studies and extracurricular activities.

Throughout her high school journey, Kaleigh has been the epitome of a well-rounded student. Her commitment to academic excellence is reflected in her numerous achievements, including receiving the NYSPHAA Scholar-Athlete Award, the Owen's Family Evergreen STEM Scholarship, and multiple academic achievement awards. These accolades are a testament to her unwavering dedication to her studies.

Beyond academics, Kaleigh has been actively involved in various leadership roles and extracurricular activities. She has served as the President of the National Honor Society, Vice President of Student Council, Treasurer of Tri-M, Treasurer of Band and Chorus, and a member of the Drama Club, Swing Choir, Jazz Band, and Varsity Softball Team. Her leadership and involvement in these organizations have enriched our school community and inspired her peers.

In addition to her impressive academic and extracurricular accomplishments, Kaleigh has been the recipient of numerous scholarships, including the Honors Scholarship and Trustee's Scholarship at St. John Fisher University, the Presidential Scholarship at Le Moyne College, Xerox Award for Innovation at the University of Rochester, Pre-Pharmacy Merit Scholarship at the University of New England, Pine Tree & Trustee's Scholarship at Husson University, Presidential Scholarship at St. Bonaventure University, Merit Scholarship at SUNY Buffalo, Achievement Award at Clarkson University, Rensselaer Medal Award at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Momentum Scholarship at St. Lawrence University, Merit Scholarship at D'Youville, and Academic Distinction Scholarship at ACPHS.

Looking towards the future, Kaleigh's aspirations are clear. She plans to attend SUNY Binghamton, where she has been guaranteed admission into the Doctor of Pharmacy program upon completing an accelerated 3-year Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Her ultimate goal is to become a pharmacist and return to live and work in the North Country, positively impacting her community.

Kaleigh's journey to success has not been without challenges. Still, her advice to future students is a testament to her resilience and determination: "Don't let anyone or anything get in the way of your success." As she embarks on the next chapter of her academic and professional journey, we have no doubt that Kaleigh will continue to inspire others and achieve great things.

Salutatorian Morgan Francis is the daughter of Scott and Jennifer Francis. Throughout her time at SLC, Morgan has proven to be an ambitious, high achieving, and diligent student. Morgan has taken advantage of the rigorous coursework we have to offer at SLC and has truly excelled in these challenging courses. Her impressive grades and performance in demanding courses showcase her strong work ethic and dedication to academic excellence.

Along with her impressive academic record, Morgan has also been highly involved in extracurricular activities throughout her time at SLC. In her roles as the Vice President of the National Honor Society and the President of the Student Council, Morgan has proven her leadership skills and devotion to her education. Through these roles, Morgan has taken the lead on various fundraisers and organizations to benefit her class. Morgan has also been part of the Greenhouse Club, Yearbook Club, Drama Club, Softball, and has served as the Class of 2024 Secretary.

Morgan’s hard work and dedication is evident, as she has received multiple academic awards throughout high school and from various colleges. She received the Presidential Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who maintains a high GPA and strong academic record, from Nazareth University, Alfred University, and St. Bonaventure University. She has also been accepted to the Honors program at St. John Fisher University and received the Trustees Scholarship. At St. Lawrence University, Morgan was named Momentum Scholar with Community Service Distinction. Morgan also received two junior scholarships; the Science and Math award at RIT, and the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony award at University of Rochester. Morgan has remained on the Honor Roll all four years of high school.

Morgan’s advice for future students is “Be involved in as many activities as possible to allow yourself to be more productive, energized, creative, and positive even when your goals seem unattainable”. In her future, Morgan plans to attend St. John Fisher University to major in Nursing. Morgan’s career aspiration is to enter the medical field as a nurse practitioner. Specifically, Morgan hopes to get involved in pediatric care and partake in doctors without borders.