Groton High School’s Class of 2022 is ‘on track’ for the future

As the Groton High School (GHS) band, with some faculty and GHS alumni joining in, played “Pomp and Circumstance” on June 25, the 50-member Class of 2022 marched onto the GHS track, where its graduation ceremony was held this year.

Traditionally held in the GHS gymnasium, the ceremony had to be moved to Ross Field for the Class of 2020’s graduation due to COVID-19, making it the first in decades to happen there. The Class of 2021 followed suit.

This year, with Ross Field under construction, the Class of 2022 made its own mark as the first class to graduate on the track. It was a hot day, but the ceremony was special and meaningful nonetheless.

Principal Brian Kavanagh welcomed one and all to his first GHS graduation since taking the helm this academic year (tinyurl.com/26qbqpq6), followed by Class President Malena Mason leading the Pledge of Allegiance and delivering her welcome speech.

Mason was a newcomer to the class when she joined it in her junior year. She moved here from Wayland, New York, where she had attended Wayland-Cohocton High School.

During her speech, Mason spoke about being unsure of what to expect from the community and school but being pleasantly surprised to have made many meaningful friendships and lifelong memories from a small, rural, close-knit community.

I was curious to know how Mason came to be the class president as a new student and spoke with her afterward to find out.

“I moved here because my mom [Sarah Vanhorn] met the man she is now happily married to, my stepdad Allen Canady,” Mason said during an interview. “I also have a little sister, Kamryn Vanhorn. She is going into fifth grade at Groton Elementary School. Moving anywhere your junior year is difficult, but moving during a pandemic was even more of a struggle. My first year was so great. I met new friends and started the growth of many amazing bonds with my teachers, and my senior year was absolutely incredible.”

Mason continued.

“In the past two years, I’ve learned a lot about my peers, and they have gotten to learn a lot about me,” Mason said. “I didn’t feel new here anymore, so I decided to run for president. I placed second in the running. Joe Bishop actually won but recommended me after he stepped down.”

Mason said moving to the small town of Groton was “extremely different” for her because of the size, but it didn’t take her long to appreciate its value.

“The Groton community is so close-knit — everyone knows literally everyone,” Mason said. “From an outsider’s point of view, it is so wholesome, and everyone that has been a part of this for their entire lives should feel so special to have the Groton family in their corner.”

Mason will attend the University at Buffalo this fall to study criminal psychology or pre-law and then plans to attend law school, with the end goal of working in criminal defense or family law or becoming a defense attorney.

“The dream is obviously success, as that is what everyone wishes for, but my definition of success is a little different,” Mason said. “I want a happy, healthy and loving family that I can provide for, a safe home, and I would love to give back to my mom.”

And now, back to the graduation ceremony. Superintendent Margo Martin delivered her remarks in her usual clever and entertaining way. She outlined the qualities of good character by using the 26 letters of the alphabet — reminding the students that those letters are part of how they began their first year of school.

Valedictorian Rachel Cargian and salutatorian Chloe Conger each gave inspiring speeches and words of gratitude for all those who helped them along the way. The audience was graced by the band performing “Red Balloon” and the chorus performing “Homeward Bound” before diplomas were awarded and Kavanagh proclaimed them graduates.

Led by Class Vice President Abigail Dykeman, seniors tossed their caps, and the GHS Class of 2022 was ready to leave the track “on track” for their respective future endeavors.

Congratulations to each member of the class: Cory T. Ayers, Ayana Shae Barrington, Austin Batzer, Connor M. Batzer, Joseph T. Bishop, Sadie L. Brame, Cameron John Brehm, Brennan Brockway, Ethan D. Butts, Rachel Gale Cargian (valedictorian), Evan Carlo, Brianna R. Chapman, Sam M. Clark, Chloe A. Conger (salutatorian), Michael J. Cooper, Owen R. Crispell, Sarah E. Dean, Abigail S. Dykeman (class vice president), Kael Matthew Eldred, Anastasia C. R. Felko, Alyssa Fennimore, Autumn M. Galbraith, Isaac Ryan Hall, Camdon R. Harriger, Aiden Z. Harriott, Andrew M. L. Horner, Madison A. Howell (class treasurer), Austin M. Jacobs, Emma E. Kennett, Kyle R. Knorr, Makayla J. Lockwood, Malena Riley Mason (class president), Kennedy Mayo, Noah Clark McCormick, Anthony L. Moore, Jeter Wyatt Neff, Drake T. O’Connor, Jason A. M. Rabenstein, Morgan A. Ramey, Madelyn L. Redfield, Kaylie M. Riemer, Omari J. Riley-Israel, Dylan G. Sedorus, Emily L. Slater, Trent G. Slaven, Kylie Rosemarion Turtur, Hailey VanAlstine (class secretary), Kristopher Willard, Brook Wood and Samara A. Zinzola.

And a final word from Mason: “I cannot wait to see what the future holds for not just me but my classmates as well. I hope everyone achieves their goals and strives for the best!”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.  

In brief: 
 
Groton fireworks 

The Groton Community Fireworks show, proudly and generously sponsored by the Groton Fire Department, along with the Village of Groton and Joint Recreation, will launch at 9:30 p.m. July 1 and will be back at the Groton Elementary School field!

There will also be music by DJ Dale and food trucks by Holy Smoked and Momo’s Traveling Café beginning at 7 p.m.

Donations to help defray the cost of this annual spectacular display are gratefully received at GFD, P.O. Box 96, Groton, NY 13073. Please make checks out to Groton Fire Department.

Free summer meals 

Free summer meals will be provided for kids and teens age 18 and under from July 5 through Aug. 12 at the following times and locations:

• Breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday at Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS), 400 Peru Rd.
• Lunch at the Groton Memorial Park on Sykes Street from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or at GHS from 11 a.m. to noon, both offered Monday through Friday.

No application is needed, but all meals must be eaten on site. Call Kelley Neville at (607) 898-4516 with any questions.

Groton Rotary Golf Classic 

The Groton Rotary Golf Classic will be held July 15 with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start — rain or shine — at Stonehedges Golf Course, 549 Stevens Rd. Captain and crew teams are $75 per person, with all proceeds to benefit the Groton Rotary Club.

Send your team money with Zellepay.com. For more information, contact Brian Forney at forneybw@yahoo.com or (573) 512-0241. Get a hole-in-one and win a trip or $10,000.