Darian Mitchell named GHS Class of 2023 salutatorian

When the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” ring out over Ross Field at 7 p.m. Friday, June 23, the Groton Jr./Sr. High School’s (GHS) Class of 2023 will be the first ever to graduate within the newly renovated athletic facility. 

Elisa Allen, featured in last week’s column, will make her mark as the first valedictorian to address her class on the turf, and Darian Mitchell will go down in GHS history as the first salutatorian to do the same.  

It will also likely be the first time that the valedictorian will be graduating as one of a set of triplets, while the salutatorian will graduate with his twin brother! 

Darian and his twin, Donovan, were raised in Groton, along with their brother, Jaiden, currently a sophomore at GHS, and their sister, Emaline, who is in fourth grade at Groton Elementary School. 

Their alumni parents, Adrian (GHS 2003) and Mara (Southworth) Mitchell (GHS 2002), are both still vested in the community and the school district. 

Mara was the finance clerk at Lansing Central School District (LCSD) for four years before she became the district treasurer for the Groton Central School District (GCS) in February 2020. She has also been active as a member of the Groton Parent-Teacher Organization and the GHS After-Prom Committee.  

Although Adrian is the supervisor of technology at LCSD by day, he is most known in Groton for his photography business, Old Stage Photo, providing photography services to the Groton youth sport programs, photographing as many GHS athletic and public events as his schedule allows and specializing in both senior and sports portraits. He has also been a member of the Groton Youth Baseball & Softball Committee and coached youth football and baseball for many years. 

With his parents as examples of commitment to their alma mater, it is not surprising that Darian finds himself at the end of his GCS journey with a plethora of his own accomplishments. 

Darian describes himself as a child who was “curious and liked learning how the world works, and I always had math problems going through my head.” 

Gym class, outdoor physical activity, science and math were the things that mainly drew Darian’s attention.  

“I loathed English in elementary school,” Darian admitted. “It’s too variable – there’s no fixed answer to things. I was good at it, but I don’t like it. I was always a good student, but not a real go-getter with my grades until sixth grade. I learned about the high honor roll and said to myself, ‘Why not be the best?’ So, I was on the high honor roll straight through middle and high school: 27 marking periods!” 

Darian readily admits that he likes to compete and to excel. He said that while his peers would be doing other things in class, he took the time to really comprehend what he was learning.  

“I honestly never learned how to study,” Darian said. “I focused so much in class that I didn’t need to study, and I finished all my homework during the school day.” 

Darian began playing football and baseball in second grade and had begun wrestling earlier than that. He said he “dabbled in a lot of sports,” but football and wrestling were his focus. 

“I picked up track in my junior year for more experience and discipline to stay fit and conditioned,” Darian said. “I love working out and body health. I grew up going to the gym with my dad, and I have been a gym-goer and weightlifter myself since seventh grade.” 

Since the sixth grade, Darian has played trombone in the band, and he joined the GHS chorus in eighth grade. That was likely the beginning of his draw to the drama club, of which Darian has been an integral part since his freshman year.  

Darian debuted on the GHS stage as Grimsby in “The Little Mermaid” in 2020. He played many roles in “Anastasia” in 2021 and was Javert in “Les Misérables” in 2022. In this, his final year, Darian played the part of one of Joseph’s brothers – Judah – in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” in which he truly was amazing, himself!  

Even with all of that, Darian has remained diligent with his grades. He is also one of 12 GHS students who will have earned an associate degree from Tompkins Cortland Community College while in high school.  

“It definitely took more work and dedication in my junior year to continue my education and extracurriculars,” Darian admitted, “and doing the college classes does take away from the high school experience a bit. You also can’t have a job and you need to be committed, but it’s worth it.” 

Darian shared that in ninth grade during the last football game of the season, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right leg when he jumped over a teammate. He struggled through his sophomore year due to surgery for that injury and having to do remote learning.  

“I can still remember trying to have a remote chorus lesson in the parking lot of my physical therapy office,” Darian said.  

Unfortunately, Darian tore his left ACL and his meniscus in 2022, resulting in surgery once again. Yet, he persevered through it all. He said he has never liked “being in the spotlight” but has always wanted to rank high and achieve. 

“After surgery was a struggle for me,” Darian said, “but I am proud of myself that I was able to excel through the worst of times.”   

“We’ve always told our children that success often comes with struggle and sacrifice,” Adrian said. “Darian has understood this statement and has worn it like a badge from a very early age. His achievements are testament to his drive and commitment to prosper! We are extremely proud of him and are excited to see what his future holds!” 

Mara added, “I couldn’t be prouder or more honored to have Darian as my son. He has always taken instruction and direction with grace to perform the best that he can. He is the epitome of hard work and dedication with an empathic trait that makes him humble. I can’t express how wonderful it has been to watch him grow and become the young man that he is today. We can’t wait to support and celebrate the success of his future!” 

Darian will attend Virginia Tech in the fall to study electrical engineering and possibly minor in exercise science. He hopes to someday build his own home from scratch.  

“Discipline is what kept me going,” Darian said. “I kept remembering what my coaches taught me all along: ‘Don’t let motivation drive you 100% of the time. Let discipline be what pulls you through and accomplish your goals. In the end, you’ll have a strong mentality that will lead you to a successful career and accomplishments.’”

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 Central School voting results 

On May 16, 2023, voting was held at the district office of the Groton Central School District (GCSD), 400 Peru Rd., with the following results: 

Proposition 1: 2023-24 spending plan: passed with 242 yes to 93 no votes 

Proposition 2: Creation of a transportation reserve fund: passed with 237 yes to 93 no votes 

Board of Education Elections: 

Kristin Prugh: 265 votes (elected) 

Seth Walpole: 226 votes (elected) 

Sophia Darling: 211 votes (tie) 

Casandra Shurtleff: 211 votes (tie)

The GCSD thanks the entire community for doing its civic duty to show its interest in our community and our students’ education by passing both propositions of the school budget and the development of a transportation reserve fund.  

A unique occurrence has presented itself due to a tie between Sophia Darling and Casandra Shurtleff for the third Board of Education seat. After consulting with the school district legal team and Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Matteson, there will be a runoff election on Tuesday, June 13 from noon to 9 p.m. This election will include these two candidates only. No write-in votes will be accepted and, barring any complications, the results will be posted immediately. Results will be available at grotoncs.org and the GCSD social media pages.   

Come to a free block party! 

Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St., will hold its second annual block party on church property Saturday, June 3 – bigger and better than last year, with fun for everyone – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

There will be a taco truck, hot dogs, bottled water, snacks and more, as well as bounce houses, an obstacle course, lawn games, live music, giveaways and free prize drawings of gift certificates and gift baskets donated by many businesses and individuals from Groton and the surrounding area – and it’s all free! All are welcome to attend.