Jeff Cronk named Groton High School Distinguished Graduate

The prestigious Groton High School (GHS) Distinguished Graduate Hall of Fame Award was created by the GHS chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) in 2010 to pay tribute to the accomplishments of one or two graduates each year. The recipients are invited to attend the ceremony to receive their award and serve as the keynote speaker(s). They are commemorated in the halls of the school with a permanent plaque outlining their achievements.

This year’s inductee is Jeff Cronk, 1986 GHS alumnus and owner of C&D Assembly, Inc. right here in Groton. He was honored at the NHS’s annual induction ceremony on April 18, which also welcomed the honor society’s newest members.

Jeff and his wife, Pam, have three children, all of whom are GHS alumni. Their oldest daughter, Allison, gave a glowing introduction of her father from her home in California via Zoom, after she was introduced by NHS president, Delaney Ayer.

“I graduated from Groton [High School] in 2013, where I was also a member of the National Honor Society, sitting in the same seat as many of you today. I am honored to be here to introduce my dad as he is recognized as a distinguished graduate of Groton,” Allison said.

Allison went on to say that for some, the path to success may begin with a college degree, but for others, success may be found on a different path that will require passion, relentless hours of hard work, sacrifices, taking risks and having the confidence to give 110% to one’s dreams. She said that she has witnessed all of those characteristics in Jeff throughout her life.

“At 24 years old, [Jeff] started his dream, C&D Assembly, in a basement while working full time,” Allison said. “I remember watching him work as a kid ‒— staying late, and he and my mom working on circuit boards in our garage on the weekends, and all while never missing a football game, awards ceremony or cross-country meet.” 

Allison also spoke about the many things Jeff has done for the Groton community and beyond. A more in-depth look at Jeff’s life and accomplishments may be found in the August 24, 2022 edition of this column, when C&D Assembly celebrated its 30th anniversary, or by taking a look at his plaque on the Distinguished Graduate Hall of Fame wall in the high school building at 400 Peru Rd.

“One of my favorite things is that [Jeff] became a runner and has run many races with me,” Allison added. “He has raised me and my siblings to work hard and never give up, has supported us on our own paths to success, and I have seen him persevere through some of the most difficult trials life could have presented him. I am so happy and proud to see him presented with this award. He is a true example of ambition. He has worked extremely hard to get where he is. I hope students at Groton will find inspiration in that for years to come, and to not be afraid to take the less traveled path. To never give up on their dreams, just like my dad.”

It was clear after that introduction that Jeff was visibly touched by it. He gave his own inspiring speech to the students, families and friends in the audience, and it was also evident that he was very humbled by the honor.

“What an amazing honor to be inducted into the Groton Central School Hall of Fame,” Jeff said. “As I look at the 19 previous distinguished graduates and all their accomplishments, I am humbled and grateful for my own life in Groton to be recognized in such a manner. This goes well with my philosophy of ‘buy local, be local, and take care of the things that are closest to you. The grass is greener where you water it.’”

Immediately following Jeff’s induction, NHS advisor Scott Montreuil gave recognition to 15 seniors who will be leaving this year, and many of those students gave introductions for 18 new members who were newly inducted: Devon Blasz, Isabella Brown, Ross Bush, Kadyn Casterline, Adelyn Clore, Jade Conkrite, Brett Deuel, Logan Dunn, Lauren Gallinger, Brody Jackson, Diella Niño, Caryssa Personius, Natalie Ray, Grace Short, Joslyn Staton, Bailey Vliet, Riley Vliet and Jillian Zigenfus.

Inducted into the National Junior Honor Society were Leah Allen, Connie Dickerson, Ella Koenig, Aurora Komala, Nattalie Lombardi, Violet Sanstspree and Grace Shaff.

Rounding off the evening were the inductees into the Eighth Grade National Junior Honor Society: Emily Cotterill, Jack Ingram, Brennen Jackson, Coco Jiang, Ali Johnson, Remi Marshall, Hannah Neville and Josephine Ross.

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 American Legion Mother’s Day breakfast 

The Groton American Legion Carrington-Fuller Post 800, 307 Main St., will be the venue for the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 800’s annual Mother’s Day breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Sunday, May 12.  Eggs, bacon, French toast, home fries, toast, coffee, tea, orange and apple juice and milk will be served for $12 per adult and $5 for children 10 and under. The event is dine-in only and cash only. All proceeds go toward Legion programs.   

Last call for early bird Color Run registration!

The Groton Jr./Sr. High School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will sponsor a color run again this year at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 15. Registration at grotonpto.square.site on or before May 15 will guarantee a shirt and color packet. The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for students and $10 for children under five, and will go up by $10 each beginning May 16.

Summer enrichment programs

The Groton Central School District is continuing to utilize its 21st Century Community Learning Grant funds to offer enrichment programming designed to disguise learning within fun activities for students of all ages for the second time this summer. To see all the available offerings, visit grotoncs.org. Registration is open at groton.recdesk.com.