Newfield school district announces 2025 valedictorian, salutatorian

The Newfield Central School District has announced the valedictorian and the salutatorian for the Class of 2025.

Gregory Taylor was named the valedictorian, while Mabel Cotto-Moseley received salutatorian honors.

The Newfield High School graduation will take place June 27 at the Vince Aiosa Auditorium.

Newfield CSD provided biographies for both students:

Gregory Taylor

“The son of George and Suzanne Taylor, Gregory achieved a scholastic average of 98.98%. Gregory received the Clarkson Leadership & Achievement Award, University of Rochester – Bausch & Lomb Science Award, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Medalist Award, St. Michael’s Scholastic and Service Award, RIT Science & Math Award and the BOE Outstanding Freshman Award. Gregory also earned the highest average award for a sequence in science, social studies and English. Gregory achieved High Honor Roll and Student of Distinction throughout high school and earned 44 college credit hours in our CollegeNow programming through Tompkins Cortland Community College.

“In addition to his academic achievements, Gregory was captain of the varsity boys soccer, basketball and track teams, earning academic all-star status. He participated in travel club, the Sources of Strength suicide prevention club, was an officer in the Newfield Chapter of National Honor Society and served as the Newfield representative to the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership conference. Gregory was also an active school/community volunteer, including the local food pantry.

“Gregory plans to attend the University of Virginia in the fall to earn a degree in civil engineering.”

Mabel Cotto-Moseley

“The daughter of Scott & Mindy Moseley, Mabel achieved a scholastic average of 97.61%. Mabel received the Clarkson Leadership & Achievement Award, Rochester Institute of Technology Women in STEM Award and the Wells College Emerging Leader Award. Mabel also achieved high honor roll and Student of Distinction throughout high school and received

the highest average award for a sequence in math, English and Spanish. She earned 46 college credit hours in our CollegeNow programming through Tompkins Cortland Community College.

“In addition to her academic achievements, Mabel was an active member of the Newfield Art Club and National Honor Society. 

“In the fall, Mabel will be attending Buffalo State University to study biology with plans to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine.”

Outgoing superintendent provides final message to Newfield community

Newfield CSD superintendent Eric Hartz provided a final message to the community as he prepares to enter retirement.

Hartz announced his retirement near the end of the 2023-24 school year. He will officially step down on June 30.

The Newfield Board of Education appointed Jesse Harper as Hartz’s successor earlier in the spring. Harper’s first day at the helm will be July 1.

Hartz’s message to the Newfield community is as follows:

“Thank you. That’s the only way I could start. I have been blessed and I am so thankful to have been a part of the Newfield Community for the past seven years. Some fun facts: I have worked in six of the eight TST BOCES component school districts; Candor and Trumansburg are the two I have not worked in. I worked in two of the districts twice, Dryden and South Seneca. I started my career at the Racker Center, which was called The Special Children’s Center back then. I had the pleasure of instituting a physical education program for 2 to 5-year-olds with disabilities and the daycare centers in all four locations, two in Ithaca, and one in Cortland and Oswego, for three years. The most important fun fact is that Newfield CSD is where I have worked the longest, and will end a 30+ year career serving children and your community. 

“Newfield is an amazing community. Living in Tompkins County my entire life, I didn’t know much about Newfield seven years ago, except for the historic covered bridge. The history is deep, and the roots are solid. The community cares about its history and its future. I hope that people can see the work the school staff is doing is important and needs to continue. With new leadership, there will be changes, some of them mandated and some of them to ensure student growth continues in the best interest of the children.  

“I would like to ask a few things of you all as I depart. Please take time to step back and look at the good that has happened and is happening in Newfield. Be understanding of the new superintendent, Mr. Harper. Help him to learn how important Newfield is to you, as you did with me. Be thoughtful, kind and patient as you usher in new state education mandates for learning and graduation requirements. So many different people and groups care about Newfield and its growth. Be a positive part of the change.  

“Thank you again. You have made me a better person. I wish you all the best.”

Newfield Notes appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Senior parade for Newfield grads is June 21

A parade for seniors graduating from Newfield High School will take place Saturday, June 21, at 10 a.m.

The parade will go down Main Street. The Newfield community is encouraged to line the street and show support for Newfield’s seniors.

For more information, contact Kevin Wall at kevindwall56@gmail.com.