Over 100 students graduate from Dryden High School

Friday’s Dryden High School graduation ceremony concluded with the playing of “We Are The Champions” by Queen. It was a fitting send-off for 105 champions who collectively reached the finish line in the form of the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony at the high school auditorium.

“Tonight is very much a celebration,” said Dryden High School Principal Sarah Powell. “We’re celebrating what all of you accomplished to get here.”

Sophia Pushlar and Katherine Lee, who shared valedictorian honors, expressed their small town roots and small school upbringings during their respective speeches. Pushlar and Lee led off Dryden High School’s top five students, or Principal’s Award recipients, which also included Emma Park-Miller, Kelley Stuart and Hajo Wise.

Lee will always love the Dryden community that raised her. She noted how much she learned about Dryden – not just in the classroom, but throughout her hometown.

“Take this opportunity to change,” Lee said. “Never forget about the small town and small school you came from. Little acts of kindness will change the way people see you.”

Pushlar mentioned how much each year of school “changed us” and how it set the stage for them on graduation day.

“We took in the last days and last moments with our friends and teachers as much as we could,” Pushlar said. “It will be memories we’ll always cherish.”

Pushlar challenged graduates to “be mindful of their next steps,” whether it’s going to college or into the workforce.

“Listen to conversations and advocate for change,” Pushlar said. “You are the future.”

Lee noted how much she appreciated Dryden’s faculty and staff making time for students and caring for them.

“Thank you for your support throughout the school year,” Powell said.

Dryden Superintendent Josh Bacigalupi closed his remarks by sending a message to this year’s graduates.

“Love you who you are, who you were and who you will be,” Bacigalupi said. “You will make mistakes, and those mistakes will have consequences. Shake it off and move forward. Take care of yourselves, and always remember where you came from.”

Allen Lee, a science teacher for the Dryden Central School District, delivered the keynote speech and gave a heartfelt address to the 100-plus students on the stage.

“We love you. We’re going to miss you. Happy adulting,” he said.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Dryden Junior Fire Academy is in August

Dryden’s fire department, the Neptune Hose Company of Dryden, is holding a Junior Fire Academy in August.

The junior academy will be held on:

• Aug. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with lunch provided
• Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch provided

Activities include fire hose handling, a mock search, improvising EMS situations, fire extinguishers, calling 911 and more.

The academy is for ages 5 to 15. To register for the event, go to drydenrec.recdesk.com.

For questions, contact Steve Foote at 607-423-2220 or stevefooteEMS1271@outlook.com.

Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies program begins July 12

Starting July 12, Southworth Library will host Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies at Montgomery Park in the village of Dryden.

The program will take place every Wednesday until the middle of August. Events begin at noon.

Dates for Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies are as follows:

• July 12 – Llama Party
• July 19 – Bunny Foo Foo Club
• July 26 – Paws to Read
• Aug. 2 – The Turtle Doctor
• Aug. 9 – Cinder the Mini Horse and her friends
• Aug. 16 – Paws to Read

Participants will have an opportunity to meet and learn about new animal friends every week. The programs will include stories, crafts, a free lunch and the kids’ farmers market. A free book will also be provided to read and take home.

Registration for Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies is here.

Registration open for fall sports programs

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department has announced that registration is open for the following sports programs:

• Junior and senior tackle football
• Flag football
• Youth soccer
• Youth cheerleading

To register for a program or for more information, go to drydenrec.recdesk.com.

Meetings for the month of July

The Village of Freeville Board of Trustees will meet July 6 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the village hall at 5 Factory St.

The Village of Dryden Board of Trustees are slated to meet July 19 at 7 p.m. on the second floor of village hall. Dryden’s village hall is located at 16 South St.

Dates announced for Town of Dryden summer music series

Dates for the Town of Dryden’s summer music series were recently announced.

Music on the Hill, located at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building at 2272 Dryden Rd., will include the following shows:

• July 12 – Crystal Vision
• July 19 – Ghost Train
• July 26 – The Tarps
• Aug. 9 – Tailor Made
• Aug. 16 – Past My Bedtime

All shows are free to the public. Each show will begin at 6 p.m.