Gloversville High School top 10 scholars honored at district meeting

The Gloversville City School District recognized the top 10 scholars of Gloversville High School’s Class of 2025 during a board meeting, with Principal Christina Elias presenting each student’s academic honors, extracurricular activities and postgraduation plans.

"We pause to recognize something truly meaningful," Principal Christina Elias said while introducing the students, adding that the evening was meant to honor "achievement, commitment, and perseverance." She also told the students, "You have represented your class and your school with distinction."

The recognition item highlighted each student’s rank in the class, notable activities, awards and the college they plan to attend. The students and details announced by Elias were:

- Callan Porter, son of Mark and Bethany Porter, graduated 10th. Elias said he participated in varsity football (named Times Union All Star, Daily Gazette Area All Star, New York State Sports Writers Association All‑State Class B quarterback, New York State Section 2 All‑Star) and varsity basketball and baseball; he received the National Football Foundation Scholar‑Athlete Award and the academic Titan award all four years. Elias said he will attend SUNY Brentford to major in physical education and play baseball.

- Gavin Porter, listed as graduating ninth.

- Preston Gillis, son of Paul and Jennifer Gillis, graduated ninth (Elias said he will attend SUNY Polytechnic Institute to major in mechanical engineering). Elias described Gillis’s roles as student representative to the Board of Education, president of the drama club, PLTW lab technician and engineering manager, and noted his participation in jazz band, varsity golf, National Honor Society, Student Government Association, Key Club and other activities. Elias also said Preston runs two small businesses: a woodworking shop and a performance persona as a magician.

- Nicola DeGrazia, son of Jamie and Lily Domenico DeGrazia, graduated eighth. Elias said he played varsity tennis, varsity golf and varsity football across different years, is a member of Key Club and National Honor Society, volunteers with Project Purple and Relay for Life, and plans to attend Brent Salier Polytechnic Institute to major in architecture.

- Liliana Sturgis, child of Edward and Laura Sturgis, ranked seventh. Elias said Sturgis has been active in student government, National Honor Society, Key Club and jazz band and earned the academic Titan award; Elias said she will attend the University at Buffalo to study accounting.

- Skyler Matson, child of Jason and Teresa Matson, ranked sixth. Elias said Matson has competed in cross country and track and field and will attend Rochester Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering.

- Emily Strauser, child of RJ and Charlene Strauser, ranked fifth. Elias said Strauser participated in varsity soccer, basketball and softball, served as National Honor Society president and student government vice president, and will attend the University at Buffalo to major in English adolescent education with a minor in theater.

- Salvatore Ambrosino, son of Karen Blackwood and Daniel Ambrosino, ranked fourth. Elias said he has been active in National Honor Society, Key Club, Student Government Association and track, and plans to attend the University at Buffalo to study biology.

- Lisonbee Ebersole, daughter of Caitlin Ebersole and sister of Finley Ebersole, ranked third. Elias said Ebersole competed in varsity track and swimming, volunteers with Key Club and other community activities, and will attend the University of Vermont to major in psychological science.

- Jordan Coller, son of Edward and Bernita Coller, was named salutatorian. Elias said Coller played varsity basketball and soccer, served in National Honor Society and Student Government Association, held class officer roles, volunteered with the Unified Basketball Team and will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

- Krisha Noel Santander was announced as valedictorian; Elias said she served as vice president of her class, Key Club and National Honor Society, participated in girls varsity soccer and academic competitions, volunteered with the Fulton County SPCA, earned awards including the RIT Women in STEM Award and will attend the University at Buffalo honors college to study pharmacy.

Elias opened remarks by noting the pressures of senior year and thanking families for supporting the students. The board recessed for five minutes after the recognition item.

The presentation was a ceremonial agenda item; no motions or votes were recorded on the recognition during the transcripted portion of the meeting.