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West Seneca West diplomas handed to Class of 2025; community awards $103,406 in scholarships
Summary
West Seneca West Senior High School certified the Class of 2025 as graduates. The district and community awarded $103,406 in scholarships and recognized top academic and extracurricular achievements, including the valedictorian and salutatorian.
West Seneca West Senior High School declared the members of the Class of 2025 to be graduates after confirming they met state and district requirements, Principal John Brinker said at the school’s commencement ceremony.
The declaration followed presentations honoring academic distinctions and community awards. Brinker said the West Seneca community awarded the class a total of $103,406 in scholarships and recognized 56 students on June 10 for scholarship or financial awards.
The ceremony highlighted academic leaders and student achievements. Lillian Schweikard was introduced as class valedictorian with a weighted three-year average of 101.24 and plans to begin studies at Yale University in the fall. Salutatorian Marissa Damagala was introduced as second in the class with a weighted three-year average of 100.413; she plans to attend the University at Buffalo. Staff said Damagala completed advanced-placement and college-level coursework that together hold the potential for about 31 college credits. Brinker presented medals to both students.
The program also shared other academic metrics presented during the ceremony. School staff said the top-10 students’ overall weighted grade-point averages ranged from 99.169 to 101.24. The school described the WEST recognition program (Well rounded, Engaged, Successful, and Thriving), which tracks staff nominations for student character and participation; staff noted one student accumulated more than 20 recognitions over two years.
Administrators and board members were introduced and recognized. Dr. Lisa Krueger, superintendent, praised students’ volunteer work and community service, saying West Seneca will “always be your home” and urging graduates to remember the community that supported them.
The ceremony included recognition of seniors who committed to military service. Students named as committed to branches included Ethan Finnegan and Matthew Appenheimer (U.S. Air Force), Roman Tyszka (U.S. Army) and Tyler Fodor (U.S. Marines). The school asked the audience to join in a show of appreciation for those students and their families.
Brinker formally presented the graduates "with the authority vested in me by the board of education of the West Seneca Central School District" and certified that they had met obligations and requirements for graduation "as set forth by the state of New York and the board of education of the West Seneca Central School District." After diplomas were presented, graduates moved their tassels from right to left to mark completion of requirements.
The ceremony concluded with musical performances by the West Bel Canto and vocal jazz ensembles and final remarks celebrating the class and thanking staff, volunteers and families.
