Somers schools honor students and programs: biliteracy seals, music honors, science research and Destination Imagination wins
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Summary
Somers Central School District on June 10 publicly honored student achievements across languages, science, music, the performing arts, Destination Imagination and athletics, highlighting local and national honors earned during the 2024–25 school year.
Administrators at the Somers Central School District used the June 10 board meeting to recognize student academic, artistic and athletic achievements across the district.
High school principal Pete Rodriguez and seal coordinators Melissa Golia and Monica Martel presented the New York State Seal of Biliteracy to 12 graduating students who demonstrated high proficiency in English and another world language. Rodriguez also introduced the district’s valedictorian, Natalia Telles, and salutatorian, Sarah Hanford, and acknowledged two National Merit Scholarship finalists: Luke Armstrong and Emma Gordon.
The board celebrated Destination Imagination teams. Noelle Allen and Jacqueline Cirico told the board that the district fielded seven teams this year; three advanced to the New York State competition and two middle-school teams—To Eat or Not to Eat and the Fierce Fish—received top recognitions. To Eat or Not to Eat earned a first-place finish and a Renaissance Award for minimalist set design; Fierce Fish earned an invitation to global finals but did not attend.
Music and performing-arts achievements were highlighted. The district was named one of the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education for the tenth consecutive year; staff recognized more than 90 students who auditioned for solo and ensemble festivals and named students accepted to all-county and area All-State ensembles. Administrators also listed students who scored perfect audition results and those named to conference All-State honors.
Science research students received district recognition for regional, national and international awards, including participants at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and other national competitions. The district cited winners and finalists at the New York State Fair, SUNY Albany symposium and local Somer Science Fair.
Athletics highlights included the boys lacrosse team’s run to the New York State final four and league championships, three girls qualifiers for the state track meet, and individual feats such as Ethan Stuber’s junior-class pole-vault record of 13 feet, 6 inches. The board also recognized Katie DiChiaro as the 2025 New York Giants flag football coach of the year.
Also recognized was student author Gianna Lopez, who received multiple Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (two silver keys and one gold key) for poetry and longer-form work.
The recognitions were presented during the regular meeting; board members offered congratulations and best wishes to students preparing for state and national events.
