The Hornell City School District is pleased to announce the 2022 Honor Graduates. In order to be named an honor graduate, seniors must have an average of 90% or above through the four years of high school. This year, 21 students have achieved this noteworthy recognition.
“We are proud of the accomplishments of the class of 2022. They have had a unique high school experience and have proven their resilience to make the most of every opportunity,” said High School Principal Morgan Allison.
Congratulations to Valedictorian Nicholas Oyer, Salutatorian John Mikolajczyk, Marie Aini, Abigail Cornish, James Davies, Tayghan Doorley, Liza Flaitz , Natalie Fortuna, Kaylynn Hancock, Dylan Harwood, Delia Logan, Madison Lyng, Juliet Marino, Dominic Nasca, Ayla Prior, Kenneth Robinson, Daniel Sisco, Emily Smith, Jane Spitulnik, Erica Welch and Caylin Young.
Learn more about this year’s Honor Graduates below:
Valedictorian Nicholas Oyer
Post-graduate plans:
I plan to attend Princeton University to study neuroscience, in hopes of going to medical school.
Sports, activities and clubs:
I was a member of the soccer, football, and baseball teams, as well as, student government, class officers, yearbook staff, national honor society, and choir.
Favorite memory:
My favorite memory from my time at HHS was always eating lunch with my friends and getting the chance to be surrounded by wonderful people.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Enjoy every fleeting second. It goes so unbelievably fast, and you’ll miss it if you blink. Get good grades and study hard, but make friends that will last a lifetime. Don’t get caught up in what those who don’t know you have to say. Your inner circle and those who truly know you are the best reflection of who you are. Be a good person and try to be as true to yourself as possible and you will have no regrets.
Salutatorian John Mikolajczyk
Post-graduate plans:
I will be attending Penn State for Computer Science.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Football, Tennis, Jazz Choir, Show Choir, Choir Program Officer, Class of 2022 Officer, Yearbook Staff, and Academic All-Stars
Favorite memory:
Spending time with my friends during the Washington D.C. Choir Trip.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Take as many ACE classes as you can, don’t take AP tests, they’re not worth the stress, enjoy time with your friends, and stop caring so much about what other people think.
Honor Graduates
Marie Aini
Post-graduate plans:
I am attending St. John Fisher College to major in Business.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Soccer, track, tennis, National Honor Society, Business and Marketing Honor Society, and choir
Favorite memory:
Winning sectionals for soccer on our home turf and participating in the Seneca St. Zoo for all of the sporting events.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
It goes by so fast. Have fun, stay involved and enjoy all of your time here.
Abigail Cornish
Post-graduate plans:
I will be attending Alfred State for Nursing.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Choir
Favorite memory:
The last week of school.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Don’t procrastinate.
James Davies
Post-graduate plans:
Mansfield University. Psychology major
Sports, activities and clubs:
Drama club, dungeons and dragons club, student government.
Favorite memory:
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Tayghan Doorley
Post-graduate plans:
I plan to attend SUNY Morrisville to major in Human Performance and Health Promotion and play basketball.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Basketball, soccer, and National Honor Society
Favorite memory:
Winning sectionals with the soccer team in 2021.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Try to get involved as much as possible. And enjoy the time you have now because your high school years will fly by.
Liza Flaitz
Post-graduate plans:
I will be attending the University at Buffalo majoring in psychology.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Volleyball, tennis, class officer, student government, jazz choir, yearbook
Favorite memory:
The 2021 pep assembly.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Treat yourselves and your teachers with respect. Take all the college courses you can
Natalie Fortuna
Post-graduate plans:
I plan on attending the University of Tampa as a dance major.
Sports, activities and clubs:
I have done dance, show choir, and cheerleading.
Favorite memory:
My senior year has been my favorite. I have so many fond memories, though the choir competition trip to Washington DC this year was definitely a highlight of it all.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Get involved in school! Go to games and anything else you can, I regret waiting until my senior year to do so. Be sure to get all of your work done first, though it can be hard to stay motivated, but it will all pay off!
Kaylynn Hancock
Post-graduate plans:
I plan to enter the workforce as a Cosmetologist with future plans of becoming a Massage Therapist.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Marching Band, Concert Band, Pep Band, Senior High Choir, Treble Choir
Favorite memory:
My favorite memory was conducting the Marching Band as Drum Major and playing at all of our home football games.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Don’t procrastinate and try to get your assignments in on time or before it’s due. It will save you unnecessary stress.
Dylan Harwood
Post-graduate plans:
I’m attending Clarkson University , and majoring in Computer Science.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Soccer, basketball, tennis, and golf
Favorite memory:
My favorite memory is winning a sectional championship in soccer.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Truly enjoy all of your time in high school. It goes by incredibly fast, and you never know what crazy events may take that time away from you.
Delia Logan
Post-graduate plans:
I plan to take a gap year. After I plan to attend Alfred University for an undecided major.
Sports, activities and clubs:
I participated in senior high choir and band along with jazz band and jazz choir. I was also in book club and drama productions.
Favorite memory:
My favorite memory is the first choir trip i went on in 9th grade
Madison Lyng
Post-graduate plans:
I am attending Geneseo in the fall, where I will study Biology and minor in foreign language. I am interested in becoming a pharmaceutical Sales Representative and traveling around the world.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Soccer, track, basketball, Academic All Stars, NHS.
Favorite memory:
Winning sectionals in soccer in 2020.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Grades are important, but let loose and get involved. Join a sport; you will make great friends and amazing teammates. Do as many things as you can and stay organized. Lastly, don’t stress too much, it’s not worth it.
Juliet Marino
Post-graduate plans:
I’m going to Monroe Community college and I’m undecided on a major. I’ll also be playing soccer at MCC
Sports, activities and clubs:
Soccer, basketball, softball, tennis, ties program, Special Olympic, student government, class officers
Favorite memory:
Winning sectionals during soccer. But also fun memories with my friends.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Make sure you make the most out of school because it goes by so fast.
Dominic Nasca
Post-graduate plans:
I plan on attending Alfred University with a major in Ceramic Engineering and a minor in Business Administration.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Modified, JV, and Varsity Football and Baseball.
Favorite memory:
Playing on the sports teams where the coaches and my teammates both shaped me into the person I am today.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
It is never too early to begin working on an assignment that you think you have plenty of time to do, because oftentimes you don’t.
Ayla Prior
Post-graduate plans:
I plan on attending Alfred University as a student athlete and will major in Business Administration with a minor in Sports Management.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Soccer
Favorite memory:
Winning soccer sectionals on our home field in 2020
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Do what makes you happy and live in the moment. Time truly does fly by.
Kenneth Robinson
Post-graduate plans:
I will be attending Le Moyne College majoring in finance, minoring in marketing and planning to enter the business world after college.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Ski club, ski team, soccer, track, swim, golf, DECA, NHS, Business and Marketing Honors Society, Drama club
Favorite memory:
Winning DECA States with Jane. I remember hearing our names and school and I didn’t start celebrating until they were completely done, thinking there was some other Jane and Kenny. I remember just yelling “YES!”, hugging Jane, and then getting my trophy. Great day.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Why are you whining when you can win instead? Don’t have a victim mindset, have a victor mindset.
Daniel Sisco
Post-graduate plans:
I am going to attend Alfred State College for Architectural Engineering.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Cross Country and Track.
Favorite memory:
Most of my favorite memories would be hanging out with my friends and going on field trips with school.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Don’t forget to have fun during your school career.
Emily Smith
Post-graduate plans:
I plan on attending Wells college majoring in visual arts with a concentration of studio art.
Sports, activities and clubs:
I was a part of the Hornell yearbook assembly, Hornell Honor Society, Kaleidoscope cover magazine.
Favorite memory:
I can’t say I have a favorite memory, since there have been so many good moments.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
For the underclassmen, get as much work done as you can so you can have an easy senior year. However, enjoy the moments that you are in while you are here.
Jane Spitulnik
Post-graduate plans:
I plan to attend The University of Alabama in the fall of 2022 to study business at the Culverhouse College of Business.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Soccer (captain senior year), Basketball (captain junior & senior year), Track & Field, Softball, Student Government Vice-President, Class Officers, National Honor Society Vice-President, Yearbook Senior Editor-in-Chief, DECA Member (President Hornell Chapter)
Favorite memory:
My favorite memory from my time here at HHS is the end of the year and signing all my friends’ yearbooks. Also, being involved in all of the sports teams, clubs and activities.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Cherish every day of high school because it’s some of the best years of your life. It will go by faster than you know it so don’t take a second for granted. Get involved as much as you can in sports, clubs and activities here at HHS. We offer some great clubs!
Erica Welch
Post-graduate plans:
I will be attending University at Buffalo majoring in psychology.
Favorite memory:
My favorite memories have been when I’m laughing and spending time in classes or lunch with my friends. It’s too hard to just pick one memory.
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Don’t try to grow up so fast, try to live in the moment as much as possible, because time flies and before you know it, you’re graduating.
Caylin Young
Post-graduate plans:
I’ve enlisted in the United States Army Reserves, as a Human Resources Specialist. After completing bootcamp & my initial training, I will be starting college the spring semester of 2022-2023. I will be attending the University of Redlands in California, majoring in adolescent education.
Sports, activities and clubs:
Yearbook, DECA (state finalist), Academic All Stars, Varsity Cheerleading Captain, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Choir, Student Gov. Officer
Favorite memory:
The French Club trip to Quebec, DECA states, or dressing up as Barbie & Ken with Kenny for the senior halloween parade!
Words of wisdom to the underclassmen:
Make the most of your high school years! They go by so so so fast! When the time finally comes for you to graduate and step out into the world, remember, “there are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading to the same place, so it doesn’t matter which path you take. The only person wasting time is the one who runs around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.”