Hinderliter takes top honors, with a final GPA of over 100
A total of 135 seniors will graduate from Broadalbin-Perth High School in June, with 35% of the students earning a grade point average (GPA) of 90 or better. The top 10 students of the Class of 2021 have achieved GPAs ranging from 96.87 to higher than 100. They vary in their individual interests, talents and plans for the future, but all have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their education and caring involvement on campus and in the community.
“The Class of 2021 Top 10 is made up of not only outstanding students, but even better people,” said Broadalbin-Perth Senior High School Principal Mark Brooks. “This group has faced the adversity of the last 15 months with courage and determination. They have personified what it means to be a Broadalbin-Perth student and they are going to do amazing things in the future.”
Congratulations to the following top 10 students of the BPHS Class of 2021:
KELSEY HINDERLITER (100.299)
Kelsey Hinderliter believes in taking advantage of every opportunity possible, and she has demonstrated this through her involvement in sports and extracurricular activities, all the while excelling academically at B-P. A member of the volleyball and softball programs, Kelsey served as co-captain for both the JV and varsity volleyball teams. In 2019, she received the Most Improved Award in volleyball and the Defensive Most Valuable Player Award in softball. Kelsey currently serves as co-president for the Class of 2021; vice president of National Honor Society; co-vice president of Key Club; and, co-treasurer for Spanish Club. She is a member of Masterminds, Science Research Club and Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). In addition to her school activities, Kelsey also plays club volleyball with Sacandaga Volleyball Club, waitresses at Double H Bar-B-Q in Mayfield and has taken piano lessons with Verruso Music Studio in Hagaman since the sixth grade. She received the University of Delaware 1743 Scholar Award; a CASDA Capital Region Scholar award; University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award; and, the Honors Award from B-P. She was selected for the 2018-2019 Foothills Leadership Training at FMCC. The daughter of Dale and Jeannine Hinderliter, Kelsey will attend the University of Delaware this fall and has been named a University of Delaware Distinguished Scholar. She plans to study elementary education with a minor in environmental humanities. Her goal is to become an elementary teacher and also volunteer with organizations focused on offsetting the climate crisis.
What advice does Kelsey have for younger students? “Time is going to move so fast throughout these four years, but try to take advantage of every opportunity that you can. Our school’s clubs and teams are so much fun and have made my high school experience amazing,” she said. “Form positive relationships with your teachers because they want to see you succeed and will do everything they can to help you. Most importantly, enjoy your time with your friends, make some memories while you can, and treat people with kindness.”
LILIAN MITCHELL (99.826)
Lilian Mitchell has excelled academically at B-P and is active in athletics and extracurricular activities. She currently is the co-treasurer of Spanish Club, co-vice president of the Class of 2021 and is a member of National Honor Society, Research Club and Key Club. She was also a member of the volleyball team at B-P, and was named captain for both her junior and senior years. A NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete, Lilian received the State Championship Sportsmanship Award in 2019 as well as the Coaches Award in both 2018 and 2019. Outside of the classroom, Lilian also has been active in the community throughout her high school career. She completed an internship at the Environmental Design Partnership, volunteers for the Sacandaga Triathlon Club and works as a hostess at Sport Island Pub. Lilian earned several scholarships including the Clarkson University Leadership Award, University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor’s Award, RIT Presidential Scholar and the Montana State University Achievement Award. The daughter of Erin and Travis Mitchell, Lilian will study environmental engineering at the University of Massachusetts this fall, and she plans to eventually take over the family business. Her advice to younger students is simple: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help!”
AUBREY JENNINGS (99.642)
Aubrey Jennings demonstrated her leadership skills at B-P by serving as an officer for several clubs. She currently is the co-president of Key Club, secretary of National Honor Society and a member of the Science Research Club and Masterminds. She has served as an officer for the Class of 2021 during all four years of high school and is the co-treasurer for her senior class. Aubrey was named to B-P’s Principal’s List all four years of high school. She also received the Honors Award and was a Rensselaer Medalist. Outside of school, Aubrey works part-time as a waitress at Double H Bar-B-Q. The daughter of Susan and Jeffrey Jennings, Aubrey will continue her academic career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). While she’s undecided about her major, Aubrey is certain it will be in the STEM field and is considering biochemistry or molecular biology, with a focus on research.
What advice would Aubrey give to younger students? “I would encourage them to make use of the many opportunities offered. Enroll in as many clubs and activities as you can to enhance your experience in high school,” she said. “Additionally, build relationships with your teachers because it makes asking questions and learning easier, while the class itself becomes more enjoyable.”
BETHANY COSTANZO (99.436)
Bethany has been active in the school community, serving as co-vice president of the class of 2021 during all four years of high school. She is a member of B-P’s National Honor Society and participates in the Science Research Club, SADD and Key Club. Bethany played softball at B-P for five years. Beyond the classroom, Bethany volunteers at Saint Mary’s Church and is a member of the Junior Knights of Lithuania. Bethany received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from the University of Rochester, which honors a demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, leadership and dedication to community action. This fall, Bethany will head to Northeastern University in Boston, MA, where she plans to study environmental science. She was the recipient of an Honors Scholarship from Northeastern, and she plans to pursue a career that entails science research. She is the daughter of Eric Costanzo and Beatrice Costanzo.
Asked what advice she would give younger students, Bethany said, “Don’t obsess over grades. In the end, what you learn is what actually matters. Enjoy your time without any real responsibilities. And don’t worry so much about homework that you don’t have time to live your life!”
SARAH LARSEN (99.415)
Sarah Larsen aspires to work in the field of psychology so she can devote her time to helping people improve their mental health. The path to get there starts this fall, when Sarah heads to Le Moyne College in Syracuse, where she plans to major in psychology. During her time at Broadalbin-Perth, Sarah was committed to academic excellence and was named to the Principal’s List all four years of high school. She attended HFM BOCES Career and Technical Center cosmetology program, serving as treasurer of the program during her junior year and vice president of her class as a senior. Sarah was also the treasurer for the B-P Class of 2021 during both her junior and senior years. She is a member of National Honor Society, Key Club and Cooking Club. Sarah participated on the cross country team and track and field team in grades 8 through 11, and was named Most Improved Female Cross Country Runner in 2017. She received the Elmira Key Award, the Le Moyne Presidential Scholarship and the Le Moyne Promise NY Award. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing the piano and volunteering during the summer as a VBS teacher at Mayfield Church. She works as a receptionist at Fantastic Sam’s in Johnstown and is the daughter of Eric Larsen and Sharon Larsen.
RILEY EIPP (98.508)
Riley Eipp will head to SUNY Oswego this fall to pursue a degree in childhood education, with the goal of becoming a teacher. Her academic excellence at B-P has earned her a spot on the Principal’s List all four years of high school, and she was the recipient of a B-P Honors Award and the Elmira Key Scholarship. Active in many community-based initiatives, Riley volunteers at Saint Mary’s Hospital Skin Cancer Prevention Services and the Youth Commission Craft Show. She served as a tutor during her sophomore year, and currently works as a waitress at Sport Island Pub. Riley has held several leadership roles at B-P, including Class of 2021 treasurer during freshman year, Key Club secretary during her junior year and Key Club president during her senior year. She was also a member of the girls JV soccer team, serving as captain of the squad for two years. She is the daughter of William Eipp Jr. and Sarah Eipp.
What advice would she give to younger students? “Always put in your best effort in school, because it pays off greatly in the future when you are able to achieve your goals,” she said.
MACIE PASQUARELLI (97.997)
Macie Pasquarelli will travel south this fall to continue her academic career at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she will study business management. During her four years of high school at B-P, Macie was involved with athletics and other extracurricular activities, while maintaining academic excellence. She participated in both indoor track and softball, and is a member of SADD, Spanish Club and Ski Club. Macie was inducted into the National Honor Society and was named a National Society of High School Scholar. She was also the recipient of the St. Michael’s College Book Award. Outside the classroom, Macie maintains part-time jobs at both Russo’s Adirondack Grill and Lakeside Tavern & Marina and has volunteered for the B-P Craft Show. She is the daughter of Kristy Bashwinger and Thomas Pasquarelli.
Macie’s advice to younger students? “Don’t take time for granted. High school is the place where you build the base of your future. It is where you learn the basics. Even though it is stressful sometimes, it is important to try to live life to the fullest and have the best time you possibly can.”
ALEXIS SMITH (97.673)
Alexis Smith plans to study computer science at Siena College in Loudonville in the fall, and she hopes to work in the future as an intelligence analyst. Alexis was named to B-P’s Principal’s List all four years of high school and was the recipient of the Siena College Presidential Scholarship and the Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal Scholarship. Active in extracurricular activities at B-P, Alexis currently serves as National Honor Society president and is a member of Key Club and SADD. During her freshman year, Alexis attended the All County Music Festival for chorus. Alexis started dancing when she was 5 years old and considers it one of her favorite hobbies. She shares her love of dancing with other students as a dance teacher at High Performance Dance Center. She is the daughter of Susan and Jason Smith.
Asked her advice to younger students, Alexis said, “Be yourself, respect others, and listen to your intuition. Make as many memories as you can, because they’ll last a lifetime.”
MICHAELA STAIE (98.872)
While at B-P, Michaela Staie pursued extracurricular activities that catered to her love of music and interest in the recording industry. Michaela aspires to a career as a soundboard technician for a touring band or a Foley sound effect artist for movies and videogames, and she chose clubs and organizations that gave her practical experience in the industry. She was the vice president and student leader for AV Club, tech manager for Drama Club and worked on the sound board for all school events during her sophomore year. Michaela also played bass guitar for Jazz Band, sang in Vocal Ensemble and was selected for the All County Music Festival four times. Outside of school, Michaela has participated in the Mohawk Valley Chamber Ensembles, Gloversville Civic Band and the SUNY Schenectady Wind Ensemble. Michaela was accepted into SUNY Schenectady County Community College’s (SCCC) early admission program while in high school, and she has already completed one year in SCCC’s music audio technology program. She was named to the SCCC President’s List for her first year, and this fall she will start her second year at the college as she works to complete her associate of applied science degree. The daughter of Jason and Tammy Staie, Michaela was the recipient of the Lewis and Gretchen Rubenstein Scholarship at SUNY Schenectady and the SUNY Schenectady Foundation Music Scholarship.
Asked her advice for younger students, Michaela said, “Pursue what makes you happy, even if it won’t make you that much money. Be yourself, and don’t let anybody bring you down. Even if they don’t offer what you want/need in life, find a way to make it happen.”
Isaiah Blackmon (96.867)
Isaiah Blackmon will head to Boston, MA, in the fall to study design at Northeastern University, with an eye toward a career as a graphic designer. Isaiah was active in Drama Club at Broadalbin-Perth, most recently appearing on stage as the swindling character Rooster in the high school production of “Annie.” As a sophomore, he played the part of Eddie in “Mamma Mia.” Isaiah was scheduled to play the part of General Ghengis Khan Schmitz in “Seussical,” but that performance was unfortunately cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. He was the recipient of the RIT Innovation and Creativity Scholarship Award, which recognizes outstanding students for their leadership, service, and achievements in computing or creativity and innovation. Isaiah is the son of Amy Lavoy and Todd Blackmon.
His parting advice to younger students? “Don’t take everything in life too seriously, and just have fun with it.”
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