Ilion High School - Class of 1987

Source pdf file is here Utica NY Observer 1987 - 5551.pdf on fultonhistory.com

Photo caption - David Ball watches his mortarboard float through the air after tossing it in the air at the end of graduation ceremonies yesterday at Ilion Junior-Senior High.

Ilion's Top Grad Set His Goals Years Ago

ILION - It was back in the sixth grade - when he saw his first space shuttle landing - that Donald J. Brien decided that was for him.

It was more than a young boy's idle wish, doomed to take a back seat once something else struck his fancy.

"He set goals for himself, he knew what he had to do," said his proud mother, Phyllis, as she watched her son recognized yesterday at Ilion Central School's commencement not only as valedictorian, but as the winner of a U.S. Air Force Academy Scholarship.

Brien was notified in March that he had won the scholarship, but it wasn't until Air Force Col Bart Shelley presented him with his award yesterday that he knew how much it was worth.

"The total value is $160,000," Shelley said, noting that Brien is the first male in Ilion's history and the only student this year in three surrounding counties to receive such an award.

Brien won several other scholarships as well. After the ceremony he admitted he felt like he was on top of the world. Now he's got the means to perhaps one day actually be there. He plans to pursue aerospace engineering, get into pilot training and would love to become an astronaut.

Principal George DeLuco told the crowd watching the ceremony from the stands overlooking the Diss Memorial Athletic Field that the 124 graduates had not only achieved but surpassed his expectations of them. He said that 42 percent had an average of 80 or better. There were also 75 candidates for Regents diplomas, 17 Regents scholarship winners, one Empire State School of Excellence Scholarship winner, one Regents Professional Nursing Scholarship winner and two National Merit Commendation winners.

Further, he said, about 20 students will be entering military service, while 81 will continue their education.

"You made an imprint, a mark a statement of accomplishment," DeLuco told the graduates, and destiny alone was not the reason for that. It was a determination shown by parents, students and staff alike.

Kim Rivers received an Art Three Year Award; Vickie Humphrey received the Secretarial Practice Award; the Clerical Award was presented to Julie Harney; and Pamela Pryor received the office practice and typing award.

In his valedictorian address, Brien talked about the importance of having and being a friend, for a true friend does more than share joys; he or she is there in times of sorrow to offer "a comforting hug."

Salutatorian Christine DePaola told her classmates to make the best of the qualities they each possess, to have the vision to dream of tomorrow and the wisdom to turn dreams into reality."

DeLuco also asked for a moment of silence in memory of George E. Anderson, the school district's former superintendent who died June 1 at age 75. Anderson is credited with establishing the $900,000 Diss Athletic complex. Later a scholarship was awarded in his memory.

If an award had been given to the graduate whose parents came the farthest for the ceremony, it would have gone to Maria Lourdes Canals, an exchange student from Barcelona, Spain. Her parents, Mr., and Mrs. Juan Jose Canals, arrived in llion Wednesday and will return home tomorrow.

Major awards announced yesterday include:

Clayton Memorial Scholarship ($250) - Donald J. Brien;
Leo J. Sammon Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($200) - Michael J. Jory;
Earl Parry Watkin Scholarship ($800 over four years) - Michael J. Jory;
NROTC Scholarship - Anthony M. Marro;
Ilion Alumni Association Scholarship ($250) - Kathy L. Krick and Donald J. Brien;
William Hempstead VFW #502 Post & Auxiliary Scholarship ($200 each) - Matthew S. Clark and Sheila M. DeCarr;
I. Clark Seamans Scholarship ($500) - Thomas J. Calicchia;
Dennis Gildersleeve Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Michael J. Jory;
Ruth Freeman Derby Scholarship ($400 over four years) - Christine M. DePaola;
Mohawk Valley Savings and Loan Association Scholarship ($400) - Julie K. Stanburg;
Christine Gaffey Neisinger Memorial Scholarship ($300) - Michael O. Wardle;
Paula E. Spoettle Nurses' Scholarship ($1,000 a year) - Julie M. Wells-Riesel;
Elsie W. Edsall Memorial Home Economics Award ($150 each student per year) - Terri Dillon and Kimberley A. Fielder.