Olean High School at 410 W. Sullivan St.

OLEAN — Two more names will be added to the Olean City School District Wall of Honor during a ceremony set for Friday, June 20, coinciding with OHS’s annual Alumni Weekend.

The Olean Schools Foundation board announces that Abigail Bretzin, Class of 2009, and Katie Ralston, ’04, are the 2025 honorees.

They will be inducted at 4 p.m. in the OHS Board of Education Conference Room.

Abigail Bretzin

Bretzin was a top 10% ranking member of her graduating class, participating in soccer — a captain her senior year — track and field, ski club, National Honor Society and Homeless Huskies.

Bretzin earned a B.S. in Athletic Training from SUNY Cortland in 2013, an M.S. in Kinesiology from Temple University in 2015 and became a Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology from Michigan State University in 2019. She served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania from 2019–22, and since 2022, she has been a research investigator for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Bretzin has spent her career devoted to research in sport-related concussion and injury prevention, authoring and co-authoring over 45 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, many recognized nationally and internationally for their impact.

As a presenter at more than 100 international and national conferences, her research has informed consensus updates on sports-related concussion management, while focusing on safety protocols and addressing disparities in access to concussion management resources throughout high school and youth sports.

Bretzin is dedicated to giving back by educating athletes, parents and coaches about concussion prevention and management while also mentoring healthcare professionals and young researchers to encourage evidence-based practices in sports medicine.

Bretzin believes that OHS encouraged a pursuit of excellence in all areas of life, learning perseverance, teamwork and the importance of community. She continues to guide her professional and personal journey.

Katie Ralston

Ralston graduated summa cum laude from Edinboro University in 2008, majoring in Elementary and Special Education, serving as president for Future Elementary Educators of America and as a member of the student board for Council of Exceptional Children.

She returned to alma mater in 2009 as a middle school special education teacher until 2014. A passion for middle school students, Ralston became a certified national trainer for the Language! Program, a program to assist struggling students with reading and writing skills. She became the STEM Enrichment Program coordinator for middle school students and partnered with St. Bonaventure University to bring STEM leaning to Olean students.

Ralston earned a master’s degree in Curriculum Design and Instruction from Gannon University in 2012 and completed her administrative degree in Education Leadership at Canisius College in 2014. In a new role leading Olean’s Curriculum Support and Professional Development, she became focused on student, teacher and support staff development.

In 2015, Ralston was hired as the middle school principal at Cuba-Rushford Central School at age 28, making her the youngest principal in New York state at the time. She was named Educational Leader of the Year by the NYS English Council in 2018 and was promoted to grades 6–12 lead principal in 2019.

Ralston achieved a Doctor of Education in Learning and Leadership in Organizations from Vanderbilt University in 2021. She was later appointed Superintendent of Schools for the Silver Creek Central School District in 2023.

Community-action driven, Ralston is a champion for Sweethearts and Heroes, an anti-bullying program in schools, promoted the Bald for Bucks campaign raising funds for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and is especially active on the Board of Directors for Olean’s homeless shelter, Genesis House, in honor of her mother, Debbie Ralston.

Always an enthusiastic and dedicated Huskie, she credits numerous Olean teachers and administrators for fueling her passion in education and drive for excellence.

The OHS Wall of Honor was established in 2005, with the foundation responsible for the selection of its members. The criteria recognize individuals whose lives, accomplishments and endeavors reflect the values and tradition of excellence fostered by the school district.

The foundation raises funds for program grants that benefit the current Olean students. More than $250,000 has been granted. Programs are funded through several initiatives, including Cattaraugus Gives, Night at the Races and the Red and Gold Golf Outing during Alumni Weekend.

For more information about the foundation or to nominate alumni for the Wall of Honor, visit oleanschoolsfoundation.org or email oscdfoundation@gmail.com.