Portville Jr.-Sr. High School Principal presents graduates for their diplomas on Friday.

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

Portville Valedictorian Christopher Osgood speaks during Friday’s commencement.

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

Portville Salutatorian Natalie Reynolds speaks during Friday’s commencement.

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

Portville seniors perform a choreographed handshake during the processional of Friday’s graduation.

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

Portville graduates receive last-minute instructions before graduation ceremonies on Friday.

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

Portville graduates prepare for graduation on Friday.

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

Portville graduates march to the gymnasium Friday for graduation.

Bob Clark/Olean Times Herald

PORTVILLE — Dozens of new graduates were encouraged to “go boldly” into the future after Friday’s commencement.

In total, 84 graduates crossed the stage for diplomas in a ceremony moved indoors due to weather.

Valedictorian Christopher Osgood encouraged the rest of the class to “go boldly” forward into their lives, despite the universal fear of failure and the unknown.

“We are going to college for the first time, joining the workforce for the first time, enlisting in the military for the first time, and living life on our own for the first time. We try to anticipate what the world might throw at us and try to prepare for it, but, deep down, we still fear for our future selves,” Osgood said. “The thing is though, we do not know how we will deal with the future right now, because that part of us has not been born yet. That part of us is born as we grow and adapt from life’s experiences. We are going into the unknown, and that is okay. All we can do is trust in our future selves and be confident that we will figure things out.

“I look around me today at the fearless change-makers, trendsetters, and mountain-movers. I see you and am inspired by the potential we have to define our future and make it better. This is our time to make our mark on the world. This is our time to seize our possibilities and charge towards the future with courage. This is our time to do it boldly.”

Salutatorian Natalie Reynolds looked back from the first day of school to the many other firsts as the class grew together until the end of their high school careers.

“Cherish that last wave goodbye to a friend, that final hug with your family, your last day walking these halls as a high school student,” she said. “Enjoy your journey, and enjoy the present moment. Because that thing you ‘can’t wait’ for will be here soon enough.

“We’re no longer the wide-eyed underclassmen or the kids counting down the minutes — we are graduates. And while this chapter is ending, the story is far from over,” she said. “Let’s carry forward what we’ve learned, who we’ve become, and the memories that made us. Let’s move ahead with gratitude, with courage, and with hearts wide open to what’s next.

“And above all, remember: You can wait. So take your time, soak it in — because these are the moments we’ll come back to again and again.”

Class President Zya Degolier wrote what she called her “love letter” to the class.

“It is a reflection of the moments we’ve lived, the memories we’ve made, and the ways we’ve grown together,” she said. “Portville’s small-town environment and its central school have given us something not many people have. It allowed us to grow with each other for 13 years – yes, we’ve gained some, and lost some, but every family does. Family is the perfect way to describe our class. We bicker sometimes, and we may not speak to everyone every day, but when it matters, we come together.”

She noted the many firsts along the way, and the anticipation to move forward with life.

“Whatever comes next for you, don’t let anyone else decide what that looks like. You have one life,” she said. ”Don’t waste it trying to meet expectations that were never yours to begin with. Don’t let fear keep you small.”

Graduates

Gianna Sydney Aloi, Ava Greer Andrews, Chase Michael Armstrong, Caidon L. Beck, Nathan Beck, Jackson William Bigley, Mason Brokaw, Matilde Brotto, David Antonio Brown, Miesha Brown, Hali Jane Brundage, Maliegha Ann Burgess, Cohen M. Burton, Ashley Helene Carls, Braedon Carter, Henry James Chamberlain, Breanna Marie Cole, Emily Michelle Collins, Abram Cook, Zya Rayne DeGolier, S. Joseph DePoty, Maxximus Lee DeYoe, Brodie Lee Dobson, Parker James Dornan, Dagger Doxey, Izayah B. W. Edmund, Anna Marie Elsigan, Adriana Michelle Ensell, Wyatt James Evans, Ian J. Faulkner, Owen Robert Faulkner, Brielle Nicole Fidurko, Daniel J. Fowler, Brock L. Gagliardo, Abigail Grace Gardner, Riley M. Gasper, Emmalie Rae Gehm, Micheal J. George, Brady James German, Cameron Golisano, Taylor Holly Griffin, Ryan Hepker, Daisy Hoak, Arianna F. Hollowell, Natalie Elizabeth Isaman, Joseph Johnson, Magnum Ahlias Katsigiannis, Anna E. Keeley, Emma M. Keeley, Cole D. Keesler, Joshua T. Kriger, Carley M. Latten, Isabel Siarra Laurich, Lacey Love Licht, Ryan J. Loncher, Cayden M. Long, Caleb C. MacDonald, Gabriella Maiolo, Mindy A. Maurer, Alexandra J. Mitchell, Nathanael Evans Morris, Mekhi Ali Muhyee, Trevor Mullin, Kendra A. Niver, Christopher Daniel Osgood, Abigail Renay Phearsdorf, Liam T. Puccinelli, Natalie Patricia Reynolds, Nataeh Patience Grace Richardson, Hayden Marie Sherlock, Conner Shively, Jerrik Sickels, David O. Smith, Ryliegh J. Stuck, Emma Brianne Taylor, Aiden G. Weimer, Evan Matthew Wenke, Dakota James Adams Wood, Lucas Roy Woodring, Hanna Eileen Wysocki, Peyton Leah Young, Kit Yowell, Logan R. Zeigler, Ciera Marie Zenner

Awards and honors

• Portville Faculty Association Excellence in Education: Natalie Reynolds, Brielle Fidurko, Zya DeGolier
• Frair Fund Award: Henry Chamberlain
• Dawne Evans Joseph Scholarship Memorial Award: Abigail Gardner
• Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship: Miesha Brown, Abram Cook, Zya DeGolier, Anna Elsigan, Owen Faulkner, Abigail Gardner, Emmalie Gehm, Cole Keesler, Cayden Long, Mekhi Muhyee, Ryleigh Stuck, Hanna Wysocki
• Art & Antique Committee Scholarship: David Brown, Ian Faulkner, Alexandra Mitchell
• Scottish Rite Valley of Jamestown Scholarship: Abigail Gardner, Natalie Isaman, Abram Cook
• Michele Foss Bartholomew “Good Person” Scholarship: Adriana Ensell, Brielle Fidurko
• Jamestown Community College’s USA Scholarship: Gianna Aloi, Caleb MacDonald
• NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence: Owen Faulkner, Cayden Long, Christopher Osgood, Natalie Reynolds
• Adam Clair Elliott (ACE) Scholarship: Abram Cook
• Portville Sports Boosters Exceptional Athlete Award: Brady German, Natalie Reynolds
• John O’Malley Scholarship: Christopher Osgood, Natalie Isaman
• Virginia E Stauffer Memorial Scholarship: David Brown, Zya DeGolier, Brielle Fidurko, Natalie Isaman, Cayden Long
• Chuck Bretzin Jr. Scholarship: Ashley Carls, Natalie Reynolds
• Connect Life Scholarship: Brady German and Natalie Isaman
• American Red Cross Scholarship: Owen Faulkner and Cayden Long
• Student Council Scholarship: Emily Collins, Brielle Fidurko, Anna Keeley, Christopher Osgood, Hanna Wysocki
• Robert “Dean” Travis Memorial Scholarship: Ian Faulkner
• Portville American Legion scholarships: Henry Chamberlain, Brielle Fidurko, Hanna Wysocki
• Olean Community Theater’s Ruth Fuller Memorial Scholarship: Abigail Gardner
• Portville Free Library Scholarship: Max DeYoe (renewable), Zya DeGolier (one-time)
• Dave Waugh Memorial Scholarship: Gianna Aloi, Logan Zeigler
• Colt 45 Strong Foundation Scholarship: Brielle Fidurko
• Amaranth Verna Harbeck Memorial Scholarship: Gianna Aloi, Natalie Reynolds
• Portville Alumni Association Scholarship : Abigail Gardner, Emily Collins
• Jeffrey Vern Warner Scholarship: David Brown
• Western New York Rural Health Education Center Health Career Scholarship: Owen Faulkner
• Cattaraugus-Allegany Dream It. Do It. Impact Award: Abram Cook
• Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship: Henry Chamberlain
• Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship: Zya DeGolier and Daniel Fowler
• Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship: Anna Keeley.
• Carroll Swanson Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts: Abigail Gardner
• Burt Scholarship: Christopher Osgood.
• Signe H. Johnson Scholarship: Cayden Long
• Dresser-Rand Employees Scholarship: Maliegha Burgess, Braeden Carter
• Arnold McHone Sr. Manufacturing Scholarship: Cameron Golisano
• John J Murphy Family Scholarship: Christopher Osgood
• Eva M. Taggerty Memorial Scholarship: Evan Wenke
• Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship: Hanna Wysocki
• Dr. Donald A Wormer Family Scholarship: Adriana Ensell, Owen Faulkner, and Brielle Fidurko
• Daniel and Patrick McCarthy Scholarship: Abram Cook
• Elisa B. Hughley Scholarship for the Arts: Ava Andrews
• Portville College Scholarships: Gianna Aloi, Ava Andrews, Ashley Carls, David Brown, Abram Cook, Zya DeGolier, Owen Faulkner, Brady German, Ryan Hepker, Natalie Isaman, Cayden Long, Alexandra Mitchell, Christopher Osgood, Natalie Reynolds, and Kit Yowell