- By Michael Mazza
- Around Town
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New Roots Charter School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2018 at a commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 15th, 10:30 am at Willard Straight Theatre at Cornell University. The program featured musical performances by senior members of the New Roots Rock Band, reflections on New Roots education by graduating seniors, and a ceremonial "passing of the torch" to the Class of 2019.
"We are so proud of the Class of 2018 not only for their leadership in our learning community, but also for the ways that their accomplishments are being recognized by community organizations and colleges," said Tina Nilsen-Hodges, Principal and Superintendent of New Roots.
The keynote speaker for graduation commencement was Fabina B. Colon, Director of the Multicultural Resource Center. Talking about the practice of remembering that we live in Cayuga Nation territory, Colon spoke to the Class of 2018 about her own life journey and the importance of following your own path even if others attempt to dissuade you from it.
At the Senior Recognition Ceremony on Monday, June 11, fourteen outstanding seniors were recognized with Sustainability Leadership Awards for exemplifying qualities New Roots Charter School seeks to cultivate. These young sustainability leaders were recognized as visionaries, life-long learners, systems thinkers, healthy persons, citizens and community members, attributes that, in the words of the New Roots mission statement, "empower young people as citizens and entrepreneurs who create just, democratic communities, and thriving green economies that restore the natural world that sustains us."
The following New Roots graduates received Sustainability Leadership Awards, generously sponsored by the Community Foundation's Myrtle Dee Nash Memorial Fund:
- Healthy Persons Award - Aleta Tessaglia-Hymes of Etna, NY and Miles Hiller of Ithaca, NY
- Lifelong Learners Award - Linus Berggren of Ithaca, NY and Weaver Hill of Ithaca, NY
- Communicators Award - Oliver Fowler of Ithaca, NY and Olivia Frandsen of Van Etten, NY
- Community Members Award - Hannah Askew of Cortland, NY and Christian Coons of Ithaca, NY
- Citizens Award - Gabriela (Ella) Leon-Evans of Ithaca, NY and Zach Stallman of Ithaca, NY
- Members of Ecosystems Award - Annika Berggren of Ithaca, NY and Allison (Jill) Stewart of Watkins Glen, NY
- Visionaries Award - Garrett Nunnink of Ithaca, NY and Maia Fish of Brooktondale, NY
Tyler Reeves of Genoa, NY was recognized with the Daniel 'Rocky' Bellinger Award, which represents our commitment to offer every young person who walks through our doors the opportunity to imagine and create a future they can be excited about. Named in honor of a founding student, the Daniel "Rocky" Bellinger Award is granted to a student who demonstrates persistence in reaching graduation and exemplifies the spirit of generosity and openness that we cherish in our learning community.
The Markes Aspiration Scholarship was awarded to Christopher Dean of Freeville, NY. This scholarship is awarded, for the purchase of textbooks, to a student who plans to attend a two- or four-year college to realize a life goal. Aspiring to be a doctor, Christopher will begin the next leg of his educational journey at Tompkins Cortland Community College this fall.
Three students were recognized with the New Roots Student Leadership Award: Zach Stallman of Ithaca, NY, Jack Alano of Lansing, NY, and Olivia Frandsen of Van Etten, NY. Zach served as Student Council facilitator in the 2017-2018 school year, and Jack and Olivia as Community Meeting facilitators.
The Red Cross Scholarship was awarded to Zach Stallman and Nicholas Brackel of Waverly, NY for their community service in organizing blood drives this year.
Thomas Payton-Harp of Berkshire, NY was awarded the Beverly J. Martin Scholarship and the AKA Sorority Ascend Scholarship for his leadership and achievements.
New Roots Charter School Class of 2018:
Jack Alano of Lansing, NY
Hannah Askew of Cortland, NY
Owen Barney of Tully, NY
Annika Berggren of Ithaca, NY
Linus Berggren of Ithaca, NY
Nicholas Brackel of Waverly, NY
Noelle Chamberlain of Horseheads, NY
Christian Coons of Ithaca, NY
Christopher Dean of Freeville, NY
Maia Fish of Brooktondale, NY
Oliver Fowler of Ithaca, NY
Olivia Frandsen of Van Etten, NY
Gavin Hadick of Ithaca, NY
Chandra Henry of Ithaca, NY
Weaver Hill of Ithaca, NY
Miles Hiller of Ithaca, NY
Adrianna Holle of Ithaca, NY
Tytianna Kendall of Ithaca, NY
Gabriela Leon-Evans of Ithaca, NY
Garrett Nunnink of Ithaca, NY
Tyler Reeves of Genoa, NY
Julius Scholl of Groton, NY
Zach Stallman of Ithaca, NY
Allison Stewart of Watkins Glen, NY
Aleta Tessaglia-Hymes of Etna, NY
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