Seniors at Gilford High School are less than two days away from receiving their diploma, marking the end of their high school careers and presenting them with a new window of opportunity.
Thursday evening, seniors of the class of 2009, along with friends and family members, collaborated in the auditorium for the annual awards night presentation where students were acknowledged for their accomplishments in school and in the community.
Gilford Principal Ken Wiswell welcomed everyone with a short opening speech, stating that he was amazed how four years could go by so quickly.
"It seemed like just yesterday we were welcoming them to GHS on their first day of high school," said Wiswell. "And now they will be graduating in just about 40 hours, 48 minutes and 37 seconds."
Those seniors who were part of the Student Council were first recognized, including Spencer Klubben, Lydia Bartlett, Megan Lyman, Ian Rice and Ethan Simoneau.
Seniors involved with the national honor society were Sarah Ayer, Lydia Bartlett, Megan Buckner, Matthew Cappello, Lindsey Carr, Samuel Chapin, Kelsey Clark, Cora Crafts, Christina Gangi, Jami Harmon, Spencer Klubben, Megan Korber, Rebecca Malburne, Alexander McQuade, Rachel Morrison, Tyler Murphy, Lindsey Nelson, Brooke Perez, Annamarie Redman, Ian Rice, Gordon Scott, Ethan Simoneau, Sarah Snow and Samantha Watterson.
Lt. Frank Latosek, along with other firefighters from the Gilford Fire Department, administered the Gilford Professional Firefighters Local 3517 Nicholas Palisi Scholarship to Amanda Palisi. The Officer Kainen Flynn Memorial Scholarship/ Chief Eugene Blake Scholarship on behalf of the Gilford Police Department was presented to Eric Walsh.
Fifteen students were chosen for the four local memorial scholarships. The Cheryl Lynn Walsh Memorial Scholarship/ Gilford Rotary was presented by Kelley Frick to Spencer Klubben and Megan Korber. The Nathan J. Babcock Memorial Scholarship was presented by Jim & Virginia Babcock to Megan Lyman, Megan Korber, Seamus Kirwan, Tyler Murphy, Lindsey Nelson, Lydia Bartlett, Alexis Adams and Kaitlin Scannell. The Aaron T. Francoeur Memorial Scholarships were presented by Meg Jenkins and Thom Francoeur to Christina Gangi, Lindsey Nelson, Ethan Simoneau and Tyler Murphy. The Alex and Ben Memorial Scholarships were presented by Lynn Rowson to Brooke Perez, Ashlyn Soboleski, Benjamin Belandger, Tasha Hickey and Alexis Adams.
Special awards from the school were present on behalf of Principal Wiswell along with honoring the top five scholars in the class of 2009. The Principal's Leadership Award was given to Alexis Adams and the Principal's Award was given to Matthew Cappello. Top five students graduating include valedictorian Tyler Murphy, salutatorian Lindsey Nelson, Sam Chapin, Sarah Snow and Christina Gangi.
Receiving a standing ovation for the evening was Kenneth Webber who is the fourth generation of his family to be appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He roots stem as far back as his great grandfather who graduated in 1923. Col. Frank Tilton of the United States Army said that the certificate Webber received is equivalent to a scholarship worth more than $300,000.
More than 100 awards and scholarships were given out to students who showed their compassion for education as well as excellence in their lives.
"We're very fortunate to have so many great kids that we have so many great awards presented," Wiswell said.
Watch The Citizen for a full list of all the awards and scholarships presented to student at Gilford High School on Thursday evening .
