High School Graduates Score Top Marks
Saratoga Central Catholic valedictorian Raphael Sanok, left, will be attending The Rochester Institute of Technology for physics. Salutatorian David Mattes, right will be attending Catholic University for mechanical engineering (Courtesy of Saratoga Central Catholic School)
Ballston Spa valedictorian Audrey Bedell will be going for her degree in biomedical engineering this fall. (Courtesy of Ballston Spa High School)
Ballston Spa salutatorian Christine Jiang will be going for a degree in political science this fall. (Courtesy of Ballston Spa High School)
While summer in Saratoga is typically ushered in with horse races and tourists, it also marks the end of a long journey for many young Saratoga Springs area residents — High School graduation.
With the sound of Pomp and Circumstance fading in the distance, here is a brief look at the achievements of local graduates.
Ballston Spa
Ballston Spa High School Valedictorian for the class of 2025 is Audrey Bedell. Bedell has a GPA of 99.508 and graduated with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors with Mastery in Mathematics and Science. During her time at Ballston Spa High School, Bedell was enrolled in sixteen college and honors level courses.
Outside of the classroom, Bedell was a three-time medalist for the Science Olympiad, a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, and played viola in symphonic orchestra, pit orchestra, All County Orchestra and New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Orchestra. Bedell plans on pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering in college.
Ballston Spa’s Salutatorian for the 2025 class is Christine Jiang. Jiang has a GPA of 99.23 and 508 and graduated with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors with Mastery in Mathematics and Science. During her time at Ballston Spa High School Jiang was enrolled in 20 college level, AP, honors and International Baccalaureate classes and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Candidate.
Outside the classroom, Jiang was a member of the cross country and track teams, was secretary of the National Honor Society chapter and was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society as well as the Students Helping Students and True Crime Club. Jiang will be pursuing a degree in political science in the fall.
Students also receiving honors for being in the top 10 of their class include Noland Schmitt, Tucker Cornell, Collin Flynn, Kayleigh Cassels, Jacqueline Horsch, Mia Collins, Jessica Bowens, and Ethan Norris.
Schuylerville High School
The Valedictorian for Schuylerville High School Class of 2025 is Holly Price. Price is heavily involved in her community — both in and out of the classroom. In her time at Schuylerville, Price was involved in 11 clubs — achieving leadership roles in two of them — played on the JV girls basketball team and varsity tennis team and was volunteered throughout her community which included being a weekly volunteer at the library, assisting with the Middle School Drama Club and caroling at nursing homes. She has received the Rensselaer Medal Award, the CASDA Capitol Region Students and Teachers who Make a Difference Award and the Black Horse Excellence Award — among many others.
This fall, Price will be attending Colgate University studying neuroscience and French.
The Salutatorian for Schuylerville High School Class of 2025 is Grace Lail. In her time at Schuylerville, Lail was involved with 10 different clubs and organizations on campus, participating in unified basketball and was involved with five different community service organizations. Some of her awards include the St. Michael’s Book Award, Black Horses Excellence Award and National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award — among others.
This fall, Lail will be attending William and Mary College studying music and French.
Zooming out to the rest of the class: 21 Schuylerville students ended their high school career with a GPA of 96 or higher, 16 received Advanced Regents Diplomas with Honors, 44 received Advanced Regents Diplomas, 54 received Regents Diplomas, 25 received CDOS Commencement Credentials and 17 students received a technical endorsement on their Diploma.
As for next steps, 68 students will be entering a four-year college or university, 20 will be entering a two-year college, 15 will be entering the workforce, 3 will be entering trade school, 1 student will be going to Belgium for an exchange program and one student will be entering flight training.
Saratoga Central Catholic School
The Valedictorian for Saratoga Central Catholic School Class of 2025 is Raphael Sanok. Sanok has spent his entire education thus far in the Catholic Education system as he’s an alumnus of St. Mary’s Academy in Glens Falls. Sanok will be attending the Rochester Institute of Technology with the intent to major in physics.
The Salutatorian for Saratoga Central Catholic School class of 2025 is David Mattes. Mattes is an alumnus of St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa — having spent his entire education in the Catholic System— and will continue in Catholic education for college. Sanok will be attending The Catholic University of America this fall with the intent to major in mechanical engineering.
Zooming out, of the 30 students, close to 70% will be attending college for a STEM field and close to 30% will be going for business related majors. The class received over $9.7 million in scholarships and were accepted to over 100 colleges. Five students will be participating in collegiate athletics — four of them from the legendary baseball team that won a state championship.