Meet the 2024 Top 5

Middleburgh Central Schools would like to congratulate the Class of 2024 Top 5.

Valedictorian: Tadhg Martin
Salutatorian: Liam Hooper
Honor Graduate:  Quin Smith
Fourth Highest Average: Olivia Skowfoe
Fifth Highest Average: Sarah Schafroth

“I am so proud of the top five graduates,” says Principal Matthew Sloan. “They are extraordinary individuals who have contributed so much to our school’s community. Each of them have worked so hard and we can not wait to see the wonderful things they accomplish outside of Middleburgh.”

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2024 TOP 5: TADHG MARTIN, VALEDICTORIAN

What you want people to know about you: 

There isn’t much I want to be known other than what can be observed.

Career goals?

I’d love to find out exactly what I want to do, but with where I am now I’d love to pursue a career in writing music.

Advice to help other students succeed: 

Studying at this school is a mixed bag. If you want to genuinely learn the material then study, apply yourself and enjoy it. Don’t think of it as work unless you really hate it. And if you do, then suck it up for 15 minutes a day and look over your notes, assuming you took them. If you don’t want to learn, don’t study and you’ll be just fine (until you get to college). However, I encourage everyone to learn as much as they can.

Something about the world that concerns you: 

The general lack of empathy people seem to have. Understanding that empathy should be extended to everyone is a difficult concept to grasp, and something even harder to execute. However, with practice and effort it can be done, and if (hopefully when) this happens the world will be an infinitely better place.

Something about the world that inspires you: 

There are few things that inspire me at this point in my life. Seeing effort put into people and things one loves is one of them, as well as small and/or subtle acts of kindness.

A quote that means a lot to you and why: 

“So it goes” – as it’s used in Slaughterhouse Five

MHS highlight: 

Lunch in Mr. Bornt’s room

Clubs, athletics, and activities: 

• Drama Club
• Jazz Band
• Music of the Knight
• Odyssey of the Mind
• SADD
• Varsity Tennis
• Boy Scouts
• National (Junior) Honor Society

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2024 TOP 5: LIAM HOOPER, SALUTATORIAN

What you want people to know about you:  

I love being outside, I’m always willing to try something new, and I consider myself to be somewhat of a movie connoisseur. I am also quite fond of Arizona Green Tea, as many of you already know. 

Career goals?  

I would like to study Environmental Sciences at college. I don’t know exactly what career I will choose after that, but I do know that I want to devote my time to improving our world. 

Advice to help other students succeed:  

Break any task up into smaller portions and complete the portions one at a time until everything is done. If you take breaks in between each section, it will help you to stay motivated and not lose hope. Any task seems at first to be more daunting than it actually is, but when you break it down, it’s nothing you can’t handle. 

Something about the world that concerns you:  

I am concerned about global warming, and the speed with which the world around me is changing. I am worried about the changes in weather and temperature, and I wonder whether or not they are to be permanent. 

Something about the world that inspires you:  

I am inspired by stories of resilience and character where people beat incredible odds to achieve their goals. If you’ve ever seen the movie McFarland, you know exactly what I mean. 

A quote that means a lot to you and why:  

“I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me” – Frank Costello (The Departed). I like this quote because to me it means that I will make my own destiny, instead of letting the world control me. 

MHS highlight:  

One highlight of my time in high school has been the memories that I made with my friends while playing sports. I have especially enjoyed the camaraderie and competition on the golf team. 

Clubs, athletics, and activities: 

• Varsity Golf, Tennis, and Track
• Drama Club 
• Odyssey of the Mind 
• Future Business Leaders of America 
• Interact club
• National Honor Society
• Ski Club

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2024 TOP 5: Honor Graduate:  Quin Smith

What you want people to know about you:  

I am a fun-loving 18-year-old scholar who enjoys laughing, Jesus and general shenanigans.  

Career goals?  

I will be pursuing a career in music education. 

Advice to help other students succeed:  

Pay attention in class and believe in yourself. 

A quote that means a lot to you and why:  

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.  This quote from Paul means a lot to me because it shows that even though the hard times challenge us, it is incomparable to the future if we look ahead with faith and hope. What lies ahead is more important than the pain that occurs now, and I think that is beautiful and something to look forward to.

Something about the world that concerns you:  

The general sense of apathy across different disciplines in schools. It should be easier for programs to coexist as it is essential for the continuation of development for children. Open communication across these programs would help them better the students and the growth of students as a whole.

Something about the world that inspires you:  

The small moments where people show genuine kindness to each other.

MHS highlight:  

Road tripping to the All-Eastern Music Conference with our lovely band teacher, Mrs. Tomić, where I performed and participated in an elite group of musicians in the newly formed All Eastern Modern Band.

Clubs, athletics and activities: 

• • My Church
  • Jazz Band
  • Music of the Knight 
  • Drama Club
  • Future Business Leaders of America
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Interact
  • Varsity Golf
  • Varsity Tennis
  • National Honor Society
  • FAC Club
  • Class President
  • Empire State Youth Orchestra

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2024 TOP 5: OLIVIA SKOWFOE

What you want people to know about you: 

I love spending my time outdoors. Some of my favorite activities are outside including sports, swimming, biking and my personal favorite, hiking. I just love being outdoors and enjoying the nature around me, and I find it so relaxing and calming. I recommend spending quality time outdoors to anyone and everyone, as it has really helped me. 

Career goals?   

I plan to pursue a career in Criminology at Penn State University. I would also like to have a dual minor in Psychology and Sociology. I am forever grateful for taking a psychology class with Mr. Dannible, who showed me a career path that previously had never crossed my mind. 

Advice to help other students succeed:  

Studying is never something I had to do in elementary school, which made my life incredibly difficult when I reached high school. However, once you learn how to study, it helps tremendously. Learn how to study now before you get into harder classes. I always study for about 15-20 minutes at a time, then take a break before continuing again. I also try to look things over one more time right before I head to bed because it is when you are sleeping that your brain truly absorbs the information, and it is much easier to recall the information the next day.

Something about the world that concerns you:  

The world is full of many things, and unfortunately diseases being one. My older sister was born with 22q, which is a condition where a person is born with a small part of their 22nd chromosome missing. This can cause the person to have a hard time with different things. After having a sister with this condition, I try to bring awareness to the disease so others can learn about the effects it can have on people and be more aware. 

Something about the world that inspires you:  

The world today is a hard place to live in, with constant fighting, disease and just negativity. However, seeing communities everywhere rally and stand together shows me that the world isn’t as horrible as it may seem. Middleburgh has its okay little community that I love and am so proud to be a part of. This inspires me to see the good that people have to offer, instead of focusing on the hate. 

The quote that means a lot to you and why:  

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney. This is a reminder to me that it’s okay to go where curiosity leads us and it’s okay to explore the world around us, we just need to “keep moving forward.” This quote will always have a special place in my heart as it reminds me of someone who I will always hold close to me.  

MHS highlight:  

The teachers within Middleburgh have given me such a great high school experience, and have kept the classroom time enjoyable. One of the teachers who has made the most impact on me is my math teacher, Mr. Truesdell. One of my favorite highlights of his class was during Pre-Calc my junior year; our class made “Truesday” shirts that were his favorite color, and had a picture of him on the front. Seeing his reaction had to be one of my favorite memories. 

Clubs, athletics and activities:

• Varsity Soccer, Golf, Softball and Tennis 
• Future Business Leaders of America
• Future Farmers of America
• Drama Club
• Select Chorus
• Music of the Knight
• Ski Club

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2024 TOP 5:  SARAH SCHAFROTH

What you want people to know about you:  

I love animals; my family has seven dogs, and I personally have three. I would love to one day open up an animal shelter. 

Career goals?  

I would like to pursue a career in law. I am still looking at my options for colleges, but I would like to earn a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and then attend law school. I am passionate about the justice system and would love to be part of correcting the injustices I see in it. 

Advice to help other students succeed:  

Some advice I would give to other students is to keep a healthy balance. Studying and doing schoolwork is extremely important, but you have to make sure you prioritize your mental health. Do things that you enjoy and make you happy. Find a fun way to study and turn it into something you enjoy doing. 

The quote that means a lot to you and why:  

One of my favorite quotes is, “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start.” Nido Qubein.  No matter your background, if you work hard and don’t quit, you can get to whatever point you want. Don’t let your past affect your future.

Something about the world that concerns you:  

Something in the world that concerns me is reproductive rights. As a woman, I feel that we should be the only ones deciding what happens with our reproductive system. I have had t-shirts made and participated in rallies, lending my support to the cause.  

Something about the world that inspires you:  

I am inspired by the amazing people who work in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, brave healthcare workers risked their lives to help others. They inspire me to be selfless to better others. 

MHS highlight:  

Some of my favorite high school memories have been with my sports teams and my fellow FBLA members. Being part of a team is an experience I think everyone should have. You build a bond with your teammates based on a common interest, and backgrounds don’t matter. FBLA has allowed me to meet many amazing new people and given me incredible experiences I will cherish for years. 

Clubs, athletics and activities: 

• Future Business Leaders of America
• Varsity softball, soccer, basketball
• National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society 
• Athletic Association
• SADD