The Catskill High School Class of 2022’s highest ranking students based on weighted grade point averages are:
Valedictorian
Nathan J. Riordon, son of Mr. Michael J. Riordon and Ms. Michaele Williams-Riordon, and stepson of Aaron Hodor, will be graduating with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation with Honors – Math and Science, and has received recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student (2021), a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Scholarship winner (2020) and a Rotary Scholar Award winner (2020). He has spent his senior year attending the STEM New Visions Program in conjunction with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In addition to his academic excellence, Nathan has been a four year member and MVP of the Catskill Varsity Cross Country team, as well as a member of the Catskill Varsity Track and Field team.
Nathan will be attending Union College in Schenectady, New York this fall. Selected as one of only sixty students, Nathan will participate as a member of the Union College Scholars Program, majoring in Integrative Neuroscience. There he will continue to pursue his interests in Neurology, Robotics and computers.
Salutatorian
Llanya Schanz, daughter of Ms. Cortney Carlson, plans to continue her education at Columbia-Greene Community College next year to complete her Associates in Social Sciences after attending the college for her senior year. Llanya is a member of the National Honor Society for Catskill High School as well as the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for achieving a 4.0 GPA at CGCC. After completing her Associates in 2023, she plans to transfer to High Point University to continue her studies and obtain her bachelor’s degree. She was a member of FCCLA where her team qualified for Nationals at FCCLA’s Leadership Conference. Llanya worked at Crossroads Brewing Company for four years and is now currently working full time at Gracie’s Luncheonette.
#3
Kaelyn Bulich, daughter of Kelly and Daniel Bulich of Catskill, plans to attend Lehigh University next year, majoring in mathematics/statistics. While in high school, Kaelyn was a member of the National Honor Society and FCCLA. She also participated in Red Cross blood drives and Santa’s Helpers. She worked at Catskill’s Summer Media Camp last summer and has worked part-time at Rip Van Winkle Brewery for the past year.
#4
Elizabeth Finnegan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Finnegan of Catskill, plans to attend the State University of New York College at Geneseo this upcoming fall, where she was awarded acceptance into the Edgar Fellows Honors Program and will pursue a degree in psychology. While in high school, Elizabeth was an active member of Buddy Readers, participated in chorus for all four years, chaired a student-led tutoring program as a member of National Honor Society, and was co-president of FCCLA during her senior year. She was also involved in the community where she is a member of St. Patrick’s Church and took part in organizing blood drives for National Honor Society.
#5
Adam Carlson grew up in Palenville with his brother Gregory, sister Erica, and two parents, Catherine and Mike Carlson. While in high school, Adam was a multi-sport athlete who played soccer and hockey with a sustained focus on baseball. He has played for several travel baseball organizations and was selected as a perfect game all region player for 2021 and 2022. Adam was also the vice president of the National Honor Society. He plans to attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where he will study business analytics.
#6
Alexandra Rose plans to attend SUNY Cortland in the fall where she will major in biochemistry. During her time at Catskill High School, she participated in band, volleyball, FCCLA, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she works part time at McDonald’s.
#7
Kiana Salierno, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Salierno of Catskill, plans to attend Marist College next year where she will major in Sports Medicine. While in high school, Kiana participated in varsity sports that included soccer, basketball and track. She was also a member of National Honor Society, Interact Club, and FCCLA. Aside from her school activities, she was involved in the community where she helped with local food pantries, Santa’s Helpers, and donated presents for children during the holiday season. She has also worked part-time at Excel Physical Therapy and Mahalo Gift Shop.
#8
Hannah Konsul, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Konsul of Catskill, plans to attend the University of Rhode Island to study Biological Science on the pre-med track. While in high school, Hannah participated in two varsity sports, basketball and soccer, National Honor Society, and was her class Vice President. She was also involved in the class bottle drive, the blood drive held by National Honor Society, and she helped clean veterans graves in the Catskill Town Cemetery. She has also worked part time at Pomodoros for the past two years.
#9
Daniel Leibowitz, son of Matt and Jen Leibowitz of Catskill, plans to attend Ithaca College next year where his major will be documentary studies and production. While in high school, Daniel competed in varsity soccer and track and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also helped out in the community by participating in Santa’s Helpers. Daniel has worked several jobs throughout high school, such as working in a restaurant, being an aid at a physical therapy office, working with a contractor, and working at Burger King.
#10
Emma Weber, daughter of Katharine Weber and Jeffery Weber of Catskill, plans to attend Columbia-Greene Community College in the fall of 2022. While in high school, Emma participated in volleyball. She was a member of the National Honor Society, and helped donate to the community by volunteering in Santa’s Helpers and a blood drive. She has also worked at the Mountain Bed & Biscuit Kennel for almost a year.