Fifty-one members of the Broadalbin-Perth High School Class of 2019 will graduate in June with an average of 90 or higher, and the top 10 students in the class have all achieved grade-point averages of at least 98.
“Not only do our top 10 students excel inside of the classroom, it is their work outside of the classroom that sets them apart,” said BPHS Principal Mark Brooks. “They are actors and actresses, musicians, athletes, members of our Odyssey of the Mind team, members of our rocketry and robotics clubs, class presidents, and so much more. Their impact on the B-P community stretches far beyond the classroom and will be a legacy that will live for years to come.”
The top 10 students in Broadalbin-Perth’s Class of 2019 are:
1. Gabrielle Larsen (100.529 average) – A three-sport athlete for cross country and track and field, Gabrielle has served as a team captain and MVP for the Patriots. She was also involved in a number of extracurricular programs during her time at B-P, including Key Club, National Honor Society, band, chorus, pep band, and Drama Club. A member of the Principal’s List, Gabrielle has received the Key Award from Elmira College and the Marine’s Math and Science Award. Gabrielle also received the Outstanding Cross Country Runner Award from the Fulmont Roadrunners Club and was voted onto B-P’s 2018 homecoming court. Outside of school, she has served as a vacation bible school leader. The daughter of Sharon and Eric Larsen, Gabrielle plans to attend Nazareth College in the fall, where she will study communications sciences and disorders.
2. Robert Munn (99.165 average) – A well-rounded student, Robert has been a member of the National Honor Society and STEM (Rocketry) Club at B-P, while also serving as senior class co-treasurer and playing on the Patriots’ football team. He has also attended American Legion Boys State, and has volunteered at St. Ann’s Church and with B-P youth sports and the Lion’s Club. Robert’s awards include the Rensselaer Medal, the Pride of New York Scholarship, the coach’s award for football, and the Patriot Pride Award. The son of Tim and Christine Munn, Robert plans to attend Virginia Tech next year to study aerospace engineering.
3. Stephanie Somers (98.795 average) – Stephanie has served as the senior class president, vice president and president of Key Club, secretary and dance captain for Drama Club, secretary and president of Spanish Club, and has been a member of the National Honor Society and SADD. She has also been part of B-P’s prom committee, and was selected homecoming queen in 2018. Stephanie has earned a spot on the BPHS Principal’s List every year, and received the George Eastman Young Leaders Award from the University of Rochester. Outside of school, Stephanie has also volunteered at the community parish. The daughter of Richard and Maria Somers, Stephanie plans to study business at Siena College starting in the fall.
4. Jared Eipp (98.338 average) – During his time at B-P, Jared has distinguished himself in the classroom and on the field. He has participated in the Team America Rocketry Challenge, the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot contest, and the National KidWind Challenge. Jared is a three-sport athlete in soccer, bowling and baseball, earning Scholar-Athlete awards in all three sports for four years, as well as all-star recognition in both soccer and bowling. Jared has also served as class treasurer and been part of the STEM Club, Key Club, Ski Club and National Honor Society. His accolades include the Clarkson University Leadership Award, the RIT Presidential Scholarship, the University at Buffalo Pride of New York Scholarship, and the Syracuse University Chancellor’s Scholarship. The son of William and Sarah Eipp, Jared plans to attend Binghamton University in the fall.
5. Ryan Gardner (98.202 average) – A member of B-P’s robotics team, the Nut Jobs, Ryan has also been a member of the National Honor Society and the cross country, track and field, and golf teams. He has been named to the BPHS Principal’s List every quarter, was nominated for the FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Dean’s List, and received the Clarkson University High School Achievement Award. In his free time, Ryan enjoys woodworking. The son of Dawn and Brian Gardner, Ryan plans to study robotics engineering at Union College.
6. Taylor Orapello (98.121 average) – Taylor has served as the co-president of the senior class, vice president and president of the Key Club, and vice president of Spanish Club. She has also participated in National Honor Society, SADD and Medical Explorers. In addition to earning a spot on the BPHS Principal’s List every year, Taylor also received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from the University of Rochester. The daughter of Kim and Joseph Orapello, Taylor will attend Saint John Fisher College on a Trustees Scholarship, where she will study nursing.
7. Mallory Jennings (98.087 average) – While at B-P, Mallory was a member of the National Honor Society, Masterminds, and the Drama Club. Her honors include the BPHS Principal’s List, the U.S. Air Force Award for Academic Excellence in Math and Science, and the Wells College 21st Century Leader Award. The daughter of Melissa Mewhorter and James Jennings, Mallory graduated from FMCC in May 2019 with an associates degree after earning a 4.0 GPA. In the fall, she will continue her education at the College of Saint Rose on a Trustee Scholarship.
8. Glenn Buyce (98.084 average) – A member of the National Honor Society, Glenn played both football and basketball for the Patriots. He received the RIT Innovation and Creativity Award, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc. Scholar Athlete Award, and the News Channel 13 Section 2 Scholar Athlete Award. The son of Stanley and Christine Buyce, Glenn plans to enroll at Quinnipiac University in the fall.
9. Cassandra Bown (98.080 average) – A team captain of B-P’s varsity volleyball team, Cassandra has also served as class co-secretary and co-president of Spanish Club. She has been part of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Ski Club, SADD, Scientific Research Club, chorus and track and field. Her awards include the BPHS Principal’s List and the RIT Computing Medal. She served on B-P’s prom committee and was named to the homecoming court. On the volleyball court, she was named MVP of the Patriots volleyball team as a senior and most improved player as a junior. Cassandra was named to the all-state second team and all-conference first team for volleyball, the MVP of the Fall Finale and KSA Team, and received the New York State Championship Sportsman Award. Outside of school, Cassandra volunteers as a candy striper at Nathan Littauer Hospital, with the Just Run program, for the annual Great Sacandaga Triathlon, and as an assistant volleyball coach. She is team captain of the Sacandaga Volleyball Club. The daughter of Gregory and Melissa Bown, Cassandra plans to study biology at Thiel College starting the fall.
10. Rhys Floyd (98.059 average) – Rhys has been involved with B-P’s Odyssey of the Mind program for 11 years with a team that has won three state championships and advanced to the World Finals four times. He has also participated in Drama Club, STEM Club, Ski Club, Key Club, Masterminds, National Honor Society, the ACE Mentor Program, band, and student government, serving as class treasurer and class president. He has received the Odyssey of the Mind OMER and Renatra Fusca awards, the University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology, and he is an AP Scholar with Distinction. Rhys has also served as a math and science tutor for middle school students. The son of David and Megan Floyd, Rhys plans to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
The commencement ceremony for the Broadalbin-Perth Class of 2019 will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 27, at Patriot Field (rain site, Robert C. Munn Gymnasium).