PHOTO GALLERIES: Penn Yan, Odessa-Montour and Hammondsport graduates celebrate at ceremonies

TRI-COUNTY AREA-Seniors from Penn Yan, Odessa-Montour and Hammondsport officially became graduates and alumni of their respective schools, Friday, June 23. The threat of bad weather Friday evening caused the ceremonies to be held indoors.
While Penn Yan does not name a valedictorian or salutatorian, class leaders including Marina Coriale, Maxwell Race and Corrinn Cincotta addressed the audience.
Class President Corrinn Cincotta said to her fellow graduates, "As you go out into the world, do not stop growing. Remember we have only experienced one small corner of the universe. Go new places, meet new people and let yourself be surprised at how much they can teach you."
In Odessa, Emelia Paulisczak was the valedictorian for the Class of 2017 and Madison Morse was the salutatorian. In Paulisczak's speech she told her fellow graduates, "graduation teaches us all one universal truth, that everyone has to come to terms with in their life, that is, everything eventually comes to an end."
She continued her speech by mentioning the upside to an ending is a new beginning.
"Today we all have the opportunity to reinvent ourselves. We can mend broken bridges, take up new hobbies or become a person that [we] have never been before or were too uncomfortable to show."
Hammondsport Central School had Graham O'Donnell as the class valedictorian and George Ruddy as the salutatorian. Degrees were presented to the graduates in the school auditorium.

Penn Yan:


Odessa-Montour:

Odessa-Montour photos by Don Romeo


Hammondsport: