Columbia High School students were recognized for their achievements in academic subject areas, research, athletics, the arts, community service and more at the 2024 Columbian Awards on Friday morning in the school auditorium. The event was hosted by Student Council.
Special performances included the Columbia Chamber Singers, CHS Talent Show winner Cheyenne Bott, and a Cabaret performance by Kole James Hardy, Emma O’Kane and Lucia Soliman.
The CHS Jazz Band provided music throughout the awards show.
“The Columbians are such an amazing event as it showcases the success of our students,” said Columbia Principal Michael Harkin. “The entire ceremony is student-planned and run which is quite impressive. I look forward the event each year.”
Additional awards, including Valedictorian and Salutatorian, will be given out on June 13 at the Columbian Evening Awards.
Students took 4+ art classes (including Advanced Art) and maintained a 95 average or higher in those classes.
Harper Erdmann
Emma Gentile
Chloe Rapant
Javanna Soucy
Madison Wagoner
Hannah Win
Edward Witko lived for his family, friends and chosen profession. In his ten year career in law enforcement, he served with honesty, integrity and loyalty and was admired by all. He trained with an intensity that gave all who knew him comfort in knowing that he was part of us. In August of 2010, Officer Edward L. Witko died tragically while participating in a motorcycle benefit run for Combat Veterans. This scholarship will be dedicated to the memory of Edward Witko, #29
Presented to an outstanding Driver Education student who distinguished themselves in the skills and attitudes that make a safe driver.
Winning Bill – Fall 2023
Free/Reduced Lunches for all School Aged Children
Winning Bill – Spring 2024
Pothole Prevention Plan
Caitlin Weinheimer
In recognition of their academic excellence in Economics.
Shannon Breimer
Kamilla Conboy
Jennifer Doty
Lyndsey Edick
Thomas Fey Jr.
Aurora Forte
Brayden Galkiewicz
Allison Hedgepeth
Hailey Jakielaszek
Taquasha Jones
Mallary Klemme
Danielle La Plante
Sydney Manning
Jack Pollard
Kelsey Reagan
Matisen Roy
Mandy Sheehan
Mason Smith
Drea VanVranken
Kevin Yang
Spring Semester
Henry Collins
Samuel Desany
Jacob Mosden
Neil Paul
Luke Savage
Aidan Singh
Skyler Whitman
Emily Wilson
Best demonstrated the ideals of Key Club through service and leadership.
Ellie Keenholts
Anna Reilly
This award is presented in recognition of your enthusiastic commitment to Key Club
Carter Cantara
Elizabeth Daoust
Allison Hutton
Saige Keenholts
Presented to a student member of the blood drive recruitment team for his or her dedication and hard work in assisting Columbia with its blood drive goal for the 2022-2023 school year.
Kole Hardy
Presented to a Student Council member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership for all four years of high school.
Presented to an active Student Council member who has not held an elected position but has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the school community above and beyond her peers.
Awarded to a member or members of Columbia’s Devils for Inclusion club who has shown exceptional service to both the school and the Unified Sports program. The recipient is someone who has gone above and beyond for the program as a whole and has aided in helping Columbia to become a more inclusive environment.
Maya Eriole
Alexis Szemplinski
Awarded to students who have displayed exceptional leadership qualities in club functions and meetings.
Outstanding Service Award for Layout and Design
Outstanding Service Award for Editor-in-Chief
Outstanding Service Award for Contributing Writer
Lena Bromberg
Maya Derico
Awarded to an outstanding junior female who exemplifies academic achievement, leadership qualities and concern for others.
Awarded to a junior in the top 5% of his or her class who has demonstrated intellectual leadership, and has made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of the school.
Awarded to a senior who has contributed significantly to an understanding of and love for dramatic and fine arts within our school community.
Awarded to the senior who has consistently demonstrated a passion for the English language and achieved excellence within English studies for four years.
Awarded to a junior who has achieved excellence in academic studies while participating in worthwhile extracurricular activities.
Awarded to a student who has demonstrated a concerted effort in all English classes and has shown significant advancement in reading, writing, and analytical skills.
Awarded to the juniors who exhibit characteristics of academic excellence, student leadership and community involvement.
Madilyn Elliott
Kathryn Myers
Nicholas Turner
Awarded to a junior in recognition of high school achievement, leadership, citizenship and participation in extracurricular activities.
Awarded to those that have a keen interest in service, celebrating diversity, students who demonstrate an interest in acquiring a great depth of broad knowledge at a liberal arts institution, and those who will embrace the mission and values of St. Bonaventure.
Ethan Hitlin
Sadie McCarthy
Awarded to one student in recognition of outstanding character and academic curiosity.Alfred University: Inamori School of Engineering/Ceramic Association of New York Scholastic Recognition Award
Awarded to a student who demonstrates a solid mathematical and scientific background while also excelling in English.
Alfred State Pioneer Leaders Award
Awarded to a student who has the passion and integrity needed to become a successful leader.
Tucker Ellis
Margaret Dyer
Presented to a junior who has established a strong academic record and is an engaged member of their school and community.
Presented to a sophom*ore who embodies strong performance in the classroom and who wants to make a difference in this ever-evolving world.
Holly Thorpe
This is awarded to students who exhibit the characteristics of an ideal St. Michael student, based specifically on achievement in academics and community service.
Kiera Mead
Awarded to a high school junior who has displayed a significant commitment to community service.
This nomination is given to a deserving junior who has demonstrated both outstanding dedication to scholarship inside the classroom and impressive duty to citizenship outside the classroom.
Recipient is chosen because of his or her hard work and individuality.
This award is typically given to a student who shows high levels of leadership through extracurricular activities and community service
Presented to a student for their dedication and excellence in promoting the Arts.
This award recognizes academic achievement in the study of world language.French
German
Spanish
Shannon Breimer
Aurora Forte
This award recognizes effort, commitment and enthusiasm to the study of world language.French
German
Spanish
Caitlin Weinheimer
Inara Ilse
This award is presented to the most considerate senior in the graduating class.
Awarded to the student who has shown significant assistance to Columbia staff.
Rachel Clarke
Awarded to students who have been active participants in Columbia’s chapter of FBLA and have successfully led the members to reach the goals of this National Organization.
Samuel Desany
Kevin Yang
Zachary Vumbaco
The following students have successfully completed 3.5 credits of business courses (some of which students earned Hudson Valley Community College credits). Students have completed a Pathway in Accounting/Finance, Business Management Administration and/or Computer Applications for Business to obtain a Technical Endorsem*nt on their Diploma through the New York State Education Department.
Emmett Day
John DelGrosso
Colin DeMarco
Samuel Desany
John Gavin
Steven Heller
Maria Myers
Emilie Palmer
Grayson Przybylek
Bella Reategui
Athena Seebald
Zachary Vumbaco
Caleb Welcome
The following students have demonstrated high academic achievement in business courses. In addition, these students have proven good character, leadership, and service in business education.
Emmett Day
John DelGrosso
Colin DeMarco
Samuel Desany
Piper Gardner
Bhavesh Ghanta
Mackenzie Hallock
Steven Heller
Maria Myers
Anna Reilly
Athena Seebald
Zachary Vumbaco
Given to a senior business student who has excelled in Business education in memory of all departed members of the East Greenbush School Related
Personnel support staff.
Athena Seebald
Recognition for Achievement in Business Courses
Steven Heller
To recognize the superlative academic achievement of young men and women as well as promising juniors who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science.
Columbia High School has participated in the NYS Mathematics League for more than 25 years. There are six contests during the school year which draw problems from a wide range of high school topics. Out of more than 140 Columbia students who participated, this student achieved the highest score.
Best Vocalist
Most Valuable Player
Most Improved Player
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best “Best Friend”
Best “Best Friend”
Best Overall Contribution
Lily Sager
Matthew Pallone
Allison Hedgepeth
Kaden Witte
Piper Gentile
Lilliana Larson
Luke Savage
Emma O’Kane
Lucia Soliman
Presented to a senior who demonstrates an overwhelming desire to promote equality, acceptance and respect for all within our school community.
Mia Williams
Ellie Keenholts
Saige Keenholts
Jabari Holder
Piper Gardner
Presented to the student who has shown excellence in academics, citizenship and exemplifies kindness to others.
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Physics
Cumulative Excellence in Science
Caleb Curtis
Lukas Rauch
Shreya Malge
Shannon Breimer
Shane Baker
Shannon Breimer
Liliana Panasci
Jack Pollard
Caitlin Weinheimer
To be a graduate of this program, students must create and perform authentic research experiments under the direction of a supervising scientist. Science research is a rigorous program which requires time management skills, presentation and writing skills, and research skills in a laboratory or field setting. Students have spent hundreds of hours on their projects and they should be very proud The following seniors have stood the test of time and completed the three year program in grand fashion.Social and Parental Involvement and the Impact on Risk of Compulsive Exercise and Body Physique InternalizationMicroplastic Analysis of High-Flow and Low-Flow Streams Located in Rensselaer CountyThe Effect of E-Cigarette Vapor Condensate (ECVC) on Population Growth of Tetrahymena thermophilaThe Effect of Suburbanization on Black-capped Chickadees in the Albany Pine Bush, NYDo Various Health Factors Affect Breast Cancer Mortality and Late Stage Incidents across New York StateActivity, and Nativity Status on ADL and IADL
Inara Ilse
Shane Baker
Sophia Xin
Andrew Gabriel
Liliana Panasci
This award recognizes high school juniors who have distinguished themselves academically, are active and involved members of their school and community, and demonstrate outstanding achievement in:Art and DesignBusiness and LeadershipComputingHumanities and Social SciencesScience and MathWomen in STEM
Molly Sapienza
Pierce Dalton
Shreya Malge
Evan Rainville
Neea Gizzo
Awarded to students that demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, service, social responsibility, integrity, and an appreciation for diversity.
Alyssa Donnelly
Gabriella Fisher
Lucia Soliman
Savannah Craig
Nicodemus Heath
Jacob Jarvis
Noah Kelly
Ellie Knapp
Angelina LaScala
Andrew LaValley
Kerrigan Quinn
Rahul Singh
Kayla Smith
Susan Stanchuk
Michael Tucker
Devin Weber
Honors the memory of Leonard Michon who was a beloved teacher and Supervisor of Social Studies in East Greenbush for many years. Given to the student who has demonstrated outstanding character, scholarship, leadership and service.
Awarded to two students who have demonstrated proficiency in the study of U.S. History and understanding of its Constitution.
Jack Pollard
Membership in RHO KAPPA is an honor bestowed upon a student by a local chapter for his or her accomplishments in the field of social studies and overall academic achievement.
Ryan Bates
Shannon Breimer
Rachel Clarke
Kamilla Conboy
John DelGrosso
Samuel Desany
Andrew Gabriel
Kristofer Gizzo
Allison Hedgepeth
Inara Ilse
Hailey Jakielaszek
Carter Norton
Liliana Panasci
Neil Paul
Jack Pollard
Matisen Roy
Mason Smith
Christopher Uttendorfer
Drea VanVranken
Caitlin Weinheimer
Sophia Xin
Kevin Yang
