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Seneca Schools determines 2018 valedictorian and salutatorian

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Valedictorian Emily Garfoot and Salutatorian Cody Ostrander

Seneca School District is proud to announce that Emily Sue Garfoot and Cody Ostrander have been declared the class of 2018’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. 

Emily Sue Garfoot, of Seneca, is the daughter of Scott and Susie Garfoot. After graduation, she plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to study biology. 

During her high school career, she reveled in her time being involved in the National Honor Society, SHARE Youth Leadership, S-Club, FFA and Yearbook Staff. She also participated in volleyball, basketball, softball and forensics. 

Garfoot was awarded multiple times during her high school career including: receiving highest honors on the honor roll throughout the four year period, student of the month in December 2016; Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen 2018; Ridge and Valley First Team All Conference Academic Team 2018; silver medal at state forensics in 2015 and 2016; gold medal at state forensics in 2017 and 2018; Ridge and Valley Conference Volleyball Player of the Year 2016 and 2017; Ridge and Valley First Team All Conference volleyball 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017; Ridge and Valley All Conference Honorable Mention basketball 2017 and 2018; and Ridge and Valley First Team All Conference softball 2016 and 2017. 

“I am proud to help our community by volunteering at blood drives since joining the National Honor Society, which has taught me to help others and become more outgoing by greeting and caring for people. The blood drive has also helped me to realize how donating blood can impact several lives who need it the most,” Garfoot mentioned. 

“Each summer I assist in the setup and preparation of concessions for Seneca’s Ridge and Valley Rally in support of our community club.

“I am an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church; volunteering each year at the Fall Bazaar by coordinating games and serving at the dinner. I volunteer throughout the year, serving during church and mentoring younger members.”

She is proud of her sociability skills and her work ethic that pushes her to always want to do her best. She notes that she’s always worked to meet deadlines and to balance a heavy schedule of practices and advanced placement homework. 

The loss of her maternal grandparents greatly affected her life, but she’s happy “that their influence in my life has helped me become the person that I am today.” 

For teachers, it is a challenge for her to single out one of her excellent teachers as the most impactful. “From pre-kindergarten through today, I’ve been blessed to be part of a small school with teachers always helping me strive for more and challenging me beyond class requirements. They have been constantly pushing me to reach my goals and giving me opportunities to excel in all that I do. I am so grateful for the entire staff of teachers at Seneca, and I know that they will continue to support me through my future endeavors.”

Her biggest inspiration in life is her mother, who, according to Garfoot, “has always put others first which has been something that brings her great joy. She has helped me to learn how to focus less on my own issues, but rather work on helping people in their everyday lives.”

She would not want to change anything about her high school experience, as she is grateful for the experiences she has gained with the school district and athletic teams. She notes that she will miss these aspects of the town, along with the support of the community and being able to often spend time with her family and friends. 

In the future, Garfoot is “looking forward to making my impact in the world. I am curious about what my future holds, and I hope that my education will take me far in life.” 

She hopes that underclassmen will “always work hard and never let setbacks determine the outcome of your story. The best advice I’ve gotten was that you can only determine how you react to situations, rather than the situation itself. I think that this makes a lot of sense, because you will get out what you put into your high school experience. By staying focused and determined throughout high school, doors will open for you with many new opportunities.” 

Salutatorian Cody Ostrander, son of Brenda and Leighton Ostrander, of Seneca, will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for engineering following graduation. 

Throughout his high school he has been involved in S-Club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, FFA, baseball, football and basketball. 

Accolades he has received include: high honors on the honor roll, student of the month and Ridge and Valley All Conference Academic Second Team. 

Ostrander is pleased to have been able to volunteer with the Little League Baseball games by umpiring, to serve at St. Patrick’s Parish and to work at the annual church bazaar. 

In the summers, he finds himself working at Stoney Point Flowers. 

During his years of education leading up to this title, he has learned time management skills, responsibility and organization skills. 

High school math teacher Laury Nelson has made the greatest impact on Ostrander, as “she challenges me to reach my potential and improve myself.” 

His parents are also a large influence on his life. He noted, “They’ve taught me to overcome adversity and fight through things when they get tough, and not just give up. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their guidance.”

If he could restart high school, he would have chosen more career-oriented classes to take. Looking back, he knows he will miss being able to spend his days with his friends and watching sports events. 

“I’m looking forward to moving to a new area and meeting new people, and learning to live on my own,” Ostrander said. 

To the underclassmen, he added, “Enjoy the little things. High school goes by faster than you think. Always challenge yourself to do better and do not accept being average.”

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