Superintendent of Schools Brennan Fahey recently announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for Owen D. Young Central School’s graduating class of 2024. Congratulations to Isabella Valenta (valedictorian) and Arseniy Vladimirovich Korol (salutatorian).
Isabella Valenta
Valedictorian
Isabella Valenta was named valedictorian for Owen D. Young Central School’s graduating class of 2024. Next year, she plans to attend Nazareth University near Rochester where she will major in biochemistry. She is the daughter of Sara and John Valenta.
During her time at Owen D. Young, Ms. Valenta was very involved in extracurricular activities and athletics. She was in many different theatrical productions and served as president of Drama Club. She also participated in band, chorus, Art Club, and Ski Club. She was a three-season athlete and was a member of the soccer team, and served as captain of both the volleyball and track & field teams.
Outside of school, she volunteers at a local food pantry, is involved with the annual cleaning of the local cemetery, and assists with church dinners and meals for local senior citizens.
She has won numerous awards and accolades including being named a Scholar-Athlete, Air Force Recruiting Service Scholar-Athlete Award, Scholastic Achievement Award, Rensselaer Medal Award, Utica University Junior Achievement Scholarship, Saint Michael’s College Book Award/Scholarship, The Clark Scholar Scholarship, Nazareth University's Dean Scholarship, and Nazareth University's Merit Scholarship. She also participated in Youth Summit Leadership Conference, and Empire Girls State in 2023.
In recounting her favorite academic memories of her career at ODY, Ms. Valenta noted chemistry, physics, and anatomy & physiology as her favorite high school classes. “I find science very intriguing and Mr. Rupp's hands-on teaching made it so much more enjoyable to learn,” she said. “He showed us how things worked, but more importantly, he allowed us to experiment and figure things out ourselves. I value this kind of learning and it really made those classes enjoyable.”
Ms. Valenta said what she will miss most about ODY is the community. “The closeness with teachers and peers makes this a very special place to learn. Everyone is willing to help everyone else and it creates an incredible learning atmosphere,” she said.
When asked what her advice would be to younger students at ODY, she said, “Don't take this school for granted. Yes, it might be a small school but the close bonds that you create will impact your learning immensely. The one-on-one opportunities you can have with teachers is something missing from bigger schools. The sooner you see how lucky you are to have teachers that care about you, the better your high school experience will be.”
Arseniy Vladimirovich Korol
Salutatorian
Mr. Arseniy Vladimirovich Korol was named salutatorian for ODY’s class of 2024. After graduating from ODY, Mr. Korol plans to study engineering sciences at Herkimer County Community College. He is the son of Svetlana and Vladimir Korol.
Mr. Korol was active in many different initiatives throughout his career at ODY, including serving as class vice president for many years, president of the gaming club, and a member of robotics club, student council, and National Honor Society.
His volunteer community work includes blood Drives, church volunteer, and tutoring other students who needed help.
He will graduate ODY with an advanced Regents diploma. He has won “Student of the Month” awards, and this spring, was the recipient of a Clark Scholarship.
Korol noted that ODY is a “special place” and said he will miss the closeness of the school community. “The opportunity to make friends with almost everyone in the school is what makes ODY such a tightly knit community."
He cited physics, chemistry and “most math classes” as his favorites at ODY. “I enjoy seeing how things work and there is something about mathematical calculations that just grabs my interest,” he said.
His advice to younger students? “Never stop trying because if you do you'll only realize your true potential when it is too late.”