ONEONTA – Oneonta High School seniors Alexander Bitterman and Nathaniel Kuhlmann have been named as the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class 0f 2020.
Alex is the son of Dr. Todd and Dr. Anya Bitterman of Oneonta. Next year, he will be attending Cornell University on the Pre-Medical track majoring in biological sciences with a focus on ethics and philosophy.
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special To AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – Superintendent Thomas Brindley wants to make sure that the Class of 2020 is celebrated, no matter what.
“These students really deserve it,” he said. “It breaks our hearts that we might not be able to all participate in the graduation milestones, but our mission is to put something together so that they can enjoy it.”
Since Governor Cuomo announced Friday, May 1, that New York State schools would be closed for the rest of the year, Brindley is working to try and figure out a plan for prom, graduation, the Senior Brunch and other celebrations for the class of 2020, who have already seen the cancellation of spring sports, tournaments and more.
“We’re exploring a lot of options,” he said. “Everything we do will have to be informed by state, legal and Department of Health guidelines.”
Initially, Brindley proposed a “drive-in” graduation or one where adequate social-distancing spacing would be laid out, but those soon proved to be untenable.
“When we can’t ‘police’ a crowd, it becomes problematic,” he said. “How do we physically space the cars or people rolling down their windows at a drive-in ceremony? Nothing is totally off the table, but we’re exploring other options.”
Among the top choices are a scheduled ceremony, where students would show up in small groups to receive their diplomas, or a virtual ceremony, creating a digital scrapbook of the day’s celebration.
“We’d put together the slideshow that we normally show at the Senior Brunch, and all the speeches would be recorded and played,” said Brindley. “We would show each student’s photo and list their awards when they receive their diploma, and at the end, we’d put a virtual tour of the school, since they won’t get to do a last walk-through. It’ll be a keepsake, so they could show their kids one day.”
It could also be a hybrid of both, said Brindley. “From the moment a kid registers for kindergarten, everything we do is set to culminate on graduation day,” he said. “We want to do something to
give them a good memory.”
Across the county, school superintendents are working to figure out how they can laud the class of 2020 in the era of social distancing.
“We’re surveying the students and parents on how we want to go forward,” said CCS Superintendent Bill Crankshaw. “We want them to play a part in creatively celebrating these students.”
Among the ideas being considered is a parade of the graduating seniors through downtown. “We want something that the community could enjoy from a safe distance,” he said.
Crankshaw is also considering a live graduation on the grounds of the school. “That one we have to think through carefully,” he said. “We have to work it out so we’re observing all the rules while still creating positivity.”
And Wendy Kiuber has designed yard signs to celebrate the Cooperstown Class of 2020 as a show of community support. “We wanted it to be a surprise for the seniors,” she said. “When they came in to pick up their packets for the week, every senior got a sign and a bumper sticker.”
The mom of Ashley Kiuber, a member of the Hawkeyes girls basketball team that was headed to the state championship when Cuomo’s state of emergency cut it short, Wendy is collaborating with Colleen Donnelly, mom of Lady Hawkeye Kate Donnelly, in the undertaking.
POPS CONCERT – 7 p.m. Come support OHS students at final joint concert of the season featuring band, chorus. Auditorium, Oneonta High School, 130 East St, Oneonta. 607-433-8200 or visit www.oneontacsd.org
Friends, family, colleagues and students filled the Belden Auditorium at Oneonta High School this afternoon where a service was held celebrating the life of William “Bud” Pirone, a beloved teacher, OHS principal and coach, who passed away on Jan. 13 at age 80. Retired Methodist minister Dick Breuninger gave the sermon, remarking, “If Dick saw paradise as a walk in the woods on a golden afternoon, the best way to honor his memory would be to go for a walk on a lovely day. If it’s too cold to walk, sit down with a good book.” Pirone’s son and daughter, Michael Pirone and Kim Pirone Baskin, seen at left, remarked on memories of their father. “My father had a reputation as a harsh grader, and once told me he gave himself a B+ as a father and husband,” said Michael. “But I gave him an A+.” (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – William R. “Bud” Pirone, 81, passed away on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, at Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta.
A former history teacher at Oneonta High School, he later became principal. He also helped found the Oneonta Alumni Association and coached tennis.
Arrangements are pending with the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
THEATER – 7 p.m. Classic metatheatrical play “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder portrays everyday live of residents of the fictional Grover’s Corner. Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
CONCERT – 6:30 – 8 p.m. Local band The Butternut Valley Boys perform mix of country, gospel, bluegrass, more to benefit inn’s restoration. Major’s Inn, 104 Marion Ave., Gilbertsville. 607-783-2967 or visit www.themajorsinn.com
Miriam Fonjweng is embraced by her brother Elvin Fonjweng as she exits the front of Oneonta High School following the 150th annual commencement this morning. Friends and family filled the Belden Auditorium to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of ’19. The event also marked the last graduation for Superintendent Joseph Yelich, right, who is retiring. “These are tumultuous times tor education,” said Yelich in his remarks, “But we have no such worry. The district is in better shape than it has been in years. We are financially solid and our facilities are improving.” He went on to assure the students that there is no one way to reach success: “If you are worried, don’t be. It all plays out. Today, after you graduate, both you and I will figure out what we will do next.” (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – Tennis is far from over for sophomore Chris Catan, Oneonta’s ace player. He qualified for the State Tournament, which begins Thursday, May 30 at USTA’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens. He is the STAC and Section IV champion.
Golf
also has a qualifier for the State Tournament in Oneonta’s Evan Sitts. The senior, who is heading to York College (PA) to play golf this fall, is a 2-time STAC champion and will play in the state competition on June 2 & 3 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University. Cooperstown’s team won its third consecutive Section III small school title on May 21.
They will play in the CSC Tournament on May 30 after winning another CSC regular season crown.
LECTURE – 7:30 p.m. George Ward presents 2019 Bruce Buckley lecture “‘MY Little Mohee’ – Lawrence Older: The Songs, Tunes, Tales and Life Journey of an Adirondack Singer.” Featuring a night of music celebrating history, traditions of Upstate New York. Free, open to public. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown.
By LIBBY CUDMORE
ONEONTA
It has all the makings of a perfect rivalry.
“In our first game against them, we beat Seton Catholic,” said OHS Yellowjackets coach Jerry Mackey. “Then they came back and beat us by 10 points.”
And on Wednesday, the two teams will square off in a deciding game to see who moves ahead to the Class
B Section IV finals. “Last year, we lost to Seton Catholic at this round,” said Mackey.
“But this year, we’re the only team who has beaten them in a game.”
SIDNEY – Edward William Kelly, 77, who was raised in Oneonta and worked at Amphenol for 38 years, passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, at at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.
He was born in Albany on March 5, 1941, and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Oneonta and Oneonta Senior High School. He also studied at Devry Tech.