Westfield/Mayville Rotary Club has selected its Students of the Month for September. Rotarian Dan Smith, New Generations chair, is in charge of this program, assisted by Crystal Schrantz and Phyllis Crochett. The students are as follows:
Brocton Central School
John Nickerson Jr. is ranked third in his class and has achieved honor roll every quarter of his high school career with a cumulative average of 94.53. He is currently serving his second year as president of the Interact Club, Rotary International's service club for young people ages 12 to 18. He joined Interact, which is sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, in ninth grade and was nominated president at the conclusion of his sophomore year.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo
Seated, from left: senior Roberta “Bobbie” Starceski, Sherman Central; senior John Nickerson Jr., Brocton Central. Standing: senior Angelique “Dori” Schalk-Ruff, Chautauqua Lake Central; and senior Miranda Warner, Westfield Academy Central.
During his junior year, Nickerson received the George Eastman Award from Rochester University. In addition to these awards, he took part in the 2012 Boys State in Morrisville where he spent five days learning about government and participation in military exercises. During seventh grade, he earned the American Legion Award and attended Fitesmart, a math and science camp held at SUNY Fredonia for one week during the summer where he received a $500 scholarship.
Nickerson is a member and captain of the bowling team, which he joined in seventh grade, a member of the Honor Society, vice president of the Student Council and editor of the school newspaper, the "Brocton Review."
Outside of school, Nickerson works at Arby's Restaurant in Fredonia and at the summer recreation program at BCS. He also participates in a bowling league and has traveled to Syracuse twice for state championship qualification in tournaments where he received small scholarships that total nearly $400.
The son of John and Dawn Nickerson, he enjoys spending his free time with friends and family, hunting and running in the local demolition derby at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. After high school, he plans to attend Jamestown Community College and then transfer to the University at Buffalo to pursue a degree in architecture.
Chautauqua Lake Central School
Angelique Schalk-Ruff, who goes by the name of Dori, is currently ranked in the top 15 percent of her senior class and will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma. A few of the classes in which she excels are Advanced Placement U.S. history, AP environmental science and English 12 AP. Consistently maintaining a high grade point average in her rigorous course load each year, she has been named to the Honor Roll each quarter.
Extra CLCS activities in which Schalk-Ruff is involved include Spanish Club membership, class secretary, varsity tennis team captain, of which she is a four-year member, and recipient of Membership Award in her junior year. She also participates on the bowling team for which she received most improved recognition.
Outside of school, Schalk-Ruff spends her time playing tennis with lessons at the YMCA and the flute in the school band. Community service activities include Winterfest and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. She also is employed by Andriaccio's Restaurant.
The daughter of Girard Ruff and Cynthia Schalk of Mayville, Schalk-Ruff plans to attend a four-year college and is looking at Kent State and Buffalo State, with a possible degree choice for future occupation as an interior designer, photographer or pro-tennis player.
Sherman Central School
Roberta Starceski, ranked 10th in her class with a GPA of 90.5, was selected to attend Empire Girls State and was awarded the New York State Senate Leadership Award.
An active member of the school's Future Farmers of America chapter, she has held a number of offices, including president, vice president and reporter. She has received the highest recognition a NYS FFA member can receive by earning her Empire Degree with a focus on dairy production.
Having served as class treasurer and vice president, she is an active member of the school's Fellowship of Christian Students and served on the core group one year prior to being nominated president for the 2012-13 school year.
A member of Chautauqua County 4-H for nine years, Roberta has held a number of leadership roles, including Dairy Barn Junior Superintendent. Roberta also has played volleyball for five years serving as co-captain her sophomore and senior years.
The daughter of Paul and Robin Starceski of Sherman, owners of their fourth-generation dairy farm in which all the children take an active role, Roberta manages to find time to work, not only on the home farm, but on a neighboring 800-cow farm where she serves as assistant calf manager. She plans to attend either Penn State or Cornell University to major in agricultural business and dairy science, with the intent of owning an agricultural business.
Westfield Academy and Central School
Miranda Warner is an outstanding senior who has shown particular strength in the areas of English, history, mathematics and science. During her high school years, she has been an integral member of Jamestown Community College's College Connections program, English, computer programming and calculus. She will graduate with 19 college credits.
At WACS, Warner is enrolled in We The People, Regents physics and additional graduation requirements. She will graduate with an Advanced Regents Diploma.
Warner, a school leader, has participated in the anti-bullying program, the Ophelia Project and the yearbook. During her junior year, she was a member of the Shared Decision Making Team, became a member of the National Honor Society and participated in SUNY Fredonia's Leaders of Tomorrow Conference. In addition, Warner has been a volunteer for the past seven years in Kendra Bills' elementary classroom where she reads to students and works one-on-one with them.
A three-year member of the high school band, Warner has played the euphonium, a low brass instrument that looks like a small tuba, at several school functions.
She is a member of the varsity soccer, basketball and track and field teams and has served as captain for basketball and track. She holds two school records in track and field for the Pentathlon and the 100-meter hurdles.
A volunteer at the YWCA, the Arts and Crafts Festival, the Holly Tour and as a tutor, Warner has held employment at Zebro's Harbor House and the YWCA.
The daughter of Michelle Warner of Westfield, Warner is researching several colleges, including the University of Rochester, Stony Brook, University of Ashland and Allegheny College where she plans to participate in track and field.
