CHAUMONT, NY — Lyme Central School is proud to announce the academic leaders for the Class of 2026.
Valedictorian: Samantha Kerley, daughter of Michael and Jennifer Kerley of Three Mile Bay, NY.
Salutatorian: Alex Radley, son of Scott and Kara Radley of Chaumont, NY.
Outstanding Career and Technical Students:
Peyton Harris, son of Christopher and Sophie Harris of Chaumont, NY
Jocelyn Widrick, daughter of David and Alison Widrick of Chaumont, NY.
Samantha Kerley has been named Lyme’s Class of 2026 Valedictorian with a cumulative grade point average of 99.35. Samantha graduates with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, Honors, and a Mastery in Math and Science. Samantha has maintained this impressive GPA all throughout high school while still giving back to both the school and community. Samantha has been on High Honor Roll all throughout high school. She was inducted into Lyme’s chapter of the
National Honor Society in 11th grade and has held the position of Treasurer her senior year. She was a member of the Clarkson University Horizons Program; a member of Student Council in which she held the position of President; and a member of Varsity Club. Samantha has also participated in various sports and activities here at Lyme. Many to include: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Golf, Cheerleading, Senior Band, and Senior Chorus. Beyond the classroom and sports field Samantha has also given back and supported her community. She has been active in volunteering at our local Varsity club events, helping to organize and set them up; her local church where she worked with the younger members in the nursery/Vacation Bible School; and at our Red Cross events, helping to set up. She was a Frontier League Scholar Athlete her Junior year and a NYSPHSAA Section III Scholar Athlete her Sophomore year. She has been a NYSMMA Soloist for Saxophone and has made the Jefferson Community College President’s list her Junior and Senior year. She received the University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award ($5,000 per year) and the St. Lawrence University Augsbury North Country Scholarship ($200,000 over four years). In the fall, Samantha will be continuing her education at St. Lawrence University, majoring in Biomedical Science with a Pre-Health Track.
Alex Radley has been named Lyme’s Class of 2026 Salutatorian with a cumulative grade point average of 99.18. Alex graduates with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, Honors, and a Mastery in Math and Science. Throughout high school Alex has maintained his high GPA and has been an active member of both the school and community. Alex has been on High Honor Roll all throughout high school. He was inducted into Lyme’s chapter of the National Honor Society his Junior year and has held the position of President. He has been his Class Secretary all throughout high school and was a member of Varsity club in which he held the position of Treasurer. He has also participated in various sports here at Lyme. Many to include: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Baseball. Beyond the classroom and sports field Alex has also given back and supported his community. He has been active in volunteering as a soccer referee for the Youth Soccer games, helping to maintain the town soccer fields, volunteered at the Lyme 5K/12K race, and volunteered at the local Can & Bottle Drives. Alex has been recognized as a Frontier League All Star Athlete in Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball; was awarded the All-State 1st Team in Soccer; was a Frontier League Scholar Athlete; a NYSPHSAA Section III Scholar Athlete; a Frontier League All-North Varsity player for Soccer and Baseball; a Frontier League 3 Sport Athlete; and a Frontier League MVP in Soccer. He received the St. Lawrence University Augsbury North Country Scholarship ($200,000 over four years), the Clarkson University Leadership/Achievement Award ($120,000) and Honors Program Scholarship ($8,000), the LeMoyne College Presidential Scholarship ($104,000), Promise Scholarship ($12,000), and Mathematics Scholarship ($2,000), the Rochester Institute of Technology Presidential Scholarship ($120,000) and Science and Math Award ($76,000), the SUNY Brockport Prometheus Residential Scholarship ($27,500), the SUNY Oswego Presidential Scholarship ($24,000), and the SUNY Cortland Merit Scholarship ($13,200). In the fall, Alex will be continuing his education at SUNY Cortland, majoring in Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in Economics.
This year Lyme Central School would like to recognize two students for their Outstanding Career and Technical Honor. Both students have shown amazing work and dedication both here at Lyme and at BOCES within their respective programs.
Peyton Harris has been named Lyme’s Class of 2026 Outstanding Career and Technical Leader with a cumulative BOCES Criminal Justice grade point average of 97. Peyton graduates with an Advanced Regents Diploma. Throughout high school and BOCES, Peyton has shown hard work and dedication to maintain both his BOCES GPA and his high school course work. This dedication earned Peyton a spot in the National Technical Honor Society his Senior year as well as National Honor Society his Junior year. Peyton has shown great leadership throughout his time at BOCES, being named the Captain of his Criminal Justice program both his Junior and Senior year, earning the Outstanding Achievement Award for Criminal Justice, and was named student of the quarter both Junior and Senior year. Peyton has also participated in SkillsUSA showing off his skills and expertise where he placed second and third at the Area 2 Regional competitions. Here at Lyme Peyton has shown the same work ethic and leadership. He has shown a balance between his BOCES work and High School work and maintained an impressive GPA at Lyme. Payton has also given back to his community through his participation in Lyme’s annual Health Fair and volunteering his time to our various coin and food drives to raise money and resources for our local organizations. Beyond his academics and volunteering he has participated in Varsity Basketball and Baseball, was a member of Whiz Quiz and Lyme’s eSports team. Peyton was also recognized as a Frontier League Scholar Athlete and a NYSPHSAA Section III Scholar Athlete. Peyton’s hard work and balance between both high school and BOCES has shown his dedication to his future and the amazing work and skills he will carry with him after graduation. In the fall, Peyton will be continuing his education at Jefferson Community College, majoring in Business Administration.
Jocelyn Widrick has been named Lyme’s Class of 2026 Outstanding Career and Technical Leader with a cumulative BOCES Motorcycle, Marine, and Power Sport grade point average of 97. Jocelyn graduates with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors, while also earning Mastery in Science. During her high school and BOCES career Jocelyn has worked hard to maintain her impressive GPAs. Her dedication shines through earning her a spot in the National Technical Honor Society her Senior year as well as National Honor Society her Junior year. Outside of the classroom Jocelyn has put what she has learned into action. She has been an active member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program and earned first place in the state competition for Gas Engine Troubleshooting. She has also participated in SkillsUSA while at BOCES and took first place in their state competition for Power Equipment Technology as well. Through these programs Jocelyn has shown her skills, knowledge, and leadership. Here at Lyme Jocelyn has shined as well. Beyond her dedication to her school work Jocelyn has played Varsity Soccer all throughout high school and enjoys sailing. She enjoys being outdoors either tending to her cows or working on boats. She has been recognized as a 7 News Career-Tech All-Star, a Frontier League All Star, a Frontier League Scholar Athlete, and a NYSPHSAA Section III Scholar Athlete. Jocelyn has also given back to her community through various programs by helping with food and coin drives for local organizations and donating her time at various events. Jocelyn has shown exceptional work throughout BOCES and high school and has found that balance to help her continue to reach her goals and carry them with her after graduation. In the fall, Jocelyn will be continuing her education at Maine Maritime Academy, majoring in Marine Engineering Operations.
