2025 Chamber Scholarship Program

Fonda-Fultonville High School

Elizabeth Vosburgh will graduate from Fonda-Fultonville High School as its Valedictorian, with a weighted GPA of 99.27. Her career goal is to work as a curator at a Natural History Museum. She has been accepted at SUNY Cobleskill into their Honors Program to start this course of study. Her ultimate goal is to earn her Ph.D. in a field related to zoology. Her career aspirations were inspired by childhood visits to the New York State Museum and the American Museum of Natural History where she was astounded by the ability of these institutions to preserve the history of life on earth.

Kelly DiNatale, a New York State Master Science Teacher at Fonda-Fultonville, said of Elizabeth, "Ms. Vosburgh is a gifted scholar and likely the most enthusiastic science student I have worked with in my tenure." Deidre Palmer, an English Teacher at the school, said of Elizabeth, "Long before I had her as a student, I knew of her reputation for excellence. It is rare to have such a talented student that both teachers and peers freely compliment her abilities in daily conversations... Her love of learning and desire to continue to grow her knowledge and skills make her a standout student for me."

Elizabeth's academic accomplishments are many: she has been on the Principal's List/Honor Roll all semesters of her high school years, achieved Excellence in Honors Biology, Excellence in AP Biology, Excellence in Physics, had the highest average in Geometry, Precalculus and American History, won a Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. In addition, she was selected for All-County Band in grades 9 through 11.

As a musician, she performed with her school's Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Library Club and Drama Club and held an Honors Biology Assistantship.

Broadalbin-Perth High School

Josie Arcuri, ranked 3rd in her class of 154 at Broadalbin-Perth High School, is an aspiring anesthesiologist, not only wanting to provide aid to those in need, but also to make a difference in the science behind administering anesthesia. She possesses a great interest in the chemistry side of medicine, specifically in anesthesia. She will attend the University at Albany to further these studies.

At Broadalbin-Perth, Josie is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, National Social Studies Honor Society, Varsity Club Dance Team, and a member of the Varsity Track and Field team. In the classroom, she is on the Principal's List, in the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program, has won an AP Scholar Award, a Scholar Athlete Award, and is in the Top Ten students in her class. She also finds time to work 20 hours a week in retail sales at Marshall's.

Arlene Baldizon, one of Josie's teachers, says "Josie has a passion to succeed. Her growth and achievements over the past years will prove her successful in her chosen career path. Her desire to always achieve her goals will make her successful in the future."

Mayfield High School

Kaylee Klymkow is this year's Valedictorian from Mayfield High School. Brynn Hlozansky, Kaylee's coach in basketball and softball, as well as her teacher in physical education and health, says of this student, "Kaylee is the epitome of a student-athlete. Throughout her high school career, she has made it a point to always make sure the "student" title was her top priority .... Although there are several qualities that make Kaylee unique, there is one that truly makes her stand out from the rest - her grit. Her athletic career at Mayfield has been a rollercoaster ride full of success, challenges, tears, smiles, frustration and drive. Through it all, her determination to persevere and overcome remains constant .... I have been a teacher and coach at Mayfield for nine years. As I reflect back on my time thus far, I can truly say that Kaylee is the one student athlete who I will always remember, miss and encourage my future student-athletes to emulate."

Kaylee's activities on the field include all four years as a Varsity soccer, basketball and softball star and has served as a Captain for each sports team. She was a first-team WAC all-star twice for softball, named to the first and second teams in the Hudson Division for soccer, and was also named a second team WAC all-star in soccer. She won the MVP Award for softball, a leadership award for basketball and was recognized as a scholar athlete at Mayfield and by the NYSPHAA for Section 2. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council Vice President, Class Secretary and President. Although she is undecided to her major, with an interest in engineering, pharmacy, or education, she will attend SUNY Cortland this fall.

Gloversville High School

This scholarship is given by Susan and Gary Furman, who generously fund this scholarship in memory of the late Daryl Baldwin, a local businessman and elected official in the Town of Johnstown. To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must have a passion for politics and a love for the arts. The student should be a genuine and kind person and would go out of their way for those in need. Preston Gillis fits this criteria and goes beyond it in many ways.

Preston says in his essay that he has always been a maker and creator. In fact, Preston owns two businesses - his Split Maple Workshop, where he has been creating wooden pieces of art since eighth grade, which fostered his love for mechanical engineering which he will pursue at SUNY Polytechnic this fall. With his other business, as Presto Preston, he performs as a magician at community events and private parties. Another nod to Daryl Baldwin, as Daryl performed magic and was a master balloon artist.

Preston is graduating in the top 1 O of his class at Gloversville High School- he is weighted number 8. He is the student-member of the Gloversville Board of Education, President and Treasurer of the GHS Scimitard drama club, President of his Class, served as a mentor at Gloversville High School, guiding students through high school challenges, was Secretary of the Student Government Association, Team Captain of Masterminds NAQT (National Academic Quiz Tournaments), among others. He has a 94.77 cumulative GPA, was named an Academic Titan in all four years of high school, was a winner of the George Eastman Young Leaders Award, a DAR Good Citizen Award, and a Littauer Speaking Award. He is also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, the National Honor Society, and Key Club. In the community, he is an active member of the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Colonial Little Theatre, the Glove Theatre, and more.

Teacher Karen Poulin says of Preston, "he is one of the most interesting and unique students I have encountered at Gloversville High School because he sees problems and creates solutions. He uses his many talents to improve the lives of those in the community.

... In the classroom, he is articulate and creative. Students look to him as a role model and problem solver, and he assumes these roles with confidence and ease.... Above all else, Preston is a genuinely good person."