Waterford's Elementary Students Of The Year

Monday afternoon, the Waterford Rotary honored three students from the three Waterford elementary schools as the group’s students of the year.

“This was not an easy choice,” said Superintendent Jerome Belair, who is also a member of the Waterford Rotary. “You are all representative of many of your fifth-grade classmates.”

Jayne Darras was named student of the year at , Liam Spellman was named the student of the year at and Caroline Petchark was named student of the year at . The principals at each respective school gave a speech about their respective student and then the student was given a plaque.

“We are very proud of all of you,” Belair said.

Jayne Darras

When Darras was in second-grade, she was concerned about other little girls who lost their hair from cancer. So, at the age of 7, she organized a pony-tail drive, where girls cut off their hair and donated it, so wigs could be made for girls who lost their hair from cancer.

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“It is that kind of compassion for others that really distinguishes who Jayne is as a person,” Quaker Hill Elementary School Principal Glenda Dexter said. “She may be quiet and unassuming, but she really has one of the biggest hearts ever, and she is known at Quaker Hill for her sensitivity and kind-heartiness.”

Darras is a member of the and the school chorus and has participated in three triathlons. She also participated in a swim-a-thon to benefit Iraq veterans and another to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, donated her stuffed animals to needy children and served food in Coventry during Tropical Storm Irene.

“You are the kind of person we all strive to be, and I am so proud to be here today with you,” Dexter said.

Liam Spellman

When Great Neck Elementary School Principal Pat Fedor asked Spellman why he was awarded the student of the year, Spellman had some pretty profound things to say.

“I know it is important to stay focused, don’t fool around, contribute to events; if someone is not in a group, go to that person,” said Fedor, recounting Spellman’s own words. “Make good choices, and stay with good friends.”

Spellman plays “everything,” from basketball to baseball to football, Fedor said. He was a member of the Little League South , Fedor said.

Most recently, Spellman was picked by his classmates to play General Ulysses Grant in the school’s upcoming . Spellman , and has taken on another assingment working with a third-grader who just moved into Great Neck and was having trouble adjusting to the new school, Fedor said.

“It has made a tremendous difference,” she said.

Caroline Petchark

Recently, Petchark played Templeton the Rat in the Oswegatchie Elementary School play. Templeton is a self-serving, caustic character, and Petchark showed off her acting skill by nailing the part.

“Caroline is a very fine actress, because she was excellent playing the part,” Oswegatchie School Principal Nancy Macione said. “But those qualities could not be further from Caroline’s own personality and her character.”

Petchark is “a wonderful role model” who gives up her recess time to help teachers, Macione said. She also volunteers in a second-grade class, where she is a natural leader, Macione said.

“Caroline is a wonderful role model who works well with reading and writing buddies,” Macione said. “She is very soft-spoken and very calm, and the younger children just naturally gravitate towards her and they love working with her.”

Petchark is a swimmer, a baker, a member of the school chorus, a flutist, a gymnast and an alter server at Saint Paul’s Church. She is very helpful, especially with one particular student, and is considered a “gem” by her teachers, Macione said.

“Caroline is always doing the right thing, simply because it is the right thing to do,” Macione said. “She is truly one of the most kindest, caring and most thoughtful students ever to attend Oswegatchie School.”