The Harlem Valley's top graduates: Pine Plains

Pine Plains valedictorian

STANFORDVILLE — Lauren Cole, 18, is graduating from the Pine Plains Central School District with a grade point average of 99.136, close to perfection.

“I definitely worked hard,� she said during an interview last week, adding that while being involved in extracurricular activities, it wouldn’t have been hard to let her academics falter. “It wasn’t easy getting those grades, but I made it a priority and I think it paid off.�

Cole, a lifelong Stanfordville resident, has kept herself quite busy during the last four years of high school. She’s been on the outdoor track team for the past two years and on the field hockey team for four. This past fall she was named to the All-State field hockey team. She graduates as the president of Pine Plains’ National Honors Society and a member of the National Math Society. And as class treasurer for the past seven years, she’s been an asset to her graduating classmates for some time.

“I like being someone who people can go to for help if they need it,â€� Cole explained.  “I want to lead, not just do.â€�

Outside of school, Cole has been playing ice hockey for the past 11 years, currently on a girls team in Pawling that her dad has coached since she was 6 years old.

Stissing Mountain High School has been a good experience for Cole, who will remember Pine Plains for its sense of community.

“It’s such a small school that you know everyone,� she said, something that works to the students’ advantage. “There’s so much for you to become at Pine Plains. It’s a fun school, and I liked it a lot.�

The same goes for her hometown, which Cole will be leaving for the first time when she attends the University of Vermont as a college freshman this fall.

“I really am excited to go to Burlington,� she said, “but I can always call Pine Plains and Stanfordville my home. I’ll always know it’s my home and that I can come back here.

“The sense of community is always there,� she continued, adding with a laugh, “There’s always people who know what you’ve done before you know yourself!�

Cole is interested in studying dietetics, nutrition and food science at UVM, as well as hopefully playing on the school’s club hockey team.

“I want to be a registered dietitian and probably would like to work in a hospital setting,� she explained. Her mom is a nurse and Cole sees some of those same characteristics in herself.

Senior year has been fun, Cole said, pointing out that push-and-pull feeling so many graduating seniors experience while on the verge of finishing high school and starting a new chapter in their lives.

“Senior year was fun, and we’ve been wrapping up a lot of stuff,� she said. “Seeing it come to an end is kind of sad, but it’s also exciting at the same time.�

Pine Plains salutatorian

STANFORDVILLE — “My senior year has been a great one,� Jordan Stroly affirmed during an interview last week. Stroly, with a grade point average of 98.572, has earned the honor of class salutatorian for this year’s graduating class of 2010 in the Pine Plains Central School District.

The Stanfordville senior is taking little time off once she has her hands on a diploma; she’s found a summer job working at a pediatrician’s office in Rhinebeck as a clinical student this summer. If all goes according to plan, she’ll be headed to Dutchess County Community College in the fall, looking to get her registered nurse certification. Then she’ll transfer out to another school, where she’ll specialize in pediatric medicine.

“I’ve always been interested in medicine,� she explained. “And I always wanted a career where I’d help people and make a difference.�

Athletically, Stroly has played four years of field hockey for Pine Plains, the last two on the varsity squad. In addition to her academic work and being a member of the National Honors Society, she’s been class secretary for the past three years.

“I’ve become more organized and better at planning things,� she said. “It’s been really great.�

But Stroly’s extracurricular passion is dancing. Since the seventh grade she’s been an integral part of the Stissing Theatre Guild, having been dance captain for the past three years.

“From the first rehearsal I loved it,� she remembered. “I’ve been dancing since the age of 3, and the Stissing Theatre Guild incorporated dancing and all aspects of music.�

Being in a leadership position gave Stroly the opportunity to  extend a helping hand to up-and-comers in the program.

“I was able to use my talents to help other people and enhance their experience,� she explained. “Theater has been a really important part of my high school career.�

Stroly said she would remember the close-knit community aspect of her high school career, as well as accomplishments made in field hockey and the theater program. She thanked her parents and brother and sister for their support, as well as high school Principal Tara Horst, class advisor Kerri Granger and her entire group of class officers, who over the years has turned into her closest friends.

“And Lauren Cole and Cassandra Inserillo,� she added. “They’ve been my friends through every year, and I really truly appreciate all they’ve done for me.�

As for the future, Stroly has a pretty good idea of what she wants to do, but she’ll leave some of it to chance.

“When I transfer to another school I plan on looking around,� she said when asked if she’d like to continue living in the area. “I’m going to just go with the flow and see what happens.�