On The Bright Side: Three SK students tie for valedictorian honor

SOUTH KORTRIGHT _ Ten percent of South Kortright Central School's class of 2008 are valedictorians.

For the first time in 69 years, Superintendent Benjamin Berliner said, three students tied for the honor of being named valedictorian.

Geoffrey Garrett, Nathan Holdridge and Jordan Nichols each achieved perfect grade point averages, making it impossible to choose just one, Principal John Bonhotal said Friday.

The three students have been classmates since kindergarten, but they say the competition to be the best has never interfered with their friendship.

"We have been friends most of the way," Holdridge said Friday. "It's always been a friendly competition."

"In the greater scheme of things, we didn't worry about it all the time because one test grade wasn't going to blow you out of the water," Nichols said.

Garrett said he excels in history, but also enjoys science and math. Holdridge said his first love is math, and Nichols said her strong suits are English and history, but she understands most math enough to keep up with the guys.

"Nate stresses out the most," Nichols said. "He was always second-guessing everything."

"I have them both on speed dial, but Jordan was always on the phone, so I usually called Geoff first," Holdridge said.

"It seemed like Jordan was blowing us out of the water for a while," he added. "I was checking with the guidance office constantly to see where I stood. I wondered what grades we had to get to stay even, and then for a while I decided I would just settle for being salutatorian."

"I didn't even start the last English paper we had to do until the class period before it was due," Nichols said.

The group agreed that it looked like Holdridge and Nichols were going to sweep the top spots, but then Garrett suddenly "slid into the picture."

"I am just blessed with the luck of having stellar grades," Garrett said, grinning.

Bonhotal said the threesome have never been in any trouble, but there "there is nothing boring about these three.

"This entire class has been entertaining us for years," Bonhotal said. "We really are sorry to see them graduate."

Garrett is the son of Lynn Giles of Bloomville. He has been on the superintendent's list every quarter. He has won the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award, the RIT. Computing Medal, the St. Andrews Lodge Award for the greatest achievement for three years of science, and excellence awards for biology, chemistry and earth science.

Garrett was a member of two NYSPHSAA Scholar/Athlete teams and was named a Delaware County Academic All-Star in soccer four years straight. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Mathematics Honor Society and the New York State Mathematics Honor Society. He is a member of the varsity band, tutors, and volunteers at the Hobart Activity Center, the soup kitchen and Habitat for Humanity.

Garrett is petty officer 1st class in the Naval Sea Cadets Corps and plans to attend Syracuse University, majoring in engineering.

Holdridge is the son of Rick and Terri Holdridge of Bloomville. He is vice president of the National Honor Society and the State Mathematics Honor Society, president of the National Mathematics Honor Society and treasurer of his class and student council.

He is a member of the varsity club, varsity band, senior chorus, co-president and a drama club contributor. He received awards for obtaining the highest mark in English 11, excellence in biology and Spanish, and earning 100 percent on the Math A Regents. He received the RPI Medal and the Elmira College Key Award.

Holdridge belongs to two church youth groups, is vice president of the Delaware County Holstein Club and the South Kortright 4-H Calf Club, and was named the Distinguished Junior Member of the New York State Holstein Association.

He plans to attend Roberts Wesleyan, studying mathematics in the education department.

Nichols received the Elmira College Key, the RIT Computing Medal, the Clarkson Leadership Award and the U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award. She was a starting team member of the Section IV Class D champion basketball team in 2006. She has played varsity basketball, soccer and softball at South Kortright for four years.

Nichols is a member of the National Honor Society, was class treasurer and participated in the Delaware County Band and the All County Chorus. She has earned awards in biology, Spanish and technology. She represented South Kortright at the Otsego County Chamber Scholar Recognition Program.

Photos

South Kortright Central School's three valedictorians, Jordan Nichols, Nathan Holdridge and Geoffrey Garrett, stand on the steps of a school entrance on Friday.