Tess McLaughlin, the daughter of Daryl and Sarah McLaughlin, is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025. Tess plans to attend SUNY Brockport to major in Accounting and Finance. As an active member of the PCS student-body, Tess served as president of National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Yearbook Club, and Travel Club. She also served as the Class of 2025 secretary. This Highest Honor Roll student worked as a lifeguard at the GW Harvey Pool at Letchworth State Park, and as a cashier at the Charcoal Corral. This spring, Tess was named a finalist for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Young Women of Distinction scholarship. She also was a Perry Rotary Scholarship recipient. She was an organizer of the “Give What You Can, Take What You Need” space at Perry High School to benefit students in need. While enrolled in the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) program at Genesee Community College (GCC), Tess earned 90 college credits in high school, and will graduate with her Associate in Science in Liberal Arts: General Studies degree.
Annabelle Buckley, who plans to attend Swarthmore College to major in English Adolescent Education, is the Salutatorian of the graduating class. During her tenure at PCS, Annabelle participated in Yearbook Club (past secretary and current editor), Drama Club (past secretary and current president), National Honor Society (past secretary and current vice president), Art Club (current treasurer), Page Turners (team leader), Spanish Club, Interact Club, FBLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Prom Committee, Music Club, TRIO Upward Bound (Student Advisory Board), and All-County Band. As an active member of the PCS music scene, Annabelle participated in numerous events with Drama Club, including spring musicals, Spotlight Cabaret, PCS Groundlings, and this spring’s Stars of Tomorrow performance. She electively took a puppet workshop with Shake on the Lake, and attended life skills and creative writing summer enrichment courses offered by PCS. Annabelle has volunteered at events like the Holiday DeLights Festival, the Letchworth Arts and Crafts Show, Perry Chalk Art Festival, Perry wrestling matches, the Library Teen Advisory Board, and Perry Rotary events. She earned the Rotary Scholarship, Questbridge Match Scholarship, Rising Star Award, Scholar of the Year Award, Excellence in Business Award, Excellence in Spanish Award, Excellence in English Award, Excellence in Instrumental Music Award, Excellence in Math Award, Excellence in Science Award, Yellowjacket Award, Self-Driven Award, Teacher’s Choice Award (Art), the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Scholarship, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Award, and the University of Rochester Scholarship. She earned an Honorable Mention for the novel “Escaping the Creature,” which was entered in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Annabelle, the daughter of Robert and Leslie Buckley, worked at Crosby’s and was the Farmers’ Market manager. She earned 58 college credits while participating in the ACE program at GCC.
Ranked third this year is Olivia Swyers, the daughter of Daniel and Ashley Swyers. Among the many accolades that Olivia has received is the Clarkson Leadership Award and the Rochester Institute of Technology Scholarship (Women in STEM Award). While at PCS, Olivia participated in Student Government, FBLA, Varsity Club, Future Farmers of America (FFA), soccer, tennis, basketball, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, SADD, Travel Club, and Yearbook Club. She is an employee of the Charcoal Corral, and volunteered at events like Rake, Rattle and Roll, Junior Jackets, and Ag Day. While still in high school, Olivia was able to earn 65 college credits in the ACE program at GCC. After taking two additional college courses this summer, Olivia will earn her associate degree. In the fall, Olivia plans to attend St. John Fisher University to study Business Management.
Gabriella Brown, the daughter of Michael and Melissa Brown, is the fourth-ranked student in the Class of 2025. Gabby earned the RIT Scholarship (Art), and has also won English and Citizenship Awards at PCS. She participated in Band, Jazz Band, Art Club, soccer, softball, National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Drama Club. Gabby served as a sound technician in the 2024 spring musical “Mean Girls.” Outside of school, Gabby worked at Sweet Sarah’s, for the PCS Buildings and Grounds Department in the summer, and at Old Souls Bakery as a barista. While enrolled in the ACE program at GCC, Gabby earned 36 college credits while still in high school. Gabby plans to attend SUNY Fredonia to major in Music Industry and minor in Criminal Justice. Possible career paths include music producing or law enforcement.
Holden Kelly, who is ranked fifth in this year’s graduating class, will attend St. John Fisher University to study Business Management. During his tenure at PCS, Holden excelled both academically and athletically. He earned three sectional wrestling titles, as well as represented PCS at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Wrestling Championships. In soccer, he holds the New York State record for most goals in a single game with eight. Holden finished his high school soccer career with 51 total career goals. He was also a member of National Honor Society and volunteered at Junior Jackets. His academic accolades include earning a $20,000 Merit Scholarship to St. John Fisher University, as well as earning the St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholarship and the Yellowjacket Award. Outside of school, Holden worked on maintenance for the Wyoming County Fair and as a trail guide at the Autism Nature Trail in Letchworth State Park. While enrolled in the ACE program at GCC, Holden earned 64 college credits. Holden is the son of Scott and Jaime Kelly.
Graduating in the sixth-ranked spot is Logan Church, the son of Joshua and Melissa Church. Logan participated in riflery, track and field, FFA, National Honor Society, and Tech Club. He volunteered at a variety of events like Elementary Ag Day and Rake, Rattle and Roll. This season, Logan won the standing competition at the GLOW Riflery Championships to lead PCS to its third-straight title. He was named Top Marksman by the “The Daily News” and “Livingston County News” at the 2024-25 Winter Sports Awards. Logan earned the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Scholarship and Clarkson Scholarship. In the fall, he will attend RIT to study Civil Engineering. While enrolled in the ACE program at GCC, Logan earned 25 college credits.
The seventh-ranked senior, Kathleen Wick, will attend Ithaca College to major in Psychology. Her accolades include earning the Russell Sage Scholarship, the St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholarship, and the Ithaca College Scholarship. While at PCS, Katie participated in Art Club, National Honor Society, SADD, and Yearbook Club. She worked at Save-A-Lot and Glosser’s Produce Stand, and volunteered at events like Rake, Rattle and Roll. Katie earned 30 college credits while enrolled in the ACE program at GCC. She is the daughter of Hubert Wick and Lynda Bell.
Noah Leitten represents the Class of 2025 in the eighth-ranked position. The son of Philip and Melissa Leitten will work for Rochester Davis-Fetch after graduation. As an active member of the PCS student-body, Noah participated in football, wrestling, National Honor Society, and FBLA. Noah was a two-time sectional champion in wrestling, and went 4-1, finishing third, at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Wrestling Championships this winter. This was the second-straight year he made the podium. Outside of school, Noah works as a cook at the Charcoal Corral, and has volunteered to help with the Perry Youth Wrestling Program. Noah earned the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rensselaer Medal and the Bausch-Lomb Honorary Science Award. While still in high school, Noah earned 36 college credits from GCC’s ACE program.
Elijah Hill, graduating in the ninth-ranked position, will attend SUNY Brockport to study Forensic Science. During his tenure at PCS, Elijah participated in FBLA, Chess Club, tennis, SADD, Yearbook Club, National Honor Society, and FFA. He earned the George H. Ball Award, the Prometheus Scholarship, and the Residential Scholars Award. Outside of school, Elijah works at McDonald’s. He has also volunteered at events like Rake, Rattle and Roll. While enrolled in GCC’s ACE program, Elijah earned 62 college credits. Elijah is the son of Craig Unterborn and Stacey Ferris-Unterborn, and Roger and Melissa Hill.
Rounding out the Top 10 is Lucas Naschke, the son of Martin and Angela Naschke. In the fall, Lucas will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology in the combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees program. He plans to earn a B.S. in Robotics and Manufacturing Engineering Technology and a M.S. in Manufacturing and Mechanical Systems Integration. While at PCS, Lucas participated in National Honor Society, Technology Club (president), and Trap Club. He served on the technical crew for the school musical and the Perry Rotary Show. The numerous accolades that Lucas earned include the RIT Computing Award Scholarship, the Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology, the Excellence in Technology Award, the Excellence in Science Award, and the Perry Yellowjacket Award. He was the grand prize winner for Wyoming County at the Western New York Regional Science and Engineering Fair at D’Youville College in Buffalo. Lucas earned 30 college credits while enrolled in the ACE program at GCC.