BY MAT CLOUSER
This weekend marks the end of an era for the outgoing seniors of Otter Valley, Proctor, and West Rutland. Each school and community honor their student’s achievements over the past four years by joining together to celebrate all their hard work before sending them off into the next chapter of their lives.
West Rutland will host their ceremony on Friday, June 10, at 6 p.m. Proctor will host theirs at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, and Otter Valley will host theirs at 11 a.m., also on Saturday, June 11.
Each school has its own unique set of awards and speakers in addition to the traditional bestowment of valedictorian and salutatorian.
The list of valedictorians and salutatorians is as follows:
Proctor High School Valedictorian Ashley Coltey
Proctor High School Valedictorian Ashley Coltey is the daughter of Jennifer Drew and Adam Coltey of Proctor. She was the 2019-2020 Class Secretary and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Ashley participated in Proctor’s mentorship program, where she dedicated her time to assisting middle school students. Ashley plans to attend Castleton University, where she will study health sciences to pursue her degree in nursing.
Proctor High School Salutatorian Laci French
Proctor High School Salutatorian Laci French is the daughter of Scott and Susan French of Proctor. She was president of the Class of 2022 and a member of the National Honor Society. Laci was a three-sport athlete and captain of the girls’ varsity soccer, basketball, and softball teams. Laci helped lead both the soccer and basketball teams to the state championship games and helped win the state title for the Lady Phantoms soccer squad.
Laci participated in Proctor’s mentorship program and peer leaders programs, where she volunteered her time to guide the underclassmen and organize community events. This fall, Laci will travel with the ARCC Foundation, where she will learn about the environment and take classes through Portland University. She will attend Castleton University in the spring of 2023.
West Rutland School Valedictorian Serena Coombs
West Rutland School Valedictorian Serena Coombs is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to pursue higher education at the University of Vermont and study engineering, where she will be the Class of 2022 Green and Gold Scholar.
West Rutland School Salutatorian Kaley Duncan
West Rutland School Salutatorian Kaley Duncan is a member of the National Honor Society.
She plans to pursue higher education at Vermont Technical College and study nursing.
Otter Valley Valedictorian Olivia Depatie
OVUHS Valedictorian Olivia Depatie is the daughter of Thomas and Donna Depatie of Brandon. She was a member of the National Honor Society and enrolled at Castleton University as an early college student during her senior year.
Depatie excelled in all aspects of her academics and has played the French horn at the college level since middle school. This year Depatie rose to the level of first chair for the All New England Band, was awarded the OV 4-Year Department Award for Science. She also earned the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award through the College Board. As a junior, Depatie was recognized with several awards, including the Rensselaer Medal Award.
Depatie plays in numerous bands, including The Rutland City Band, The Castleton University Wind Ensemble, The All-State Concert Band, The District Symphonic Band,
The District Jazz Band, The New England Symphonic Band, The OV Pit Orchestra, The OV Jazz Band, and the Brandon Town Band.
Depatie has also worked for the past two years at the Pittsford Police Academy. She will attend the University of Hartford in the fall.
Otter Valley Salutatorian Keiran Williams
OVUHS Salutatorian Keiran Williams is the son of Suzanne and Richard Williams of Pittsford. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was enrolled at OV in multiple AP courses. Kieran is dedicated to helping others and improving the overall well-being of the school community. He was the first applicant in our new mentor program and was selected to mentor an 8th-grade advisory class in October.
Williams earned the OV 4-Year Department Award for Mathematics this spring. As a junior, he earned the St. Michael’s Book Award, Excellence in Physics, and Excellence in Advanced American Studies.
Williams wrote and directed his own play for OV’s Walking Stick Theater after dedicating years to the theater program, as well as participating in OV’s Jazz Band.
When Williams was not working on his performance art, he was found playing on the OV Varsity Soccer team and OV’s lacrosse team. He was recently named Honorable Mention, Vermont All-State Lacrosse player for Division three.
Williams will attend The University of Connecticut to study kinesiology and athletic training in the fall.
