At the district's groundbreaking ceremony for our school building, 20 students were selected to be ceremonial groundbreakers. Here are the stories some of them recently shared with us:
Shane Meyers
What do you remember about being part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony?
I don’t remember much, I was rather young. I remember accidentally not letting Jennifer Elliott help me dig the hole, and also not sure exactly what to do, lol!
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
My favorite memories of UV would have to be any class that I took with Rick Loeffler. He has always been a special person to me and is one of the most genuine people the school has.
Where do you live now?
I now live in West Edmeston with my wife and son (daughter on the way), and I’m self employed with my own home remodeling/contracting business
Have you been back to visit UV since you graduated and what did you think of your visit?
I have only been back shortly after I graduated, and not since.
Anna (Atwell) Whitman
What do you remember about being part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony?
I have a vague recollection of the groundbreaking ceremony, but honestly I don't remember much.
What did you do after graduating from UV?
Graduated from St. John Fisher with a major in Anthropology,/Archaeology with a minor in biology. Worked as an archeologist for NYS Museum and worked in an environmental lab. Started a small herbal skincare company, growing my own herbs and botanicals.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
One of my favorite memories is first and foremost the trip I took with Madam Crooker and the French club to France in the spring of 2002. I still talk about that trip to this day! It also spurred my want to someday have another trip to France. The annual Honor Society Food & Gift Drive.
Where do you live now?
I now reside with my husband in Fulton, NY.
Have you been back to visit UV since you graduated and what did you think of your visit?
I have been back to the area a few times since graduating but have not been in the new building.
Bryant Maynard
What do you remember about being part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony?
After graduation I went to Morrisville Extension to get an associate’s degree in business, while also working for Burrells Excavation. I worked for Burrells for a year and then started working with Troy Walling Construction doing residential carpentry. I worked for Troy Walling for almost 3 years when he gave myself and my cousin the opportunity to go into business on our own. At that time I decided to not finish college and start our company Walling-Maynard Construction. We have been doing business happily since 2017.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
My favorite memories include winning the MAC championship in basketball, going undefeated in golf, friends, ski club and doing morning annBryan Parks
What do you remember about being part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony?
I remember representing my grade during the ceremony and thinking how great it will be to have our entire district in one building.
What did you do after graduating from UV?
Attended SUNY Cortland with a major in physical education, then BCC to study physical education, physical therapy; then worked at Spectrum. Currently the co-manager at Price Chopper at Owego. Married with two kids.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
My favorite memories during my time at UV involve all of my great friends and all the teachers/coaches who made such an impact on me.
Where do you live now and what is your career or occupation?
I currently reside in the Binghamton area, and I am a local small business owner.
Have you been back to visit UV since you graduated and what did you think of your visit?
I frequently visit UV as my parents still reside across the road. I enjoy seeing my kids run around on the athletic fields and jump around on the playgrounds.
Samantha Montgomery
What do you remember about being part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony?
I don’t remember much other than I wasn’t thrilled about my dress I had on and I got mad at Derrick because he would not let me shovel much.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
Sports.
What did you do after graduating from UV?
I live in Mt. Vision and work for GE Aerospace as an inspector/assembler for the overhaul department.
Derrick Talbot
What did you do after graduating from UV?
I graduated from Sage College in Albany with a graphic design degree and continued with a year at BCC for business. Currently I am the co-owner of T&L Custom Design and work at New York Central Mutual. I live in New Berlin with my fiance, Phyllis Tyler, to be married soon.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
Camp Oswegatchie, modified football (undefeated season), First Robotics Club, and attending all the school dances with friends.
Tyson Smith
What did you do after graduating from UV?
I graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a degree in hotel management. I work at Progressive Insurance and also bartend and help with events at June Farms. Currently, I live in Albany with my partner of two years and we are enjoying traveling together.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
My favorite memories of UV are FFA, playing volleyball and all of my friends.
Ryan Harrington
What did you do after graduating from UV?
I graduated in 2010. After graduating, I attended Fingerlakes Community College, earning an associat’s degree in criminal justice. At this point in my life, I was tired of school. So I decided to join the US Marine Corps Reserve. I learned quickly how important school was after getting out of the Marines. I decided to attend Oswego State University, earning a bachelor's degree in public justice.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
My favorite memories at UV were playing sports. Learning from coaches and teachers. Lifeguarding at the school pool. Also, hang out with friends.
Where do you live now and what is your career and occupation?
I currently live in West Winfield with my wife, Lacie, son, Weston, and daughter, Livia. I am a NYS University Police Officer stationed at SUNY Morrisville.
Brett Gage
What do you remember about being part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony? I remember meeting my friends Lane Allen and Shane Myers for the first time, then I remember heading over to my grandma's house across the street for lunch. It's not much as it's been quite a few years haha.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
I miss hanging out with friends, some amazing teachers, and most of all, playing football.
Where do you live now and what is your career or occupation?
Bradenton, Florida and I am a Software Engineer.
Have you been back to visit UV since you graduated and what did you think of your visit?
I've been back a few times. It's crazy seeing the school evolve as the years pass by.
Lexi (Robinson) Wilcox
What did you do after graduating from UV?
As far as education and career go, I graduated from SUNY Cortland in May 2013 with a bachelor’s in communications studies and a minor in management. I received my master's degree in Marketing in November 2016 from Bellevue University. I spent one year working at Circulars Unlimited, then went on to be the communications and marketing Manager for NBT Insurance Agency until 2020, when I moved to NYCM Insurance. Personally, I married my high school sweetheart and bought a home in Columbus. We now have two boys, Drew, 7, and Noah, 4.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
One thing I will always be grateful for from UV are the friends I was able to make. No matter where life takes us it seems that the same group of friends are always there and acquaintances can be found at any local event.
6th grade - moving into the new school
8th grade - spending countless hours in Mrs. Miller's room working on SADD stuff. So many good memories with friends in Mrs. Miller's room and on SADD trips.
High School - FBLA trips were always the best field trips, homecoming activities like the pep rallies and hip hop, specifically teaching senior hip hop and teachers hip hop in ‘09, prom ‘08 and ‘09, spending time with friends in the commons, hanging out in the yearbook room, especially senior year with my best friend.
Where do you live now and what is your career or occupation?
I now live in Columbus with my husband and two children. I currently work at NYCM Insurance in the Brand Management division as a Digital Designer. I get to work on really cool graphic designs that you see on our website, mobile app and advertisements as well as be on the production staff for events!
Anna Atwell
What did you do after graduating from UV?
Graduated from St. John Fisher with a major in Anthropology,/Archaeology with a minor in biology. Worked as an archeologist for NYS Museum and worked in an environmental lab. Started a small herbal skincare company, growing my own herbs and botanicals.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
Trips to France with Madame Crooker and the French Club; the annual Honor Society Food & Gift Drive
Jennifer Elliott
Her father informed UV that Jennifer finished college at Hartwick in three years, because of the college credits that she had completed at UV. She has been working as an Underwriter at NBT Bank for the past 7 years and is currently a Team Leader in the Dealer Finance Underwriting.
Lane Allen
What did you do after graduating from UV?
After graduating I attended SUNY Oswego and got my bachelors in zoology.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
Favorite memories are playing sports and the close knit feeling of a small school.
Where do you live now and what is your career and occupation?
I currently live in Omaha, Nebraska and work as an arborist.
Trevor Franklin
What did you do after graduating from UV?
After graduating, I went to Upper Iowa University, where I was awarded a full scholarship for wrestling, to study biology. I traveled all over the country competing and won two NCAA D2 national championships. I will be inducted into the Jim Koch NWCA hall of fame in July for college wrestling. I met my wife Kristin in college and now have two children, Ryker and Arya.
What are your favorite memories about your time at UV?
My favorite memories were competing on the sports teams and building relationships with my classmates, teachers and coaches. Winning the first state title ever for the school in wrestling and getting a full parade through New Berlin upon my return.
Where do you live now and what is your career and occupation?
Currently I am a supply chain supervisor at a global food and pharma company. After living in Iowa and Pittsburgh for 7 or 8 years, I moved back to South New Berlin about 9 years ago with my wife and son only a few miles from where I grew up. Our two children are in the school district. My son is in 4th grade and my daughter will start next year.
Lane Anson
What did you do after graduating from UV?
Senior year spent at New Visions Norwich
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, 6 years
Clarkson Graduate School of Doctorate of Pharmacy
MBA healthcare management, completed post-doctoral fellowship in Medical Value and Outcomes with Sanofi Specialty Care and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
June 2022 - present employed by Sanofi Boston, Ma.