This week’s Throwback Thursday looks back 20 years to the graduating seniors featured in the 2006 Otselic Valley yearbook.
As part of their Service Learning/Civic Action project, seniors Caleb Loomis, Emma Rooker, Skyler Graham, and Logan Ossont are raising awareness about food insecurity and the challenges some local residents face in accessing nutritious food.
The group chose the topic after learning more about food scarcity in rural communities and the important role local food pantries play in helping individuals and families meet basic needs. They were particularly interested in exploring how limited access to grocery stores, transportation challenges, and economic factors can affect food availability in the area.
As part of their research, the students partnered with the Care & Share Food Pantry, which serves residents in the South Otselic and Georgetown communities. They also spoke with community members and pantry representatives to learn more about local needs and the resources available to those experiencing food insecurity.
To support their project, the students organized a school-wide food drive to collect food and personal hygiene items for the pantry. Through both their research and service efforts, they hope to increase awareness of food insecurity and encourage others to support local organizations that provide assistance to community members in need.
The group believes that understanding and addressing food insecurity is an important step toward building a stronger and healthier community for everyone.
The group will present its findings during the Service Learning/Civic Action presentations on June 15.
There are a limited number of extra copies of the 2026 Living in Color yearbook available for purchase.
Yearbooks are $50 each, and the final day to purchase a copy is Friday, June 12. Checks should be made payable to OV Yearbook.
Don't miss your chance to own a copy of this year's yearbook and all the memories from the 2025-26 school year!
Congratulations to Mackenzie Reandeau and the OV Class of 2026! During her time at OV, Mackenzie served as Drama Club Secretary, President of Student Government, Vice President of Yearbook, and President of Book Club. She also participated in the Colgate Seminar program, played basketball, and served as captain of the soccer team. We are proud to celebrate Mackenzie and look forward to all she accomplishes after graduation.
The Otselic Valley FFA Chapter will hold its annual FFA Banquet on Monday, June 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Otselic Valley Gymnasium.
The banquet is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our FFA members and recognize their hard work, leadership, and dedication throughout the year. The evening will include dinner, refreshments, raffle baskets, and awards.
We look forward to gathering together for an evening of recognition and celebration.
As part of her Service Learning/Civic Action project, senior Adrian Spear is raising awareness about eating disorders among teens and exploring ways schools and communities can help support those who may be struggling.
Adrian chose the topic after researching the growing impact of eating disorders on young people. Through her research, she learned that eating disorders affect millions of teens worldwide and can have serious long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences. She also found that recovery can be a lifelong journey for many individuals.
As part of her project, Adrian reviewed Otselic Valley's health curriculum and spoke with teachers, staff, and fellow students to better understand how awareness and education about eating disorders are addressed within the school community.
Rather than focusing on criticism, Adrian's goal is to encourage conversations about prevention, awareness, and support. She hopes her research will help identify opportunities for students, staff, and families to better recognize warning signs, understand available resources, and support those who may be affected.
Through her project, Adrian aims to promote greater awareness of eating disorders and encourage a school culture that supports both physical and mental well-being.
Adrian will present her findings during the Service Learning/Civic Action presentations on June 15.
Congratulations to Caleb Loomis and Abby White, who have been selected as Otselic Valley's 2026 Section III Scholar-Athlete Award recipients.
The Section III Scholar-Athlete Program annually recognizes one senior male and one senior female student-athlete from each member high school whose academic and athletic careers have been exemplary. Recipients demonstrate excellence both in the classroom and in athletic competition while serving as models of integrity, self-discipline, leadership, sportsmanship, and courage.
To be considered for the award, students must maintain at least a 90 grade point average and participate in at least two varsity sports during both their junior and senior years. Additional consideration is given to athletic achievement, leadership, participation, and sportsmanship across multiple sports.
Congratulations to Caleb and Abby on this well-deserved recognition of their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom.
Congratulations to Eric Rawson Jr. and the OV Class of 2026! During his time at OV, Eric participated in Basketball, Baseball, and the Culinary Arts Career and Technical Education program at DCMO BOCES. We are proud to celebrate Eric and look forward to all he accomplishes after graduation.
The OV Drama Club is excited to present Disney's The Lion King KIDS on Friday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Our students have been working hard to bring Simba's journey through the Pride Lands to life, and we look forward to sharing their talents with the community.
• Friday, June 12
• 7:00 p.m.
• Otselic Valley Central School
• Adults: $10, Students: $5
We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable evening of music, adventure, and fun!
As part of their Service Learning/Civic Action project, seniors Wyatt Eaton, Josie Guernsey, Mackenzie Reandeau, Abby White, and Kassidie Cruikshank are examining the impact of the planned closure of the NBT Bank branch in South Otselic and what it could mean for local residents.
The students chose the topic because they saw it as an issue directly affecting their community. They felt that while many discussions were taking place about the closure, there was an opportunity to bring a student perspective to the conversation and highlight how the loss of local services can affect rural communities.
As part of their research, the group met with representatives from NBT Bank and members of the Otselic Valley Concerned Citizens Group. Through those conversations, they explored concerns related to transportation, accessibility, and the challenges residents, particularly older adults, may face when accessing banking services after the branch closes.
The students noted that rural communities often face limited transportation options and that the loss of local businesses can have a significant impact on community vitality. They also discussed possible alternatives and compromises, including maintaining access to banking services through options such as a 24-hour ATM.
Through their project, the group hopes to raise awareness of the challenges facing rural communities and encourage discussion about solutions that can help residents continue to access important services close to home.
The group will present its findings during the Service Learning/Civic Action presentations on June 15.
|| The 2026 "Living in Color" Yearbooks Have Arrived!
We're excited to share that this year's Otselic Valley yearbooks are here and filled with memories, achievements, and moments that made the 2025-26 school year special.
This year's Living in Color edition includes a special dedication from the Class of 2026 to Mrs. Tina Cruikshank. For many students, Mrs. Cruikshank has been one of the first friendly faces they see each morning and a constant source of kindness, encouragement, and support throughout their years at OV.
In their dedication, the Class of 2026 recognized Mrs. Cruikshank for always making students feel welcome, offering advice when needed, and brightening each day with her smile and positive attitude. Whether in the library, the Main Office, or simply greeting students in the hallway, she has made a lasting impact on generations of OV students.
Thank you, Mrs. Cruikshank, for your dedication to the OV community and for the many ways you have supported our students over the years. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
🎓 Senior Spotlight: Dustin Perry
Congratulations to Dustin Perry and the OV Class of 2026! During his time at OV, Dustin participated in the Automotive Technology Career and Technical Education program at Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, Football, Baseball, and served as co-president of the Create Your Own Adventure Club. One accomplishment he is especially proud of is being inducted into National Honor Society. We are proud to celebrate Dustin and look forward to all he accomplishes after graduation.
There are a limited number of extra copies of the 2026 Living in Color yearbook available for purchase.
Yearbooks are $50 each, and the final day to purchase a copy is Wednesday, June 10.
Checks should be made payable to OV Yearbook.
Don't miss your chance to own a copy of this year's yearbook and all the memories from the 2025-26 school year!
|| OV Service Learning Spotlight: Building a Sustainable Future
As part of their Service Learning/Civic Action project, seniors James McCrady, Dustin Perry, and Owen Davis are exploring ways to increase public awareness of environmental laws and help reduce violations through education.
The group chose the topic because of their shared interest in the outdoors. James enjoys spending time outdoors, Owen is an avid hunter, and Dustin enjoys camping. Together, they wanted to learn more about environmental conservation and encourage others to do their part to protect natural resources.
As part of their research, the students spoke with representatives from the Syracuse Region of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne. They also reviewed DEC data and learned about the large number of environmental calls, officer responses, and violations reported across New York State.
Through their project, the students hope to raise awareness about issues such as endangered species protection, poaching, and other environmental regulations. They believe that helping people better understand these laws can lead to greater respect for the environment and help preserve natural resources for future generations.
The group will present its finding
We wrapped up our final Morning Program of the 2025-26 school year with the Pledge of Allegiance, a patriotic song, and student shares from each grade, including the weather and lunch menu.
During Kids with Character, Mrs. Marston's students each shared a character trait we have learned about this year and encouraged everyone to keep practicing those traits throughout the summer.
Students also shared jokes and fun facts, bringing plenty of smiles and laughter to start the day.
We celebrated our July birthdays as well. Happy Birthday to Hannah, Riley, Lillian, Carter, Blaine, Sullivan, Asa, Kennedy, Jaxson, Beau, and Ireland! We'll celebrate our August birthdays when we return in September.
For our final OV's Got Talent performances of the school year, Dinella sang "Believer," Octavia and Reyanne performed "Ordinary," and Raymond entertained the crowd with the "Chicken Wing Song." They all did an amazing job, and the audience enjoyed singing along!
As we close out another year of Morning Program, we'd like to give a HUGE shoutout to the staff volunteers who help make it all possible each week. We appreciate everything you do for our students and school community.
Thank you for another great year of Morning Program. We'll see you next year!
🎓 Senior Spotlight: Brianna Patterson
Congratulations to Brianna Patterson and the OV Class of 2026! During her time at OV, Brianna participated in the Conservation Career and Technical Education program at Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, SAGA, and LPP. One accomplishment she is especially proud of is being inducted into National Honor Society. We are proud to celebrate Brianna and look forward to all she accomplishes after graduation.
Congratulations to Caleb Loomis, Lukas Schieferstein, Hunter Rozewski, and Dustin Perry on their baseball careers at OV!
We are proud of all they have accomplished and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.
Thank you to the Otselic Valley Booster Club for sharing these Senior Night photos!
Gladding Braided Products in South Otselic is seeking reliable summer help for a temporary project involving the disassembly of old braiding machines and the sorting of parts.
This flexible position is a great opportunity for students who are willing to work, able to follow instructions, and comfortable using basic hand tools. No previous machine operator experience is required.
Position highlights:
• Flexible hours
• Part-time or full-time options available
• No machine operation required
• Hands-on work experience
Interested applicants should stop in the office at Gladding Braided Products to learn more and apply.
|| The Pride Lands are coming to OV!
Our students are ready to take the stage as the OV Drama Club presents the elementary musical, Disney's The Lion King KIDS on Friday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Take a look behind the scenes as students rehearse songs and scenes for this beloved musical: https://youtu.be/_6wjWS6CBek.
The cast has been working hard to bring the story of Simba and his journey through the Pride Lands to life!
• Friday, June 12
• 7:00 p.m.
• Otselic Valley Central School
• Adults: $10, Students: $5
We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable evening of music, adventure and fun!
🎓 Senior Spotlight: Carter Parker
Congratulations to Carter Parker and the OV Class of 2026! During his time at OV, Carter participated in the Conservation and Heavy Equipment program at DCMO BOCES and was a member of FFA. We are proud to celebrate Carter and look forward to all he accomplishes after graduation.
