ECS Class of 2025: Valedictorian and Salutatorian

As another successful class of Ellicottville Central School prepares to turn their tassels, the Class of 2025 proudly announces this year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Ellicottville will formally congratulate all graduating seniors during a special ceremony on Friday, June 27th. Watch for a special feature dedicated to this year’s class to appear in the June 12th issue of ellicottvilleNOW.

VALEDICTORIAN: SIYING SUN

Siying Sun is the daughter of Aifa Sun and Xuejuan Fan. She is graduating as the Valedictorian of her class with an Advanced Regents Diploma in Math and Science. She attained high honor roll throughout her high school career with a weighted average of 115.59. She was selected to the New Vision: Health Profession Program at the Olean BOCES Center. Siying has held many leadership positions throughout her high school career; she is currently the Treasurer of Student Council and National Honor Society.

Siying was the 2024 recipient of the Clarkson University scholarship, RIT’s Women in STEM award, and the University of Rochester’s Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award. She also has the New York State Seal of Biliteracy for Chinese and Spanish. She enjoys being a member of various clubs including: Quizbowl, Drama Club, ESPRA, Jazz Choir, World Language Club, and Peer Tutoring. She is an active member of SchoolHouse.world tutoring SAT Math. She is an active member of the community by coordinating a blood drive to be held at Ellicottville and volunteering at Olean General Hospital. Siying has worked in her family business for eight years.

Siying will be attending Binghamton University as a recipient of Dean’s Promise Scholarship and the STEM Incentive Program Scholarship. Here she will be majoring in Biochemistry as a pre-medicine track.

SALUTATORIAN: KATIE BLESS

Katie Bless is the daughter of Keith and Elizabeth Bless. She is graduating as the Salutatorian of her class with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors. She attained high honor roll throughout her entire high school career and attained a weighted average of 113.52. Katie has obtained many leadership positions throughout her high school career: Class President for entirety of middle and high school, National Honor Society President, and was named a Captain for the girls’ varsity soccer team. She is also involved in other clubs such as the ECS Caring Closet, World Language Club, Student Council, and Varsity Club.

She was a 2024 recipient of the George Eastman Young Leaders Award from the University of Rochester, Science and Math Award from RIT, High School Achievement Award from Clarkson University, and Rensselaer Medal Award from RPI. She is a dedicated member of the school and community, where she has volunteered for multiple charities. Katie has worked at Flowers Off the Farm for 4 years.

Katie will be attending The Ohio State University studying Business on a Pre-Law track in the upcoming fall.

ECS Class of 2025: Valedictorian and Salutatorian