WADDINGTON — Madrid-Waddington Central School has announced its Class of 2026 academic leaders. They include: 

Summa Cum Laude

Students who have achieved the designation of Summa Cum Laude (“highest distinction”) have earned a grade-point average of 95 or better.

Sophia Rogers

Sophia Rogers is the daughter of Elizabeth Rogers and Ryan Dishaw. Sophia will attend SUNY Potsdam to study early childhood education.

While in high school, Sophia has demonstrated leadership through her roles as president of Drama Club and The Nest and secretary of the National Honor Society. Sophia has been a member of Tri-M, Stardust, Chorus, Band, All-State Chorus, All-County Chorus and Band, History Club and Madrid-Waddington musicals. She is a four-year member of high school chorus, where she serves as a section leader, a three-year member of Stardust and a four-year member of the high school band on clarinet.

Sophia was selected for both the NYSSMA Zone 5 Area All-State Chorus and the SLCMEA All-County Senior High Chorus during her junior and senior years. She is currently preparing her fifth NYSSMA solo, her second at Level VI, and has participated in five Madrid-Waddington musicals, most recently as Baroness Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music.

Sophia has been awarded the SUNY Potsdam Provost Scholarship and the SUNY Potsdam St. Lawrence Academy Grant for her academic excellence. Sophia will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors and Mastery in Math.

Danika Sheffield

Danika Sheffield is the daughter of Edward and Lori Sheffield. Danika will attend SUNY Fredonia in the fall and major in dance while working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Danika has served as vice president of the National Honor Society and secretary of the Class of 2026. She is a four-year member of high school chorus, Stardust and the high school band, where she plays trombone. She serves as alto section leader for chorus, vice president of Stardust, secretary of Chapter No. 7823 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and vice president of The Nest.

Danika has been a member of the SLCMEA All-County Chorus every year since fifth grade, the SLCMEA Vocal Select Ensemble every year since ninth grade and the NYSSMA Zone 5 Area All-State Chorus every year since 10th grade, frequently being selected as a soloist in these honor ensembles. Danika has performed in five M-W musicals, most recently as Maria in The Sound of Music, and has danced competitively since a young age.

Danika is currently preparing her sixth NYSSMA vocal solo, which will be her third performance at Level VI, the highest level, and her first vocal jazz NYSSMA solo. Danika has been awarded the President’s Award of Excellence from SUNY Fredonia. She will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors.

Cole Smith

Cole Smith is the son of Robert and Mindy Smith. Cole will attend Clarkson University to study electrical engineering.

Cole is a member of Key Club, Outing Club, the National Honor Society, Varsity Club and Whiz Quiz. He has been part of the stage crew for several Madrid-Waddington productions over the years. Cole demonstrated leadership by serving as Key Club treasurer in 11th grade and as treasurer of the National Honor Society.

Cole is a dedicated athlete who participates in soccer, basketball and baseball. He received the Section X Sportsmanship Award in baseball during 10th grade and in basketball during 12th grade. Cole was selected as a WWNY Channel 7 Academic All-Star this year and achieved scores of 100 on both the Algebra and Geometry Regents exams.

He works during the summer as a lifeguard and helps renovate houses with a local contractor. Cole has been awarded the Clarkson Ignite Presidential Fellows Scholarship, Clarkson Solinsky Engineering Award and Clarkson Honors Scholarship for his academic excellence. Cole will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors and Mastery in Math and Science.

Raine Stebbins

Raine Stebbins is the daughter of Cristina Fenner, Dustin Stebbins and Mandi Perry. Raine will attend Paul Smith’s College to study baking arts and service management.

Raine has been a four-year member of high school chorus, serving the past two years as tenor section leader, a three-year member of Stardust and a four-year member of the high school band, where they play flute. Raine has the distinction of being selected for both the NYSSMA Zone 5 Area All-State Chorus and the SLCMEA All-County Senior High Chorus all four years of high school.

Raine is currently preparing their sixth NYSSMA solo, having advanced to Level VI, and has participated in five Madrid-Waddington musicals, most recently as one of the nuns in The Sound of Music. They have been active in Drama Club, History Club, The Nest, Whiz Quiz, softball and cheerleading and are also an NC STEP member.

Raine has served as class treasurer for multiple years and as treasurer of The Nest, band and the spring musical. Raine has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship from Paul Smith’s College for academic achievement. Raine will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors and Mastery in Science.

Benjamin Weaver

Benjamin Weaver is the son of Michele and Scott Weaver. Ben will attend Clarkson University and major in aerospace engineering.

Ben has participated in soccer, hockey and baseball and served as captain of the soccer team in 12th grade. He earned the Lyle Lakin Award and a Sportsmanship Award for soccer and received the Teammate of the Year Award in hockey. Ben served as class president in 11th grade and is president of Drone Soccer. He won an Aviation Achievement Award at Drone Soccer Nationals.

Ben has been an active member of Key Club, Outing Club and the National Honor Society. He is a four-year member of high school chorus, where he has served as bass section leader for two years, and a four-year member of Stardust, serving as this year’s president. He is also treasurer of Chapter No. 7823 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Ben has been a member of numerous All-County ensembles, including selection to both the NYSSMA Zone 5 Area All-State Chorus and the SLCMEA All-County Vocal Select Ensemble every year since ninth grade. He has been chosen for several solos in these honor ensembles. Ben has performed in five M-W musicals, most recently as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Ben is currently preparing his sixth NYSSMA vocal solo, has performed twice at Level VI and was an alternate for the 2024 NYSSMA All-State Mixed Chorus. He has volunteered as a St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Youth Ambassador for the past two years and was featured as a 7 News Arts All-Star.

Ben has been awarded the Physical Education and Health Student Leadership Award, the Evergreen STEM Scholarship, the Clarkson University Achievement Award and the Solinsky Engineers Scholarship for academic excellence. Benjamin will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors and Mastery in Math and Science.

Magna Cum Laude

The following students have achieved the designation of Magna Cum Laude (“with great distinction”), earning a grade-point average of 93-94.

Brianna Auberger

Brianna Auberger is the daughter of Keenya Taylor and Joseph Auberger. Brianna has decided to take a gap year and then attend college for either culinary arts or marine biology. Brianna has achieved High Honor Roll throughout high school. She is a member of the Outing Club and will earn an Advanced Regents diploma with Mastery in Math.

Autymn DaFoe

Autymn DaFoe is the daughter of Kinderly and Shaun DaFoe. Autymn will attend SUNY Canton in the fall to earn an associate degree and then plans to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to obtain a dual bachelor’s degree in pre-law and forensic investigation with a minor in neuroscience.

While in high school, Autymn attended the Criminal Justice program during her junior and senior years. She has served as vice president of SkillsUSA and is a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. She has played volleyball and worked for the New York State Parks Service and Breezy Maples Farms. Autymn was recently awarded the SUNY Canton Leadership Scholarship. Autymn will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma with Honors and Mastery in Math.

Madeline Mattoon

Madeline Mattoon is the daughter of Felicia and David Mattoon. Madeline will attend SUNY Canton and major in finance. Madeline has been on High Honor Roll throughout her high school years and has received several Perfect Attendance Awards. Madeline is a member of the National Honor Society and the NC STEP program. She is active in her church community.

Madeline has been awarded the SUNY Canton North Country Scholarship and the SUNY Canton Shinnick & Milani Annual Scholarship. Madeline will graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma.

Cum Laude

Students who have achieved the designation of Cum Laude (“with distinction”) have earned a grade-point average of 90-92.

Kadence Bowman

Kadence Bowman is the daughter of Vernon and Mandy Bowman. Kadence plans to attend SUNY Canton in the fall. She is pursuing a degree in applied psychology with the goal of obtaining a master’s degree in psychology. While attending Madrid-Waddington, she has participated in chorus and is a member of Stardust, the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Kadence has been a member of the cheerleading squad and varsity volleyball team and works a part-time job. SUNY Canton awarded Kadence the Leadership Scholarship. Kadence will earn an Advanced Regents diploma.

Tyree Hawkins

Tyree Hawkins is the son of Stacey Hawkins. Tyree will attend St. Lawrence University to major in international business and will be a member of the track and field team. He has participated in Drama Club, E-Sports, History Club and Key Club and is a member of the National Honor Society, NC STEP program and Outing Club. Tyree is also a member of Stage Crew, Varsity Club and Whiz Quiz and served as class secretary in grades 10 and 11. He plays football, basketball and track and field, where he is a school record holder. Tyree is a member of the nationally ranked M-W Drone Soccer team and is an Athlete of Distinction. Outside of school, Tyree serves as a St. Lawrence County Youth Ambassador, is a mentor with the MWCS Youth Basketball program and has worked at the M-W Fitness Center. Tyree has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Samantha Milburn

Samantha Milburn is the daughter of the late David Milburn and Jennifer Milburn. Samantha will enter the Air Force to become an air traffic controller. Samantha has earned her Part 107 drone pilot license. She is president of the National Honor Society as well as class president. She is secretary of Key Club and treasurer of Yearbook. She was named Second Team All-Northern for cheerleading and was an Athlete of Distinction for cheerleading and soccer. Samantha has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Faith Schulz

Faith Schulz is the daughter of Ted Schulz and Sara Day-Schulz. Faith plans to attend SUNY Oswego in the fall, majoring in zoology, and has earned the Dean’s Scholarship. While attending Madrid-Waddington, Faith has been involved in various clubs and extracurricular activities. She participated in History Club, Chorus, Drama Club, Key Club and National Honor Society and has served as vice president of the Class of 2026 all four years. She has also been on High Honor Roll all four years.

Faith has been in four musicals and worked backstage for various fall plays throughout high school. She also received the Zonta Club’s Jean M. Coon Humanitarian Award last spring. Faith is passionate about service and has served as Key Club Division 24 lieutenant governor for the past year. This role also included serving on the New York District Key Club Board and the District Affairs Committee. At the end of her term, she received the Distinguished Lieutenant Governor Award, given to only four of the 28 lieutenant governors. Faith has earned an Advanced Regents diploma.

Payton Smith

Payton Smith is the son of Paul Smith and Lori Dyer-Smith. Payton plans to attend SUNY Canton for cybersecurity. Payton came to Madrid-Waddington from Colton-Pierrepont, where he was involved in various music activities, but he has enthusiastically immersed himself in opportunities at Madrid-Waddington. Payton sings tenor in high school chorus, recently joined Stardust and plays piano in the high school band.

Payton was selected for the SLCMEA All-County Senior High Chorus and did an outstanding job in the role of Uncle Max Detweiler in this year’s production of The Sound of Music. Payton is an active member of Whiz Quiz. Payton has earned a Regents diploma.