OCS Student Selected for National FFA Band:
Onondaga Central Schools is pleased to recognize Ian Powell for this selection to perform with the National FFA Band at the upcoming National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Ian earned this honor through a highly competitive application process held in July. Students had to submit musical experience resumes accompanied by a video audition. Ian will perform as a flute player, joining other top student musicians from across the country.
The National FFA Convention takes place Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2025. In addition to his performance commitments, Ian will have the opportunity to attend workshops and connect with college and industry representatives.
Onondaga Central Schools congratulates Ian on this remarkable achievement and looks forward ...
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OCS Senior Selected for NYSSMA All-State:
Onondaga Central Schools is proud to announce that high school senior Carolyn Andino has been selected to perform with the prestigious New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Ensemble at the 2025 All-State Winter Conference. Carolyn will join the state’s top student musicians in Rochester, New York, from December 4–7, 2025.
Each year, thousands of students audition for this honor, but only about 600 students statewide are selected to participate. The All-State bands, chorus, orchestra, and jazz ensembles represent the highest level of musical achievement among New York’s young musicians. These elite groups are conducted by distinguished guest conductors and perform in concert at the renowned Eastman Theatre and Innovations Theatre during the ...
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OCS Rated Amongst Best High Schools from U.S. News & World Report:
Onondaga Senior High School earned high National and metro-area rankings in 2025-2026 Best High Schools, which U.S. News released this month. The 2025–2026 Best High Schools rankings evaluate nearly 18,000 U.S. public high schools nationwide, with breakdowns by state, metro areas, districts, STEM, and charter schools. Rankings are based on third-party data from the College Board, International Baccalaureate, state education departments, and the U.S. Department of Education, compiled with RTI International.
Click here to read the full story.
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OCS Celebrates 50th Class Reunion:
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the halls of the Junior Senior High School were filled with nostalgia and laughter as the Onondaga CSD Class of 1975 visited campus. It was a delightful reunion where alumni shared cherished high school memories, inspiring stories and a few laughs sprinkled in between. The gathering was extra special, as it coincided with the Class of 1975 celebrating their 50th graduation anniversary, a remarkable milestone that added even more joy to the day.
Attendees enjoyed reminiscing about their time on campus, reconnecting with old friends and discovering how life has unfolded over the decades. Stories of past adventures and formative experiences sparked conversations that bridged generational gaps, proving that memories remain as vibrant as ever.
As ...
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Onondaga High School Ceramics Students Bring Fourth-graders’ Imagination to Life:
Onondaga Jr./Sr. High School’s ceramics class recently partnered with fourth-graders at Wheeler Elementary to create a heartwarming and imaginative project. The high school students transformed the younger students' creative monster drawings into stunning 3D ceramic sculptures, merging artistic skill with youthful imagination.
This unique collaboration began when the 4th graders were tasked with drawing their dream monsters as part of a creative exercise. These colorful and whimsical designs were then handed over to the ceramics class, where high school students worked meticulously to replicate the details in clay. Each sculpture reflected the originality and vision of the young artists, capturing their creativity in tangible form.
After weeks of work shaping, glazing ...
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Wheeler Elementary Students Surpass Reading Challenge Goal:
Wheeler Elementary Students Surpass Reading Challenge Goal
Wheeler Elementary celebrated an extraordinary accomplishment as students surpassed their ambitious goal of 50,000 minutes of reading time. This milestone was marked with a day full of excitement and inspiration, featuring special guests and memorable activities.
Former OCS stars Mike Hart, Latavius Murray and their friend Eric Devendorf joined the celebration, bringing energy and encouragement to the students. During recess, the athletes interacted with the students, shared uplifting messages and participated in games.
The day culminated in a school-wide assembly where top readers were recognized for their achievements. Students also had the opportunity to win incredible prizes, including autographed jerseys ...
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Onondaga Jr./Sr. High School Presents Senior Athletics Awards:
Onondaga Jr./Sr. High School hosted a ceremony where the following athletes were presented awards.
The Earl Fletcher Sportsmanship Award was presented to:
Jerimiah Hammond
Madelyn Schultz
The A-1 Trophy Award was presented to:
John Toomey
Hannah Schultz
This year’s Varsity Club Distinguished Athlete Award went to:
Jesse Recor
Ella Donath
The Onondaga Athletics Perseverance Award, presented to two student athletes ...
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OCS Presents 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian:
OCS is proud to present the valedictorian, Deshea Lettsome, and the salutatorian, Hannah Schultz, for the class of 2025.
Lettsome is the daughter of Tara Carter-Lettsome and Deshea Lettsome. She will graduate with a cumulative and weighted grade point average of 100.21. Lettsome earned this impressive grade point average while completing a rigorous program of study. She will earn four credits from Syracuse University Project Advance, 12 credits from Tompkins Cortland Community College and 22 credits from Onondaga Community College. She earned qualifying scores of five on AP World History and four on AP United States History. In May 2025, she challenged the AP Government and Politics exam. Lettsome was also the recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science ...
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Nine OCS Students Achieve NYS Seal of Biliteracy:
Nine Onondaga Senior High students took the opportunity to present their culminating projects in an attempt to earn the NYS Seal of Biliteracy this spring.
This great honor is awarded to students who complete several months of research and preparation, then present and defend their work in Spanish or German. Hundreds of kids from across Onondaga County participated in this event hosted by OCM BOCES; with OCS out participating many of the larger districts in the county. Six German students and three Spanish students, all pictured below from left to right, Alaina Kelsey, Olivia Bloom, Deshea Lettsome, Hannah Schultz, Melissa Sanborn, Madelyn Schultz, Jordan Holley, Emanuel LaMacchia, Jeremiah Hammond and Skylar Smith all worked very hard to complete the project with support ...
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Wheeler Elementary Showcases Annual “Wheeler’s Got Talent”:
Wheeler Elementary Showcases Annual “Wheeler’s Got Talent”
Wheeler Elementary School proudly showcased the creativity and talent of its students at the highly anticipated “Wheeler’s Got Talent” annual event.
The evening brought together students, families and staff to celebrate a wide range of performances, highlighting the unique skills, creativity and growing confidence of Wheeler’s youngsters.
From stunning dance routines and heartfelt songs to captivating instrumentalists and laugh-out-loud comedy acts, the talent on display was nothing short of inspiring. Students from all grades participated, each demonstrating the courage and self-assurance to perform in front of a supportive audience.
The evening was ...
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OCS Fire Club Explores History and Heroism in Philadelphia:
The OCS Fire Club recently embarked on an unforgettable educational journey to Philadelphia, immersing themselves in the rich history of both firefighting and naval service.
The adventure began with a visit to the Battleship New Jersey Museum, where students stepped aboard the most decorated battleship in U.S. history. As they explored its decks, they gained firsthand insight into the daily lives of sailors, the ship’s storied past and the challenges faced by those who served at sea.
Next, the group delved into firefighting history at the Fireman’s Hall Museum, where they traced the evolution of the fire service, dating back to its roots with Benjamin Franklin. Students learned about the advancements in fire safety and the unwavering dedication of firefighters throughout ...
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Rockwell Elementary Brings Learning to Life with "Scooter City" in PE Class:
Rockwell Elementary’s Physical Education program recently transformed the gymnasium into an engaging and interactive "Scooter City," offering students a creative and active way to learn and explore their community. This unique unit allowed students to navigate the gym’s imaginative streets on scooters while visiting various community landmarks.
The setup included stops at the mechanic’s shop, veterinarian clinic, bank, grocery store, car wash, gym, pizza and ice cream shop, DMV, post office, dance studio and gas station. Each station was designed to mimic real-world experiences, promoting physical activity, teamwork and an understanding of community roles. Even OCS Superintendent Rob Price took a tour of the “city.”
“The goal of Scooter ...
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Onondaga Central School District Celebrates Creativity at Night of the Arts:
The Onondaga Central School District Jr./Sr. High School recently came alive with creativity and talent during its annual Night of the Arts event. This engaging celebration showcased the remarkable artistic and musical achievements of the district’s students, leaving attendees inspired and impressed.
Visitors were welcomed by an extraordinary art exhibition that transformed the school’s halls into a vibrant gallery. Paintings, drawings and mixed media works adorned the walls, while intricate sculptures and 3D art pieces captivated onlookers with their detail and creativity.
The event’s atmosphere was further enriched by live performances from the school’s talented choral groups and instrumental ensembles.
The Night of the Arts coincides with two nationally ...
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OCS Announces Scholar Athletes:
Scholar Athletes
Boys’ Winter Track:
Nih’Jawn Adams
Adan Cruz
Raun Gabriel Jr.
Tyler Haines
Bryan Hammond
Emanuel LaMacchia
Reed Luton
Benjamin Nett
Ian Powell
Grant Gates
CCaMcClary
Tate Sullivan
Girls’ Winter Track:
Olivia Bloom
Gabrielle Davis
Kennedy Harmatuk
Alaina Kelsey
Deshea Lettsome
Ella Mumford
Emalie Rhyant
Keahra Rodriguez
Mackenzie Schmidt
Hannah Schultz
Leah Schultz
Madelyn Schultz
Skylar Smith
Adeline Spencer
Joselyn Garcia
Ryan Ortlieb
Claire Zehner
Boys’ Basketball:
Maxwell Brown
Jordan Cheek
Justin Moses
Howard Wright IV
Girls’ Basketball: ...
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Onondaga Art Students See Their Work Touch Lives Across the Globe:
This year, Onondaga High School’s art students participated in The Memory Project for the 13th consecutive year, creating portraits to bring joy to children around the world. Under the guidance of Mrs. Passetti, the students crafted heartfelt portraits for children in India. Now, the children who received the portraits have shared their joy in a touching video sent back by The Memory Project!
The video shows the Indian children’s smiles as they receive their personalized portraits. The heartfelt message of gratitude sent by the organization highlights the incredible impact these works of art have had on the recipients.
“The smiles on their faces say it all,” said Mrs. Passetti. “It’s such a meaningful way for our students to connect with ...
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OCS Students’ Musical Talents Shine:
Six talented students from Onondaga Jr./Sr. High School auditioned for the prestigious Senior High All-County Chorus and Band at Tully High School this winter. Seniors Adan Cruz, Lindsay Fikes, Jerimiah Hammond and Deshea Lettsome, along with juniors Carolyn Andino and Riley Mulligan, showcased their musical skills in a rigorous audition process.
Andino, Fikes and Lettsome were accepted into All-County Chorus and Lettsome secured a spot for All-County Band for trombone as well. The performance was at West Genesee High School in January.
From there, Andino and Lettsome were selected to participate in ...
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OCS Students Attend Adirondack Youth Climate Summit:
In November, Mr. Mauro and three members of the Environmental Club participated in the Adirondack Youth Climate Summit at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY.
Alongside students from across the state, they engaged in workshops, lectures and presentations aimed at inspiring and empowering youth to take meaningful action on climate change.
This transformative experience energized the students, who returned home ready to implement sustainable initiatives in their school and community. The Summit highlights the power of youth collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and building a greener future.
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OCS Art Students Start 13th Year of Memory Project:
Onondaga art students are participating in The Memory Project for their 13 th year.
Over the years, the students have created portraits for students in Sierra Leone, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Syrian refugee camps, the Philippines and Nigeria.
This year, Mrs. Passetti's students are creating 19 portraits for children in India. The portraits are currently on display by the auditorium. Artwork will be delivered to the children in India in early 2025.
The Memory Project is run by a non-profit organization that partners art class students in the USA with children in schools around the world. In their words, "The Memory Project is a youth arts organization that promotes intercultural understanding and kindness ...
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OCS Students Explores Physics at Cornell University:
Mr. Sharpsteen and the OCS college physics class had an exciting opportunity to visit Cornell University, allowing Onondaga students to explore the Center for Nanofabrication, where they engaged in hands-on experimentation and learned about the fascinating field of nanotechnology.
During this visit, students discovered the innovative research being conducted by both students and industry professionals. The work being done in this field is not only shaping the future of medical technology and information systems, but also paving the way for advancements in nanorobotics.
This trip marked a significant milestone, as it included one of the first in-person tours of the CNF clean room specifically for high school students. Such experiences highlight the commitment of Onondaga Central ...
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Author/Illustrator Visits Wheeler:
Author and illustrator David Covell visited Wheeler Elementary; visiting authors help promote literacy and the writing process with students.
According to a 2019 report by the National Literacy Trust, students who participate in author visits are twice as likely to read above their age level. For reluctant readers, meeting an author can offer a fresh perspective on writing and storytelling, motivating them to dive into books.
Covell’s children's book “Run Wild” was selected as a 2018 Best Illustrated Book by The New York Times and The New York Public Library. “Run Wild” is an exquisite and kid-friendly reminder of how wonderful life can be beyond doors and screens. Covell also shared his latest book “Gather Round.” ...
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