Theresa Bolton receives the Distinguished Service Award from BOE President Kevin Verweire.
The Walton Central School District held its annual scholastic achievement awards ceremony last week, honoring those for the 2024-25 school year.
The Board of Education also gave out its annual Distinguished Service Award. BOE President Kevin Verweire introduced winner Theresa Bolton. who has taught music at the school for 33-plus years.
Bolton has not only touched the lives of thousands of students but has brought happiness and pride to the lives of their families, and unmatched holiday cheer to the community.
Bolton epitomizes the words “above and beyond.”
Though she may be best known for leading the ever entertaining and charming Townsend Elementary Select Chorus, which is made up of talented second- and third-grade students who perform throughout the school year, both in the school and in the community, Bolton’s contributions and impact go well beyond one chorus.
She demonstrates music concepts and creates imaginative and engaging lessons, is always cheerful and humorous, and supportive of all her students, providing extra help to those who need it, and often keeping students engaged through hand movements and rhythm-building activities like clapping to the beat.
In between classroom lessons, she has provided beginning orchestra, chorus, and band lessons to elementary students. Most importantly, she uses kindness and patience when teaching our youngest students, and instills a lifelong love of music.
Her impact doesn’t just linger for the students who have her as a teacher. It continues for years after as high school students long for those times and speak highly of her when asked. Her ability to make lasting memories and teach lessons that aren’t forgotten are part of the magic she creates within the classroom.
Her smile is contagious and her sense of humor is unmatched.
Throughout her career, she has also served her colleagues as a department chair, served as a mentor to new faculty, has assisted behind the scenes at middle and high school concerts, drama club and high school music performances, and is a former president of the PTA. Bolton was recognized in the 2004 edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
Bolton’s commitment to the Walton community at large is extraordinary. She’s participated in countless school and community parades, Walton Chamber of Commerce Night of Entertainment, Santa’s Workshop, as well as organizing events like Read-A-Rama, and Jump Rope for Heart. She has taken students to the New York State School Music Association annual conference, and has provided student entertainment many times for the Board of Education recognition and Bus Driver Appreciation. She also somehow finds time to give private music lessons to Walton residents.
What’s even better is she is always coming up with creative ways to spread her love of music. This year, she held a “play and sip” night where a fifth-grade class brought family members to an after-school event where she and the students taught the family members to perform a tune with instruments in her classroom.
The Walton Central School District is tremendously lucky to have Teresa Bolton in our school, building strong musical foundations for our students, bridging ties between the school and community, being a positive role model to staff, and an inspiration to our school community.
It’s the 29th year the award has been given. The award is given to somebody who has gone above and beyond in service to the Walton Central School District.
Following the award, many Walton students were honored for academic achievement for the 2024-25 school year. Students were recognized in all departments, including science, English/language, math, social studies, business, agriculture/technology, health/home and career/physical education, art, and music. Superintendent Awards were also handed out.
For more photos from this event, please visit our Facebook page.
Walton CSD BOE Distinguished Service Award recipients
2024-25: Theresa Bolton
2023-24: Raymond Bartlett
2022-23: Barbara Geidel
2021-22: Jami Aubin
2020-21: Lori Cucciare
2019-20: Rick Robinson
2018-19: Corey Phraner
2017-18: Larry Light
2016-17: Robert Lang
2015-16: Dorothy Elmore
2014-15: Greg Graupman
2013-14: Rosie Greene
2012-13: Patrick Covell
2011-12: Tina Miner-James
2010-11: Dawn Northrup
2009-10: Frank Ward
2008-09: Jim Hoover
2007-08: George Shackelton
2006-07: Janet and Carl Gregory
2005-06: Andy Jackson
2004-05: Raymond Nichols
2003-04: Dr. George F. Mack
2002-03: Joanna Meade and Christina Hewitt
2001-02: Beverly Wright
2000-01: Peggy and George Bolton
1999-2000: Ron Galley
1998-99: Florence McNeil
1997-98: Lovey Kopetz
1996-97: Diane Meredith
Superintendent’s Award
Keygan Epps
Abel Northrup
Avarie Terry
Kinley Fairchild
Taylor Gransbury
Bentley Hadden
Graysen Phraner
Ivy Vesterfelt
Cailet Cordner-Ryan
Dexter DaCunha
Tinsley Endress
Tanner Neale
Daphne Schmidt
Hayden Schmidt
Miranda Schmidt
Ava Serra
Lena Storrer
Heidi Tucek
Ava Hoover
Finnley Kane
Callan Neale
Noah Scofield
Jayden Wright
Maia Fassler
Isis Guervaz
Malena Moore
Kayleigh Ostrander
Julianna Roy
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Mayla Evans
Paige LeBarge
Esther Salvia
Avelyn White
Kennedy Williams
Annalia Yetto
Marcus Marano
Gavin Harrington
Arwen Tracey
Layne VanValkenburg
Kahrin Vesterfelt
Elijah Williams
Math
Heidi Tucek
Tinsley Endress
Noah Scofield
Donny Ford
Malena Moore
Maria Salimbangon
Delaney Kilmurray
Parker Cash
Julianna Roy
Eilis Greene
Adam Rice
Samuel Smith
Marcus Marano
Maisy Rhinehart
Kennedy Williams
Annalia Yetto
Kahrin Vesterfelt
Elijah Williams
Delana Wood
Chasidy Constable
Kylie Wood
Trystan Haywood
Science
Lena Storrer
Daphne Schmidt
Noah Scofield
Ava Hoover
Liam Pettit
Malena Moore
Kennedy Williams
Vanessa Burgos
Jacob Constable
Killian McGowan
Izabella Armstrong
Julianna Roy
Lillian Conrow
Maddox Little
Caden Scofield
Kahrin Vesterfelt
Gavin Harrington (2)
Elijah Williams
Kai Storrer
Johnny Ball
Social Studies
Miranda Schmidt
Tanner Neale
Ava Hoover
James White
Kayleigh Ostrander
Isis Guervaz
Esther Salvia
Miley Dunbar
Marcus Marano
Eilis Greene
Gavin Harrington
Reid Jackson
Sophia Nichols (2)
Killian McGowan (2)
Chasidy Constable
Elijah Williams
English/Language
Lena Storrer (2)
Harper Walley
Hayden Schmidt
Maria Salimbangon
Hayley Goodspeed
Noah Scofield
Giovanni Lattimer
Kayleigh Ostrander (2)
Landon Darcy
Heidi Tucek
Haven Barnes
Esther Salvia
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Marcus Marano
Alivia Conklin
Kahrin Vesterfelt (2)
Matthew Eisele
Ava Hoover
Korbyn McDonald
Colton Walley
Colt Covey
Alexa Scofield
Annalia Yetto
Liam Kane
Maisy Rhinehart
Raegan Foster
Elijah Williams
Agriculture/Technology
Kennedy Williams (2)
Ava Merwin
Nathaniel Harrington
Darrin Walley
Maia Fassler
Landon Darcy
Chasidy Constable
Russell Finn
Caden Scofield
Lauren Sloan-Boice
William Voorhies
Noah Scofield (2)
Isis Guervaz
Emma Moss
Jacob Constable
Corbin Walley
Elias Bayne
Ethan Hall
Logan Viscio
Lena Storrer
Kylee Roach
Donny Ford
Lennox Slauson
Madison Hoffman
Health/Physical Education/Home and Careers
Annabelle Wagner
Haven Barnes
Maisy Rhinehart
Marcus Marano
Tinsley Endress (2)
Madalynn Gregory
Maria Salimbangon
Mayla Evans
Alivia Conklin
Arwen Tracey
Liam Russell
Preston Roy
Colton Walley
Liam Kane
Jaedyn Roloson
Reid Jackson
Daphne Schmidt
Julianna Roy
Isis Guervaz
Raegan Foster
Natalie Hoffman
Lucas Carr
Ryder Stone
Art
Lena Storrer
Dexter DaCunha
Anthony Salvia
Aliya Carman
Rhylie Hill
Haven Barnes
Isis Guervaz
Kayleigh Ostrander
Annalia Yetto
Alivia Conklin
Elias Bayne
Layne Van Valkenburg (2)
Maisy Rhinehart
Justin Somers
Evelyn Brooker
Music
Tinsley Endress
Lena Storrer (2)
Madison Hoffman
Madalynn Gregory
Heidi Tucek
Esther Salvia
Kai Storrer
Rilynn Daye
Ava Hoover
Kahrin Vesterfelt (2)
Elijah Williams (2)
Rhylie Hill
Josilynn Covell
Kate Bowker
Daphne Schmidt
Noah Scofield
Aliya Carman