• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Contact
    • Employment
    • Philanthropy Center
    • Milestones
    • News & Media
      • Recent News
      • News Archive
      • Publications
      • Northern New York Community Podcast
  • Donors
    • Donate Online
    • Gift Information “At A Glance”
    • Making A Gift
    • Top 10 Things You Can Do To Leave A Legacy
    • NNYCF vs. A Private Foundation
    • FAQs
    • Investment Performance
  • Students
    • Scholarship Overview
    • Applications
    • Scholarships Available
  • Nonprofits
    • Apply for a Grant
    • 2023 Grant Opportunities
    • Partner & Grantee Resources
    • Recent Grant Recipients
  • Programs
    • Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge
    • Youth Philanthropy Council
    • LEAD Council

Duah, Cushman, Weir Named 2023 William I. Graf Award Recipients

June 14, 2023 By admin

Trio of Seniors Honored as Top Graduating Athletes at WHS Awards Event

     WATERTOWN — Three Watertown High School seniors were honored Tuesday evening as the top graduating athletes and recipients of the William I. Graf Award. Kylie L. Cushman and Adelaide R. “Addie” Weir were selected as the women’s recipients, and Patrick Duah was named as the men’s honoree this year.

    The William I. Graf Award was created in 1954 by the Italian American Civic Association to honor Mr. Graf’s leadership and civic engagement in the community. The Northern New York Community Foundation was selected to help continue the Graf family legacy by administering the fund in perpetuity and raising awareness of the award for students who strive to earn the prestigious honor.

     Mr. Graf was a multi-sport coach and athletic director at Watertown High School. Graf Award honorees are expected to have participated in at least two or more varsity sports in their senior year and demonstrate exceptional character and sportsmanship, discipline, fair play, training, athletic ability, and academics.

     The Graf Award was first presented to both a male and female athlete in 1977; from 1954 to 1976 the honor was only awarded to the top graduating male athlete. This year is the first time in 46 years that selection ended in a tie vote for the women’s athlete at Watertown High. Only two times, first in 1961 and again in 2015, did selection of the male athlete end in a tie vote. From 1954 to 1979, the Graf Award was also presented to the top graduating athletes at Immaculate Heart Academy/Immaculate Heart Central.

From left: Watertown High School seniors Adelaide R. “Addie” Weir, Patrick Duah, and Kylie L. Cushman; Italian American Civic Association President Jim Scordo; Phyllis Johnson, and Lee “Gus” Murray. Adelaide R. “Addie” Weir and Kylie L. Cushman were named Tuesday as the 2023 women’s recipients of the Watertown High School William I. Graf Award and Patrick Duah was named the 2023 William I. Graf Award men’s recipient. Phyllis Johnson is William I. Graf’s daughter and Lee “Gus” Murray is Mr. Graf’s nephew.

About the recipients

     Kylie L. Cushman is an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing for five years in varsity hockey with Alexandria Central High School and for two years in varsity soccer and lacrosse at Watertown. She is a four-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar Athlete.

     As a varsity hockey player, Kylie was a five-year starter and a two-time NYSPHSAA Section X Second Team All-North selectee in her junior and senior years. She served as a team captain her senior year, is a Scholar Athlete and a two-time Frontier League All-Star and earned the End-of-Year Leadership Award. Kylie also played travel ice hockey for 10 years, competing with the Adirondack Hockey Club.

     As a Cyclones varsity soccer athlete, Kylie was a two-year starter, a Frontier League All-Star Honorable Mention her senior year, and a Frontier League Champion. Kylie was also a two-year starter for the varsity lacrosse team.

     Off the athletic field, Kylie is a top-ranked honor student and two-year National Honor Society member who participated in numerous extracurricular clubs and activities, including the Audio-Visual and International clubs. Kylie is also an active volunteer with her church, St. Andrew’s Parish, and has managed her own small business, “Kylie’s Tackle Shop,” making original fishing lures for the past seven years.

     Kylie will graduate this month with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors and Mastery in Math. She will attend Mercyhurst University, Erie, Pa., this fall where she plans to study sports medicine. She aspires to work as a physical therapist. Kylie is the daughter of Vanessa and David Cushman, Watertown.

     Adelaide R. “Addie” Weir is an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing for four years at Watertown as a varsity swim and dive team member and three years as a varsity lacrosse player, and competing for three years as a downhill skier with Lowville Academy and Central School.

     As a Cyclones varsity swimmer, she was a four-year undefeated Frontier League Champion, three-year Sectional Qualifier, a three-year Frontier League All-Star, and Scholar Athlete. She also served as a team captain. Addie earned numerous individual swimming accolades during her four years of competition.

     As a varsity downhill skier, Addie competed on the Lowville ski team during her freshman, junior and senior years. She was twice named a Top 10 Skier, a three-time Sectional Qualifier, and is a Scholar Athlete. On the varsity lacrosse team, she was a three-year starter, a Sectional Qualifier, a Scholar Athlete and was named a Defender of the Week.

     Off the athletic field, Addie is an honor student ranked in the top four percent of her class, a two-year National Honor Society member, and Class President and Student Council officer. She participated in numerous extracurricular clubs and activities, including the Trillium Fiddlers and Audio-Visual Club, and serving as secretary for the Northern New York Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy Council. She is the current North Country Goes Green Irish Festival Miss Ireland title holder and, for the past three years, has worked as a ski instructor at Dry Hill Ski Center. Since 2021, she has served as a sailing instructor and lifeguard for the Crescent Yacht Club Junior Division. In 2022, she placed second in the Junior Olympics Sailing Festival. Addie is also involved in service work at St. Anthony’s Church.

     Addie will graduate this month with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors and Mastery in Math and Science. She also earned the Seal of Bi-Literacy in Spanish. She will attend Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., this fall where she plans to study biology and Spanish. She aspires to work as a medical professional in the pediatric field. Addie is the daughter of Sarah and Marshall Weir, Watertown.

     Patrick Duah is a standout three-sport varsity athlete, competing for four years in soccer and basketball and three years in lacrosse.

     On the soccer field, Patrick was a two-year Frontier League All-Star, named to the Second Team All-North, a three-time Frontier League Champion and team captain. On the basketball court, Patrick was a two-year Frontier League All-Star, earned Honorable Mention All-North, was a Frontier League and Playoff Champion, and also served as team captain.

     As a Cyclone lacrosse player, he was a two-year Frontier League All-Star, First Team All-North, All-North MVP, a team captain, and an undefeated Frontier League Champion. He was recognized as a Scholar Athlete in soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

     Off the athletic field, Patrick is an honor student ranked in the top 10 of his class, a two-year National Honor Society member, Class Vice President, past Class President, and Student Council member. He participated in numerous extracurricular clubs and activities, including the Audio-Visual and Booster clubs and Yearbook Committee. He also served as a Morning Announcement Anchor. Patrick is an active community volunteer with several local food pantries, Food for Families, the YMCA Shamrock Run, and Friends of Thompson Park. He has also served as a youth basketball coach and helped organize local blood drives. Patrick is the recipient of the University of Rochester Young Leaders Award.

     Patrick will graduate this month with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors. He will attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall where he plans to study business and finance. He aspires to work in finance as an investment banker. Patrick is the son of Drs. Marylene and Eric Duah, Watertown.

     More than 100 graduating high school seniors have received the Graf Award. Click here to view an all-time list of William I. Graf Award recipients at Watertown High and IHA/IHC. Watertown High School’s athletics staff selects the recipients each year, and the Italian American Civic Association presents the award.

     Following the death of Mr. Graf’s son, William A. Graf, in 2013, the family decided to honor him by funding a $1,000 financial award for recipients. William A. Graf, who also embodied the traits of the award, attended Watertown High School, and played several varsity sports coached by his father, William I.

From left: Watertown High School seniors Adelaide R. “Addie” Weir, Patrick Duah, and Kylie L. Cushman. Adelaide R. “Addie” Weir and Kylie L. Cushman were named Tuesday as the 2023 women’s recipients of the Watertown High School William I. Graf Award and Patrick Duah was named the 2023 William I. Graf Award men’s recipient.

About the Northern New York Community Foundation

     Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

     Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

     The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Filed Under: Recent News

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

3,425

Working with donors to benefit the community through grants and scholarships since 1929.

The Challenge is now on! 

We are excited to kick off the seventh annual $10,000 Northern New York Community Foundation Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge.

Students attending 7th and 8th grades in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County can now compete for a chance to award one of ten $1,000 grants to a tri-county nonprofit that helps strengthen quality of life in their community. 

Apply online or download an application and entry rules at nnycf.org/givingchallenge and enter by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

The Giving Challenge is made possible through the generosity of all who give to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a major gift from an individual donor, and corporate support from Community Bank, N.A. 

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-giving-challenge
 
#NNYCF #GivingChallenge #CommunitySpirit

The Challenge is now on!

We are excited to kick off the seventh annual $10,000 Northern New York Community Foundation Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge.

Students attending 7th and 8th grades in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County can now compete for a chance to award one of ten $1,000 grants to a tri-county nonprofit that helps strengthen quality of life in their community.

Apply online or download an application and entry rules at nnycf.org/givingchallenge and enter by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

The Giving Challenge is made possible through the generosity of all who give to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a major gift from an individual donor, and corporate support from Community Bank, N.A.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-giving-challenge

#NNYCF #GivingChallenge #communityspirit
... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 3
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

View more comments

This week the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation visited the SoZo Teen Center of Watertown to learn more about the important work they do.

This week the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation visited the SoZo Teen Center of Watertown to learn more about the important work they do. ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 14
  • Shares: 3
  • Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

Thank you for the conversation, questions, and feedback! We're excited to see the work these youth do for the community!

Melissa Shova!

View more comments

We are proud to introduce the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation Class of 2024! This year’s class welcomes eight new and eight returning student delegates and includes juniors and seniors from General Brown, Lyme, South Jefferson, and Watertown High Schools. 

During the last meeting of the school year in June, students elected members to the Council’s 2023-2024 Executive Committee. Watertown High senior Olivia Urf will serve as the Council Chair; General Brown senior Olivia Wisner will serve as Vice Chair; and Watertown High senior Maya Voss will serve as Secretary. South Jefferson High School senior Jack Mangan is Immediate Past Chair.

The Council also named committee chairs for the new year. Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior, will chair the Communications Committee; McKenna Lee, General Brown senior, will chair the Service Committee; and Ella Smith, Watertown High junior, will chair the Grants Committee.

The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program are made possible by gifts from donors who make contributions to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund and generous support from Watertown Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation, and the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund.

Top photo: Front row, from left, Anastaja Smith, Watertown High junior; Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior; Colden Marks, General Brown Junior/Senior High junior; Rosamond Hunt, Lyme Central School junior; and Finley Swartz, Watertown High junior. Second row, from left, Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Hannah Eldridge, Watertown High junior; and McKenna Lee, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Third row, from left, Ella Smith, Watertown High junior; Jack Mangan, South Jefferson High senior; Sienna Virga, Watertown High junior; Harper Lane, Watertown High junior; and Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Back row, from left, Jack Adams, Watertown High junior; Justin Draught, Watertown High junior; Bennett Pistner, Watertown High junior; Vincent Knapp, Watertown High junior; and Elyse King, Watertown High junior.

Bottom photo: From left, Secretary Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Chair Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; and Vice Chair Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-24-ypc-class

#YPC #NNYCF #LeadershipImage attachment

We are proud to introduce the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation Class of 2024! This year’s class welcomes eight new and eight returning student delegates and includes juniors and seniors from General Brown, Lyme, South Jefferson, and Watertown High Schools.

During the last meeting of the school year in June, students elected members to the Council’s 2023-2024 Executive Committee. Watertown High senior Olivia Urf will serve as the Council Chair; General Brown senior Olivia Wisner will serve as Vice Chair; and Watertown High senior Maya Voss will serve as Secretary. South Jefferson High School senior Jack Mangan is Immediate Past Chair.

The Council also named committee chairs for the new year. Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior, will chair the Communications Committee; McKenna Lee, General Brown senior, will chair the Service Committee; and Ella Smith, Watertown High junior, will chair the Grants Committee.

The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program are made possible by gifts from donors who make contributions to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund and generous support from Watertown Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation, and the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund.

Top photo: Front row, from left, Anastaja Smith, Watertown High junior; Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior; Colden Marks, General Brown Junior/Senior High junior; Rosamond Hunt, Lyme Central School junior; and Finley Swartz, Watertown High junior. Second row, from left, Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Hannah Eldridge, Watertown High junior; and McKenna Lee, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Third row, from left, Ella Smith, Watertown High junior; Jack Mangan, South Jefferson High senior; Sienna Virga, Watertown High junior; Harper Lane, Watertown High junior; and Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Back row, from left, Jack Adams, Watertown High junior; Justin Draught, Watertown High junior; Bennett Pistner, Watertown High junior; Vincent Knapp, Watertown High junior; and Elyse King, Watertown High junior.

Bottom photo: From left, Secretary Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Chair Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; and Vice Chair Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-24-ypc-class

#YPC #NNYCF #Leadership
... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 46
  • Shares: 11
  • Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

What a great group!

Congratulations to all

View more comments

Load more

Copyright © 2023 · Northern NY Community Foundation · Site Design: Riverside Media, LLC.