Robert Charles Kennicutt, Jr. grew up in the countryside outside of Port Crane and attended Port Crane Elementary School and grades 7-12 at Chenango Valley. His younger brothers, David and Richard, also attended CV and still live in the area. Robert became interested in science (and astronomy in particular) early on and blended classwork at CV with participation in the band, cross-country, and track teams. He also helped out with the basketball team as manager and statistician. His biggest influences in high school were his history teacher David Dixon and his coach Robert McDaniel (2021 CV Hall of Fame honoree). Both were demanding mentors, and Robert Kennicutt (who went by “Bob” in school) notes he sorely tested their patience on more than one occasion.

After graduation, Bob attended RPI in Troy, New York, majoring in physics, and then earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of Washington in Seattle. There his passion for learning was sparked, and he has spent the rest of his career as a researcher and teacher of astronomy, working successively at the Carnegie Observatories and Caltech, then to faculty positions at the University of Minnesota, the University of Arizona, and the University of Cambridge in England before retiring at Cambridge in 2017. His “retirement” was short-lived, however, as within a year, he was enticed to return to Arizona on a half-time basis and to another half-time job at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Nowadays, he lives in Tucson, where he raised a family, and regularly commutes to College Station, Texas, to work at TAMU. It is a busy life but one he enjoys.

Along the way, "Rob" (after moving to Seattle, he switched to his family nickname) says he's had more fortune in his life and career than he deserved. He has observed with some of the major telescopes in the world, including most of the ground-based telescopes in the world, the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer and Herschel Space Observatories, and now the James Webb Space Telescopes, leading major international collaborations on many of these facilities. Rob took part in some significant discoveries in our understanding of galaxies, the formation of stars, and the history and age of the universe itself. He has been awarded for these accomplishments, including election into the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Society of London, and has received several prizes including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Heinemann Prize of the American Astronomical Society, and the Gruber Cosmology Prize. Needless to say, none of this was ever anticipated, and he feels blessed to be paid to pursue his lifelong passion. Nowadays, his other passions in life include his 2-year-old granddaughter, Rosalyn; daughter, Laura; traveling; and rock, mineral, and gem collecting.

Heather Boland White was born and raised in Nimmonsburg, NY, by her parents, Zip and Sally Boland. Zip was a prominent politician who developed and built (with her grandfather) most of Chenango Shores. Sally was also very politically involved and received a memoriam from the New York State Senate following her death.

Heather, the eldest of four, attended Nimmonsburg Elementary and Chenango Valley Jr. Sr. High School. She was very active at an early age and spent a lot of time with her brother, Tim, climbing trees, playing kickball, playing football, swimming, and basically being a tomboy. She worked hard and received the class “Night Owl” upon graduating. Even during those days, you could almost always find her in the gym or the pool participating in Jr. and Sr. leaders.

Heather always adored children and loved working with them. She had the gift of humor, and kids wanted to be around her. Her first experience working with children was at her church’s summer school in seventh grade. She continued there every summer until she ran the activity program at Hyder Park in high school. Her two younger sisters, Jean and Beth, fondly remember the mud fights there.

It makes perfect sense that she graduated from Ithaca College Summa Cum Laude in 1974 with a teaching degree in physical education. She was then able to play with kids all day long! She applied to one graduate school and received an assistantship at the University of Colorado. Those who knew her well knew it was to further her education. (SKI!) She taught classes at CU and received her Master of Science degree in 1976.

Heather taught physical education at Hygiene Elementary in Longmont, CO, for 30 years, where the gym is now named after her. The principal there called her a legend. Her main goals were fostering good sportsmanship and teaching children to love to move, whether it was their best thing or not. Their skill level never mattered, and she avoided many activities that would destroy a child/person’s self-esteem. Her jump rope team, Hygiene Hotshots, competed and performed all over Colorado. She took her cup-stacking teams to Nationals. Oh yeah, and yo-yos? That too! Heather made exercise fun for all of them. Fourteen of her students have gone on to become physical education teachers.

Heather was also the head coach of the Boulder Elks Swim Team, in the summer, for 20 years. She retired when her son, JD White, was 13 and ready to swim year-round. He went on to swim for SMU on a full swimming scholarship. Her 9-year-old grandson now swims. One of Heather’s greatest joys is going to Reagan’s swim meets in the summer and seeing many of her former swimmers there as parents.

Three teachers played a formative role in Heather’s early years. Heather was fortunate enough to have had Mrs. Cole for sixth grade at Nimmonsburg. She made Heather work hard to live up to her expectations and set the future for Heather’s study habits. Heather still uses sentence diagramming.

The second was Mr. Vianese. At that point in time, she had a mental block against geometry and could not seem to pass the New York State Regents Exam. Her mom hired Mr. Vianese to tutor her. From Mr. Vianese, she learned patience, kindness, and that she was good at math after all!

The third was Ms. Frances Hall, one of the physical education teachers at CV. Heather already loved physical education and the challenges that go with it. Ms. Hall encouraged her to test herself in seventh grade and not hang back. Heather learned much of her coaching and teaching psychology from Ms. Hall, her role model.

Heather is currently retired from teaching and coaching. She is the real estate broker for her own company, White & White Realty. Heather has one son, one daughter-in-law, and one grandson living in Colorado. She lives with her two Yorkies, Charlie and Champ, in the country on the foothills of Colorado.

Born relatively young, Bruce Gregory eventually became the oldest brother to 5 younger siblings – all CV grads.

After graduation, Bruce attended Eisenhower College for one semester before transferring home to Harpur College to study music. He dropped out after his junior year (much to his mother's chagrin) as he played in music groups around the northeast, from Massachusetts to Tennessee, and figured, "I'm already making a living in music." Ending that phase of his life in 1979 and needing a job, a friend helped him find employment at Gordon Electronics, even though Bruce never thought he could sell stereos. Bruce said he soon realized that to keep that job; he needed to be quiet and listen to what customers wanted. After three years and the birth of his first son, Joshua, Bruce left sales to join his father and brother in the family trade of laying bricks and stone. It was during this time that his daughter Sarah was born.

In 1985, Bruce realized he should be a teacher while visiting Taughannock Falls with his young family. Bruce finished his BA in music at SUNY Binghamton and then worked through getting his MSEd there. His youngest son, Aaron, came along during this return to school.

In 1988, Bruce was hired as a fourth-grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Binghamton, where he spent the next 28 years learning more than he could have imagined. Bruce got to spend time with kids who were precocious or struggling, joyous or sad, calm and comfortable, or scattered and afraid. Sometimes these were all the same child, just on a different day. Sometimes it was him, he says. During much of his tenure, around 20% of the students at Wilson were refugees, so Bruce got to know children and their families from Haiti and Cuba to Ukraine and Russia, Nigeria and Somalia to India, Laos, and China. Bruce said he learned so much.

After retiring, Bruce became co-owner of a small local movie theater, Cinema Saver, in Endicott. Music has remained a constant in Bruce's life through various forms, whether in the classroom and accompanying his class in the yearly talent show or playing in various local bands, the last 18 years holding down the keyboard spot in Rooster and the Roadhouse Horns.

Dr. David P. Gill joined the Chenango Valley School District in 1986 as a mathematics teacher. Dr. Gill came to CV from Binghamton City School District, where he also taught mathematics. His career at Chenango Valley expanded to include the role of Mathematics Department Chairperson until 2005 when he was appointed CV Middle School Principal. Dr. Gill served as building principal until he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools in 2010. In January 2012, he was appointed Interim Superintendent and remained in this role until he was appointed Superintendent of Schools in February 2014.
 
Dr. Gill is a graduate of Binghamton North High and holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Scranton, a master’s degree in Math Education from SUNY Binghamton, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration from SUNY Cortland. In January 2018, he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Gill was honored to be inducted into the Binghamton City School District’s Alumni Hall of Fame.
 
Dr. Gill is married to Christine, and his family includes four children – Chelsey, Tyler (daughter-in-law Vincenza, granddaughter Amelia), Callie, and McKenna. Dr. Gill likes to stay active in the community and was a member of the Hillcrest Rotary, the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference Board, the Greater Binghamton Educational Opportunity Programs Board, and the Schools-to-Careers Board. He also volunteers for the Southern Tier Food Bank.
 
Dr. Gill expanded his passion for teaching as an adjunct professor at Binghamton University and SUNY Cortland. He has also supervised student teachers as well as administrative interns.
 
As Chenango Valley’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gill worked hard for the school district and community, striving to provide the best educational environment to help all children reach their potential. He worked collaboratively with the school board, administration, teachers, parents, and students to maximize student achievement.

He believes that education is the most powerful tool in our society to create a world that values differences and practices kindness. He is honored and humbled to be selected for this prestigious honor and recognition by the Chenango Valley Alumni Association.

Judy Mitrowitz graduated from Chenango Valley in 1970. She earned college degrees at three SUNY Colleges (Alfred State, Buffalo State, and Cortland State) and her master’s degree from Marywood University. She had a rewarding career teaching at Johnson City High School for 38 years. After retiring, she continued to work as the Johnson City Teacher Center Director until 2021. During her tenure at Johnson City, she was involved in many activities, including advising cheerleading, Senior Class, and the Yearbook. She taught in the Upward Bound program at Binghamton University during the summer. This academic program helps low-income and first-generation students achieve academic success in high school and prepares them for success in college. She was the President of the Johnson City Teachers Association and a founding member of the Johnson City District Health Insurance Committee. She continues to serve on the committee today. As a retiree, she is active in the New York State United Teachers local retiree chapter and serves as the newsletter editor. She is also a Johnson City Wildcat Alumni and Friends Board Officer.

She was inducted into the Johnson City Hall of Fame as a contributor for her years of keeping the scorebook for basketball. Judy is a member of St. James Church; she has served on the parish council and is currently on the liturgy committee. She is on the bereavement luncheon committee, and along with other people, she prepares the luncheon food. She volunteers at the St. James Food Pantry and picks up weekly bread donations made available to the people who visit the pantry. She is a monthly volunteer at The Lord’s Table at Sarah Jane Church. In 2018, she was elected to the Chenango Valley Board of Education, where she has served on the following committees: Workmen’s Compensation, Education Excellence, Audit, Policy, and Facilities and Transportation. Giving back to the community that she grew up in is important to her.