Top Grads: Meet Hannibal High School’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Hannibal High School seniors Elyssa Terry-DeRycke and Gabrielle Griffin have been named the Class of 2014 valedictorian and salutatorian.

Terry-DeRycke is the daughter of Tammy Terry and Timothy DeRycke. Terry-DeRycke is heavily involved in extracurricular activities and Hannibal’s music program. She plays the tuba and bass guitar, and sings with the senior chorus.

In her freshman year, Terry-DeRycke was cast as the lead in the musical “Little Shop of Horrors” and has appeared in several Purple Gallery Play productions.

Terry-DeRycke is active in her community as both a National Honor Society and Key Club member. She has volunteered at blood drives, the annual Christmas Bureau and used her musical talents to entertain senior citizens at a holiday luncheon.

In the summer, Terry-DeRycke works part-time at Fair Haven Beach State Park, working the ticket booth.

This fall, Terry-DeRycke will attend Messiah College and major in music education. She was awarded the Provost Scholarship from Messiah, and an Oswego Players Scholarship.

Terry-DeRycke credits teacher Shirley Terrinoni, for nurturing her passion for music. Hannibal’s music program offered Terry-DeRycke several opportunities over her four years, including her first trip out the country.

Griffin, daughter of Stephanie and Randy Griffin, is a three sport athlete on the varsity basketball, soccer and track teams. She was a sophomore when her team won the Section III Class B girls basketball title in 2012.

Griffin sits on the student council as class president, and is a member of Key Club, Spanish Club, NHS and Anti-bullying Club. She volunteered in September at Sara’s Walk/PDSA 5K.

Her summers are spent working at the Renaissance Festival in Sterling as a candle maker’s apprentice.

Griffin received a merit scholarship from Clarkson, and will start at the university in the fall.

She will major in biology, and plans to continue on to medical school.

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