BERNE — The two top graduates of Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s Class of 2007 are looking forward.

Dana Ames, the valedictorian, will attend Elmira College and was awarded Elmira’s Presidential Honor Scholarship.

William McSpedon, the salutatorian, will attend Fordham University and received the Fordham Tuition Award.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo will only be recognizing the two top students for two more years.
Ames has not yet decided on a major but is leaning toward something in medicine, she said. This past year, Ames participated in the Board of Cooperative Educational Services New Visions program, which is designed for high-school seniors to explore health-related professions. Ames went to St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany each day, where she "got a glimpse" of each medical position, she said.
Ames said of BKW, "It’s a small school, so you get to know everyone."

Ames gets her inspiration from her parents, she said, who always encourage her to do her best.
"This year has been the best year of my life," said McSpedon in his speech on graduation day. "I’ve done things I’ve never done before because I knew I wouldn’t have a chance to do them again."

McSpedon also has not yet determined his major, but will figure it out once he’s in school, he said. McSpedon, who took a Government and Politics class this year, said he is interested in law and government, particularly labor law.
"I’m moving to New York City," he said, which is "something I’ve always wanted to do."
McSpedon’s long-term goals include traveling to Europe. He said he’d like to travel to Rome, Paris and Stockholm. In his last year at BKW, McSpedon was a member of the shared-decision-making committee, open to seniors. He said his class is unique because "no one makes enemies" and "anyone can talk to anyone."

Those who inspire him include: American labor and political leader Eugene Debs, some of his friends, and his father. McSpedon pointed to a moment at his graduation ceremony at the Egg in Albany. His classmate, Ethan Shager, presented his father, Gerald Shager, who left high school in 10th grade to join the armed forces, with his high school diploma.
"That was inspiring," McSpedon said.