A Bradford native who became a teacher and administrator in
several N.Y. school systems will be the commencement speaker at
Bradford Area High School’s graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m.
Thursday in the BAHS auditorium.

William “Bill” O’Connell, one of eight children raised south of
Bradford, graduated from St. Bernard School in Bradford, went on to
earn a bachelor of science degree in education from Clarion State
College and a master’s in education from St. Bonaventure University
in Allegany, N.Y. He then went on to work in the New York school
systems in Limestone, Yorkshire and Delevan for several years,
retiring from a position as Middle School Principal for Pioneer
Central School in 1992. O’Connell then taught classes at St.
Bonaventure and worked as program director for the Department of
Administration, Supervision and Curriculum during his
retirement.

Valedictorian for the Class of 2009 will be Katelyn Scanlan.
Salutatorian will be Emma McCune, who will deliver the welcome
address. The farewell address will be given by Caitlin Szczupak,
the third academically ranked student. The Career and Technical Top
Honor Student for the Class of 2009 will be Benjamin Palagonia.

O’Connell also has been an advocate for the Olean, N.Y.,
airport, and eventually helped garner a grant to remodel the hangar
and terminal through conversations with the pilot who regularly
flew for U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.

O’Connell is married with seven children and is a grandparent to
14 youngsters.

Scanlan is the daughter of Jim and Bonnie Scanlan of Bradford.
She plans to attend Princeton University to major in Civil
Engineering and Architecture. Scanlan’s accomplishments were
printed in a previous edition of The Bradford Era.

McCune is the daughter of Amy and Dan McCune of Derrick City.
She is involved in National Honor Society; Student Council, serving
as secretary; Future Business Leaders of America, serving as
treasurer; Peer Helpers; Explore Club and University of Pittsburgh
at Bradford Bridges. She is also involved in Travel and Lakewood
soccer leagues and was named outstanding graduating senior.

McCune is employed at Allegany Bradford Corp. and at the Model T
Inn. She plans to attend Carnegie Mellon University and major in
Policy and Management.

Szczupak is the daughter of Lisa Campogiani of Bradford and
Waldemar Szczupak of Bradford. She is involved in varsity
cheerleading, track, Key Club, Roots n Shoots, Student Council,
National Honor Society, Homecoming Committee, Prom Committee and
WOWL TV. She takes tap and ballet dance class, marched in the
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and was in a commercial for Bridal
Elegance. She was also a design committee member for the Elm Street
Project.

Szczupak was named Miss Bradford 2008, was a scholar athlete,
received the Pride Award, was named outstanding graduating senior
and was named to the Distinguished Honor Roll all four years of
high school. She has been employed as a waitress at John William’s
European Pastry Shop for the past two years.

Szczupak plans to attend Gannon University for pre-med and has
been accepted into Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine as a
medical student upon graduation from Gannon in 2013.

Palagonia is the son of Virginia and Joseph Palagonia of
Bradford. He is involved in SKILLS USA, the Drafting Occupational
Advisory Committee, National Honor Society, the Global Youth
Leadership Committee and is an alumni of the IUP Summer Honors
Program.

He is involved in the church choir at St. Bernard Catholic
Church.

Palagonia was named in the Who’s Who Among American High School
Students and was part of the summer architecture program at Penn
State. He plans to attend Alfred (N.Y.) State College for
Architectural Technology.