Millbrook Names top 2024 scholars



Hannah RossProvided

Hannah Ross

Valedictorian

Excelling in academics while pursuing other school-based activities including athletics contributed to making Hannah Ross an outstanding member of the Senior class and earned her the honor of being named Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at Millbrook High School.

Hannah’s path toward recognition began in Kindergarten in the Millbrook School District following in the footsteps of her two older brothers. She had attended preschool at the Millbrook Early Childhood Education Center.

The small community perspective was important to her success, Hannah said, offering comments on Sunday, April 21, and reflecting on the relationships she developed with teachers, coaches and staff.

Serving as president of the National Honor Society at Millbrook, Hannah was active in Student Council and the Yearbook Club. She has enjoyed tutoring students in the community as well.

Presently undecided about her choice of college, Hannah said that she plans to major in Kinesiology (the science of exercise) toward the goal of becoming a Physical Therapist.

“Make connections with your teachers,” is Hannah’s advice to Millbrook freshmen beginning their high school years. “Having teachers that you can go talk to anytime or seek their advice is very important,” she added, “particularly during your senior year.”

“All you have to do is keep up with your work and ask questions to understand the material,” Hannah advised. “And turn assignments in on time,” she added.

Classes she enjoyed most within the Millbrook curriculum were math, science and engineering, Hannah said, along with economics during her senior year.

Outside of school, Hannah enjoys tutoring others, working at a local ice cream truck and serving as a line cook at the Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club.

“I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given and I’d like to thank my teachers and staff for the constant support that has allowed me to be successful,” Hannah said.



Natalie FoxProvided

Natalie Fox

Salutatorian

Having begun her academic career when she was enrolled for Kindergarten in the Millbrook School District, Natalie Fox has excelled along the way and studied diligently, deserving of the honor of being named Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 at Millbrook High School.

“I have always enjoyed school and challenging myself in everything I do,” Natalie said on Tuesday, April 23, reflecting on her educational path and the present honor.

“Don’t rush through high school,” was Natalie’s advice to young students at the dawn of their high school years. “It can be such a great experience if you take advantage of it,” she added.

Throughout her middle and high school years, Natalie said that she participated in several extracurricular activities and athletics, including basketball and volleyball. Outside of school, Natalie has pursued AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) competitive basketball and plans to continue in college.

Natalie will be attending William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, with a major in marketing and business. Chartered in 1693, William and Mary is one of the oldest collegiate institutions in the U.S.

“The secret of my success was that I did all of my homework to the best of my ability. I never handed in work late or missed any assignments,” Natalie said. “I also tried to finish as much work in school as possible. That way, I did not have work to do when I got home.”.

Outside of school, Natalie worked for the Town of Washington Recreation Department as a lifeguard and as a basketball referee.

“I am grateful for all the opportunities, experiences, and individuals that I’ve encountered throughout my years in the Millbrook schools,” Natalie said, feeling prepared for what will come next.

Latest News

Horticulture and History: 19th century poison teas focus of library presentation

In Victorian era costume for the occasion, Madame Datura regaled the Amenia Library’s Tea Society meeting on Saturday, Oct. 11, with the history of plants and poisons, all the rage in 19th century literature and in fact.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Breaking from its usual tea and pastries format, the Saturday, Oct 11 meeting of the Amenia Tea Society featured a Victorian costumed talk by area resident Madame Datura titled “Poison in Relation to Tea.”

When not inhabiting the character of Madame Datura, author Renee Fleury of Brewster has extensive experience as a botanist and has studied the properties of plants, including the long history of poisonous plants and how they impacted past generations through popular literature or use, innocent or on purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pine Plains Planning Board approves waiver for proposed dispensary

Planning Board members granted a waiver to the proposed cannabis dispensary located in the historic weigh station on Route 82 allowing the business to operate within 300 feet of the firehouse and the Post Office in contradiction with Pine Plains's local law. Town attorney Warren Replansky explained the town's codes would likely be unenforceable following legal decisions handed down by the Office of Cannabis Management on Monday, Oct. 6.

Photo by Nathan Miller

PINE PLAINS — Members of the Planning Board voted unanimously to grant a waiver to Upstate Pines allowing the cannabis dispensary to operate within 300 feet of the firehouse and the Post Office at their regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 8.

That vote came after Planning Board attorney Warren Replansky explained recent state guidance superceded the town’s ability to restrict the business on the grounds of its proximity to the Post Office and the firehouse.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stanford home market sees nine sales in July and August

Built in 1820, 1168 Bangall Amenia Road sold for $875,000 on July 31 with the transfer recorded in August. It has a Millbrook post office and is located in the Webutuck school district.

Christine Bates

STANFORD — The Town of Stanford with nine transfers in two months reached a median price in August of $573,000 for single family homes, still below Stanford’s all-time median high in August 2024 of $640,000.

At the beginning of October there is a large inventory of single-family homes listed for sale with only six of the 18 homes listed for below the median price of $573,000 and seven above $1 million.

Keep ReadingShow less
Out on the trail
Nathan Miller

Hunt club members and friends gathered near Pugsley Hill at the historic Wethersfield Estate and Gardens in Amenia for the opening meet of the 2025-2026 Millbrook Hunt Club season on Saturday, Oct. 4. Foxhunters took off from Wethersfield’s hilltop gardens just after 8 a.m. for a hunting jaunt around Amenia’s countryside.