Ryan Marino earns rank of salutatorian at Stissing Mountain

PINE PLAINS — Between his formative and final years as a student in the Pine Plains Central School District, Ryan Marino has always thought of his school district as “one big family,” and it was with great pleasure that he learned he was this year’s salutatorian. Ryan spoke highly about the district and how its programs have helped him thrive.

“People bash the school for being small and for being in the middle of nowhere,” he said, “but I think it’s one of the better schools in the county.”

Taking advantage of all opportunities in the district, Ryan’s interests span a wide range of academic and athletic extracurriculars. With a racket in hand, he joined the Pine Plains varsity tennis team in the seventh grade and remained an active member until the team was disbanded due to low participation. Starting in the fourth grade, he played saxophone in the Pine Plains Band, and he competed on the junior varsity soccer team for a couple years. Joining the district’s Math Honor Society during his sophomore year at Stissing Mountain, Ryan was later promoted to vice president and then president. Above all, he sought to get involved in his class, whether that meant helping out at the annual Senior to Senior Breakfast or putting together a booth for the Pine Plains FFA’s Annual Fall Agricultural Festival. 

“I’m not looking for any praise for it,” Ryan said. “I’m doing it because I like doing it and I love my friends.”

Reflecting on his high school career, Ryan shared fond memories of watching his friends compete on the basketball court, attending football games and making friends during his time on the tennis team. 

Considering how the coronavirus pandemic has shaped his class’s path to graduation, he said that while the health crisis might have disrupted their senior year and prevented them from enjoying the annual traditions and ceremonies, he feels that this “historic pandemic” has helped push both himself and his class forward. Rather than reflect on what they missed out on, he chose to reframe the pandemic as a reflection on resilience and preservation as well as a true test of his character.

“I think it really goes to show how great our class really is and how they pushed forward,” Ryan said.

As plans for graduation take shape, Ryan is preparing to say goodbye to the district that’s guided his success and the classmates he’s grown familiar with over the last 13 years.

“These are people I have known the majority of my life,” he said, “and I’m going to miss them.”

Come August, Ryan will be studying mechanical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology.His future plans include pursuing a career in the automotive industry.