Elizabeth R. McAnarney, MD, received the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2008. A graduate of the class of 1958, Dr. McAnarney has attained national and international recognition and eminence as a leader in the field of adolescent medicine.  She earned degrees at Vassar College and The State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York.  Her distinguished career and service to community includes serving as Director of Adolescent Medicine, fellowship director for 22 fellows, and Chair of Pediatrics and Pediatrician-in-Chief at the Golisano Children’s Hospital, an affiliate of Strong Memorial Hospital.  She is past President of numerous associations and academies dealing with adolescent and pediatric medicines as well as having served on local and national advisory boards.  Dr. McAnarney is the author or co-author of nearly one hundred fifty papers and chapters and is chief editor of the Textbook of Adolescent Medicine.  On behalf of the Association, Peggy thanked Dr. McAnarney for remembering her home town roots and extended well wishes and continued success to her as a distinguished honoree and past Watkins Glen High School graduate.

2008 Distinguished Alumni recipient Elizabeth R. McAnarney
2007 Distinguished Alumni recipient - Mary Freer
Mary Freer, the alumni 2007 honoree, distinguished herself by being the first and only graduate of Watkins Glen High School in 1883.  Following graduation and marriage she moved to Cripple Creek, Colorado during the era of the “wild, wild west”.  In addition to being a gold prospector, along with her husband, she had an interest in education.  She was instrumental in furthering educational resources in the territory, as well as having served on the Library Board of Cripple Creek for most of her life.  She also developed a great reputation for her artistic talents.  This woman of character and fortitude well deserves the recognition and honor afforded her by the Association named after the high school from which she graduated so many years ago.
The Alumni Association honored two graduates with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009.  Dr. Thomas Jack Love, Class of 1939, was inducted in the field of Community Service.  A well known and respected local veterinarian, “Doc” as he was affectionately known served on several boards and ad hoc committees throughout his lifetime.  However, his induction as “distinguished” was primarily for his combined total of eighteen years that he served on the Watkins Glen School District Board of Education.  His widow, Margie Love. also a graduate of the Class of 1939, accepted the award on his behalf.

David F. Bartone, Class of 1964, was inducted in the field of Business.  David is currently President and CEO Emeritus and Executive Consultant for the Corning Credit Union.  He began his career in 1965 and served as its President and CEO from 1979-2004.  During his tenure assets grew from $35 million to $870 million and membership grew from 28,000 to 85,000.  He led the organization through twenty-five consecutive years of growth and created core standards and a philosophy which are still utilized today.  He is listed as one of the Cardwell Top 100 President and CEO’s of the country and was named the #1 President and CEO in the country by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions in 2003.

Henry J. Sgrecci, Doctor of Musical Arts, was honored as the 2010 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Watkins Glen High School Alumni Association.  He was recognized in the Field of Music.

He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and his Master’s in Trumpet Performance and his Doctorate in Conducting from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

•From 1974-78 and 1981-2004, he was the trumpeter and premier bugler for the United States Army Band.
•He performed in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Interlochen Center for the Arts, and in White House Medal of Honor Ceremonies.
•He was lauded for exemplary performances of Taps during nationally televised Memorial Day ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery, hosted by Presidents Bush and Clinton.
•In 1991 he was invited by the Band of the Queen’s Household Welsh Guard to perform Taps at Wembley Arena in London in a special concert benefiting the British Red Cross, in the presence of Princess Diana.
•In April and May of 2004 he was interviewed as U.S. Army’s Premier Bugler on ABC World News Tonight and with Bob Edwards Morning Edition Radio.
•He was the director of The Bells of Blessed Sacrament handbell choir that was the only handbell choir invited to participate in the historic Papal Mass at Washington National Baseball Stadium in 2008.
•He was awarded one of the military’s highest awards, the Legion of Merit, upon his retirement in 2004.  “Sergeant Major Sgrecci’s outstanding musicianship and superior record of achievement contributed immensely to the performances and professionalism of “Pershing’s Own”.
•He volunteered to assist with a youth orchestra in 2002 and has continued as a coach and associate director.  The Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra is an advanced orchestra that performs the same music as a major symphony. 
•He has returned several times to perform and participate at masses at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church.  He was a guest soloist and conductor at the Watkins Glen High School Spring Band Concert in 2004.

Currently, Henry is the Director of Music at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church.

A plaque honoring Henry will be displayed on the “Distinguished Alumni Wall” at the Watkins Glen High School.  A notebook with a photograph and biographical sketch will be kept at the high school, the public library, and the historical society.

2010 Distinguished Alumni recipient Henry J. Sgrecci