News release from Jason Smith:
The Elba Central School Class of 2011 was honored to welcome Lt. Col. Paul Birch and 1992 Elba graduate as their guest speaker for the Sixth Annual Top Ten Dinner on June 6.
The event is held annually for the top 10 graduating students from Elba and their families to recognize their academic achievements.
Lt. Col. Birch was the guest speaker and shared with the students the importance of staying true to their values and never forgetting their hometown roots in Elba.
In his speech, he encouraged the students to apply all they learned and use their small-town values as an advantage in life.
The Elba Student Council graciously sponsored the event.
Principal Jason Smith awarded each student an honor pin in recognition of their top 10 status.
Lt. Col. Birch is an evaluator pilot with more than 1,200 combined hours in the F-15SE and was promoted to the rank of Lt. Col. on March 1, 2010.
His military decorations include the Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Medal.
On June 1, Lt. Col Birch took command of the 4th Operation Support Squadron.
Past speakers at the annual banquet have included Maureen Torrey-Marshall, Dorothy Coughlin, Samuel Giansante, Colleen Contant and Charles Zambito.
The top 10 students this year (second row, from left): Jarad Kogut, Phil Casper, Lt. Col. Paul Birch; (first row, from left) Elizabeth White, Jenna Bird, Kelsey Scott, Crosby Lamont, Molly Geissler, Jessica Pcionek, Ashley Crnkovich. Megan Schwartzmeyer was absent.
Below, with Paul Birch and Jason Smith, is Class of 2011 President Phil Casper.
