Anisa Cecunjanin

LAKE PLACID — Who will be Lake Placid High School’s 2025 Winter Carnival king and queen?

The school announced the candidates for king and queen on Thursday, Jan. 23, two weeks before the start of Winter Carnival, which is scheduled for Feb. 6 and 7.

The candidates — who teachers and students will vote on — are Brooke Beaney, Anisa Cecunjanin, Norah Galvin, Abbey Light, Levi Barney, Aidan Fay, Owen Hayes and Parker Scanio.

The opening ceremony will be held on Feb. 6 during school hours. Coronation will be at 6 p.m. that evening in the gymnasium. This year’s Winter Carnival theme is “Country Western.”

Patti McConvey will serve as the 2025 LPHS Winter Carnival archbishop.

Parker Scanio

— Brooke Beaney is the daughter of Michael and Michelle Beaney of Lake Placid, and sister of Briar. Brooke is the captain of the varsity volleyball team and a member of the varsity softball team. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Varsity Club, serves as vice president of the Interact Club and is senior class secretary. She enjoys watching Grey’s Anatomy, shopping, working out, skiing and spending time with family and friends. She works part-time at Ben & Jerry’s. Brooke’s Capstone Project focuses on an effort to decrease plastic waste in the athletic department. In collaboration with the Wild Center, she applied for and received a $500 grant from the ADK Youth Climate Program to fund eco-friendly water bottles for LPHS’s Varsity athletes. Brooke plans to attend college with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner with a specialty in pediatrics. She is most thankful for the endless support she receives from her parents, sister and grandfather (Pippy) in everything that she does, and for her friends and classmates who have helped shape her into who she is today. Lastly, she is thankful for this community and all the love that it has shown her throughout her childhood. She will always cherish the memories from the small town of Lake Placid. Being lucky enough to grow up in the Olympic Village, she was a member of the Lake Placid Figure Skating Club, competing for many years in figure skating and was a member of the Synchronized Skating team. In 2018, she competed in the Empire State Winter Games where she won her first gold medal with her family and friends proudly watching and cheering her on, an experience that she says she will carry with her forever.

— Anisa Cecunjanin is the daughter of Zufer and Meliha Cecunjanin of Lake Placid, and is the younger sister of brothers Adnan, Haris and Eris. Anisa is the captain of the varsity basketball team, captain of the varsity soccer team and a member of the varsity softball team. She is a member of the National Honor Society, president of Interact Club, Varsity Club and is the senior class president. She enjoys shopping, eating, working out, going to Lisa G’s with her friends and making people laugh. She works at her family businesses as a waitress. For Anisa’s Capstone Project, titled “My Life in Soccer,” she worked with the LPYAA and organized the “Kicking with Leukemia” soccer tournament to honor her brother who passed away from leukemia. Through the tournament, she raised almost $5,000 for cancer research. She chose to use the LPYAA Program as that was the program that helped her discover her love for soccer and she wanted to pay it forward. She also worked with Stuart Hemsley to learn the basics of coaching youth soccer. Anisa plans to attend college for pre-medicine or nursing to fulfill her dream of working in pediatrics. She is most thankful for the life she was given by her hard-working and devoted parents who helped build her resilience and work ethic. She is thankful to have her best friends who make life easier, and have supplied her with endless laughs. She is also thankful for the community around her and the Lake Placid Central School, full of amazing adults and students who influenced her to be the person she is today. She is most proud of her big heart and who she is as a person.

— Norah Galvin is the daughter of Marc and Sarah Galvin of Lake Placid. Her family includes her grandparents Nancy and Chris Beattie and her dog Fern and her cat Shadow. She is the captain of the varsity volleyball team and also competes in Nordic skiing and SLP Lacrosse. She is a member of the National Honor Society, performs in the LPHS Musical, serves as senior class treasurer and is a member of the Section VII SAAC. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Taylor Swift, coloring, painting, baking and babysitting. Norah’s Capstone Project is titled “Better the Ball.” Through it, she hopes to grow the volleyball program in Lake Placid by hosting volleyball tournaments throughout the year, as well as hosting summer clinics. Her goal is to raise enough money to send a younger player to volleyball camp in 2025. Norah plans to attend college for psychology while playing volleyball. Her focus will be sports psychology and coaching. She is most thankful for the endless opportunities the Lake Placid community provides. She feels everyone is so giving and makes it possible for everyone to dream big and achieve their dreams. She is most proud of completing the Adirondack 46er challenge on her 14th birthday. She wanted to complete the challenge since the age of 5, and found herself happiest while in the woods. She hiked a majority of the mountains with her dad and dog, Fern, learning invaluable lessons on every hiking trip. She recognizes that taking on this challenge was no small feat and required an immense amount of time and energy, making memories that will last a lifetime.

— Abbey Light is the daughter of Peter and Shelley Light of Jay, and sister of Tyler. Abbey is the vice president of the Blue Bomber Weekly News, a member of the LPHS Drama Club and the National Honor Society. She has also served in the student council for the last four years. She is the captain of the varsity soccer, basketball and softball teams. Abbey enjoys participating in school sports, spending time outside, reading and spending time with friends. She works part time at the Adirondack Popcorn Company. For Abbey’s Capstone Project, she will be organizing and hosting “Run to Remember,” a run/walk to raise money and awareness for those suffering with Alzheimer’s. All of the proceeds will go to Elderwood’s memory care unit to help supply needed items. Her future plans include attending college, continuing to play sports and join clubs wherever she goes. Abbey is most thankful for all of the people around her, and for growing up in this area, where she learned to appreciate the little things in life, such as the natural beauty in our many mountains, sunsets and stars. She is thankful for her parents who always support her and ensure she has everything she needs to be successful, her brother for always being there and her friends and teammates for always making her laugh. Abbey’s high school soccer career is a special source of pride. Throughout her four years on the varsity soccer team, the players learned to play together with trust and family-like camaraderie as they built their skills as a team. During her senior season this past fall, the team won their first game in two years because of all the hard work they had put in for several years prior, making it to the semi-finals. More important than wins and losses, though, Abbey is proudest of her contribution to the positive team atmosphere and hopes it will continue for years to come.

— Levi Barney is the son of Matthew Barney and Jennifer Payton of Lake Placid and the grandson of Lawrence and Madonna Barney. His family includes his siblings, Keegan, Payton, Eliza, Griffin, Maezie and Abel. Levi is a member of Interact Club, Drama Club and Select Ensemble. He enjoys singing, hanging out with his friends and shopping. Levi works part time at Ben & Jerry’s. For Levi’s Capstone Project he is shadowing Mrs. Sandy Huber to learn the art of photography. He is shadowing her during bookings and learning how to capture the best photo. His goal is to become more comfortable with a camera. Levi’s future plans include becoming a music teacher and working with children. He is most thankful for his friends and family. Levi is excited for his recent casting in the upcoming school performance of Cinderella. He has been cast as Prince Charming (named Topher). It has helped boost his confidence and push him in the right direction.

Norah Galvin

— Aidan Fay is the son of John and Suzann Fay of Lake Placid. Aidan is vice president of National Honor Society and president of Environmental Club. He is also a member of band, jazz band, chorus and select chorus. He is captain of the cross country team, as well as competing in Nordic skiing and track and field. When he has free time, Aidan enjoys running, skiing, playing the guitar and trumpet, listening to Bob Dylan, biking, hiking, eating and sleeping. For Aidan’s Capstone Project, he started a thrice-weekly run club over the summer to help his cross country teammates get some miles in for greater success during the season and build team camaraderie. He mainly focused on easy, foundational running mileage. After graduation, he will be attending St. Lawrence University to major in engineering and will continue his running career at the Division III level. Aidan is most thankful for his friends, family, coaches, teachers and all of the incredible athletic and academic opportunities he’s been given over the years. He is most proud of qualifying for Nordic skiing Junior Nationals last winter after only skiing for three years. He feels this achievement is a true testament to all of the support he’s received with Nordic and all of his sports through middle and high school.

— Owen Hayes is the son of Dale and Jennifer Hayes of Lake Placid. His family includes his brothers Chase and Colin and his sister, Aubrey. Owen is the captain of the varsity basketball team and competes on the varsity golf team. He is a member of the National Honor Society. Owen works part time as a Zamboni driver at the Olympic Center and in his free time enjoys golfing, playing basketball and video games. For Owen’s Capstone Project, he hosted “Hoops for Hope” basketball tournaments, raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Owen’s future plans include attending college to major in psychology and eventually obtain his PhD to become a forensic psychologist. He is most thankful for his family and friends that support him no matter what. Owen is most proud of becoming captain for the school basketball team because he worked hard for many years to achieve that goal.

— Parker Scanio is the son of Mark and Kristen Scanio of Lake Placid. His family includes his brothers Andrew and Will and dogs Cocoa and Quincy. Parker is the president of the Blue Bomber Weekly News, senior patrol leader of Boy Scouts, Drama Club treasurer and a member of National Honor Society. He competes in Nordic skiing and is on the varsity tennis team. Parker works part time at the Palace Theater. When he has free time, Parker enjoys theater, vocal and instrumental music, cooking, volleyball and sometimes knitting. For Parker’s Capstone Project, he directed and produced Pinocchio the Musical with 30 students from grades three through six. Parker’s future plans include becoming a professional performer and entertainer on Broadway or becoming a member of a national touring company. He is most thankful for his friends and family and their support in every endeavor he undertakes. Parker is most proud of receiving the Kate Smith Award last year as a junior; this award recognizes a student who has demonstrated excellence in vocal and/or instrumental music.

Abbey Light

Aidan Fay

Brooke Beaney

Owen Hayes

Levi Barney