Corning, N.Y., June 26--State Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) and Sara Lattin, Chief of Staff for State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) recently joined the Corning-Painted Post school community to pay tribute to several of the school’s 2024 and 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) champions.

Palmesano and Lattin visited the CPP High School on Friday, June 20, to join athletes and coaches, and school administrators and staff for a ceremony in the school cafeteria to present official Legislative Resolutions honoring the state titles (see the attached photo from left to right: Assistant Track Coach Joe Melanson, Softball Coach Mike Johnston, Principal Robin Sheehan, Athletic Director Rebecca Gentile, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Superintendent Michelle Caulfield, and Sen. O’Mara Chief of Staff Sara Lattin).

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “The Corning-Painted Post school district has a long and proud history of athletic excellence, competition, and achievement. We appreciate this opportunity to congratulate and pay tribute to some of the school’s state champions throughout the past year. It’s an opportunity to recognize and honor the dedication, excellence, hard work, and success of the remarkable student-athletes who help our school communities stand out. They represent inspiring stories and stand as a source of enormous pride to the entire Corning-Painted Post school district, as well as to their families and friends, the community at large, and our entire region.”

The following state champions were recognized:

• Taylor Farrell, who won the Girls 1-mile Race Walk National Championship at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals on June 15, 2024;
• Cella McLaughlin, who captured the NYSPHSAA Championship in the Girls 55-meter Hurdles on March 8, 2025; and the
• Varsity Girls Softball team for winning the first-ever NYSPHSAA Class AAA championship on June 8, 2024, at Martha Avenue Recreational Park in Brookhaven, New York. The resolution honors Coach Mike Johnson and team members Madeline Payne, Kendall Curreri, Sophie Schoonover, Lauren DeRosa, Sophia Polzella, Jade Cook, Daphne Sherman, Kayleigh Sparks, Mattisen Johnston, Hayden Robertson, Emelia Smith, Peyton Sullivan, Hannah Kauffman, Mia Madden, Caitlyn Harrison, Lauren Mahon, and Sydney Layton.

CPP Superintendent of Schools Michelle Caulfield said, “I would like to thank Assemblyman Palmesano and Senator O’Mara for their constant support of the school districts in the Southern Tier and specifically in Hawk Nation. Thank you for honoring and recognizing our student-athletes and their coaches for their tireless hard work, determination, and success on and off the track and playing fields."

CPP Director of Athletics Rebecca Gentile said, “We are incredibly proud to celebrate our state champions from last school year, as well as this school year. The accomplishments of our student-athletes and coaches are a true reflection of their hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence. We’re especially grateful to Assemblyman Palmesano and Senator O’Mara for their continued support and for taking the time to recognize and honor the achievements of our Corning Hawks.”

CPP Boys and Girls Indoor Track and Field, and Cross-Country Head Coach Ray Lawson said, “With her time of 8.03 seconds, Cella McLaughlin was the NYS Indoor Track and Field Public School Champion in the 55m Hurdles. This time set a new school and Section 4 record in the event and qualified her for New Balance Indoor Nationals for the 60-meter hurdles where she set a new personal best of 8.99 seconds. This past weekend Cella earned her second state championship in the 100-meter hurdles at the NYS Outdoor Track State Meet. With her time of 7 minutes, 7.31 seconds, Taylor Farrell won a National Title in the 1- mile race walk at New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in June 2024. Her time was a school and Section 4 record and ranks her top 5 in New York State all time for the race walk and was the New Balance Meet record. Taylor had previously been a state and national champion in the race walk in her 2023 indoor track season.”

CPP Softball Head Coach Mike Johnston said, “Great group of players and coaches. The kids went to work after the previous season and were on a mission to win the State Championship in 2024. After winning the NYSPHSAA Class AA State Championship in 2019, Corning was bumped to Class AAA. Not to be deterred, the program went on to win the inaugural Class AAA State Championship in 2024. An amazing feeling, accomplishment, and memories that will last a lifetime. That's two state championships in four years because Covid canceled the State tournament in 2020 and 2021. The 2019 team put Corning-Painted Post Softball on the map. The 2024 team picked up the torch and ran with it. That success has continued as Corning-Painted Post Softball reached the NYSPHSAA Final Four in 2025. A great nucleus returns in 2026 and the expectation is to make a run in the State Tournament moving forward."