• Windsor, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Despite what Ashley Kamp says, there isn't much more she can do in her high school career. The Windsor senior helped the softball team win their second state title in three years, and she's the Class of 2013's Valedictorian. That's quite a resume to boast. "My dad, ever since I was little, he always said, word-for-word, there's no substitute for hard word," said Kamp. "So I always did my best, and if I wasn't going to do my best, I just wouldn't bother." That hard work has certainly paid off for Kamp. She has an 100.7 grade average, and on the softball diamond was the Black Knights clean-up hitter this season. However, she points towards some of the girl's that came before her as people that drove her to succeed. "When I was younger, I always had girls to look up to, so I could always say I want to be like them," she said. "Then as I kind of got older, the roles switched, but it has kind of always given me the opportunity to be the best that I could here." There's no softball in Kamp's future, instead she's off to the University of Pittsburgh to study pharmacy. She believes it's the chance to take her school work to another level. "There's so much opportunity for me there, and that's what I wanted in a college," Kamp explained. "I wanted the opportunity to grow as a person and I really wanted to go into research, and that's really big down there." A two-time state champion and now valedictorian, both reasons why Ashley Kamp is this week's Academic All-Star.

  • Academic All-Star: Tomasina Leska

    Vestal, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Lacrosse runs in the family for Vestal sophomore Tomasina Leska. Her uncle was the captain at division 1 Hobart. Leska, herself, started playing in 6th grade.

  • Academic All-Star: Cody DeOrdio

    Town of Chenango, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Chenango Forks senior Cody DeOrdio is a self proclaimed sports fanatic. The two sport varsity athlete says his favorite sport is lacrosse, which he has been playing since he was 5 years old.

  • Academic All-Star: Zach Nefaris

    Johnson City, NY (WBNG Binghamton) For J-C senior Zach Nefaris, his learning style is certainly similar to how he plays the game of lacrosse. He's defender that isn't shy of handling the ball or scoring a goal.

  • Academic All-Star: Carter Austin

    Town of Union, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Maine-Endwell senior Carter Austin started his baseball career as a little boy, playing wiffle ball in the backyard with his father.

  • Academic All-Star: Nicole Keefe

    Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Being the youngest of four siblings, Nicole Keefe had some big shoes to fill being the 4th Seton Catholic Central Saint in her family.

  • Academic All-Star: Jasmine Howard

    Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Jasmine Howard makes for one very happy track coach. That is because of her will to do her best, both on the track and in other parts of life.

  • Academic All-Star: Morgan Cluck

    Johnson City, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Johnson City junior Morgan Cluck seems to have put together academics and athletics with ease.

  • Academic All-Star: Pat Norris

    Town of Fenton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Chenango Valley senior Pat Norris is definitely a well-rounded guy. He's one of the leading scorers on the basketball team, though he isn't one of the biggest names.

  • Rachel Merrill - Academic All-Star

    Owego, NY (WBNG Binghamton) The love of basketball runs in her family. And she definitely stands out on the basketball court. Off the court, she stands out as well, carrying a high 90s average in the classroom.

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