Election official Sharon Diefendorf checks in a voter at the Gloversville Community Center during Tuesday’s primary elections, Tuesday.

Election official Sharon Diefendorf checks in a voter at the Gloversville Community Center during Tuesday’s primary elections, Tuesday. For the latest results, follow the QR code or visit https://www.leaderherald.com/news/govt_politics/.

Making their voices heard

Fort Plain senior Zach Briggs is the voice of the Hilltopper’s morning announcements.

PETER R. BARBER Fort Plain senior Zach Briggs Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

PETER R. BARBER Fort Plain senior Payton Landry on a poster across from the school Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Fort Plain seniors Zachary Briggs and Payton Landry on posters across from the school Tuesday.

From being the voice of the school for the past two years to playing three sports year-round, Zachary Briggs’ time at Fort Plain High School is defined by his determination.

After his predecessor graduated, Briggs was approached by former main office secretary Darcie Jenks, asking if he would be interested in taking over as the voice of the Hilltoppers on the morning announcements.

Briggs was both excited by the opportunity to inform his peers about what’s happening while putting his own spin on it, building his confidence and public speaking skills, and getting to co-announce with his friend Payton Landry at the end of the year.

”It’s enjoyable, I get to be the voice of the school,” he said. “I get to basically inform everybody about what’s going on. I can put my own spin on it sometimes, if I want to.”

“That was enjoyable because I got to do it with somebody I’m very good friends with, and it was an enjoyable experience,” he said.

Though he accomplished much in his high school career, it was not without challenges.

After being born two months’ premature, Briggs’ has gone through 13 surgeries throughout his life; however, in 7th grade, during a hearing and vision test, he learned something new. He couldn’t hear out of his left ear.

Throughout his time in high school, he had undergone approximately five surgeries to restore his hearing, some at Albany Medical Center, and some at Boston Children’s Hospital, where he had a cochlear implant put in during the last surgery during the summer going into his junior year.

However, the support of James Douglas made all the difference during this time.

“He helped me through a lot of that experience, like the hearing and basically everything. He’s been my rock and my best friend throughout high school, and so I probably couldn’t have done it without him,” Briggs said.

However, these surgeries did not prevent Briggs from having an active athletic career, playing baseball, basketball and soccer. Since age 4, he’s played all three sports and has valued the time afforded with his friends and the connections he’s built with people outside of his school.

On the soccer field, Briggs played as a right defensive back until after his first game senior year, when stomach pains led to his being diagnosed with appendicitis, leaving him off the field for several weeks.

“You know, life happens, the big man upstairs is not going to put you in a position that you’re not supposed to be in,” Briggs said. “Obviously, it worked out eventually, but it was a bummer.”

For both baseball and basketball, Briggs described himself as a “utility man,” always prepared to play any position and advise and help any younger players. At the end of his career, senior nights hold a special place in his heart.

“It kind of comes full circle,” Briggs said. “You get to see the experiences that shaped you, and you get to thank your friends and your coaches along the way. It’s a kind of look back and to see what it took to get there.”

However, his time as an athlete helped Briggs further determine his desired future in education. After assisting at retired coach Craig Phillips’ baseball camp in June 2024, he realized he wanted to educate elementary school students.

“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, I just didn’t know what age level,” he said.

When asked if that was the moment he knew what age level he wanted to teach on Tuesday, Briggs responded, “Oh yeah,” without hesitation.

To that end, Briggs will be attending Utica University in the fall to begin his studies like his cousin and sister before him.

“I probably coached 2,500 kids with basketball, baseball, and I coach football,” Phillips........

© The Leader Herald