Christine Reilly, a 1991 graduate of the Westmoreland Central School District, spoke with the media productions class about her journey to becoming a Captain at the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

Reilly, who began her law enforcement career 32 years ago, shared that this path wasn’t always part of her plan. “I was actually thinking about physical therapy, but quite honestly, I wasn’t really thinking of the future,” she told Westmoreland senior Mackenzie Hayes. Despite the unplanned start, Reilly has achieved a level of success she never imagined.

As Captain, she now supervises the entire patrol division, monitors calls, handles personnel complaints, and oversees accreditations and policy development. “I’m doing kind of a lot of different stuff here and wearing a lot of different hats,” she explained.

Reflecting on her time at Westmoreland, Reilly described it as a community that has grown significantly over the years. As a student, she was deeply involved in athletics, playing basketball, running cross country, and serving as captain of the track team.

To students uncertain about their future, Reilly offered this advice: “Try and do a ride-along or get up to the sheriff’s office and kind of see what it’s really all about. Talk to some people—they can guide you.”

A big thank you to Captain Reilly for sharing her time, experience, and insight with the media productions class!

Darryl Yaddaw, a 1991 graduate of Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School, recently reflected on his high school experience and how it helped launch his career in aviation. In an interview with Media Productions student Mackenzie Hayes, Yaddaw shared his journey from the halls of Westmoreland to the skies above the U.S.

After high school, Yaddaw attended Mohawk Valley Community College before transferring to SUNY Oswego, where he earned a degree in marketing. But his true passion had always been flying. "I knew ever since my pre-teen years that I wanted to be a pilot," he said. After college, he entered the workforce and began taking flying lessons.

Today, Yaddaw is a flight captain for JetBlue Airways. His schedule varies depending on his assigned flights. “We could be getting up at 3 a.m. to head to work or at 5:00 in the afternoon,” he explained. Regardless of the time, he arrives at least an hour before departure to meet his flight crew and review important flight information. Together, the team performs safety inspections and prepares the aircraft for takeoff.

Over the years, Yaddaw has flown to numerous cities across the United States, but one destination remains a favorite. “Washington, D.C. has so many things to do, and so much of it is free—from the Air and Space Museum to the Smithsonian,” he shared.

During his time at Westmoreland, Yaddaw was actively involved in sports, participating in football, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. He encourages students to start pursuing their interests early. “Talk to as many people as you can in the field, go down to the airport and just get involved with it—saturate yourself with it,” he advised.

Thank you, Darryl Yaddaw, for sharing your story and providing insight into the exciting world of aviation!