Julia Holcomb (2025)

2025 Outstanding Graduate Award Winner

A lifelong resident of the Goose Hill neighborhood, Julia Holcomb's family resided in Yates Village before her family eventually bought a home on Avenue B. Family has always served as the cornerstone of Julia's life. Julia, along with her five sisters and two brothers, graduated from Linton High School in 1971. After graduating, she left Schenectady to attend college at John F. Kennedy College, in Nebraska. She intended on playing basketball and majoring in Physical Education, but never played basketball and ended up as a history major. Julia ended up getting her BA from Gordon College, and then her MA from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Upon graduating in the post-Vietnam era, Julia enlisted in the United States Air Force. She was stationed several places within the United States, and then was deployed overseas as a member of General Norman Schwarzkopf's staff during Operation Desert Storm.

Retiring with the rank of Major in 1995, Julia entered a program called Troops to Teachers which was aimed at filling the growing teacher shortage. After four years in Baltimore, she returned home when she secured a job at Schenectady High School, fittingly as a Social Studies Teacher. Julia sponsored several clubs and activities, and could always be counted on to chaperone events - especially if a student asked her. Julia also became involved in a program called People to People Student Ambassadors where she annually took groups of teens all over the world on cultural exchanges. 

Living in the neighborhood she grew up in, she became an active member and founder of the Goose Hill Neighborhood Association. Julia also became involved with many other civic organizations and took on leadership roles, most of which she is still active in today. Some of these organizations include: Vale Cemetery, The Schenectady County League of Women Voters, the NAACP, The Schenectady Police Citizens Review Board, Clifton Park Elks, and First Presbyterian Church in the Stockade.

Upon retirement from the Schenectady City School District in 2020, Julia began substitute teaching on an almost daily basis at Yates Elementary School. She serves as a role model in the school and neighborhood where she grew up. When she is not with family, subbing, or volunteering, Julia continues to travel the world.

It is our pleasure to award the Schenectady City School District Educational Foundation’s Crystal Apple Award for Outstanding Graduate to Julia Holcomb.