BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has named Orleans County to the fall Dean’s List. Students honored on the Dean’s List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced the students from Orleans County who are among 225 named to President’s List. Students honored on the President’s List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
The following are from Orleans County on the President’s List:
OSWEGO – Four students from Orleans County have been named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego. These students have attained grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying at least 12 academic credits.
The students from Orleans County include:
Brandon X. Boyce, Medina, majoring in psychology
Miles W. Hartway, Medina, majoring in wellness management
Alex E. Stahl, Medina, majoring in operations management and information systems
Isabella R. Zasa, Knowlesville, majoring in public relations
CORTLAND – Four students from Orleans County are on the Dean’s List for the fall semester at SUNY Cortland. The Dean’s List is the highest ranking for undergraduate students in their respective academic areas of the university. Students must earn a minimum 3.3 grade point average for the semester to make the list.
The following from Orleans made the Dean’s List:
Paige Derisley of Waterport – Major: Physical Education K-12
Olivia Morrison of Albion – Major: Anthropology
Xander Payne of Medina – Major: Sport Management
Nathan Sherman of Medina – Major: Business Economics
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2025 at 10:34 am
A 2021 Medina High School is among the new graduates for the State Police Academy.
Jack Rutkowski, now of Pine Bush in Orange County, graduated last week from the academy.
Eric Miller of Medina also was in the class. Oliver Valenti of Akron also completed the 216th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The new State Troopers increases the State Police ranks to 5,034 sworn members.
Rutkowski was a Boy Scout in Troop 35 in Medina, and played on the school’s soccer and baseball teams.
AMES, IOWA – Zachary Fike of Medina has made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Iowa State University. Fike is a senior majoring in agronomy.
He is one of 11,500 Iowa State University students who have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the fall semester 2024 Dean’s List. Students named to the Dean’s List must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2025 at 8:40 am
Makenzie McGrath of Medina first recipient of the honor
Provided photo: Medina music teacher Kyla Leno-Denise, left, congratulates Makenzie McGrath on being awarded the Scholar Artist Award from the Orleans County Music Educators’ Association.
The Orleans County Music Educators’ Association has created a new honor to recognize and celebrate graduating music students who demonstrate commitment and leadership in their respective music programs, while also prioritizing academics and maintaining good grades.
Makenzie McGrath, a senior at Medina, is the first recipient of the award. She received it during Saturday’s All-County Music Festival in Kendall.
“It is the intention of OCMEA to make this a long-standing recognition for years to come,” said Zach Busch, president of the Music Educators’ Association and a band teacher at Holley.
His wife Andrea, a Medina music teacher and vice president of the OCMEA, pushed to create the award. Mrs. Busch presented it during Saturday’s concert.
County music teachers were asked to nominate students who met the following criteria: a GPA of 90.0 or above, active participate in their school’s music department, and leadership in their school district and/ or community.
Makenzie McGrath has a GPA of 98.28 and is a leader in her music department. She plays clarinet in the high school wind ensemble, tenor saxophone in jazz band, sings soprano in choir and is the drum major of the Mustang Marching Band. McGrath also is involved in Medina’s Winter Guard, and both theater and dance productions at her school and in her community. She plans on attending college next year to major in music education.
“Beyond her musical talent and leadership, what truly sets Makenzie apart is the kindness and thoughtfulness she shows to others,” said Medina music teacher Kyla Leno-Denise in nominating McGrath. “In every rehearsal, she is patient and understanding with peers, taking the time to offer constructive feedback and encouragement without ever seeking recognition. Her positive attitude and willingness to support others foster an environment of collaboration and mutual respect. Makenzie has an innate ability to make others feel comfortable and confident, which is an essential quality in a team-oriented setting like the music classroom.”
McGrath was one of four nominees this year. Other nominees included Logan Trillizio from Medina, who was nominated by Matthew Jaeger, high school band director at Medina; Mallory Kozody from Albion, who was nominated by Michael Thaine, high school band director at Albion; and Owen Schultz from Holley, who was nominated by Zach Busch, band director at Holley.
“I am so proud of Makenzie and all of the other students who continuously go above and beyond to make Orleans County an amazing place for music education,” said Andrea Busch. “All four of this year’s nominees are outstanding young men and women, and I cannot thank them for the positive impact they have made.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Makenzie McGrath, second from left, sings during the All-County Festival on Saturday at Kendall. She is next to Mallory Ashbery, left, and Madelyn Elliott, to the right of McGrath.
KENDALL – Kassidy Primmer from Kendall, assigned to the Company C of the NY National Guard Recruiting & Retention Battalion, received a promotion Jan. 30 to the rank of private.
Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.
Army National Guard citizen soldiers who serve the state and nation are eligible for monthly pay, educational benefits (from the state and federal government), travel across the globe, technical and leadership training, health and dental insurance and contributions towards retirement programs similar to a 401(k).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2025 at 1:40 pm
ALBANY – Eric Miller of Medina is among the 176 new State Troopers who were recognized in a graduation ceremony at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.
“I commend these 176 new troopers for dedicating themselves to public service, and their commitment to protecting the people of New York State,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The members of the New York State Police put their lives on the line each day to keep the rest of us safe — in a world where their mission has grown more challenging and complex. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the graduates for their hard work and perseverance — and welcome them to the long gray line.”
Miller graduated in the 216th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The new State Troopers increases the State Police ranks to 5,034 sworn members.
“Today’s graduation is the culmination of six months of difficult classwork, physical training, and sacrifice, and we now welcome our newest members to one of the most prestigious and well-respected law enforcement agencies in the nation,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “I am confident they are equipped to carry out our mission to serve our communities with the same professionalism and pride the State Police have exhibited for the past 107 years.”
CANANDAIGUA – Three students from Orleans County are among the 917 full- and part-time students named to the Dean’s List at Finger Lakes Community College for fall 2024.
To be named to the Dean’s List, students must complete 5 credits with a combined 3.5 grade point for the semester with no class withdrawals or incompletes.
BUFFALO – Buffalo State University is pleased to recognize the following students from Orleans County who have been named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List. In general, students who have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher qualify for the Buffalo State dean’s list.
The students from Orleans on the Dean’s List include:
Nicolina Creasey, Albion
India Green, Albion
Lorelei Sanders, Medina
Madison Williams, Medina
Buffalo State University is a State University of New York university located in Buffalo, New York, offering over 75 undergraduate majors, more than 60 graduate programs, as well as many minors and certificate programs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2025 at 8:45 am
The following students from Orleans County are being recognized for making the Dean’s List during the fall semester.
Two students from Orleans County – Drayven Oakes of Medina and Danielle Wyant of Albion – are on the Dean’s List at SUNY New Paltz, maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.3 while taking a full-time course load.
Two students from Orleans County made the Dean’s List at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio.
Leah Kania of Albion is majoring in voice performance, and Kayleigh Neale of Holley is majoring in early childhood education.
To be eligible for the Dean’s List at Baldwin Wallace, students need a GPA of 3.8 or higher while being enrolled in 12 or more graded hours during the semester.
Samantha Rotoli of Holley made the Dean’s List at University of Maryland Global Campus. To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC.
Nathan Stefanini from Albion, who is assigned to the Company D in the 427th Brigade Support Battalion, received a promotion Dec. 19 to the rank of private 1st class.
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the promotion today.
Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.
The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state’s executive agency responsible to the governor for managing New York’s military forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2025 at 2:47 pm
The University at Buffalo has named 4,330 students to the fall 2024 Dean’s List including several from Orleans County.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must demonstrate academic excellence by earning a grade point average of at least 3.600 while completing a minimum of 15 or more UB credit hours, of which 12 are graded (A-F) credits.
The following from Orleans County are on the fall Dean’s List:
Amaya Cancino of Holley
Allison Lyndaker of Holley
Jylees Bermudez of Albion
S’koi Sanders of Albion
Brookelyn Nawotka of Medina
Jaxon Phillips of Medina
Hilda Santiago Bautista of Medina
Daniel Barry of Lyndonville
Nathan Dillenbeck of Lyndonville, New York.
Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville, New York.
Nazareth University in Rochester also announced Orleans County students on the Dean’s List with a GPA or at least 3.5.
The following from Orleans County made the list:
Joseph Nettles of Holley
Hailey Crawford of Albion
Tyana Burroughs of Kendall
Raine Baker of Lyndonville
Jacksonville State University in Alabama announced that Seagan Majchrzak of Medina made the Dean’s List for the fall with a GPA between 3.5-3.99.
ALFRED – The fall 2024 Dean’s List features 804 Alfred State College students, including several from Orleans County. To be named to the Dean’s List, students had to take a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work and earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.
For the most recent semester, 142 of the students on the Dean’s List achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA. Students represented five different countries, 15 different states, and 57 different New York counties.
The following students from Orleans County were named to the 2024 fall dean’s list:
Julia Buck: Holley graduate, Financial Planning
Lorelei Dillenbeck: Lyndonville graduate, Diagnostic Medical Sonography
James Salvatore: Albion graduate, Motorsports Technology
Jacob Wilson: Lyndonville graduate, Elec Cons & Maintenance Electrician
“I am proud of the hard work that our students consistently display in the classroom and labs,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Carrie Cokely, PhD. “Congratulations on this accomplishment and I encourage you to continue to strive for academic excellence.”
Other college and university achievers include:
Lillian Wilson of Medina named a Presidential Scholar at Clarkson
POTSDAM – Lillian Wilson of Medina who has been named a Presidential Scholar at Clarkson University in Potsdam.
Wilson is a sophomore majoring in biology. Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.
Carola Boza-Meade of Holley earns Dean’s List honors at SUNY Canton
CANTON – Carola T. Boza-Meade, a SUNY Canton Forensic Criminology major from Holley, earned Dean’s List honors during the fall 2024 semester.
Dean’s List recognizes full-time students who earned a GPA between 3.25 and 3.74.
