Qasim Huzair is third in his family to win the singing title

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Qasim Huzair, 20, of Lyndonville sings “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses. Huzair won the karaoke competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Thursday, earning $500 for first place.

Huzair has been performing at karaoke at the fair for about a decade. He usually sings songs from musicals. He qualified for the finals with “Corner of the Sky” from Pippin.

“I just wanted to have fun and have fun with the audience,” he said about changing to a hard rocker for the finals.

Huzair said it was humbling to win because all of the 15 singers in the finals put on a good show.

Huzair is the third person in his family to win the karoke title. His sister Tamara and brother Ayman also won the crown.

Qasim’s sister Leylah and brother Amir also performed in the finals on Thursday. About 500 people watched the event.

Qasim is a music education student at Roberts Wesleyan College.

The top five at the karaoke finals are shown on Thursday after the top performers were announced by six judges. From left include Qasim Huzair of Lyndonville, first ($500 prize); Gideon Pask of Barre, second ($250 prize); Greg Stanton of Medina, third ($125); Olivia Manfredi of Kendall, fourth ($75); and Samual Robinson of Albion, fifth ($50).

(Left) Brilyn Rebisz, 19, of Bergen sings “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert, while Brilyn’s mother, Joceyln Rebisz of Bergen, performs “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

Evan Steier of Albion, an elementary teacher at Albion, sings “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood.

Carrie Clay of Albion sings “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Andy Remillard sings “Bed Of Roses” by Bon Jovi.

Greg Stanton sings “Call Me The Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd during the karaoke finals. Stanton, 69, is a retired signmaker. He is part of a band, Stanton, that is making its debut this year at many local concert series. They band will be performing Monday evening at the Yates Community Library.

Stanton came in third in the karaoke competition. He is shown interacting with the crowd, trying to get people up and dancing.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Stanton said about performing. “I should have done this 40 years ago.”

Gideon Pask, 16, of Barre proved a crowd favorite with his deep bass voice singing “The Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash.

Samuel Robinson of Albion performers “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, and Phoebe Allen of Albion sings “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks.

Press Release, Dance Theater

MEDINA – A team of 23 students from the Dance Theater in Medina recently attended “The Power of Dance” East Coast Nationals Dance Competition in Seaside Heights, N.J. and returned home as National Grand Champions!

Their full team production entitled “Hot Like Fire” took home the highest overall score of the 12 and Under “You’ve Got The Power” Dance Battle. The team brought home the National Grand Championship trophy!

Dance Theater not only had their full team production dance selected for the battle,  but also their Pre-Competition Team Jazz number “Hip to be Square” and their Mini Competition Team Jazz number entitled “In His Kiss.”

The Dance Theater competition teams competed against 325 other dance entries from 13 other studios from across the east coast.

The Dance Theater competition teams have dancers from across Orleans, Niagara and Genesee counties including Gracie Brower,  Elaina Bruce, Sydney Bruce, Jailyn Cramer, Rayne Davis, Aubrey Fletcher, Sierra Frasier, Alexis Hare, Elissa Lainberger,  Olivia Maynard, Charlotte McGrath, Emma McGrath, Makenzie McGrath, Hailey Moore, Izabella Murphy, Kirsten Page, Natalie Rath, Mila Rodriguez, Gracie Tardibone, Abby Vick, Carly Voelker, Baylie Watson and Arabella White.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its Employees of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.

Employees are nominated by their peers and a committee selects an awardee in each of these categories: Administrator, Clerical, Continuing Education, Custodial/Maintenance, Staff Specialist, Substitute, Teacher Aide and Teacher.

Melanie Conley is the Administrator of the Year. Conley is the Director of Business Services and has worked at O/N BOCES for seven and a half years.

When asked what her favorite part of her job she answered, “As I thoroughly love what I do, it is difficult to narrow it down to one particular aspect. My favorite part is leading the business office, facilities, technology and print shop operations and knowing that all of these functions play a critical role in our students’ obtaining a first-rate education. Another favorite part of my job includes being a resource for our component school districts when they may have a need or question in which they may be looking for direction. I also love the good people and the relationships that I have been able to establish with our Orleans/Niagara BOCES and component district staff! We have great people working hard every day to give our area students the best educational opportunities possible.”

Conley adds that she is humbled and honored by the recognition.

Kristen Strassburg is the Clerical Person of the Year. A school nurse at the Niagara Academy, she has worked at that site for the past 20 years.

“I love working with the kids and the staff,” Strassburg said. “I have made some fantastic connections with many of them and have made lifelong friends at the school. There is something so special and magical about the Niagara Academy and I love how we work together as a team to help these students achieve their goals.”

She said she is honored at being named an employee of the year. “I believe I am the first school nurse to win in this category. I work with such an amazing group of school nurses, so I hope I am the first of many to win. They are truly the best and I look forward to our staff development day once a year. It is really the best day of the school year for me.”

Katie Carlisle-Diemert is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She has worked as an Adult Literacy teacher in the incarceration program at Niagara County Jail since 2013.  “I worked in the business world for a long time before I came to work for BOCES,” she said. “The satisfaction of going home each day having helped another person change their life for the better is very powerful. It is like nothing you can get from corporate America.  Watching people and helping people to make positive life change is my favorite part of my job.”

She said she is surprised and thankful about the honor.  “I never expected to win this. I am appreciative that my colleagues have noticed the effort I put into my work and that they believe I make a difference.”

Colleen Bronschidle is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. She has been a custodian worker at the Niagara Academy since 2005. Before that she ran the school’s kitchen for five years and was eventually hired by BOCES in 2010.

“I started out as a teacher aide and substitute cleaner,” she said. “I then went on to a full-time cleaner than custodian at the Niagara Academy. My favorite part of the job is the people I work with every day. They are like extended family to me. I was shocked to receive Employee of the Year. I am very proud of my job and I love the atmosphere at Niagara Academy. I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity and let them know I appreciate it very much.”

Sheldon Somas is the Staff Specialist of the Year. Sheldon has worked at BOCES for ten years. He was shocked and surprised that he won Employee of the Year. “The best part of my job is working with my co-workers in the Tech Department.”

Mary Kuhn is the Teacher of the Year. She is a music educator with the special education students and has taught at BOCES since October 1996.

“The most enjoyable aspect of my job is connecting with my students through different elements of music,” Kuhn said. “They are amazing, and teaching them something I am passionate about if truly awarding. I must acknowledge the incredible support from the staff who work alongside me in guiding our students. Without the dedicated aides and personal care aides, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Antonia Newell is the Teacher Aide of the Year.  She has worked at BOCES for 17 years.  “I absolutely love my job, coworkers and students! I am so humbled to be chosen for this and so excited. I am very thankful!”

Deborah MacIver was named the Substitute of the Year. MacIver worked as a teacher aide with O/N BOCES since 2016. When she retired in 2023, she started substituting for the organization.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

These GCC faculty or staff honored with Chancellor’s Awards include, from left: Karlyn Backus, Amy Conley and Richard Schlesinger.

BATAVIA – Seven exceptional members of the Genesee Community College team have been recognized by the State University of New York for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community.

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

The following faculty and staff members earned a SUNY Chancellor Award for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Richard A. Schlesinger was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. This award recognizes consistent superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.

Dr. Schlesinger has been a member of our college’s communication faculty since 2016 and has taught a variety of courses including Interpersonal Communications, Speech, First Year Experience, Career Explorations, and Argue and Debate. Communication courses go well beyond the textbook since lessons need to come to life with real-world applications, and Dr. Schlesinger creates well-crafted lessons which are designed to build practical skills.

He is a highly experienced individual known for creativity and adaptability both inside and outside the classroom and is committed to student success. In addition, he is the author of: “If You Don’t Ask The Answer Is No: A Practical Guide for Getting Through College Without Falling Through the Cracks” and is currently working on his second book.

Michele L. Terry was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in the Classified Service, a system-level award established by SUNY to give system-wide recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate the University’s commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.

Terry has been a member of our college’s classified staff since her arrival in 2002. She began as a Clerk-Typist, became a Secretary, and has been in the role of Executive Secretary since 2009. She has cheerfully transitioned to different job responsibilities under different supervisors over the years and continually maintains a positive atmosphere.

Terry has proven to be a “patient teacher” to new employees and often steps up to help at the Hub of the Student Success Center. Terry is involved in, and assists with, many campus events. In addition, she serves as secretary to the GCC Association Board and became a notary public in 2019.

These honorees include Elizabeth Simmons, Teresa Sukiennicki, Laura Taylor and Michele Terry.

Teresa L. Sukiennicki received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, which recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty. This service must be sustained over multiple years and may occur in a variety of venues.

Sukiennicki has been a member of the college’s biology faculty since 2006 when she started as an adjunct instructor prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in 2009. She has been regularly involved with the Academic Senate, including being co-chair of the Academic Standards Committee for over eight years. She was the Outdoor Adventure Club advisor for eight years, and regularly volunteers within the community. Sukiennicki maintains her connections with educators outside of the College through her participation in several professional associations and gives back to the community through her weekly volunteer work at EquiCenter.

Elizabeth M. Simmons was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship, which recognizes consistently superior professional achievement in the field of librarianship.

Simmons has been a member of our college since 2017 where she started as a Reference and Cataloging Librarian, and in 2019, she became a Systems & Electronic Services Librarian. She has served in a critical role as she navigated the library through some impactful changes including migrating the library’s website, establishing technical workflows and training staff for a new Library Services Platform, implementing a laptop loaning program for students, and configuring and implementing a study room booking software in the library.

Simmons is GCC’s SUNY Librarians Association campus delegate and is an active member of other state library organizations in addition to holding positions on a variety of college committees.

Karlyn M. Backus was recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position.

Her service to the college began in 2009 as an adjunct instructor, in 2011 she was hired full time as an ACE Program Specialist, she joined the college’s Records Office in 2019 as the Assistant Registrar and was then promoted to Registrar.

Backus has always been an individual that embodies the spirit of “Serving Beyond Expectations.” She is well known not only on campus for her contributions of knowledge, teamwork and innovative solutions, but at the SUNY level as well. A few examples of her work include leading and supporting several digital transformation efforts, implementing a collaborative collegewide professional development group, and leadership roles within the college’s Academic Senate and Information Technology Advisory Council.

Amy V. Conley was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, which supports the pursuits foundational to sustaining the intellectual growth of SUNY institutions by recognizing consistently outstanding scholarly and creative productivity, conducted in addition to teaching, by SUNY’s instructional faculty.

Conley has been a member of our college faculty since 2009. Some of her career highlights at GCC include her work with the Business Creators Club over the past 14 years and innovative contributions on delivering course content, specifically through hyflex. In addition, Conley is a faculty liaison with the pTECH Program, a 23-24 SUNY Online Ambassador, works extensively with The BEST Center to create and teach classes, mentors student participants in the annual business idea pitch competition, and is an active member of GCC’s Educational Initiatives and Career Services Committees. Beyond the classroom, she organizes countless activities including networking events and promotes student involvement in the community.

Laura J. Taylor was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.

Taylor has been a member of our college since 2017, and since joining GCC, has transformed the college’s fashion degree program in several important ways. She oversaw the transition of the annual fashion show from the Forum to the Arena; and perhaps even more remarkably, was able to find a way to make the event possible during the pandemic. Taylor works to maintain connections with fashion business leaders nationwide, strengthen relationships with fashion programs at 4-year institutions, and has been instrumental in transforming GCC’s fashion degree program to modernize course content and provide students with the best possible resources available.

“We are incredibly proud of the exceptional individuals who have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence,” said Dr. James Sunser, president of GCC. “Richard Schlesinger, Michele Terry, Teresa Sukiennicki, Elizabeth Simmons, Karlyn Backus, Amy Conley, and Laura Taylor have consistently demonstrated outstanding contributions to their respective fields, our campus, and the community. Their commitment to excellence and dedication have had a profound impact on our students and the overall educational experience at Genesee Community College.”

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Photo provided by DEC: Chuck Zimmerman holds his record-breaking fish.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced a new state record for longnose gar was set on June 21.

Using a topwater swimbait, Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton, Monroe County, reeled in a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County. The record-breaking catch surpassed the previous state record longnose gar, caught from Lake Champlain in 2018, by one pound and four ounces.

“DEC congratulates Mr. Zimmerman on an impressive catch and encourages all anglers to take advantage of the state’s plentiful fishing opportunities in the hopes they too can catch a new state record or other Angler Achievement Award when they cast their next line,” said DEC interim commissioner Shane Mahar.

The prehistoric longnose gar prefer shallow weedy areas of larger lakes and can be found swimming near the water’s surface. In New York, longnose gar are primarily found in the St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lake Champlain, eastern Lake Ontario, and larger tributaries to these waters.

Evolutionarily speaking, longnose gar are considered living dinosaurs and New York is fortunate to have these fish swimming in its waters today. Their long, needle-like snout is filled with rows of teeth, making them unmistakable from other fish species.

Mr. Zimmerman submitted details of his winning catch as part of DEC’s newly revamped Angler Achievement Awards Program, which also tracks state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch along with a species-specific sticker commemorating their achievement.

BUFFALO – Buffalo State is pleased to congratulate the students who completed the requirements to earn their degrees in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. The following from Orleans County have graduated:

• Tiffany Cree of Medina graduated with a MSED in Curriculum and Instruction.
• Taylor DeSimone of Holley graduated with a MSED in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Alexis Creasey of Albion graduated with a BA in Psychology.
• Hannah Heil of Medina graduated with a BS in Fashion and Textile Technology.
• Sari Rupp of Medina graduated with a BS in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Emily Schoolcraft of Medina graduated with a BS in Childhood Education.

Buffalo State University is a State University of New York (SUNY) university located in Buffalo, New York, offering over 75 undergraduate majors, more than 60 graduate programs, as well as many minors and certificate programs. Founded in 1871, SUNY Buffalo State University offers the perfect blend of a small, caring environment with large university opportunities.

Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: Austin Gardner took first in Electronics Technology in the state competition and then was in the national event.

Local students who won the state competitions in April for SkillsUSA last week advanced to nationals and vied against other top students around the country.

Atlanta, Ga. hosted the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships on June 26-27. More than 6,000 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education.

Austin Gardner of Lyndonville qualified for the event after taking first in Electronics Technology in the state competition. He won a “Skill Point Certificate” at the national competition.

A group of Orleans/Niagara BOCES students also won the gold award at the state competition for crime scene investigation. Gabrielle Rosenbeck (Newfane), Shianne Beauman (Royalton-Hartland) and Sahara Holland (Barker) went to Atlanta for the competition and won a Skill Point Certificate. Those three plus Gardner are students at the Orleans Career Technical Education Center in Medina.

“More than 6,000 students from every state in the nation participated in the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates SkillsUSA at its finest. Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels. This program expands learning and career opportunities for our members.”

The SkillsUSA Championships event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.

These students won the gold award for the state competition for crime scene investigation. Pictured includes, from left: teacher Gene Newman, Gabrielle Rosenbeck (Newfane), Shianne Beauman (Royalton-Hartland) and Sahara Holland (Barker).

BUFFALO – The following students from Orleans County graduated from the University at Buffalo.

• Ryan Taylor of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the School of Public Health and Health Professions. Taylor’s conferral date was June 2024.

• Brennan Lyon of Kendall graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences. Lyon’s conferral date was June 2024.

• Arella Biesinger of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication from the College of Arts and Sciences. Biesinger’s conferral date was June 2024.

• Carly-Grace Woodworth of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability from the College of Arts and Sciences. Woodworth’s conferral date was June 2024.

• Natalie Wright of Kendall graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. Wright’s conferral date was February 2024.

• Noah Pencille of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Arts and Sciences. Pencille’s conferral date was February 2024.

• Amber Salonen of Holley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. Salonen’s conferral date was June 2024.

• Andrew Houseman of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Houseman’s conferral date was June 2024.

• Elle Gross of Medina graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from the College of Arts and Sciences. Gross’s conferral date was February 2024.

• Carter Green of Medina graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in media studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. Green’s conferral date was June 2024.

UB is New York State’s flagship and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system. UB celebrated over 9,400 students across 23 school-based or university-wide recognition and certificate ceremonies held April 26 through May 19.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced the students from Orleans County on the President’s List and Provost’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.

Those on the Provost’s List are part-time students and earned a quality point index of 3.75 or higher.

President’s List:

• Amaya Cleveland of Medina
• Corey Saj of Medina
• Austin Basden of Medina
• Hannah Coolbaugh of Albion
• Myrna Martin of Albion
• Madison Flor of Albion
• Grace Gregoire of Albion
• Luke Gregoire of Albion
• Tatum Gagne of Holley
• Jacklyn Botello of Holley
• Amanda Jones of Holley
• Erin Harding of Holley
• Jonathan Russo of Holley
• Sara Kingdollar of Holley
• Isabella Thom of Holley
• Natalie Bertsch of Waterport

Provost’s List:

• Luca Pylypiak of Lyndonville
• Emma Carson of Medina
• Rachel Hill of Medina
• David Garrow of Medina
• Willy Sanchez-Cabrera of Medina
• Dominique McKinley of Medina
• Alexander Balaban of Medina
• Jenna Wildschutz of Medina
• Alexandria Strong of Medina
• Candice Baker of Medina
• Adam Lindberg of Medina
• Casey Conrad of Albion
• Leah Knab of Albion
• Isaac Neidert of Albion
• Ethan Hofmann of Albion
• Autumn Husfelt of Albion
• Barbara Lamka of Albion
• Meganne Moore of Albion
• Sophia Smith of Albion
• Zachary Schultz of Holley
• Ashton Drought of Holley
• Brendi Nunnenkamp of Holley
• John Butler of Kendall
• Quinn McCue of Kent
• Pedro Santiago of Kent
• Qasim Huzair of Waterport
• Aaron Arnett of Waterport

Genesee Community College serves over 6,000 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics.

BATAVIA – 203 students from Genesee Community College named to Dean’s List, including many from Orleans County. 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.

Here is the list from Orleans County:

• Calista Stinson of Lyndonville
• Chyenne Tackley of Lyndonville
• Kristi Oliver of Medina
• Sade Poole of Medina
• Ellisa Roath of Medina
• Alexis Rizzo of Medina
• Amanda Greenough of Albion
• Derrick Murschel of Albion
• Cheryl Root of Albion
• Jackson O’Brocta of Albion
• Joshua Riley of Albion
• Lakshia Johnson of Albion
• Heather Gnage of Holley
• Amanda Schunk of Holley
• Jacqueline O’Grady of Holley
• Megan Gentile of Holley
• Kenley Fenton of Medina
• Kobe Pugsley of Albion
• Bradley Pierce of Albion
• Rowan Hofmann of Albion
• Melody Case of Albion
• Derick Marr of Albion
• Crushunda Johnson of Holley

Genesee Community College serves over 6,000 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics.

ROCHESTER – Rochester Institute of Technology conferred nearly 4,500 degrees at all of its campuses in the 2023-2024 academic year. RIT’s academic convocation celebration was held in May and featured remarks by Patricia “Pattie” Moore, a distinguished designer and trailblazing alumna of the class of 1974.

The following residents from Orleans County earned degrees:

• Nathanael Strong of Albion received a BS in packaging science.
• William Gregoire of Albion received a BS in mechanical engineering technology.
• Dwight Dinkins of Medina received an MS in applied and computational mathematics.
• Gina Marshall of Holley received a BS in environmental sustainability, health and safety.
• Hannah Sones of Albion received a BS in industrial engineering and ME in engineering management.
• Keaton Freitag of Kendall received a BS in game design and development.
• Erin Aaron of Albion received an ACT and MS in school psychology.
• Noah Heinsler of Waterport received a BFA in film and animation.
• Jace Conn of Albion received a BS in mechanical engineering.
• Toby Kiebala of Medina received a BS and ME in mechanical engineering.

Provided photo: At the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center,  Jennifer Raduns presents the Liam’s Legacy scholarship to Layne Hodgins, who is joined by Lt. Steve Cooley of the Medina Fire Department.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Three students from Orleans/Niagara BOCES are the recipients of the Liam’s Legacy scholarships.

At the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, Layne Hodgins, a Medina student in the Allied Health program was announced as one of this year’s award winners.

At end-of-year celebrations at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, Landon Sabol (North Tonawanda) and Cooper Bulkley-Fish (Niagara Academy) in the Emergency Medication Services program were recognized.

The awards were started by Jennifer Raduns in memory of her grandson Liam. The 6-month old baby was beaten by his father in 2016 and later died from his injuries.

“I wanted to pay homage to the first responders who tried to save Liam’s life,” Raduns said.  “I am happy to be able to celebrate Liam’s life by helping others.”

Keynote speaker: Students from Orleans County take ‘grit’ with them to college, new careers

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ted Lewis, president of the Lyndonville Board of Education, gives the closing message during the banquet on Tuesday. “A heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you,” Lewis said. “Thank you for inspiring your classmates, your teachers, and this entire community. Go forth, and make us proud. Leave your mark on the world, but most importantly, never stop learning, growing, and reaching for your dreams.”

LYNDONVILLE – The Top 10 graduates for the Class of 2024 in Orleans County’s five school districts were honored at a banquet on Tuesday evening at the White Birch Golf Course.

Albion returned to the event for the first time in more than a decade, joining Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina. Albion stopped being part of the Top 10 because the district did its own academic honors convocation celebration for students with GPAs at 90 or above. The district, however, wanted to get back to being part of the Top 10 dinner with the other schools in the county.

Callie Updike, a 2021 Holley graduate, gave the keynote address at the 38th annual Orleans County Academic Excellence Awards Dinner at the White Birch Golf Course. Updike has completed three years at Columbia University, an Ivy League college where she is studying film and creative writing. She plans to graduate in 2025 and then pursue a career as a screenwriter in television or film.

The students, who will all graduate later this month, were praised for their hard work, and often late nights of study.

“We celebrate the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and a thirst for knowledge,” said Ted Lewis, Lyndonville’s Board of Education president. “You’ve pushed boundaries, excelled in your academics, and left your mark on your school and on this county.”

The keynote speaker for the event was a recent Top 10 grad. Callie Updike was the salutatorian for Holley in 2021. She was the class president, Student Council president, and was heavily involved in the school music program. She just completed her third year at Columbia University, majoring in film and creative writing. She expects to graduate from the Ivy League college next year and then will pursue a career as a screenwriter in television or film.

Updike said she was only 16 when she was accepted into Columbia in New York City on a full-ride scholarship. She and 12 percent of her classmates come from rural areas.

She sees that as an advantage. Most of her classmates haven’t ridden a four-wheeler or seen a cow. Many of her classmates come from tremendous wealth, with parents paying $60,000 a year – for kindergarten.

“Even if they have a fancier education than me, I would not change a single thing about the way I grew up,” Updike said. “My work ethic, my grit, my ability to relate to people, my appreciation for life and the opportunities I’ve been given because of growing up in Orleans County give me an advantage.”

She remembered attending the Top 10 dinner three years ago, and feeling a sense of fear – “the fear of letting people down, of growing complacent, of living a life I’m not proud of.”

Even now, after three years at Columbia and internships in NYC, some feelings of fear creep in, Updike said.

But her Orleans County roots steady her, and motivate her to not only pursue her dreams but want to help lift up other people.

“You are going to make beautiful, successful and happy lives for yourselves, as long as you believe you will and trust your determination will take you all the way,” Updike said. “There are things out of your control but if you take all the things you can control and make the best of them, as you have done so far, you will get where you need to be.”

The Albion Top 10 include, from left: Erin Weese, Gina Sidari, Lucy Rivers, Ella Papponetti, Meganne Moore, Kevin He, Jett Conn, Kayla Burgio and Jason Anstey. Missing from photo: Finnegan McCue.

The Top 10 in Medina include, from left: Scott Schultz, Baileigh McAdoo, Iyla Lilleby, Sawyer Kingsbury, Emma Jacobs, Layne Hodgins, Camryn Eick, Conor Crandall, Caiden Class and Alexander Balaban.

Kendall honored its Top 11 – 10 seniors plus a junior graduating early. From left include Nathaniel Smith, Hunter Richards, Christopher Nettles, Sarah Laitenberger, Lucas Jones, Paige Hardenbrook, Megan Gates, Louis Conte, Noah Clark, Hannah Brundage and Sophia Barnard-DeCann.

Lyndonville’s Top 10 include, from left: Tisha Zeitz, Elizabeth Whipple, Hannah Songer, Hailey Skowneski, Jocelyn Mack, Bradley Jisa, Austin Gardner, Katelynn Breeze, Daniel Barry and Madalynn Baker.

Holley’s Top 10 include, from left: Ryleigh Weader, Leigha Walker, Layne Walker, Kayla Neale, Gabriel Lindsay, Grace Fuller, Caitlin Dobri, Cavan Bennage and Jasmine Apicella. Missing from photo: Isabella Thom.