Photos courtesy of Albion Alumni Foundation: Ingrid Lamont congratulates Nisi Beltran Roblero as she receives the Lamont Family Scholarship. It is awarded to a student who demonstrates high academic enthusiasm, involvement in their community and a strong sense of personal integrity.

Press Release, Albion Alumni Foundation

ALBION – The Alumni High School Alumni Foundation awarded $208,350 in scholarships to Albion High School Class of 2026 graduates during their annual Class Night ceremony. These awards provide financial assistance to seniors as they continue to pursue their educational goals after high school graduation.

The Foundation’s scholarship committee and some donors chose recipients for 59 academic, vocational, service, leadership, arts and athletics scholarships. The donors and scholarship committee reviewed numerous applications and chose students that they felt best fit each scholarship’s criteria.

Two new annual scholarships were awarded for the first time this year in the areas of art and theater. Established by her family and friends, both of these scholarships are in memory of Kim Marie Nesbitt, a beloved high school art teacher who passed away in October, 2025.

Kim had a passion for art and she loved teaching.  She could always bring out the best in her students and helped them to build confidence and find their artistic talent. She also played a role in the drama department shows as the set design coordinator.  For many years she worked with students to design and construct sets for the fall and spring shows.  It is our hope that these scholarships will help Albion graduates dream big and succeed in their endeavors.

Roger Hungerford meets with Albion High School Alumni Foundation board member Charles Nesbitt and President Steve Hicks before Class Night. Hungerford funded the Kim Marie Nesbitt Excellence in Art Award and Scholarship and was on hand for the inaugural presentation.

The new scholarships are:

The Kim Marie Nesbitt Excellence in Art Award and Scholarship – This annual award and scholarship was established in 2026 and presented to a high school student who has had an outstanding high school art career. It consists of a $500 Excellence in Art award and a $4,500 scholarship, which is renewable in the amount of $5,000 for up to three additional years.This scholarship is funded by Roger Hungerford, a dear friend of the Nesbitt family.

Hanna Kumalac accepts the inaugural Kim Marie Nesbitt Excellence in Art Award and Scholarship from Charles Nesbitt.

The Kim Marie Nesbitt and Gary Simboli Excellence in Theater Scholarship – This annual scholarship is given to a student who demonstrates exceptional commitment and outstanding achievement in high school theater arts. It consists of a $5,000 scholarship. This scholarship is funded by the Nesbitt family and friends.

Charles Nesbitt congratulates Julia Button on receiving the Kim Marie Nesbitt and Gary Simboli Excellence in Theater Scholarship.

The Albion High School Alumni Foundation Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our Albion Alumni members and the local community.  We are grateful to them for their willingness to support so many Albion graduates through our scholarship program.

If you are interested in starting a scholarship or want to learn more about the Albion High School Alumni Foundation, please contact Steve Hicks, Albion Alumni Foundation President, at steve@albionalumni.org.

Congratulations to all 2026 scholarship recipients!

2026 scholarship recipients:

• Albion High School Alumni Foundation Scholarship – Julia Button, Alondra Santana Gonzalez, Juliana Newbould, Lindsay Crawford
• Paul R. Haines Memorial Scholarship – Justin Kania
• Elizabeth Balcom Smith Scholarship – Neveya Barnes
• Golden Performance Scholarship – Neveya Barnes
• Jim & Susie Fraser Health Careers Scholarship – Nisi Beltran Roblero
• Minier Family Scholarship – Xzavier Gerow
• Albion Alumni Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship – Gideon Pask
• Coach Richard Diminuco Scholarship for Athletic Excellence – Kaiden Froman
• Harry W. Salchak Science Scholarship – Alondra Santana Gonzales
• A.B. Dick Eddy Service Above Self Scholarship – Neveya Barnes
• Nancy Elaine Lagamba Scholarship – Gideon Pask
• Hoag Engineering Scholarships – Gideon Pask, Bradley Pierce, Nathaniel Miesner
• Panek Family Farm Agriculture Scholarship – Hailey Lonnen
• Horton Scholarship – Nisi Beltran Roblero
• Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship – Gideon Pask, Kailee Anstey
• Glassner Family Scholarship- Xzavier Gerow
• John Panek Memorial Scholarship – Kaitlin Bennett
• Ronald L. Sodoma Memorial Scholarship – Neveya Barnes
• Masonic Renovation Lodge #97 Scholarship – Alondra Santana Gonzales
• Edward B. Archbald Memorial Scholarship – Kaitlin Bennett
• Dr. David and Anita Long Scholarship – Abigail Ferris
• D’Andrea Family Scholarship – Julia Button
• Brandon Bruski Memorial Scholarship – Lindsay Crawford
• Ralph and Pearl Poelma Good Neighbor Community Scholarship – Kaitlin Bennett, Lindsay Crawford
• Jake and Anna Vreeburg Scholarships – Hanna Kumalac (College), Rosalie McCormick (Trade School)
• Inge Hume Elementary Education Scholarship – Kailee Anstey
• Robert P. VanDeusen Memorial Scholarship – Neveya Barnes
• Moore Family Scholarship Fund – Aubrey Gannon
• Sherman Awards- Aubrey Gannon (Moses Sherman Award), Hunter Zambito (Margaret Sherman Award)
• Benjamin Dennis Kirby Memorial Scholarship- Gideon Pask, Hannah Kumalac, Juan Gomez-Roblero
• Oak Orchard Bowl/Whittier Scholarship – Myles Beach, Neveya Barnes
• Country Lane Veterinary Scholarship- Aubrey Gannon
• Babbitt Family Scholarship – Abigail Kincaid
• Matthew K. Gardner Memorial Scholarship- Kaiden Froman
• Scott H. Ward Memorial Scholarship- Nathan Gibson
• Craig Anderson Scholarship – Wesley Olles
• Brennan Michael Carlyle Moody Scholarship – Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero
• Jared M. Fearby Scholarship – Aubrey Gannon
• Edward Fancher Memorial Scholarship – Gideon Pask
• Gil and Christine Pritchard Vocational Scholarship – Renzo Tomasi
• Lamont Family Scholarship – Nisi Beltran Roblero
• Kelly Sidari Ricker Memorial Scholarship – Justin Kania
• Gwenyth Hughson Memorial Scholarship – Tristian Tilbe
• Nicholas Kovaleski Memorial Scholarship – Kaitlynn Basinait
• Hoag Skilled Trades Scholarship- Nathan Gibson, William Plummer
• Betty West Memorial Scholarship – Kailee Anstey
• Stewart New Scholarship – Abigail Ferris
• Dick Tower Scholarship – Kaitlin Bennett
• Alvin Smith Family Scholarship – Madison Muckle
• Sperandio Foundation Family Scholarship – Hanna Kumalac, Logan Poupore
• Lu Johnson Memorial Scholarship – Ava Ludwick
• Bradley James Shelp Jr. Memorial Scholarship – Abigail Kincaid
• Jonathan Doherty Scholarship – Dejeanna Conner
• Raymond M. Lissow Scholarship – Julia Button
• Paganelli Family Scholarship – Madison Muckle
• Coach Robert Ord “Power of Perseverance” Award – Tristian Tilbe
• Sacco Family Memorial Musical Scholarship – Gideon Pask
• Kim Marie Nesbitt Excellence in Art Award and Scholarship – Hanna Kumalac
• Kim Marie Nesbitt and Gary Simboli Excellence in Theater Scholarship – Julia Button

(Left) Aubrey Gannon accepts the Moore Family Scholarship from board member Mollie Radzinski. Established by Ann R. Moore and Robert H. Moore, this scholarship recognizes academic achievement, school and community activities and potential for future accomplishment. (Right) Christine Fancher congratulates Gideon Pask on receiving the Edward Fancher Memorial Scholarship. Ed was a very active Alumni Foundation board member and exemplified a life of service to his community. This award recognizes a student who exhibits traits of exceptional service and involvement in his community.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Several students from Orleans County are among the 267 who made the President’s List at Genesee Community College. 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 students from Orleans County include:

• Olivia Eaton of Medina
• Riezel Carino of Medina
• Leah Knab of Albion
• Sophia Albanese of Albion
• Ethan Hofmann of Albion
• Leanne Hofmann of Albion
• Rowan Hofmann of Albion
• Cheryl Root of Albion
• Lauren Rissew of Albion
• Alexander Zaczek of Albion
• Ashton Drought of Holley
• Khawla Saleh of Holley
• Joshua Bovenzi of Holley
• Emma Brady of Holley
• Taylor Frasier of Kent
• Keenan Washington of Kent

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.

Provided photo: Pictured from left include Cherish Potter, Jennifer Raduns and Abigail Kincaid.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Jennifer Raduns wanted to do something to honor the memory of her grandson Liam. The six-month old baby was beaten by his father in 2016 and later died from his injuries.

Raduns shared the heartbreaking story with students at the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers before she handed out the Liam’s Legacy Memorial Scholarships to Cherish Potter (Barker), Abigail Kincaid (Albion) and Julianne Viera (Lockport).

The students were chosen because they are all actively involved in health care programs at the CTE centers.

“I wanted to pay homage to the first responders who tried to save Liam’s life,” said Ms. Raduns.

Teagan Balaban of Medina and Aidan Kelley of Holley spent week at camp

Photos and information courtesy of Zach Busch, Holley band director

FREDONIA – Incoming Seniors Teagan Balaban of Medina and Aidan Kelley of Holley spent the last week at the Fredonia Summer Music Festival Band Camp.

The Fredonia Summer Music Festival is a six-day camp hosted on the SUNY Fredonia campus. Middle and high school students from around the state can enroll in various camps such as Middle School Band, High School Band, Choral, Composition or Piano.

While attending the camp, students can perform in groups like the Wind Symphony, Chamber Ensembles, and Jazz Ensemble. To round out their daily schedule, students attend music elective classes, master classes and lessons with SUNY Fredonia Staff and students, and various recreational activities. Attending the Fredonia Summer Music Festival gives students a week-long taste of life as a college music major.

Teagan Balaban of Medina, back left in glasses, and Aidan Kelley, right in second row, both played the clarinet at the band camp.

Both Teagan and Aidan play clarinet as their primary instrument and participated in the same ensembles at last week’s camp. Thursday evening, they performed with the Woodwind Choir, comprised of about 30 student musicians playing instruments ranging from the Flute to the Baritone Saxophone. The students performed movements II and III of Patrick Glenn Harper’s “Three Sketches for Woodwind Ensemble” under the direction of Ms. Jackie Ellmauer, camp counselor and 7/8 Band Director at Transit Middle School in Williamsville.

During the Fredonia Summer Music Festival’s Large Ensembles Concert, Teagan and Aidan performed in the Festival Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, and Wind Symphony.

The Festival Chorus was under the direction of Dr. Vernon Huff of SUNY Fredonia, and performed a medley from the musical Rent, as well as the Armed Forces Salute to honor the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

The High School Jazz Ensemble was under the direction of Elliott Scozzaro, adjunct Jazz Lecturer at SUNY Fredonia. The group performed “Isle of Blue” by Les Sabina and “All ‘Dem Leaves” by Ryan Erik Adamsons. Aidan and Teagan were able to showcase their talents on secondary instruments in the Jazz Ensemble, playing the tenor sax and alto sax, respectively.

The Wind Symphony was under the direction of Mrs. Christina Helbock, band director of Brentwood High School on Long Island. The Wind Symphony performed technically challenging repertoire including “The Iliad” by Robert W. Smith, “Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein” by Erika Svanoe, and “Exultate” by Samuel Hazo.

Both Teagan and Aidan intend to audition to SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music this coming year.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

Provided photo: Martin Miskell, Chief Executive Officer for Arc GLOW, congratulates Lynn Fleming, Arc’s CFO/COO, for completing The Arc New York Leadership Institute.

Arc GLOW Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer Lynn Fleming recently graduated from The Arc New York Leadership Institute.

She is one of the 26 participants who completed the 10-month executive development program. Throughout the program, participants engaged in group learning, one-on-one mentorship, and meaningful discussions designed to strengthen their leadership skills and prepare them to guide the Arc into continued success.

The Arc New York created the Leadership Institute to cultivate leadership potential across our statewide network and invest in the next generation of leaders.

Fleming, who joined the agency in 2019, has been a driving force for financial stability and programmatic growth across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Through The Arc New York Leadership Institute, she collaborated with peers statewide, analyzing innovative social enterprises and honing best practices to directly benefit the mission-driven impact at Arc GLOW.

Arc GLOW is a public non-profit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

To learn more, visit ArcGLOW.org.

Liam Castricone from Medina and assigned to Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, received a promotion May 27 to the rank of private first class.

Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the recent promotion.

Army National Guard citizen soldiers who serve our 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).

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov.

Press Release, ESL Federal Credit Union

ROCHESTER – ESL Federal Credit Union, which operates 33 branches in the Rochester area including one in Medina, is pleased to announce that for the ninth time, Great Place to Work® and Fortune magazine named the locally-owned financial institution one of 2026’s Best Workplaces in New York State.

ESL ranked 8 on the list of 60 small and medium-sized companies, along with 40 large companies. The financial institution is included among several other respected New York-based large, medium, and small employers, including First American Equipment Finance, Doyle Security Systems, and QuickFi by Innovation in the small and medium category, and Wegmans, Labella Associates, and The Bonadio Group in the large category.

“We are grateful to once again be named to this list, as it’s a wonderful testament to the dedication of our team at ESL. Our employees consistently live our core values, laying the foundation for a positive workplace culture,” said Maureen Wolfe, executive vice president, chief administrative officer. “We recognize that a superior member experience begins with an exceptional employee experience. By regularly collaborating with and listening to our team, we can continue to grow as an organization and help uplift the communities we serve.”

To determine the Best Workplaces in New York, Great Place to Work® provides an opportunity for every employee at every GPTW-certified company in New York State to complete a survey. The company’s “For All Methodology” builds on the Trust Model by ensuring that very single employee, no matter who they are or what they do for their company, is having a consistently positive experience at work.

The complete list can be viewed by clicking here.

Provided photos: The Holley-Kendall Marching Band is shown today outside the Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School.

Press Release, Holley-Kendall Marching Band

The Holley-Kendall Marching Band’s had strong showings in the 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands and the 77th Sherburne Pageant of Bands.

58th Gorham Pageant of Bands

The Gorham Pageant of Bands has returned after a several-year hiatus following the Covid-19 pandemic and dwindling participation. The Pageant, hosted by the Marcus Whitman Band and Guard Boosters, has been a long-time tradition for many band programs in both Orleans County and Western NY.

The Holley HS Jazz Ensemble competed in the 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands Jazz Fest on Friday, May 29. Enrolled in the Small School Class (total K-12 enrollment less than 3,000 students), Holley HS competed against Perry HS and Mexico HS.

Waterloo Middle School was the only band in the Middle School category and Baldwinsville High School was the only band in the Large School Category. The evening was capped with a performance by a local professional jazz group: Bill Tiberio & the Canandaigua Jazz Project.

The Holley High School Jazz Ensemble won several awards at 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands Jazz Fest.

Holley performed a varied repertoire including “Can I Be Honest With You?” by Dave Mills, “Prayer Meetin'” by Matt Harris, and “Tiger of San Pedro” by John LaBarbera.

Small School Jazz Results: 3rd Waterloo HS; 2nd Perry HS; Best Rhythm Section; 1st Holley HS; Best Saxophone Section, Best Brass Section, Best Soloist (Jax Richards-Dyson, Piano).

Saturday, May 30th

On Saturday, the Holley-Kendall Marching Band took to the streets for the first time in Small School Parade Competition at the 58th Gorham Pageant of Bands. There were a total of 9 bands in the parade, 5 of which were competing in the Small School Class. In the parade, the Holley-Kendall Marching Band performed their 2026 Show titled “OZ”, which features song selections from the Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked.

Junior Class: 1st – The Pride of Rochester, 77.5

Small School Class: 5th – Dundee, 76.5; 4th – Waterloo, 80; 3rd – Mexico, 90; 2nd – Holley-Kendall, 90.5; and 1st – Naples, 96.5.

Best Overall Drumline/Cadence – Naples

Best Drum Major(s) – Holley-Kendall

Best Color Guard – Naples

Exhibition: White Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps

The Holley-Kendall Drum Majors won first place at the Gorham pageant. From left include Riley Passer, Madison Hults and Layla Jones.

77th Sherburne Pageant of Bands

On Saturday, June 6th, the Holley-Kendall Marching Band competed in Class AA for the 77th Sherburne Pageant of Bands.  A total of 25 Bands competed in the Parade ranging from Jr. High Bands, the High School Class D all the way up to AA.

Class AA Color Guard: 3rd (Tie) Holley-Kendall & Norwich, 83.00; 2nd – Mexico, 85.00; and 1st – Fonda-Fultonville, 87.00.

Class AA Parade: 5th – Sidney, 73.75; 4th – Fonda-Fultonville 82.375; 3rd – Mexico, 84.75; 2nd – Norwich, 88.75; and 1st – Holley-Kendall, 90.75.