ALBION – Ashley Ames, an incoming senior at Albion in 2020-21, is part of the first ever virtual American Legion Auxiliary Girls State.

Ashley Ames

Ashley is one of 400 young women selected to attend the 79th American Legion Auxiliary Girls State session. The program started June 28 and continues until July 12.

As part of the annual program, outstanding students are chosen from their local high schools to spend a week learning about the inner workings of state, local and county government.

This premier leadership conference is designed to provide practical insight into the workings of the government, promote youth civic engagement, instill a sense of pride in America, and empower the next generation of women leaders, providing them with a network that lasts a lifetime.

Ashley is active in many ways at Charles D’Amico High School in Albion, including Student Council, the school newsletter, drama, concert and marching band, Pride Alliance, National Honor Society, and the Close Up club.

Madison Nardi of Kendall High School also has been picked for the program. Gina Fox of Albion was chosen as an alternate.

“The ALA Girls State experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young women across our state and while we couldn’t hold the program in person, our team worked hard to ensure that this cohort of High School Juniors get to learn some of the important principles of democracy and about the American Legion Auxiliary ” said Jennifer Farley, American Legion Auxiliary Girls State chairman. “Our hope is that after attending the virtual ALA Girls State, the girls will be inspired to participate in the democratic process, volunteer in their communities and be filled with patriotism and pride.”

ALA Girls State:​ The American Legion Auxiliary’s marquee Girls State program, first presented in 1937, is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States.

The program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. The young women become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.

To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org​.

For more on the Girl State program, click here.

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Press Release, GCASA

Ashlynn LeBaron

Jillian Menzie, a senior at Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, and Ashlyn LeBaron, a senior at Albion’s Charles D’ Amico High School, were selected as this year’s recipients of $1,000 scholarships from  Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA) Foundation.

Typically, the scholarship award recipients are honored at GCASA’s Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon. Due to COVID-19, this meeting will be held virtually this year.

“We are disappointed that we are unable to recognize and honor these deserving young women in person with their parents and school representatives present,” said Shannon Ford, GCASA Director of Communications and Development. “Their scholarship applications were outstanding.”

LeBaron and Menzie both plan to pursue a degree in nursing.

GCASA Foundation supports the work of GCASA and other non-profit organizations in Genesee and Orleans Counties. Several organizations have received mini-grants in the past to help sustain the crucial work they do in our community.

Jillian Menzie

The Foundation also invests in the future substance use disorder workforce by supporting individuals pursuing a degree in health sciences or human services.

The board of directors of both GCASA and GCASA Foundation are committed to providing quality services. Educated, skilled employees and board members are the necessary for effective service delivery.

“As a member of the selection committee, it was wonderful to read about all the applicants’ academic accomplishments and their commitment to community service,” said GCASA Foundation Board Treasurer Virginia Taylor. “Our recipients, Ashlyn and Jillian, were exceptionally impressive and we are thrilled to award scholarships to help cover some of their college costs.”

GCASA Foundation has been pleased to honor many commendable students over the past several years.

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Alayna Trautman named New York State SkillsUSA President; Michael Huntington wins $5,000 scholarship

MEDINA – Two students at Orleans Career and Technical Education Center has received high recognition.

Alayna Trautman

Alayna Trautman, a junior at Royalton Hartland High School and an Electricity/Electronic student at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, has been named the New York State SkillsUSA President.

Orleans/Niagara BOCES has not had a NYS president for many years. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.  SkillsUSA helps each student to excel by empowering them to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.

“This will be a great opportunity to be able to network with other state and national leaders,” Trautman said. “I really could not have done this without my great Electricity and Electronics teacher, Mr. Bill Leggett. He challenges me every day and is always there for me. I am also fortunate to have great classmates and wonderful SkillsUSA advisors: Mrs. Sarah Ivory and Mrs. Anne Carnahan who have supported me 100 percent and spent countless hours running me through mock interviews and helping me to settle my nerves.”

Trautman was chosen president of the New York State SkillsUSA organization for her dedication to the organization, excellent communication skills, her display of professionalism, her ability to work well as part of a team, her sense of responsibility and the way she represents Orleans/Niagara BOCES in different situations.

“A good leader communicates clearly, delegates, has a positive attitude, displays confidence and is creative,” she said.

At Orleans/Niagara BOCES, she was elected to serve as the chapter’s SkillsUSA Officer Vice President by her peers, teachers and principal. Trautman vows to be a great leader and live by the Skills USA Motto, “Preparing for Leadership in the World of Work.”

“We have all been impacted by the current health pandemic surrounding COVID-19, as the future workforce of America we must remain on track to fill the essential careers that support the American economy,” she said. “This crisis has quickly taught us the values of our SkillsUSA framework of being flexible, adaptable, organized, self-motivated, to communicate clearly, and most importantly computer and technology literacy. My goal as your New York State SkillsUSA president is to ensure that we are confident and prepared meet America’s need.”

When asked why career and technical education she says, “Career and technical education is a great opportunity to gain skills, make new friends and prepare for college and/or a career. It has been a great opportunity for me in helping me achieve my goals.”

Alayna is the daughter of Anedda and Don Trautman. Her future goals are to be gainfully employed in the skilled trades field of electricity. She is exploring attending a two-year technical school or a four-year university after graduation next year. Her ultimate goal is to own her own contracting company.

She has been active with the American Legion Post #1593 for 16 years and Girls Scouts Troop #70257 for the past 11 years.

In figure skating, she has represented New York State in the State Games of America in both 2017 and 2019, and medaled at the NYS Empire State Games every year since 2015.

Michael Huntington

Michael Huntington, a Building Trades student at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Construction Exchange of Buffalo and Western New York.

The Construction Exchange is a not-for-profit organization that has served the local construction industry since 1981 and is the largest construction association in Western New York.

Michael, a senior from Royalton-Hartland, will be attending Alfred State College this fall to get his associate’s degree in Building and Construction. After Alfred, he hopes to work for a construction or development company building homes. He will also decide if he will continue on to complete the four-year program in Construction Management while working in the field.  His long-term goal is to build his own business designing and building custom homes.

His Building Trades teacher Matt Anastasi says, “I am so proud of Mike and this is incredible news from our new partners at the Construction Exchange.   wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.”

Michael’s mother Nicole Huntington said. “We are so incredibly proud of Michael.  Mr. Anastasi has been fantastic and I am certainly confident in saying that he is Michael’s favorite teacher.”

Michael also recently took home a silver medal at the Regional SkillsUSA competition in Carpentry.

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Press Release, Orleans County Office for the Aging

ALBION – Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. The theme for 2020 is “Make Your Mark.” This theme was selected to encourage and celebrate countless contributions that older adults make to our communities.

This theme was selected to encourage and celebrate countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. Their time, experience, and talents benefit family, peers and neighbors every day. Communities, organizations, and individuals of all ages are also making their marks. This year’s theme highlights the difference everyone can make – in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers, and to strengthen communities.

Gil Cain

Unfortunately, we are not able to hold our local Older American Celebration due to Covid-19.  We are sad that we cannot celebrate our clients and 45 years as Office for the Aging! We will look at rescheduling in the fall. We did send two nominations to Albany for Volunteer of the Year to represent Orleans County. Please read the nominations we received.

Gilbert Cain is a native New Yorker and lives in Medina. Gil retired from Lipton after 38 years as a distribution analyst. He is a widower with nieces in the Medina area. Gil has been a Hospice volunteer since June 2015 and in that time he has mastered the residence volunteer meal server position. Gil now trains new volunteers.

Gil won the 2018 Hospice of Orleans Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding volunteer service. In 2019, Gil provided over 700 hours of service to Hospice. He stands out as a volunteer because he take time to learn patient’s favorite foods and makes certain that those foods are available to the patient. Gil has been known to deliver spaghetti dinners, lemon pie and special donuts to patients at all hours of the day and night.

Gil also donates prepared holiday meals from Tops or Wegmans for residence patients and their families. The patients are able to sit down to a delicious holiday meals with all the trimmings due to Gil’s generosity. Gil works at least six shifts per week in the residence.

Hospice patients and family members are amazed at all that Gil does at the age of 85. Gil also participates in the Hospice fundraisers and is a friendly, welcoming face around the campus.

Gil would offer to other New Yorkers that volunteering is a great way to keep your mind and body busy. Gil states that volunteering and giving to others is a great way to lift your spirits and feel rewarded at the end of the day.

Louise Henderson

Louise Henderson was born and raised in New York and has lived on the same property in Orleans County since the early years of her marriage to her husband, John. The two bought and remodeled a one-room schoolhouse into the home where they raised their 6 children. In 1984, disaster struck when their home caught fire. The schoolhouse was gone, but resilient as ever they built their current house on the ashes.

Louise worked at the Cornell Cooperative Extension for 20 years prior to her 25 years as a library assistant at Swan Library and its successor, the Hoag Library. Even though she retired, she still volunteers at the Hoag Library. When she isn’t working, you can find her surrounded by family celebrating birthdays, holidays, and planning and creating 4-H projects.

Through her platform as a library assistant, Boy Scout leader, 4-H assistant and church volunteer, Louise has been fortunate enough to touch the lives of many community members. She often talks of how she has helped children learn how to read and she has shared with them the humble virtues of patience, kindness, and using their manners.

For many she has been that mother figure who you could count on to help you with your homework, provide you with encouragement when it seemed like on one else would, and always has a word to wisdom of you when you need some life advice.

In her role as a 4-H leader and mother of 6, she was able to aid so many youths in learning necessary life skills and leading them to a brighter path. Louise has been volunteering for over 40 years.

If you are ever lucky enough to obtain an unsolicited piece of advice from Louise, she would remind you that kindness, patience and being polite will never go out of style. After her lifetime of service, she would also ask that you never stop learning and giving back to your community.

Thank you to both Gil and Louise for all that they do for the community. The State Office for the Aging looks to hold a recognition event in Albany in the fall if feasible.

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Students, staff adjust to remote learning due to Covid-19

Press Release, Genesee Community College

ALBION/MEDINA – Genesee Community College’s Albion and Medina Campus Centers have announced the Spring 2020 Instructors and Students of the Semester.

Each semester, one instructor and one student from each campus center are recognized for their outstanding instructional and/or academic performances. Despite the Covid-19 campus center closures, officials at each center collected nominations from fellow teachers, colleagues and students, and a small committee led by James Simon, associate dean at Medina and Albion Campus Centers, determined the winners.

Albion Campus Center

Jennifer D’Alessandro

Jennifer D’Alessandro is the Spring 2020 Instructor of the Semester at the Albion Campus Center. After graduating from Lyndonville High School, D’Alessandro earned degrees from Niagara Community College and Medaille College.

With undergraduate work in business administration and an MA in Organizational Leadership, she is a valuable asset to GCC’s business program. In addition to teaching business and marketing courses for the Albion Campus Center, D’Alessandro also teaches full time for Villa Maria College in Buffalo, and through the years she has taught classes throughout Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties.

In the nomination, a student remarked: “As the pandemic has caused a lot of changes [Ms. D’Alessandro was] present on Zoom every Tuesday with a smile, a lesson and care for all her students and their personal lives.”

When asked about working at the Albion Campus Center, D’Alessandro remarked, “Genesee Community College is an innovative and supportive environment. The Albion Campus Center feels like family.”

Her advice to a new instructor is “try to ‘see’ the student who doesn’t want to be seen. You might be the only person who ever shows them how important they are.”

Besides teaching, she has worked in marketing, fundraising and sales, and when asked about her most rewarding experience she said, “Teaching is a privilege. I have the opportunity to impact students’ lives, which I take this very seriously. I’ve seen so many of them grow and succeed. I’m thankful for my path and I am thankful for the past ten years of teaching. I love my job.”

D’Alessandro resides in Lockport and is married with five children, three grandchildren, and has two “very ridiculous” cats. Apart from teaching, she enjoys traveling as an avid “cruiser,” reading and studying the Bible and a variety of online marketing magazines.

John Bradley

John Bradley is the Spring 2020 GCC Student of the Semester for the Albion Campus Center. As a Communication and Media Arts major, Bradley expects to graduate from GCC in 2021. He enjoys many aspects of college life, but especially enjoys being able to explore and discuss both new and old ideas with others in a guided setting. He has a strong willingness to listen, but also enjoys participating in discussion and expressing his own ideas while considering the ideas of others.

Bradley has discovered a passion for the creative arts as well, and his charcoal drawing won first place in the Student Art Show exhibit at GCC last December. His interests outside of college include computer programming and networking. He is currently working in a grocery store and finds it satisfying to be a part of the workforce during Covid-19 providing essential services to his community. He resides in Albion.

The instructor who nominated John Bradley noted: “John has really brought depth to our class discussions and offered fascinating insights to topics. After the transition to remote learning, John continued to offer great critiques on our discussion board. He is a fantastic student who deserves to be recognized as Albion’s Student of the Semester.”

Medina Campus Center

Ralph Torcello

is the Spring 2020 Instructor of the Semester at the Medina Campus Center. Torcello has been teaching business courses at GCC for 20 years, and he is one of only a handful of instructors who has taught at all seven GCC campus locations. This semester, one of his courses was Accounting 102, taught at the Medina Campus Center.

After graduating from Pavilion High School, Torcello was a GCC student himself and transferred to SUNY Geneseo where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and then SUNY UB for his MBA.

Torcello believes that is important for all students to have an understanding of business and business language, no matter what they do in life. The student who nominated Torcello noted that he has gone above and beyond this semester offering additional help whenever needed.

Once classes went to remote, online delivery, Torcello stepped up to learn all the nuances of effectively teaching his course in a different way providing a stellar example to his students. One student observed, “He has taught me that no matter how educated a person is, there is always something new to learn, and he role modeled what that looks like, as well as the value of stepping outside of our comfort zone.”

Torcello’s fondest memories of GCC are not only the last 20 years of teaching, but also the days of attending classes in the 90s from various instructors including Bruce Lindsey, Sid Bender, Bernie Marcus and Marirose Ethington.

Torcello lives on a small dairy farm in Pavilion, his childhood homestead, with his wife, Diane. They have two sons and three grandchildren. When asked what he enjoys at GCC he stated, “I can honestly say that after all these years, I have never met a staff worker, secretary, professor or student that I didn’t care for at GCC. For me, it will always be a great place to be, and at present I miss it terribly.”

Emalee Houseman

Emalee Houseman is the Spring 2020 Student of the Semester at the Medina Campus Center. In her second semester, Houseman is pursuing her Associate of Science degree in Teacher Education, with plans to graduate in spring 2021. Thereafter, she plans to transfer to SUNY Brockport to earn her New York State Teaching Certification and degree in English with a concentration in Adolescent Education. Her end goal is to become a high school English teacher.

The instructors who nominated Houseman stated that she is hard working and always prepared for class and she maintains a positive attitude that is contagious. This attribute was tremendously helpful during the transition from on-site to remote learning during Covid-19.

Houseman resides with her parents, sister and dogs in Lyndonville. Her family has been her biggest influence and she believes their support and encouragement has helped her be the student she is today with a “never quit” attitude. Aside from being a full-time student, Houseman volunteers as a LOYAL soccer coach in her community in the summer.

At GCC, Houseman most appreciates the variety of courses offered, as well as the support she has received from her advisor and instructors. “They are always there for you, and they never let you feel as if you are a burden to their time.”

Her advice to new college students is this: “Whatever you do, try your best. Even if you don’t get the desired outcome, let that push you to try even harder.”

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ALBION – Hospice of Orleans normally has a big luncheon each year to recognize key volunteers and supporters. A big public gathering isn’t possible right now, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on more than 10 people in one place.

Hospice of Orleans, however, wanted to publicly acknowledge its annual award winners. Chris Fancher, the volunteer coordinator and a social worker for Hospice, announced the winners today through Hospice’s Facebook page (click here).

Mary Janet Sahukar Award – Annette Mannella and Beverly Saskowski

This award in named for Hospice’s founding director, and for the first time there is a tie. Hospice is recognizing Annette Mannella and Beverly Saskowski with the award.

Mannella is the board secretary for Hospice and serves on the Personnel Committee. She also chairs the Nominating Committee. She is a generous donor and supporter of Hospice with an incredibly large and giving heart.

Saskowski is the board treasurer and serves on the Personnel and Development/Volunteer Services Committees. She also chairs the Finance Committee. Saskowski assisted with the review and hiring of IT contractors. She is a generous donor and supporter of Hospice.

In addition to their Board positions both Manella and Saskowski serve as direct care volunteers, residence volunteers, residence grocery delivery volunteers, and co-facilitators of volunteer Relias training.

Business/Civic Service Award – Holley Pharmacy

Holley Pharmacy works with the Hospice team on a daily basis to ensure patients have the medications needed to ensure their comfort and well being. In times of a patient crisis where new medications need to be ordered and quickly picked up, Luke Miller, owner and pharmacist, will come out in the middle of the night to open the pharmacy and dispense the patient’s medications.

Pharmacist John Carl, Pharmacy Tech Chris Penna, and Pharmacy Tech Corey Miller-Lamb are extremely helpful and work very hard to ensure Hospice patients have the medications they need.

“A special thank you to their driver, Duane, and all the awesome people behind the scenes at the Pharmacy,” Fancher said.

Volunteer of the Year – Janice Mann-Beech

Janice Mann-Beech serves as a family support volunteer, providing much needed respite care to family members who are caring for patients in their homes. She gives selflessly of her time and talents to Hospice families.

She serves the Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence as a greeter and participates in Hospice fundraisers and events.

“Janice exemplifies the model of a humble, dedicated, hardworking volunteer,” Fancher said. “Janice unassumingly and diligently conducts her Hospice work.”

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