Vickie Scroger, Jason Requa make extra effort for local youth

Photos and information courtesy of Orleans County Youth Board

The Orleans County Youth Board is recognizing two adults in the community for their dedication to young people.

The Youth Board typically recognizes an adult worker and an adult volunteer during the annual Youth Recognition Banquet. This year the awards program won’t be held in person due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns.

The Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award is named for Brinsmaid, who have 33 years of community service in Orleans County. The award is presented to a paid professional who emulates dedication and service to youth and families above and beyond their paid position.

Vickie Scroger

Vickie Scroger is this year’s winner. She is the manager of food service at Holley Central School where she always makes sure the students have delicious, balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and after-school snacks.

While this is her job and what is expected of her, she always does more than she needs to, according to penny Cole, a co-worker who nominated Scroger.

In her role as food service manager, Scroger decorates the dining hall and serving areas for each holiday and/or event. During Homecoming, she has all of the different sports teams recognized with their own soccer ball, football, track shoe, or megaphone with each student’s name.

This takes countless hours, yet she does it each year. During the week of the musical, Vickie has musical themed menus for each day and, again, decorates to match the show. She does sports banquets at cost, so that all athletes and their families can attend when otherwise they wouldn’t be able to.

She has always gone out of her way to make things nice for the kids. Last year when the pandemic hit, she worked tirelessly to come up with different fun meals for the students. Vickie went above and beyond to make sure the students had filling, hot meals.

The parents would come each day to pick up breakfast and lunch, which meant preparing 180 meals most days, for both meals. She would also bake homemade cookies for them once in a while as a treat.

At Easter, she purchased Easter eggs and filled them with little candies so students would have a treat. Vickie had a team of helpers to assist her but the success of this was all Vickie’s planning and preparation. She genuinely loves the students and this past year has shown just how much. She always says, “It’s about the kids or it’s for the kids.” The Holley School District is extremely lucky to have such a remarkable, kind and caring lady.

In memory and spirit of Eileen Heye, the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award honors an individual who is a role model for the youth of today and gives of themselves to better the lives of children.

Jason Requa

Jason Requa is the type of person that stands off to the side, just out of reach of most cameras, and lifts others towards the spotlight. He has led many young people in developing life skills and has never asked for anything in return. He truly wants to see the youth of his community grow into great adults. Jason works for the Local 3 Brick and Tile Setters Union in Rochester. His job requires frequent travel, but Jason still manages to help coach soccer, serve as a member of the Kendall Board of Education, and assist with Eagle Scout projects – all while supporting his own family.

Jason’s commitment to volunteerism within the community is admirable, said Kendall Scoutmaster Ken Spohr, who nominated Requa for the award.

Jason is always dedicated to becoming a better coach and leader. He has the ability to reach the hearts, minds and skill sets of the youth, which shows through his coaching. Jason’s passion for teaching life-long confidence and skill sets does not end at coaching, as he is a huge influence with the Kendall Boy Scouts. He used his knowledge of masonry work to teach the scouts, which led them to be able to complete the physical labor to finish their project at the Kendall War Memorial.

He has also spent countless hours educating youth about opportunities after high school in the skilled trades fields. Jason’s long-term influence on youth has already molded them into confident and successful college students, detailed skilled tradesmen, and dedicated people serving our country.

Through his employment with the union, he reaches young veterans through a program called Helmets to Hard Hats, to help them get jobs in trades after leaving the service. The strength of Jason’s influence is directly related to his dedication to youth, but he also leads by example as an adult who gives back to his community.

Provided photos: From left includes Kellie Spychalski, CEO of Supportive Care of Orleans; Lynn Burgess, 2020 Business/Civic Award Winner; and Christine Fancher, Social Worker/Volunteer Coordinator.

Press Release, Supportive Care of Orleans

ALBION – Supportive Care of Orleans is proud to announce the following award winners for the year 2020 for both the Business/Civic Award as well as the Mary Janet Sahukar Award.

The 2020 Business/Civic Award was presented to Lynn Burgess of Lynn’s Salon in Albion. Lynn has been instrumental in helping support our Annual Spring Bouquet Sale for many years and never ceases to amaze the organization with her overwhelming support. Lynn has also been a strong supporter over the past several years helping contribute to many of our other fundraising events.

Pictured from left include Kellie Spychalski, CEO; Doug Miller, 2020 Mary Janet Sahukar Award Winner; and Christine Fancher, Social Worker/Volunteer Coordinator.

The 2020 Mary Janet Sahukar Award was presented to Doug Miller. Doug has been a part of many campus projects this past year including the expansion of the organization’s parking lot. He and his wife Sue donate large planters and flowers to the Martin-Linsin campus each year and they bring so much beauty to those who enter the front doors.

Doug has also been extremely instrumental in assisting the agency wherever needed, including his Board of Director duties with the organization. He has a kind, giving heart, and we are so very excited to share this aware with him.

Supportive Care of Orleans would like to again thank both Lynn Burgess and Doug Miller for their contributions and continued efforts to help support the mission of the organization.

Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: Electricity/Electronics teacher Bill Leggett, OCTEC Assistant Principal Nicole Goyette, Alayna Trautman and OCTEC Principal Michael Mann commend Trautman for the award.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Congratulations go to Alayna Trautman, a senior from Royalton-Hartland and an Electricity/Electronics student at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

Alayna is the recipient of the Thomas Olivo Leadership Award from the New York State Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators (NYSACTEA). This award was named in honor of C. Thomas Olivo, who was the New York State Education Department’s director of Vocational Education in 1966, when VICA (now known as Skills USA) was established.

Dr. Olivo had the foresight to see the value of instituting a youth organization for students enrolled in secondary trade, industrial, technical and health occupations. He advocated developing leadership skills through participation in career oriented student organizations, a goal that ACTEA continues to support today. Students receiving this award are honored with a $500 scholarship from ACTEA.

Dr. Michael Weyrauch, Career and Technical Education director at Orleans/Niagara BOCES, said the school is thrilled with Alayna’s accomplishments.

“She is an outstanding individual,” Weyrauch said. “She is hardworking, dedicated and is always thinking of others. We are very proud of her.”

Dr. Hank Stopinski, superintendent of Royalton-Hartland Central School District, added, “The entire Roy-Hart community is proud of all that Alayna has accomplished during her time at our district and BOCES. She is truly a student who represents all that we hope all students will aspire, living the RAMS way, every day!”

Roy-Hart Superintendent Dr. Hank Stopinski, Roy-Hart High School Principal Gary Bell, Alayna Trautman and Roy-Hart Counselor Colleen Albee celebrate Trautman’s recognition.

Press Release, New York National Guard

Master Sgt. Michael Owczarczak

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION – New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Michael Owczarczak, a Medina resident, a combat veteran, and a member of the 107th Attack Wing who also served in the Army National Guard, has been named Outstanding Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year for the 5,800- member New York Air National Guard.

Owczarczak serves as the unit training manager of the 107th Attack Wing’s Security Forces Squadron, based at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

Owczarczak was selected for the award by a board made up of senior enlisted leaders from across the New York Air National Guard.

The New York National Guard picks four Airmen of the Year annually in the categories of First Sergeant, Airman, Non-Commissioned Officer and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer.

“Sergeant Owczarczak distinguishing himself as a resilient and strategic leader built for success,” said Command Chief Master Sgt. Denny Richardson, the senior enlisted leader for the New York Air National Guard.

Owczarczak enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 1998 and served as a combat medic assigned to the 105th Military Police Company in Buffalo. He joined the New York Air National Guard and the 107th Security Forces Squadron in 2001.

In September 2019, Owczarczak deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, where he served as superintendent of plans and programs. He coordinated efforts to protect equipment valued at $3 billion, and led a joint, Norwegian and American response force to help secure airfield perimeter defense, safeguarding 4,500 coalition personnel.

When the base came under Iranian missile attack on January 8, 2020, Owczarczak played a key role in responding to the attack, Richardson said.

He received the Bronze Star in recognition of his efforts.

“His accomplishments of this past year to include the deployment, earning a Bronze star, and multiple award categories is no surprise to anyone he works with,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jerrod Kester, the 107th Security Forces enlisted manager.

Owczarczak is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He also works with multiple committees and councils to bolster wing development and morale.

“Master Sgt. Owczarczak is a clear example of what a SNCO should be not only in security forces but our Air Force,” Kester said. “I have witnessed the hard work and dedication he has put in on a daily basis.”

Owczarczak’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Albion’s Charles D’Amico High School is pleased to announce that four of its students have been inducted into Orleans/Niagara BOCES National Technical Honor Society.

Jacob Coolbaugh

The first of the inductees is Jacob Coolbaugh, a senior at the High School. He is in Computer Technology at the Orleans Career & Technical Education Center (OCTEC).

According to Coolbaugh, he is planning on majoring in Cyber Security at Genesee Community College.

“My goal is to be a cybersecurity expert and work at a reliable company,” Coolbaugh said.

In addition to his academic successes, Coolbaugh also competes on Albion’s Swim Team.

Benjamin Hickman

Benjamin Hickman is focusing on Electricity and Electronics at OCTEC. Currently, Hickman’s goal is to head straight into the work-force after graduating this spring.

“My goal is to get and keep a job,” Hickman explained.

On top of his scholastic accomplishments, Benjamin is also a swimmer for Albion in addition to being a trap shooter.

Elijah Lloyd

The third inductee is Elijah Lloyd and is also a senior at Albion High School. Lloyd is focusing on Security and Law Enforcement and plans to attend the University of Buffalo for Computer Engineering once he graduates.

“My goal is to become a State Trooper,” Lloyd said.

Succeeding not just as a student but as an athlete as well, Lloyd also plays on Albion’s basketball team and runs track and field.

Jakob Talbot

Lastly, Jakob Talbot was also inducted into the NTHS. Talbot has been studying Electricity and Electronics at OCTEC and plans to further his education by attending college for electricity wiring or computer programming.

“My goal is to accomplish my future plans,” Talbot stated.

His accomplishments don’t stop there, Talbot was recognized for being on Honor Roll, a member of National Honor Society, and a tri-sport athlete in the Purple Eagle Athletic Program as a member of the track and field, wrestling, and cross country teams.

All four inductees were also recognized for their perfect attendance as well as being members of SkillsUSA, a national organization that provides leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development experiences for its students.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Two students from Albion’s Carl I. Bergerson Middle School received the Board of Education’s Character and Leadership awards for the month of February.

Olivia Peterson

In the virtual meeting, Middle School Principal Brad Pritchard presented Olivia Peterson with the Character Award and Joseph Schobelein with the Leadership Award.

“There are often times in life when individuals are faced with adversity and, during these difficult times, how we respond to those moments can often set the course for our future,” Pritchard explained. “Olivia has recently overcome great adversity in her life but her outstanding character shined as she fought through a very difficult situation.”

Described as “resilient,” Pritchard said Peterson “pushed forward each day with a positive attitude and a sense of humor.”

“Olivia’s teachers admired her maturity and focus,” Pritchard continued. “Her ability to pick herself up and push forward was remarkable.”

Joseph Schobelein

Schobelein, an eighth-grader, was the recipient of the Leadership Award because he “models leadership by example.”

“He is always polite, considerate, and he has worked so hard to improve academically and socially over the past 2.5 years,” Pritchard said. “Joe is an extremely hard worker who persists with his tasks until they are mastered.”

In addition to his tremendous work ethic and leadership in the classroom, Schobelein has demonstrated kindness to others.

“When you ask people about Joe, everyone has the same response – Joe makes every day brighter with his humor,” Pritchard said.

Schobeleine is humble, he is modest about his achievements and lives up to our value statements of “Valuing everyone, every day.”

We are proud to recognize Olivia and Joe as leaders, not just in work ethic but in character, in our Albion community.

BARRE – Bruce Landis, an Albion photographer, won first place at the 2021 Professional Photographers of America International photo competition with this photograph titled “Aloha New York.”

Plane owner and professional pilot Chris Caruana from Grand Island was flying out of the Pine Hill Airport.

The photo by Landis, one of the images selected from over 5,000 entries, will be on (virtual) display during the 2021 Professional Photographers of America annual convention from Jan.17 to Jan. 19. This is Landis’ third similar award received for airplanes in flight.

He is the owner/photographer of Photos by Bruce and Associates on Ridge Road in Albion.