achievements

Makenzie McGrath awarded scholarship from Shelby Volunteer Fire Company

Staff Reports Posted 12 August 2025 at 7:59 am

Provided photo

SHELBY – Makenzie McGrath, 17, of Medina was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.  Presenting the award is Treasurer Kirk Myhill, left, and Makenzie’s grandfather, Gary Watts. Mr. Watts has been an active member of the company for 52 years and is a past chief.

Shelby Volunteer Fire Company awards an annual scholarship to a student who has shown enthusiasm and volunteered serving the fire company.

Makenzie McGrath is a member of the Shelby Auxiliary and has been an active participate in fire company activities from a very young age. With her great-grandfather, Sidney Watts, a founding member of the company, and many family members active, volunteering with the fire company seems to run in your blood, McGrath said.

She has volunteered at fundraisers, Mothers’ Day Chicken Barbecue, catered weddings and parties for many years. When old enough she became a member of the Auxiliary to support the fire company.

Makenzie graduated from Medina High School in the top 10 of her class and is involved in many other community-service activities. She is the daughter of Patrick and Julianne McGrath and plans to attend Nazareth University and major in Elementary and Music Education.

GCC announces Orleans residents on Provost’s List

Staff Reports Posted 31 July 2025 at 11:26 am

BATAVIA – There are 241 students from Genesee Community College on the Provost’s List, including many from Orleans Copunty.

Students honored on the Provost’s List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

The students from Orleans County include:

  • Charlene Schiavone of Kendall
  • David Garrow of Medina
  • Evan Horn of Medina
  • Steven Kage of Medina
  • Leah Knab of Albion
  • Amanda Greenough of Albion
  • Fjolla Bela of Albion
  • Ethan Hofmann of Albion
  • Leanne Hofmann of Albion
  • Rowan Hofmann of Albion
  • Derick Marr of Albion
  • Autumn Schaefer of Albion
  • Melanie Kuhmann of Albion
  • Sophia Smith of Albion
  • Luke Gregoire of Albion
  • Jacklyn Botello of Holley
  • Michelle Murphy of Holley
  • Aaron Arnett of Waterport

National honor for top volunteer at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

Posted 28 July 2025 at 5:18 pm

Carl Zenger has been very active presence at refuge since 1997

By Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

Provided photo: Carl Zenger has been a dedicated volunteer at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge for nearly 30 years.

BASOM – Carl Zenger of Lockport has been awarded the Refuge Volunteer of the Year in the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards by the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

A former board member of the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and a retired mechanical engineer, Zenger is an integral part of the refuge. He has been recognized by peers, staff and the community for his unparalleled dedication to conservation. Since starting his volunteer journey in 1997, Zenger, 87, has invested over 44,000 hours — equivalent to 15½ years of a full-time employee.

“I’m not sure the refuge could operate without Carl — he’s such a treasure,” said Richard Moss, president of the Iroquois refuge Friends group. “We are planning to hold an award ceremony later this fall, likely in mid-October.”

In addition to this prestigious national award, Zenger was also named Volunteer of the Year for the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has been recognized by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for his commitment to the community.

“Carl’s commitment truly embodies the spirit of John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural message — ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,’” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “We congratulate and commend Carl for living this ideal and we thank him on behalf of all Americans for his contribution to conservation and to our world.”

The award ceremony in October will include representatives of the national association, members of the Zenger family, and other dignitaries. Moss said more information would be available closer to that event.

Zenger’s inspirational efforts include:

  • Building hundreds of bluebird houses and toad abodes for outreach events.
  • Leading outreach programs and initiating a multi-species cavity nesting program.
  • Designing innovative nesting structures and pulley systems for safe and easy replacement.
  • Supplementing calcium intake for purple martins by processing eggshells from local community events.
  • Being a key proponent of our grassland habitat restoration team, mowing 200 acres annually and maintaining the refuge’s tractors for over sixteen years.

“Being chosen out of the entire national system for this honor is something special. If you see Carl, please join us in celebrating his incredible achievement and thanking him for his invaluable contributions to our community and the environment,” Moss said. “The refuge system has been hit hard by staff and budget cutbacks, going back well before the current round of federal budget scrutiny, so it is heavily dependent on volunteers like Carl to maintain and enhance our public lands.”

The National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2025 awards also honored Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends in Virginia as the refuge friends group of the year; Andrew Gude as refuge manager of the year for his work at the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys national wildlife refuges in Florida; and Dartha Campbell, with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, as refuge employee of the year.

Includes reporting by Michael Doyle of Greenwire.

One-man team, Elijah ‘The Bull’ Starr, captures haybale rolling title at Fair

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2025 at 2:05 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: Elijah “The Bull” Starr pushes an 800-pound haybale through a course on Saturday night at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. He won the title despite not having a partner to help with the challenge. Jeremy Neal, the event chairman and judge, is in back.

KNOWLESVILLE – In the four years of the haybale rolling challenge at the Orleans County 4-H Fair, Elijah “The Bull” Starr has emerged as the crowd favorite.

The competition invites two-person teams to roll a haybale and push it end over end through an obstacle course. Starr, 35, has been one of the fastest at the event, despite not having a partner.

On Saturday, he won the competition – all by himself. Starr set a new personal record by completing the task in 1 minute, 6 seconds. The judge and event chairman, Jeremy Neal, assesses 5-second penalties if cones are knocked over and if teams go off course. Starr has one five-second penalty giving him a final time of 1:11. That bested the fastest teams that all qualified for the finals on Saturday night.

Starr runs a beef farm in Lyndonville. He is used to mowing heavy bales.

“This is how I feed my cows,” he said.

The competitors in the event also have to throw smaller 50-pound bales over a 6-foot-high beam at the beginning and end of the competition.

Starr also works at Tractor Supply. He said he has a growing reputation for his skills in the haybale rolling competition. The Orleans County 4-H Fair added the haybale rolling in 2021 after the grease pole was discontinued over objections from the fair’s insurance provider.

Fair officials acknowledge the haybale rolling doesn’t draw the huge crowds like the grease pole, but it does provide a fun way to cap off the day’s events at the fair.

The Phonie E’s – Ian Kingdollar, left, and Immanuel Cornell – compete in haybale rolling on Friday night at the fair. Both are 4-H members. They finished second out of seven and didn’t advance to the finals. They tried again at preliminaries on Saturday.

The team of “Kaitlin Squared” – Kaitlynn Basinait and Kaitlin Bennett – made a valiant effort to get the haybale around the course, and then toss the smaller bales over a beam. They got the big bale to the finish line on Friday night.

Team Frog came in first on Friday and advanced to the finals on Saturday. Seth McCracken and Nathanael Hemmerick finished in 1:24 – 1:09 with 15 seconds of violations.

The Double B’s – Becky and Brandon – won the preliminaries on Saturday to advance to the finals where they finished in 1:35, 1:30 plus a 5-second penalty. This team includes Elijah Starr’s brother, Brandon Skellon.

Royalty relish active roles in 4-H, annual County Fair

Posted 27 July 2025 at 1:09 pm

Photo by Natalie Baron: Royalty this year  at the Orleans County 4-H Fair are front row, left to right: Tommy Dresser, 10, Medina (Fair Prince Alternate); Caleb Fisher, 11, Albion (Fair Prince); and Sadie Pask, 11, Albion (Fair Princess). Back row: Immanuel Cornell, 15, Holley (Fair Duke Alternate); Jackson Fraiser, 12, Kent (Fair Duke); Sophia Albone, 14, Medina (Fair Duchess Alternate); Alyssa Murray, 15, Albion (Fair Duchess); Gary Donofrio, 16, Bergen (Fair King); Bailey Gonzalez, 17, Albion (Fair Queen Alternate); and Makenzie McGrath, 17, Medina (Fair Queen). Not pictured is Bailey Elliott, 11, Albion (Fair Princess Alternate). There is no King Alternate.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

KNOWLESVILLE—The royalty of the Orleans County Fair were crowned Saturday evening, concluding the Fair Awards ceremony.

Makenzie McGrath, 17, was named Fair Queen. She is grateful for a decade of experiences and learning in the 4-H program.

“I enjoyed it a lot!” she exclaimed. “I showed goats this year. I only did it a few times. It was fun! I participated in the Trolley Building and all sorts of activities.”

She expressed about being crowned Queen, “It was really surprising and exciting and I’m really grateful.”

Gary Donofrio, 16, Bergen was chosen as Fair King. He also won the grand master showman competition on Friday evening.

There are many reasons to become involved with the 4-H program. “4-H offers kids a variety of hands-on learning opportunities,” said Peggy Gabalski, one of the organizers for the event. “All the skills you’re learning, you’re gonna also be practicing and be able to apply. It also gives 4-Hers a variety of different ages to work with, peers who are the same age and peers who are younger. You learn working with adults and learning responsibility with a variety of tasks.”

“I think 4-H is still strong as a community youth organization,” said organizer Kayla Dengler, “and I think here in Orleans County, we continue to grow strong youth leaders and animal caretakers.”

The award announcers were the crowned king and queen from last year. They shared their journeys of how they became heavily involved in the county fair.

“I grew up doing horses,” explained Lea Donofrio of Bergen. “We got a bigger farm, expanded a bit. Now, I show swine. It was sort of a domino effect to do fair. We had a bunch of family friends who did it.”

Luke Gregoire shared, “I’m technically tied for youngest in my family. My siblings did 4-H. It was a natural process with animals. I started showing guinea pigs, maybe rabbits, then chickens.”

Small animal master showmen take the reins at the 4-H Fair

Posted 27 July 2025 at 12:06 am

Photos and article courtesy of Kristina Gabalski

KNOWLESVILLE – The participants in the 2025 Orleans County 4-H Fair Small Animal Grand Master Competition which was held on Saturday include, from left: Bailey Gonzalez, age 17, of Albion, Dog Master Showman; Celes Paratore, 17, of Corfu,  Small Animal Reserve Master Showman and Poultry Master Showman; Evelyn Paratore, 13, of Corfu, Small Animal Grand Master Showman, Rabbit Master Showman; Haleigh Pollock, 17, of Waterport, Reserve Dog Showman; Monica Thomas, 14, of Albion, Mini Horse Reserve Showman; and Grace Goodrich, 16 of Medina, Mini Horse Master Showman.

The Small Animal Grand Master competition includes Dog, Rabbit, Poultry and Mini Horse. All master and reserve showman in those four species compete for the Small Animal Grand Master title.  Here, Evelyn Paratore shows a mini horse.  She went on to take the Small Animal Grand Master Showman title.

Monica Thomas shows a dog to judge Anne Moyer. Monica was the Mini Horse Reserve Showman.

Bailey Gonzalez shows a mini-horse to judge Nicole Dabney.  Bailey was the Master Dog Showman.

Celes Paratore shows a chicken to judge David Gerling. Celes took to Reserve Small Animal Master Showman title.  She was the Poultry Master Showman and Rabbit Reserve Master Showman.

Haleigh Pollock shows a dog to judge Anne Moyer. Haleigh was the Dog Reserve Master Showman.

Grace Goodrich shows a dog during the Small Animal Grand Master Competition.  She was the Mini Horse Master Showman.

Evelyn Paratore shows a rabbit to judge Sue Gerling.  Evelyn won Small Animal Grand Master Showman at the competition held Saturday.  Evelyn was Rabbit Master Showman and Poultry Reserve Showman.

Participants in the Small Animal Grand Master Competition provide advice and support to each other while they wait for scores to be tallied.  From left include Celes Paratore, Haleigh Pollock, Grace Goodrich and Monica Thomas.

Nicole Dabney, Mini Horse Judge for the Small Animal Grand Master Competition, provides feedback to participants as they wait for the winners to be announced.

Grand master showman emerges from talented field at Fair

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2025 at 9:29 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Gary Donofrio holds the trophy after winning the grand master showman title on Friday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. He is congratulated by, from left: Henry Dresser, Isabel Nesbitt, Kyler Bennett and Ian Kingdollar.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair held one of its most prestigious competitions on Friday, with the master showmen from several different breeds of animals all vying for the title of grand master showman.

When it was all over, after about 2 ½ hours, Gary Donofrio was the champion.

The competition features the master showman in nine different animals: horse Western, horse English, dairy goat, meat goat, sheep, swine, llama, dairy cattle and beef cattle.

Donofrio, 16, of Bergen qualified by winning the showman title for sheep. He also shows pigs and beef cattle.

He remembers watching the competition as a young 4-Her and aspiring to be in the competition. But in recent years he couldn’t quite win the showman title for beef or with pigs. This year he decided to add sheep showing to his repertoire, hoping it would increase his chance to get in the grand master event. That paid off for him on Friday.

“I like that it takes the best people at showing animals and puts everyone together,” Gary said after he won the title.

The participants had to show all of the different animals, and they couldn’t show their own.

Gary said he enjoys raising and training animals from soon after they are born. The animals imprint of the humans that first work with them. During the grand master event, Gary said his beef animal seemed confused that it wasn’t Gary leading it in the show ring.

Gary and his family live in Bergen in Genesee County. They have been active in the Orleans County 4-H program, where they said they feel welcome and many of the participants strive for excellence, pushing each other to be their best.

Donofrio will be a senior at Byron-Bergen this year. He is hoping to get into the HVAC business, while also continuing to work with animals.

He was praised by Nick Kron, one of the grand master judges, for his versatility and intensity through the competition on a hot summer day.

“He was the most consistent,” Kron said. “He maintained good eye contact. He was the most alert and had a good feel for showing each species.”

Bree Clark, judge for horses and llamas, keeps an eye on the grand master showmen participants as they lead llamas and alpacas. From left in back include Gary Donofrio, Kyler Bennett and Allison Merle.

Ella Christ of Kendall holds an alpaca’s head up high. Behind her is Ian Kingdollar of Lyndonville.

Christ was the reserve grand master showman. She qualified after winning the Western horse showmanship. Kingdollar qualified by winning the meat goat competition.

Kyler Bennett, 12, of Barre shows a horse during the opening event of the grand master showmen competition. Kyler qualified for the grand master by winning the dairy cow showmanship.

Allison Merle, 18, of Holley stoops to show a sheep. The showmen had to lead this animal with their bare hands and no halter. Allison qualified by winning the llama showmanship.

Isabel Nesbitt, 12, of Lyndonville is asked a question by judge Nick Kron. Isabel won the pig showmanship competition to qualify for the grand master. She was among several younger 4-Hers in the grand master event. Kyler Bennett is at left.

Amelia Paratore, 15, of Corfu leads a llama in front of judge Bree Clark. Amelia qualified by winning the meat goat showmanship.

Henry Dresser, 11, of Medina keeps his eyes on the judge while trying to get a sheep set up in the show arena. Henry won the beef cow showmanship.

Emily Smith-Flatley, 12, of Medina and Ian Kingdollar, 16, of Lyndonville get their sheep in position during the grand master showmen event. Emily qualified by winning the English horses competition while Ian was the top showman for dairy goats.

Ian said showing all the different animals was a great experience.

“You get to meet the other showmen who are the top of their class,” he said.

Showing a beef cow, the biggest of the all the livestock in the event, was the toughest.

“They are very heavy and head strong,” Kingdollar said.

Donofrio, the grand master champ, said sheep and goats are taxing on the body because the 4-Hers often are stooped over to show them.

The cows and llamas take a toll on the shoulders, Donofrio said.

The master showmen try to get their pigs under control. From left include Ian Kingdollar, Henry Dresser, Allison Merle, Kyler Bennett, Gary Donofrio, Ella Christ and Emily Smith-Flatley.

Pie bakers welcome chance to make tasty treat, and compete for $1,000 in prizes at fair

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2025 at 2:30 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Pictured from left shows the top four finishers in the apple pie baking contest at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

The top four from left include Marian Fry in first, April Daniels in second, Becky Harris in third, and Amanda Mahle in fourth. Cherrie Ashbery in fifth isn’t in the photo.

The top pies received $200 for first, $100 for second, $75 for third, $50 for fourth and $25 for fifth. Honorable mentions in the kids’ division were for $10 each. (Valent sponsored the prize money.)

The pie-baking contest is one of several new competitions at this year’s fair. The judging was on Thursday and all 10 spots in both the adult and youth divisions were quickly claimed. (Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers was one of the four judges.)

Marian Fry said she has long been well regarded for her apple pies since she was in junior high. She mixed two varieties of apples, Granny Smith and Empire, for her pie. It not only tasted very good, but she had four cutouts in the top of the crust that resembled apples. Fry said the cutouts give her pies an extra-special look. When the Buffalo Bills are playing, she makes cutouts of the Bills logo on top of the pies.

The top five in the youth division include: 1. Addlynne Fox; 2. Fiona Oakes; 3. Kiera Zuch; 4. Olivia Mathes; and 5. Bailey Elliott.

Honorable mentions went to Ellie Oliver, Lily Hungerford, Kenslee Smoak, Morgenn Smoak and Kate Bennett.

Pictured from left in the youth division include Ellie Oliver with honorable mention, Kiera Zuch in third, Addlynne Fox in first, Fiona Oakes in second, and Bailey Elliott in fifth.

Karaoke singers hit the right notes at County Fair

Posted 25 July 2025 at 10:45 am

Adriana Schiavone of Kendall wins the title

Photos and article by Natalie Baron

KNOWLESVILLE – Adriana Schiavone of Kendall sings “Journey to the Past” from Anastasia during the karaoke championship on Thursday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Adriana scored first place out of 11 participants in the annual karaoke contest. She received a $500 prize. The competition has been held for “at least 30 years here,” said DJ Brad London, who has led the popular event.

Adriana, a star of Kendall school musicals, had a humble start to the karaoke contest. “I did it last year, and I didn’t go through to finals, so I came into it with the goal of just making it to finals. I knew about it since I was a little girl.”

Adriana was not expecting any prize and was all smiles when she won. “When they said 2nd, I was a little disappointed, and when they called my name, I was like, wow!”

(Left) Amir Huzair, who placed second last night, performs “Why, God, Why?” from Miss Saigon. (Center) Heidi Feuerherm sings “At Last” by Etta James. (Right) Emily Schiffhauer confidently sings “Valerie” by Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse.

Abigail Pratt, who placed third and won a $125 prize, sings “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. “I’m currently a music student at Fredonia,” Abigail shared. “Music has always been my specialty!”

Abigail’s interest in the karaoke competition grew as she wanted a new space to perform. “Usually I’m at a rehearsal for a summer theater program during this time, but I’ve grown out of this, so I thought, why not come to a little karaoke contest!”

Frank “Boomer’oke” Buell won the fan favorite prize for his engagement with the audience during his performance of Journey’s “Faithfully,” exiting the stage during his performance to mingle with the crowd.

This is Frank’s second year bringing his talents to the karaoke contest. “Friends at my work Wynland Foods asked me to join, and I said y’know what, I’ll sign up,” Frank said. “So, I came and ended up singing One by Creed, interacted with the audience and had a great time!”

(Left) Phoebe Allen enthusiastically sings “Unbelievable” by Diamond Rio. (Center) Samuel Robinson, placing fourth, energetically performs “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin, dancing across the stage. (Right) Denin “Jersey Dee” Martino gets into it performing All Jacked Up by Gretchen Wilson, ultimately placing fifth.

There were five top scorers and two additional prize winners at the karaoke contest on Thursday. Six judges announced the winners of the competition based on the criteria of 1/3 cheering, 1/3 stage presence, and 1/3 vocals. The top five contestants were all only five point values apart from each other, a testament to each one’s talent.

From left include Adriana Schiavone, first ($500 prize); Amir Huzair, second ($250 prize); Abigail Pratt, third ($125); Emily Schiffhauer, the “Best New Performer,” Samuel Robinson, fourth ($75), Denin “Jersey Dee” Martino, fifth ($50), and Frank “Boomer’oke” Buell, the fan favorite.

Audience members take to the stage as the judges tally the contestants’ point values. They danced to a couple of songs, including Cotton Eye Joe.

20 complete interior firefighting course at county

Posted 24 July 2025 at 10:14 pm

Provided photos: This photo shows the IFO graduating class of 2025 near the fire training tower at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office

ALBION – The Orleans County Emergency Management Office (EMO) held a graduation celebration Wednesday night at the EMO Fire Training Tower to honor the 20 students who successfully completed the Interior Firefighting Operation (IFO) training course.  This course prepares graduates to operate as interior structural firefighters, meaning they engage in fire suppression and rescue operations within buildings and enclosed structures.

In his speech to graduates, Orleans County EMO Director Justin Niederhofer said, “The Interior Firefighting Operations course is no small milestone. You’ve learned to enter some of the most dangerous environments imaginable – where others run out, you’ve trained to go in. But tonight’s graduation is not the finish line. It is the starting point of a journey – a lifetime commitment to learning, to safety, and to serving others.”

In order to take the IFO course, students must have successfully completed Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations (BEFO). The BEFO session is a total of 79 training hours and IFO is an additional 50.  All training is done by state fire instructors and skills instructor through the NYS Office of Fire Protection Control.

This rigorous IFO course covers a variety of areas including basic firefighter survival techniques, modern fire control methods, building fire search and victim removal techniques, firefighter survival skills, tactical ventilation, coordinated structure fire interior attack and much more. Students are also trained in use of firefighter personal protective equipment and of the self-contained breathing apparatus.

 “As fire coordinator, I’ve seen firsthand the difference that well-trained, committed firefighters can make in our communities,” Niederhofer said. “The moments that test us most – structure fires, rescues, the 3 a.m. alarms in the dead of winter – are where your preparation and heart will shine the brightest. But don’t stop here. This course is a foundation, not a ceiling. Seek more training. Take the next class. Ask questions. Learn from the veterans around you, and one day, become the mentor that future firefighters will look up to. The fire service is constantly evolving – and the only way we stay effective and safe is by continuing to grow.”

The graduates and their fire department affiliation are:

  • Cory Fults, Clarendon
  • Jeffrey Casillo, Murray Joint Fire District
  • Carter Prince, Hamlin Morton Walker
  • William Parkin, Kendall
  • Stephen Balka, Kendall
  • Logan Gardner, East Shelby
  • Joshua Fuller, East Shelby
  • Robert Toman, Albion
  • Andrew Austin, Ridgeway
  • Dylan Taylor, East Shelby
  • Austin Seefeldt, Ridgeway
  • Victor Jefferds , East Shelby
  • Nathan Fuller, East Shelby
  • Alex Benz, Shelby
  • Chyenne Tackley, Lyndonville
  • Kalub Wilson, Hamlin Morton Walker
  • Benjamin Croce, Hamlin Morton Walker
  • Tervel Atanassov, Lyndonville
  • James Nichols, Alabama
  • Alexander Summers, Alabama

These photos show skills demonstrations – donning gear, forcible entry and wall breach. The firefighters include Will Parkin (Kendall), Alex Benz (Shelby) and Austin Seefeldt (Ridgeway).

GCC announces Dean’s List students from Orleans County

Staff Reports Posted 22 July 2025 at 11:46 am

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced the students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List for the spring semester. There are 198 students from GCC in total named to Dean’s List.

Students honored on the Dean’s List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

The honored students from Orleans County include:

  • Haley Shaffer of Lyndonville
  • Marah Ritzenthaler of Medina
  • Amber Stawicki of Medina
  • Casey Conrad of Albion
  • Rebecca Smith of Albion
  • Mckenzie Olmstead of Albion
  • Lauren Rissew of Albion
  • Micah Martin of Albion
  • Rebekah MacNeill of Kendall
  • Clancy Frearson of Kendall
  • Abigael Delobbe-Scott of Lyndonville
  • Catherine Wolck of Albion
  • Alivia Fidanza of Albion
  • Leeyah Rechtsiegel of Holley
  • Jacqueline O’Grady of Holley
  • Crystopher Labonoski of Kendall
  • Travis Baldwin of Kent
  • Tyrell Wright of Knowlesville

Many from Orleans make GCC President’s List

Staff Reports Posted 18 July 2025 at 6:02 pm

BATAVIA – Several students from Orleans County are among the 217 to make Genesee Community College’s President’s List.

Students honored on the President’s List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

The students from Orleans County on the President’s List include:

  • Julia Wisniewski of Medina
  • Chyenne Tackley of Lyndonville
  • Emma Carson of Medina
  • Bryn Grube of Medina
  • Cayden Lilleby of Medina
  • Amber Miller of Medina
  • Kenley Fenton of Medina
  • Marisa Tetrault of Albion
  • Brianna Sample of Albion
  • Isaac Neidert of Albion
  • Miguel Aldaco of Albion
  • Kayla Burgio of Albion
  • Faith Chaffee of Albion
  • Sara Turner of Albion
  • Kimberly Weese of Albion
  • Grace Gregoire of Albion
  • Sadie Gregoire of Albion
  • Keenan Washington of Kent
  • Natalie Bertsch of Waterport

Several students from Orleans named to UB’s spring 2025 Dean’s List

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2025 at 2:59 pm

BUFFALO – The following local students from Orleans County were named to the University at Buffalo’s spring 2025 Dean’s List:

  • Daniel Barry of Lyndonville
  • Jylees Bermudez of Albion
  • Adriana Botello of Kendall
  • Caiden Class of Medina
  • Thomas Costello of Medina
  • Nathan Dillenbeck of Lyndonville
  • Matthew Drum of Medina
  • Anthony Gagliardo of Medina
  • Kevin He of Albion
  • Emma Jacobs of Medina
  • Jonah Karnyski of Albion
  • Jordan Marshall of Albion
  • Elizabeth McCarthy of Medina
  • Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville
  • S’koi Sanders of Albion
  • Hilda Santiago Bautista of Medina

UB is New York State’s flagship university and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system.

“Each semester brings new opportunities to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students,” said Ann Bisantz, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. “The scholars named to this semester’s undergraduate dean’s list exemplify what it means to pursue academic excellence with purpose, passion, and integrity. We are proud to honor their achievements and look forward to the impact they will continue to make.”

4 from Orleans graduate from Buffalo State College

Staff Reports Posted 24 June 2025 at 2:40 pm

BUFFALO – Buffalo State University is pleased to congratulate students from Orleans County who completed the requirements to earn their baccalaureate and graduate degrees in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.

• Nicolina Creasey of Albion graduated from Buffalo State with a BS in Speech-Language Pathology.

• India Green of Albion graduated from Buffalo State with a BS in Individualized Studies.

• Madison Williams of Medina graduated from Buffalo State with a BA in Media Production.

• Alexis Jones of Medina graduated from Buffalo State with a MSED in Childhood and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction.

Several colleges announce Orleans students on Dean’s List

Staff Reports Posted 23 June 2025 at 7:28 am

Several students from Orleans County have made the Dean’s List at colleges and universities.

At Buffalo State University, Nicolina Creasey of Albion, Brionna Raiser-Russell of Knowlesville and Madison Williams of Medina made the spring Dean’s List. To make the list, students need to have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

• Leah Kania of Albion is majoring in voice performance at Baldwin Wallace University at in Berea, Ohio, which is near Cleveland. The Dean’s List recognizes students who earn a grade point average of 3.8 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more graded hours during the semester.

• Kylie Towne, a tourism/event and meeting management major from Holley, is among the more than 1,660 students named to Niagara University’s Dean’s List. To qualify, students must be registered for 12 credit-bearing hours during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

• Alexa Adams of Paul Smith’s College has been named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. The college is located in the Adirondack Park. (Adams also graduated from Paul Smith’s College in May, earning a BS in Integrative Studies.)

• Daisy Perez Reyes and Shelly Reyes, both of Albion, earned Dean’s List honors for the spring at SUNY Oneonta in Central New York semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

• Emma Roush of Medina, a senior Psychology major at Grove City College, has been named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the spring 2025 semester. The Dean’s List with Distinction includes a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84.

Several from Orleans made the Dean’s List at Nazareth University in Rochester including Joseph Nettles of Holley, Hailey Crawford of Albion, Tyana Burroughs of Kendall, Raine Baker of Lyndonville, and Kailie Regan of Holley. They all attained GPAs of at least 3.5 or above.

• Lillian Isabella Wilson of Medina has been named to Clarkson University’s Dean’s List. Wilson is a junior majoring in chemistry. Dean’s List students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.

(Editor’s Note: These are from colleges and universities that sent in the local students on the Dean’s List. Not all schools send in the news to the Orleans Hub.)