achievements

Orleans/Niagara BOCES names employees of the year

Provided photos – top row, from left: Daniel Connolly, Cindy Hurt, Carmen Montgomery and John Watson. Bottom row: Anita Muzzi, Dianne Hosmer, Kathy Haseley and Ashley Austin.

Posted 13 September 2023 at 3:20 pm

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its employees of the year for the 2022-2023 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.

Daniel Connolly is the Administrator of the Year. Dan is the Director of Facilities and has worked at O/N BOCES for seven years. Connolly said his favorite part of his job is that every day is different.

“I kind of like the chaos and the challenge that every day brings. I think it keeps me young and active,” he said. “I really am lucky that I work with so many great people. I was shocked when I was named the administrator of the year. It was a real honor.”

Cindy Hurt is the Clerical Person of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for 42 years at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center. She is the secretary to the District Superintendent and the District Clerk.

“I am blessed to work with a lot of great people and I am grateful for being recognized as an employee of the year,” she said.

Carmen Montgomery is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She has worked as an Adult Literacy teacher for five years.

“I felt very humbled to receive this honor, because we have so many absolutely amazing teachers in the Adult Literacy unit,” Montgomery said. “My favorite part of my job is seeing our students succeed, and being part of a team that is truly dedicated to making that happen.”

John Watson is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. He has been a custodian worker at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center since August 2019.

“My favorite thing about my job is working on different tasks and learning new things,” he said. “I was totally surprised to receive this award. I was not expecting it. I am very happy to be working with a great group of people.”

Anita Muzzi is the Staff Specialist of the Year. She has been a part of the Public Relations Department for almost nine years.

“My favorite part of my job is interacting with the component districts that I cover,” Muzzi said. “Going into a classroom, where students are working on projects, or a school where an event is taking place and seeing the students engaged in what they are learning is second to none. I really love going to the district buildings around the holiday times, especially when Santa Claus makes a visit! Additionally, I find seeing the connection between students and local charities/organizations at all grade levels throughout the year heartwarming.”

She said she was surprised and honored at being named Staff Specialist of the year. “Getting an award for something you love doing every day is priceless!”

Dianne Hosmer was named the Substitute of the Year. Dianne worked as a teacher aide at the Niagara Academy for many years. Luckily for Orleans/Niagara BOCES she still continues to work in the capacity of a substitute.

Kathy Haseley is the Teacher Aide of the Year. She has worked at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center for 25 years.

“My favorite part of my job is of course the students! I feel very fortunate as I have been able to be involved in many of our programs over the years. It is fun to see the students learn their trade and become excited about their accomplishments,” Haseley said. “The staff at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center are the best! All these wonderful people make coming to work easy! I feel very honored to receive this award and I was certainly surprised. It made my day!”

Ashley Austin is the Teacher of the Year. Ashley has worked as a special education teacher for almost six years at the North Tonawanda Learning Center.

“My favorite part of my job are the students and seeing their successes and helping them succeed,” Austin said. “I love that ‘aha look’ on a student’s face when something finally clicks or they do good.”

She said she was shocked and surprised when she was announced opening day as the teacher of the year.

Advanced manufacturing teacher with ‘unmatched passion’ at O/N BOCES named educator of the year

Posted 8 August 2023 at 9:21 pm

Haas Foundation honors Bill Rakonczay at conference in Arkansas

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Bill Rakonczay

MEDINA – Orleans/Niagara BOCES Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering teacher Bill Rakonczay has been named the first-ever Haas Educator of the Year by the Gene Haas Foundation.

Rakonczay has taught at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center (OCTEC) for more than 30 years. He received the honor at the annual Haas Conference in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

The July conference features content for machinists, CNC instructors and other advanced manufacturing professionals.

Rakonczay was shocked when his name was called at the conference for the award.

“It was such an honor to receive this award and I am humbled to be the first educator to receive this,” he said. “It means a lot to me personally and to my program. I am very thankful for the faith and support that the Gene Haas Foundation has put in me and to the contributions they have made to increase the opportunities for my students in the skilled manufacturing industry. I am very proud to be partnered with them.”

Rakonczay’s program recently was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Haas Foundation to upgrade his classroom into a state-of-the-art facility. His school year was capped off when his student, Anthony Cercone, take a gold medal at the National SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta in 3 Axis CNC programming.

“You will never find a teacher who is more dedicated and committed to his craft, his students, his school, his community and Haas Automation,” former OCTEC Principal Michael Mann said about Rakonczay. “Bill eats, sleeps and drinks anything and everything Haas CNC Milling. We are very proud of the premier program he has single-handedly built over three decades. You will not find a better ambassador for Haas and CNC milling anywhere on the planet.”

His current principal, Nicole Goyette, had this to say about Rakonczay.

“In my over two decades in education I have not encountered an instructor more dedicated to his program and his students,” Goyette said. “His passion for the trade empowers his students and is unmatched. He is always striving to improve his instructional practice, as well as opportunities for his students. He works very closely with his industry advisory board to ensure the students are workplace ready with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful.”

Goyette said Rakonczay seeks out opportunities for his students to engage with industry leaders such as Autodesk, Fusion 360, Titans of CNC Machining, Haas F1 Team and NASA’s HUNCH program.

“Bill knows that at the heart of teaching is the relationships you have with your students,” she said. “His instruction does not end at 2:30 when the students leave. He follows their home school extracurricular activities and makes sure to post on his classroom Facebook page all of their announcements and accomplishments. He will not let students fail or back off of their responsibilities here at OCTEC or at their home school. He is invested in their future, period.”

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by its founder and owner Gene Haas, to support the community and the needs of the best CNC training programs in the world. Its goal is to expand the availability of high-quality manufacturing technology training worldwide.

National Guard soldier from Medina gets promotion

Staff Reports Posted 7 August 2023 at 6:01 pm

A National Guard soldier from Medina has been promoted to sergeant.

Joshua Klotzbach is assigned to the Company B, 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion. He received his promotion on July 28, Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced.

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

These promotions recognize the best qualified soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

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.

Many students from Orleans make President’s, Provost’s lists at GCC

Staff Reports Posted 30 July 2023 at 8:25 pm

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced students from Orleans County who have been named to 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 following are on the President’s List:

Kiera Dent of Lyndonville
Alanna Holman of Medina
Willy Sanchez-Cabrera of Medina
Melanee London of Medina
Corey Saj of Medina
Devin Hogan of Medina
Alexandria Strong of Medina
Hannah Coolbaugh of Albion
Reuben Rivers of Albion
Kelsie Stahl of Albion
Rowan Ford of Albion
Zoe Seniuk of Albion
Jocelyn Bedard of Albion
Laura Ellsmore of Holley
Tatum Gagne of Holley
Olivia Miller of Holley
Madelyn St. John of Holley
Melania Towner of Holley
Sara Kingdollar of Holley
Brendi Nunnenkamp of Holley
Isabella Zasa of Knowlesville

These students from Orleans County were named to the Provost’s List at GCC. 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.

Angelina Black of Lyndonville
Anthony Moule of Lyndonville
Onnalee O’Connor of Lyndonville
Brent Oliver of Medina
David Garrow of Medina
Dominique McKinley of Medina
Deegan Bragg of Medina
Bradley Pierce of Albion
Sandra Hammond of Albion
Ethan Hofmann of Albion
Rowan Hofmann of Albion
Derick Marr of Albion
Krista Lefrois of Albion
Meganne Moore of Albion
Audrey Pask of Albion
Luke Gregoire of Albion
Tyler Hill of Holley
Kimberly Miller of Holley
Carola Boza-Meade of Holley
Kamryn Berner of Holley
Joshua Jablonski of Kendall
Qasim Huzair of Waterport
Aaron Arnett of Waterport

Roy-Hart Ag Program honored by state for ‘outstanding’ work

Posted 25 July 2023 at 3:07 pm

Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School

MIDDLEPORT – A huge congratulations to Royalton-Hartland High School’s Agriculture Program and its teacher Matthew Sweeney. Mr. Sweeney was notified that his class had received the 2023 New York State Outstanding Agriculture Secondary Program award.

“This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of the students,” Sweeney said. “We are so appreciative of the support that we receive from the Royalton-Hartland Central School District administration, our Board of Education and the community!”

Sweeney is also the recipient of the 2023 District 9 Golden Owl Award for his devotion to positively impact the lives of students and the program has also received a USDA Farm to School Grant which gets local food in the school’s cafeteria. Roy-Hart is looking to hire another agriculture teacher at the middle school level.

The recognition is the highest honor bestowed to Middle/Secondary Agricultural Programs from the New York Association of Agricultural Educators (NYAAE) at its award banquet on June 21. “The award is given to a school whose Ag program gives students the skills necessary to be successful in their future career paths,” stated the NYAAE.

The program was brought back to the district in 2016 and more than 700 students have actively taken part in it. The program includes hands-on learning covering agricultural science, food science and advanced agriculture science. Students are very actively involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and have competed in several competitions.

Roy-Hart’s agriculture program is now also a regional finalist for Region 6 for the National Association of Agriculture Educators Outstanding Program. Regions 6 includes over a dozen states in the Northeast United States. The winner will be announced in August.

5 students from Orleans on SUNY Oswego honor rolls

Staff Reports Posted 25 July 2023 at 11:14 am

SUNY Oswego recently recognized several Orleans County residents as high academic achievers on its President’s List and Deans’ List for the spring 2023 semester.

President’s List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages of 3.8 or higher while carrying required academic credits. Trevor G. Luthart of Medina, a business administration, is on the President’s List.

Deans’ List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying required academic credits. Students on the Deans’ List include:

Hayden S. Arlington, Lyndonville, history
Brandon X. Boyce, Medina, psychology, human development
Madison Jacob, Kendall, online business administration
Raymond G. Paull, Medina, zoology, global and international studies

SUNY Oswego is a 162-year-old institution in the State University of New York system. The university enrolls more than 7,000 students in more than 170 academic programs across its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.

2 from Orleans graduate from RIT

Staff Reports Posted 24 July 2023 at 12:57 pm

ROCHESTER – Two residents from Orleans County have graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology, joining about 4,800 others who earned degrees in 2022-2023 academic year.

The following local residents received degrees:

• Ricky Daniels of Albion received a degree in chemical engineering (BS).

• Alex Lane of Holley received a degree in computing security (BS).

RIT is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,700 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

Agricultural workers celebrated for English, civics skills in program at World Life Institute and BOCES

Provided photos: These students celebrate their success in learning English in a program based at the World Life Institute.

Posted 2 July 2023 at 5:14 pm

Press Release, World Life Institute

WATERPORT – Students from Brazil, Indonesia, Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico last week received certificates for their improvement in English at the World Life Institute Education Center on Stillwater Road. There were about 45 students, family members, and friends who attended the evening ceremony.

Dr. Michael Weyrauch, director of Continuing Education O/N BOCES, congratulates agricultural students at the World Life Institute Education Center in Waterport.

Orleans/Niagara BOCES offers English and Civics programs in collaboration with the World Life Institute in Waterport. Dr. Michael Weyrauch, director of Adult Continuing Education of O/N BOCES, congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue taking on new challenges. On hand were ON BOCES Literacy Specialist Susan Diemert and ON BOCES board members Tom Klotzbach and Wayne Wadhams.

Daniel Payan Payan of Plummer Farms Lyndonville shows his certificate of recognition.

There were displays of student work inside the school, including examples of their written work and art projects. PowerPoint presentations were on view in the computer lab. The evening began with a catered meal provided by Mariachi D’Oro restaurant and live music provided by Michael Pavone of Brockport.

Many of the new students work at Intergrow in Albion and other agricultural facilities in Albion, Lyndonville and Waterport.

Julia Stewart-Bittle of Geneseo, right, explains the value of art education while students learn English. Linda Redfield, one of the program’s teachers, is at left.

Julia Stewart-Bittle of Geneseo, representing the CAMPS program of the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, described the value of art activities as part of the learning experience for these students throughout the ON BOCES program period, from July 2022 to June 2023. Thanks to the New York State Council on the Arts funding which provides this art education as well as featuring student artwork in exhibits in several venues.

Lorienda Smith was honored as a volunteer teaching and preparing students for the United States citizenship exam.

Alan Nunez of Plummer Farms addresses the audience in English.

One student, Alan Nunez of Plummer Farms in Lyndonville, spoke to the crowd in English expressing his gratitude and English achievements he experienced in the adult program since February 2023.

Nunez also succeeded in getting his New York State driver’s license with the assistance of instructors in the evening program.

O/N BOCES students win awards at National SkillsUSA Competition

Posted 28 June 2023 at 10:22 am

Provided photos: Anthony Cercone (Lockport) celebrates receiving his gold medal in the CNC 3-Axis Milling Competition.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – SkillsUSA students from Orleans/Niagara BOCES brought home five medals from the National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Championship in Atlanta, Georgia!

The career competition events showcased the most accomplished career and technical education students in the nation. Students advanced through competitions at the local and state levels with state winners going on the national stage. The winners were announced Friday.

Congratulations go to:

• Gold medalist: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program’s Anthony Cercone (Lockport/Orleans Career and Technical Education Center) in the CNC 3-Axis Milling Competition. His teacher is Bill Rakonczay.

Lydia Samson

• Silver medalist: Health Occupations Technician program’s Lydia Samson (Barker/Orleans Career and Technical Education Center) who brought home silver in the Basic Health Care Competition. Her teacher is Courtney Slack.

• Silver medalist: Electricity/Electronics program’s Zachary Luick (Lockport/Orleans Career and Technical Education Center) in the Electronic Technology Competition. His teacher is Bill Leggett.

• Silver medalist: Project Based Engineering program’s Robert Dutton (Lewiston-Porter/Niagara Career and Technical Education Center), Jarod Gajewski (Wilson/Niagara Career and Technical Education Center) and Brian Zatkos (Niagara Wheatfield/Niagara Career and Technical Education Center) in Engineering Technology Design Team Competition. Their teacher is Scott Brauer.

Nathaniel Wolf

• Bronze medalist: Computer Technology program’s Nathaniel Wolf (Royalton-Hartland/Orleans Career and Technology Center) in the Internet of Things Competition. His teacher is Paul Herrmann.

“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of these students and the instructional staff who have worked with them,” said Dr. Michael Weyrauch, director of Adult Education, CTE & Instructional Services at O/N BOCES. “To be given an opportunity to showcase one’s passion and determination in a career field of their choosing is what Career & Technical Education (CTE) is all about. O/N BOCES is pleased to have been a part of these students’ amazing journey and wish them the very best with what’s next in their futures. Congratulations to all!”

Students from Orleans County make Dean’s List at Alfred State

Staff Reports Posted 15 June 2023 at 7:41 am

ALFRED – Nine students from Orleans County were named to the 2023 spring Dean’s List at Alfred State College.

Those students include:

Jayce Ashton of Albion, a Notre Dame High School graduate who is majoring in Heavy Equipment Operations
Julia Buck, a Holley High School graduate who is majoring Business Administration
Elizabeth Furmanski, an Albion High School graduate majoring in Human Services Management
Alyson Knaak, an Albion High School majoring in Agricultural Technology
Ethan Kuhn, a Kendall graduate majoring in Forensic Science Technology
Reagan London, a Lyndonville graduate majoring in Nursing (AAS/BS)
Nikolas Newton, an Albion graduate majoring in CNC Manufacturing and Machining
Joshua Smith, a Kendall grad majoring in Mechanical Engineering Tech
Jacob Thom, an Albion alum majoring in Welding Technology.

Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Craig Clark, PhD is pleased to see the success. “It is always great to celebrate the academic success of our students. Congratulations to these students and I encourage all our students to continue to work hard in our classrooms and labs.”