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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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:
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.”
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 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.)
Provided photo: Pat Turner, co-president of Alpha Theta, presents the Alpha Theta Woman of Distinction Award to Nelda Callard.
MEDINA – Every other year Delta Kappa Gamma Chapters recognize a Woman of Distinction. A Woman of Distinction is a woman who stands out and is recognized for her achievements, leadership and positive influence.
This woman is a chapter member who embodies what it means to be a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She is involved in all phases of the chapter and makes significant contributions to education.
Nelda Callard of Medina is a retired teacher from Royalton-Hartland Central School. She was an outstanding teacher and continues to foster education and learning in our society and the community.
Nelda is presently the Treasurer for Apha Theta and a treasured member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
ALFRED – The Spring 2024 Dean’s List features 755 Alfred State College students including several from Orleans County. To be named to the Dean’s List, students had to take a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work and earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.
“I’m continually impressed by the dedication our students show in both the classroom and the labs,” commented Vice President for Academic Affairs Carrie Cokely, PhD. “Congratulations on achieving this milestone—keep pushing forward in your pursuit of academic excellence!”
The students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List include:
Lorelei Dillenbeck of Lyndonville, majoring in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Owen Hirschman of Kendall, majoring in Welding Technology
Alex King of Kendall, majoring in Business Administration
Xavier King of Medina, majoring in Welding Technology
Ethan Kuhn of Kendall, majoring in Health Sciences
James Salvatore of Albion, majoring in Motorsports Technology
Jacob Wilson of Lyndonville, majoring in Elec Cons & Maintenance Electrician
BUFFALO – The following students from Orleans County graduated from the University at Buffalo.
• Jylees Bermudez of Albion graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Brooklyn Brown of Medina graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in public health from the School of Public Health and Health Professions.
• Amaya Cancino of Holley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Thomas Costello of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Ethan Creig of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history/social studies adolescence education from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Nathan Dillenbeck of Lyndonville graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Matthew Drum of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Anthony Gagliardo of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Arts and Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in physics from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Ej Lloyd of Albion graduated with a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Allison Lyndaker of Holley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Elizabeth McCarthy of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the College of Arts and Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Chris Shabazz of Albion graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geographic information science from the College of Arts and Sciences.
UB is New York State’s flagship and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system. The university awarded over 10,100 degrees across 18 school-based degree-conferral ceremonies held May 1-18 and earlier in the academic year.
Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: From left include Scott Clark (Royalton-Hartland), Edward Grabowski (Medina Board of Education Representative for ONBOCES) and Sophia Goyette (Medina).
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Four students, at the Orleans (OCTEC) and Niagara (NCTEC) Career and Technical Education Centers received the Dr. Clark J. Godshall Scholarships at their end-of-the-year ceremonies.
The following students were awarded the scholarships: Sophia Goyette (Medina), who is in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program; Scott Clark (Royalton Hartland), who is the Computer Technology Program; McKenzie Taggart (Niagara Falls) in the Allied Health Program; and Sean Kropp (Wilson) in the Computer Technology Program.
Sean Kropp (Wilson) is shown at left, while NCTEC Principal Michael Mann congratulates McKenzie Taggart (Niagara Falls).
The four scholarships recipients were chosen by retired Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ District Superintendent Dr. Clark Godshall to receive $500 each to use towards furthering schooling and/or tools to start their careers.
Medina Board of Education Representative for ONBOCES Edward Grabowski commends Gloria Haller (Barker).
Gloria Haller (Barker), who is in the Security and Law Enforcement program, received the $500 Wayne Van Vleet, Esq. Memorial Scholarship. Mr. Van Vleet was the former General Counsel and Executive Director of Personnel, Human Resources & Labor Relations.
Photos by Natalie Baron: The top 10 graduates for Lyndonville’s Class of 2025 stand and are recognized during a banquet on Wednesday at the White Birch.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern
LYNDONVILLE – The top 10 graduates for the Class of 2025 from all five school districts of Orleans County were honored at the annual Top 10 banquet on Wednesday evening at the White Birch Golf Course.
Top 10 graduates had plenty of advice to offer incoming high school freshmen. Jacob Pitcher, ranked No. 3 from Lyndonville, wanted freshmen to know they should be themselves and not procrastinate in order to have success.
Garrett Koch, the third-ranked student at Medina, and Dan Owen De Vera, the valedictorian from Medina, carried a similar sentiment: Even in your first years of high school, don’t slack off! That will only hurt you later on, they said.
Ava LaMay, ranked No. 5 from Kendall, said “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and instead focus on what really matters in order to be successful. Isabella Goodrich, the salutatorian from Kendall, advised freshmen that they should “Stick to a schedule” and prioritize themselves.
Dr. Steven Blount of Medina gave the keynote address.
In the keynote speech, students from Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville, Medina and Albion were lauded for their dedication to hard work.
The speaker this year was Dr. Steven Blount, a former top 10 graduate from Medina. Dr. Blount has a Doctorate in Health Administration from D’Youville University, as well as degrees in Physician Assistant studies and Nuclear Medicine Technology. He is working toward the completion of an MBA.
Dr. Blount practices family medicine in Medina and hospitalist medicine in Batavia. He is an assistant professor at D’Youville University and a captain in the Army National Guard, working with the Medical Detachment.
Dr. Blount is also a community leader. He has leadership positions within the Medina Central School District Board of Education and the Medina Zoning Board. In the past, he was also involved with the Hospice of Orleans.
In his speech, Dr. Blount expressed how he changed his major four times and at one point was working three jobs on top of doing college work. “Grit isn’t about never wanting to give up, it’s about committing yourself to feeling that way and then choosing to continue anyways,” he said.
Dr. Blount stated that in being from Orleans County, these graduates understand grit better than most. Orleans County’s farmers don’t stop after one good harvest or bout of bad weather, he said. Their continued achievement relies on ceaseless effort. “Success isn’t a destination. It’s a way of living. Grit is how you build a meaningful life.”
Dr. Blount challenged the students to look around them and identify someone in the room who helped them to see and meet their potential. “Build your team,” he advised. “Find that person who will push you, surround yourself with people who inspire you, and never forget to be that person for others.”
In ten years, no one will be thinking about the graduates’ GPA, he said. They will be thinking about what the graduates did using that GPA, their treatment of other people, the problems they solved, and whose lives they touched along the way. “That’s the legacy of grit.”
As a takeaway, Dr. Blount implored the students to never back down, even when they want to fail, and challenged them to do something that scares them in the next thirty days.
“Talent without effort is just unmet potential,” Dr. Blount said. “Talent might open the doors, but grit keeps you walking through them.”
The Albion Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Tye Talbot, Kelli Dingle, Kenadie Patten, Ella Trupo, Mallory Ashbery and Oliver Beach. Top Row: Sawyer Brigham, Zackary Baron and Tracy Garrett. Missing from the photo: Leo Bolton. Included in the photo are principal Jennifer Ashbery, superintendent Mickey Edwards, and board president Linda Weller.
The Holley Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Zoey Wolf, Allison Merle, Maggie Skehan, Natalie Foose and Mason Hein. Top Row: Alexia Renner, Alivia Wolf and Owen Schultz. Missing from the photo: Abigail Merkley and Gabriel Stevens. Included in the photo are superintendent Karri Schiavone, board president Anne Winkley, and principal Matthew Feldman.
The Kendall Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Isabella Goodrich, Inez Stangler, Savannah Holzschuh, Adareli Contreras Solis, Ava LaMay and Lia Larson. Top Row: William Kludt, Colby Hughes, Nicholas Baxter and Michael Hallowell. Included in the photo are principal Melissa Strelick, board president Rachel Fisken, and superintendent Nicholas Picardo.
The Lyndonville Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Emma Freas, Ava Austin, Aidan Allen, Evee Heinsler, Addison Dillenbeck and Alyssa Prine. Top Row: Elisabeth Ingersoll, Jacob Pitcher, Hannah Marker and Madison Davis. Included in the photo are board president Jerod Thurber, principal Aaron Slack, and superintendent Sharon Smith.
The Medina Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Abigayle Wright, Theresa Biesinger, Dan Owen De Vera, Sofia Gagliardi, Josephine Pollock and Makenzie McGrath. Top Row: Cameron Kenward, Garrett Koch, Riley Tompkins and Ryder Jones. Included in the photo are principal Michael Cavanagh, superintendent Mark Kruzynski, assistant principal Mollie Mark, and board president Alissa Mitchell.
