BATAVIA — Arc GLOW will be holding its second annual meeting and awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Batavia Downs.
Rebecca Leclair, the President of Rebecca Leclair Communications, LLC and former anchor and reporter from WHEC-TV (Channel 10), will be the emcee. Individuals will also be providing entertainment. For a month, Arc GLOW nominated staff, individuals and community members for a variety of different awards.
The award winners are the following:
• Self-Advocate of the Year – Nathan Johnidas, Albion
Award goes to a person served by Arc GLOW who has grown and is meeting their personal outcomes. They also have positively influenced the lives of others.
• Supported Employment Person of the Year – Elizabeth Padilla, Walnut Street, Batavia
The award honors a person supported by Arc GLOW who has demonstrated a strong work ethic, dedication to their job, ability to learn new community employment skills and maintain successful employment.
• Pre-Vocational Person of the Year – Tammy Reimels, Hilltop
The honor goes to a person supported by Arc GLOW with a dedication to learning about the world of work including new job skills, striving to complete quality work and showing attention to the task of learning.
• Residential Person of the Year – Monica Mineo, Garfield IRA in Batavia
The award honors a person supported by Arc GLOW who resides in residential services, grew in their independence and learned life skills.
• Day Habilitation Person of the Year – James Gibbs, WOW Day Hab in Batavia
The recognition goes to a person supported by Arc GLOW who participates in day habilitation activities, strives to learn, and demonstrates effort and commitment to be included in their own communities.
• Community Services and Self Direction Person of the Year – Brittany Murphy, Genesee County
Honors a person served by Arc GLOW who shows outstanding participation and contribution to their community. Shows the initiative in trying new activities and gain leadership potential through community involvement.
• KidStart Employee of the Year – Maggie Putman
Goes to an employee who demonstrates exceptional support to children and families, and is committed to assist in all areas of their growth and education.
• Direct Support Professional Person of the Year (DSP) – Heather Taft, residential manager at Avon IRA in Avon
The award honors a DSP who provides a variety of activities to adults with developmental disabilities within a home setting, day programs or recreational activities in the community. Provides excellence in support in living skills, personalized goals, arts and crafts, sensory activities, and facilitates our individuals to take their active role in the community.
• Employee of the Year – Heidi Wyant, transportation manager
Recognizes an employee of Arc GLOW who is committed to the mission and vision. They demonstrate the values of diversity, respect, integrity, visionary, equality, empowerment and excellence.
• Friend of the Year – Hoffman Hanafin & Associates, LLC
Recognizes a community friend and supporter of Arc GLOW’s mission and vision.
• Business Partner of the Year – Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop in Geneseo
Honors a partner who supports our mission and vision through excellent customer service or providing work opportunities for employment.
• Volunteers of the Year – Kevin and Dawn Fisher
The award goes to people committed to Arc GLOW, volunteering their time by serving the local community and supporting the Arc GLOWs mission and vision.
Reservations are open until Sept. 30. at ArcGLOW.org/event/awards-banquet-and-annual-meeting. For any questions, contact Tracey Jones at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1735 or TJones@ArcGLOW.org.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 October 2024 at 8:06 pm
Chamber’s Business of the Year moved to bigger location, maintains focus on customer service
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Tom Laine, owner of Frontier Heating and AC Service, stands by one of their trucks at the base at 14530 East Lee Rd. The business has been named “Business of the Year” by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. Frontier will be recognized at the awards dinner Oct. 17 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
ALBION – The owner of Frontier Heating and Air Conditioning Service is honored to be named Business of the Year by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
“I was elated with the news,” said Tom Laine. “It’s nice to be recognized for the good work we’ve done over the years.”
Laine founded Frontier Heating and A/C Service in 1991 in his garage in Albion, after working for 11 years for other contractors, he said.
“We did business there until 1995, when my wife Lora (Lori) and I purchased 115 East Bank St., where we did business for 27 years,” Laine said.
In March 2023, Laine moved his business to a new, bigger location at 14530 East Lee Rd. The new 12,000 square foot facility is more convenient for them to better serve their customers, he said. They have ample parking with a showroom to display the products they sell.
It’s a challenge to keep on the cutting edge of technology, Laine said.
The worst part of his business is “around the clock” service, but Laine knows it is important to his customers to have emergency service available at any time.
This facility at 14530 East Lee Rd. is the home of Frontier Heating and AC Service, the Orleans County Chamber’s Business of the Year.
They service all brands and sell Amana and Mitsubishi equipment, as well as boilers, water heaters, air conditioning units and heat pumps. In addition they install Generac and Honeywell generators, and deal with all types of fuel, including natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and propane.
Laine, who will be 67 this year, is gradually letting his son Raymond and son-in-law Rex Harvey have more responsibility.
“I keep going, because I know the day will come when I can’t,” he said.
Frontier Heating employs 15 to 20 people at any given time, nearly all Orleans County residents. Over the years, their service area has expanded to include Orleans, Monroe, Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties.
Laine is proud of how his business has grown over the years.
“When I started, my wife delivered mail and would speak to her customers daily, giving out my business card,” Laine said. “That’s where I got my first lead for a furnace.”
Today Laine boasts a customer base of 7,000.
“I’m happy to say we still have that first client,” he said.
He says his job is making sure each and every customer has a good experience and is 100 percent satisfied.
“We’re looking for customers for life, and we’re not happy until you’re happy,” he said.
Frontier Heating & A/C Service named Business of the Year
Press Release, Orleans County Chamber of Commerce
ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has announced its annual award winners. They will be honored on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The winners for 2024 include:
Business of the Year – Frontier Heating & A/C Service
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dave Mitchell – Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals
Phoenix Award – Tapped on Main – Mark’s Pizzeria
New Business of the Year – Chop’s Shop Bar and Grilled North
Community Service Award – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Agricultural Business of the Year – Roberts Farm Market
Businessperson of the Year – Bob Gibbs – Environmental Construction Group
A National Guard soldier from Albion has been promoted, Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced.
Daelonte Ortiz from Albion and assigned to the Company D, 427th Brigade Support Battalion, received a promotion Aug. 26 to the rank of specialist and will take on additional responsibility and leadership.
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).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2024 at 2:27 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Luke Gregoire, right won the small animal grandmaster showman today at the Orleans County 4-H Fair and Evelyn Paratore, left, was the reserve grand master.
The top showmen in four different small animals – dogs, rabbits, chickens and miniature horses – vied today for the grand master showman.
Gregoire, 17, of Murray has been showing chickens and rabbits at the fair for about five years. He qualified for the event today after being reserve champ in poultry.
Paratore, 12, of Corfu won the master showman for rabbits.
The grand master showman competition takes the top two showmen in the four different animals and makes them show all four small animals.
The master showmen needed to do a quick health check on the animals, note the ideal height and weight for each and note anything that could be considered a fault. For example, the bantam roosters shouldn’t have any white feathers.
Other participants in the competition include Meganne Moore (mini horse master), Grace Goodrich (mini horse reserve), Celes Paratore (poultry master, rabbit reserve), Bailey Gonzalez (dog master), and Sophia Albone (dog reserve).
Provided photo: Luke Gregoire shows a rabbit and answers questions from the judge. Luke has shown rabbits and chickens for years and said he was comfortable with them today, while he had to do some last-minute cramming to prepare to show a dog and a miniature horse.
“I didn’t feel as strong about the mini horses, but the big thing is to project confidence,” he said.
Evelyn Paratore said she is least familiar with dogs. She has shown the other animals, and also was in the large animal grand master showman competition on Friday, featuring eight different livestock animals.
After today’s small animal contest, Evelyn said she felt the pressure lifted.
“It is stressful and tiring, but fun at the same time,” she said about the intense competitions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2024 at 10:39 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Carter Kuipers, 16, of Byron shows a beef animal during Friday’s grand master showman competition.
Carter won the title against other top livestock showmen from this week’s fair.
The grand master showman is one of the most prestigious titles at the fair. 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.
Carter showed pigs and beef qualified for the competition after winning the beef master showman title.
Carter’s mother Vicki (Miller) Kuipers won the grand master title in the late 1990s. Carter said he enjoys the challenge of showing the nine different animals.
“It’s fun and it’s exciting,” he said on Friday night after winning the competition. “You can get out there and show what you know.”
Emma Kron, judge of the event, took the cumulative scores of the participants, and she said Carter Kuipers emerged as the winner.
“He was consistent across all the species,” she said.
Meganne Moore, 18, of Albion leads a horse in the first part of the grand master competition. Moore was named the reserve grand master. She qualified after winning the Western horse event.
Meganne has been showing animals at the fair since she was a 5-year-old Cloverbud. She first showed a chicken. She has made it to the grand master event twice before. Her second-place showing is her best finish.
“I was calmer this time,” she said. “I wasn’t as scared of the animals.”
The competition requires people to show dairy and beef animals, that can top 1,000 pounds.
This is Meganne’s last year in 4-H. She heads to Geneseo State College this fall to major in biology with a pre-vet minor.
The master showmen included:
Carter Kuipers, 16, of Byron, representing beef
Phoebe Allen, 15, of Albion, representing sheep
Brilyn Rebisz, 19, of Bergen, representing dairy goats
Carissa Klossner, 16, of Holley, representing llamas
Evelyn Paratore, 12, of Corfu, representing meat goats
Kennedy Murphy, 13, of Albion, representing English horse
Ruth Kuipers, 14, of Byron, representing pigs
Georgia Baxter, 14, of Churchville, representing dairy cows
Meganne Moore, 18 of Albion, representing Western horse
These four show meat goats, including from left: Ruth Kuipers, Kennedy Murphy, Evelyn Paratore and Brilyn Rebisz. The participants needed to show off the animals’ best characteristics and also answer questions about the animal and breed from the judge.
Carissa Klossner of Holley maintains eye contact with judge Emma Kron while Carissa showed a horse on Friday.
Phoebe Allen of Barre keeps a dairy animal under control during the grand master showman competition.
Georgia Baxter of Churchville answers a question from the judge when the grand master participants show meat goats.
Evelyn Paratore of Corfu, left, and Kennedy Murphy of Albion get ready to lead beef animals into the show arena. The two are more accustomed to showing other animals. Evelyn qualified after winning the meat goats master showman and Kennedy won for English horse.
Ruth Kuipers of Byron leads a llama in the show ring. She qualified as the top pig showman.
Brilyn Rebisz of Bergen shows a meat goat during the competition. She closed out her 4-H career on Friday. The grand master competitors all had to be nimble in the show ring leading animals from under a 100 pounds to well over 1,000.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2024 at 9:44 am
Qasim Huzair is third in his family to win the singing title
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Qasim Huzair, 20, of Lyndonville sings “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses. Huzair won the karaoke competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Thursday, earning $500 for first place.
Huzair has been performing at karaoke at the fair for about a decade. He usually sings songs from musicals. He qualified for the finals with “Corner of the Sky” from Pippin.
“I just wanted to have fun and have fun with the audience,” he said about changing to a hard rocker for the finals.
Huzair said it was humbling to win because all of the 15 singers in the finals put on a good show.
Huzair is the third person in his family to win the karoke title. His sister Tamara and brother Ayman also won the crown.
Qasim’s sister Leylah and brother Amir also performed in the finals on Thursday. About 500 people watched the event.
Qasim is a music education student at Roberts Wesleyan College.
The top five at the karaoke finals are shown on Thursday after the top performers were announced by six judges. From left include Qasim Huzair of Lyndonville, first ($500 prize); Gideon Pask of Barre, second ($250 prize); Greg Stanton of Medina, third ($125); Olivia Manfredi of Kendall, fourth ($75); and Samual Robinson of Albion, fifth ($50).
(Left) Brilyn Rebisz, 19, of Bergen sings “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert, while Brilyn’s mother, Joceyln Rebisz of Bergen, performs “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
Evan Steier of Albion, an elementary teacher at Albion, sings “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood.
Carrie Clay of Albion sings “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Andy Remillard sings “Bed Of Roses” by Bon Jovi.
Greg Stanton sings “Call Me The Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd during the karaoke finals. Stanton, 69, is a retired signmaker. He is part of a band, Stanton, that is making its debut this year at many local concert series. The band will be performing Monday evening at the Yates Community Library.
Stanton came in third in the karaoke competition. He is shown interacting with the crowd, trying to get people up and dancing.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Stanton said about performing. “I should have done this 40 years ago.”
Gideon Pask, 16, of Barre proved a crowd favorite with his deep bass voice singing “The Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash.
Samuel Robinson of Albion performers “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, and Phoebe Allen of Albion sings “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks.
MEDINA – A team of 23 students from the Dance Theater in Medina recently attended “The Power of Dance” East Coast Nationals Dance Competition in Seaside Heights, N.J. and returned home as National Grand Champions!
Their full team production entitled “Hot Like Fire” took home the highest overall score of the 12 and Under “You’ve Got The Power” Dance Battle. The team brought home the National Grand Championship trophy!
Dance Theater not only had their full team production dance selected for the battle, but also their Pre-Competition Team Jazz number “Hip to be Square” and their Mini Competition Team Jazz number entitled “In His Kiss.”
The Dance Theater competition teams competed against 325 other dance entries from 13 other studios from across the east coast.
The Dance Theater competition teams have dancers from across Orleans, Niagara and Genesee counties including Gracie Brower, Elaina Bruce, Sydney Bruce, Jailyn Cramer, Rayne Davis, Aubrey Fletcher, Sierra Frasier, Alexis Hare, Elissa Lainberger, Olivia Maynard, Charlotte McGrath, Emma McGrath, Makenzie McGrath, Hailey Moore, Izabella Murphy, Kirsten Page, Natalie Rath, Mila Rodriguez, Gracie Tardibone, Abby Vick, Carly Voelker, Baylie Watson and Arabella White.
MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its Employees of the Year for the 2023-2024 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.
Melanie Conley is the Administrator of the Year. Conley is the Director of Business Services and has worked at O/N BOCES for seven and a half years.
When asked what her favorite part of her job she answered, “As I thoroughly love what I do, it is difficult to narrow it down to one particular aspect. My favorite part is leading the business office, facilities, technology and print shop operations and knowing that all of these functions play a critical role in our students’ obtaining a first-rate education. Another favorite part of my job includes being a resource for our component school districts when they may have a need or question in which they may be looking for direction. I also love the good people and the relationships that I have been able to establish with our Orleans/Niagara BOCES and component district staff! We have great people working hard every day to give our area students the best educational opportunities possible.”
Conley adds that she is humbled and honored by the recognition.
Kristen Strassburg is the Clerical Person of the Year. A school nurse at the Niagara Academy, she has worked at that site for the past 20 years.
“I love working with the kids and the staff,” Strassburg said. “I have made some fantastic connections with many of them and have made lifelong friends at the school. There is something so special and magical about the Niagara Academy and I love how we work together as a team to help these students achieve their goals.”
She said she is honored at being named an employee of the year. “I believe I am the first school nurse to win in this category. I work with such an amazing group of school nurses, so I hope I am the first of many to win. They are truly the best and I look forward to our staff development day once a year. It is really the best day of the school year for me.”
Katie Carlisle-Diemert is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She has worked as an Adult Literacy teacher in the incarceration program at Niagara County Jail since 2013. “I worked in the business world for a long time before I came to work for BOCES,” she said. “The satisfaction of going home each day having helped another person change their life for the better is very powerful. It is like nothing you can get from corporate America. Watching people and helping people to make positive life change is my favorite part of my job.”
She said she is surprised and thankful about the honor. “I never expected to win this. I am appreciative that my colleagues have noticed the effort I put into my work and that they believe I make a difference.”
Colleen Bronschidle is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. She has been a custodian worker at the Niagara Academy since 2005. Before that she ran the school’s kitchen for five years and was eventually hired by BOCES in 2010.
“I started out as a teacher aide and substitute cleaner,” she said. “I then went on to a full-time cleaner than custodian at the Niagara Academy. My favorite part of the job is the people I work with every day. They are like extended family to me. I was shocked to receive Employee of the Year. I am very proud of my job and I love the atmosphere at Niagara Academy. I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity and let them know I appreciate it very much.”
Sheldon Somas is the Staff Specialist of the Year. Sheldon has worked at BOCES for ten years. He was shocked and surprised that he won Employee of the Year. “The best part of my job is working with my co-workers in the Tech Department.”
Mary Kuhn is the Teacher of the Year. She is a music educator with the special education students and has taught at BOCES since October 1996.
“The most enjoyable aspect of my job is connecting with my students through different elements of music,” Kuhn said. “They are amazing, and teaching them something I am passionate about if truly awarding. I must acknowledge the incredible support from the staff who work alongside me in guiding our students. Without the dedicated aides and personal care aides, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Antonia Newell is the Teacher Aide of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for 17 years. “I absolutely love my job, coworkers and students! I am so humbled to be chosen for this and so excited. I am very thankful!”
Deborah MacIver was named the Substitute of the Year. MacIver worked as a teacher aide with O/N BOCES since 2016. When she retired in 2023, she started substituting for the organization.
These GCC faculty or staff honored with Chancellor’s Awards include, from left: Karlyn Backus, Amy Conley and Richard Schlesinger.
BATAVIA – Seven exceptional members of the Genesee Community College team have been recognized by the State University of New York for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community.
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.
The following faculty and staff members earned a SUNY Chancellor Award for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Richard A. Schlesinger was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. This award recognizes consistent superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.
Dr. Schlesinger has been a member of our college’s communication faculty since 2016 and has taught a variety of courses including Interpersonal Communications, Speech, First Year Experience, Career Explorations, and Argue and Debate. Communication courses go well beyond the textbook since lessons need to come to life with real-world applications, and Dr. Schlesinger creates well-crafted lessons which are designed to build practical skills.
He is a highly experienced individual known for creativity and adaptability both inside and outside the classroom and is committed to student success. In addition, he is the author of: “If You Don’t Ask The Answer Is No: A Practical Guide for Getting Through College Without Falling Through the Cracks” and is currently working on his second book.
Michele L. Terry was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in the Classified Service, a system-level award established by SUNY to give system-wide recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate the University’s commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.
Terry has been a member of our college’s classified staff since her arrival in 2002. She began as a Clerk-Typist, became a Secretary, and has been in the role of Executive Secretary since 2009. She has cheerfully transitioned to different job responsibilities under different supervisors over the years and continually maintains a positive atmosphere.
Terry has proven to be a “patient teacher” to new employees and often steps up to help at the Hub of the Student Success Center. Terry is involved in, and assists with, many campus events. In addition, she serves as secretary to the GCC Association Board and became a notary public in 2019.
These honorees include Elizabeth Simmons, Teresa Sukiennicki, Laura Taylor and Michele Terry.
Teresa L. Sukiennicki received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, which recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty. This service must be sustained over multiple years and may occur in a variety of venues.
Sukiennicki has been a member of the college’s biology faculty since 2006 when she started as an adjunct instructor prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in 2009. She has been regularly involved with the Academic Senate, including being co-chair of the Academic Standards Committee for over eight years. She was the Outdoor Adventure Club advisor for eight years, and regularly volunteers within the community. Sukiennicki maintains her connections with educators outside of the College through her participation in several professional associations and gives back to the community through her weekly volunteer work at EquiCenter.
Elizabeth M. Simmons was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship, which recognizes consistently superior professional achievement in the field of librarianship.
Simmons has been a member of our college since 2017 where she started as a Reference and Cataloging Librarian, and in 2019, she became a Systems & Electronic Services Librarian. She has served in a critical role as she navigated the library through some impactful changes including migrating the library’s website, establishing technical workflows and training staff for a new Library Services Platform, implementing a laptop loaning program for students, and configuring and implementing a study room booking software in the library.
Simmons is GCC’s SUNY Librarians Association campus delegate and is an active member of other state library organizations in addition to holding positions on a variety of college committees.
Karlyn M. Backus was recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position.
Her service to the college began in 2009 as an adjunct instructor, in 2011 she was hired full time as an ACE Program Specialist, she joined the college’s Records Office in 2019 as the Assistant Registrar and was then promoted to Registrar.
Backus has always been an individual that embodies the spirit of “Serving Beyond Expectations.” She is well known not only on campus for her contributions of knowledge, teamwork and innovative solutions, but at the SUNY level as well. A few examples of her work include leading and supporting several digital transformation efforts, implementing a collaborative collegewide professional development group, and leadership roles within the college’s Academic Senate and Information Technology Advisory Council.
Amy V. Conley was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, which supports the pursuits foundational to sustaining the intellectual growth of SUNY institutions by recognizing consistently outstanding scholarly and creative productivity, conducted in addition to teaching, by SUNY’s instructional faculty.
Conley has been a member of our college faculty since 2009. Some of her career highlights at GCC include her work with the Business Creators Club over the past 14 years and innovative contributions on delivering course content, specifically through hyflex. In addition, Conley is a faculty liaison with the pTECH Program, a 23-24 SUNY Online Ambassador, works extensively with The BEST Center to create and teach classes, mentors student participants in the annual business idea pitch competition, and is an active member of GCC’s Educational Initiatives and Career Services Committees. Beyond the classroom, she organizes countless activities including networking events and promotes student involvement in the community.
Laura J. Taylor was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.
Taylor has been a member of our college since 2017, and since joining GCC, has transformed the college’s fashion degree program in several important ways. She oversaw the transition of the annual fashion show from the Forum to the Arena; and perhaps even more remarkably, was able to find a way to make the event possible during the pandemic. Taylor works to maintain connections with fashion business leaders nationwide, strengthen relationships with fashion programs at 4-year institutions, and has been instrumental in transforming GCC’s fashion degree program to modernize course content and provide students with the best possible resources available.
“We are incredibly proud of the exceptional individuals who have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence,” said Dr. James Sunser, president of GCC. “Richard Schlesinger, Michele Terry, Teresa Sukiennicki, Elizabeth Simmons, Karlyn Backus, Amy Conley, and Laura Taylor have consistently demonstrated outstanding contributions to their respective fields, our campus, and the community. Their commitment to excellence and dedication have had a profound impact on our students and the overall educational experience at Genesee Community College.”
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Photo provided by DEC: Chuck Zimmerman holds his record-breaking fish.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced a new state record for longnose gar was set on June 21.
Using a topwater swimbait, Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton, Monroe County, reeled in a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County. The record-breaking catch surpassed the previous state record longnose gar, caught from Lake Champlain in 2018, by one pound and four ounces.
“DEC congratulates Mr. Zimmerman on an impressive catch and encourages all anglers to take advantage of the state’s plentiful fishing opportunities in the hopes they too can catch a new state record or other Angler Achievement Award when they cast their next line,” said DEC interim commissioner Shane Mahar.
The prehistoric longnose gar prefer shallow weedy areas of larger lakes and can be found swimming near the water’s surface. In New York, longnose gar are primarily found in the St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lake Champlain, eastern Lake Ontario, and larger tributaries to these waters.
Evolutionarily speaking, longnose gar are considered living dinosaurs and New York is fortunate to have these fish swimming in its waters today. Their long, needle-like snout is filled with rows of teeth, making them unmistakable from other fish species.
Mr. Zimmerman submitted details of his winning catch as part of DEC’s newly revamped Angler Achievement Awards Program, which also tracks state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch along with a species-specific sticker commemorating their achievement.
BUFFALO – Buffalo State is pleased to congratulate the students who completed the requirements to earn their degrees in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. The following from Orleans County have graduated:
Tiffany Cree of Medina graduated with a MSED in Curriculum and Instruction.
Taylor DeSimone of Holley graduated with a MSED in Speech-Language Pathology.
Alexis Creasey of Albion graduated with a BA in Psychology.
Hannah Heil of Medina graduated with a BS in Fashion and Textile Technology.
Sari Rupp of Medina graduated with a BS in Speech-Language Pathology.
Emily Schoolcraft of Medina graduated with a BS in Childhood Education.
Buffalo State University is a State University of New York (SUNY) university located in Buffalo, New York, offering over 75 undergraduate majors, more than 60 graduate programs, as well as many minors and certificate programs. Founded in 1871, SUNY Buffalo State University offers the perfect blend of a small, caring environment with large university opportunities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2024 at 10:20 am
Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: Austin Gardner took first in Electronics Technology in the state competition and then was in the national event.
Local students who won the state competitions in April for SkillsUSA last week advanced to nationals and vied against other top students around the country.
Atlanta, Ga. hosted the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships on June 26-27. More than 6,000 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education.
Austin Gardner of Lyndonville qualified for the event after taking first in Electronics Technology in the state competition. He won a “Skill Point Certificate” at the national competition.
A group of Orleans/Niagara BOCES students also won the gold award at the state competition for crime scene investigation. Gabrielle Rosenbeck (Newfane), Shianne Beauman (Royalton-Hartland) and Sahara Holland (Barker) went to Atlanta for the competition and won a Skill Point Certificate. Those three plus Gardner are students at the Orleans Career Technical Education Center in Medina.
“More than 6,000 students from every state in the nation participated in the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates SkillsUSA at its finest. Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels. This program expands learning and career opportunities for our members.”
The SkillsUSA Championships event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.
These students won the gold award for the state competition for crime scene investigation. Pictured includes, from left: teacher Gene Newman, Gabrielle Rosenbeck (Newfane), Shianne Beauman (Royalton-Hartland) and Sahara Holland (Barker).
BUFFALO – The following students from Orleans County graduated from the University at Buffalo.
• Ryan Taylor of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the School of Public Health and Health Professions. Taylor’s conferral date was June 2024.
• Brennan Lyon of Kendall graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences. Lyon’s conferral date was June 2024.
• Arella Biesinger of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication from the College of Arts and Sciences. Biesinger’s conferral date was June 2024.
• Carly-Grace Woodworth of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability from the College of Arts and Sciences. Woodworth’s conferral date was June 2024.
• Natalie Wright of Kendall graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. Wright’s conferral date was February 2024.
• Noah Pencille of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Arts and Sciences. Pencille’s conferral date was February 2024.
• Amber Salonen of Holley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. Salonen’s conferral date was June 2024.
• Andrew Houseman of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Houseman’s conferral date was June 2024.
• Elle Gross of Medina graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from the College of Arts and Sciences. Gross’s conferral date was February 2024.
• Carter Green of Medina graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in media studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. Green’s conferral date was June 2024.
UB is New York State’s flagship and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system. UB celebrated over 9,400 students across 23 school-based or university-wide recognition and certificate ceremonies held April 26 through May 19.
BATAVIA — Arc GLOW will be holding its second annual meeting and awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Batavia Downs.
