The Orleans Hub each year highlights a group of local residents who stand out for their selfless devotion to make Orleans County a better place.

Here are our picks for “Outstanding Citizens” from the past year, people who stood out for working through difficult challenges to complete a community project or serve others.

Trio worked for nearly a decade to bring bronze Santa to Albion

Photos by Tom Rivers: These directors of the Albion Betterment Committee are shown on June 10 with a new bronze statue of Santa in honor of the late Charles W. Howard, who started a Santa school in Albion in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. From left include Gary Derwick, Joe Gehl and Gary Kent.

A trio of long-time friends about a decade ago launched an ambitious project to honor a revered Albionite from about a half century ago, an effort the three members of the Albion Betterment Committee also said would help promote the community today.

On June 10, Gary Derwick, Joe Gehl and Gary Kent cut the ribbon for a new bronze statue in downtown Albion in honor of Charles W. Howard, the man who is still considered the “Dean of Santas.” Howard ran a school to train Santas from 1937 to 1966. The school continues in his name today in Midland, Mich. Howard also developed Christmas Park in Albion and served as the Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade for 18 years.

The three leaders of the Albion betterment Committee have been rallying behind Howard’s legacy in the past decade. They have put up “Believe” signs, convinced the state to name a portion of Route 31 in memory of Howard, and backed other projects promoting Howard, including two Santa murals in Albion.

The bronze statue was the biggest effort. They raised about $80,000 for the project and hired Brian Porter to create the statue in a likeness of Howard in his Santa suit.

Derwick, Gehl and Kent hope the statue will be a springboard for others to promote the community’s Santa lineage. Already, it seems to be paying off. This past holiday season about 40 of the light posts were decorated, as well as 12 Christmas trees on the courthouse lawn. There also was a big “Santa’s Hometown Parade” with many lighted floats on Dec. 9.

Pastor helps students get school year off to good start with annual Family Fun Day

Pastor Jovannie Canales interviews Sherry Tuohey, who heads MAAC’s Red Barrel program at Christmas, during the Family Fun Day at Butts Park on Aug. 5. Canales and his wife Melisa, left, are leaders of the Oasis Church in Medina. It used to be known as The Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ until changing its name in May.

Pastor Jovannie Canales wants students to be well-stocked with supplies when the school year starts. He also wants their families to be connected to agencies and churches that can make their families stronger.

For six years Canales, pastor of the Oasis Church, has organized a Family Fun Day at Butts Park in Medina. The event attracted 600 people on Aug. 5. It has grown from the first one in a parking lot. Now there are musicians, many non-profit organizations, lots of free food, BMX bikers and skateboarders, many from the faith community, and numerous school supplies.

Canales and his wife Melisa are leaders of the Oasis Church in Medina. It used to be known as The Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ until changing its name in May. The church is bilingual, speaking and writing in Spanish and English. Canales wants everyone to feel welcome. The church attendees come from many backgrounds – Mexican, Honduran, Puerto Rican, Panamanian, Jamaican, white and Black.

Canales also helps organize the National Night Out, which included 42 different organizations and many first responders at Butts Park on Aug. 1. At least 500 people attended the event that allowed residents to connect with law enforcement, other first responders, and community organizations.

Canales also has served on Medina’s Police Reform Committee that regularly meets with leaders of the police department. That committee has worked with the department to increase community policing, training and how to better respond to people in a mental health crisis.

Newcomer to Albion takes dream of new basketball courts to reality

Susan Oschmann joined in on some of the action at the new basketball courts at Bullard Park on Oct. 26. Oschmann pushed for two years to get new courts at Bullard, lining up fundraising and support for the project.

Susan Oschmann made it a mission two years ago to get new basketball courts at Bullard Park. Oschmann rallied the community, including basketball legend Roosevelt Bouie of Kendall, in getting two new courts complete. They opened on Oct. 26.

Oschmann recently moved to Albion from Kendall and was surprised to see the sorry shape of the courts at Bullard, a place where Bouie got his start when he was a kid.

The previous court was back further in the park and the surface wasn’t level with asphalt heaving in sports. The hoops were missing nets and were seldom used.

Oschmann wanted kids, including her grandchildren, to have a place to shoot basketballs with friends.

Oschmann and Bouie have been friends since they were kids. Bouie was a big star at Syracuse University and he helped secure $40,000 in funding from the James and Juli Boeheim Foundation.

Altogether more than $100,000 was secured to put in two full-length courts, four basketball hoops and some fencing. The courts are painted in vibrant colors.

Oschmann said there is still more to do – about $50,000 is needed for more fencing as well as benches for spectators in a shaded area and working outdoor lights.

Oschmann also helped spearhead a new sled library, where people can borrow a slide when the Bullard Park sledding hill is covered in snow. She also coordinated the Santa’s Hometown Parade in Albion on Dec. 9.

Medina woman makes mission of helping veterans through ‘Operation Honor’

Jenn Thom cheers on runners during the Operation Honor 5K on Nov. 11. The course started at the Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club, went through village streets and concluded at the Sportsmen’s Club. She has organized the race on Veterans’ Day since 2018.

Jenn Thom has made it a personal mission to try to help local veterans who may be experiencing a financial pinch. She is one of the leaders of Operation Honor, a local non-profit that raises money for veterans.

Operation Honor modelled the example of the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund, where people battling cancer can apply for assistance and receive some help to pay bills and other expenses.

Thom hasn’t served in the military. She runs an accounting business. Operation Honor is her way of serving veterans who she said sacrificed so much for the country. Many of those vets often find themselves in financial stress. Operation Honor is able to lighten that load whether covering utility bills, car payments, or purchasing heating pellets for veterans in need.

Besides giving directly to veterans, Operation Honor provides funding to other groups that help vets, including a van service that takes veterans to medical appointments. Operation Honor donated $10,000 last month to the Joint Veterans Council towards a low-mileage van. Operation Honor also has given to the Warrior House in West Shelby, which provides a hunting retreat for wounded vets and children who have lost a parent in war.

Operation Honor is looking to start an oral history initiative with local veterans being interviewed about their time in the military. Sarah Surdel, another Operation Honor leader, is heading that effort in 2024.

Albion woman starts organization giving senior citizens rides on 3-wheeled bike

Provided photo: Susan Walders took a tri-shaw bike to The Villages of Orleans in Albion on Sept. 27 and gave several residents rides outside the nursing home. She plans to be busy taking people on rides in 2024.

Susan Walders has been determined to help senior citizens, especially those in nursing home and other care facilities, get outdoors and connect with nature. She sees bike rides as a great way to meet that goal.

Susan Walders rides a tri-shaw bike down the sidewalk along East Avenue in Albion on Sept. 2. She is practicing as a “pilot” with the new bike.

Walders was able to raise $12,000 new tri-shaw, a 3-wheeled bike with cushions for two passengers. She has formed a non-profit organizations, Cycling Without Age in Orleans County, with a board of directors.

The bike arrived in late August and Walders took it to The Villages of Orleans on Sept. 27 for the first bike rides, taking residents on a path behind the nursing home.

Other “pilots” have been trained to ride the bike. She expects to be busy this year going to nursing home and other care facilities for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

United Methodist congregation in Albion covered many of the expenses to get the organization off the ground. Walders also secured other donations and sold items that she crocheted and knitted.

The 3-wheeled bike is sturdy. The pilots go on slow rides so the seniors and other passengers can enjoy the scenery.

“We want to get people out of their rooms and into the community and nature,” Walders said. “They can feel the wind in their hair. Getting outside on this bike will improve mood and sociability.”

Walders pushed for the new service for seniors, partly so she could get her mother outside for rides. Her mom is a resident at The Willows in Medina and she was the first passenger for Cycling Without Age in Orleans County.

Scott Christ and many volunteers bring back the Murray Tractor Pull

Scott “Spanky” Christ, the lead organizer for the Murray Tractor Pull, also competed in the event on July 22. He drives “Just For Fun” in the Super Farm Class and is regularly among the points leaders in that class for the Empire State Pullers.

The community missed the Murray Tractor Pull. The event returned July 22 after a four-year absence, first cancelled due to Covid restriction in 2020, and then not coming back in 2021 or ’22.

Scott “Spanky” Christ wanted the event back and put in a major effort getting the course ready, recruiting competitors and bringing in a record-size crowd of 1,600 people to the venue on Groth Road.

The event raised $8,500 for the Ronald McDonald House, a worthy cause that provides hospitality for families with children fighting a serious illness.

Christ is part of a three-generation family that competes in tractor pulling. His father Lloyd drives his Heavy Super Stock tractor, “It’s Only Money,” and Scott son’s Travis also competes in the Super Farm Class with “No Expectations.”

The crowd, which included many first-timers to a tractor pull, seemed to revel in watching high-powered tractors, semi trucks and other vehicles pulling a 40,000-pound sled.

“Everything went over very well,” Christ said after the tractor pull. “Hats off to all of the volunteers.”

Provided photo: The Christ family in Holley and a team of volunteers that put on the Murray Tractor Pull present a ceremonial check for $8,500 to the Ronald McDonald House.

Brett Sobieraski inspired many by running 1,300 miles in 50 days in honor of slain Rochester PD officer

Provided photos: Brett Sobieraski, a Carlton resident, is shown on June 4 entering New York State, the eighth and final state of a 1,300-mile journey on foot.

Brett Sobieraski does mighty feats frequently. In 2015, he swam 32 miles across Lake Ontario for a charity that helps support the surviving spouses and children of fallen soldiers. In 2018, he ran over 175 miles for 50 hours nonstop to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.

Sobieraski is a retired Rochester police sergeant who lives in Kent. In 2023, Sobieraski announced he would be running a marathon every day for 48 days, traveling on foot from Florida and Rochester, going 26.2 miles a day. He would run the marathons to honor the memory of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz. He was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Sobieraski also sought to raise $100,000 for Mazurkiewicz’s family.

That goal was expanded to 50 marathons in 50 days, and Sobieraski would raise $110,000 for the family.

The journey began April 23 in Palatka, Florida and ended June 11 in Rochester. Sobieraski added two marathons near the end. He was allowing two rest days but added more when he was feeling strong and the mission had such a following as he passed through communities and reporters picked up the story.

The “8 States for Maz” marathon mission was featured by the Today show in a moving feature about the loss of a fallen police officer and the impact on Mazurkiewicz’s family.

Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz

Sobieraski said he felt like the community too quickly moved on after the death of Mazurkiewicz. Sobieraski said he wanted the officer’s family to feel love and respect from the community, and know Maz’s life of service is deeply appreciated. The response was far more than Sobieraski could have imagined. In the last 5K of the final marathon, 850 people joined him.

Sobieraski spent much of the trip as a lone solitary figure, running along the side of a road, often carrying an American flag. He took a chance in committing to such a demanding goal, including sections that were up mountains.

In the end, he brought together the community, and honored Mazurkiewicz, a Rochester PD veteran who was shot in the upper body on Bauman Street. He worked in RPD’s Tactical Unit 8. He would investigate many of the city’s toughest cases. Sobieraski said Maz was deeply respected in the RPD. Sobieraski picked eight states to run, with the eight in recognition of Maz’s tactical unit number.

“We need to pay attention when cops are murdered,” Sobieraski said. “These are our people, and their families are suffering.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: State Sen. Rob Ortt reads a tribute to Herb Loesch of Barker, who the senator just chose as this year’s inductee into the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame. He presented the tribute this morning at Medina Memorial Hospital, where Loesch is undergoing physical therapy.

MEDINA – State Sen. Rob Ortt has chosen a Barker veteran to be included in the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame for 2023.

Herbert Loesch this morning was honored for his service to the military and the community in a ceremony at Medina Memorial Hospital.

Loesch, who will be 95 on Jan. 12, is in Medina Memorial Hospital undergoing physical therapy due to a fall.

In previous years, the induction ceremonies have been in Albany, but this year Ortt delivered the honor to Medina Memorial. Ortt explained it is customary every year for each state senator to choose a veteran from his or her district to be added to the Veterans Hall of Fame, which is in Albany.

“By having it here, all his family and friends could attend,” Ortt said. “We make sure each veteran we choose is worthy of the honor, and Herb certainly is. He still wears his uniform proudly and is a member of the American Legion and VFW. I know he is very proud of his service.”

Two of Loesch’s comrades who served in Korea are still alive, and he keeps in contact with them.

“I’m amazed how Herb is a strong advocate for veterans,” said Ortt, who shared he was also in the military.

Loesch said he was honored Ortt chose him for this award.

“It’s wonderful the senator took time out to do this,” Loesch said.

Loesch served in the United States Army in Korea, as a medic with the 24th Division, obtaining the rank of sergeant 12T.

“He exemplifies what it means to be a patriotic American and proud military veteran,” Ortt read from Loesch’s profile. “A dedicated Army veteran, Mr. Loesch’s military career began when he enlisted in 1952, following his education at Alfred University, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry, receiving a bachelor of arts.

One of the 1,000 toy Jeeps in Herb Loesch’s collection sits on the table at Medina Memorial Hospital’s board room, along with a plaque Loesch received and the poster describing his service in Korea.

“After basic training at Camp Pickett in Virginia, Mr. Loesch received advanced medical training at Fort Devens in Massachusetts. After training, he was deployed to Korea. For his service to our nation, he earned numerous recognitions and accolades, including the Korean Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation (ROKDA), United Nations Service Medal and the National DEF Service Medal.

“In 1954, Mr. Loesch was honorably discharged from the Army. He became actively involved in the Barker Chapter of the American Legion Post No. 435, as well as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Mr. Loesch collects, maintains and proudly displays military memorabilia at his home, including a collection of more than 1,000 toy Jeeps. He keeps a prominent military display of World War II and Korean War items at Barker High School, utilizing these collections to discuss our nation’s military history and encourage young people to pursue careers in the armed forces.

“During local parades, Mr. Loesch can be found in the lineup with his restored World War II Willys Jeep, wearing his full military uniform. He remains an active member in his community and serves as treasurer in his church and the Western New York John Deere Club. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 639 and volunteers to place flags at military gravesites.

“Mr. Loesch currently lives in Barker with his longtime partner, Grace. His two children also reside in New York state.”

Ortt told Loesch, “It is an honor for me to recognize veterans like you.”

Ortt added how impressed he was that Loesch maintained a military display at his former high school.

“That is such an important thing,” Ortt said. “Young people today get out of high school and don’t consider the military as a career. Herb is one of those veterans who not only served, but came home and advocated for veterans and served his community. Korean War veterans sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Pretty soon there won’t be any Korean War veterans.”

Loesch was suggested for the honor by Peter Morris, a fellow member of the Western New York Two Cylinder (John Deere) Club, where Loesch has served as treasurer for 30 years.

Among those who attended the ceremony in the hospital’s board room were his partner Grace Bodine; Loesch’s two children, son Terry Loesch of Canandaigua and daughter Tracy Stevenson and her husband Mark of Appleton; his pastor the Rev. Tom Gardner; Al Hain, president of the WNY Two Cylinder Club; Bob Gilsanin from the Sheret American Legion Post in Albion; and several other family and friends.

Photos courtesy of Arc GLOW: Public Relations Director Lisa Bors congratulates self-advocate Robert on Saturday during a graduation ceremony.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

ALBION — On Saturday, eight members of the Self-Advocacy All Stars graduated from SANYS U, the school of grassroots advocacy.

SANYS (Self-Advocacy Association of New York State) provide presentations and trainings to self-advocates, family members, support staff, and the community at large.

In 2011, it started SANYS U, a leadership course that teaches self-advocates and their supports about the history of self-advocacy, rights and responsibilities, and promotes ways of strengthening the grassroots and developing strong local and statewide leaders.

These self-advocates proudly showcase their diplomas.

This is the first year the Self-Advocacy All Stars, a self-advocacy group situated in Orleans County since 1986, has gone through SANYS U. For six weeks, Katherine, Deborah, Doreen, Cindy, Robert, Duane, Tyler and Michael learned about what being a self-advocate meant, the history of disability rights and self-advocacy, their individual rights and responsibilities, tips for a strong self-advocacy group, self-advocacy leadership skills, and current self-advocacy issues.

As part of SANYS U, self-advocates presented on topics including transportation difficulties in rural areas, and what agency departments and programs have to offer. Guest speakers included group founder Russell Johnson, Arc GLOW Board President Cheryl Englert, CEO Martin Miskell, Vice President of Self Direction and Community Services Jill Pegelow and Public Relations Director Lisa Bors.

Deborah sits with her daughter during the ceremony at the Trolley Building of the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Advocacy Group Advisor Terry Kingdollar said the program was amazing.

“I’m so proud of everything they’ve learned. Knowledge is power,” the advisor said. Other self-advocates look forward to participating when SANYS U is offered in the future.

Self Advocacy All Stars is 16 members strong.  They are one of three self-advocacy groups under the GLOW Trotters umbrella that includes Friends for the Future and Advocates Coming Together.

In the spring, Self Advocacy All Stars are looking forward to their talent show fundraiser in April and the third annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self Advocacy Day in May.

Photos by Tom Rivers

BATAVIA – Jesse Cudzilo, executive director of the YMCA in Orleans County, is presented with a business recognition award from Kelly Kiebala, director of the Job Development Agency in Orleans County.

The GLOW Workforce Development Board presented its awards to businesses, adults and youths on Friday during an annual meeting at the Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.

The Y was honored for its many years of offering job training to youths and adults through child care, recreation and camps, maintenance and custodian work, and interacting with the public at the front desk.

The Y allows its Pearl Street facility in Medina to be used for job fairs, and for Job Development staff to interview people for programs.

“They are certainly living up to the YMCA’s mission of giving people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity,” Kiebala said.

Cudzilo always finds a way to support a Job Development initiative, she said.

“The Y exists to serve the community,” Cudzilo said in accepting the award and partnering with other organizations. “If you can think of it and it can be done, we’ll do it.”

Other businesses recognized on Friday for supporting Job Development clients and programs include: Wrights Beverages Distributing in Batavia, The Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Mount Morris, and Ken’s Carpet Center in Warsaw, Wyoming County.

Orleans County presented its adult participant recognition award to Shontea Lewis. She is shown accepting the award, which was presented by Pam Chatt, an employment & training counselor for the Orleans County Job Development Agency.

Lewis was praised for using job training funds to enroll in a phlebotomy certification program. She passed the exam to be a certified phlebotomy technician and is now working with CSL Plasma in Rochester.

Lewis, in accepting the award, thanked Chatt “for her assistance and advice to help me advance in life.”

Peter Anderson (left), senior employment specialist for Orleans County Job Development Agency, presents the youth recognition award to Malachi Mt. Pleasant, who earned his GED at age 16 and then completed an arc and flame welding program at Monroe Community College. He was at the top of his class and now works full-time as a welder at Empro-Niagara Inc. in Lockport.

The three other counties – Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston – also presented adult and youth recognition awards to people assisted by the Job Development Agency.

Shelia VanAuken, an employment counselor at Livingston County Office of Workforce Development, presents an award Vitalii Tsykilov, who was able to flee war-torn Ukraine and settle in Livingston County with his wife and daughter in October 2022.

Tsykilov in the past year has learned English and earned a CDL-A to be licensed truck driver. He works as a regional driver for a commercial freight company.

He is grateful to the community for helping his family build a new life in the United States.

“I really appreciate the opportunity,” Tsykilov said. “Thank you everybody.”

The GLOW Workforce Investment Board in its annual report from 2022 said it served 2,413 customers in the four counties, among those include 1,852 on unemployment insurance and 121 veterans. The program assisted 301 businesses with listing job orders. Altogether, the GLOW organization helped with 2,402 new hires.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

Kathleen Klaiber

BATAVIA – It is with immense joy and pride that we announce GCC Professor of ESL and English, Kathleen Klaiber, is the recipient of this year’s New York State TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) College ESOL Professor of the Year Award.

Kathleen Klaiber has been honored as the College ESOL Professor of the Year. She has had a distinguished career marked by excellence along the way. Professor Klaiber is a two-time recipient of the SUNY Chancellor Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.

In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Professor Klaiber exhibited exceptional resilience and innovation. Recognizing the diverse needs of students scattered across the globe in six different time zones, she devised the FLEXESOL Approach to Teaching in the High Flex Modality. This groundbreaking initiative showcased her dedication to ensuring a seamless educational experience for students worldwide.

Beyond her individual accomplishments, Professor Klaiber stands out as an active and motivating professional within the NYSTESOL and academic communities. Her unwavering support has significantly enhanced communication and interactions among NYSTESOL members and practitioners.

The New York State TESOL (NYSTESOL) organization proudly advocates, advances, and enriches TESOL education and professionalism throughout the state. Comprising professionals committed to the education of English language learners at all levels, NYSTESOL focuses on classroom practices, research, program and curriculum development, employment, funding, and legislation.

Kathleen Kleiber’s recognition as the State TESOL College ESOL Professor of the Year reaffirms her commitment to excellence and innovation in TESOL education. Her impact extends beyond the classroom, shaping the future of language education in New York State and beyond.

Photo and information from Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Congratulations to the students from the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/BOCES center, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The students were honored in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives. The students need to maintain an 89.5 grade average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.

Congratulations go to:

• Layla Andrews (Early Childhood Education/Lockport CSD),  Nicholas Armenia (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Corliss Bacon (Cosmetology/Lockport CSD), Hady Beltran-Roblero (Security & Law Enforcement/Albion CSD), Petra Bish (Cosmetology/Barker CSD), Riley Bloomingdale (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Royalton-Hartland CSD),

• Samuel Bruning (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Cayla Burch (Animal Science/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Kayla Burgio (Animal Science/Albion CSD), Adeline Castricone (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Noah Cudzillo (Automotive Technology/Medina CSD), Brayden Cwiklinski (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Royalton-Hartland CSD),

•Trent Dickinson (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Barker CSD), Anthony Gagliardi (Computer Technology/Lockport CSD), Austin Gardner (Electricity & Electronics/Lyndonville CSD), Dakota Gilhousen (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering/Lockport CSD), Michayla Greene (Cosmetology/Barker CSD), Javier Hamilton (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Lockport CSD),

• Raselyn Hewitt (Cosmetology/Lockport CSD), Justin Higgins (Welding/Lyndonville CSD), Morgan Hodge (Culinary Arts/Lockport CSD), Layne Hodgins (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Riley Holmik (Animal Science/Lockport CSD), Caleb Joseph (Computer Technology/Newfane CSD), Isabella Joy (Health Occupations Technician/Barker CSD), Ella Kasperek (Animal Science/ Lockport CSD),

• Maddison Keen (Health Occupations Technician/Lockport CSD), Andrew Kimball (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Newfane CSD), Jenna Lee (Cosmetology/ Newfane CSD), Kelsey Lemoi (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Bryce Mathes (Computer Technology/Medina CSD), Baileigh McAdoo (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Cayla Mendetta (Animal Science/Lockport CSD), David Merlin (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Barker CSD),

• Mackenzie Moore-Cuillo (Health Occupations Technician/Lockport CSD), Kristopher Myers (Animal Science/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Brookelyn Nawotka (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Jack Nesbitt (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Lyndonville CSD), Ethan Nicosia (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Hanna Pahura (Cosmetology/Albion CSD), Jayla Rosado (Security & Law Enforcement/Lockport CSD),

• William Roth (Computer Technology/Lockport CSD), Jackson Rowe (Food Services/STEP/Lockport CSD), Lexoni Russo (Health Occupations Technician/Medina CSD), Jane Schuler (Cosmetology/Newfane CSD), Michelle Schultz (Early Childhood Education/Newfane CSD), Gina Sidari (Animal Science/Albion CSD), Noah Soliday (Electricity & Electronics/Medina CSD), Hannah Songer (Animal Science/Lyndonville CSD),

• Lillian Stoltz (Early Childhood Education/Lockport CSD), Addison Taylor (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Grace Walker (Allied Health/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Braeden Williams (Allied Health/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Nathaniel Wolf (Computer Technology/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Hannah Zastrow (Welding/Newfane CSD) and Sharifa Ziad (Health Occupations Technician/Lockport CSD).

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.

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

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.