Provided photo: Orvis Award for Excellence Winners at Alfred State include, from left: Jacob Fassett, Heather Fumia, Dr. Skip Sullivan, Elisabeth Wolff, Gordon Trahan, and College Council Chair Pat Fogarty. Not pictured: Michael Shoemaker.
Heather Fumia of Holley is one of five graduating seniors to receive a very prestigious award from Alfred State at commencement in May. Heather, a top ten graduate at Holley in 2013, is a magna cum laude graduate from Alfred with dual degrees in Forensic Science Technology (BS) and Biological Sciences (AAS).
Fumia earned the Orvis Award for Excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. This award honors Paul B. Orvis, a former president of Alfred State and State University of New York dean for two-year colleges.
Heather attended Alfred on a full academic scholarship and was in the Honors Program and the founder and President of the Alfred State Health and Wellness Club. The accomplishments include the Emerging Pioneers Leadership Program and Peer Tutor.
Provided photo: Tommy Brice, a corrections officer at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion, is pictured wearing the State Senate Liberty Medal and holding a Senate Resolution. Brice is pictured with State Sen. Rob Ortt and Brice’s wife, Cassie.
Posted 10 July 2017 at 5:36 pm
Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt
Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) today awarded the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to Tommy Brice, a corrections officer at the Orleans Correctional Facility who potentially saved the life of a 16-year-old girl after he prevented her kidnapping in 2016.
The New York State Senate Liberty Medal is the highest honor an individual can receive by the state Senate. Similar to the national Congressional Gold Medal, the award is bestowed upon individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers.
On May 16, 2016, Brice stopped at a gas station in Albion on his way home from work. While pumping gas, he noticed a young girl walking down the street with an older man following closely behind her. Brice said the girl looked uncomfortable and nervous as the man repeatedly approached her trying to talk to her.
He noticed the girl attempted to walk faster to try to get away from the suspicious man. At that point, Brice decided to intervene and immediately drove up to the girl to ask her if something was wrong. When she started crying, Brice instantly called the police. Brice then followed the man back to a local motel and waited for police to arrive. When the police entered the man’s motel room, they found four knives lined up on the bed. The man told police he had intended to abduct the young girl.
Senator Ortt said, “Correction Officer Brice went above and beyond the badge. Like so many members of law enforcement, Correction Officer Brice’s decisive action thwarted a kidnapping and dangerous, life-threatening situation. His instincts, training and quick thinking most likely saved that little girl’s life and are worthy of this honor. I am proud to recognize him today for his bravery and heroic actions.”
Last month, Brice earned the Medal of Merit from the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for his courageous actions that day. Brice is a seven-year veteran of the Orleans Correctional Facility.
ROCHESTER – The following Orleans County residents made the Dean’s List for the 2017 spring semester at Rochester Institute of Technology:
Zackary Waild of Medina, who is studying biochemistry.
Tabby Golda of Albion, who is studying biomedical engineering.
Dakota Clay of Kendall, who is studying business administration-management.
Colm Cooper of Medina, who is studying business exploration.
Michael Fischer of Albion, who is studying chemical engineering.
Brady Smith of Holley, who is studying civil engineering technology.
Samuel Henry of Medina, who is studying computer science.
Alyssa Hering of Albion, who is studying diagnostic medical sonography.
Nicholas Ettinger of Albion, who is studying electrical engineering technology.
Jonas Hartway of Medina, who is studying illustration.
Amber Smarpat of Holley, who is studying illustration.
Ian Smith of Lyndonville, who is studying imaging science.
Erika Edwards of Waterport, who is studying interior design.
James Cooper of Albion, who is studying mechanical engineering technology.
Riley Starr of Lyndonville, who is studying mechanical engineering.
Carson Zgoda of Medina, who is studying medical illustration.
Traci Westcott of Holley, who is studying photographic and imaging arts.
Stella Russo of Medina, who is studying physician assistant.
Emily Joslyn of Kent, who is studying psychology.
Matthew Witte of Medina, who is studying software engineering.
Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean’s List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.
Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.
Dr. Clark J. Godshall, superintendent of the Orleans–Niagara BOCES, was recently honored by the Association of School Business Officials International with its 2017 Pinnacle of Excellence Award for an innovative outreach program that provides education and support to the community’s veterans.
What began as elementary school students’ desire to help local homeless and disabled veterans blossomed into a collaboration among education providers, community-based organizations, veterans’ agencies, and the public to bring awareness to and help the vast number of veterans in the county in need of food, shelter, skills, and support.
Godshall championed the development and implementation of several initiatives to reach out to adults and veterans, including Literacy Zone, a continuing education adult literacy program that welcomes all veterans and their families to participate in activities to increase literacy, obtain a GED, learn computer skills, and improve job-readiness skills. An annual community luncheon and event honors and thanks local veterans and their families for their service.
“This program encompasses ‘lifelong learning’ at its best,” Godshall said. “It has changed many lives for the better.” These programs also provide opportunities for the local K–12 students to give back to the community by volunteering.
As the Pinnacle of Excellence Award recipient, Godshall will receive $5,000, Virco furniture for his school system valued at $5,000, an all-expenses-paid trip to the ASBO Annual Meeting & Expo in Denver, CO, and a crystal Pinnacle of Excellence Award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2017 at 8:36 am
‘Don’t be too pushy,’ said Jarred Saj, who helps organizations raise money
Jarred Saj helped sell tickets for the duck race held on July 4 in Lyndonville. Saj sold 85 tickets, the most of anyone, in the benefit for Hospice of Orleans.
LYNDONVILLE – Two local organizations are thankful for the salesmanship skills of Jarred Saj, a Medina man who was the top seller for both the Strawberry Festival and Hospice of Orleans for their recent derbies.
Saj, 37, sold 115 tickets for the turtle race during the Strawberry Festival, which is organized by the Albion Rotary Club and other community volunteers.
There were about 900 tickets altogether sold at $5 each or 5 for $20.
Saj also agreed to help Hospice sell tickets for its duck race held on Tuesday. Saj was the top seller at 85 out of about 1,500 total sales.
He had his biggest effort in 2014 when he sold 300 tickets for the turtle race. But Saj said he was hounding people too much to sell that many.
“I like to help the non-profits and my community,” Saj said. “I have the time and I like to keep myself busy.”
Saj asks his friends, and stops by the offices for the Arc of Genesee/Orleans, and finds many staff members who buy the tickets. He said the face to face sales work best. He also pushes for buying the tickets in blocks of 5, rather than one each. (You get a better price buying 5 at a time and increase your chances for winning.)
Saj started selling the turtle tickets for the first time about six years ago when Deb Boyer, former turtle race organizer, asked for his help.
She appreciated his efforts so much that Saj was recognized during the 2014 parade, and presented with a keepsake toy turtle.
Saj said there is a fine line in selling the tickets. “Don’t be too pushy,” he said.
He finds many people are happy to buy tickets to support the organizations. They also like having a chance to win the top prize of $500.
Brittany Dix, director of development of Hospice, appreciated Saj’s efforts to sell the duck tickets.
“He’s very helpful and wants to be involved,” she said. “He’s enthusiastic.”
Dix said many people sell tickets, usually maxing out at 20. Saj went way beyond that.
“It’s completely voluntarily,” she said. “He found time.”
Ducks float down Johnson Creek during the duck race on July 4 in Lyndonville.
Provided photos: New U.S. citizens, Maria Castaneda and Julio Escobar, received certificates from their citizenship teacher, Cheryl Lieberman, center between students. Linda Redfield Shakoor, left, serves as English language teacher and coordinator at World Life Institute.
Posted 3 July 2017 at 1:07 pm
Press Release, World Life Institute
WATERPORT – World Life Institute Education Center honored 55 adult students, including 4 new citizens, for their accomplishments in citizenship education, English language improvement and pottery skills on June 28 in Waterport.
The adult education program is a partnership between Orleans-Niagara BOCES and World Life Institute. On hand to congratulate students were Dr. Clark Godshall, superintendent of the Orleans-Niagara BOCES and BOCES board member Maureen Kaus.
Susan Diemert, BOCES literacy specialist, directly in charge of the program, presented new citizens and English language learners with beautiful certificates for their achievements.
Dr. Linda Redfield Shakoor, English language teacher and coordinator at World Life Institute, acted as emcee of the event, attended by more than 75 people.
World Life Institute and the Orleans-Niagara BOCES congratulated 55 students for improving their English.
New U.S. citizens, Maria Castaneda and Julio Escobar, received certificates from their citizenship teacher, Cheryl Lieberman, while Susan Diemert draped leis of red white and blue around their necks to welcome them to their new status.
Diemert also gave a special recognition Linda Redfield, who earned her Ph.D. from Niagara University this spring. New citizen student, Emilio Gomez, stated how he can now vote for the first time in a U.S. election and can travel more freely as well as help his family more.
Dr. Redfield noted how agricultural workers have more challenges becoming citizens due to language, literacy, and technology gaps as well as economic and immigration policy challenges. The adult education program in Waterport assists each student with the entire educational process.
Citizenship and English language teachers at World Life Institute teach daily morning and evening classes that help agricultural workers overcome obstacles to becoming citizens. This year, seven new agricultural workers are enrolled in the citizenship class and anticipate taking their tests in the next 18 months.
Most students spend at least two years in weekly evening classes improving their English and studying U.S. history and government to pass the U.S. citizenship test. Teachers help students through the long application process and speak only English to primarily Latino students.
In addition to Dr. Redfield, teaching responsibilities at the Waterport site are shared by Cheryl Lieberman, Deborah Wilson, Monica Beck, Gejlana Carter and Harris Lieberman.
World Life Institute also teaches pottery classes in a program that receives support from the Geneses-Orleans Regional Arts Council
A classroom in the Waterport facility was devoted to a display of new pottery creations by students in the World Life Institute-GO Art! sponsored Voices from the Earth program. The program offers weekly classes and periodic workshops that provide the opportunity for agricultural workers and their families to learn pottery skills.
“These classes not only teach artistic skills but provide a relaxing, creative outlet for agricultural workers whose jobs are stressful, both outdoors in apple fields and indoor in greenhouses,” said Deborah Wilson, lead teacher for Voices.
Gregory Hallock, Executive Director of GoArt! was present to help congratulate the students and encourage them to continue in their creative endeavors.
While the majority of students come from Mexico, Intergrow Greenhouses interns from Ukraine, China, Viet Nam, Brazil, and Honduras received recognition.
The evening wrapped up with the students and their families breaking open a piñata from Monte Alban in Medina.
ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose congratulates Gregory Albertson of Albion for earning a Bachelor of Science as a member of the Saint Rose Class of 2017.
The College of Saint Rose is a dynamic, progressive college in the heart of New York’s capital city where teaching is the first priority. The Saint Rose experience empowers students to improve themselves and the world around them.
Provided photo: Matthew Johnidas of Lyndonville was among the graduates in the BOCES Life Skills program. He is pictured with Special Education Coordinator Krista Macomber, left, and teacher Kim Wiley.
Posted 29 June 2017 at 3:23 pm
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
The Orleans/Niagara BOCES Life Skills program graduated 12 students at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda recently.
Administrators, teachers, staff members, family and friends celebrated as students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The BOCES students at the North Tonawanda High School played the bells and student Michael O’Shea spoke to the audience about his experience with the program.
The students and guests then celebrated at the Gratwick Hose Fire Company #6 in North Tonawanda with a picnic.
Congratulations go to Catherine Bruscino (Newfane), Isaiah Demler (Barker), Jeremy Englert (North Tonawanda), Brian Green (North Tonawanda), Joshua Hepler (Medina), Matthew Johnidas (Lyndonville), Nicholas LiPuma (Wilson), Meghan Livesay (North Tonawanda), Terrell Reed (Niagara Falls), Rachel Retzlaff (Niagara Wheatfield), Joseph Vercruysse (Royalton Hartland) and Angelina Zangara (Williamsville).
PAUL SMITHS – John Morrill of Holley graduated from Paul Smith’s College in May 2017. Morrill earned a bachelor of science in environmental sciences from Paul Smith’s, which is located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Society presented a $500 scholarship to Madeline Winters, who was selected as the Outstanding John Ryan Scholar.
Pictured, from left, include: John Ryan Scholarship review committee members Steve Bunch and Mary Zangerle, Madeline Winters, Sandstone Society Vice President David Miller, and committee member Sue Holland.
The John Ryan Scholarship program was started three years ago by the Sandstone Society with cooperation from the Medina High School History Department, under the direction of teacher Todd Bensley.
In addition to the scholarship, students are inducted into this program and have their names inscribed permanently on a wall in the hallway of the History Department. They also have a special designation recorded on their High School diploma.
The overall purpose of the John Ryan Scholar’s program is to instill a love of history in high school students, urging them to find out about and become involved in the community in which they live.
The scholarship is named in honor of John Ryan, who opened the first commercial quarry in Medina in 1837, quarrying the famous Medina Sandstone.
