Spc. Samuel Maryjanowski of Medina serving with the 10th Area Command, received the New York Guard Achievement Award, NYS Lifetime Service Award and the New York Pandemic Response Service Ribbon during recent unit training events between December 2022 and February 2023.
The New York Guard is a force of 500 uniformed volunteers, organized as a military unit, who augment the New York National Guard during state emergencies. They provide administrative and logistics support to the National Guard.
Members of the New York Guard supported flood control efforts along the Lake Ontario shoreline in 2019 and 2020 and have been part of the statewide Covid-19 pandemic response since March 2020.
Unlike members of the New York National Guard, New York Guard members do not have a federal military role and do not deploy outside the state. New York Guard members usually train in a volunteer status and are only paid when they are placed on state duty during emergencies.
People who have served in the military can serve in the New York Guard up until age 68. Those who have never served in the military must be between age 18 and age 55 to join.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 February 2023 at 8:58 am
Provided photo: Candace Pitts holds her award as employee of the year.
MEDINA – Iroquois Job Corps has recognized a dedicated employee for her ongoing efforts toward guiding students throughout their journey at the Job Corps center in the Town of Shelby.
Candace Pitts was recently named the Job Corps “Employee of the Year” for 2022.
Her honor is a result of selflessly altering her work schedule to help with getting students to and from their work-based learning jobs, according to Jen Barr, senior administrative assistant at Job Corps.
Pitts has gone above and beyond to make connections with communities for partnerships for the work-based learning program, Barr said.
“Ms. Pitts often has lines of students waiting for her outside her door and she makes time to talk to each one individually to address all of their questions or concerns,” Barr said. “The results she has achieved are impressive. We are grateful to have her as our compassionate and caring teammate who is always willing to go above and beyond.”
Dr. Jeffery Kelly, a 1978 Medina graduate, won a prestigious award for his work in chemistry. (Photo from Scripps Research)
LA JOLLA, CA — Jeffery Kelly, PhD, the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research, has been awarded the distinguished 2023 Wolf Prize in Chemistry.
The honor recognizes Kelly’s research developing therapeutic strategies that amend misfolded proteins that toxically aggregate in the body—a hallmark of many severe diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Kelly shares this award with Chuan He, PhD, University of Chicago, and Hiroaki Suga, PhD, University of Tokyo, for “pioneering discoveries that illuminate the functions and pathological dysfunctions of RNA and proteins and for creating strategies to harness the capabilities of these biopolymers in new ways to ameliorate human diseases.”
“Receiving the Wolf Prize was a genuine surprise and is an immense privilege, especially considering all the incredible scientists who could have been chosen and who have been chosen before me,” Kelly says. “I am grateful to the remarkable scientists who selected me for this award, to numerous gifted trainees in my laboratory for their creative experimental contributions, and to my Scripps Research colleagues for cultivating the discovery culture that has made me a better scientist.”
In the award citation, the Wolf Foundation highlighted Kelly’s work in “developing a new and clinically impactful strategy to ameliorate disease caused by pathological protein aggregation.” Kelly has had a significant impact in understanding how proteins fold, misfold and aggregate in toxic quantities in the blood, the foundation noted, which leads to a host of severe diseases affecting both the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
With these key insights, Kelly and his lab have focused on translating their discoveries into therapies that can help alleviate these conditions. This includes the FDA-approved drug tafamidis (Vyndaqel® and Vyndamax®): a treatment that slows the progression of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (a neurodegenerative disease), and familial and sporadic TTR cardiomyopathy disease (a condition that ultimately causes heart failure).
“Kelly’s foundational research into protein folding homeostasis and novel therapeutic discoveries have made a global impact, which this award helps showcase,” said Peter Schultz, PhD, Scripps Family Chair Professor and President and CEO of Scripps Research. “His pioneering, multifaceted work—which is at the intersection of chemistry, biology and biophysics—has not only transformed the scientific world, but more importantly, has shaped the lives of countless patients.”
Kelly has won numerous additional awards and honors for his groundbreaking research in protein folding mechanics and multi-disciplinary therapeutic strategies. This includes the 2022 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the 2021 Royal Society Robert Robinson Award in Synthetic Organic Chemistry–SuFEx team, the Edward E. Smissman Award from the American Chemical Society and the 2016 American Institute of Chemists Chemical Pioneer Award, among many others.
Kelly earned his PhD in organic chemistry at the University of North Carolina and went on to Rockefeller University for postdoctoral work. He also graduated from Fredonia in 1982. He joined Scripps Research in 1997 and served as dean of the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences from 2000 to 2008.
“I thank the Wolf Foundation for celebrating humankind’s quest for basic scientific knowledge and for creating an awareness in young people through this award that pursuing fundamental knowledge is fun and wholesomely addictive,” Kelly said.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Kelly is a 1978 graduate of Medina High School. He is the son of Janice Kelly-Mack and the late John W. Kelly. He heads The Kelly Laboratory at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. He was recognized in 2003 in the inaugural group of distinguished alumni at Medina High School.
ALFRED – Six students from Orleans County were among the 901 Alfred State College students who earned dean’s list honors for their academic success during the fall 2022 semester.
The students from Orleans County include:
Jayce Ashton of Albion, a Note Dame High School graduate in Batavia
Julia Buck, Holley Senior High School
Ethan Kuhn, Kendall Jr-Sr High School
Reagan London, Lyndonville Central School
Joshua Smith, Kendall Jr-Sr High School
Jacob Thom, Albion Senior High School
Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours for the semester and earned a 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0, to qualify for the dean’s list.
Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Craig Clark, PhD is pleased to see the success. “Our students are learning real world skills through our hands-on approach. Congratulations to all that have achieved this academic success and I encourage them to continue to excel in our classrooms and labs.”
BUFFALO – Patrick E. Fitzsimmons, an Albion native, has been named a partner at Hodgson Russ LLP, effective January 1, 2023, the Buffalo firm announced.
Fitzsimmons is a litigation and cybersecurity attorney at Hodgson Russ and focuses his practice on white-collar criminal defense, privacy, and data security matters.
As a criminal defense lawyer, he represents individuals and companies facing criminal investigations and charges. In his privacy and data security practice, Fitzsimmons regularly counsels clients under an array of international, federal, and state privacy and data security laws.
He also assists clients in managing ransomware attacks and other data breaches and advises clients on breach notification obligations. Fitzsimmons currently serves on the Firm’s Security Committee.
A graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law, Fitzsimmons served as an assistant district attorney in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office before joining Hodgson Russ.
Hodgson Russ attorneys facilitate business transactions around the world. As a full service law firm, Hodgson Russ utilizes multidisciplinary work teams to meet clients’ specific, often complex needs. Clients include public and privately held businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit institutions, and individuals. Hodgson Russ has offices in Albany, Buffalo, Greensboro, Hackensack, New York, Palm Beach, Rochester, Saratoga Springs and Toronto.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2022 at 9:50 pm
Farms in GLOW region have top yields in 3 categories
Orleans County farmers have typically fared very well in the annual National Corn Yield Contest.
Last year, Adam Kirby of Albion won for top yield in the state with a yield of 293.1 bushels in the strip, min, mulch, ridge – till non-irrigated category. Kirby also won in 2019, and 2020.
Kludt Brothers in Kendall won the state title in 2009 and 2010, and finished fourth in the country in 2009 with 295.9 bushel yield.
The results of the National Corn Yield Contest were announced on Tuesday and no farm in Orleans made the leaderboard, but several entries from the GLOW area were among the biggest yields.
Matthew Swede of Piffard in Livingston won the conventional non-irrigated category with a yield of 284.0 bushels. Lance Rovers of Crazy in Clinton County won the no-till non-irrigated category with a yield of 265.3 bushels.
Ryan Swede of Pavilion in Genesee County is tops in the strip, min, mulch, ridge-till non-irrigated category at 282.2 bushels. Thomas W. Jeffres of Wyoming in Wyoming County is first in strip, min, mulch, ridge-till irrigated at 257.9 bushels, and Paul Campbell of Nichols in Tioga County won conventional irrigated with 246.4 bushels.
For more information on the contest, and results from other states, click here.
123 people have now completed program highlighting strengths and challenges in community
Provided photos: Members of the 2022 Class of Leadership Orleans celebrate their graduation last Thursday at the White Birch in Lyndonville. Pictured include front row, from left: Faye Conley, Miranda Bennett, Marlene Seielstad, Jennifer Hill-Young, Patricia Neuman and Becki Gibson. Back row: Susan Howard, Natasha Wasuck, Cyndi Stumer, Jerry Pasnik, Michele Chatfield, Tim Elliott, Benjamin Jones, Jim Doyle, Gloria Brent, Matt Holland, David Warren, Katie Leach, Jennifer Ashbery, Katrina Chaffee, Dawn Borchert and Wayne Wadhams. Missing from photo include Mindy Frasier and Christopher Cappetta.
Press Release, Leadership Orleans
LYNDONVILLE – The Leadership Orleans program held its 5th annual graduation ceremony on Thursday at the White Birch Golf Course.
Leadership Orleans is a year-long education program focused on building leadership skills while exposing participants to the necessary knowledge, experiences and people that make Orleans County work.
Its mission is to create the nucleus for investment in the community through continuing education, volunteerism, and networking to enhance leadership potential throughout our region.
The 2022 Leadership Orleans Class included 24 individuals from a wide array of sectors in our communities, from agriculture to manufacturing, education to government, small business owners to nonprofit service providers.
With this class, the number of those who have completed the program since its inception in 2018 and become LO alumni totals 123.
This year’s graduates include:
Jennifer Ashbery, Principal, Albion High School
Miranda Bennett, Bookkeeper, Town of Shelby
Dawn Borchert, Director, Orleans County Tourism
Gloria Brent, President, MDS Consultants
Christopher Cappetta, CFO, Harris Seeds, Garden Trends, Inc.
Katrina Chaffee, Director of Community Services, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner, Orleans County DSS
Wayne Wadhams, Board Member of O/N BOCES and President of Albion Board of Education
David Warren, Board Member, Kendall Central School District
Natasha Wasuck, Owner, The Lockstone & Tinsel
(Left) Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action, accepts the award for alumna of the year. (Right) Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties, was recognized by Leadership Orleans with the “distinguished leader” award.
In addition to honoring the LO2022 graduates, the evening’s agenda involved several special awards:
First Impression (voted by class) – Torrey Dairy Farm
Presenter of the Year (voted by class) – Elissa Smith (LO21)
Alumna of the Year – Renee Hungerford (LO21)
Distinguished Leader of the Year – Paul Pettit
The program was kicked off with a welcome by former NYS Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, comments by Orleans County Legislature Chair Lynne M. Johnson, followed by LO Steering Committee Chair Kelly Kiebala and LO Program Director Skip Helfrich. 2022 LO Class Comments were presented by Miranda Bennett and Susan Howard.
The Leadership Orleans program is thankful for the support of its sponsors: Orleans County, Talis Equity, Barre Stone Products, Baxter Healthcare, Bentley Brothers, Brigden Memorials, Brighton Securities, Brian Bourgraf, Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Claims Recovery Financial Services, Friends of Steve Hawley, Holley Rotary Club, Kast Farms, Medina Area Partnership, Medina Sandstone Society, Orleans County EDA, Orleans Ford, Takeform Architectural Graphics, Watson Enterprises, and Western New York Energy.
Skip Helfrich, director of Leadership Orleans, welcomes the class and guests to the graduation program.
In addition, the program sincerely benefits from the leadership of its director, Skip Helfrich, and its Steering Committee: Kelly Kiebala-Chair, Delano Alvarez (LO19), Jackie Dunham (LO20), Ellen Eaton (LO19), Nadine Hanlon (LO18), Jerod Thurber (LO19), Kathleen “Kitty” Maerten, Charlie Nesbitt, Laura Olinger, Paul Pettit, Barbara Shine, Lisa Tombari (LO18) and Patrick Weissend (LO18).
During her acceptance speech as presenter of the year, Elissa Smith (principal of Lyndonville Elementary School) challenged audience members to “…imagine an issue or problem plaguing your work or community. Really think of something difficult.”
She then paused to allow all to have time to think, and then followed up with, “The answer to solve that issue is in this room. Collaborate with those outside your sphere; join forces with the alumni network for Leadership Orleans to find and leverage resources; or lobby to change policies and procedures.”
Congratulations to all the graduates of the Leadership Orleans Class of 2022!
SPENCERPORT – Joshua Padlick has been named a winner of the 2022 Carl J. Schaefer Memorial CTE Teacher Candidate Award presented by the NOCTI Board of Trustees. Padlick is a Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES career and technical education (CTE) welding teacher.
This award recognizes an outstanding CTE teacher or CTE teacher candidate. Criteria for the award includes an application describing personal goals, work experience, awards/honors received, professional memberships and leadership and community service activities.
Padlick has served as a welding instructor at WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Center in Spencerport for the past eight years. He has also offered his expertise as a Subject Matter Expert for NOCTI’s welding micro- credentials over the past two years.
In addition to teaching, Padlick is a SkillsUSA advisor, a chair for the department’s shared decision making team and the president for the Rochester American Welding Society (AWS) chapter. Since taking the AWS role, he has expanded both the chapter’s board and overall membership.
“Josh is an outstanding teacher who is active both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Theresa Alampi-Cortez, WEMOCO assistant principal and nominator. “Since he came onboard at our school, the welding program has grown significantly. Josh’s students enjoy his energy and sense of humor and learn greatly from his expertise and feedback. Josh forges great, lasting relationships with his students and he always gives 100% effort to whatever he is doing.”
Padlick received a personalized award and $500 to be used toward tuition, room and board, books, or any other educational-related expense.
The Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Award was established in 2013 to honor Dr. Carl J. Schaefer. As a lifelong champion in CTE, he gained national recognition as a CTE educator and author. He was also one of NOCTI’s founding fathers. This memorial award is a tribute to Dr. Schaefer’s memory.
NOCTI is the nation’s largest provider of industry partner certifications and industry-based credentials for career and technical education programs.
Provided photo: Todd Eick (second from left), a Medina agricultural teacher, was honored by the National Association of Agricultural Educators for his exemplary performance and dedication to agricultural education.
Press Release, National Association of Agricultural Educators
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Todd Eick, an agricultural educator at Medina, is one of six agricultural educators nationwide who received the 2022 National Association of Agricultural Educators Ideas Unlimited award.
The awards were presented during the 2022 NAAE Convention, which was Nov. 29 through Dec. 3, in Las Vegas.
The NAAE Ideas Unlimited award is presented to NAAE members to recognize them for their innovative ideas that optimize student success and development. The Ideas Unlimited Award is sponsored by National Geographic Learning | Cengage Learning.
Eick received this award for his Blackout Poem lesson plan. To celebrate Ag Literacy Week, Eick collaborated with his school district’s English department to promote ag literacy with his high school students.
Utilizing ag-based magazines, Eick’s students create a Blackout Poem, a form of poetry that uses another authors words, in their written order, to create something else.
For this past year, Eick provided articles to his that were related to growing their own food, but challenged them to select words to create a poem that focused on the theme of hunger. The unused words are then blacked out or colored out to leave just the desired text. Eick has found that this project drastically increases the reading comprehension of his students.
NAAE is the professional organization for agricultural educators with over 8,000 members nationwide. The organization advocates for agricultural education, provides advancement through professional development for agricultural educators, and works to recruit and retain agricultural educators in the profession. NAAE offers a variety of programs and services to support this three-pronged mission.
The mission of NAAE is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” NAAE is headquartered in Lexington, Ky.
Photos and information courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Congratulations go to students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education program who have been inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
The students include: Samantha Andrews (Early Childhood Ed Program/Lockport), Alyson Berner (Early Childhood Ed Program/Royalton-Hartland), Bryce Broeker (Diesel Technology Program/Barker), Anthony Cercone (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program/Lockport), Michael Chisler (Electricity/Electronics Program/Medina), Hannah Coder (Early Childhood Ed Program/Newfane), Tyler Currie (Building Trades Program/Lockport), Arie Decker (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Angelina Delgrolice (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker), Cameron Fisher (Electricity/Electronics Program/Royalton-Hartland), Gabriella Flores-Medina (Allied Health Program/Medina), Dillion Freiburger (Electricity/Electronics Program/Lockport), Alexander Gagne (Building Trades Program/Royalton-Hartland), Miranda Gebo (Allied Health Program/Albion), Miya Goodale (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker), Kayla Guerin (Computer Technology Program/Lockport), Tyler Halifax (Computer Technology Program/Lockport), Rylee Hallows (Culinary Arts Program/Royalton-Hartland), Rachel Hill (Allied Health Program/Medina), Ian Jones (Computer Technology Program/Lockport), Jaiden Just (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering/Lockport), Drew Kauffman (Electricity/Electronics Program/Lockport), Madison Kelley (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Olivia Kroening (Cosmetology Program/Medina), Zachary Luick (Electricity/Electronics Program/Lockport), Samantha McIntyre (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Lydia Samson (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker), Emily Scott (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Jazmyn Shaw (Early Childhood Ed Program/Lockport), Sara Smith (Cosmetology Program/Medina), Logan Tolliver (Electricity/Electronics Program/Barker), Zachary Walker (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program/Royalton-Hartland), Tyrell Wright (Computer Technology Program/Medina) and Alexa Zglinicki (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker).
The students had 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.
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.
Students at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center who were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society include: Logan Becker (Electricity/Electronics Program/Starpoint), Lorna Becker (Conservation Program/Royalton-Hartland), Andrew Birtch (Electricity/Electronics Program/Starpoint), Colby Blake (Culinary Arts/Christ the King Prep), Ryan Butler (Animation, Film & Visual Effects Program/Starpoint), Matthew Cake (Building Maintenance & Management/North Tonawanda), Marianna Campione (Cosmetology Program/Starpoint), Joshua Chesterfield (Electricity/Electronics Program/Wilson), Melania Deabes (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Carter Galyen (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Jami Gerwycki (Emergency Medical Services Program/Lewiston-Porter), Evan Husarrek (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Anhelina Kavalchuk (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Blair Kephart (Early Childhood Ed Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Henry Jack Leible (Electricity/Electronics Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Joshua Linderman (Diesel Technology Program/Starpoint), Tyler Lorence (Computer Technology Program/Lewiston-Porter who attend Niagara Academy), Thomas May (Welding Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Lenora Mercurio (Fashion Design & Interior Decorating Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Sarah Morrow (Culinary Arts Program/Christian Academy of WNY), Serena Nice (Fashion Design & Interior Decorating Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Nicholas Paszt (Welding Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Eoin Potwin (Culinary Arts Program/Niagara Falls), Zelda Pulver (Culinary Arts Program/Starpoint), Sally Rick (Animal Science/Niagara Falls), Savannah Shine (Graphic Communications/North Tonawanda), Kayla Simmons (Early Childhood Ed Program/Wilson), Ranvir Singh (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Evan Strong (Electricity/Electronics Program/Starpoint), Patrick Stryker (Diesel Technology Program/Niagara Falls), Cameron Thomas (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Damon Tunnicliff (Project Based Engineering Program/Niagara Falls), Cassidy Wagner (Conservation Program/Wilson), Emily Yarington (Health Occupations Technician Program/Wilson) and Brian Zatkos (Project Based Engineering Program/Niagara Wheatfield).
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 November 2022 at 9:01 am
Provided photo: Lori Condo, assistant controller at Orleans Community Health, has received the President’s Plaque and the Follmer Bronze Merit Award.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the recognition of a dedicated employee by the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
On Oct. 21, HFMA presented the President’s Plaque and the Follmer Bronze Merit Award for Outstanding Service to Lori Condo, assistant controller at Orleans Community Health.
“I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a place to be part of a team,” said Condo, a 23-year veteran of Orleans Community Health. “This has been my second family and I am honored to work with such wonderful people.”
Condo has been active in Western New York HFMA since 2009. In 2019 she was elected secretary of the WNY chapter, which represents 150 members. In 2020, she was named president-elect, and in 2021 she became president.
“Lori is truly a dedicated member of the Orleans Community Health team, who is also active in helping to further other organizations in our region,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health.
Western New York Healthcare Financial Management Association, with a local office in Buffalo, is a member of the national organization which helps healthcare finance professionals meet the challenges of the modern healthcare environment.
Provided photos: The ClearSource brand includes pharmaceutical, industrial, and beverage-grade alcohol.
MEDINA – Western New York Energy last year completed a $38 million expansion to produce ultra-high-purity alcohol products under the ClearSource brand.
The company has been honored by the Merit Awards with an Excellence Award in Energy the advanced technology and distillation method to produce the ultra-high-purity alcohol products.
Tim Winters, CEO of ClearSource and WNY Energy, paired the distillation system with sustainable manufacturing practices for a higher purity product and lower carbon footprint.
“Our team is dedicated to making the best possible product and eliminating negative impacts that traditional distillation methods have on the environment,” he said.
The 6,000 square-foot expansion by WNY Energy allows the company to manufacture 15 million gallons of alcohol annually.
“While supplying alcohol for sanitizer during the pandemic, we made the decision to invest in a world-class distillation system to offer products that contain virtually no impurities,” Winters said.
ClearSource is distinguished by its commitment to the agricultural community and environment through zero-waste manufacturing “from crop to cocktail” that uses every bit of corn ground to produce alcohol products, food grade CO2, distillers’ grains and feed-grade corn oil.
“The goal of every New York distiller is to make sustainable, world class spirits, utilizing local grains and positively impacting agriculture and the communities around us,” said Brian Facquet, founder, Do Good Spirits. “ClearSource products embody this sentiment and will positively impact New York’s agricultural community while ushering in a new era of sustainable, local products.”
ClearSource specializes in pharmaceutical, industrial and beverage grades using a proprietary distillation system that produces ethanol with unprecedented levels of purity and consistency, including Grain Neutral Spirits and up to 200 proof products that are Kosher, organic and gluten free.
This state-of-the-art technology ensures New York’s largest ethanol facility can sustainably meet customers’ unique specifications.
ClearSource is determined to maintain a small business mentality. Customers work directly with sales and relationship managers dedicated to accommodating each customer’s specific needs.
Buffalo Distilling’s Mafia Sauce is made with alcohol from ClearSource.
Provided photos: Roy-Hart’s Milk Quality & Products team finished 12th in the nation overall and 5th in the nation for the team activity presentation. The team earned a Silver Team Ranking. Pictured from left include Garrett Armenia, Sophia Santella, Vanessa Grant and John Konstanty.
Posted 1 November 2022 at 8:24 am
Press Release, Roy-Hart FFA
MIDDLEPORT – Last week, 12 Royalton-Hartland FFA members and their advisor, Matthew Sweeney, traveled to the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the convention, each FFA member competed in a Career Development Event (CDE) competition. Career Development Events build on what is learned in agricultural classes and encourage members to put their knowledge into practice.
These events are designed to help a member prepare for a career in agriculture by testing and challenging the student’s technical, leadership, interpersonal and teamwork skills as well as their knowledge of the subject matter.
In Indianapolis, Royalton-Hartland FFA represented New York State in the Milk Quality & Products CDE, Nursery/Landscape CDE, and Environmental/Natural Resources CDE.
Roy-Hart’s Milk Quality & Products CDE finished 12th in the nation overall and 5th in the nation for the team activity presentation. The team earned a Silver Team Ranking. Individually the placings included Garrett Armenia – 40th Place – Gold Ranking; Sophia Santella – 54th Place – Silver Ranking; Vanessa Grant – 78th Place – Silver Ranking; and John Konstanty – 112th Place – Bronze Ranking.
The Nursery/Landscape team includes Nicholas Armenia, Joshua Kennedy, Lorna Becker and Ronan Klug.
Nursery/Landscape CDE: Overall Team Placing: 17th in Nation for a Silver Team Ranking. Individual placings include Joshua Kennedy – 41st Place – Gold Ranking; Nicholas Armenia – 51st Place – Silver Ranking; Lorna Becker – 70th Place – Silver Ranking; and Ronan Klug – 136th Place – Bronze Ranking.
The Environmental/Natural Resources CDE includes Nathaniel Wolf, Shelby Sy, Jessica Sy and Cayla Burch.
The Environmental/Natural Resources CDE Overall Team Placing: 37th in Nation for a Bronze Ranking. Individual placings include Shelby Sy – 75th Place – Silver Ranking; Jessica Sy – 92th Place – Silver Ranking; Nathaniel Wolf – 111th Place – Bronze Ranking; and Cayla Burch – 138th Place – Bronze Ranking.
Since the re-introduction of the Royalton-Hartland FFA Chapter in 2014, this is the third time that Royalton-Hartland FFA members competed at the National Level. Advisor Matthew Sweeney praised these twelve FFA members for their hard work, commitment and dedication to preparing for these national contests.
“We spent many evening and weekend hours developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in these contests,” Sweeney said.
He is thrilled about the program’s success and excited for future of the Royalton-Hartland Agriculture Department and FFA Chapter.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 October 2022 at 8:19 pm
Provided photo: Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, is shown accepting an Innovation Award from the New York State Community Action Association, presented at the annual Professional Development Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester on Sept. 29.
ROCHESTER – Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, and Community Action have been chosen as the recipient of the 2022 Innovation Award for their work with the Axis of Care Pilot.
Axis of Care was developed by Hungerford to increase access to healthcare for the homeless and housing for insecure families across Orleans County. The award is given by the New York State Community Action Association’s Membership Development Committee and was presented Sept. 29 at the 2022 Annual Professional Development Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rochester.
“I want to express my congratulations to Renee and the agency on their exemplary work that led to this award,” said Charles Barbay, project manager with New York State Community Action Association, in a letter to Hungerford.
The award is presented to a Community Action agency’s current project, program or initiative that demonstrated an innovative and effective response to a community challenge, addressing a need in the community, according to Barbay.
“I am honored that NYSCAA has chosen us as the recipient of the Innovation Award for our Axis of Care program,” Hungerford said. “This program is a one-year pilot, funded by the Finger Lakes Performing Providers Association, with the goal of demonstrating the critical role that community-based organizations like Community Action of Orleans and Genesee play in healthcare and wellness.
“The program will demonstrate how health outcomes can be improved with lowered costs by addressing social determinants of health, along with connecting individuals to healthcare services,” she said. “This program was developed primarily to help individuals in need, but is also intended to demonstrate why community-based organizations are a vital part of healthcare delivery and why we deserve a seat at the table in value-based contracting and SDOH service insurance reimbursement.”
Hungerford co-presented about the program with their partners at Continual Care Solutions, the creator of ImPowr. In addition, Melinda Chaffee and Hungerford were honored to be asked to participate in a recorded panel discussion about Community Action. This recording will be available at NYSCAA Learns in the near future.
Press release and photo courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES
The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its employees of the year for the 2021-2022 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.
Amanda Bennett is the Administrator of the Year. She is the former Principal at the Niagara Academy. She worked there for the past seven years. Bennett said her favorite part of her job was the people. “I loved the kids and being able to help them and watch them succeed. The graduation ceremony was always an emotional time with saying good-bye to them and reflecting on the graduates. I love the staff, especially my office staff. The people at BOCES really have their hearts in the right place. They are all about the kids.”
On learning she was named an employee of the year, she said, “I felt humbled to receive Administrator of the Year. My colleagues in administration are the hardest working people I have ever met in my life. To be selected amongst that group is an incredible honor.”
Bernadette George is the Clerical Person of the Year. She started her position as Senior Clerk in the Labor Relations Department in December 2014.
“I like the people that I work with and that makes any job a lot better,” she said. “I also like creating databases and helping others.”
She is honored being awarded Clerical Person of the Year. “It felt nice. It was a total surprise and the pat on the back was appreciated.”
Jennifer Moreland is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She has worked as a case manager at the Lockport Community Education building since 2017. Moreland said her favorite part of her job is her students.
“They are wonderful, hardworking people seeking opportunities,” she said. “In my current position, I serve students with ingenuity and creativity while collaborating with hardworking colleagues who each bring a new perspective and a plethora of experience. There is never a dull moment in our program!”
“I was so grateful to have received this award. I was nice to be nominated and I am appreciative of the people with whom I work.”
Mark Vivian is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. He has been a maintenance worker at Orleans/Niagara BOCES since 1979. “My favorite part of my job that every day is different. It is never the same and I work with great people,” he said.
Vivian said he was very surprised to win the award. “It was unexpected and very nice to receive it. I am retiring shortly and it was a great going away present.”
Cheryl Herman is the Staff Specialist of the Year. She has been the Director of the Orleans-Niagara Teacher Center since 2007. “I actually started at BOCES in 2001 as a Computer Support Specialist for the career and technical education teachers and the Teacher Center. I left for a couple of years to teach high school Business in Medina from 2003-2005 and returned as a Computer Specialist. So all together I have been at BOCES for almost 18 years!”
When asked her favorite part of her job, she answered, “I love to collaborate and share with fellow colleagues. I love being able to bring awareness about new technologies to teachers and also train them in essential topics like Social Emotional Learning, Culturally Responsive Teaching and Educational Technology. Our NYS Teacher Center Network enables me to make connections across New York that most people do not get to make and these connections provide me the ability to bring vital information and knowledge to all of my consortium teachers.”
She said, “I was very excited and surprised to win Employee of the Year! Our staff specialist group has so many amazing employees and I am honored and humbled to have been chosen to be this year’s recipient. I would not be where I was without the support and friendship of all my colleagues. A huge thank you and shout out to all of them!”
Mandy Baker was named the Substitute of the Year. She has been a substitute at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center for the past two years and is starting her third year.
Baker said her favorite part is that she is different places every day. “I love getting to meet all the students!” She had this to say about winning the Employee of the Year award: “This is very exciting and I feel very blessed. I am glad my hard work pays off for people to notice!”
Jeff LaFountain is the Teacher Aide of the Year. He is currently working at the Orleans Learning Center and has been working with BOCES for 20 years.
“My favorite part of my job working and interacting with the students and my coworkers,” he said. “Winning the award was a pleasant surprise. I thank my coworkers and employers for this honor.”
Richard Tynan was named the Teacher of the Year. He retired this past school year and taught English at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center since 2004. Before that he subbed and taught adult education.
When asked his favorite part of his career, “Undoubtedly the way academics were embedded into the various curricula. Students could see that literacy skills are necessary and helpful to completion of real-world tasks. I also liked working with students as they grappled with more adult workplace situations in which they assumed (sometimes) more adult responsibilities. It was fun to see their enthusiasm and engagement and to see glimmers of the amazing adults many are becoming.”
He had this to say about winning Teacher of the Year, “I am undeserving of the honor, but grateful for the recognition. It has been lots of fun. I’d like to imagine that I did some good. There are many teachers I feel are more deserving than I. The skill and dedication of the O-N BOCES staff has always made me proud to be part of the organization.”
