Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Pictured from left shows the top four finishers in the apple pie baking contest at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

The top four from left include Marian Fry in first, April Daniels in second, Becky Harris in third, and Amanda Mahle in fourth. Cherrie Ashbery in fifth isn’t in the photo.

The top pies received $200 for first, $100 for second, $75 for third, $50 for fourth and $25 for fifth. Honorable mentions in the kids’ division were for $10 each. (Valent sponsored the prize money.)

The pie-baking contest is one of several new competitions at this year’s fair. The judging was on Thursday and all 10 spots in both the adult and youth divisions were quickly claimed. (Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers was one of the four judges.)

Marian Fry said she has long been well regarded for her apple pies since she was in junior high. She mixed two varieties of apples, Granny Smith and Empire, for her pie. It not only tasted very good, but she had four cutouts in the top of the crust that resembled apples. Fry said the cutouts give her pies an extra-special look. When the Buffalo Bills are playing, she makes cutouts of the Bills logo on top of the pies.

The top five in the youth division include: 1. Addlynne Fox; 2. Fiona Oakes; 3. Kiera Zuch; 4. Olivia Mathes; and 5. Bailey Elliott.

Honorable mentions went to Ellie Oliver, Lily Hungerford, Kenslee Smoak, Morgenn Smoak and Kate Bennett.

Pictured from left in the youth division include Ellie Oliver with honorable mention, Kiera Zuch in third, Addlynne Fox in first, Fiona Oakes in second, and Bailey Elliott in fifth.

Adriana Schiavone of Kendall wins the title

Photos and article by Natalie Baron

KNOWLESVILLE – Adriana Schiavone of Kendall sings “Journey to the Past” from Anastasia during the karaoke championship on Thursday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Adriana scored first place out of 11 participants in the annual karaoke contest. She received a $500 prize. The competition has been held for “at least 30 years here,” said DJ Brad London, who has led the popular event.

Adriana, a star of Kendall school musicals, had a humble start to the karaoke contest. “I did it last year, and I didn’t go through to finals, so I came into it with the goal of just making it to finals. I knew about it since I was a little girl.”

Adriana was not expecting any prize and was all smiles when she won. “When they said 2nd, I was a little disappointed, and when they called my name, I was like, wow!”

(Left) Amir Huzair, who placed second last night, performs “Why, God, Why?” from Miss Saigon. (Center) Heidi Feuerherm sings “At Last” by Etta James. (Right) Emily Schiffhauer confidently sings “Valerie” by Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse.

Abigail Pratt, who placed third and won a $125 prize, sings “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. “I’m currently a music student at Fredonia,” Abigail shared. “Music has always been my specialty!”

Abigail’s interest in the karaoke competition grew as she wanted a new space to perform. “Usually I’m at a rehearsal for a summer theater program during this time, but I’ve grown out of this, so I thought, why not come to a little karaoke contest!”

Frank “Boomer’oke” Buell won the fan favorite prize for his engagement with the audience during his performance of Journey’s “Faithfully,” exiting the stage during his performance to mingle with the crowd.

This is Frank’s second year bringing his talents to the karaoke contest. “Friends at my work Wynland Foods asked me to join, and I said y’know what, I’ll sign up,” Frank said. “So, I came and ended up singing One by Creed, interacted with the audience and had a great time!”

(Left) Phoebe Allen enthusiastically sings “Unbelievable” by Diamond Rio. (Center) Samuel Robinson, placing fourth, energetically performs “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin, dancing across the stage. (Right) Denin “Jersey Dee” Martino gets into it performing All Jacked Up by Gretchen Wilson, ultimately placing fifth.

There were five top scorers and two additional prize winners at the karaoke contest on Thursday. Six judges announced the winners of the competition based on the criteria of 1/3 cheering, 1/3 stage presence, and 1/3 vocals. The top five contestants were all only five point values apart from each other, a testament to each one’s talent.

From left include Adriana Schiavone, first ($500 prize); Amir Huzair, second ($250 prize); Abigail Pratt, third ($125); Emily Schiffhauer, the “Best New Performer,” Samuel Robinson, fourth ($75), Denin “Jersey Dee” Martino, fifth ($50), and Frank “Boomer’oke” Buell, the fan favorite.

Audience members take to the stage as the judges tally the contestants’ point values. They danced to a couple of songs, including Cotton Eye Joe.

Provided photos: This photo shows the IFO graduating class of 2025 near the fire training tower at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office

ALBION – The Orleans County Emergency Management Office (EMO) held a graduation celebration Wednesday night at the EMO Fire Training Tower to honor the 20 students who successfully completed the Interior Firefighting Operation (IFO) training course.  This course prepares graduates to operate as interior structural firefighters, meaning they engage in fire suppression and rescue operations within buildings and enclosed structures.

In his speech to graduates, Orleans County EMO Director Justin Niederhofer said, “The Interior Firefighting Operations course is no small milestone. You’ve learned to enter some of the most dangerous environments imaginable – where others run out, you’ve trained to go in. But tonight’s graduation is not the finish line. It is the starting point of a journey – a lifetime commitment to learning, to safety, and to serving others.”

In order to take the IFO course, students must have successfully completed Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations (BEFO). The BEFO session is a total of 79 training hours and IFO is an additional 50.  All training is done by state fire instructors and skills instructor through the NYS Office of Fire Protection Control.

This rigorous IFO course covers a variety of areas including basic firefighter survival techniques, modern fire control methods, building fire search and victim removal techniques, firefighter survival skills, tactical ventilation, coordinated structure fire interior attack and much more. Students are also trained in use of firefighter personal protective equipment and of the self-contained breathing apparatus.

 “As fire coordinator, I’ve seen firsthand the difference that well-trained, committed firefighters can make in our communities,” Niederhofer said. “The moments that test us most – structure fires, rescues, the 3 a.m. alarms in the dead of winter – are where your preparation and heart will shine the brightest. But don’t stop here. This course is a foundation, not a ceiling. Seek more training. Take the next class. Ask questions. Learn from the veterans around you, and one day, become the mentor that future firefighters will look up to. The fire service is constantly evolving – and the only way we stay effective and safe is by continuing to grow.”

The graduates and their fire department affiliation are:

• Cory Fults, Clarendon
• Jeffrey Casillo, Murray Joint Fire District
• Carter Prince, Hamlin Morton Walker
• William Parkin, Kendall
• Stephen Balka, Kendall
• Logan Gardner, East Shelby
• Joshua Fuller, East Shelby
• Robert Toman, Albion
• Andrew Austin, Ridgeway
• Dylan Taylor, East Shelby
• Austin Seefeldt, Ridgeway
• Victor Jefferds , East Shelby
• Nathan Fuller, East Shelby
• Alex Benz, Shelby
• Chyenne Tackley, Lyndonville
• Kalub Wilson, Hamlin Morton Walker
• Benjamin Croce, Hamlin Morton Walker
• Tervel Atanassov, Lyndonville
• James Nichols, Alabama
• Alexander Summers, Alabama

These photos show skills demonstrations – donning gear, forcible entry and wall breach. The firefighters include Will Parkin (Kendall), Alex Benz (Shelby) and Austin Seefeldt (Ridgeway).

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced the students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List for the spring semester. There are 198 students from GCC in total named to Dean’s List.

Students honored on the Dean’s List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

The honored students from Orleans County include:

• Haley Shaffer of Lyndonville
• Marah Ritzenthaler of Medina
• Amber Stawicki of Medina
• Casey Conrad of Albion
• Rebecca Smith of Albion
• Mckenzie Olmstead of Albion
• Lauren Rissew of Albion
• Micah Martin of Albion
• Rebekah MacNeill of Kendall
• Clancy Frearson of Kendall
• Abigael Delobbe-Scott of Lyndonville
• Catherine Wolck of Albion
• Alivia Fidanza of Albion
• Leeyah Rechtsiegel of Holley
• Jacqueline O’Grady of Holley
• Crystopher Labonoski of Kendall
• Travis Baldwin of Kent
• Tyrell Wright of Knowlesville

BATAVIA – Several students from Orleans County are among the 217 to make Genesee Community College’s President’s List.

Students honored on the President’s List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

The students from Orleans County on the President’s List include:

• Julia Wisniewski of Medina
• Chyenne Tackley of Lyndonville
• Emma Carson of Medina
• Bryn Grube of Medina
• Cayden Lilleby of Medina
• Amber Miller of Medina
• Kenley Fenton of Medina
• Marisa Tetrault of Albion
• Brianna Sample of Albion
• Isaac Neidert of Albion
• Miguel Aldaco of Albion
• Kayla Burgio of Albion
• Faith Chaffee of Albion
• Sara Turner of Albion
• Kimberly Weese of Albion
• Grace Gregoire of Albion
• Sadie Gregoire of Albion
• Keenan Washington of Kent
• Natalie Bertsch of Waterport

BUFFALO – The following local students from Orleans County were named to the University at Buffalo’s spring 2025 Dean’s List:

• Daniel Barry of Lyndonville
• Jylees Bermudez of Albion
• Adriana Botello of Kendall
• Caiden Class of Medina
• Thomas Costello of Medina
• Nathan Dillenbeck of Lyndonville
• Matthew Drum of Medina
• Anthony Gagliardo of Medina
• Kevin He of Albion
• Emma Jacobs of Medina
• Jonah Karnyski of Albion
• Jordan Marshall of Albion
• Elizabeth McCarthy of Medina
• Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville
• S’koi Sanders of Albion
• Hilda Santiago Bautista of Medina

UB is New York State’s flagship university and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system.

“Each semester brings new opportunities to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students,” said Ann Bisantz, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. “The scholars named to this semester’s undergraduate dean’s list exemplify what it means to pursue academic excellence with purpose, passion, and integrity. We are proud to honor their achievements and look forward to the impact they will continue to make.”

BUFFALO – Buffalo State University is pleased to congratulate students from Orleans County who completed the requirements to earn their baccalaureate and graduate degrees in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.

• Nicolina Creasey of Albion graduated from Buffalo State with a BS in Speech-Language Pathology.

• India Green of Albion graduated from Buffalo State with a BS in Individualized Studies.

• Madison Williams of Medina graduated from Buffalo State with a BA in Media Production.

• Alexis Jones of Medina graduated from Buffalo State with a MSED in Childhood and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction.

Several students from Orleans County have made the Dean’s List at colleges and universities.

• At Buffalo State University, Nicolina Creasey of Albion, Brionna Raiser-Russell of Knowlesville and Madison Williams of Medina made the spring Dean’s List. To make the list, students need to have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

• Leah Kania of Albion is majoring in voice performance at Baldwin Wallace University at in Berea, Ohio, which is near Cleveland. The Dean’s List recognizes students who earn a grade point average of 3.8 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more graded hours during the semester.

• Kylie Towne, a tourism/event and meeting management major from Holley, is among the more than 1,660 students named to Niagara University’s Dean’s List. To qualify, students must be registered for 12 credit-bearing hours during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

• Alexa Adams of Paul Smith’s College has been named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. The college is located in the Adirondack Park. (Adams also graduated from Paul Smith’s College in May, earning a BS in Integrative Studies.)

• Daisy Perez Reyes and Shelly Reyes, both of Albion, earned Dean’s List honors for the spring at SUNY Oneonta in Central New York semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

• Emma Roush of Medina, a senior Psychology major at Grove City College, has been named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the spring 2025 semester. The Dean’s List with Distinction includes a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84.

• Several from Orleans made the Dean’s List at Nazareth University in Rochester including Joseph Nettles of Holley, Hailey Crawford of Albion, Tyana Burroughs of Kendall, Raine Baker of Lyndonville, and Kailie Regan of Holley. They all attained GPAs of at least 3.5 or above.

• Lillian Isabella Wilson of Medina has been named to Clarkson University’s Dean’s List. Wilson is a junior majoring in chemistry. Dean’s List students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.

(Editor’s Note: These are from colleges and universities that sent in the local students on the Dean’s List. Not all schools send in the news to the Orleans Hub.) 

Press Release, Delta Kappa Gamma

Provided photo: Pat Turner, co-president of Alpha Theta, presents the Alpha Theta Woman of Distinction Award to Nelda Callard.

MEDINA – Every other year Delta Kappa Gamma Chapters recognize a Woman of Distinction. A Woman of Distinction is a woman who stands out and is recognized for her achievements, leadership and positive influence.

This woman is a chapter member who embodies what it means to be a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She is involved in all phases of the chapter and makes significant contributions to education.

Nelda Callard of Medina is a retired teacher from Royalton-Hartland Central School. She was an outstanding teacher and continues to foster education and learning in our society and the community.

Nelda is presently the Treasurer for Apha Theta and a treasured member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

ALFRED – The Spring 2024 Dean’s List features 755 Alfred State College students including several from Orleans County. To be named to the Dean’s List, students had to take a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work and earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.

“I’m continually impressed by the dedication our students show in both the classroom and the labs,” commented Vice President for Academic Affairs Carrie Cokely, PhD. “Congratulations on achieving this milestone—keep pushing forward in your pursuit of academic excellence!”

The students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List include:

• Lorelei Dillenbeck of Lyndonville, majoring in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Owen Hirschman of Kendall, majoring in Welding Technology
• Alex King of Kendall, majoring in Business Administration
• Xavier King of Medina, majoring in Welding Technology
• Ethan Kuhn of Kendall, majoring in Health Sciences
• James Salvatore of Albion, majoring in Motorsports Technology
• Jacob Wilson of Lyndonville, majoring in Elec Cons & Maintenance Electrician