CLEVELAND – About 60 members of the Albion Marching Band played the National Anthem on Friday at Progressive Field before the start of Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians. Playing the anthem was among the highlights of the band trip. The students and their chaperones left Friday and returned this evening.
The Indians are the long-time favorite team of Michael Thaine, Albion’s high school band director.
Some of the Cleveland Indians players join Slider the mascot in observing the anthem.
In addition to playing the National Anthem and seeing the Indians win 6-5, the band played in the cold at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday. They also toured the site and met Gene Simmons, star of the band Kiss, and were able to say hello to Jarvis Landry, the new coveted wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns.
Students also visited the Cleveland Zoo and went on a dinner cruise.
Cassie Serafin, left, Kaitlin Zwifka and the band walk off the field after playing the anthem.
Noah Wadhams plays the sousaphone for the marching band.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 April 2018 at 1:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Pastor Rich Allis, right, of the Light of Victory Church on Brown Street in Albion says a prayer on Saturday morning before a group of runners and walkers ventured out on a 5K. The church has organized the event the past seven years and proceeds go towards community baskets.
Kathy Jurs was the first woman to hit the finish line. She is cheered on by Cyndi Mardino, the race organizer. Evan Valentine, 15, of Holley was the overall winner. Some of the Run for God participants, who meet at the Free Methodist Church, ran the race on Saturday.
Steve LaLonde of Albion nears the finish. The runners and walkers were hit with hard rain in the race.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 April 2018 at 3:18 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Melissa Ostrom of Holley smiles after receiving a miniature log cabin created by Al Capurso of Gaines in appreciation for her book, The Beloved Wild, which focuses on pioneer residents to Orleans County and Western New York.
(The large group photo between Capurso and Ostrom shows a colorized version of a picture from the 1860s of pioneer residents in Orleans County.)
Ostrom discussed her book and signed copies of The Beloved Wild on Thursday evening at the Hoag Library. Capurso, president of the Orleans County Historical Association, has created several of the log cabin scenes in honor of pioneer residents. He made the cabin for Ostrom in the style of the home made by Gideon, one of the book’s main characters who settled in the Town of Gaines. His sister Harriet and her beau, Daniel Long, assisted in building the log cabin.
The Beloved Wild was published last month by Macmillan and highlights the courage of pioneers, who were typically only teen-agers when they settled in WNY.
This is a debut young adult fiction novel by Ostrom, a former Kendall High School English teacher who stepped back from that role to focus on writing.
Harriet Submit Winter is the main character in the book. She is expected to stay home in New England and cook and tend to her younger siblings. She refuses. She disguises herself as a boy and joins her brother on the epic trip to the Wild West – the Town of Gaines.
Ostrom discussed how the Genesee Valley and WNY were considered an “Eden” for many New Englanders. The pioneers travelled for weeks by wagon, through dense forests and across the powerful Genesee River, to get to Orleans County. There wasn’t a map. The pioneers followed markings on trees as they made their way west.
The pioneer settlers were incredibly resourceful in taming the land, building homes and farms in the frontier. The obstacles were many – sickness, uninvited strangers, alcoholism, abuse. There typically weren’t mills nearby and the pioneers often would distill their crops to make alcohol.
Melissa Ostrom signs a book for Debbie Martillotta and her granddaughter Avery Gaines.
Doug Farley, director of Cobblestone Museum, checks out The Beloved Wild.
Thursday’s event was sponsored by the Cobblestone Society and Museum, Hoag Library, the Orleans Chapter DAR, and the Orleans County Historical Association.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2018 at 9:28 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Neil Newton, a member of the Orleans County Sportsmen Federation and NYS Conservation Council, speaks at an Orleans County Legislature meeting in December 2016. Newton urged legislators to allow rifles for hunting deer and bears, which was passed and went into effect this past hunting season.
An Albion man will be inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame on Saturday during a banquet at Theodore’s Restaurant in Canastota. Neil Newton’s plaque will be displayed at the Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Museum in Vail Mills, NY.
Newton is one of 10 new inductees in the Hall of Fame. The NYSOHOF is an organization dedicated to honoring those individuals who have spent many years preserving outdoor heritage, working for conservation, or enhancing our outdoor sports for future generations.
Newton has been past president and a member of the Finger Lakes Conservation Council for 35 years. He has been active in St. Mary’s Archery Club, Black North Rod & Gun Club, and a member of Region 8 Fish & Wildlife Management Board for 20 years.
Newton also has been active in Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen for 63 years and represented it in the NYS Conservation Council for 35 years. He also took the lead in getting centerfire rifle hunting allowed in Orleans County.
He has been a hunter safety instructor and served on the Hunter Education Committee of the NYS Conservation Council for many years. Newton was a co-founder of the DEC Walleye Cooperator rearing project and made arrangements necessary for the project including the essential permits and was a driving force in getting improvements to the boat ramp at Lake Alice which was required for the project. In addition to being involved with rearing and stocking the walleye fry or fingerlings, he worked with the DEC to secure use and upgrades to the pond for raising the walleye fingerlings.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Don Bishop has worked as a dentist at 245 South Main St. since 1985. He is retiring on April 30.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 April 2018 at 8:23 am
ALBION – Dr. Don Bishop is retiring next week after 44 years as a dentist. Most of his career has been in Albion.
He started working as a dentist in the Navy for three years, and then followed that with four years in Brockport. For 37 years he has been a mainstay in Albion, first working out of a home office at 223 South Main St. for five years, and then shifting to 245 South Main, where he has had his dental office for more than three decades.
“I’ve tried not to make it painful or unpleasant for the patients,” Bishop said on Tuesday.
Using anesthetics makes the experience better for the patients. Bishop has also tried to make his office “feel like home and not so clinical.”
Bishop has run a general practice dentistry, doing teeth cleanings and fillings. At one time he also offered orthodontist services.
“I have really enjoyed the community of Orleans County,” said Bishop, who is a Brockport resident. “Out here the people are genuine and they make it easy to be a good dentist.”
He said he is grateful for the many friends he has made through his career. Bishop plans to stay active in Albion. He has been a member of the Rotary Club since 1981. He currently is the chairman of the Albion Strawberry Festival, the community’s big celebration the second Friday and Saturday in June.
“Those are two days that really put Albion in the limelight,” Bishop said.
He also plays the tenor sax in the Kendall Community Band and Hilton Gazebo Band, and sings in the choir for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brockport.
Bishop will have a retirement open house this Sunday at his dental office from 1 to 5 p.m.
Don Bishop, one of the Strawberry Festival organizers for many years, drives a car in the 2013 parade with a turtle in back. Bishop found a costume for the turtle to promote the Amazing Turtle Race in the canal. He also volunteers to be in a kayak and corral the plastic turtles during their race.
Photos and article courtesy of Albion Central School
ALBION – The Albion Middle School hosted a Literacy Family Night on Wednesday with 129 Middle School students and their families attending the event. The top photo shows Willen DeRuysscher stopping by the Hoag Library table with Teresa Gaylard.
Every participant received a “Literacy Passport” and visited 18 different stations set up by students and staff.
Once students visited the station, they received a sticker in their passport. The more stickers they received, the more chances they had at winning a variety of raffles. The stations were: Information Station, Hoag Library, Book Tastings, arts and crafts, Quizlet, science stations (making slime), math book activities, Amazing Race, and BBQ games.
Kelsey Froman shares details of her book with Autumn Flugel and her mother Victoria.
The Information Station was set up for students to stop by and find their Lexile score if they didn’t already know it, but most students did. The Lexile score measures a student’s reading ability. Students then chose a free book that was within their Lexile range.
The ATA (Albion Teacher Association) was on hand to give away additional books to some of the younger siblings that attended with their families.
Yana Marie Ruiz and S’Koi Sanders-Smith share one of their favorite books with Mohammad Mohi Meer.
Book Tasting stations were led by students from Mrs. Baldwin’s classes. They shared highlights of books they enjoyed reading in hopes that others would want to pick up the book and read it. Students had to research the Lexile score of the book and share a favorite passage from the book.
Meganne Moore, who helped at one of the Book Tasting tables said, “It was a lot of fun and everyone was so happy and supportive. They all loved hearing about the books.” Meganne chose a book from the Percy Jackson series written by Rick Riorden.
Mark McCauley led a book discussion from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
When asked why he chose to lead one of the Book Tasting tables, Mark McCauley said, “I’m a talker. I like to do this and share good books with others.” Mark shared his book selection The Long Haul, by Jeff Kinney. It is part of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series.
All in all, the night was a huge success. Families left with smiles and books and look forward to the next Family Literacy Night!
Garon Thompson tries his hand at pendulum painting.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Albion Marching Band performs during the Memorial Day parade last May.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2018 at 11:56 am
ALBION – The Albion music program has made it 11 straight years of being recognized on a national list of schools with outstanding music programs.
The North American Music Merchants has its annual lists of school districts that are “Best Communities for Music Education.” Albion is one of 583 districts to be recognized nationally, and the only one in Orleans County.
The NAMM organization gives out the award to recognize districts that make music a priority, especially in an era of tight school budgets and packed student schedules.
“The schools and districts we recognize this year – both new and repeat honorees – represent a diverse group of urban, rural and suburban districts and demographics,” said Mary Luehrsen of The NAMM Foundation. “Along with a strong commitment to music education, there are two common traits that each program shares: consistent funding that anchors music education as part of the core curriculum and music programs that are located in communities where music education is viewed as a jewel of the school system. Parents, administrators and community members are proud of these local music programs and attend them regularly.”
Only about 4 percent of school districts in the country are on the current list, which NAMM started 19 years ago. Albion has now made it 11 straight years. Holley has previously been recognized by NAMM.
Victor Benjovsky portrays Jesus in Albion High School’s production of Godspell, which was performed March 23-24. The district does four musicals each year, with two by both the high school and middle school drama programs.
Albion runs an active music program in the elementary, middle and high schools. The high school puts on two full-scale musical and students also perform in several different instrumental and choral groups. In all, high school musicians perform numerous times during the school year. The Jazz Band Cabaret (April 21 at 6 and 8 p.m.) is next on busy schedule of music events.
The middle school puts on two musicals each year, and its students perform with the marching and jazz bands. Elementary music teachers lead students in performances throughout the year.
Research studies continue to demonstrate the physical, cognitive and social benefits of music making. Students who are involved in a school-based music program are not only more likely to graduate high school and attend college, the NAMM Foundation stated.
Students, with even only a few years of musical training early in life, also are better able to process sound, even later in life. Social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills and learning how to give and receive constructive criticism, NAMM said in announcing the schools on the list.
Some upcoming music events by Albion students include:
May 12: Marching Band @ Lilac Festival Parade
May 16: 5th grade Chorus/Band Concert
May 19: Marching Band @ Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands
May 23: Grades 3 & 4 Chorus/Band Concert
May 28: Marching Band @ Albion’s Memorial Day Parade
May 31: HS Talent Showcase
June 5: MS Band/Chorus Concert
June 6: HS Band Concert
June 7: HS Chorus Concert
June 9: Marching Band @ Strawberry Festival
(All concerts are at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium unless otherwise noted)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 April 2018 at 8:09 am
Senior from Kentucky wins national oratorical contest
Melissa Barnosky
ALBION – After winning the state title, Melissa Barnosky competed this weekend in the national American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.”
Barnosky, a senior at Albion, became the first Albion student to win the state title on March 3 in Albany. That earned her a trip to Indianapolis for the national competition.
She was one of 53 state or department champions at nationals in the 81st annual contest. On Saturday, she faced off in the quarterfinals with the champions from Maine, Maryland, Ohio, North Dakota and Louisiana. The Ohio representative advanced to the semifinals.
Barnosky won the school, county, district and zone competitions. She earned a $6,000 scholarship when she won the state competition. Last year she was third in the state.
The students all needed to give an 8-10 minute prepared speech on the U.S. Constitution and citizen duties and obligations to the government. If a contestant goes over or under the time frame, there are penalty points. Barnosky also had four prepared speeches that are 3 to 5 minutes long on other assigned topics.
“We are so proud of her,” said Sue Starkweather Miller, Community Schools director for Albion Central School. “What an accomplishment. She worked hard.”
Barnosky plans to attend The College at Brockport this fall to major in journalism and broadcasting. She said she enjoys public speaking, researching history and preparing her speeches.
“She is very, very poised,” Starkweather Miller said. “She has really delved into the information. She is very interested in the Constitution.”
The national competition was won by a senior from McCracken County High School in Paducah, Ky. Carlissa Frederich earned an $18,000 college scholarship and first place. She advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. She was sponsored by American Legion Post 73 in Murray, Ky.
In her prepared oration, Frederich compared the Constitution to the powerful Grand Coulee Dam. “Much like the dam was built to create and harness power, our forefathers built the Constitution to create and harness power – to empower the government to act at a national level, but harness that power so it did not infringe upon individual liberty.”
“The founders believed our rights came from God to the people who could then loan a very limited amount of that power to the government through the Constitution,” she added. “The Constitution ensures rights. Exercising these limits government. Limited government maintains rights, completing the cycle and creating a type of ordered liberty.”
In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned 3- to 5-minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges.
The 2-million member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution. More than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded over the history of the contest.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Josie Waverly, center, leans on Gina Sidari, the daughter of Amy Sidari, left. Waverly will be performing on June 30 at the Cabaret at Studio B, which Sidari runs on West Bank Street in Albion. Waverly of Hilton has performed there several times. She has performed all over the country as a headliner as well as an opening act for many of Nashville’s leading entertainers such as Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels, Loretta Lynn, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2018 at 8:24 am
Josie Waverly has long been a popular performer
Josie Waverly portrayed Patsy Cline during a concert at Medina High School on July 20, 2013. About 150 people attended the event, which was a fundraiser for the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
ALBION – Josie Waverly of Hilton was on her way to Albion to sing in a benefit concert on Dec. 3, 2016 when she was rear-ended at a stop light at Redman and Ridge Road in Clarkson. Waverly would suffer herniated disks in her neck and back. The injuries have made it hard for her to take in the deep breaths for singing her country music. Waverly has had to cut back on her performances. She used to hit the stage 200 times a year. Now she is performing about 50 times a year, including an upcoming concert on June 30 in Albion at the Cabaret at Studio B. It will be her first time performing in Albion since the accident.
“It’s hard to take in a lot of air to sustain the notes and hit the high notes,” Waverly said during an interview last week at the Cabaret. “I still have my voice but (the injury) affects how I use my voice.”
Waverly has been diligent in physical therapy and exercises which has allowed her return to singing. This is her 30th year singing as a professional. She is dubbed as “New York State’s Queen of Country Music.” She has performed in the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and opened for major country music stars, before crowds of 20,000 people. She has opened for Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels, Loretta Lynn, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban and many others.
Waverly said she gives every performance her all, whether it’s for the 20,000 at a major concert venue or much-smaller venues. The Cabaret at Studio B seats about 100 and Waverly said she likes the intimate setting, where she can chat with some of the concert goers.
“The people are so good to me here,” Waverly said about the Cabaret. “It is a pleasant, homey place.”
Josie Waverly performed as Dolly Parton during a benefit on Oct. 15, 2016 that was a roast of local contractor Jim Babcock. Waverly performed a spoof of the Parton song, “9 to 5,” in describing a kitchen repair gone wrong.
Waverly performs with her country music band, and also has developed other shows including “My Gal Patsy” which is her tribute to Patsy Cline. (She performed “My Gal Patsy” to a sold-out crowd of 600 on Friday at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda.)
With her “Queens of Pure Country” show, Waverly sings songs from nine famous entertainers, such as Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dottie West and Reba McEntire.
“I’m just using the gift the Lord gave me to bring joy to other people,” she said. “That’s the big thing.”
Waverly, an active grandmother to five grandkids, said staying away from the stage wasn’t an option.
“I have to stay singing and doing what I love to do,” she said.
Amy Sidari, owner of the Cabaret, has become a close friend for Waverly, and is working as Waverly’s publicist and promotions agent.
Sidari is working on bringing about 20 shows to the Cabaret this year, which is in its sixth season. Sidari has a long-term goal of opening a bigger performance venue in the second floor at 28 West Bank St.
When people call for tickets for some of the shows at the Cabaret, they often ask how Waverly is doing since her accident. Sidari is pleased Waverly will be back in Albion on June 30 and then again on Dec. 15 for a holiday concert in her Patsy Cline character.
“It’s a treat for the Albion community to have someone of Josie’s caliber,” Sidari said.
Josie Waverly, a popular local singer, is also a children’s book author. She has written three children’s books about Josie the Butterfly. She visited Albion on March 30, 2016 to share the story of “Josie the Singing Butterfly” and to promote early childhood literacy.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 April 2018 at 9:57 am
No widespread power outages so far
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Keith Merchant, left, and Tony Navarra, both part of the Buildings and Grounds crew for Holy Family Parish, shovel ice off the sidewalk in front of the Albion church this morning. Most of the churches are closed today.
“This is crazy,” Navarra said about the blast of winter weather.
He is retiring in June after leading the parish’s Building and Grounds Department.
An ice storm warning remain in effect for the county until 2 p.m. Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower also has issued a travel advisory urging extra caution from drivers until this afternoon.
Many of the trees at Courthouse Square in Albion are coated in ice.
There doesn’t seem to be too much damage from the storm. There aren’t widespread power outages. There are 83 National Grid customers without electricity in Orleans County and they are estimated to be restored by 11 a.m., according to the power company.
Even these birds by the Post Office in Albion are wondering what happened to spring.
The Presbyterian Church in Albion is pictured in the background of this photo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2018 at 7:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Travis Downs follows through on a 3-pount shot that went in for the Albion faculty in a basketball game today vs. State Troopers. Downs is a substitute teacher who also coaches football and basketball at Albion. He was the leading scorer for the faculty in a 72-60 loss to the Troopers. The Troopers had a big lead at halftime, and then the faculty were able to get within 5 points before the Troopers pulled away at the end.
The game was a benefit for the Middle School FFA.
Scott Mills, an investigator with the State Police, gives Matthew Bloom a boost while he shoots a basket during a break in the game.
At halftime State Trooper Dave Ziemba and K-9 “Arnie” did a demonstration, showing the dog’s tracking skills.
Ziemba and Arnie are one of the 98 K-9 units for the State Police. Arnie is a narcotics detection dog that also tracks suspects. State Troopers also had a demonstration at halftime on defensive tactics.
Sawyer Green, a member of the Albion faculty, holds her son Hollis, who is almost 2. Green’s husband Josh also played on the faculty team.
Albion teacher Mike Jones, center, joins the faculty in congratulating the Troopers on their victory.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2018 at 1:11 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Village of Albion trustees Gary Katsanis, left, and Stan Farone hold the ribbon while Mayor Eileen Banker (in black coat) cuts the ribbon this morning for the expanded Uptown Browsery in downtown Albion. Maureen Bennett, a vendor and member of the Browsery’s board of directors, is up front with Banker. Other vendors in the photo include, from left, in back: Elizabeth Penafiel, Dakota Morasco, Scott Sackett, Linda Carson, Lisa Mannella and Lucy Sackett.
There are 34 vendors in the three Browsery locations. The original Downtown Browsery opened at 14 East Bank St. in 2004 with 13 vendors. Four years ago the Uptown Browsery opened at 118 North Main St. In January, the Uptown Browsery expanded north on Main Street. The two Uptown storefronts are connected with an archway that was used back when the site was a Landauer’s Department Store.
A Ronald McDonald helium balloon tank topper and shroud from 1977 is one of the items for sale in the Uptown Browsery.
The vendors sell vintage collectibles, antiques, upcycled furniture and other items. They share expenses and all spend a minimum of 10 hours in store. The shared workload and expenses have proven a good formula for the vendors, said Maureen Bennett, who sells farmhouse décor and antiques.
The expanded space for the Browsery was quickly embraced by vendors. Bennett said there are still a couple spots if a vendor is interested.
Stan Farone, a village trustee, said the Broswery locations offer a variety of items that appeal to many in the community.
“I encourage people to visit the stores,” Farone said. “People don’t realize what we have here in the downtown.”
A new feature at the Browsery: highlighting a prominent Albionite each month. If people share the same birthday month as the person being highlighted, they get 10 percent off. Lisa Mannella proposed the birthday feature. This month spotlights Sanford Elias Church, who was born April 18, 1815 and went on to be the chief judge on the NY Court of Appeals.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Runners wait for the start of the 10-mile race on Aug. 19, 2017 in front of Bullard Park in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2018 at 8:55 pm
Race drew 400 runners to Albion last August
ALBION – The Metro 10 race, which is in its fourth year, will add a biking component for the first time on Aug. 18.
The race for runners starts at 8 a.m. The cyclists will begin at 7 a.m. and follow a similar course as the runners. There are some differences in the racing routes. The people on bikes won’t go through the apple orchard at Watt Farms or go on the towpath.
Like the runners, the cyclists will finish their race at Bullard Park. The cyclists are expected to be done before the runners start, and many of the people on bikes will then run 10 miles, said Thom Jennings, the race director.
“A lot of people asked about it and we wanted to add the bike component and see if it adds value to the event,” Jennings said.
Last year there were 400 runners. That was the maximum for the event in 2017. Metro 1 has been growing about 30 percent annually since its first year. Jennings wants to keep that growth rate, and is aiming for 550 participants this year. He is expecting about 50 cyclists in what will be a little bit of an experiment.
Rochester has dominated the Metro 10 running race, winning the first three titles versus runners from Buffalo. This photo from last August shows Vickey Beaver, the Rochester team captain, accepting the Metro 10 Cup from race volunteer JT Thomas at Bullard Park. Marissa Pace, the Buffalo captain, is in blue.
Stan Farone, an Albion village trustee, has been one of the supporters for the biking component. Farone completed the Cycling the Erie Canal event last year, going about 350 miles on bike along the towpath.
Participants in the race compete for either Buffalo or Rochester. They run either 10- or 5-mile races. (The cyclists will go 10 miles.) They earn points for the city if they finish, and some runners earn added points if they finish high in their age groups. There is also a “tenacity” bonus for the final finisher of the race.
Rochester has won the Metro 10 cup the first three years. Rochester had a big advantage in participants the first two years, but it was nearly even last year with 201 runners for Rochester and 199 for Buffalo.
There is also a post-race celebration at Bullard Park with live music that is open to the community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2018 at 5:09 pm
Attendance for month by far lowest for school this year
ALBION – The school district saw a big drop in attendance during the month of February when the flu and a stomach bug made many students sick in the elementary, middle and high schools, District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell told the Board of Education on Monday.
The district had a 90.46 attendance rate in February, compared to a 92.97 percent rate in February 2017.
Many of the students who missed school this past February were students who rarely miss school. Many of them were out for several days as the flu and a stomach bug took a toll, Bonnewell said.
The district’s attendance rate was at 94.13 percent at the end of January. After February, the rate for the school year fell to 93.52 percent.
The monthly attendance rates this school year started with 96.21 percent in September; followed by 95.53 percent in October; 94.95 percent in November; 94.51 percent in December; and 94.13 percent in January.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2018 at 11:59 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Melissa Barnosky, center, was recognized at Monday’s Albion Board of Education for winning the state title in the American Legion’s oratorical contest. She is pictured with her mother Amy Barnosky, left, and Margy Brown, president of the Albion BOE.
ALBION – Melissa Barnosky will be in Indianapolis this weekend to compete in a national oratorical contest through the American Legion. Melissa, a senior at Albion, became the first Albion student to win the state title on March 3 in Albany.
She has also won the school, county, district and zone competitions. She earned a $6,000 scholarship when she won the state competition. Last year she was third in the state.
Barnosky has an 8-10 minute prepared speech on the U.S. Constitution and citizen duties and obligations to the government. If a contestant goes over or under the time frame, there are penalty points.
Barnosky also has four prepared speeches that are 3 to 5 minutes long on other assigned topics.
Barnosky plans to attend The College at Brockport this fall to major in journalism and broadcasting. She said she enjoys public speaking, researching history and preparing her speeches.
The national competition on April 14-15 includes the champions from the 50 states, plus additional territories and overseas departments of The American Legion.
The top prizes include scholarships of $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000 in the final round of the 81st annual American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program.
The quarterfinals on Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. will narrow field from 53 to 9. The semifinals from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday will narrow field from 9 to 3.
The finals will be Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and will be webcast at www.legion.org.
The Board of Education also recognized two other high school students Monday.
• Victor Benjovsky was presented with a Leadership Award. He is the student council president and shared a reflection on the PA system at school on March 14, the one-month anniversary of a school shooting in Florida. Benjovsky invited students to observe a moment of silence in the hallways that day.
• Harrison Brown received the Character Award for his compassion to his classmates, including students with disabilities.
Photos by Tom Rivers
