By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Kathleen Stewart brings administrative experience to job
Photo by Tom Rivers – Kathleen Stewart in November started as interim principal at Lyndonville Elementary School. The Board of Education hired her on a permanent basis last month.
LYNDONVILLE – When the elementary school principal left for a new job in November, the Board of Education brought in veteran school administrator Kathleen Stewart to fill the position on an interim basis.
Her predecessor, Patrick Whipple, was hired by the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership to serve as Director of School Improvement. GVEP works with 22 component school districts in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties.
Stewart has proven a good fit for Lyndonville. Last month the Board of Education voted to drop the interim title and make her job permanent.
Jason Smith, the district superintendent, worked with Stewart previously at Elba Central School, another small school district. She was the director of curriculum and instruction for seven years before that position was eliminated in budget crunch about two years ago.
“Mrs. Stewart has demonstrated a commitment to Lyndonville, our students and our programs since her arrival here in November,” Smith said.
A selection team reviewed Stewart and favored her leadership style and experiences, Smith said.
Stewart has worked as a school administrator for about 20 years, starting in Dunkirk and then North Tonawanda before going to Elba.
The job of a principal has changed with more requirements for teacher evaluations and standardized tests. But Stewart said the core mission of the position remains.
“A big part of the job is making sure you have the best teacher in front of the kids,” she said.
She worked with Smith to secure a new state grant that will bring in resources to help students struggling academically. The grant funds professional development for Lyndonville staff to brainstorm intervention strategies for students.
Stewart also has worked with parents to revive the Parent-Teacher Association. After being idle for a year, the PTA now has more than 40 members.
“The more parent involvement, the better the student success,” Stewart said. “They will work with teachers with before- and after-school activities and fund-raising. They build a stronger sense of community.”
The elementary school has about 625 students in grades Pre-k through 6. Stewart has worked in larger districts. She prefers a smaller school.
“You get to know the kids and staff a lot easier,” she said.
She marvels at the school setting by Johnson Creek.
“It’s a beautiful campus with the pine trees and the water,” she said.
Provided photo – Lyndonville Envirothon Team members include, from left: Lily Boyd, Heather Mufford, Zachery Karp, Jeremy Foss and Kenneth Kalson.
Press release
Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Central School District team of Lily Boyd, Jeremy Foss, Kenneth Kalson, Zachery Karp and Heather Mufford won first place at the 2014 Niagara-Orleans Regional Envirothon. The team advisor is teacher Kathy Wronski.
They beat out 13 other teams at a competition at Bond Lake in Lewiston. The event is celebrating its 25th year and tests high school students’ knowledge in five areas: soil, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and current environmental issues.
Not only did the teams have to prepare a 10-minute presentation on sustainable agriculture with an emphasis on local farms, they had to take exams administered by professionals in the soil, aquatics, forestry and wildlife fields.
It is a combination of classroom study, research and hands-on field experience. The Lyndonville team will be moving on to the New York State competition May 21-22 at SUNY Morrisville.
The local event was sponsored by the Niagara and Orleans Soil and Water Conservation Districts, State Sen. George Maziarz, U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, M&T Bank, Albion Sports and Graphics, Sanborn Lions Club, Orleans Poverty Hill Farm and Newroyal Orchards.
Photos by Sue Cook – Cal Tuohey addresses the group of students and teachers. He explains the importance of being honest.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
LYNDONVILLE – Students in Lyndonville’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy heard directly from local CEOs and business owners in the area about the keys to success.
The panel of four included a diverse group: Cal Tuohey, author, actor and comedian; Jim Simon, Dean of Genesee Community College (Albion and Medina); Barb Champlin, co-owner of Hojack Ice Cream Shack, EZ Shop and Champs; and Peter Woodward, Senior Human Resource Manager of Baxter, Inc.
“The genesis of the idea for this evening started probably over a year ago when we started discovering that there was a disconnect between our school and the business community in the region,” said Aaron Slack, Middle/High School Principal.
Technology and business teacher Todd Wolford came up with the idea as a way to inspire students. With input from others at the school, Wolford chose a list of people who were both local and well established that he felt would inspire the students.
“Don’t lie,” said Tuohey, explaining how an attempt to fool a prospective customer backfired on him. “You can connect better with people if you are yourself.”
That message was repeated throughout the night. The panel agreed honesty was a huge way for an applicant to be considered by a company when job hunting. They also suggested volunteering and being a well-rounded person through hobbies and free-time activities that benefit the community in some way.
“You don’t have to be the best student, but you have to apply yourself and find what you love,” said Woodward.
He wasn’t in the top of his class, but once he found passion for something he was able to focus and begin to guide his life into the path he wanted.
Peter Woodward said having a belief in your company and what you make or do is an extremely powerful motivator. Baxter makes medical products and he constantly thinks about how the devices help to save or sustain lives.
Barb Champlin echoed that finding something you love is the route to success. “It’s a lot of long hours, a lot of sacrifices, but well worth it. I don’t wake up in the morning saying I have to go to work. I wake every morning going to do what I love to do. It’s not work when you do that.”
The group also discussed their regrets of what they wish they had done when they were younger. They offered advice of how to overcome things that might hold someone back that could cause them regret later on.
Jim Simon said that he did learn some hard lessons in his youth, but was able to change himself through them. “It’s really about what happens if you hit bottom and you pick yourself up by the bootstraps. What do you do now? It’s about standing back up if you get knocked down. Don’t feel like your life is set in stone.”
Tuohey wishes he had started by telling his parents what he wanted in life, but didn’t think they would approve of him wanting to pursue comedy. “I didn’t have the courage to tell my parents what I wanted to do. I didn’t want them to hear the wrong answer from me.”
Barb Champlin says she loves running her own businesses because it makes her the ruler of her own destiny. “I like the freedom that it gives me,” she said.
The students all thanked the group for coming to speak to them and some even asked for personal advice afterward about their own futures and choices. They were gracious of the time that was set aside just for them.
“I’ve really learned a lot,” stressed senior Abigail Feldman. She said she did gain some insight and even learned more about their what the panel’s jobs are in the community. She commented that she had no idea that positions like Human Resources did so much.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy has already started students on the path to finding a career they would like to pursue. The YEA runs the school store, which makes a profit. The students then partner up with each other and make real business proposals and present their ideas to a group of investors. The investors vote on the proposals with a yea, nay or can adjust the amount of money the students are asking for. The investors divide the store profits among the students to provide them with the equipment and resources asked for on their proposal.
Two groups within the YEA have already applied for DBAs for their businesses. Feldman and her partner are sharing a Nikon camera that was approved by the investors for their business Fabulous Fotos.
The other approved group is Cashmere Cupcakes and consists of three students. The students rent space in a certified kitchen and are planning to cater cupcakes at local events such as birthday parties. The students for both businesses will be attending college, but will continue to operate as they have time.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Ryan Earl, a friend of Paulie Lauricella, is pictured with Paulie’s father Paul Lauricella during a celebration and benefit for Paulie today at the Lyndonville fire hall.
LYNDONVILLE – “Love.” That’s how Ryan Earl describes one of his best friends, Paulie Lauricella.
“Paulie had a very big impact on everybody,” Earl said.
Lauricella was 24 when he died on Jan. 15. He was on his way to work as a machinist at Brunner in Medina when he hit black ice at 6:30 a.m. on East Yates Center Road, lost control of his vehicle and then hit a tree.
The community responded with a vigil on Jan. 19 in his honor. Paulie’s family has received home-cooked meals from community members and many cards expressing condolences. Today, from 1 to 5 p.m. Earl organized a celebration and benefit in honor of Lauricella at the fire hall.
Proceeds will go towards an etching on his mausoleum in Lynhaven Cemetery. Earl and Paulie’s father, Paul Lauricella, also would like to establish a scholarship in honor of Paulie. The scholarship would go to a graduating senior who loved his or her classmates the most, who was a loyal friend, Earl said.
“People don’t get commended for being righteous,” Earl said.
During low times in his life, Earl said he could always count on acceptance and encouragement from Paulie.
“He had a very big impact on everybody,” Earl said. “I wouldn’t be the husband or father I am today without him.”
Paulie’s death has been difficult on his friends and family. Paul Lauricella worked with his son in a business where they bought vintage vehicles that were beyond restoration and sold off the parts. Paulie was good at negotiating, at buying the vehicles and then working with buyers interested in parts.
“He could talk to anybody,” his father said.
Paulie and Paul Lauricella are pictured last summer with a 1940 Buick Special. The father and son worked together buying vintage vehicles. The younger Lauricella also was a machinist at Brunner in Medina.
Paulie is the youngest of Lauricella’s four children. Paulie would bring dinner to his parents on Friday nights and would then watch wrestling with his father.
Mr. Lauricella would hear from the parents of Paulie’s friends about how he would always shake hands with the fathers and hug the mothers. Paulie was sought out for advice by his many friends.
“He was an amazing kid and I miss him terribly,” Mr. Lauricella said. “He was friends with everybody. He accepted everybody and that’s why people loved him.”
Mr. Lauricella is vice chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party. He had been a frequent presence at local government meetings, especially the County Legislature. Lauricella would rail against government spending and often was critical of the local officials.
He received cards from all seven legislators after his son died, and some made memorial donations to the library in honor of his son. Other community members have reached out to him and his family, and Lauricella thanked them all for their support.
“This has completely changed my outlook how people will rally around you,” Mr. Lauricella said. “My son would always say you need to ‘Pay it forward’ down the road and I intend to. I understand how all humanity hurts when something like this happens.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2014 at 12:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club welcomed two new members last night. Both are administrators at Lyndonville Central School. Jason Smith, second from left, is the district superintendent. Dr. Aaron Slack, right, is the middle-high school principal.
They are pictured with prospective member Vernon Fonda, left, who works as a conservation officer for the DEC. Club President Andrew Cousins is third from left. The Lions are busy planning their biggest event of the year: the annual Fourth of July celebration.
Provided photo – L.A. Webber Middle-High School has been recognized by a national publication.
Press release
Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – L.A. Webber Middle-High School was ranked as one of the best high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
The magazine analyzed more than 31,200 public high schools and ranked them on overall student performance on state-mandated assessments, as well as how effectively schools educated their black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students.
Schools were also evaluated on how well prepared students were for college-level course work. In the national rankings, 500 high schools earned gold medals, 1,519 took home silver and 2,688 were awarded bronze.
L.A. Webber received a silver medal and was ranked 97 in the state and 1,229 in the United States.
“This honor is indicative of the high quality work by the Board of Education, administration, faculty and staff and our students,” said LCS Superintendent Jason Smith. “We are pleased and humbled to have our collective efforts for our students recognized with this special honor.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Cali Pietroboni, 19, was just promoted to private first class
Photos by Tom Rivers – Chelsea Hare, right, recognizes the person taking the order at Tim Hortons in Albion this afternoon.
ALBION – Cali Pietroboni told her closest friends she would get a few days off around Easter but would be spending that time in Miami.
Pietroboni, 19, is a Marine from Lyndonville. She was home for 10 days in January. That’s been it since leaving for Boot Camp last October. Her decision to go to Florida didn’t sit well with her best friend, Chelsea Hare.
Pietroboni and Hare have been close friends since elementary school at Lyndonville. They both graduated in 2013. They like to tease and surprise each other.
Pietroboni pulled off a shocker this afternoon. Hare’s mother Tina Hare was at the Tim Hortons in Albion. She had her daughter and another friend Rachael Allen come over at 1:30 p.m.
When they went to the counter to order, they saw a familiar face in the Tim Hortons uniform. Chelsea stood for a minute in disbelief and with a blank expression. They she broke out in a smile and in tears.
Cali Pietroboni and Chelsea Hare embrace at Tim Hortons in Albion.
Pietroboni met her at the end of the counter and the two had a long embrace.
“I thought there’s no way that’s Cali right now,” Hare said.
Pietroboni completed Boot Camp at Parris Island in South Carolina in January. She has been at Camp Johnson in North Carolina most of the past three months. She was recently promoted to private first class. She graduates from a personal administration school at Camp Johnson on June 3. She is eager to see her assignment. Many of the Marines at Camp Johnson have been assigned to service in foreign countries, she said.
Pietroboni also wanted to come home this weekend to see her parents, Derek and Vickie Dix, and her little brother Connor Dell.
“It’s been a great opportunity to travel and meet new people,” Pietroboni said. “There’s also pride in being a part of the world’s most elite fighting force.”
Cali Pietroboni hugs her friend Rachael Allen while Chelsea Hare watches.
Tina Hare helped orchestrate the surprise this afternoon. She has known Pietroboni for more than a decade. Despite Pietroboni’s diminutive stature – she’s only 4’ 11’’ – she has proven her strength and determination in recent months, Hare said.
“Ever since she was a little girl she wouldn’t back down,” Hare said. “And she’s always liked to joke around.”
Rachel Godfrey, the Tim Hortons manager, was happy to loan a uniform to Pietroboni for the surprise.
“I give her a lot of credit for going into the Marines,” Godfrey said.
Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith
LYNDONVILLE – A Lyndonville man is facing numerous traffic charges after crashing his car Friday evening in the Town of Yates.
The incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. in the 12400 block of Platten Road. Antonio F. Lopez, 23, was operating a 2005 Chevrolet SUV. He was travelling east when he lost control. The vehicle crossed the center line, left the north side of the roadway and struck a fire hydrant. Lopez, the sole occupant, was not injured.
He is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and numerous other vehicle and traffic charges. He is scheduled to appear in Town of Yates Court on April 16.
The incident was investigated by Deputy K.J. Colonna, assisted by Deputy D.S. Klips and Deputy J.J. Cole.
Photos by Sue Cook – The Witch (Heather Mufford) places a curse on The Baker (Cameron Morgan) and his wife (Rebekah Hoffee) so that they can’t have children.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
LYNDONVILLE – The story of a fractured fairy tale comes to the Lyndonville auditorium stage as Lyndonville and Medina schools join efforts for the third year to give students a chance to perform and shine.
Medina cut its musical program due to budget constraints after the 2010-11 school year. That left no opportunity for the student performers in drama. However, administration from the two schools agreed that coordinating efforts would be a great opportunity for students from Lyndonville and Medina.
“I work with the music teachers at Medina, primarily Lisa Roeseler, and principal Mark Kruzynski,” said Jennifer Trupo of Lyndonville. She is both the overall director and the vocal director. “They help send messages and make announcements to their students.”
Cinderella (Hannah Albone) pleads to go to the festival, but her stepsisters, Florinda (Madison Boyle) and Lucinda (Madison Holland) and her stepmother (Briana Bellan) stop her. Seated on the steps during the practice was the narrator, seventh-grader Roy John Follman.
Kristina Best, Lyndonville band director for 7th to 12th grade, is the pit conductor for the second year in a row. She said the musicians practice as much as the cast and crew do. In the background Jack (Thomas Follman) is singing.
The schools also found that declining student enrollment meant a two-school production would have a bigger and better cast, crew and orchestra. The musical for this year is “Into the Woods.”
“There’s a spin to it,” Trupo said. “It’s several fairy tales combined into one.”
A baker and his wife want to have a baby, but a witch placed a curse on them, causing them to be barren. They must lift the curse in order to have a family. The witch requires four items to be collected on the third midnight from that day. The couple must find a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold.
The items are found throughout the story with the appearance from the fairy tale characters of Jack of the tale Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella. Together, the baker and his wife attempt to get the items which are reluctant to be surrendered.
After the audition process, there would normally be call-backs to narrow down the roles for the students, but Trupo said that this year call-backs weren’t necessary and that each ended up cast in a part that was declared perfect based on individual strengths.
“The kids speak for themselves,” Trupo said. “They are very well suited for their roles.”
Cinderella’s Prince (Nate Pace) and Rapunzel’s Prince (Joseph Mangiola) sing about each of their chosen princesses and how magnificent the two women are.
The Wolf (Christian Hahn) is attempting to lure Little Red Riding Hood (Regan Stacey) into being eaten in the woods. The two perform an energetic dance number together as Red tries to escape his clutches.
Anyone who wants to participate is welcome. There was so much interest in the musical that an ensemble song was arranged to accommodate a large number of characters. Many characters that are not normally a part of this production were pulled from other “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” stories such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
The cast includes 41 students, with 14 in the crew 14, and eight students in the pit orchestra joined by music teachers. Trupo said the whole group is a good mix of Medina and Lyndonville students from seventh grade through the seniors.
The Medina students all carpooled together to rehearsal performances, as no alternative transportation is provided by the school. The rehearsals are also scheduled by Trupo as best as she can manage around the schools’ sports schedules.
Medina senior Deanna Mangiola plays Jack’s Mother. She is overbearing and insists that Jack (Thomas Follman) sell his cow Milky White (Devon Allen), his best friend in the whole world. “I had laryngitis during auditions,” Mangiola said. “Luckily, the week before we had a workshop and I got the nerves out.” She performed at the auditions anyway and was much more prepared and had a sense of confidence with her.
Senior Heather Mufford is a Lyndonville student cast in the role of The Witch. Mufford has been in theater since she was 11, and has been performing in any high school musical she possibly could, but still felt nervous when she went in for her audition.
“I went in with confidence after practicing the voice and scream of the witch,” said Mufford. She is looking to minor in theater in college. “I think I will always be doing community theater.”
Rapunzel (Jenna Brien) sings in her tower which alerts a prince to her presence.
As for the two schools working together, Mufford commented,” There is no school rivalry. I have some closer friends from Medina than Lyndonville.” She says that many of the students from both schools will meet to hang out outside of the performance season because they have bonded so well together.
The stage crew is also enthusiastic to be part of the performance. Lyndonville ninth-grader and first-time crew member Michael Busch is one of the students responsible for moving props between scenes. “I’m excited,” he said. “I was going to audition, but I was too busy the two days of auditions. I wanted to be on crew then because then I know I can still sort of be on the stage.”
Trupo is also excited that the school will have adjudicators from the Rochester Broadway Theatre League in the audience rating students on their acting, singing and dancing.
The students with the highest scores will receive Tony-style awards. The schools with the highest scores are given the opportunity to perform at the Rochester Auditorium Theatre, which is used for professional Broadway performances.
There will be three performances of “Into the Woods” this coming weekend in the Lyndonville school auditorium. On Friday and Saturday, the show will be at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, the performance will be at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door. The school is located at 25 Housel Ave. in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE The Lyndonville Central School District will host a Common Core Night at 7 p.m. today at the Middle-High School Library.
Lyndonville school officials will discuss how the district has implemented new standards for elementary and secondary math and English-language arts classes, as well as the district’s expanding AVID program and special education annual reviews.
The meeting tonight will begin with a brief overview at 7. Parents will then move on to their choice of two of the following 20 minute sessions: Common Core Math and ELA 7-12, Common Core Math and ELA Elementary, AVID Elementary, AVID Secondary, and Special Education Annual Reviews.
Babysitting and refreshments will be available, but the district requires that babysitting services will be requested ahead of time at 585-765-3107.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 March 2014 at 12:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – It was a quiet election in Lyndonville with only one candidate on the ballot. Charles Covell was elected with all 19 of the votes cast on Tuesday.
Covell was elected to serve the remaining year of a trustee term originally won by James Whipple. He resigned after moving outside the village last year. Covell was appointed by Mayor Stephen McAvoy.
Covell, the owner of Creekside Laundromat in Lyndonville, was appointed to the Village Board on Oct. 14.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 March 2014 at 12:00 am
Residents at three villages in Orleans County will go to the polls today from noon to 9 p.m. to elect members to the Village Board. Two villages have mayor positions on the ballot and in both cases the top elected official is unopposed.
In Albion, Dean London has both the Republican and Democratic Party endorsements for mayor. London, Albion’s retired police chief, has been campaigning with a Republican team that includes Eileen Banker and Stan Farone for four-year trustee positions, and Gary Katsanis for a two-year term.
Democrats are running Terry Wilbert and Patricia Cammarata for four-year trustee positions, and Sandra Walter for the two-year term.
Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall on East Bank Street.
In Medina, three incumbents appeared to be unopposed. Andrew Meier is running for mayor with David Barhite and Patricia Crowley seeking re-election as village trustees. They are seeking two-year terms under the Village Party.
Michael Sidari and Marguerite Sherman are mounting a write-in campaign for village trustees.
Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. at the senior center, 615 West Ave.
In Lyndonville, Charles Covell is seeking a one-year as village trustee. Covell, the owner of Creekside Laundromat in Lyndonville, was appointed to the Village Board on Oct. 14, filling a vacancy created when Jim Whipple resigned after moving outside the village. Covell was appointed by Mayor Stephen McAvoy.
Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall, 2 South Main St.
Holley, the other village in Orleans County, has its election in June.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 March 2014 at 12:00 am
Contributed Photo – Some of the volunteers playing a game of scooter basketball during this past weekend’s Hoops For Heart event at Lyndonville.
It was a fun, fitness event that saw Lyndonville elementary students take part in the annual Hoops for Heart this past weekend.
A total of over 50 individuals – students, their parents and volunteers – took part in the event at the Large Gymnasium at the high school which raised $1,812 for the American Heart Association.
“It continues to amaze me how willing our small community is to donate money to help fight heart disease, and rally together for a cause that may not directly impact us,” said Lyndonville varsity basketball Coach Brian Lang who helped to organize the event. “It is important for these students to learn at a young age the benefits of giving and donating to others, and they seem to fully embrace it.”
During the event students did a variety of different basketball activities, ranging from shooting stations to dizzy bat relays with their parents.
Lang noted that there were several donations from the community and staff which were used as prizes and food for the event.
“We also had a tremendous amount of parents and staff that volunteered their time and were able to engage in the activities with the kids,” said Lang. “Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time this year and donated, we couldn’t have done it without you.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2014 at 12:00 am
Nearly 200 turn out for Farmer to Neighbor Night
Photos by Tom Rivers
The Orleans-Niagara Dairy Princess Liz Meyer of Medina, right, serves up some milk punch with assistance from Jayne Bannister of Waterport, a dairy ambassador. They were part of the 16th annual Farmer to Neighbor Night on Saturday at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
The event was sponsored by the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, OC Soil and Water Conservation District, OC Farm Bureau and OC Chamber of Commerce.
Sara Millspaugh, president of the Albion FFA, delivers a prepared speech in front of about 200 people at Saturday’s Farmer to Neighbor Night. Millspaugh spoke about the need to battle hunger and highlighted the FFA’s effort to bring 19,000 pounds of produce to Community Action last December. FFA was formerly known as Future Farmers of America. It has expanded to become a leadership program.
Jack Hill, a junior FFA member in Medina, recites the FFA creed.
Haley Maier, 11, of Gasport was recognized during the banquet as one of two winners state-wide with a “Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.”
Tom Healy, a certified financial planner for Prudential, tells the crowd how Haley makes necklaces that she sells to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Haley was nominated for the award by the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Association. She is a member of the Lyndonville Mogrels 4-H Club.
Haley makes the necklaces in honor of her grandmother. Haley said she wants to expand her line of merchandise for the Alzheimer’s Association. She will be honored during a conference in Washington, D.C., where two winners from each state will be recognized. During the trip in May, 10 of 102 youth volunteers from around the country will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2014.
Todd Eick, FFA advisor in Medina, thanked the community for supporting the FFA program. Medina will be hosting the state convention in May. Eick said he welcomes volunteers and judges, as well as donations for the event.
About 1,500 FFA students will be in Medina for the three-day convention, which was in Albion in May 2013.
“It’s a huge honor for Orleans County to host the convention two years in a row,” said Adam Krenning, Albion’s FFA advisor.
One nearby school – Roy-Hart – announced in January it was starting an FFA program.
State Sen. George Maziarz addressed the group and touted state legislation to encourage young farmers to pursue agriculture. That legislation would vastly reduce the estate tax, making it easier for farms to be transferred to a younger generation.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley also addressed the group. He said the “Farm Death Bill,” which would force farmers to pay overtime and give workers collective bargaining rights, could again be brought up in Albany. Hawley opposes the bill, as does New York Farm Bureau. They say it would put NY farms at a competitive disadvantage with other states that don’t have overtime requirements.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2014 at 12:00 am
Abigail Feldman
LYNDONVILLE – A Lyndonville student has been named to a list of the top 100 high school seniors in the eight-county Western New York region.
Business First of Buffalo announced Abigail Feldman will receive Special Mention honors for the 2014 All-Western New York Academic Team. An eight-member selection committee put Feldman on the list.
Business First’s Academic Team puts the spotlight students who pursue excellence both in and out of the classroom.
Feldman in January won the Distinguished Woman of New York during a competition at SUNY Albany. She advances to the national competition in June in Mobile, Ala.
