Lions Club will put on 42nd annual July 4th celebration

File photos by Tom Rivers – A man sits back and enjoys the fireworks show last July 4 on the Lyndonville school campus.

The parade heads down Platten Road where it becomes Maple Avenue. Most of the action at the festival is on the school grounds.

LYNDONVILLE – Orleans County’s smallest village will be the place to be on July Fourth. Several thousand people are expected to show up for the parade at noon and stay for many other events, including the fireworks at 10 p.m.

“It’s a lot of work but we take a lot of satisfaction in it,” said event chairman Richard Pucher.

He and other members of the Lyndonville Lions Club are organizing the Fourth of July Festival, which is now in its 42nd year. Pucher said the Lions don’t do the event alone. Village of Lyndonville, the school district, Lyndonville Fire Department, the Town of Yates and M & T Bank all play big roles in the planning and running of the festival.

“It’s a whole community effort,” Pucher said.

The Lions Club has 30 members and divvy up the work with different members heading food, chicken barbecue, the parade, fireworks and other events.

Pucher expects a bigger crowd because the Fourth falls on a Friday. He knows many family and class reunions are timed for the weekend and some of those out-of-towners will likely stop by the festival.

“We know that many residents who have moved away come back for this,” Pucher said.

Some of the events include:

An arts and crafts show on the school front lawn from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hot dog stand on front lawn
Parade on Main Street at noon. Theme this year is “Honoring our American Farmers”
Bounce House for kids from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Concert by Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums at 1:30 p.m. on the front lawn
Chicken barbecue with baked beans and salt potatoes from 1 to 5 p.m. in LCS Cafeteria
Hospice Duck Race at 3 p.m. on Johnson Creek
WNY Garden Tractor Pull from 1 to 4 p.m. on Housel Avenue
Happy Ending Band from 7 p.m. until the fireworks, in the high school parking lot
Fireworks at 10 p.m. Presented by Young Explosives

Photos by Sue Cook – Patrick Hinkson shakes hands with school superintendent Jason Smith. Behind him, Regina Corser receives her degree from Theodore Lewis, president of the Board of Education.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Class of 2014 walked the auditorium stage Friday night for the district’s 74th commencement, which happened to be the 50th anniversary of the school on Housel Avenue.

The Class of 1964 was invited to the ceremony to signify the importance of the event. The 1964 valedictorian, John Woodworth, and salutatorian, Constance Maines, were given an opportunity to address students.

Maines delivers her speech to the students and reminds them their excellence is a foundation for the rest of their lives.

“To anybody out there who might think they’re average,” said Maines, addressing the students, “you’re average in a school that is in the top 6 percent of schools in the country. So don’t let anything hold you back. The average here is superlative in many places.”

Forty two students earned their diplomas and walked the stage. Many of the students earned scholarships and awards with some receiving multiple accolades. Forty five scholarships were awarded in total.

Heather Mufford tells her classmates about how they are still working to complete their lives.

Salutatorian Heather Mufford told the students how their lives were like puzzles. High school had completed part of the puzzle.

“The moment we move our tassels from the right to the left, we’ll earn that last connecting puzzle piece,” said Mufford. “We’ll have successfully completed the border to the puzzle that represents our life. High school was only the border to the puzzle, the foundation for the rest. There are still plenty of pieces to be sorted out of the box, which represents the future.”

Graduate Brennan O’Connor directs the band in playing the Lyndonville alma mater.

Valedictorian Abigail Feldman was unable to attend the ceremony. She is attending a Distinguished Young Women scholarship event in Mobile, Alabama. Feldman made a recording of her speech, which was played for the audience.

“You have to take responsibility for you actions. Growing up means being able to say ‘I lost it,’ instead of ‘it got lost,'” Feldman said.

She continued with other life lessons. “Honesty is always the best policy. When you do the right thing, the majority of the time life will reward you.”

The school principal, Dr. Aaron Slack, told the students about how they should always do the right things when other people are not monitoring their lives and actions.

“I would say that many of your greatest successes as a class have come when you’ve taken the lead,” he said.

Chelsey Silversmith, Dalton Cerbone and Cheyenne Button look on with their classmates during Slack’s speech.

As each student crossed the stage, their names were announced loud and proud as if they were being called onto the field at a sporting event. It gave great importance to each name and the audience joined in by cheering.

“These kids are awesome,” Jennifer Trupo, vocal music teacher, said after the ceremony. “In one capacity or another I worked almost every single kid on that stage in the short time I’ve been here. The school is going to miss them a lot. We celebrate these kids. For every single one of them it is a major accomplishment. I love that Mark Hughes shouts their names and everyone cheers for them because they really should be celebrated.”

After the ceremony, Musa Mansur shows off an orange golf ball that reads LCS, which was a gift to each student.

Fauzia Aajan was an orphan in Afghanistan

Photo by Tom Rivers – Fauzia Aajan will graduate on Friday, ranked seventh in her class at Lyndonville.

LYNDONVILLE – She arrived a decade ago – shy, malnourished and without a birthday.

Fauzia Aajan spent her first seven years in Afghanistan. When she was 1, her mother died. Her father died when Fauzia was 6.

She seldom attended school, staying with her aunt to help care for a brother suffering from hemophilia.

This Friday Fauzia will graduate from Lyndonville Central School, ranked number 7 in her class. She will attend college this fall at Daeman to major in early childhood education.

Fauzia, 17, may be one of the most grateful graduates to walk across the stage on Friday. If she had stayed in Afghanistan, she would have few opportunities, especially as a girl.

“I have a different perspective because I come from a country where girls don’t get an education,” Fauzia said during an interview at Lyndonville school last week. “In Afghanistan the women are housewives.”

Provided photo – Fauzia Aujan and her brother Sabir came from Afghanistan to Orleans County as part of the Project Life program. Here they are pictured in 2004.

She arrived in Orleans County in the summer of 2004 with her brother Sabir. They were participants in Project Life, a program at the World Life Institute in Waterport that gives orphans some respite in the countryside. Most of the children come from war-ravaged countries such as Chechnya, Bosnia and Afghanistan, as well as Sri Lanka after the devastating tsunami hit.

The kids stay with host families for the summer, learn some English, take art classes, get medical and dental checkups, and have lots of fun.

Idris Salih and his wife Stella Gresham hosted Fauzia and Sabir, who was 9 at the time. Sabir had to be led off the airplane in a wheelchair. He received immediate medical care for his hemophilia.

Nearly all 131 of the Project Life children have returned to their home countries. Fauzia and Sabir have stayed, with Salih and Gresham serving as their guardians.

Photo courtesy of Idris Salih – Stella Gresham and Fauzia have fun at Niagara Falls.

The two siblings played soccer at Lyndonville, made many friends and inspired students and staff with their drive to excel in the classroom. Sabir, 20, just graduated from Genesee Community College. He played soccer for GCC and plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Buffalo.

“You never see ‘give up’ in either of these kids,” said Shane Price, a Lyndonville earth science teacher who worked with Sabir and Fauzia with a college prep program called AVID. “A lot of other kids might give up, but that’s not in their vocabulary.”

Fauzia struggled early with English. She has had to put in extra time to make sure she understands her school work.

“She has inspired a lot of kids to work harder,” Price said. “She sets the bar higher.”

Lyndonville’s principal, Dr. Aaron Slack, said Fauzia and Sabir broadened the students’ horizons, showing them there is a big world.

“They’ve brought a lot to the district, helping us to recognize and appreciate diversity,” Slack said.

Fauzia speaks about the conditions in Afghanistan in some of her classes, especially public speaking. She talks about the poverty of the country, the limited opportunities for girls and many children who are orphaned.

“She has done speeches about her heritage and her story,” said Elissa Smith, a Spanish and public speaking teacher, as well as coordinator of the college prep program. “She does not take for granted any of the opportunities. She has been a reminder that there are children in other places and what they would give for this education.”

Photo by Tom Rivers – Fauzia Aujan appreciates the education and caring atmosphere at Lyndonville Central School.

After Fauzia delivers a speech, her classmates will have their hands up to ask questions about burqas that are worn by some Muslim women, some of the foods in Afghanistan, and other cultural differences.

Fauzia is happy to answer the questions. But she admits she doesn’t have all of the answers, including about herself. She doesn’t know her birthday. It is listed as Jan. 1 on her Passport and official documentation.
Her mother died when Fauzia was 1, and her father died five years later. Fauzia doesn’t know what caused their deaths. She remembers living with her aunt, who worked in a factory.

The factory owner was connected with Project Life. He heard about Sabir and Fauzia.

Idris Salih and Stella Gresham agreed to be a host family for the two siblings in 2004. Sabir’s untreated hemophilia was life threatening. He received needed medication that wasn’t available in Afghanistan.

Salih and Gresham welcomed the two siblings into their family, which includes their daughter Lyuba.

“She has inspired a lot of kids to work harder. She sets the bar higher.” – Lyndonville teacher Shane Price

Fauzia was in elementary school at Lyndonville in first and second grade. She attended school at Sandy Creek Academy in Holley for three years and was home-schooled a year before rejoining Lyndonville for eighth grade.

Photo courtesy of Idris Salih – Fauzia played soccer at Lyndonville and also ran track for one season, doing the 100 meter sprint and the long jump.

She admits she often felt overwhelmed with her school work. Not only was she playing catch up from attending very little school before age 7, but she was learning in a language that wasn’t her native tongue.

“The teachers have been very helpful,” she said. “They’re always there when I need something.”

She played all over the field in soccer – “wherever the coach decides to put me.” And she worked on stage crew in school musicals before joining the cast this year for “Into the Woods” and the senior play.

“It was kind of scary, but I like to push myself,” she said about being on stage.

She is a regular volunteer at the World Life Institute, teaching English and art to war orphans, and chaperoning trips.

She also volunteers at the WLI in other programs, working with the children of farmworkers in crafts, art and English activities.

Fauzia’s goal is to become an elementary school teacher.

Salih doesn’t doubt she will achieve that goal and that her brother will become an engineer.

“Fauzia and her brother have both grown tremendously,” he said. “They’re good kids, and they both have a drive to succeed. They have such a positive outlook.”

Provided photos

LYNDONVILLE – Students were given a sobering message this morning at Lyndonville Central School, a day before the prom.

Some Lyndonville students teamed with local firefighters and police to simulate a crash in the parking lot due to a drunk driver. Firefighters, police and the school district wanted to remind students of the deadly dangers of drunk driving with prom season and graduation parties just around the corner.

Lyndonville students in the simulated crash wore makeup so their faces and shirts appeared bloodied. Firefighters tore apart the vehicles to get access to the students, who were then removed by stretcher and taken away in an ambulance.

Contributed photos

Press Release, Lakeside Karate

HILTON, NY – Lakeside Karate students have a smashing outcome Sat., May 10, 2014, at the Sensei Jim Grafe Memorial Karate Tournament held in Hilton, N.Y. This Karate tournament donates a portion of its proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has done so since its inception over 12 years ago. The tournament honors the memory of Sensei Jim Grafe, who was an inspirational Karate Teacher who changed many karate students’ lives before his untimely passing in 2002.

The students of Lakeside Karate in Lyndonville practiced for many months to sharpen their martial arts skills for this competition and the hard work was rewarded. If you happen to see one of the students please congratulate them on their personal achievement.

Margaret Klotzbach placed First in Girls Novice Clicker Sparring and placed 2nd place in Girls Novice Kata.

Emma Maynard placed 2nd in Girls Novice Creative Board Breaking. Connor Bell placed First in Boys Novice Kata, Second in Boys Clicker Sparring and First in Boys Novice Creative Board Breaking.

Sensei George F. Kiefer tied for First Place in Advanced Men’s Power Brick Breaking.

For further information you can visit www.lakesidekarateny.com.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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 3^rd, 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.