Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – The Medina school district will be offering a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program to provide area 4-year-olds a full day of educational opportunities to play, learn, develop socially and emotionally, and thrive as they start their educational career.

The program will begin in the 2022-23 school year, Monday through Friday from 7:35 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Oak Orchard Primary School under the direction of Principal Jennifer Stearns.

“We are very excited to be able to offer UPK full-time,” she said.  “We believe that students can use additional support and opportunities for social interaction before starting kindergarten. Each of our classrooms will have a certified teacher and classroom aide. Classes will be structured with a strong emphasis on purposeful play, early literacy and numeracy and specials like physical education, music, art and library. We will also be incorporating behavioral supports and early intervention that will help us identify and provide strategies to help students build the foundation needed to succeed in school and life.”

The program is no cost to families in the Medina school district and transportation to and from school is provided by the school district, following the district’s regular transportation policies.  Breakfast and lunch will also be provided to students as well, at no cost. Eligible students must be a Medina district resident and 4 years old on or before December 1, 2022. Spaces will be limited and a random lottery will be held if needed. The application can be found at the Medina CSD website at www.medinacsd.org under the District News link.

Families will receive a letter in the mail in early May, informing them of their child’s placement. “Once you receive word that your child has been accepted, families will need to complete the student registration process,” Stearns said.  “Students will have the opportunity to meet our staff at our annual summer picnic in August. Full-time UPK is a great step for the Medina Central School District in early childhood education. We are pleased to be able to continue to build on the strength of our academic offerings and help to shape our children’s future.”

MEDINA – A group is proposing to help Medina establish goals and projects to move the community forward.

The Village Board likes the idea of a group of “visionaries” that would brainstorm ways – big and small – to better Medina, but the board wants to see the group’s mission statement and if they envision acting in an official village capacity.

Kathy Blackburn discussed forming the “Waterfront and Community Development Committee” with the Village Board last week. Blackburn would be one of the members. She said the new committee would expand the scope from a group that worked to develop the Medina Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. That LWRP was funded by the state and tasked Medina with identifying projects to better utilize land near the canal, Oak Orchard Creek and Glenwood Lake. That plan picked about 20 projects to boost economic development, tourism, recreation and residential opportunities. The plan is complete and is awaiting final state approval.

With that group’s work done, Blackburn said there is need for a committee to help the village push along the projects and identify other initiatives away from the waterfront to boost Medina.

“We would make suggestions and strategies to the Medina Village Board,” Blackburn said. “We’re just strategizing what younger people are looking for in a village.”

The group would look at ways to improve and attract more investment in the downtown, neighborhoods, housing, the historic district and other zoning overlays.

Proposed members, besides Blackburn, would include Chris Busch, Andrew Meier, Mark Zambito, Chris Goyette, Gloria Brent, Jake Hebdon and Scott Robinson.

“These are movers and shakers,” said Tim Elliott, a village trustee. “These are people who can get things done.”

Owen Toale, the village’s deputy mayor, said there needs to be a clear defined role for the committee.

“These are all great people,” said Village Trustee Jess Marciano. “How will they overlap, how will they function with the other village committees? I love the idea, but is a formal committee needed?”

Trustee Elliott said the group would function as “think tank” and help identify projects and policies to benefit Medina.

Blackburn said she would work on a mission statement. She said the committee would tap into leaders from business, the Medina Area Partnership and some of the other village committees.

“Our goal would just be visioning,” she said.

File photo by Tom Rivers: DN Tanks applies a second coat of paint on Medina’s 3-million-gallon water tank in this photo from Aug. 8, 2016.

MEDINA – The Village Board is being asked to come up with a water rate for the Medina Business Park that would be only slightly higher than the village rate.

The village currently charges out-of-village users 1.6 times the village rate. That puts the community at a competitive disadvantage in attracting businesses to the site. Those companies compare costs at potential sites and water rates are a big factor, said Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Many businesses and site selectors reach out to the Orleans EDA about the Medina Business Park, which encompasses over 300 acres and is one of largest state-certified “shovel ready” in the region.

Barone said the land shouldn’t be considered an outside-user anyway after an agreement among the village, town, county and school district that gives the village a portion of the tax revenue even though the land south of Maple Ridge is outside the village.

This is the land known as the “Keppler Site” on the south side on Maple Ridge, just west of Bates Road.

“We’re responding to a number of very high level robust proposals,” Barone told the Village Board last week. “These companies expect to use large amounts of water.”

Barone urged the board to come up with a rate that the EDA can present to the prospective companies.

“Remember, we’re competing with several other areas,” she said. “We need to come up with a rate for outside users who are paying (village) taxes.”

The board said it would work on determining a rate and working with the EDA on how much to charge for water and sewer.

The EDA pitched the Medina Business Park as being conveniently located between Buffalo and Rochester, and also within 45 minutes of the Ontario, Canada border.

“With contiguous sites available ranging from 5 to 125 acres, Medina has the available infrastructure and incentive packages to make it a sought-after location for foreign and domestic companies looking to expand into New York State,” the EDA states in promoting the property.

Bryan DeGraw of 810 Meadworks in Medina picked to serve as vice chairman

LOCKPORT— The Niagara Wine Trail has announced a new executive director and the team of officers on the board of directors.

Bryan DeGraw, owner of 810 Meadworks in Medina, is vice chairman of the organization that includes 14 members in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties.

Susan Swiatkowski

DeGraw and his wife LaRissa opened 810 Meadworks in downtown Medina on Nov. 30, 2014. They make mead products and have a tasting room. The DeGraws also have run a concert series at the “beegarten” in the back of the building at 113 West Center St.

Susan Swiatkowski is the new executive director of the Niagara Wine Trail. She has previously served in management with Destination Niagara USA, Old Falls Street USA, the Hard Rock Cafe and the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association.

As executive director, she provides leadership and support in planning and administration of the 14-member Niagara Wine Trail, which includes three locations in Orleans County. She also will organize wine trail experiences, fundraising and events, public relations and marketing efforts, and manage relationships with partner businesses.

The Niagara Wine Trail officers include Shane Gustafson, chairman and owner of A Gust of Sun Winery & Vineyard, in Ransomville; DeGraw, vice chairman ond owner of 810 Meadworks; and Danielle Neglia, secretary and owner of Long Cliff Vineyard & Winery in Sanborn.

The Niagara Wine Trail will celebrate its 20th anniversary in May. The organization comprises 14 member wineries, situated between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Bryan DeGraw is pictured in the tasting room of 810 Meadworks at 113 West Center St., Medina.

Each winery on the trail offers a diverse selection of traditional vinifera style, native, late harvest and ice wines, as well as unique styles such as award-winning fruit wines, meads and ciders. Its mission is to “work cooperatively to enhance the wine industry in the region” through an array of intimately authentic and charming guest experiences, the Wine Trail stated.

The wineries of the Niagara Wine Trail, USA, include:

• 810 Meadworks at 113 West Center St., Medina
• A Gust of Sun Winery at 4515 Baer Rd., Ransomville
• Bella Rose Vineyard & Winery at 1243 Ridge Rd., Lewiston
• Black Willow Winery at 5565 W Lake Rd., Burt
• Honeymoon Trail Winery at 4120 Ridge Rd., Cambria
• Leonard Oakes Estate Winery at 10609 Ridge Rd., Medina
• Long Cliff Vineyard & Winery at 3617 Lower Mountain Rd., Sanborn
• Mayer’s Lake Ontario Winery at 1593 Hamlin Parma Town Line Rd., Hilton
• Niagara Landing Wine Cellars at 4434 Van Dusen Rd., Lockport
• Schulze Vineyards & Winery at 2090 Coomer Rd., Burt
• Schwenk Wine Cellars at 1456 Bills Rd., Kent
• The Winery at Marjim Manor at 7171 E. Lake Rd., Appleton
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate at 4402 East Lake Rd., Wilson
• Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms at 3724 Quaker Rd., Gasport

Photo and information courtesy of Medina Mustang Boosters

BATAVIA – Medina’s varsity Winter Guard competed for the third time on Saturday when Batavia Central School hosted 17 guards in 7 classifications.

In the Scholastic A class, Medina came in 4th with a score of 66.96, bested by Victor in 1st with 72.98, Jamestown in 2nd with 68.66 and Orchard Park in 3rd with 68.09. The differential between these scores is decreasing each week as Medina competes in a class with larger schools.

Winners in the other classes were Hinsdale Starliners in Novice with 43.63; Victor JV in Cadet with 55.17; Greece in Regional A with 60.90; Lancaster in A1 with 66.99; Gates Chili in Independent A with 76.54 and Luminosa in Senior Class with 73.61.

Medina’s next performances are Lancaster on March 5th and Medina’s home show on March 12th. This year the WG Championships will be held in Medina on April 2nd.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jerry Mandell, owner of Gennaro’s Pastaria at 701 South Main St. in Medina, stands under a picture of his mother and aunt, who first started an Italian restaurant in Rochester.

MEDINA – Making the leap from owner of Jerry’s Record Tree to an Italian restaurant was a no-brainer for Jerry Mandell.

A Rochester native, Mandell had his record shop in three locations – Spencerport, Henrietta and Greece, when his mother Louise and aunt Vi wanted to open a store to sell their homemade cookies.

Mandell rented a space to them. He said Bea Suhr from Lyndonville had a sewing shop behind his store. When more space became available, Mandell said the landlord let them remodel space for a restaurant, and Gennaro’s opened in 1985.

“My mother and aunt opened on a Wednesday in their restaurant which sat 46 people,” Mandell said. “They ran out of sauce the first night.”

He said all their food was homemade, as is their menu at Gennaro’s Pastaria in Medina. His mother made her sauce the traditional Italian way, with neck bones and pigs feet, and letting it simmer for eight hours. He said they made meatballs 25 to 30 pounds at a time.

After only three weeks in business, Louise and Vi asked Jerry to become partners with them. He sold his record business and joined them. He started first as the maître de and then became bartender.

When his mother and aunt aged to the point they were ready to give up the restaurant, Mandell knew they would be a hard act to follow, so went back to selling stereo equipment. He also became a life coach, which he continues to do today.

When Jerry and his wife Donna decided they wanted to get out of the city, they started looking for a home in the suburbs.

“Medina struck our fancy and we bought a home here,” Mandell said.

He had mentioned to his realtor, Renee Schuner, that he would like to open a small Italian restaurant, and she told him about the small building on the corner of Main and Starr streets, which had formerly been a barbecue place.

“My wife told me I was crazy to open a restaurant at 70, but I want people to be able to enjoy authentic Italian food,” Mandell said. “It is also a tribute to my mother and my aunt.”

A lot of his recipes are his mother’s and aunts, but he adds that he has tweaked them a little bit. Donna, who holds a full-time time with Paychex, makes the family’s special lasagna.

Jerry Mandell stands in doorway of the kitchen in his new pastaria in Medina. The restaurant is designed for take-outs, but a limited number of tables are available for those who want to eat there.

Their menu includes soups, such as Italian wedding, greens and beans, pasta fagioli and their special tomato-based broccoli soup. For appetizers, they have artichokes French, tomato salad and garlic bread with cheese.

A variety of pastas can be ordered with meatballs, sausage, red or white clam sauce and garlic and oil, with optional broccoli and olives.

Specialty dishes include eggplant parmesan, lasagna, gnocchi, cheese ravioli and linguine primavera. Chicken selections are chicken French, chicken marsala, chicken parmigiana and chicken cacciatore. In addition, they offer fettucini alfredo with chicken or chicken and broccoli.

Italian sausage sandwich, meatball sub and chicken parm complete their sandwich menu, along with a personal pan pizza.

They now have traditional Italian desserts, such as miniature cream puffs, cannolis and pizza fritte (fried dough). In the spring Mandell plans to begin offering rum cakes and lemon squares.

All food is cooked to order, and soon he plans to offer other specialties, such as fried escarole with bread crumbs and calamata olives, chicken or steak Gennaro with sherry wine, provolone cheese and capers.

Rebekah Champlin of Medina is manager of the pastaria. For now they are open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. In the spring, Mandell hopes to open for lunch and offer outdoor seating. The phone number for reservations is (585) 318-4219.

MEDINA – The Medina Area Partnership has chosen its officers for 2022, four of whom are returning to their positions and three who are new to the board.

Keeping their seats are president Scott Robinson, treasurer Laura Gardner, secretary Ann Fisher-Bale and director Tim Elliott. They are joined by vice president Cindy Robinson and new directors Bill Bixler, Cindy Robinson and Gloria Brent.

The Medina Area Partnership was formed several years ago to replace the Medina Business Association, in a move designed to include businesses that were outside the village limits. Several of its members, including president Scott Robinson, were previously involved in the MBA. All have a vested interest in the local area.

Robinson is one of four owners of the Shirt Factory in Medina. He recently assumed the position as director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach for Orleans Community Health. He has served in other roles, including the Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, the Medina Sandstone Society board of directors and was marketing chair of the Medina Business Association.

Gardner is owner of a lily & a sparrow on Main Street in Medina, which she has operated since 2010. She is also an integral part of several MAP committees and helped guide them through their first two years.

Fisher-Bale represents her family’s fruit farm, Fisher’s Farm Market, which has been a part of the Medina community for more than a century. In addition, she also represents the Hometown Extra, a local, weekly direct-mailed newspaper which serves the Medina community, as well as five surrounding zip codes. She is also an active member of MAP’s Events Committee, which recently brought back a sold-out Wine About Winter event.

Elliott currently is manager of 810 Meadworks Axe Range and has been a Medina village trustee for the last six years. He is also a member of the Ridgeway planning board, county planning board and MAP’s Events Committee. He is the previous owner of Brushstrokes and Into the Enigma.

Bixler, a resident of Medina for 42 years, owns Seaway Insurance in Gasport, Albion Agencies in Albion and commercial rental property on Main Street in Medina. He was a previous board member and president of the former Medina Chamber and has served for more than 30 years as a member of the Medina Rotary Club.

Robinson is not only vice president of MAP, but owner of the English Rose Tea Shoppe for 10 years and a partner in the newly opened family venture, the Vintage Cigar. She is married to Dr. Jim Robinson of the Medina Veterinary Clinic. She previously served as president of the MBA for 14 years and is a member of the boards of Medina Historical Society and Orleans Renaissance Group.

Brent, an RN, is president/CEO of MDS Consultants, the largest minimum data set consulting firm in the country, known for their expertise in the long-term care industry. She is also owner of Modern Mercantile, which she recently opened on East Center Street in Medina, offering small retail space for local artisans and collectors to sell their goods. She volunteers in the Medina Rotary Club and holds a position on the Orleans Community Health Foundation board. She is also a member of 23 different state healthcare associations across the country.

In addition to Wine About Winter, MAP has a full schedule of events (some returning favorites and several new) planned throughout the year. These include an Easter Bunny and Golden Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt on April 9; a new Murder Mystery to be announced; the Enchanted Faery Festival on June 25; annual sidewalk sales Aug. 4 through Aug. 6; Ale in Autumn on Sept. 24; Beggar’s Night on Oct. 28; Moonlight Madness on Nov. 17; Olde Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights on Nov. 26; and holiday open houses Dec. 1 through Dec. 4.

More information can be found online at www.MedinaAP.org or on the group’s Facebook page.

MEDINA – Austin Mosher said it’s a dream come true to work as a career firefighter/EMT in his hometown.

Austin Mosher

Mosher, 18, was hired on Monday as a new member of the Medina Fire Department. He has been a volunteer firefighter for the past 18 months at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. His goal has been to work as firefighter.

He recently passed the test to be an emergency medical technician. Matt Jackson, Medina’s fire chief, said Mosher stood out among the applicants for the position.

“He has a passion for EMS,” Jackson told the Village Boar don Monday. “He will be beneficial to our community and the surrounding areas for years to come.”

Mosher turns 19 in April. He was the catcher on Medina’s Sectional champion baseball team in 2021.

He starts with the Medina FD next week. He is expected to attend the state’s fire academy in the summer.

“The fire service is my passion,” Mosher said. “It will be a great honor to work in Medina.”

In other action, the Village Board:

• Made permanent the appointment of Jason Watts as Medina Department of Public Works superintendent. Watts has been serving in the role on a probationary basis for at least the past 26 weeks.

“He’s been doing a bang-up job for us,” said Deputy Mayor Owen Toale.

Watts assumed the leadership of the DPW following the unexpected death of Joe Perry, the previous DPW superintendent, on Nov. 30, 2020.

• Agreed to accept sludge from Sun Environmental Corp. at 6 cents a gallon. The company will bring 2,800 gallons of sludge per truck load to Medina’s sewer plant. The agreement could last a few weeks or months, village officials said.

Sun Environmental also will pay to have the loads tested.

Village officials said the sewer plant can easily handle the material, and the agreement will be a money-maker for the village.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina Lt. Todd Draper and Kye, the department’s K9 for 9 years, walk down the driveway at Oak Orchard Elementary School during a retirement sendoff for Kye on Oct. 28, 2020. Kye was a frequent visitor at the school.

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department’s popular K9, Kye, has passed away after a battle with bone cancer.

The Medina PD announced Kye’s death on Sunday.

“Kye put up a very strong fight over the last few months against bone cancer,” the Medina PD stated on its Facebook page. “Kye was an 11 year old Belgian Malinois that served the Medina PD from 2012-2021.”

Lt. Todd Draper served as Kye’s handler. After the dog retired about a year ago it continued to stay with Draper’s family.

Draper made special cards and stuffed animals of Kye when the dog first joined the department about a decade ago.

Kye’s main duties were tracking, drug detection, building searches and criminal apprehension. Kye and Draper attended many public events and visited local schools, doing many demonstrations for the community.

Kye has been succeeded at the Medina PD by a K9 named Phoenix, and the handler is Medina police officer Jacob Reeves.

Photo and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band program

VICTOR – Medina’s Varsity Winter Guard competed for the second time this season on Saturday at Victor Central School.

Fourteen guards in total participated in five different classes. Medina’s Varsity guard took 4th place in the Scholastic A class with a score of 63.02. Victor earned 1st place with 70.57;  Jamestown in 2nd with 66.38; and Orchard Park in 3rd with 65.62.

Winners in the other classes were Victor Cadet with 51.82; Greece in Regional A with 55.25;  Gates Chili in Independent A with 72.28 and Luminosa in Senior Class with 68.18.

Medina’s next performances are Feb. 19 in Batavia, Lancaster on March 5th and Medina’s home show on March 12.

This year the WG Championships will be held in Medina on April 2nd.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina High School Agriculture teacher/FFA advisor Todd Eick had been rocking shoulder length hair for quite a while this school year.

“I shaved my head from August 2007 to January 2020,” he explained. “When the pandemic hit and the hair salons had to shut down my last haircut was February 4th of 2020.  My kids convinced me just to let it grow out. So I decided if I was going to do that, I would see if I could donate it to Wigs 4 Kids.”

Wigs 4 Kids serves children suffering from hair loss from a health crisis and helps to boost their self-image and self-esteem.

FFA alum Tori Grimes, who is a hairstylist, was going to come to the school on February 4th and cut Mr. Eick’s hair for his donation, so that his current students and his leadership team could take part in the fun.

“I wanted to do this in school with the students because one piece of our FFA motto is ‘Living to Serve,’” Eick said. “I thought this was a great opportunity to practice what I preach.”

Unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans; February 4th was a snow day.

“While by many standards of school aged students and teachers is a wonderful surprise, it stopped my planned ‘Living to Serve’ lesson for my leadership class and officer team,” Eick said.  Originally scheduled to help with the lesson was an outgoing local chapter officer, a district president, a state line officer and a county legislator. Eick decided despite the weather he was going to go through with his plans and met Tori at the salon she works, Mera Hair Co. in downtown Medina.

His daughter, a current member of FFA, and his son, the incoming President of FFA, accompanied him and got in on the action.

“It was not what I was hoping for, but we made the best of it and I got my donation in the mail,” Eick said. “I want to thank everyone that was going to help and all of those who were able to!”

Trustees Sherman and Elliott also seeking re-election

Photo by Tom Rivers: Medina Mayor Mike Sidari tosses candy to kids along Main Street and East Center Street on May 27, 2019 during the Memorial Day parade.

MEDINA – Three members of the Medina Village Board, including Mayor Mike Sidari, have submitted petitions to run for re-election. No other candidates submitted petitions by today’s 4 p.m. deadline. Candidates need petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters in the village.

Sidari and incumbent trustees Marguerite Sherman and Tim Elliott are running under the independent “The Village Party” for the March 15 election.

Sidari has been mayor for nearly six years. He said Medina has a great team on the Village Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and with the community organizations.

Those groups have been able to push Medina forward with its downtown business district, industrial park and other community initiatives. He cited citizens who led efforts for a new dog park, skate park, bluebird trail, an upgraded Pine Street Park with a splash pad, and much improved Boxwood Cemetery.

“It’s working because everyone is working together – the business people, zoning and planning boards and the Village Board,” Sidari said.

The community projects improve the quality of life for local residents, Sidari said, and also play a factor in whether a business chooses to come to Medina. The business owners want to see a community with pride, and strong schools, a vibrant downtown and thriving neighborhoods, Sidari said.

The mayor, 63, is retired as the food service manager at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion. He wants to see through more projects, including work at the sewer plant.

He is excited about the new hotel opening in Medina’s Business Park on Maple Ridge Road, as well as other potential developments in the village.

“It has been a good experience and I am enjoying it,” Sidari said about being mayor.

The Village Board works well together without pushing personal projects, he said.

“We have a board that is in it for the village,” he said. “The agenda is the betterment of the village and community.”

He welcomes residents to get involved in the village government, by joining a committee or attending meetings.

“I don’t have a problem with anyone running for a position,” he said. “But I would recommend getting on a board, maybe the Tree Board or Planning Board. Get informed and know the issues. If you think you can do something better, by all means get a petition and run.”

Todd Eick in running for ag educator of the year in NYS

Provided photo: Pictured from left include Chad Kirby (Orleans County Farm Bureau), Derek Hill (NYS FFA Cornell University), Michael Cavanagh (Junior-Senior High School Principal), Julie Webber (Director of Curriculum), Mark Kruzynski (Superintendent of Medina Central School District), Michael Southcott (Nationwide Insurance), Julia Uhrinek (NYS FFA Cornell University), Joseph  Cecchini (Medina FFA Vice President), Zachary Fike (Medina FFA President) and Todd Eick (Golden Owl finalist).

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – The New York FFA and Nationwide today honored Todd Eick, an agricultural teacher and FFA advisor at Medina High School, as a finalist for the 2021-2022 Ag Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award.

As a finalist, Mr. Eick was presented with a $500 cash prize and plaque in front of administrators, fellow teachers and students. He has a chance to be named New York’s Ag Educator of the Year in May 2022 and receive $3,000 to help fund future educational efforts.

Mr. Eick was selected as one of 11 finalists by New York FFA and Nationwide from dozens of nominations across the state.

The Golden Owl Award recognizes agriculture educators and the critical role they play in preparing future generations for success. Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. This is Mr. Eick’s second consecutive Golden Owl award.

The New York FFA will select one winner from all the nominees in New York State for the grand prize of $3,000 from Nationwide to support the development of the program, the Golden Owl Award Trophy and name them the Ag Educator of the Year.

“As a company with deep roots in agriculture, Nationwide recognizes the essential role agricultural teachers play in their communities and for the future of the industry,” said Brad Liggett, President of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re proud to work with the state FFAs to recognize these selfless public servants for their many contributions to help prepare the next generation of leaders.”

Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to the New York State FFA Leadership Training Foundation, in conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education.  Mr. Eick said he is truly humbled to receive the award.

“This is a real honor to be a recipient again,” he said. “This particular award is very meaningful to me because it comes from colleagues, students and the community.”