Author: Saratoga TODAY

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa fifth grade students were recently recognized at the annual 5th Grade Moving-Up ceremonies at their elementary schools before the summer break. One student at each school was presented with the Maurice “Christopher” Morley Literacy Award. This award was created in Mr. Morley’s name and is awarded to four students moving up from the elementary schools in the Ballston Spa Central School District to the Middle School who have demonstrated exceptional determination and perseverance on the road to reading. 

The award includes a certificate embossed with the Rotary seal along with a gift certificate to a local book store. The initiative honors the legacy of Village History Consultant Morley who was born in April of 1922 and how he struggled his entire life due to dyslexia. To his credit, Mr. Morley proudly donned a cap and gown to receive his Ballston Spa High School diploma some 60 years after his peers. 

The 2020 award recipients include Emma Newman from Milton Terrace Elementary School, Chloe Hart from Gordon Creek Elementary School, Reagan Buhler from Wood Road Elementary School, and Ruby Haskell from Malta Avenue Elementary School. The award is supported by the Rotary Club of Ballston Spa and presented annually by each elementary school principal.

GALWAY — Galway Junior/Senior High School Principal Michael Miller is proud to present the Top 10 graduates for the Class of 2020. Congratulations to: 

Alex Malanoski, son of Cheryl and Stan Malanoski of Middle Grove is the valedictorian Class of 2020. Alex is an Eagle Scout, treasurer of Class Office, treasurer of National Honor Society, and a writer and photographer for Eagles Media Center. He was also an anchor and director for GTV. Alex was a two-sport athlete competing in varsity baseball and basketball. Alex will attend Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to study Broadcast and Digital Journalism. 

Kaylee Bagdan, daughter of Lisa and Kevin Bagdan of Amsterdam, is the salutatorian Class of 2020. Kaylee was president of the Student Senate; head editor of Eagles Media Center; co-editor of Impressions Literary Magazine; student senate representative; and a member of the National Honor Society, Planned Decision Making, and a Student Group in Partnership with Officer Bedell. Kaylee was a two-sport athlete competing in varsity softball and soccer. Kaylee will attend Skidmore College in the fall and major in biology and environmental sciences. 

Rachel Wnuk was an anchor on GTV and writer for Eagles Media Center. She was secretary of class office and co-president of the Science Club. She participated in Student Senate, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Best Buddies, Do Something Club, Drama Club, and Leo’s Club.

Rachel received Scholar Athlete honors in soccer, basketball and track and field. She was a WAC Hudson Valley Division Soccer Second Team All Star, WAC All-Star, and News Channel 13 Athlete of the Week honoree. Rachel plans to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering and possibly volunteer for the Peace Corps. Rachel is the daughter of Amy and Brian Wnuk of Hagaman. 

Walter Ellsworth was a member of class office, Science Club, Robotics Club, and Republican Club. He ran track and field and participated in Boy Scouts. He will attend Georgia Institute of Technology and major in electrical engineering. He would like to specialize in engineering electric vehicles. Walter is the son of Amy Ellsworth and Peter Ellsworth and stepson of Elaine Ellsworth of Galway.

Anna Gardner was a member of National Honor Society. She competed with the undefeated Galway Varsity Volleyball team that won the WAC Championship, Section 2 Class D Championship, Regional Championship, and finished the season as NYS Semi-Finalist. Anna was a Second Team All-Star. Anna will attend the University of Vermont and major in sustainable parks, recreation, and tourism. She is the daughter of Judy Koskinen and Jim Gardner of Galway. 

Ryan Lovelass was a member of class office, National Honor Society, Eagles Media Center, and Robotics Club. He was a two-sport varsity athlete competing in golf and basketball. He was recognized on the court with a Section 2 Honorable Mention award. Ryan has a long list of achievements in golf including leading the Golden Eagles’ golf team to two WAC Team Championship Titles. Next year, Ryan will be competing with the Division I Binghamton Bearcats Golf team while pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering in the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering. He is the son of Melissa and Kevin Lovelass of Galway. 

Paige Brink was a member of S.A.D.D., Impressions Literary Magazine, and the Do Something Club. She was also a member of the Galway varsity cheerleading team. Paige will attend the State University of New York at Oneonta to study Early Childhood and Childhood Education. She is the daughter of Rebecca and Brian Brink of Middle Grove. 

Ruth Reichard was president of the National Honor Society and a director for GTV. She was a member of Class Office, Student Senate, Band, Jazz Band, and Drama Club. She was also a three-sport varsity athlete competing in soccer, basketball, and softball. Ruth will attend the State University of New York at Potsdam in the fall to double major in biochemistry and Spanish on a pre-med track. She is the daughter of Maureen and Richard Reichard of Middle Grove. 

Rachel Germain maintained academic scholar status throughout her high school career. She received the Galway Lions Club Citizenship Award. She also went to Europe twice as a People to People Student Ambassador. Rachel is a member of National Honor Society, a writer for Eagles Media Center, and an anchor for GTV. She is the founder and president of the Galway Do Something Club. Rachel will attend the State University of New York at Oneonta in the fall to pursue a degree in early childhood and childhood education with a liberal arts concentration. She is the daughter of Peggy and George Germain of Amsterdam. 

Vanessa Colangelo was lead editor of Impressions Literary Magazine and ran varsity cross-country. She was a member of National Honor Society and had an Art Portfolio Exhibition at the National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa. She plans to attend Fulton Montgomery Community College to study digital media arts. She is the daughter of Anthony Colangelo of Galway.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Corwin Freedman, a senior at Saratoga Springs High School, has been awarded the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s 2020 Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship. Freedman, who will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall and study classics and biology, has been awarded $1,000 toward his college costs.   

The Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship was established in the spring of 2015 in honor of Mr. Cantacuzene’s 30 years of service to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Board of Trustees. The scholarship is intended to foster like-minded leaders, philanthropists, and volunteers throughout our communities. It is awarded annually to a deserving high school senior from Saratoga County. The recipient will have demonstrated a record of academic excellence, an interest in history and/or the arts, and exemplary service to the community.

Freedman aspires to be a teacher after graduating from college. He is a dedicated member of the Saratoga Springs community and was a leader of three volunteer-based clubs at Saratoga Springs High School, including the school’s eco-garden, which provides fresh food for the school cafeteria, and the Saratoga Naturalist Club, which cleans the school and leads recycling initiatives. He also volunteers with the Saratoga Therapeutic Equine Program, which provides equine-assisted therapy to special needs children, stroke victims, and veterans suffering from PTSD.

“The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is proud to present Corwin with the 2020 Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship,” said Lindsay Doyle, the Museum’s educator. “The Museum staff is very impressed with Corwin’s activism and passion. He is an ideal candidate for this scholarship. We wish him all the best at New Hampshire.”

For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call 518-584-0400 or visit our website at www.racingmuseum.org.