SARATOGA COUNTY — The Saratoga County Fair announced that up to ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to current New York State high school seniors and also students enrolled in college.  The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs and the New York State Showpeople’s Association sponsor the scholarships. The qualifying students must be active at the Saratoga County Fair or the New York State Showpeople’s Association.  All applicants from Saratoga County must submit their applications through the Saratoga County Fair or NYSSA no later than Friday, April 3, 2020. Information is available at the Saratoga County Fair office, 162 Prospect St., Ballston Spa, through Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County and local high school offices.  Applications must be printed and completed from the web at www.nyfairs.org. For more information, contact the Saratoga County Fair office at 518-885-9701.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — The South Glens Falls High School South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) is a student driven event that raises money for individuals, families, and organizations in need of financial assistance. With over 80% of the high school’s population participating in this two-day event, the students are trying to break last year’s record of $837,859! This event has grown into a celebration that brings the entire community together like nothing else, with activities taking place year-round. In its 42-year history, the Marathon Dance has raised over 8.1 million dollars for more than 530 beneficiaries – not just within South Glens Falls, but many surrounding communities as well. After reviewing roughly 180 applications, the student committee has selected the following as beneficiaries of SHMD 2020: 

The families of… 
Charles Aiken, Ryan Alger, Jennifer Annis, Lillian Baker, Janet Baker Pratt, David Bennett, Alice Charette, Esme Clark, Connie Himes, Nolan Jacox, Isabella Lauzon, Milana Lefebvre, Joshua McCane, Kelsey Murphy, Robert Murray, Robin Neumann, Nick Clark, Stephanie Rosa, Jennifer Ryan, Danita Shortte, Linda Tucker, Royce Younes.

Community Organizations… 
Adopt A Soldier Alzheimer’s Association, Angel Names Association, Buddies Blankets and Bears CAPTAIN Community Human Svc Dysautonomia International, Food for Thought, Gateway House of Peace, Habitat for Humanity, Kelly’s Angels, Inc., Moreau Community Center, Rebuilding Together Saratoga Co., The Open Door Mission, Upstate NY Autism Alliance, Veterans and Community Housing. 

The Marathon Dance Event, Supported Throughout the School Community 
The 2020 Marathon Dance will be held March 6 and 7 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. Opening ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Community members can donate to the dance in a variety of ways. Each of the 800+ students signed up to participate is required to collect a minimum of $150. You can choose to donate to an individual student’s total online, or the Marathon Dance in general, through the “Donate” tab on the website at www.shmd.org. The District’s middle and elementary schools also conduct Marathon Dance fundraising activities, including Ballard Elementary Cupcake Challenge, Harrison Avenue Mini-Marathon, Moreau Elementary Glow Dance, and Tanglewood Elementary Walk-A- Thon. Additionally, Oliver W. Winch Middle School is holding their annual basket raffle through March 3, with drawings March 6. Fifth graders and certain middle schoolers even have their own time slot to participate at SHMD! 

Donating Goods and Services to SHMD 
Members of the community and business owners can donate items to be auctioned during the dance itself. All Live and Silent Auction donations must be received no later than Friday, February 21. To donate an item, please contact us at Donations@SHMD.org. The South High Marathon Dance Inc. is registered with the state of New York as a charitable corporation and has been determined by the IRS to be a public charity under section 501 (c) (3). Accordingly, all donations are tax deductible. 

Community Fundraising Events 
Since September, numerous fundraising activities have taken place in support of this year’s dance, and many additional events, listed below, are scheduled to take place prior to March 6. For additional information regarding these fundraisers, and to learn of new events as they are established, visit the SHMD website, Facebook page at facebook.com/SHMDInc, or Twitter @shmdnow. All fundraising activities are subject to approval by the South High Marathon Dance Committee. If you find that an activity is not posted here and want to verify its legitimacy or if you are interested in conducting an event, please contact Events@SHMD.org. 

• Glens Falls National Bank through March 5
• Massie’s: February 3
• Josten’s: February 6 and 7
• Wicks from the Sticks: February 7, 22 and 27 
• Fitzgerald’s: February 8 and 27 
• Pretty Hot Mess: February 8
• Johnny Rocket’s: February 10 – 14 
• Coach’s Corner: February 10
• Craft on 9: February 11 

Activities and Fundraising at the Dance 
• Downtown Social DMB Night: February 15 
• Southy’s Soft Serve: February 21 and 22 
• Kingpin’s Alley: February 22
• Common Roots: February 22 
• Eagles Club: February 22
• Talk of the Town: February 24 
• Southy’s Pizzeria: February 26 
• Pizza Jerks: February 28
• St. Michael’s Breakfast: March 1 

Many fundraising activities are conducted at the dance itself. Activities include the annual cut-a-thon which will take place throughout the weekend, as well as the sale of Marathon Dance apparel, photos, hair wraps, face painting, ice cream and more. The annual 50/50 raffle provides an opportunity to be one of the many to win a $500 prize. The concession stand provides a variety of food and beverage options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The live and silent auctions will also take place during the dance. The silent auction begins Friday evening and ends early Saturday evening, followed by the live auction which begins at 6 p.m. 

Visiting the Marathon Dance March 6 and 7 
This event is open to the public from 7 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6, and any time after 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 7. Only registered participants, and others as indicated in the official schedule, are permitted on the gym floor. Additionally, seating is limited in the main Bulldog gym where the dance takes place; spectators may be directed to alternate viewing areas. Information regarding parking and shuttle buses is available on the website and Facebook page. Please visit the website at www.shmd.org, and follow SHMD on social media for additional information and to view the Marathon Dance live the weekend of the event! 

Student Chair Committee 
Natalie Barden, Hunter Clark, Jaime DeSimone, Jenna Farrell, Jillian Harrington, Savannah Kreppein, Bryce Law, Isabella Osborn, Austin Peltier, Aidan Taylor, Brooke Terry. 

Advisors/ Coordinators 
Dan Albert, Tom Myott, and Jody Sheldon.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College will host Be Instrumental — a musical instrument drive to benefit elementary school students in the North Country, including Ticonderoga Elementary School band program students. The drive will accept gently used brass, woodwind and percussion band instruments.  The drive began Wednesday, Jan. 22 and concludes Saturday, Feb. 8.

In tandem, Skidmore students hosted “Band-Aid” — a benefit concert on Jan. 25 at Lively Lucy’s in Falstaff’s Pavilion on the Skidmore College Campus. The event price of admission was an instrument or a monetary donation of any amount. All proceeds went toward the Be Instrumental drive.

When Evan Mack’s 10-year-old son came home from band practice and told him that some of his classmates were playing plastic instruments or instruments held together by tape, the senior teaching professor of music at Skidmore College was stunned. He also learned that many students could not afford to rent musical instruments.

Mack, an accomplished composer and pianist, teamed up with Michelle Hubbs, director of the Office of Community Service, as well as Skidmore students Madison Pappas ’22 and Neil Mellstrom ’20 to create Be Instrumental — an instrument drive aimed at giving the gift of music to children in Ticonderoga Schools. 

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“Learning to play on a quality, working instrument is so important. When you give children a functional instrument, what you’re really giving them is the opportunity to explore what they’re capable of and to fall in love with music,” says Mack.

Skidmore students have been asked to bring gently used instruments that they no longer use back to campus when they return from winter break for the drive. “So many of our students have played an instrument at one point, in high school or even college, but no longer use that instrument,” says Mack. “These same instruments can now inspire a new generation of students.”

Several local businesses and organizations in the Saratoga region will help spread the word and encourage participation. Esperanto, Smashburger and Kru Coffee are offering incentives to those who support the drive. Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) will provide a special classical music package to whoever donates the most instruments. Cole’s Woodwind Shop and Saratoga Guitar & Music Center have volunteered to clean and prepare donated instruments before they are distributed to schools.

Ticonderoga Elementary school will be the primary beneficiary, but all surplus instruments will be distributed to other area schools.

For more information contact Evan Mack at emack@skidmore.edu.

NATIONWIDE — January 26 – February 1 will be National School Choice Week; this special week offers families around the country a look at all of their children’s options for education. 

Several options in New York State exist and they are: Traditional public schools, which is free for all children; Charter public schools, these are also free to attend, they provide traditional education with freedom to innovate; Magnet schools, also free to attend and they tend to focus on specific themes such as performing arts or mathematics; Online public schools, not free and parents considering this option would have to go through a private institution; Private schools are rarely free to attend but some offer scholarships, they may be faith-based; Homeschooling is permitted in all 50 states and does not cost anything.

There will be 2,300 statewide events happening during National School Choice Week to highlight each education option.

For more information visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com for a list of events in the area.

BALLSTON SPA — Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 358 in Ballston Spa honored two Ballston Spa teachers during a recent awards ceremony.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars offer a variety of nationally accredited awards and scholarships for both students and teachers. 

Megan LaRowe, a fifth-grade teacher at Gordon Creek Elementary School, and Dan Hornick, a Social Studies teacher at Ballston Spa High School, were awarded the Smart/Mahar VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award from the local post. 

The VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history and traditions effectively. Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates for this award.

Congratulations to the Ballston Spa teachers receiving this notable recognition. Information about all of the scholarships and programs the Veterans of Foreign Wars have to offer can be found at VFW.org. 

BALLSTON SPA — Launching Pad Productions, the Ballston Spa Middle School drama club, presents the musical Frozen Jr. as this year’s annual production.  It is perfect for families of all shapes and sizes.

Frozen Jr. will be performed by a cast of over 50 students with another 60+ crew members putting the show together behind the scenes.  Performances will be held on Friday, January 31, Saturday, February 1, Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8 at 7 p.m.  There will also be a matinee performance at 1 p.m. on February 1 and 8.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and can be purchased at the door before each performance.

In conjunction with Launching Pad Productions, the Rotary Club of Ballston Spa will be in the lobby before each performance collecting non-perishable food items for their annual Spread the Love Food Drive to benefit food pantries in Ballston Spa. Please consider bringing a few non-perishable food items with you when you come to enjoy Frozen Jr.

The show is directed and produced by Middle School teacher Joseph Shaver; choreographed by Sarah VanAernem; music directed by Laurie Huck; scene and lighting design by Patrick Ferlo; and costumes by Melissa Glastetter and Dawn Nolan. Please contact the Ballston Spa Middle School for additional information at 518.884.7200 or visit the website at www.bscsd.org. 

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School students were recently selected to exhibit their work at the annual Saratoga All Stars Art Show. Their work is on display from January 11 – February 8, 2020 at the Saratoga Arts Center with the work of other students from throughout Saratoga, Fulton & Montgomery counties. 

Students who had their artwork selected for the show include Mason Malpass, Leah Thimineur, Lindsey Warner, Shelby Whitney, Alexys Donnley, Brandy Walosin, Savannah Ingram, Lexi Lumley, Sarah Helly, Mallory Czimbal, Anna Harmon, and Sabrina Hu.

Additional information is at www.saratoga-arts.org/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/.

CAPITAL DISTRICT — The Burnt Hills Oratorio Society (BHOS), under the direction of Dr. William Jon Gray, will hold its 23nd annual vocal scholarship competition for high school seniors. Two scholarships will be awarded to the top two competitors along with an opportunity to sing in a BHOS concert. Applicants need not plan a career in music, but the scholarships are intended to facilitate the continued study of singing in college. This year’s audition will be held on Sunday, April 5 at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Burnt Hills. Details and applications can be found a www.bhos.us/award. Deadline is March 7, 2020.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District’s Board of Education recently recognized those staff members who have earned National Certification in their respective professional roles and expressed congratulations on behalf of the school community. 

Jessica Lamb received National Board Certification in Special Education. She currently is a Special Education Teacher who works with the students and families at Gordon Creek Elementary School. 

Reid Keefe received National Certification as a School Psychologist. She currently works with students and families at the Ballston Spa High School. 

Christina Carlson recently joined the school district as a Guidance Counselor specifically working with the students in the district’s Clean Tech Early College High School. She received her National Board Certification in School Counseling.

Shannon Hansen, Science Instructor at Ballston Spa High School, also was recognized for receiving re-certification as a National Board Certified Science Teacher. 

Ballston Spa Teachers’ Association President Kim Pusatere presented information on the national certifications and commended the staff members for their commitment to their profession and to the students in Ballston Spa. Additional information on national certification is available at www.nbpts.org/national-board-certification.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jean Fei, a longtime community advocate for diversity and sharing resources, will facilitate “Making the Invisible Visible,” an interactive three-part workshop on Monday, Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon. The event will be held at the Susman Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library (across from the Children’s Library). 

“Our goal is to increase social awareness, sensitivity and education about poverty, racism, and discrimination in our own community,” says Beverly Lazar-Davis.

All attendees are invited to participate in each stage: drawing and describing poverty, the ten chairs of wealth and the web of power. We will brainstorm solutions to the issues we have learned about and provide resources for youth to create social change for a brighter future. Families, adults, teens, and children (9+), who have a willingness to participate in an interactive, educational and gentle program are welcomed.