BALLSTON SPA — This year, the Ballston Spa Teachers’ Association has awarded $5,500 in scholarships to five graduating seniors in two categories. 

The BSTA Field of Education Scholarship was created in 1960 to recognize students who plan to attend an accredited college or university in order to pursue a career in education or an education-related field such as guidance, social work or psychology, according to a press release. The current amount of this scholarship award is a one-time payment of $1,500.

This year’s recipients from the Class of 2023 include Madison Ballou, Lee McKinley and Payton Messina.

The second scholarship is the Community Service/First Responder Scholarship, which was created in 2018. The intent of this BSTA Scholarship is to recognize students who have demonstrated that they are community oriented, plan to attend an accredited college or university and enroll in a program of study with the intent to pursue a career related to being a First Responder, the release states. The amount of this award is a one-time payment of $500. 

This year’s recipients are Christopher DuMais and Jared Gilston.  

Since 1960, through donations from active and retired BSTA members, the Ballston Spa Teachers’ Association has awarded $141,900 in scholarships to graduating students from Ballston Spa High School.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sarah Delaney Vero, an experienced attorney and human resources professional and Skidmore College’s current strategic HR advisor, has been named inaugural general counsel and vice president for human resources at Skidmore College, effective July 10.

Vero began her work with Skidmore in 2008 as outside counsel with the Office of Human Resources. In 2016, she stepped in as interim Title IX coordinator and became interim chief human resources officer in 2018. Named interim human resources director in 2020, she developed and executed strategies around workforce development and inclusion, talent management, organizational management, training, and many other areas.

Last summer, Vero agreed to serve Skidmore in a part-time role as Skidmore’s strategic HR advisor.  

“Sarah has served as a strategic partner regarding key organizational, employee, and management projects. She has always provided exceptional advice and counsel in support of Skidmore’s mission, vision, and values,” said Skidmore College President Marc C. Conner in a press release. “I look forward to her continued leadership in supporting the people who work every day to make Skidmore a vibrant community.”

Vero holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Union College and a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School. 

“I am truly honored by the opportunity to continue serving Skidmore College in this inaugural role. As outside counsel and through my interim roles at Skidmore, I have learned what it means to be part of this wonderful community,” said Vero.  

Her appointment is the result of a national search that began in April and was supported by Storbeck Search.

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa fifth grade students were recognized at annual 5th Grade Moving-Up ceremonies at their elementary schools before the summer break. During the ceremonies, students at each school were presented with the Maurice “Christopher” Morley Literacy Award. 

The 2023 award recipients include Chase Bruder from Milton Terrace Elementary, Elizabeth (Liz) Evanchuk and Logan Wood from Gordon Creek Elementary, Draven Campbell from Wood Road Elementary, and Michael Ahern from Malta Avenue Elementary.

This award was created in Mr. Morley’s name, and is awarded to students from each elementary school who are moving up to the Middle School and have demonstrated exceptional determination and perseverance on the road to literacy, a press release states. The award includes a recognition certificate along with a gift certificate to a local bookstore. 

Mr. Morley, who was born in April of 1922, 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 award is supported by the Rotary Club of Ballston Spa and is presented annually by each elementary school principal.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District has announced the appointment of Robert Yusko as the next Assistant Superintendent for Business.

Yusko will assume the position on Sept. 5, according to a press release. Yusko has served as Assistant Superintendent for Business at the Glens Falls City School District since 2015, the release states, and previously served as a school business executive in the Hudson City School District and as district treasurer in the Cairo-Durham Central School District.

Yusko has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University at Albany, a master’s degree in public and education administration from Pace University, and is certified as a school business leader in New York State, the release states.

Tim Hilker, SSCSD’s previous Assistant Superintendent for Business, is departing to accept a role as Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services at WSWHE BOCES. In the release, district superintendent Dr. Michael Patton thanked Hilker, and said he is excited to welcome Yusko to the district.

“It has been a pleasure working with Tim Hilker, and I truly appreciate the outstanding leadership he has provided to our district. Tim is well respected for his financial expertise and will do a wonderful job supporting all 31 school districts across our region in his new role at BOCES. We are very thankful for everything Tim has done for us here in Saratoga Springs for the past eight years,” said Patton in the release. “We are excited to welcome Bobby Yusko as our next Assistant Superintendent for Business in September. Bobby has a strong financial leadership background and is eager to work with our Board of Education, faculty, staff and the community in helping meet the needs of all students and maintaining the financial health of our district.”

WASHINGTON, DC — Schuylerville High School rising senior Eleanor Hughes spent a week in Washington, D.C. this summer, learning from political activists and participating in lectures, debates, and seminars as part of the American Civil Liberties Union’s annual Summer Advocacy Institute.

Hughes is involved with the Mock Trial team at Schuylerville, and said she discovered the Summer Advocacy Institute after searching for a legal advocacy program to participate in over the summer.

“I actually read other interviews of candidates who had gone through the program, and it just seemed like an experience that would be very valuable to me, and also different from anything I’ve done before,” said Hughes.

Hughes filled out an application, including several short answer essay questions and a letter of recommendation, which she received from Schuylerville teacher David Conneally, who is an advisor for the school’s Mock Trial team.

Then, along with roughly 200 other students, Hughes spent the week of June 30 to July 6 at the Summer Advocacy Institute, staying in a hotel in Washington. Students were separated into homerooms, and participated in a variety of electives and seminars.

“For instance, I went to an elective on knowing your rights in dealing with protests, and attending a protest, what you can do to make sure that you’re safe and that your friends are safe,” Hughes said. “Some of them were more of a lecture format, as in you could sit and take notes. Some of them were more interactive. You would sit in a circle and discuss a topic back and forth.”

The students also attended a rally for transgender rights at the U.S. Capitol on July 5, which Hughes said was “very powerful.”

“‘Not in our name and not on our watch,’ was the thing that we chanted, and I felt that was very powerful,” said Hughes.

Hughes, who will begin her senior year at Schuylerville in the fall, said she is specifically interested in climate justice, and noted the Summer Advocacy Institute offered a chance to connect with others who feel the same.

“Ensuring that the societal differences that are exacerbated by climate change are fixed,” Hughes explained. “It’s kind of a niche subject when I talk to other people in advocacy. So it was really exciting to go to this program, and I immediately met other people who are interested in climate justice.”

Hughes said that the experience was ultimately “incredibly valuable,” and said she has remained in touch with several friends she made during the experience.

“I think that one of the things I took away is that if you go into something expecting to learn something, you will learn something,” said Hughes. “I think just coming at it from a perspective of being willing to learn and listen was the biggest takeaway.”

She also said it was valuable to be exposed to a variety of experiences and perspectives, with her fellow attendees hailing from across the United States. 

“I would say that going to the Institute felt somewhat like a college experience, in that I was interacting with people from all over the country,” Hughes said. “They all had different perspectives from me, and they all were coming from a place where they were ready to learn and listen, and so was I.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation held its twenty-third annual community service awards dinner on June 7, awarding scholarships totaling $85,000 to fifteen local graduating seniors. Awards ranged from $2,500 to the $20,000 Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs Presidential Scholarship. 

Attendees enjoyed a dinner from Skidmore College’s dining services team and had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction with items donated by numerous local businesses and organizations including Northshire Bookstore, iRun Local, Holiday Inn, Allerdice/Ace Hardware, Caffé Lena, Stewart’s, Yoga Mandali, Mountainman Outdoor Supply, Ben & Jerry’s, Saratoga Candy Co, Skidmore College and Foundation Board Members.

Students’ academic performance, extracurricular and work activities, community service, and financial need are all considered when reviewing applications. The 2023 scholarship recipients are:

• Florence Anderson Memorial Scholarship ($3,000): Justin Duscher, Saratoga Central Catholic High School, with plans to attend Vermont State University.

•Scott Krulcik Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): Gregory McCauley, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend Clarkson University.

•William C. Young Scholarship ($3,000): Sara Wenke, Saratoga Central Catholic High School, with plans to attend the University of Hartford.

•Don Lee Scholarship ($2,500): Hailey Kopraski, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend the University of Rhode Island.

•Pierce Scholarship ($4,000): Claire Tearno, Saratoga Central Catholic High School, with plans to attend the College of the Atlantic.

•Endowed Scholarship in honor of Edward A. Lenz ($5,500): Ella McGrath, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend St. Lawrence University.

•Cudney Endowed Scholarship in honor of James and Carryl Cudney ($5,000): Samantha Maurer, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend Siena College.

•The Endowed Newman “Pete” Wait Sr. Memorial Scholarship ($5,500): Ryan McPhee, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend the University of Vermont.

•The Endowed Scholarship in honor of Charles V. Wait, Sr. ($5,500): Luke Brynczka, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend SUNY Oneonta.

•The Joseph and Anne Palamountain Memorial Scholarship ($5,000): Catherine Kelly, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend the University of Virginia.

•Jane A. Wait Endowed Scholarship by Adirondack Trust ($5,500): Braden Allan, Saratoga Springs High School and SUNY Adirondack, with plans to attend SUNY Oswego.

•Gerow McLuckie Memorial Scholarship ($5,000): Ava Ginley, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend the University of Vermont.

•Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Scholarship ($6,500): Brooke Devizzio, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend Western New England University.

• The Philly Dake Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($6,500): Eliana Sage, Saratoga Springs High School, with plans to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

• Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs Presidential Scholarship ($5,000 over four years, total of $20,000): Haleliya Wilson, Saratoga Springs High School and BOCES, with plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Hawley Foundation recently held their annual awards ceremony at the Embassy Suites.

More than 60 community nonprofit organizations, high school graduates, board and community members were in attendance. The Hawley Foundation awarded a total of $150,000 in high school scholarships, community and camp grants.

The Hawley Foundation provides camp awards to Saratoga County organizations that provide summer camp opportunities, designed to offset camp fees for children in need. Community grant awards provide funding to not-for-profit organizations that have Saratoga County’s children’s welfare or well-being as their main objective. College grants are provided to high school seniors who will be entering college or vocational schools.

The 2023 camp and community grant recipients were: AIM Services, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Catholic Charities, City of Saratoga Springs Recreation Department, Franklin Community Center, Glens Falls Area Youth Center, LifeWorks Community Action, Mechanicville Area Community Services Center, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, Saratoga Bridges, Saratoga Center for the Family, Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Regional YMCA, The Salvation Army, Town of Wilton – Wilton Recreation, and YMCA of the Capital District.  

The college recipients of these grants were: Brady McGrath, Brooke Devizzio, Colton Vavasour, Gianna Fiordimondo, Eliana Sage, Ella McGrath, Jonah O’Connor and Samantha Maurer.  

CORINTH — Hudson River Community Credit Union has awarded three local high school seniors with $1,000 college scholarships. These scholarships will allow the recipients to offset the cost of studying at a 2- or 4-year college or university this fall.

The recipients of HRCCU’s 2023 College Scholarships are Ethan Schwaner, Saratoga Central Catholic School; Tess Gleason, Waterford-Halfmoon Junior/Senior High School, and Emma Moore, Rensselaer Junior/Senior High School.

“We congratulate our 2023 scholarship winners for continued excellence in their schools and communities,” said CEO Sue Commanda in a press release. “This year’s winners not only excelled academically, but also supported their communities by volunteering their time to local charitable groups. They exemplified the ‘people helping people’ philosophy that drives credit unions every day. We’re proud to help these talented and hard-working young members to attain their educational goals.”

Applicants were asked to submit references, list school and community activities, and write an essay about how they plan to give back to their communities following college graduation. Finalists were selected based on a 100-point scoring system.