Tiffany Farrell and Maria Izzo, two additions to the Saratoga Central Catholic School leadership team. Photos provided by Aiden Lambert.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic School (SCC) announced this week that it has made two additions to its leadership team. Starting this month, Tiffany Farrell will assume the role of High School Assistant Principal, and Maria Izzo ‘84 will take on the role of Middle School Assistant Principal.

“With their administrative assistance, SCC is poised to enter into a new era of major innovations in Catholic identity, curriculum and instruction, student achievement, increased enrollment, and fiscal stability,” said Principal Christopher Signor in a statement. 

Farrell is entering her eighth year at SCC, having previously spent ten years teaching at LaSalle Institute in Troy. At SCC, she has served as the Math Department Chair, head of the Math Department diocesan-wide, Testing Coordinator, Technology Liaison, and a member of the Diocesan Accreditation Steering Committee. Her daughter, Natalie, is an alumnus of SCC from the class of 2019, and her son, Aiden, will soon be entering the 11th grade at SCC.

Izzo is an alumna of the SCC class of 1984. She served as Dean of Students (2014 to 2023), Coordinator of Student Activities, and Social Studies Department Head. She has also chaired subcommittees for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Accreditation and the Cognia Accreditation at SCC. Beyond her administrative and teaching roles, Maria has served as Coordinator of Alumni Affairs (1992 to 2023) and coached softball, basketball, and volleyball at SCC.

On June 18, nearly 300 high school seniors received their completion certificates from the F. Donald Myers Education Center at a ceremony held at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Photo provided by WSWHE BOCES.

John Ellis and Amanda Ellithorpe were recognized by the Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education for their years of service. Photos via the district website.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — At the final regular business meeting of the school year on June 20, two outgoing Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education members were honored by their colleagues. 

Amanda Ellithorpe, who had been with the board for three years, and John Ellis, who served for nine years, both received special recognition by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton and Board President Tony Krackeler.

To commemorate their tenures, Ellithorpe and Ellis will have their names engraved on bricks outside the main entrance to the high school. They also received gifts and cards from the board. 

“You’ve brought so much wise perspective and understanding of employees,” fellow board member Dr. John Brueggemann told Ellis. “We’re going to lose a lot of institutional memory and a lot of distinctive perspective when you go.”

“I always appreciated how both of you…you are who you are. There’s no veneer. I appreciate how real you are,” said board member Connie Woytowich.

Two new members will join the board for the upcoming school year: Deb Amory, a professor at Empire State University, and Matt Kopans, a development officer for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. Krackeler said that Amory and Kopans would begin their orientation on June 21. Woytowich will also return to the board after winning reelection in May.

From left to right – Lions scholarship winners Lauren Ellnor, Samuel Lamere, and Eleanor McNamara. Photo by Lion Joe Brady.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Academic scholarships totaling $25,000 were awarded to five Saratoga Springs High School students by the Saratoga Springs Lions Club.

The $10,000 Jack Berkowitz Memorial Scholarship for scholastic achievement and community service was presented to Lauren Ellnor; two $5,000 scholarships were awarded to Matthew DiGeso and Olivia Tetrault; and two $2,500 scholarships went to Samuel Lamere and Eleanor McNamara.

All five were cited for their scholastic achievements, their involvement in sports and music, and their ongoing participation in volunteer activities.

Saratoga Independent School celebrated the graduation of fourteen 8th grade students on June 14. Photo provided by Brooke Rouse.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fourteen 8th graders at the Saratoga Independent School (SIS) celebrated their graduation on Friday, June 14.

Head of School Robert Ahrens highlighted the achievements, perseverance, and growth of the class of 2024. “Be confident in your abilities, be courageous in the face of challenges, and be compassionate in all your interactions,” Ahrens said. “The world needs your talents, your creativity, and your leadership.”

Students will continue their education at local high schools, as well as PTECH and Early College Career Academy (ECCA), Northfield Mount Hermon (MA), Albany Academies, Brown School, Emma Willard, Proctor Academy (NH), and Academy of Holy Names.

Flier image provided by Pam Stott.

GANSEVOORT — An inaugural Construction Summer Camp for middle school girls will launch next month, thanks to the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition. The camp aims to break down gender barriers in the construction industry.

“By hosting this unique camp tailored specifically for middle school girls, we aim to cultivate their interest in construction early on, providing them with the skills, confidence, and support they need to pursue rewarding careers in this traditionally male-dominated field,” said Doug Ford, president of the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition, in a statement.

The camp will take place on July 22-26 at the Whitbeck Construction Education Center in Gansevoort. Campers will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and learn how math, technology, science, and design apply to construction. They will tour local businesses and contraction sites. The camp culminates in a Construction Olympics.

For more information, visit https://nctwc.org/girls-construction-summer-camp-registration/.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville Central School District announced its top high school graduates of 2024 earlier this month. The recognition honors graduating students with an average of 96 or higher. 26 students from the Class of 2024 made this year’s list. 

Valedictorian: Mallory Sickles

Future Plans: Mallory will attend Clemson University and study communications.

Salutatorian: Jenna Hart

Future Plans: Jenna will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point majoring in life science, pre-med track.

Madisyn Awilow

Future Plans: Madisyn will attend SUNY Delhi and study veterinary science technology.

Taylor Barraclough

Future Plans: Taylor will attend Cornell University and study animal science.

Sophie Bodnar

Future Plans: Sophie will attend Flagler College and study early childhood education/psychology.

Anika Buff

Future Plans: Anika will attend LeMoyne College and study biology.

Meghan Cowles

Future Plans: Meghan will attend Hudson Valley Community College and study architectural technology.

Carter DeBusk

Future Plans: Carter will attend University of New Hampshire and study environmental sustainability.

Kathryn Elder

Future Plans: Kathryn will attend University of Alabama and study criminology/criminal justice.

Martin Flanders

Future Plans: Martin will attend Alfred University and study pre-health.

Eleanor Hughes

Future Plans: Eleanor will attend Williams College and study political science.

Jaedus LeForge

Future Plans: Jaedus will attend SUNY Plattsburgh and study digital media production.

Nate Levin

Future Plans: Nate will attend Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College and study political science & psychology.

Presley MacNaughton

Future Plans: Presley will attend University of Tampa and study communication and media studies.

Reilly McCormick

Future Plans: Reilly will attend LeMoyne College and study nursing.

Mary McGloine

Future Plans: Mary will attend Plymouth State University and study meteorology.

Joshua Merrill

Future Plans: Joshua will attend Rochester Institute of Technology and study chemical engineering.

Brenna Moran

Future Plans: Brenna will attend North Carolina State University and study aerospace engineering.

Austin Mosher

Future Plans: Austin will attend Clarkson University and study aerospace engineering.

Victoria Piteri

Future Plans: Victoria will attend Rutgers University-Camden and study business management.

Keira Rogan

Future Plans: Keira will attend Hamilton College and study literature and creative writing.

Ryan Stark

Future Plans: Ryan will attend SUNY Cortland and study pre-physical therapy.

Olivia Swinton

Future Plans: Olivia is taking a gap year.

Emily Tavares

Future Plans: Emily will attend Syracuse University and study broadcast and digital journalism.

Anthony Tyler

Future Plans: Anthony will attend SUNY Geneseo and study psychology.

Sophia Wahl

Future Plans: Sophia will attend SUNY Cortland and study early childhood education.

Graduates from the Early College Career Academy New Media Program pose with their certificates. Photo provided by Dawn Neville.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – 94 students from 18 school districts graduated from the Early College Career Academy, a partnership program between the WSWHE BOCES and SUNY Adirondack, on June 6.

It was the tenth class to complete the program, which provides students with focused studies in the fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Business and Entrepreneurship, New Media, and Information Technology: Computer Networking and Cybersecurity.

Students in the programs are exposed to the latest technologies used in these industries, earn industry-recognized certifications, and participate in work-based learning activities that include job shadowing, mentoring by industry experts, and real-world industry challenge projects.