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.
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.
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.
From left to right – Sophia Wahl, Keira Rogan, Lukas Sherman, and Martin Flanders Jr. pose with their awards. Photo via the Schuylerville School District website.
SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville Central School District’s athletic department announced its 2023-2024 Scholar-Athletes of the Year and Athletes of the Year last week.
The Scholar-Athletes of the year, who demonstrated high achievement in both athletics and academics, were Sophia Wahl and Martin Flanders Jr. Wahl was the only member of the Schuylerville softball team to be invited to the inaugural 518 Futures High School Softball Classic. Flanders Jr. was a standout football player who played defensive end and running back.
The Athletes of the Year, who achieved athletic success at the highest level, were Keira Rogan and Lukas Sherman. Rogan was part of the girls track and field team that won its third-straight sectional title last month. Sherman broke his school’s all-time boys basketball scoring record in January.
The Wilton Water and Sewer Authority board listens to public comments prior to voting on whether or not to fluoridate the town’s water supply. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
BURNT HILLS — The Charlton School, a treatment center and high school for young women experiencing mental health challenges, broke ground on a $13.8 million construction project Wednesday morning. Four new dormitories will be built as part of the campus’ largest redesign since 1955.
The dorms will help the school expand its capacity, which is being overwhelmed due to a significant increase in referrals, according to Charlton’s Executive Director Alex Capo. Mental health-related hospitalization rates for girls across the country have increased sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You get scared when you’re looking at the possibility of sending your child, a 14-year-old girl in the middle of a healthcare crisis, two-and-a-half hours away from home to live with a bunch of strangers,” said Bob Clapp, an alumni parent and member of the school’s board of trustees. “The school was beautiful, the grounds were incredible, the staff was top-notch,” Clapp said. “The one area that was a little iffy were the dorms. Dorms are important. That’s your child’s home away from home. During her time here, it needs to be home. That’s why I’m so excited about this project.”
Renderings of the future dorms showed porches, picnic tables, and a courtyard-like garden where students could study, socialize, and heal.
The Charlton School attracts students from all over the country, many of whom have experienced multiple hospitalizations and struggle with issues such as self-injurious behavior, anxiety, and depression. They typically stay on campus for about 18 months, participating in family therapy, equine therapy, art therapy, and New York State-accredited special education curriculum and individual treatment plans.
In addition to the new dorms, a Career Development and Occupational Studies Building will also be built to house woodworking, screen printing, podcasting, and maintenance equipment. The entire project, managed by LeChase Construction Services, is expected to be completed by March of 2025.
The Wilton Water and Sewer Authority board listens to public comments prior to voting on whether or not to fluoridate the town’s water supply. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
WILTON — The Wilton Water and Sewer Authority (WWSA) voted unanimously at a board meeting last month not to fluoridate the town’s water supply. The decision impacts Saratoga Springs School District’s Dorothy Nolan Elementary, which has around 700 students, and receives its water from the Town of Wilton.
The vote reaffirmed a previous March 19 vote that was deemed informal by the WWSA due to what it called a minor procedural error
The WWSA board meeting on May 21 was well attended, with a majority of speakers opposing fluoridation. Anti-fluoridation advocates primarily cited freedom of choice, arguing that if a majority of town residents wanted fluoridated water, the town would’ve had it by now.
Anti-fluoridation attendees also cited a recent University of Southern California study, which suggested that pregnant women exposed to fluoride could face an increased risk of their child demonstrating behavioral problems. Some experts have called the study limited in scope, and said that further investigation is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.
Pro-fluoridation activists cited the United States’ long history of fluoridating its water supply, as well as abundant research that demonstrates fluoride’s ability to reduce tooth decay in children. An online petition calling for Wilton to fluoridate its water had 336 signatures as of June 10.
Despite a claim to the contrary from one pro-fluoridation advocates, Dorothy Nolan is not the only school in the Saratoga Springs City School District that doesn’t have fluoridated water. According to Maura Manny, Director of Community Outreach and Communications for the district, Maple Avenue Middle School and Greenfield Elementary also lack fluoridated water.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Arts is hosting a Roller Coaster Camp, presented by The Innovation Center at Saratoga, for students ages 12 to 15. Working in small teams, students will learn the science behind roller coasters and then use Roblox to create their dream coaster as part of a theme park.
The camp runs from July 8 to 12. Registration includes four days of in-class exploration using physics, math, and computers; the incorporation of artistic components as students learn to theme their coasters and parks; and one all-expenses-paid day (including food and camp t-shirt) at The Great Escape.
For more information, visit www.saratoga-arts.org/event-5694488.
SCHUYLERVILLE — Fifteen Schuylerville 8th graders attended the 2024 “Let’s Go STEM” event at the SUNY Adirondack campus that highlighted opportunities for women in S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
Students participated in three hands-on workshops presented by female academics and professionals, in an effort to help students see themselves as future STEM professionals or spark an interest in pursuing a STEM career.
“From nursing labs, to marine biology and advanced weather forecasting, these were incredible, new educational experiences for our students,” said Schuylerville Middle School technology teacher Mark Belden in a statement. “All fifteen girls enjoyed the trip and we are very thankful to SUNY Adirondack for hosting the event.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation will honor theSaratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) at its 24th annual scholarship awards banquet at Skidmore College on June 20.
Dennis Moench, Vice President of Education for SPAC, will accept an award on SPAC’s behalf and deliver remarks.
The foundation will also award $100,000 in scholarships to local students. The event includes dinner and a silent auction. All proceeds will fund future scholarships. To learn more or to RSVP for the banquet, visit https://rotaryscholarships.org/events/.
