SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609 will honor Saratoga Spring High School’s person of color with the highest GPA, Aditi Singh, who is also her class valedictorian. Singh will be honored at a reception on Friday, June 14 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The annual event will take place at 69 Beekman Street in Saratoga Springs. Attendees can enjoy music, a cash bar, a silent auction, a raffle, deserts, and drinks.
Ten students from Ballston Spa High School heading to Division 1 and Division 2 colleges were formally recognized in a ceremony on Wednesday. Photo provided by Stuart Williams.
BALLSTON SPA — Ten Ballston Spa High School student-athletes heading to Division 1 and Division 2 colleges were formally recognized at a ceremony held in the high school library on Wednesday afternoon.
The following students were recognized:
Isabella Kaldy – Bentley University, Tennis
Evan Wattie – Siena College, Cross Country
Landon Potter – Mercyhurst University, Lacrosse
Ryan Otten – Kutztown University, Swimming
Hadley Donnelly – Iona University, Softball
Calleigh Sisk – University of Tampa, Softball
Natalia Guthrie – Florida Institute of Technology, Softball
Harriet Healey – Penn State, Track and Field
Blaine Zoller – Cornell University, Football
Aidan Maloney – Park University, Volleyball
Photo provided by Stuart Williams.
BALLSTON SPA — More than 55 Ballston Spa High School students from the class of 2024 have earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB).
The NYSSB recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages (in addition to English). Students need to meet certain grade requirements, complete a portfolio, and present their culminating project at the Seal of Biliteracy Showcase to a panel of judges.
“This accreditation is a testament to the hard work of the students and the teachers through six years of language study that will serve them well in college, the work force, and beyond,” said Matthew Robinson, Principal of Ballston Spa High School, in a statement.
Ballston Spa students will receive the seal of biliteracy on their diploma at graduation ceremonies on June 25 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Saratoga Builders Association scholarship winners Amy Grumbling and Jude Leight are presented with their $1,000 awards. Photo provided by Barry Potoker.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Builders Association awarded two students $1,000 cash scholarships: Amy Grumbling of Amsterdam and Jude Leight of Ballston Spa.
Grumbling is currently attending Russell Sage College pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior and Spatial Design. She also works for Teakwood Builders.
Leight is a senior at Ballston Spa High School and will be attending Hudson Valley Community College to pursue a degree in Construction Tech and Management.
The Saratoga Builders Association makes these student scholarship awards available annually to high school seniors or college students who are planning to pursue a career in the construction industry.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District held a reception last week to honor its 2023-2024 retirees. Each retiree will have a personalized brick added to the Pathway to Innovation at Saratoga Springs High School.
The following staff members were honored at the event:
• Cathey Accettella, Elementary Teacher at Dorothy Nolan Elementary
• Amy Austin, Grade 6 Teacher at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Eileen Battle, Teaching Assistant at Saratoga Springs High School
• Kristen Bobear, Elementary Teacher at Greenfield Elementary
• James Canary, Transportation Mechanic at Transportation
• Kimberly Clifton, Elementary Teacher at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Yvonne Delli Veneri, School Nurse at Greenfield Elementary
• Susan Demick, Library Media Specialist at Geyser Road Elementary
• David Fudger, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Mary Goliber, Elementary Teacher at Lake Avenue Elementary
• Karen Grauel, Keyboard Specialist, Saratoga Springs High School
• Suzanne Grennon, Teacher Aide at Division Street Elementary School
• Lillian Hamel, Occupational Therapist at Dorothy Nolan Elementary
• Gerard Ketcham, Custodian at Division Street Elementary
• Julia Kirkland, Teaching Assistant at Saratoga Springs High School
• Andrew Kleinfelder, Head Custodian at Caroline Street Elementary
• Michelle Knight, Elementary Teacher at Dorothy Nolan Elementary
• Lori Lambalot, Teacher Aide, Geyser Road Elementary
• Cathy Lamontain, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Nancy Lovaglio, Clerk at Saratoga Springs High School
• Amelia Mergendahl, Teacher Aide at Geyser Road Elementary
• Kristina Meys, Special Education Teacher at Saratoga Springs High School
• Greer Miller-Dienst, Elementary Principal at Division Street Elementary
• Lucia Nicholas, School Psychologist at Saratoga Springs High School
• Brian Oligny, Building Maintenance Worker at Facilities and Operations
• Lynn O’Rourke, Reading Specialist at Lake Avenue Elementary
• Marc Roggen, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Mary Ann Rudolph, School Bus Driver at Transportation
• Kathleen Salaway, Special Education Teacher at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Jeanne Schultz, Teacher Aide at Geyser Road Elementary
• David Shippee, Elementary Teacher at Greenfield Elementary
• Karen Singerle, Keyboard Specialist at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Barbara Stomieroski, Keyboard Specialist at Maple Avenue Middle School
• Amy Totino, Assistant Principal at Maple Avenue Middle School
• David Wilsey, Cleaner at Maple Avenue Middle School
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs High School will induct two of its graduates into the Hall of Distinction at a ceremony on Tuesday, June 4: Heidi Owen West and Harvey R. Fox.
The Hall of Distinction recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding graduates who have made exceptional contributions and excelled in their chosen fields.
Heidi Owen West graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1984. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City to begin her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). After honing her craft, she returned to the Capitol Region to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Fine Arts. In 1991, West partnered with her mother, Kay Owen, to open a series of downtown businesses including Indulgence Café, Nostalgia, The Bunny Patch, and the women’s fashion boutique Lifestyles of Saratoga. In 2016, she launched Caroline & Main, a women’s clothing store. In 2019, she launched Union Hall Supply Co.
She currently serves as the Vice President of Saratoga’s Downtown Business Association. She’s also a Board Member for Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation (SCCRC). She previously held roles with SPAC Action Council, Gateway House of Peace, Saratoga Rowing Association, and Double H Ranch. In 2022, Heidi was awarded the Saratoga County Woman of Influence award for her dedication and service to the community.
Harvey R. Fox graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1971. Born in Saratoga Hospital, he is a lifelong resident who graduated from Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls with a liberal arts degree. After traveling to Peru and throughout the Western U.S., he returned to Saratoga Springs. His parents, Norman and Eva Fox, owned N. Fox, a popular general merchandise business on Broadway. In 1978, Fox purchased the business from his father. In 1981, he married Cassie, a recent Skidmore graduate, and together they began building their business, as well as raising their family.
Fox has held leadership positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Saratoga YMCA, the Special Assessment District, and the Downtown Business Association. He is a major contributor to The Wesley Foundation, Skidmore College, and Saratoga Hospital.
Students from the Ballston Spa School District pose at the entrance to Iowa State University, where they competed in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals last week. Photo via @SharonSloomis X account.
AMES, IOWA — Two teams from the Ballston Spa Central School District competed in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames last week. The Middle School team (Division 2) took 17th place in problem 4, and the Malta Ave team (Division 1) finished 12th.
It was the first time in more than 30 years that two Ballston Spa school district teams made it to the finals. The teams earned the trip to Iowa by winning second-place trophies in their divisions at the state finals in Syracuse earlier this year.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international competitive program. Teams choose from a list of open-ended problems and solve one of them through a combination of an original theatrical sketch performance and engineering solutions using only inexpensive or recycled materials. Each team must also solve a second spontaneous problem.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — After an independent investigation earlier this year determined that the Saratoga Springs City School District investigated “most, but not all” complaints made against members of its athletic program, the district discussed the results of a second independent review at a May 22 Board of Education meeting.
The review, summarized at the meeting by Dr. Glenn Lungarini, executive director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, praised what Lungarini called Saratoga’s “long-standing culture of excellence,” but also offered some recommendations for improvements.
• Lungarini said that while it’s not uncommon for athletic directors to have multiple roles, assigning too many responsibilities to the position can mean that “you’re resigning yourself to the idea that each of those is going to be done to the best of their ability part-time.”
• Lungarini suggested the district formalize athletic and coach handbooks, an idea previously raised by Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton, so that everyone involved in the athletic program is more aware of their roles and responsibilities.
• Lungarini said the district should be mindful of providing equal access to boys and girls sports, citing the example of the state of the baseball field compared to the softball field, which has a temporary fence.
• “Everybody talked about buses,” Lungarini said, referring to the district’s bus driver shortage. He suggested that parents be notified sooner if there are no buses available so that carpools and other methods of transportation can be arranged.
The remarks about transportation issues came on the heels of voters approving the 2024-2025 budget, which cut two transportation department positions: a bus mechanic and a bus dispatcher. Both positions sometimes served as bus drivers as well.
Dr. Michael Patton said that the full report from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference would be posted online so the public could review all of Lungarini’s recommendations.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Mom Prom raised $52,800 for the Saratoga County Children’s Committee last month, making it the most successful event in its ten-year history.
Proceeds will go to helping the committee support children locally through programs and partnerships with other agencies, nonprofits, schools, and social workers. The prom has raised and donated $190,000 in the last nine years, and awarded $15,500 in school scholarships.
The Saratoga Mom Prom is described as a women’s night out filled with tacky dresses, dancing, and activities all in the name of charity.
The Saratoga County Children’s Committee is a volunteer organization that provides more than 1,000 children each year with emergency and basic needs, school supplies, clothing, holiday gifts, and more.
Photo of Skidmore College’s 2024 graduation ceremony via the college’s website.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College conferred 650 degrees to the Class of 2024 during its 113th Commencement Exercises at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on May 18.
Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Luz Towns-Miranda both received honorary degrees, and were among those to address the graduates. Rather than delivering traditional speeches, the couple engaged in a short dialogue.
Towns-Miranda stressed the importance of empathy, noting how artists like the couple’s son and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda take every experience and empathize with multiple points of view through their work.
“Learn the systems, to use the systems, to improve the systems,” Towns-Miranda said. “Believe in the power of your vote and your activism to raise your voice. Use your energy, your skills, your talent to speak out against injustice, to create change where you see it is needed, and to uplift the underrepresented people in our communities.”
