BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School once again provided the opportunity for graduating seniors to earn the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB), with over 50 students qualifying in the Class of 2023. The NY State Education Department established the NYSSB in 2012 to recognize 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.

The NYSSB is awarded by the Commissioner of Education to students who meet criteria established by the Board of Regents and who attend schools in districts that voluntarily agree to participate in the program. Starting in 2016, the NYSSB is affixed to the high school diploma and transcript of graduating students attaining the NYSSB.

“We are very happy for these students who are receiving this credential,” said Superintendent Dr. Gianleo Duca. “We are very proud of their culminating project showcases that demonstrate the students’ strength in language. 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.”

The State Education Department further notes that the intent of the NYSSB is to: affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society; encourage the study of languages; identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers; provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission; prepare students with twenty-first century skills; and recognize the value of world and home language instruction in schools.  

The recognition of attaining biliteracy becomes part of the high school transcript and diploma for qualifying students and is a statement of their accomplishment for future employers and college admission. Ballston Spa students will receive the seal on their diploma at graduation ceremonies on June 22 at 4 p.m. at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

Additional information on the NYSSB is located on the New York State Seal of Biliteracy website at http://sealofbiliteracy.org/new-york.

GLENS FALLS — The Grishkot Foundation has announced the awarding of $77,500, payable over up to four years, in scholarships for college students from Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties.

Each recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship for the 2023-24 college year, with some recipients receiving continued annual scholarships for up to three additional years, provided the recipient remains in the program of study in good academic standing.

Joan Grishkot Memorial Scholarship recipients for careers in nursing and related health care fields:

• Samantha Rocco, a graduating senior at Mechanicville High School who will attend Union College in the fall as a pre-med student majoring in biology.

• Sydney Keenan, a graduating senior at Hudson Falls High School who will attend Vassar College in the fall as a pre-med student majoring in neuroscience.

• Jacqueline Hogan, a Glens Falls High School graduate who is a medical student at SUNY Upstate at Syracuse

• Garrett Lamouree, a Queensbury High school graduate who is enrolled at Binghamton University and will be enrolling at Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate at Syracuse.

Honorable Mentions:

• Norah Niesz, a graduating senior at Greenwich High School who will major in biomedical science at St. Lawrence University in the fall.

• Sophia Herzog, a graduating Saratoga Springs High School senior who will attend SUNY Upstate at Syracuse in the fall to study for a career as a physician/scientist.

• Shauna Mower, a graduating senior at Queensbury High School who will enroll at Connell School of Nursing at Boston in the fall.

• Matthew Shakow, a graduating senior at Saratoga Springs High School who will study for a career as a dermatologist.

Walter Grishkot Memorial Scholarships for careers in aviation, aeronautics engineering and related health care careers:

• Ishan Swali, a graduating senior at Shenendehowa High School who will enroll at Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall to study aerospace engineering and artificial intelligence.

• Andrew Hope, a graduating senior at Saratoga Springs High School who will enroll at University of Michigan in the fall with majors in physics and aerospace engineering.

• Sahil Swali, a Shenendehowa High School graduate who is studying aerospace engineering at the University of Toronto.

Honorable Mention:

• Kara Davenport, a graduating senior at Ballston Spa High School who will study to become a corporate pilot.

The scholarships were presented June 7 at a meeting of the Glens Falls Kiwanis Club at The Queensbury Hotel. The Grishkot Foundation partnered this year with the Glens Falls Kiwanis Foundation to administer the scholarship application and review process, with The Grishkot Foundation making the final decision on awards.

The scholarship distribution is, by far, the foundation’s largest distribution of scholarships since its founding in 2009. The distribution is possible due to a generous bequest from Joan Grishkot, the foundation’s co-founder.

Joan Grishkot, who died July 8, 2021, was Warren County director of public health for 31 years. The foundation added the Joan Grishkot Memorial scholarship program this year.

Information about the foundation and about the legacy of Walter and Joan Grishkot can be found at grishkotfoundation.org.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Education Foundation recently presented $7,732 in Spring 2023 grant awards to educators in the Ballston Spa Central School District for educational enrichment projects in the schools. The recent spring cycle included the following grants: 

• $430 for a Function Machine to make learning math fun and engaging at the Ballston Spa Middle School

• $391 to fund yoga mats and yoga bricks for use in the library at the Ballston Spa High School to provide a place where students and staff can focus on self-care and increase productivity

• $765 to fund flexible seating options to keep kids engaged in reading instruction at Gordon Creek Elementary School

• $713 to fund cameras for the Wood Road Elementary School Yearbook Club and Art Department.

An additional grant for $5,432 was given to BSMS and BSHS for Physics Lab equipment to provide quality hands-on learning for students in 8th grade science and physics courses as they implement new curriculum. This funding is being provided through the generous Fred Reiners Memorial Grant for Educational Enrichment. 

With these latest grant awards, the BSEF has, since its inception in 1996, funded over $436,135 in enrichment grants to the school district.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville Central School District has announced its Top Graduate recognitions for the Class of 2023.

Schuylerville’s Top 10 recognition was expanded in 2022 to a Top Graduate recognition, in an effort to honor the hard work and achievement of more students. Students with an average of 96 or higher qualify to be featured in the annual Top Graduate recognition.

The Schuylerville Class of 2023 Valedictorian is Lillian Letzring. Letzring is a member of National Honor Society, has acted as co-president of Student Council, and has been involved with Student Government, Drama Club, Spanish Club, and prom committee.

Letzring is a co-captain of the Schuylerville varsity cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field teams, and is a member of both the NYSSMA All-County Band and Chorus. She is a recipient of the Rensselaer Medal Award.

Letzring plans to attend SUNY Potsdam with a major in geology and environmental science.

The Schuylerville Class of 2023 Salutatorian is Alayna Wian. Wian is also a member of National Honor Society, has acted as the Class of 2023 treasurer and vice-president, co-president and parliamentarian in Student Council, and vice-president of Drama Club.

Wian is also a member of Environmental Club, Spanish Club, Yearbook Club, and prom committee. She is a member of All-County Chorus and Area All-State Chorus. Wian played six sports, serving as captain of the varsity girls soccer team in addition to competing in cross country, basketball, indoor and outdoor track and field, and lacrosse.

Wian was a representative at the Section II Athletic Leadership Summit, and also received the St. Michael’s Book Award. She plans to attend Hobart & William Smith Colleges and major in physics/mathematics. 

See below for a full list of Schuylerville’s Class of 2023 Top Graduates:

• Lillian Letzring (Valedictorian)
• Alayna Wian (Salutatorian)
• Christopher Buettner
• Lucas Fitzgerald
• Sofie Lamodi
• Anthony Luzadis
• Draven Mueller
• Arielle Sowle
• Irene Torres-Guzman
• Caitlyn VanDeusen
• Megan Vianese
• Abigail White
• Elliott Woods
• Jocelyn Zapien-Espinosa

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A local student will have the opportunity to study political philosophy in Washington, D.C. this summer, gaining first-hand experience with the world of politics.

Matthew Hogan, Jr., a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and a rising senior at Villanova University, was accepted into the Hudson Institute Political Studies 2023 Summer Fellowship, where he will spend the summer studying political philosophy.

Hogan is one of 54 students from colleges across the country who will attend the program.

The Hudson Institute fellowship involves the study of political thought and public policy, with students participating in “courses led by master teachers, policy workshops directed by field experts and experienced government officials, and a distinguished speaker series of exemplary figures from public life,” according to the Hudson Institute website.

Hogan is a double major in political science and humanities at Villanova, and also holds a double minor in Italian and French. He said he enjoys studying political philosophy to help learn from the past.

“I like the study of political philosophy because I think we can learn a lot from the past to help combat issues and problems that we currently face, and in the future,” said Hogan.

He said the experience in D.C. will be valuable, and said he is looking forward to meeting new people and making connections.

“That’s one of the points that I’m most looking forward to about this program,” Hogan said. “Because I could just spend the summer here, reading political philosophers on my own if I really wanted to, but it’s that interaction with other people. … I want to be in the office, doing stuff, and interacting with people, because I just appreciate that a lot about life.”

“We’re very thrilled for him,” added Matthew Hogan, Sr., Matthew’s father. “He’s going to meet with a lot of people from D.C. that are in the political realm.”

Hogan Sr. is also an alum of Villanova, and said it is meaningful to see Matthew succeed at the school, saying he is “a phenomenal kid.”

“I’m thrilled he goes to Villanova, because that’s where I went,” said Hogan Sr. “The way I always describe him is, he got my wife and I’s best qualities without getting our worst qualities.”

To apply for the fellowship, Hogan wrote an essay detailing why he wants to study political philosophy, and also submitted a writing sample and a letter of recommendation along with his resume. After going through a phone interview, he was accepted into the program. 

“I’m very ecstatic about it,” said Hogan. “Political philosophy is one of the fields that interests me the most. Accruing hard data, or quantitative data, is an important aspect of political science, but I also think that there’s a lot to be derived from the theoretical realm as well. You can’t just stay confined to the quantitative. I think you have to venture out into the qualitative and kind of incorporate them both together.”

While Hogan said he is unsure of his career aspirations after college, he has been gaining a wide variety of experience. In addition to the Hudson Institute fellowship, Hogan has studied abroad in France, and will spend the fall 2023 semester in Bologna, Italy.

“I’m directly enrolling in the University of Bologna, and I’ll take all my political science classes and humanities, which is my second major,” Hogan said.

He said his variety of experiences are his way of “feeling out the waters,” and said he hopes to have an idea of his career plans as the year continues.

“I’ll just be in the town, so I’ll just be able to fully immerse myself, which will be a challenge, but nonetheless, I think it will entail a lot of personal growth,” said Hogan.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. has awarded two student cash scholarships. One is the annual SBA Scholarship for $1,000 and the second is the annual “Bob Best” Memorial Scholarship, also for $1,000.

Alexandra Coffinger of Greenwich was awarded the SBA Scholarship. Alexandra is a senior at Schuylerville High School and will be attending Millersville University to pursue a career in Construction Management. 

Zachary Pingelski of Mechanicville was awarded the “Bob Best” Memorial Scholarship. Zach is a senior at Mechanicville High School and will be attending Hudson Valley Community College to pursue a degree in HVAC.

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. 

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School seniors were presented with a safe driving message during the days before the Senior Prom on June 3, encouraging them to avoid accidents caused by distracted or impaired driving.

A simulated crash demonstration took place on May 25 in front of the school in the bus loop at 9:45 a.m. Several students, as well as various emergency responders, participated in the event. 

The event was coordinated by the BSHS Administrators and Deputy Pedro Garcia, the school resource officer, with assistance from Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo and area emergency responders. 

“This is a great program to teach kids about everyday safety involving distracted or drunk driving, but especially around the prom when these things become more prevalent,” read a statement on the Ballston Spa Fire Department’s Facebook page. “Thank you for your support and we hope this conversation continues at home, as we hope this drill never becomes a reality for any of us.”

The BSFD thanked Mangino Chevrolet Buick GMC for donating cars used in the demonstration. They also offered thanks to the Community Emergency Corps, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Ballston Lake Emergency Squad, Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, Armer Funeral Home, and the BSCSD administration.