CORINTH — Hudson River Community Credit Union (HRCCU) has awarded three deserving local high school seniors with $1,000 college scholarships. These scholarships will allow the recipients to offset the cost of studying at a two or four-year college or university this Fall.

The recipients of HRCCU’s 2020 College Scholarships are Jovanni Mosca, Corinth CSD; Lea Richard, South Glens Falls CSD; and Sean Pettis, Glens Falls CSD.

“We congratulate our 2020 scholarship winners for continued excellence in their schools and communities,” said CEO Sue Commanda. 

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.

HRCCU has a partnership with a number of schools in the Capital Region. Dedicated to youth financial literacy, the credit union funds a financial literacy program through Banzai! in the Hudson Falls and Watervliet school districts. It also hosts a school banking program in the Corinth and Glens Falls school districts where children learn the importance of saving as well as lifelong financial skills right at school.

When the Coronavirus shutdown took effect in New York, customer interactions at Precision Upstate came to a screeching halt. The Scotia-based installer of custom closet systems and glass shower enclosures faced a serious issue.

“We went from walking through our design center side-by-side with customers to not being able to be in the same physical place as them,” said Peter Klein, President of Precision Upstate. “Our design process as we knew it was suddenly not possible.”

With some creative thinking and embracing state and CDC guidelines came a new way for Precision Upstate to work with their customers: Virtual 3D Tours. Using 360 degree camera technology, the company developed virtual tours of their Design Center and Showcase Home. These virtual tours were then added to their website so customers could explore the design possibilities from the safety and comfort of their own home.

“The response has been excellent,” said Klein. “Our customers really love the virtual tours and our designers have made them a central part of their process.”

In order to cope with the increase in business in both its commercial and residential divisions, Precision Upstate is hiring at least eight additional employees. In the spirit of making lemonade from lemons, the company has reinvented itself to meet the new normal.

“Homeowners are happy, we’re putting more people to work, and in June we paid the highest monthly bonus for employees in our company history,” said Klein. “It’s a win-win.”

Precision Upstate is located at 115 Freemans Bridge Road in Scotia with a second facility for its commercial division is Rotterdam. To take a Virtual 3D Tour of their Design Center and Showcase Home, visit www.precisionupstate.com. For more information call 518-631-5831.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Independent School’s 2019-2020 school year came to a close on Friday, June 19.  Due to the national health crisis and school closures, students from Saratoga Independent School spent the last few months engaged in remote learning from home. 

The school has many end-of-year traditions that the students have grown to love, including Field Day, Yearbooks, an Art Show, a Variety Show, and Carnival.  Usually these events are held in person, during the school day.  This year, students and teachers came up with creative solutions to keep these traditions alive virtually. 

Head of School Lisa Brown, said, “Our Saratoga Independent School community is extraordinarily strong.  We have always put our students first and wanted to find a way to give them the community experience they have always appreciated during our year-end activities.” 

A week full of events was enjoyed by all students, from the safety of their homes.  “We have incredibly thoughtful and creative faculty and students. They worked together to make the end of the school year memorable,” stated Brown.

The first event was a car parade held at the school.  Students saw their teachers and received their yearbooks, which included pages dedicated to remote learning.  All teachers and staff wore masks, along with our mascot, Thunder the Moose.

Physical Education teacher Trish Bendon, aka Coach B, created a virtual Field Day for all grade levels.  Each class section joined a live Zoom to compete against another class in at-home activities, including penguin walking, flip your lid, paper airplane corn hole, and more.  Students enjoyed the friendly competition and opportunity to engage online with students from other classes.

Spanish teacher Lisa-Renee Ackerman, aka Señora Chocolate, created a Virtual Variety Show, which was shared online with the entire school community.  A Padlet allowed viewers to offer virtual applause.

Art teacher Gabi Moore created a Virtual Art Show, showcasing student work, including box sculptures, paintings, shadow drawings, and even graphic design and videos.

On the last day of school, students usually participate in an outdoor carnival with booths designed and operated by our Intermediate, Fifth Grade, and Middle School students.  This year was no different. Jeny Randall, Middle School Coordinator, led the charge to create a Virtual Carnival.  Students designed booths held during live Zoom meetings where students participated in an array of carnival games.

In lieu of the usual Fifth Grade celebration, this year Fifth Graders received lawn signs to display at home to celebrate their graduation and move to Middle School.

Brown stated, “It was amazing to see the school community come together to create such wonderful activities.  I am so happy the students ended this unusual school year with positive and meaningful memories.” 

Brown expects that Saratoga Independent School will be open for education in person in the Fall.  The school has already begun planning and implementing new health and safety measures.  The 2020-2021 school year will mark the first year with all three Middle School grades and Brown is excited for the first S.I.S. 8th Grade graduation next spring.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Skidmore College on July 2 announced their fall semester plan that covers everything from Academic Instruction and Residential Life to Campus Life and Engagement.

The plan – introduced as an ongoing work-in-progress – will continue to be refined, Skidmore College President Marc C. Conner said in a statement.  Conner – the eighth president of the college – began his term July 1.

The fall semester will begin two weeks early, on Aug. 24, and conclude on Friday, Nov. 20, prior to Thanksgiving week. Students will finish exams and final projects remotely. There will not be any break during the fall term.

All major public events that would bring large numbers of visitors to campus, such as Celebration Weekend, Homecoming and the Presidential Inauguration, will be shifted to virtual experiences.

“As we have been emphasizing for many weeks, our primary commitment in all of these efforts is the health and safety of our entire community — students, staff, faculty and the surrounding Saratoga Springs community of which we are a part,” Conner said. “Our second commitment is to make possible the Skidmore education as we all value it: high-quality, fully engaged teaching and learning, performed with creativity and skill by superb faculty and staff.”

All students must complete a daily symptom check for seven days prior to their return to campus. and there are plans to have all employees undergo a COVID-19 test prior to returning to work.

Regarding academic instruction: a certain percentage of fall courses will be offered in a remote mode. It is anticipated most classes — estimated to be approximately two-thirds of the classes — will likely be some form of in-person instruction. The exact mode for each class will be determined in the coming weeks and this information will be made available to students by late July.

“Many of the events of typical college social life simply cannot occur this fall. That must be understood by all of us. We will employ technology to make possible group events such as speakers, performances and other programs and events so we can still have communal events, even if they are not in person in the same way,” Conner said.

Academic spaces, classrooms, labs and performance spaces will be reconfigured to accommodate health guidelines. Classrooms will include social distancing spacing, personal protective equipment, including plexiglass where appropriate, enhanced cleaning protocols and more. Outdoor classroom options are additionally being explored.

Residential space for students will allow for appropriate social distancing, maintain standards of health and safety, and prevent too much social density in residential spaces. No more than two students will be housed per room for the academic year. There will be no triple-occupancy rooms. Apartment spaces, which consist of single rooms only, will operating at full occupancy.

“In order to bring all, or nearly all, of our student body to Skidmore, we are arranging for housing in local hotels, consisting of both double and single rooms, comparable to a residence hall living arrangement,” Conner said. Shuttle buses and parking will be available to students living in these hotels.

Seating, layout and foot-traffic flow in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall will be modified to provide for necessary social distancing. Outside seating will be increased with the use of tents. Hours for all dining locations will be slightly modified to allow for cleaning between meals.

To reduce personal contact and limit large group gatherings, students should expect an increased offering of online events, virtual community-building and outdoor activities.

The athletics and fitness schedule will be modified, and fan attendance will either be significantly reduced or eliminated as an in-person experience.

Facemasks will always be required in all public settings, regardless of distancing or room capacity. There will be different requirements for residential spaces. Each student, upon arrival, will receive a starter kit of personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of two Skidmore reusable facemasks and a bottle of hand sanitizer. Similarly, each employee will receive the PPE starter kit upon returning to campus. Hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout campus. Safe passage routes, signage and directions will be created to minimize density. Daily and deep-cleaning protocols will be established throughout the campus.

Gatherings on campus will be limited to no more than what health officials’ safety guidelines recommend, always with appropriate distancing and masking. The guidelines are likely to change during the semester.

Testing requirements will be implemented in correspondence with CDC and New York state guidelines. Several testing timelines are under consideration, which could include requiring testing prior to arrival for students, testing on arrival to campus and subsequent surveillance testing. All students will be required to self-monitor, and students with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 will be tested at Skidmore Health Services. More details on the testing protocols in the weeks to come as more information becomes available.

Some residential spaces will be reserved for on-campus students who require quarantine and isolation. Students living in off-campus housing who are in isolation or quarantine will have daily contact with Saratoga County Public Health to assess their needs. Skidmore staff will provide assistance to students to help them keep up with their coursework, and faculty will help students continue to meet course requirements while in isolation or quarantine.

Students and employees will be expected to complete a daily symptom screen that will ask them questions regarding COVID-19 symptoms.

“It is abundantly clear that this will be a fall semester unlike any other. There are deep disappointments in this, of course, as we will all miss some of the treasured events and practices to which we have long been accustomed. But the heart and soul of the Skidmore College experience will remain intact, and in many ways, our creative approach to the semester will provide experiences that will be equally, if not more, fulfilling,” Conner said. “This is a special time of challenge, and I am confident that our entire Skidmore community is equal to this challenge. Together we will get to the other side of this challenge, and we will look back with pride on how we conducted ourselves as a dedicated community.”

For details regarding the Skidmore College plan go to: https://www.skidmore.edu/fall-planning/index.php.

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa fifth grade students were recently recognized at the annual 5th Grade Moving-Up ceremonies at their elementary schools before the summer break. One student at each school was presented with the Maurice “Christopher” Morley Literacy Award. This award was created in Mr. Morley’s name and is awarded to four students moving up from the elementary schools in the Ballston Spa Central School District to the Middle School who have demonstrated exceptional determination and perseverance on the road to reading. 

The award includes a certificate embossed with the Rotary seal along with a gift certificate to a local book store. The initiative honors the legacy of Village History Consultant Morley who was born in April of 1922 and how he 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 2020 award recipients include Emma Newman from Milton Terrace Elementary School, Chloe Hart from Gordon Creek Elementary School, Reagan Buhler from Wood Road Elementary School, and Ruby Haskell from Malta Avenue Elementary School. The award is supported by the Rotary Club of Ballston Spa and presented annually by each elementary school principal.

GALWAY — Galway Junior/Senior High School Principal Michael Miller is proud to present the Top 10 graduates for the Class of 2020. Congratulations to: 

Alex Malanoski, son of Cheryl and Stan Malanoski of Middle Grove is the valedictorian Class of 2020. Alex is an Eagle Scout, treasurer of Class Office, treasurer of National Honor Society, and a writer and photographer for Eagles Media Center. He was also an anchor and director for GTV. Alex was a two-sport athlete competing in varsity baseball and basketball. Alex will attend Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to study Broadcast and Digital Journalism. 

Kaylee Bagdan, daughter of Lisa and Kevin Bagdan of Amsterdam, is the salutatorian Class of 2020. Kaylee was president of the Student Senate; head editor of Eagles Media Center; co-editor of Impressions Literary Magazine; student senate representative; and a member of the National Honor Society, Planned Decision Making, and a Student Group in Partnership with Officer Bedell. Kaylee was a two-sport athlete competing in varsity softball and soccer. Kaylee will attend Skidmore College in the fall and major in biology and environmental sciences. 

Rachel Wnuk was an anchor on GTV and writer for Eagles Media Center. She was secretary of class office and co-president of the Science Club. She participated in Student Senate, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Best Buddies, Do Something Club, Drama Club, and Leo’s Club.

Rachel received Scholar Athlete honors in soccer, basketball and track and field. She was a WAC Hudson Valley Division Soccer Second Team All Star, WAC All-Star, and News Channel 13 Athlete of the Week honoree. Rachel plans to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering and possibly volunteer for the Peace Corps. Rachel is the daughter of Amy and Brian Wnuk of Hagaman. 

Walter Ellsworth was a member of class office, Science Club, Robotics Club, and Republican Club. He ran track and field and participated in Boy Scouts. He will attend Georgia Institute of Technology and major in electrical engineering. He would like to specialize in engineering electric vehicles. Walter is the son of Amy Ellsworth and Peter Ellsworth and stepson of Elaine Ellsworth of Galway.

Anna Gardner was a member of National Honor Society. She competed with the undefeated Galway Varsity Volleyball team that won the WAC Championship, Section 2 Class D Championship, Regional Championship, and finished the season as NYS Semi-Finalist. Anna was a Second Team All-Star. Anna will attend the University of Vermont and major in sustainable parks, recreation, and tourism. She is the daughter of Judy Koskinen and Jim Gardner of Galway. 

Ryan Lovelass was a member of class office, National Honor Society, Eagles Media Center, and Robotics Club. He was a two-sport varsity athlete competing in golf and basketball. He was recognized on the court with a Section 2 Honorable Mention award. Ryan has a long list of achievements in golf including leading the Golden Eagles’ golf team to two WAC Team Championship Titles. Next year, Ryan will be competing with the Division I Binghamton Bearcats Golf team while pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering in the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering. He is the son of Melissa and Kevin Lovelass of Galway. 

Paige Brink was a member of S.A.D.D., Impressions Literary Magazine, and the Do Something Club. She was also a member of the Galway varsity cheerleading team. Paige will attend the State University of New York at Oneonta to study Early Childhood and Childhood Education. She is the daughter of Rebecca and Brian Brink of Middle Grove. 

Ruth Reichard was president of the National Honor Society and a director for GTV. She was a member of Class Office, Student Senate, Band, Jazz Band, and Drama Club. She was also a three-sport varsity athlete competing in soccer, basketball, and softball. Ruth will attend the State University of New York at Potsdam in the fall to double major in biochemistry and Spanish on a pre-med track. She is the daughter of Maureen and Richard Reichard of Middle Grove. 

Rachel Germain maintained academic scholar status throughout her high school career. She received the Galway Lions Club Citizenship Award. She also went to Europe twice as a People to People Student Ambassador. Rachel is a member of National Honor Society, a writer for Eagles Media Center, and an anchor for GTV. She is the founder and president of the Galway Do Something Club. Rachel will attend the State University of New York at Oneonta in the fall to pursue a degree in early childhood and childhood education with a liberal arts concentration. She is the daughter of Peggy and George Germain of Amsterdam. 

Vanessa Colangelo was lead editor of Impressions Literary Magazine and ran varsity cross-country. She was a member of National Honor Society and had an Art Portfolio Exhibition at the National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa. She plans to attend Fulton Montgomery Community College to study digital media arts. She is the daughter of Anthony Colangelo of Galway.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Corwin Freedman, a senior at Saratoga Springs High School, has been awarded the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s 2020 Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship. Freedman, who will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall and study classics and biology, has been awarded $1,000 toward his college costs.   

The Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship was established in the spring of 2015 in honor of Mr. Cantacuzene’s 30 years of service to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Board of Trustees. The scholarship is intended to foster like-minded leaders, philanthropists, and volunteers throughout our communities. It is awarded annually to a deserving high school senior from Saratoga County. The recipient will have demonstrated a record of academic excellence, an interest in history and/or the arts, and exemplary service to the community.

Freedman aspires to be a teacher after graduating from college. He is a dedicated member of the Saratoga Springs community and was a leader of three volunteer-based clubs at Saratoga Springs High School, including the school’s eco-garden, which provides fresh food for the school cafeteria, and the Saratoga Naturalist Club, which cleans the school and leads recycling initiatives. He also volunteers with the Saratoga Therapeutic Equine Program, which provides equine-assisted therapy to special needs children, stroke victims, and veterans suffering from PTSD.

“The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is proud to present Corwin with the 2020 Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship,” said Lindsay Doyle, the Museum’s educator. “The Museum staff is very impressed with Corwin’s activism and passion. He is an ideal candidate for this scholarship. We wish him all the best at New Hampshire.”

For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call 518-584-0400 or visit our website at www.racingmuseum.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — While hundreds of high school graduates celebrate their academic achievements for the school year, one local graduate was recognized for her key personality traits. 

Eve Crossett, a graduate at the Saratoga Springs High School, was honored for embodying key traits such as anti-bullying and respect throughout the school year. She was featured on the Act with Respect Always (AWRA) website as a “spotlight.” The spotlight highlights individuals from schools and in the community who have taken it upon themselves to “pay it forward” as AWRA Ambassadors.

“Being a spotlight was a surprise. It feels really good to be recognized and I’m really excited for what the future will bring,” Crossett said. 

AWRA stresses the importance of one’s personal character both on and off the school campus. It was founded by Rich Johns as a pay it forward movement. Every year, Johns selects a student who embodies traits such as kindness, teamwork, courage, honesty and anti-bullying. Johns said he selected Crossett for not only her personality traits, but also the scholarship she received. Crossett received the West Point Association of
Graduates Scholarship.

 “West Point is sponsoring me to go to a preparatory school. I will attend Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL as a cadet in the Service Academy Preparatory Program this year, and upon completion of the program I will receive a Letter of Assurance from West Point. This guarantees a spot in the class of 2025 if I remain academically, medically, and physically qualified,” Crossett said.

Johns first met Crossett while helping the Saratoga girl’s tennis team. He began to help her on the tennis court, and grew to learn her personality both on and off the court. 

“I was on the girls’ varsity tennis team in Saratoga for a few years and he always came in and spoke. We didn’t become closer until this year as he came to our matches more often and I had more opportunities to talk to him. He then asked me to be a member of his program and I felt so honored,” Crossett said.

Johns added: “She is so open and honest. She has impressed me so much over the last year. The path that Eve has wanted to take is becoming a reality. She is one of the most caring, gifted, modest students I have ever met. I feel connected to Eve and all of the past spotlights.”

Crossett said Johns has reached out weekly throughout the COVID pandemic to check in with the members of AWRA. 

“He is a great role model in the community,” Crossett said. “I’m so excited to finally be able to live out my dream of going to West Point.”

Johns founded AWRA after growing up in South Glens Falls. There, he learned core values that he has used throughout his life. 

“My mom and dad were from large families that immigrated to the United States to create a new life for themselves. Each of them taught me from a very young age that you must always work hard and respect all people that are in your life,” Johns wrote on his website. “As a young student and athlete, I soon learned that teachers and coaches were there to help me improve my abilities. Respecting these individuals was first and foremost to me. As years have passed, the core value of respect continues to be even more important to me. I believe that respect is at the center of all things we do in life.”

Johns can be reached through social media or email at acejohns@aol.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Only one of the 31 seniors of the 2020 Saratoga Central Catholic School (SCC) graduating class was asked to put on their cap and gown this past weekend.

As the graduates drove through the school to pick up their caps and gowns, graduate Ria Walsh was honored. Her fellow students and teachers beeped their car horns and showed their support through the purple and gold school colors. Faculty and Staff wore their SCC spirit-wear with pom-poms and signs. They also handed out goodie bags, yearbooks, academic and athletic awards and caps and gowns to each senior as they drove up.

“We had them all park their cars in the parking lot while beeping their horns and yelling. Ria was so excited. The students got to support her and she got to see them and have a little celebration as well,” Mary Guarnieri, director of advancement at SCC, said.

Last August, Walsh joined the Army National Guard. Her recruiter, SSG Brandon Moseman joined the celebration and honored Walsh with a personal level of achievement.

The district has planned a tentative graduation ceremony for Friday, July 10. However, Walsh will leave for basic training on June 30, and SCC still wanted to honor her. 

Interim Principal Michael Kondratowicz handed the graduate her diploma along with two awards she earned. Walsh received one award from the Gurtler Brother VFW Post 420 Patriotism award and also received the Knights of Colombus 4th Degree Assembly Patriotism award.

Guarnieri said the event was great and the students appreciated it. 

“It went very well. We had a dunking booth where students could attempt to dunk our Athletic Director Alphonse Lambert,” Guarnieri said.

A local DJ, Elaine Gaynor of DJ Smalz, played music for the duration of the event. Along with picking up their caps and gowns, students were welcomed to receive their awards for the school year. Guarnieri said for the ceremony this year, two faculty members recorded a video of the awards in their gym. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Connor D. Hart, age 18, of Saratoga Springs, recently graduated from Camden Military Academy of Camden, South Carolina. Connor spent his Senior Year of High School at CMA earning Cadet of the Semester, Cadet of the Year, and was Valedictorian of the Class of 2020. Connor earned a GPA of 3.94 in college course work from the University is South Carolina. He is planning on attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College (Virginia Tech) in the Fall as a member of the Corps of Cadets.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Lions Club Scholarship Committee proudly presents $32,500 in academic awards to seven Saratoga Springs High School Seniors. All seven seniors are pursuing four-years + in academic programs with diverse fields of study. 

It is disappointing that the annual Lions awards luncheon was unable to be held this June, however, we are anxious to share these students and the honor they receive for their hard work and perseverance during this difficult senior year.

FIRST ANNUAL LIONS FOUNDATION – JACK BERKOWITZ MEMORIAL $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Elizabeth Siebeneck 
Duke University/Chemistry – Pre-Med.
First in the class of 2020, she has received multiple awards and honors for her excellence in scholarship, high character, music (violin) and athletic (tennis) competition. Elizabeth’s community service was at home in Saratoga’s food pantries programs, in class leadership and government roles and abroad in Ghana and Peru as a Globe Aware volunteer. Elizabeth received the highest ranking score of all twenty-seven applicants to receive this scholarship award. 

$5000 FOUR -YEAR ACADEMIC PROGRAM AWARDS: THREE AWARDEES

Trinity Hogben
Siena College/Business – Advanced Regents Diploma.
Volunteer work for Special Olympics, Lions Stars Skating, Best Buddies (5 yrs) provided Trinity with leadership skills to be selected for International conferences for Special Olympics both state and national. Channel 13 recognized her as a Kid who Cares for her outstanding community achievement.

Megan Bissonette 
College of William and Mary Williamsburg – International Relations.
Leadership as the Leos Club Vice President for 2 years with organization and participation in the club activities as well as community work with her church, the Saratoga Library Book Buddies program, her work ethic and varsity sports provided Megan with this award.

Claire Kelly
Siena College/ Biology – Pre-Med Track with the goal of ER Doctor.
As Leo Club President with dedication to the growth and development of the Leos Club through leading by example, as well as her work ethic, giving to her community through her favorite ,The Skating Stars- A Lions Club Program, Claire clearly demonstrated her Lionism. 

$2500 FOUR-YEAR ACADEMIC PROGRAM AWARDS: TWO AWARDEES

Christian Mercado 
Roberts Wesleyan College/ Engineering
3+2 dual degree program with RIT Christian is praised in his references for his leadership, positivity, respect and as a team player. He is an avid cross country, track and field athlete and will be running for RWC. As a young entrepreneur, he developed and managed a lawn business and his volunteer work in the community with Food pantries, Adopt a Soldier, Best Buddies and the Marine Biology Club speak to Lionism.

Renee Maslak
University of Notre Dame/ Physics.
NHS Blood Drive Coordinator, Franklin Community Center,Turkey Trot speak to community as well as Honduras on a medical mission. Exceptional work ethic, communication and organizational skills and her determination to discover medical techniques through shadowing experiences are just a taste of her success. 

$2500 LEOS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP – AWARDED TO A SENIOR CLUB MEMBER 

McClaren Heck
University of South Carolina / Public Health.
Participation in all of the club activities and helping to bring awareness of the club and its mission to the underclassman was McClaren’s strength. Leadership, organization and involvement: what all Lions strive to accomplish.