SARATOGA SPRINGS — Eight middle school students attending Saratoga Springs School were honored in memory of Billy Wardell, a sixth grader who passed away in March 2016. 

The eight outstanding students were recognized for showing kindness, maturity, anti-bullying and helpful towards other students. The students awarded this year are: Jasmin Mercer, Alyssa Connors, Dylan Muller, Dylan Pincelski, Kari Reilly, Aubree Ketcher, and Josh Malo’Kai Merchant.

Each student receives a certificate and a $50 Target gift card to help purchase school supplies for the next academic year. Sherry Wardell, Billy’s Grandmother, said each year since they have given out $50 gift cards to students at the middle school. 

“The teachers pick out the students. They’re not the top of their class academically or all-star athletes, they are kids that the teachers have watched all year that have strived to help others…if they see someone hurting and get involved.

“Billy was against bullying,” Wardell said. 

Billy Wardell was a 12-year-old sixth grade student when he was killed riding an all-terrain vehicle on his father’s farm in Greenfield.

“It was truly very hard to get through and you still struggle with it,” Wardell said. She added: “people wanted to give some sort of a memorial and we didn’t know quite what to do. It was just one night – in the middle of the night – I felt God talk to me and tell me to do something at the school, to do a memorial,” Wardell said. 

Wardell spoke with Amy Totino, assistant principle, April 2016 about honoring students and that they had enough money through family, friends and a few construction companies in the area to give the gift cards to eight students. 

Wardell continued that they will continue to honor students until 2022, the year Billy Wardell would have graduated. For that year, Wardell plans to ask high school teachers to select two students who honor the memory of Billy and award each with a $4,000 check to the skill school or college of their choice. 

“I think I’m going to miss it after 2022 when we don’t do it anymore,” Wardell said. “People have been great. People have reached out and it just helps with the grieving. We have been blessed big time.”

GLENS FALLS — The sale of flavored e-cigarettes statewide and all tobacco sales at pharmacies ended May 18.

Governor Andrew Cuomo wanted to combat the use of tobacco and nicotine products, so he enacted a Comprehensive Tobacco Control Policy as part of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget. Cuomo signed the budget on April 3 of this year.

The policy prohibits the sale or distribution of e-cigarettes or vapor products that have a flavor, unless approved as part of an FDA pre-market approval. The policy also restricts the public display of tobacco and vapor products near schools. 

The NYS Tobacco Control Program includes a network of statewide grantees, including Adirondack Health Institute (AHI), who works on Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities. Kelly Owens is the program manager of Clear the Air in the Southern Adirondacks and oversees AHI’s Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities. Owens and staff have worked to educate local communities about the need to protect children from tobacco marketing in places where kids can see it. She feels the law will help protect youth.

“Selling tobacco products in pharmacies has been sending a contradictory message…” Owens said. 

The mixed messages to clients by offering tobacco alongside products for illness either caused or worsened by smoking.

“We also know that flavors and e-cigarettes attract younger kids which causes them to become addicted. The law will really help protect kids from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.”

In a release from AHI, research has shown 40 percent of NYS high school seniors have used e-cigarettes, also known as “vaping.” Over 25 percent of all high school students have used e-cigarettes. Flavored e-cigarettes are known to attract youths and they become addicted to nicotine in return. 

“We are really happy that NYS was compelled to take action on this law and I really feel that without the flavor to attract youth, I think we will see the rate of e-cigarette use drop,” Owens said.

“This is a great step forward for New Yorkers’ health, including those who live in the Adirondack region where tobacco use prevalence is higher than most other areas in the state,” said Eric Burton, Chief Executive Officer, AHI in a release. “This legislation will have a major impact on helping individuals live free from nicotine addiction.” AHI administers the Clear the Air in the Southern Adirondacks initiative, which includes the Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities/Reality Check program.

For those who do wish to stop smoking there are different methods and options available. 

“Those who are addicted to nicotine through vaping or cigarettes or smoking, there is more support than ever,” Owens said.  “Folks can reach out to their healthcare provider, or they can call the quit-line and visit the website. “There is really a lot of support out there for people who really want to take that next step and quit.”

The New York State Smokers’ Quitline is 1-866-NY-QUITS and the website is nysmokefree.com. 

AHI is an independent not-for-profit organization licensed under the New York State Public Health Law as an Article 28 Central Services Facility. Since 1987, the organization has supported hospitals, physician practices, behavioral health providers, community-based organizations and others in the region in sharing our vision and mission of transforming health care and improving population health.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild has awarded $1,500 scholarships to five Saratoga County high school seniors: Kathryn Cronier, Evan Klotz, Gracie-Lynne Ruzzo, Baihe Sun and Skylar Wright.
All have impressive track records of community service and plan to pursue careers in healthcare. Four participated in Students Sharing Opportunities and Responsibilities (SSOAR) a volunteer opportunity unique to Saratoga Hospital.

 “These outstanding students are choosing lives of service at a time when that couldn’t be more challenging or important,” said Terry White, Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild President. “It is an honor to recognize and support their efforts.”

 Kathryn Cronier, of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, intends to study radiology and diagnostics at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. She participated in the Saratoga Hospital SSOAR program for two years and volunteered at Camp Invention and Ellis Medicine.

Evan Klotz, of Saratoga Springs High School, will study physics/pre-med at Providence College in Rhode Island. He volunteered with SSOAR for two years, serving in Saratoga Hospital’s Orthopedic Center and Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center. He also created a website to address hunger and support Shelters of Saratoga.

Gracie-Lynne Ruzzo, of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, plans to major in medical research at Union College in Schenectady. The 2019 SSOAR participant volunteered as a science tutor at a local elementary school and brought canine companions to nursing homes to comfort residents there.

Baihe Sun, of Shenendehowa High School, will attend Brown University in Rhode Island to study biology/pre-med. She volunteered with Shen Shining Stars, CAPteens and at St. Peter’s Hospital. She also established a teen mental health awareness and advocacy initiative at her high school.

Skylar Wright, of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, will attend Quinnipiac University in Connecticut with the goal of becoming a physician assistant. A SSOAR participant, she also volunteered at the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame Camp Invention.

Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild has awarded scholarships since 1990 to help high school seniors in the region pursue careers in healthcare.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Thursday, May 7, staff from Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) surprised their senior students with lawn signs. On Friday, May 8, Saratoga Central Catholic (Spa Catholic) did the same.

SSHS’ leadership team came up with the idea to drop off the lawn signs to the seniors. The signs feature the names of all seniors in the class. 

Principal Michelle Tsao said: “This collaborative effort to recognize the Class of 2020 would not have happened without the dedicated staff of our school and district. We were happy to see students and their smiling faces throughout the day!”

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School First Robotics Competition Team 3044 – OxBE4 – was recently recognized by the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Community for the outstanding work they are doing in building interest in STEM.   

Although the FIRST organization suspended the competition season prior to Team 3044 having the chance to compete in either of their regional events, the team was recognized during the recent FIRST Virtual Awards Showcase with three prestigious awards from the NY Tech Valley Regional Competition.   

The team was recognized with the Chairman’s Award.  This award is the highest honor given during the FIRST Robotics Competition season, recognizing the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.   Aspects that helped the team achieve this award included developing STEM kits for students in Afghanistan,  working with the Semi Organization to develop a robotics program for 4th grade classes, hosting STEM Exploration Nights, as well as supporting Ballston  Spa FLL and FTC teams, and hosting regional competitions.

Junior team member Shelby Whitney was recognized as one of two Dean’s List Finalists for the New York Tech Valley Region.   The Dean’s List Award is awarded by the Kamen family to selected 10th or 11th grade students and recognizes the leadership and dedication of FIRST’s most outstanding secondary school students. During this past year, Shelby has been a leading mentor with two FLL teams in the elementary schools.  Shelby also had lead role of creating the team’s Chairman’s video and also composing the video used by fourth grade students to build robots.

 Club advisor and team mentor Patricia Haskell was recognized with the Woodie Flower’s Award for the New York Tech Valley Region.   This award celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design and recognizes an individual who has done an outstanding job of motivation through communication while also challenging the students to be clear and succinct in their communications.  Patricia has been a contributor to the team for ten years.  She has become an integral mentor during the last three years in which she has offered many new ideas to help progress the team and students.

FIRST Robotics Competitions combine the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under limited resources and time, teams of 15 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against competitors. 

More information can be found on the team’s website at frcteam3044.team/ or the FIRST Robotics website at firstinspires.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Despite the coronavirus pandemic, The Great Outdoors Project, a 15.6 million dollar proposal for renovations to all eight schools in the Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD), Gavin Park, East Side Recreation, and West Side Recreation parks has commenced. 

The East Side Rec construction began recently and is expected to last until November. 

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New features will include: baseball field including turf infield, renovated stadium seating and building, new field house, new maintenance storage building, new entrance and pathways, new fitness trail, new lighting at tennis and basketball courts, replacing basketball hoops, repaving and recoating basketball courts, new basketball fencing, repaving and recoating tennis courts, new signage and wayfinding, new pickleball courts, and new picnic areas and pavilion.

Director of Facilities and Operations of SSCSD John Thuener said that $6.5 million of the budget is going toward the East Side Rec project and that renovations should be complete by November 2020. In addition, West Side Rec capital improvements should be completed in June and totaled $800,000.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Ballston Spa is one of the 4% of public school districts across the nation receiving the prestigious award in 2020. The district also received the recognition in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

“This national recognition serves as a credit to our faculty for providing outstanding opportunities in music education to our students throughout the district,” said Ken Slentz, Superintendent of Schools. “It further demonstrates how important music education is to our students, our district and our school community,” he continued.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Ballston Spa answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. 

“The Music Department would like to thank the students, parents, families, school staff, administrators, Board of Education, and the Ballston Spa community for supporting the music program in our schools,” indicated Brian Retersdorf, BSCSD K-12 Music Coordinator. He continued, “We are so fortunate to work in a district that believes in the importance of music and provides us the budget, teachers, instruments and classes to do what we love.”

This award recognizes that Ballston Spa is leading the way with music learning opportunities as outlined in the federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, designates music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children. The NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education Award and the state level implementation of the federal ESSA law bring attention to the importance of keeping music education part of curriculum offerings and available to all students. It also highlights music’s vital role in students’ overall success in school and the personal benefits of making music. 

The district recently celebrated Music in Our Schools month with several special events, including an annual Pops Concert for the school community and acknowledging students who have performed in state and regional honors groups at a Board of Education meeting. Congratulations to all the students, staff and families involved in the Ballston Spa music community. Additional information about the music program in the Ballston Spa schools is available on the department’s webpages via www.bscsd.org or call 518-884-7150.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Amid a global health emergency, the Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition at Skidmore College broke new ground in its 10-year anniversary. 

Established in 2010 by Ken Freirich ’90, CEO of Health Monitor Network, with the intent of fostering entrepreneurship and creativity across all majors and disciplines at Skidmore, the “Shark Tank” competition has grown into one of the preeminent business competitions among liberal arts colleges nationally.

 Adapting to the new normal, students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff were invited to watch this year’s competition online via the videoconferencing platform Zoom. The finalists — 11 students pitching nine business plans — played their pre-recorded final presentations and then answered live questions from the judges. 

2020 competition winners:
First Place: Coven, Maya Ling ‘20 and Emily Egan ‘20: A bakery that infuses products for medicinal benefits. Prize: $20,000 cash plus $5,000 in business services.
Second Place: Z’s, Izaak Cohen ‘20: A lifestyle accessories brand. Prize: $10,000 cash plus $5,000 in business services.
Third Place: Natural Glow, Novilhelha Moleni ‘22 and Ha Linh Nguyen ‘22: A hair and beauty brand. Prize: $5,000 cash plus $5,000 in business services .
Fourth Place: VoyceMe, Dylan Telano ‘23: An online marketplace connecting unpublished writers with readers. Prize: $2,500.

Haja Bah ‘21 received a social entrepreneurship award of $5,000 for her business Uman 4 Uman Salone, a nonprofit that produces sustainable sanitary pads for young women in Sierra Leone. Four other businesses — Ingles para todos (Cyntia Ismael ‘22), Turf Ads (Colin Mahoney ‘21), Trot (Abigail Kaplan ‘20) and Edutrer (Naira Abdula ‘20) — received $1,000 each.   

Freirich recently announced he will fund an endowment that will allow the competition to continue in perpetuity, pledging $500,000 toward the College’s goal of a $1 million fund.  The experience begins each September with a call for entries and a series of workshops to help students prepare for the semi-final presentations. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is accepting applications for the 2020 Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship, an annual award recognizing young leaders and volunteers throughout Saratoga County. 

The scholarship, awarded in a one-time amount of $1,000, will be presented in June to a high school senior from Saratoga County who has demonstrated a record of academic excellence and exemplary service to the community along with a strong interest in pursuing future studies in history and/or the arts. The entry deadline is May 15.

Mr. Cantacuzene served on the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Board of Trustees for 30 years and contributed to the Museum in various capacities. Mr. Cantacuzene, a stalwart supporter of thoroughbred racing, the arts and public service, passed away in 2016.

High school seniors interested in applying for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Rodion Cantacuzene Scholarship are asked to submit an essay of no more than 500 words detailing their community service and the rewarding aspects of the service. Applicants should also describe how the subjects of art and/or history have influenced their educational pursuits.

The application and essay should be submitted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, c/o Lindsay Doyle, 191 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 12866. The materials may also be emailed to ldoyle@racingmuseum.net