batavia

Press Release:

The Batavia Country Club (BCC) concluded its 2024 Junior Golf Camp with impressive performances from young golfers in two age groups. The camp for ages 7-10 was held from July 29 to Aug. 2, and the camp for ages 11-15 was held from August 5 to 9. 

The camps featured instruction from experts, including Tom Tucker, a W.G.T.F. “Top 100 Golf Teacher,” Roxanne Noeth, a 14-time BCC Women’s Club Champion and Byron-Bergen H.S. Men's Basketball Coach, Dominic NiCastro, a single-digit handicap player, and Jada Fite, BCC Girls Junior Golf Camp Champion for 5 out of 6 years.

Ages 7-10: July 29 - Aug. 2

The camp for ages 7-10 saw enthusiastic participation and great weather. The week was highlighted by a shortened Friday tournament due to heavy rain, but the competition remained fierce.

Tournament Champions:

• Girls Champion: Macey D’Amico
• Boys Champion: Brady Ayres

D’Amico clinched the girls' title by two strokes in the one-hole tournament. The boys' tournament concluded in dramatic fashion, with Ayres winning a four-hole sudden-death playoff against Max Flannery. Flannery’s final putt just missed, allowing Ayres to secure the win.

Girls Medalists:

• Macey D’Amico (Champion)
• Payton Ford (Accuracy Putting, Lag Putting)
• Dakota Ford (Putting Contest, Chipping)
• Evie Lankford (Pitch Shot)

Boys Medalists: 

• Brady Ayres (Champion)
• Max Flannery (Putting Accuracy, Lag Putting, Putting Contest)
• Ryan Morasco (Chipping)
• Micheal Sexton (Pitch Shot)

Additional contests, including team scrambles and “putts for bucks,” kept the campers engaged and lightened Coach Tucker's wallet. Pictures courtesy of Coach Noeth can be found at 2024 Golf Camp Photos Ages 7-10

Ages 11-15: Aug. 5 - Aug. 9

The camp for ages 11-15 featured competitive play and camaraderie. Due to inclement weather on Friday, a four-hole tournament was held on Thursday. This adjustment ensured that the tournament continued smoothly despite the forecast.

Tournament Champions:

• Girls Champion: Melina Moscicki
• Boys Champion: Trent Darling

Moscicki excelled in a limited field, while Darling won the boys' competition decisively, showcasing impressive power with a nearly 275-yard drive on the long drive hole.

Girls Medalists:

• Melina Moscicki (Champion, Putting Contest, Chipping Contest, Pitch Shot Contest, Long Drive)
• Elizabeth Lankford (Lag Putting Contest, Aimline Accuracy, Closest to the Pin on Hole 17)

Boys Medalists: 

• Trent Darling (Champion, Long Drive Hole 15, Pitch Shot Contest)
• Eli Fancher (Chipping Contest)
• Xavier Vargas (Lag Putting Contest)
• Arlo Hoisington (Aimline Accuracy Contest)
• Lucas Hoisington (Putting Contest)
• Cal Fancher (Closest to the Pin Hole 17)

The campers enjoyed daily team scrambles and various skill contests, continuing the tradition of friendly competition, and "putts for bucks". Pictures courtesy of Coach Noeth can be found at 2024 Golf Camp Photos Ages 11-15.

Both groups had great weather, made new friends, and left with improved skills and cherished memories.

For more details on upcoming events and golf instruction, visit TomTuckerGolf.com.

Press release:

“Together we can” is the theme for this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day campaign – the annual observance that includes a local event from 3 - 7 p.m. August 28 at Austin Park in Batavia.

The world’s largest annual movement to end overdose, IOAD is dedicated to remembering without stigma those who have died and acknowledging the grief of family and friends left behind.

More than 200 community events have been scheduled across the United States and around the world during the month of August to raise awareness of one of society’s worst public health crises.

Initiated in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, IOAD spreads the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.

Goals of the campaign include:

Providing an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones in a safe environment, some for the first time without feeling guilt or shame.

Including the greatest number of people in IOAD events and encourage non-denominational involvement.

Providing information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose.

Sending a strong message to current and former people who use drugs that they are valued.

The GOW Opioid Task Force ceremony will feature several guest speakers, including Rob Kent, president of Kent Strategic Advisors, LLC, and former general counsel for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Other speakers scheduled include Lynda Battaglia, director of Genesee County Mental Health & Community Services; Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee & Orleans Health Departments; and Chris Budzinack, Supportive Living counselor at UConnectCare.

The event will feature live music, a petting zoo, ice cream truck, bounce house and free pizza and refreshments. Representatives of nonprofit agencies have been invited to set up booths at the park.

For more information about the Austin Park observance, contact Jay Baran at jbaran@uconnectcare.org.

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce its latest exhibit, “Don Carmichael: Ink in History.” The exhibit will open on Tuesday, August 13 and will be on display through December. “Don Carmichael: Inked in History” features over 50 pieces of artwork from Don Carmichael in various mediums from throughout his life. The works come from the museum’s collections alongside others loaned from Carmichael’s friends and family. 

The exhibit can be seen during the museum’s normal operating hours of Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Don Carmichael (1926-2005) was one of the most iconic artists from Genesee County in the 20th century and continues to grace the walls of homes and businesses across the County. Locally known for his famous pen-and-ink sketches, called “Memories of Historic Batavia.” 

Don Carmichael captured the historic essence Batavia and Genesee County offered, and many have loved them ever since and have proudly displayed them in their homes and offices. Luckily, Carmichael sketched dozens of the landmark structures before Urban Renewal tore them down in the 1970s, or he captured the structures through old photographs. Carmichael stated, “I’m fond of Batavia and Batavia history, it’s rapidly disappearing, so I decided to record it for posterity.” Before his iconic pen-and-ink drawings, Carmichael played a major role in the community by being the Director of advertising at The Daily News, Where he worked for over 30 years.

Press Release:

At the final concert of the Batavia Concert Band's Centennial Season, which concluded on August 7, the Band awarded two scholarships to band members and future music educators. 

Congratulations to John Antsey and Abigail Hoerbelt.

The Batavia Concert Band look forward to our next season, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.  We will see you in Centennial Park!

Press Release:

The Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce the recently selected 20th Hall of Fame class. The 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees will be introduced at halftime of the Batavia vs Vertus Charter homecoming football game on Friday, October 18. Game time is at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, October 19, the committee will host the Hall of Fame Dinner at the Batavia Downs Banquet Facility. A social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. and the ceremony immediately following dinner.

The 2024 Inductees:

• Peter Arras - 1957 - Football, Basketball, Baseball (Contributor) 
• Tony Kasmarek - 1960 - Football, Wrestling, Baseball 
• George Galliford - 1961 
  • Athlete: Cross Country, Wrestling, Track & Field
  • Coach: Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Alpine Ski, Track & Field
• Trisha Lewandowski - 1996 - Alpine Ski
• Robert Darch - 2003 - Football, Wrestling, Baseball 
• Melissa Thurston - 2006 - Soccer, Basketball, Track & Field
• Jennifer Adams - 2008 - Soccer, Indoor Track & Field, Track & Field
• Ryan Darch - 2010 - Wrestling
• Batavia Ice Devils 2002-2003

If community members would like to attend the event, they can purchase Hall of Fame tickets in the Athletic Office at Batavia High School or send a check payable to The Batavia Coaches Association at the address above.

The cost of the Hall of Fame tickets is $40 per adult and $20 for children under 10.

Tickets must be purchased by Friday, October 11. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Athletic Director’s office, at 585-343-2480 ext. 2003.

With a parent and siblings who attended Batavia Notre Dame High School, Julia Rogers’ story may sound strangely familiar to that of fellow colleague and newly promoted principal Lindsay Warner.

But then again, there are likely many stories of local residents with family members past and present connected to the only Genesee County-based Catholic institution for students through grade 12. 

Nonetheless, it’s a tradition that Rogers cherishes, especially since her mother, Sheila Tehan Rogers, was a graduate of the very first Class of 1955, and her dad, the late Bradley Rogers, coached for the Fighting Irish in Batavia.

“It’s very powerful,” Rogers said of her new role as director of instruction, curriculum and assessment. “I’m definitely following in their footsteps. It’s like coming home.”

A native of Batavia, Rogers opted to attend public schools while some of her six siblings went to Notre Dame. She wanted to teach languages — Spanish and French especially — and Batavia City Schools offered both of those classes. 

As it turns out, the city school district drew Rogers in, for a 31-year career that included teaching and administrative roles and also included coordinating initiatives with community organizations, families and students. Then Notre Dame’s board opted to create a brand new position at the school, and it seemed ripe for her career path, Rogers said.

“It came along at the perfect time for what I wanted,” she said. “I worked in curriculum office as the coordinator of instruction and assessment prior to COVID. I will be assisting staff and teachers in building their instruction. I will be more of a teammate assisting the teachers with instruction and brainstorming ideas and opportunities for learning and crafting their art of teaching.”

She will be in charge of assessments, from Regents and SATs and PSATs, and working on local assessment that teachers will be giving to students and working with various grants.

Even as a child, Rogers wanted into the academic scene. As the oldest of seven siblings, she and her family members would play school, and later she discovered the thrill of real life learning in progress.

“It's seeing the light bulb turn on for children when they get something, it is the most amazing sight that you could see as a teacher and as an educator. There's no words for it,” she said. “It's like a Christmas morning. It's that look that a student gets, a child gets, when they've learned something new and they have that sense of accomplishment, it’s like no other, and that's truly why I do what I do.

“This just takes it to another level, where it’s a cabinet role,” she said. “It’s a different impact that you can have.”

Will there be a learning curve between public and private schools?

“I definitely think there will be,” she said. Private schools have different requirements and reporting needs than public schools, though, students are striving for and achieving the same types of diplomas in the end, she said.

What has changed the most about curriculum, what needs to be considered?

“The biggest thing with curriculum is you want to stay ahead of the game.  You want to, in this day and age, with curriculum, you have to think about what's going on in society, but also keeping in mind, we're a techno savvy community. When you look at the young people in our community, and I used to describe it as the remote control era, where you don't just stick with one TV show when a commercial comes on, you pop to another one, or you're fast forwarding, or you're moving,” she said. “And as educators, you've got to keep that same energy of keeping things interesting for the students in your classroom, because they just can't get up and leave your class to go somewhere else. You've got to keep that intriguing to them.

 “So I think that's even different from when we were in school. You know, it's just everything's faster pace. I guess you would say maybe that's age too, but you can keep that out of it, but … I think also, to make our students be successful in the future, they have to have those opportunities of adding innovation to their learning.”

For example, students that may be into video games may be more adaptable to an opportunity to learn about becoming a game designer, she said.

“One of my first steps is really to look at the curriculum that is being taught here at Notre Dame and also talking to the students to see what they want to do in their future and see how we can assist supporting their dreams and aspirations in their curriculum that they’re learning about,” she said. “And I also feel that we have a very unique opportunity here at Notre Dame to really utilize the Christian faith and the Catholic faith to enhance the students’ learning and making sure that we are also graduating good Christian students here at Notre Dame who have a firm grasp on their beliefs and a great foundation to rely on in the future.”

An important factor for her is that she’s still in the community even though not at the city school district any more: “I’m still working with children of Batavia and now expanding it to children of neighborhood communities,” she said. “My first love is educating children.”

Rogers’ first 30 to 60 days will be filled with meeting the school community as she does a lot of “learning and learning and learning” about this new position and how to proceed toward year one. She can envision a graduation day for students and herself.

“There will be a sense of, wow, this was a powerful year for all of us, and successful for the students,” she said. “The students are going to be graduating, and I will be graduating from year one.”

She’s a believer of community service and is a member of Batavia Rotary, Salvation Army’s Advisory Board, Holland Land Office Museum Board of Directors and a second year chair person for the Alzheimer’s walk.

Vincent Chiropractic is hosting a Summer Pop Up this weekend for folks to meet its staff and several other local businesses, including Jagged Edges Salon, Eleanor Delilah, Raw Beauty Wellness, Styled Artistry by Abbey Rose, Thrifted, YK Designs, Sempre by Macey Jon, Green Compass, and Copper Custom Spray Tans.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 4105 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Press Release:

In March 2005, Bill Sofia first came to the Arc as a resident training instructor (RTI), now known today as a direct support professional. As of July 19, he holds a new title; director of business services.

“I am so excited to continue working and meeting with new business partners we have here in the GLOW community,” Sofia said. 

Sofia will be overseeing all of Arc GLOW’s business services which include: Hilltop Printshop, Hilltop Bottle and Can Return, assembly and packaging, janitorial services, lawn care, staffing solutions, Finders Keepers Thrift Shop, and Orleans Enterprises. He also oversees Meals on Wheels in Genesee County, which Arc GLOW staff members and individuals in the culinary arts training program have provided about 36,000 hot, nutritious meals annually to eligible Genesee County seniors.

“Bill has a lot of experience working with individuals and helping them find gainful employment through Arc GLOW’s business services and in the community,” said Kellie Kennedy, vice president of Day and Employment Services. “I have every bit of confidence he will be able to bring that experience to connect our business partners with not only our own services but individuals which would be a good fit for their company.”

Over the years, Sofia has held many titles: RTI at the Meadowcrest Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRA) in Batavia, job coach, assistant residential manger, residential manager, foreman, senior production manager, and employment services manager. His time with the Arc started when his step-father told him that the Arc was hiring. 

“I didn’t know what the Arc was, and my step-dad told me it was an organization which worked with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD),” he said. “He told me my good sense of humor would be good.”

Sofia said he loves what he does; he wakes up and enjoys coming to work and being around the people Arc GLOW serves. 

Sofia grew up in Rochester, but finished high school at Pembroke High School when his mother accepted a job at the VA Medical Center in Batavia. He now lives in Batavia, and in 2010 completed a disability studies program in collaboration with The Arc of New York State and Empire State College.

Created in 2021, Arc GLOW, a chapter of The Arc New York, is the result of the merger of two successful and long-standing organizations, The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Arc of Genesee Orleans. 

Arc GLOW is a non-profit organization founded by parents and friends of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We serve individuals with a variety of disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, Down syndrome, epilepsy, Fragile X syndrome and neurological conditions. 

In our name Arc GLOW, GLOW is an acronym for the counties we serve — Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming.

Press Release:

Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for a special edition of our Java with Joe E. morning presentation series on Friday, August 30 at 9 a.m.

Bob Bialkowski will present on the history and restoration process of Batavia’s Rocket Car, those who were responsible for saving the car, and how it ended up at the Pierce Arrow Museum in Buffalo.

Admission is free with coffee and cookies. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Thank you to Pub Hub Coffee for sponsoring Java with Joe E. for 2024.

Press Release:

The Batavia Muckdogs, City of Batavia Police, and City of Batavia Fire Department have teamed up with Batavia Youth Baseball for their annual Battle of the Badges at Dwyer Stadium on Sunday, August 25 at 5 p.m. 

Doors open at 4 p.m., and tickets start at just $10, with proceeds benefiting the Foundation. 

This will mark the 4th event for both sides with the Fire Department holding a 2-1 record on the Police Officers with the most recent victory coming from the Police. However, it is the first time the event will benefit Batavia Youth Baseball. 

“The City of Batavia Benevolent Fireman’s Association, along with the Batavia Police Benevolent Association are excited to participate in another charity softball game at Dwyer Stadium this year," said Detective James DeFreze, City of Batavia Police Detective.

“It felt very fitting to have our city’s local youth baseball organization benefit from this charity game. We know how important youth sports are to shaping adolescence in our community,” said Nate Flint from the City of Batavia Fire Department.

Dwyer Stadium is happy to host this event and thrilled to organize these events for the community. 

Marc Witt, Muckdogs General Manager, stated “This event is always fun and an awesome tradition we started here in Batavia since our company CAN-USA Sports took over the Dwyer Stadium. Glad the Muckdogs organization can help give back to youth baseball as well.”

Tickets are on sale now available through online here. All youth baseball and softball players receive free entry to the event as well. If you own or operate a local business or organization who would like to sponsor the event, please email Marc Witt at mwitt.canusa@gmail.com.

Press Release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the tickets are now available for several indoor events happening in the Park Place Event Center in Late Summer and Fall.

On Saturday, August 31, Batavia Downs welcomes Rat Pack Now. This world-class tribute show recaptures the music, style, comedy, and camaraderie of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. This trio is brought to life by talented artists who together create an unforgettable performance that will wow fans and new listeners alike. Tickets start at $20 and attendees receive $10 in Free Play on the day of the show.

On Saturday, September 7, the annual Vodka, Gin & Potato Fest will take place from 4 - 6 p.m. For $30, attendees will have access to vodka and gin sampling as well as a potato bar station. Attendees receive $15 in free play, free program and $5 wager on that evening’s races at Batavia Downs.

On Saturday, September 14, Forever Seger returns to Batavia Downs. A dynamic journey through the timeless music of Bob Seger features lead singer, Kevin Reid. His authentic vocals, commanding performance and unmistakable 1970’s Seger-look are sure to captures your attention. Tickets start at $15 and attendees receive $10 in Free Play on the day of the show.

On Friday, September 20, join Clonakilty Irish Whiskey for a Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Party. Enjoy a 4 course Irish Meal paired with Clonakilty’s award winning spirits. Staff from Clonakilty will be there to speak about the history of their distillery. Tickets are $60 and include dinner and $30 in Free Play.

Ciders, Seltzers and Sulkies presented by White Claw Hard Seltzer and Bud Light Seltzer will be on, Saturday, September 28. Cost is $30 and includes Seltzer Sampling, Grazing Stations, $15 in Free Play and a $5 wager on Live Racing at Batavia Downs which is happening that night. The event will run from 4 - 6 p.m.

Monday, September 23 Batavia Downs welcomes Fritz’s Polka Band for the 2024 Oktoberfest. This free event will run 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Homestretch Grill doors will be open and several polish food specials will be available.

WBBZ’s popular show, Polka Buzz, will tape several shows inside the Park Place Room on Thursday, October 3 with Music from the Buffalo Touch – tickets are $10 and you get back $10 in Free Play.

Batavia Downs’ famous Family Fun Day & Wiener Dog Races will take place on Sunday, October 13. Family related activities will also take place including on site entertainers, kettle corn stand, pumpkin decorating for kids 15 and under, carriage rides, and pony rides which will take place from 12 - 2 p.m.  The wiener dog races will begin at 2 p.m.

The 2nd Annual Batavia Bacchus Wine Festival will be happening on Saturday, October 26 from 1 - 3:30 p.m. For $30, attendees will have access to wine sampling from local and national wineries as well as grazing stations. All attendees will receive $15 in free play.

The Batavia Downs Record Riot Vendor Show is Sunday, November 17. Attendees will be able to browse multiple vendor tables to discover a wide selection of vinyl records including rare finds, all while connecting with fellow music lovers. Tickets and details available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-batavia-downs-record-riot-tickets-871290883487

On Thursday, November 21, The Uncle Louie Variety Show will return again to Batavia Downs.  Italian American comedians, Carlo Russo and Lou Greco have delighted audiences at Batavia Downs and across the country! Doors are at 7 p.m. with the event beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for VIP tickets and $15 for regular tickets. Ticket holders will receive $10 in Free Play.

The first ever Batavia Downs Beer Crawl takes place on Saturday, November 30. Tickets are just $25 and you get $10 back in Free Play along with a drink ticket for each of Batavia Downs’ 4 bars that are open that day. Attendees will be able to get a drink while they watch live racing, the Buffalo Hockey game and take in the Free Nerds Gone Wild Event that will be taking place that evening.

Tickets for these events will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6. Hotel Deals for some of these events will go live at that time and links can be found on https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/hotel-deals/. 

Press Release:

Congratulations to the Genesee County 4-H members who showcased their skills and dedication during the 4-H Livestock Shows at the 2024 Genesee County Fair. The event culminated in the Overall 4-H Livestock Master Showmanship Contest, held on Friday, July 26.

The contest brought together the winners of master showmanship from each individual 4-H livestock show. This year's participants included Ella Christ, Maggie Winspear, Chelsea Lippert, Kennedy Whiting, Jenna Whiting, Payton Shuman, Emma Tanner, Riley Henning, and Layla Baker. Each contestant demonstrated their expertise in handling various livestock species, including some they had little to no experience with.

After several rounds of rigorous showmanship classes, scores were tallied, and Jenna Whiting was named the 2024 Overall 4-H Livestock Master Showman. Her outstanding performance across multiple species highlighted her versatility and commitment to excellence in showmanship.

The Genesee County 4-H Program would like to congratulate all participants for their hard work and achievements. Their dedication continues to inspire and uphold the values of 4-H.

For more information, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Program at 585-343-3040 or genesee4h@cornell.edu.

By James Fink

Don Barnes has good news for .38 Special fans.

Very good news.

Following the band’s summer tour, which includes an August 9 show at Batavia  Downs, they will be headed back into the studio to put together a double CD “legacy” package including greatest hits and new songs. The disc is due out next spring.

“We (the band) are firing on all cylinders,” said Barnes, .38 Special’s longtime lead vocalist and guitar player. 

The new songs will sound familiar to fans of the band - and that’s by design, Barnes insists.

“It is a throwback to our style,” Barnes said.

.38 Special came of age in the 1980s following a musical path carved out by such bands as the Outlaws and Marshall Tucker Band, among others. That translates to a healthy mix of old school rock with a southern bent.

“It’s great that we are still vibrant and relevant,” Barnes said. “When we started this, nobody knew how long it was going to last, or if would last, but it did.”

The band’s musical formula has worked and worked well.  

.38 Special has made 15 studio albums and sold more than 20 million records. The hits and radio-friendly songs were plenty.  

There’s “Hold on Loosely,” “Rocking into the Night” and “Caught Up in You,” among them. Yes, all will be part of .38 Special’s setlist at Batavia Downs. 

“To us, it’s about having a good time on stage and taking our fans on a fun ride,” Barnes said. “It has to be fun for the fans and fun for us.”

Besides Barnes, fellow .38 Special band members include Bobby Capps on keyboards, Gary Moffatt on drums, bass player Barry Dunaway, and Jerry Riggs on guitar.

The band plays - on average - 100 shows a year. 

"It doesn’t get stale," Barnes said. 

Anything but.

“This is the greatest job in the world,” Barnes said. “We love bringing joy to people.” 

Tickets are available at www.bataviadownsgaming.com.

38 Special performs at Batavia Downs on Friday, August 9.

Press Release:

Workforce, business, education, and economic development officials from across the GLOW region unveiled details at Genesee Construction for the 6th Annual GLOW With Your Hands career exploration festival which will take place at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, September 24. The event will mark the participation of over 5,000 students since the launch of GLOW With Your Hands in 2019.

“For six years, GLOW With Your Hands has ignited career exploration for nearly 5,000 students across our region.  On September 24th at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, will once again showcase the exciting and diverse career opportunities in agriculture, food processing, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing that are thriving right here in our communities,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair.

Officials associated with the 2024 GLOW With Your Hands once again anticipate that over 1,000 students will be in attendance from thirty school districts across the GLOW region. More than sixty vendors have already committed to participate in the annual event which will feature hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military.

“At Dansville, we strive to prepare our students for their post-graduation plans. GLOW With Your Hands provides students with exposure to a variety of careers and allows them to speak with professionals in that area of interest. It is not uncommon for 16-18-year-olds to be unsure about their career pathway. Events like this have resulted in students gaining valuable insight into what life as a particular employee in that industry consists of,” said Dave Moodie, Dansville High School Principal.

Each year’s event features new companies, and the September 24th event features Lakeland Concrete Products, a construction company based in Lima, IK Systems, a leading supplier of integrated surveillance & security systems out of Victor, Davis Fetch, a drywall contractor from Rochester, and Zoldaz, a trucking contractor in Alden.

“The participation and response by the private sector in this annual event reaffirm that making students aware of careers right in their own backyard is paying dividends not only for these companies but the region’s economy,” added Jay Lazarony, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Students need to know that they can find jobs where they grew up and want to stay and be with family because these jobs are right here.”

One of the participating companies that is experiencing the benefits of making students aware of career opportunities is Genesee Construction which hosted the kickoff event. Through the years, Genesee Construction has provided students with hands-on experiences at the annual event through simulated construction projects.

“Through collaboration with students at GLOW With Your Hands, we are able to identify and interact with the next generation of workforce candidates who possess the skills and passion to explore career opportunities in the construction sector,” said Mary Ellyn Merle Calabrese, Project Manager with Genesee Construction. “The construction industry, in particular, relies on the local workforce pool in our region to fill these good paying and strongly in-demand jobs.”

“GLOW With Your Hands highlights the diverse pathways to success, we showcase careers that are accessible right out of high school, as well as those that require trade training, two-year degrees, or four-year degrees through active local programs. We empower students to make informed decisions about their futures, maximizing their return on investment and minimizing student loan debt,” added Grouse.

GLOW With Your Hands still has room for vendors, sponsors, and volunteers. For more information please, visit https://www.glowwithyourhands.com/contact-us to sign up!