Le Roy Ambulance Service has announced its latest fundraiser. A search is underway looking for 12 dogs to be featured in a 2024 Dog Calendar. Owners may enter their dogs in the contest for a $5 entry fee. Entries will be accepted through noon on August 11.
There will be a live drawing on VIP K9 Facebook page at 6 p.m. on August 11 which will determine the 12 lucky winners. Winners will be asked to submit a photo of their dog or you can ask to have one taken.
This idea presented to the ambulance board by Le Royan Nancy Crocker of the Empire Realty Group was enthusiastically approved. Nancy has partnered with Cindy Lee of VIP K9 to organize this unique fundraising event. Calendars will be available for purchase in September for a donation of $10.
100% of the proceeds from contest entry fees and calendar sale proceeds will benefit the Le Roy Ambulance Service.
To enter provide:
Your dog name
Owner’s name
Phone number
$5 entry fee
You may enter by stopping at VIP K9 at 70-72 Main St. Le Roy, text 585-326-4112, email vipk9training@gmail.com, or contact Nancy Crocker at 585-314-7982 or Crocker@Rochester.rr.com.
More than 2,400 undergraduate students at Coastal Carolina University were named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2023 semester, including Brady Fix, from Le Roy. Students who make the Dean's List have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher (3.25 for freshmen) for the semester.
During Hartwick College's Athletics Award Ceremony held in late spring, Alayna Streeter of Le Roy, received the Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction.
Streeter, who is majoring in Nursing, was among a group of student-athletes and/or managers of teams recognized for attaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Social media has been a great way for Le Roy Central Schools to reach out to the whole community about what is going on at district schools, Superintendent Merritt Holly says, but there does need to be clearer communication with parents about what information is going out on social media compared to what is being sent home in newsletters and email.
Different messages are better suited to different media, Holly said during Monday's Board of Education meeting, updating the board on recent social media survey results.
"We will do a better job of getting out -- where do parents go (to get information)?" Holly said. "Principals are still communicating through newsletters, weekly reports, things like that. Social media is not necessarily what most parents want it to be. It's not the forum they want to look for (that information), and what we want to do (on social media) is capture the moments and events that are going on."
Le Roy's robust social media effort owes a lot to former Le Roy High School Principal Tim McCardle, who is an avid and talented photographer and made good use of social media platforms. When he left, the district wanted to continue a strong social media effort, and BOCES helped out by providing a part-time social media content producer, Alecia Kaus. Kaus, a Batavia resident, is a veteran videographer in the region.
When Kaus started contributing to the social media program a year ago, the district went from one major social media presence for the high school to a combined social media presence for both the high school and Wolcott Street School.
Some people like everything on one page, and some people don't.
That seemed to be the theme of the response to the survey -- people divided into two camps about what they like.
"We got both sides, which is right where we want to be," Holly said.
Holly said the survey results show respondents are split on whether social media stories are too long or just right. They also want more coverage of some things -- say modified or JV sports -- that the district just doesn't have the resources to cover (every publisher's dilemma).
After the meeting, Holly said he likes the ability of Kaus to either capture the moment or use her visual storytelling skills to give viewers a fuller picture of campus life.
"She brings the story part of that to that component to it where, again, we've had feedback that some people don't like the length of them and other people that do -- but I think that you can find something either in the moment with a capture and picture or you can find it a true in-depth story about what's going on in our schools."
Whereas newsletters and reports deliver important information to parents about policies and programs that directly impact students, social media gives the district opportunity to shine a light on what teachers and students are actually doing on a daily basis, and that's good not just for students and parents, but also alumni and the rest of the community, Holly said.
"For our greater community, what better way to find out what's going on in school than to see a tweet, to get on Facebook to see an event either if it's athletics, if it's music, if it's just in the classroom, showing a moment,” he said. “I think it's so important for us to show what's going on. If not, people are going to draw their own conclusions on what's going on. What better way is there to share our experiences and what we're doing? They're authentic, they're real. And to be able to show that through social media is a great way to go."
The Le Roy Central School District Board of Education held its first meeting of the 2023-24 academic year, and part of its agenda was "reorganization" -- when board members and senior staff take an oath of office and board and committee assignments are approved.
Jacalyn Whiting, a board member since 2011, was elected to a new term this year, and the board unanimously also approved her for another year as board chair.
Denise Duthe returned to the board after winning a seat on the board in May's election. She stepped down from the board at the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
Returning board members are Christine Dowell, Rachael Greene, Jason Karcher, Peter Lofus, and William MacKenzie.
Merritt Holly is superintendent, Lori Wrobel is clerk, and Teresa MCmullen is treasurer.
A drum and bugle corp exhibition at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday night provided enthusiasts for the genre to see a variety of ensembles to perform, said Shannon Mellander, a music teacher and one of the organizers.
"There's not a lot of places to go and see some of this competitive drum corps up in New York, even though there used to be a long time ago," Mellander said. "So it's kind of nice to have something a little bit centrally located in Western New York where people can get a glimpse. They don't have to watch a video."
The event was also a fundraiser for Batavia High School's Winterguard.
Participating were:
St. Joseph's of Batavia Brass Ensemble
Brig Juice
The Hamburg Kingsman
The Mighty St. Joe's Drum and Bugle Corp of Le Roy (featured in the accompanying photos)
The White Sabres
The White Sabres is an all-ages summer program that competes regionally and includes several Batavia students.
It was their preview performance of their 2023 program, "Invasions," which is a homage to iconic science fiction films such as War of the Worlds, Signs, and Independence Day.
The group next takes the show on the road, with performances in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and downstate, culminating a finals competition in Rochester at the Rochester Community Sports Complex on Labor Day Weekend.
"(The exhibition) is really exciting for us to be able to have this in our hometown, in Batavia, because there are a lot of people from this area involved in all of these groups, alumni groups, in the White Sabres," Mellander said. "There are people from Rochester, there's kids that come from Binghamton and from Buffalo and Jamestown. I like that we're able to feature them, and everybody can come and see them since all of the competitions are out of town."
Le Roy's 12-U Little League team is the district champ and next plays in the sectional championship, which will determine the teams to play in the state tournament.
On Friday, Le Roy defeated Allegany 8-0 with two pitchers combining to throw a shutout.
Matthew McCulley went five innings striking out 12 batters, and Michael Warner came in in the 6th to shut the door and claim the title. The two pitchers gave up only three hits on the night.
Le Roy scored three runs in the first, two in the second, and three in the fourth, and gathered 15 hits in the game.
Catcher Eddie Lathan threw out two Allegany baserunners on attempted steals.
Hits were recorded by Sammy Bogue (3), Drew Beachel (3), Dalton Luke (2), Eddie Lathan (2), Carter McClurg, Ethan Rose, Matthew McCulley, Michael Warner, and Ryker Vangalio. Runs scored were Sammy Bogue (3), Drew Beachel, Dalton Luke, Carter McClurg, Michael Warner, and Ryan Crissy.
Team members include Sammy Bogue #24, Drew Beachel #13, Matthew McCulley #42, Michael Warner #5, Ryker Vangalio #2, Eddie Lathan #6, Blake Biracree #0, Ethan Rose #28, Dalton Luke #11, Carter McClurg #99, Ryan Crissy #8, and Carson Wetsell #23 (missing from photo)
Le Roy went 6-0 on district play, giving up only seven runs while scoring 56 runs.
When you're playing in the postseason, good defense helps win games, and Le Roy's 12-U Little League team didn't commit a single error on its way to a 10-0 victory on Wednesday against ECLV.
Drew Beachel tossed a complete game shutout. He went five innings and struck out 15 hitters, allowing only one hit.
Le Roy opened with four runs in the first inning with hits from Sammy Bogue and Michael Warner. Ethan Rose had an RBI ground out as well.
Warner and Dalton Luke each went deep in the game.
Overall, Le Roy had eight hits. Warner and Bogue had multi-hit games. Beachel, Eddie Lathan, Luke and Ryan Crissy all chipped in with one hit a piece. RBIs were recorded by Rose, Luke, Warner, and Beachel (2). Runs scored were recorded by Matthew McCulley, Beachel, Warner (2), Ryker Vangalio, Rose, Lathan, Carson Wetsell, Luke, and Carter McClurg.
Le Roy plays for the district championship at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Batavia's spray park in Austin Park has been closed due to water supply issues in the city and Genesee County, and soaring temperatures. Its county cousin in Le Roy has also been put on temporary hold. Photo by Howard Owens.
Just as temperatures peaked near 90 degrees Thursday afternoon, Genesee County officials shared the disheartening news for folks that had pulled on a pair of shorts intending to cool off at the nearest spray park.
Count Shelly Fox, Jennifer Benkleman and Connor among them.
"I'm really disappointed," Fox said as the trio sat near the base of a drying spray park with a hot beating sun in Austin Park Thursday. "We can't afford air conditioning, and this was going to be our summer outlet to come cool off."
Due to a combination of hot weather and the failure of a pump controller at the city’s wellfield, the county called for a mandatory water restriction until 10 p.m. Thursday night.
County Manager Matt Landers asked that Le Roy and Batavia officials each close their respective spray parks, in addition to issuing a laundry list of reminders for residents to curb their water usage.
Landers said that he is “hoping the demand subsides tomorrow with the weather cooling a little, plus repairs at the plant” will keep the splash pad closures temporary.
“However, we are monitoring closely and will send out an alert tomorrow again if necessary,” he said.
He knew that Le Roy’s facility was closed and referred The Batavian to city management to confirm that the same decision was made to close the spray park at Austin Park.
Yes, it was, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said.
"The city spray park is closed currently while we try to recover water in the city's tanks. The pump for well C is down, and we are unable to draw enough water from the aquifer to keep up with the demand. City of Batavia and Genesee County have been in constant communication throughout today, looking at ways to preserve water and get the pump back online as soon as possible," she said. "We appreciate everyone understanding the water restrictions that the county has put in place and hope residents and businesses can follow them until we can get well back up and running."
In a press release sent out Thursday afternoon, Assistant County Manager Tammi Ferringer said that the current water demand is exceeding the infrastructure’s capability to produce clean water and that restrictions are necessary to ensure that the limited public water supply is “distributed equitably among all residents and essential services.”
“The cooperation of all residents, businesses and institutions is vital,” she said.
The following restrictions are effective immediately:
Outdoor watering is strictly prohibited. Outdoor watering includes lawns, gardens, splash pads, car washing and other non-essential water uses.
Do not fill swimming pools. Turn off decorative fountains or any other water-consuming recreational purposes.
Shortened Showers: Limit showers to a maximum of five minutes. Turn off the tap while lathering or brushing your teeth.
Wait to use dishwashers and washing machines.
Help raise awareness: Spread the word about the water restrictions to friends, neighbors, and community members to ensure widespread compliance. These restrictions may cause inconvenience, but they are crucial to effectively managing the current water shortage.
Submitted photo of Kathleen McCann Klaiber speaking at opening ceremonies at Empire Girls State.
Press Release:
On July 2 Kathleen McCann Klaiber served as a guest speaker during the opening ceremonies at this year's Empire Girls State hosted at Brockport College. Klaiber also trained staff on the subject of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Approximately 300 people attended the ceremonies.
Klaiber is an American Legion Auxiliary Botts-Fiorito Unit 576 of LeRoy member and a professor at GCC. Klaiber is also an alumna of Girls State along with her daughter Maureen.
The Genesee County Highway Department is gearing up for an extensive culvert replacement project on South Street in the Village of Le Roy. This is a 100% state-funded project, and work will begin next week, necessitating the temporary closure of the road from July 5 until September 1, 2023. Detours will be clearly marked to ensure traffic flow and use NYS Route 5, Asbury Road, and Harris Road. Please plan travel routes accordingly.
The initial focus will be relocating the water main to allow for a seamless replacement of the culvert. Simultaneously, the contracted team, comprised of engineering firm Lu Engineers and contractor L.C. Whitford, will start construction on the west side of the culvert. Their first task will involve building a temporary walkway to ensure continued access to the trail leading to Hartwood Park.
After several weeks of preparation, precast pieces can be delivered to the site. One of the key highlights of this project is the implementation of a state-of-the-art precast concrete box culvert. This modern solution promises enhanced durability and longevity, ensuring the safety and convenience of the community for years to come.
The Genesee County Highway Department is gearing up for an extensive culvert replacement project on South Street in the Village of Le Roy. This is a 100 percent state-funded project, and work will begin next week, necessitating the temporary closure of the road from July 5 until September 1.
Detours will be clearly marked to ensure traffic flow and use NYS Route 5, Asbury Road, and Harris Road. Please plan travel routes accordingly.
The initial focus will be relocating the water main to allow for a seamless replacement of the culvert. Simultaneously, the contracted team, comprised of engineering firm Lu Engineers and contractor L.C. Whitford, will start construction on the west side of the culvert. Their first task will involve building a temporary walkway to ensure continued access to the trail leading to Hartwood Park.
After several weeks of preparation, precast pieces can be delivered to the site. One of the key highlights of this project is the implementation of a state-of-the-art precast concrete box culvert. This modern solution promises enhanced durability and longevity, ensuring the safety and convenience of the community for years to come.
Samuel Zerillo of Le Roy has been named to the Dean's List at John Carroll University for the Spring 2023 semester.
Students eligible for the Dean's List must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours within one semester and have a quality grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Alayna Streeter of Le Roy was named to Hartwick College's Spring 2023 Dean's List. Streeter, who is pursuing a major in Nursing, was among close to 350 students named to the Spring 2023 Dean's List.
To be included on the Dean's List is an indication of excellence in academic work. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours during the term.
The following students were named to the Dean's List at Rochester Institute of Technology for the spring semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean's List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.40; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed at least 12 credit hours.
Jake Humes of Batavia, who is in the applied arts and sciences program.
Tori Russell of Pavilion, who is in the biotechnology and molecular bioscience program.
Jake Long of Batavia, who is in the civil engineering technology program.
Lexi Begin of Corfu, who is in the communication program.
Zach Wagner of Batavia, who is in the computer engineering program.
Tanner Richardson of Batavia, who is in the electrical engineering program.
Emily Eckdahl of Stafford, who is in the environmental sustainability, health and safety program.
Megan Johnson of Oakfield, who is in the finance program.
Megan Conibear of Corfu, who is in the global business management program.
Amelia Beckman of Batavia, who is in the illustration program.
Xishun Miller-Williams of Batavia, who is in the industrial engineering program.
Sophia Zwolinski of Corfu, who is in the mechanical engineering program.
Austin Hunt of Batavia, who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.
Timothy Bessel of Le Roy, who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.
Ella Llewellyn of Batavia, who is in the medical illustration program.
Fanny Venegas of Elba, who is in the photographic and imaging arts program.
Megan Watson of Le Roy, who is in the photographic sciences program.
Madison Maniace of Pavilion, who is in the physician assistant program.
Maddi Howard of Elba, who is in the psychology program.
Cambria Kinkelaar of Bergen, who is in the public policy program.
Robert Lin of Batavia, who is in the robotics and manufacturing engineering technology program.
Isaac Ladley of Byron, who is in the supply chain management program.
Chase Roth of Alexander, who is in the web and mobile computing program.
Near the start of the graduation ceremony in Le Roy, seniors delivered carnations to family members in the audience, which included the Keys family -- Terry, Jennifer, and Noah. Photo by Howard Owens.
When the Class of 2023 began its public education journey, Taylor Swift had just released her first #1 album, "Fearless," which would go on to win a Grammy in 2010.
Principal David Russell mentioned Swift during his opening remarks, also noting that when the Class of 2023 began classes at Wolcott Street School, it was the year the Saints won the Super Bowl, Spain won the World Cup, and "Kings Speech" was named best picture.
Now Taylor Swift is as big as ever, celebrating her success on her Eras Tour, and the Class of 2023 has been through some eras, as speakers in Le Roy at the high school graduation noted on Saturday.
"You experienced two presidential elections in 2012 and 2016, and you saw fads like silly bands and the selfie stick become prominent elements in our society," Russell said.
This is a class that grew up with iPads and navigated life during the first pandemic in more than 100 years and now ends one of the most significant eras of their lives and begins new eras as adults.
"When I think about the graduating class of 2023, the word that comes to my mind is perseverance," Russell said. "Perseverance is defined as persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, daily life as you knew it was disrupted substantially. Regents exams were canceled. Extracurricular activities, like sports and musicals, were either canceled or altered substantially. But through all of these difficulties and delays, you persevered, you persevered, and you overcame every obstacle to make the best of the most difficult situation to arrive at this stage today."
School Board President Jackie Whiting also noted the Class of 2023 persevered through COVID-19 and learned important lessons that have helped them deal with life's challenges.
"You learned to adapt to changing environments," Whiting said. "You learned how to cope with adversity, rejection and disappointment. Even this year, you had to deal with a whitewater rafting trip with no water, and a senior trip with such bad air quality you were not allowed outside. But you adapted and thrived. The pandemic provided a humbling teaching point. Do not take any day for granted. The world can be turned upside down very quickly. We don't know if and when it is coming. And there may be nothing we can do about it. But we can appreciate every day while remaining hopeful and productive.
Salutatorian Kathryn Salphine said it does seem like much has changed since she and her classmates first entered Le Roy Jr./Sr. High.
"Seniors, it's hard to believe that we're here today," Salphine said. "I can remember our class as timid seventh graders. I don't know about the rest of you. But I can say for certain that I thought the seniors at the school were big and scary. They were so mature. And I, for one, was convinced that we could never be that. I mean, six years is a long time, and those seniors were just so old. Now, looking back at that time, I'm amazed that I ever thought six years was so long these years have flown by. And now, the last chapter of high school is before us and what seems like the blink of an eye. "
Valedictorian Logan Nickerson called on his classmates to be kind, love unconditionally, avoid selfishness, live in gratitude and joy, forgive, and avoid negative talk.
"Words have the power to give life and to take," Nickerson said. "If there's any confusion over why given words are important, try interacting with people online. An easy trick that I recommend is to just avoid words with negative connotations when speaking. As for curse words, there's no mature excuse to express oneself in a way that imperils both professionality and the impact on those listening."
Regis Pollard, a personal finance teacher, was the faculty member selected by the senior class to address the graduates this year.
He said he had five tips for the graduates.
"I'm not an expert at life, but what I've figured out is that people like to win," Pollard said. "I like to win. These are my five tips if you want to win, not only at your future careers but also at life."
The first, he said, is problem-solving. You need to know how to solve problems for yourself, and employers hire people to solve problems for them. Second, "walk the walk." You've got to take action, not just have ideas, call out problems and suggest solutions. You need to put your words into action. Third, no excuses. Fourth, help other people. And fifth, believe that you can.
"There's got to be these moments in time where you think you can't -- your human body is telling you, I'm uncomfortable, I can't do it, and what I need you to understand that you can," Pollard said. "And so you're gonna listen to a lot of speeches in your life. You're gonna hear a lot of speeches, and my words will fade. But to help you remember this, under your chairs, is the book, "The Little Engine That Could," and on the inside of it are the five things that I think are important for winning. And I don't care if you read it. I'm sure your English teachers do. But what I need you to remember when you get to those critical moments in life, when you have that opportunity to say, 'I can't do it,' I need you to remember that you can."
Nathan Yauchzee sings "My Way" while seniors deliver carnations to family members. Photo by Howard Owens.
Logan Nickerson hands a carnation to his mother. Photo by Howard Owens.
The delivery of carnations is a phone camera moment for family members. Photo by Howard Owens.
Le Roy's Class of 2023 on stage during Board President Jackie Whiting's remarks. Photo by Howard Owens.
Regis Pollard with the staff/faculty address during the ceremony. Photo by Howard Owens.
Salutatorian Kathryn Salphine. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Senior Band performs "How to Train Your Dragon." Photo by Howard Owens.
Valedictorian Logan Nickerson. Photo by Howard Owens
Seniors listen to Principal David Russell as he congratulates them on completing their public education journey. Photo by Howard Owens.
Kathryn Salphine receives her diploma from Principal David Russell. Photo by Howard Owens.
Ella Rose Mattice receives her diploma from Principal David Russell. Photo by Howard Owens.
"I know she's smiling." Hannah Elizabeth Spencer. Photo by Howard Owens
Megan Fuchs of Le Roy, was among nine students to be recognized at the Soaring Higher Leadership Award Ceremony at Elmira College.
The students made up the second cohort to complete the leadership program since it launched in the fall of 2022. Students apply and are selected to attend the program facilitated by Dr. Elizabeth Lambert, Vice President of Campus Life and Dean of Students, Larry Parker, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Ytzel Flores Cristiansen, Assistant Dean of Students.
The content for the program is based on the book, "The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices For Becoming an Exemplary Leader" by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.
Throughout the 10-week program, students participated in individual and group activities that uncovered insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
They learned to use their self-knowledge, such as identifying their values, to make better choices. Every other week, they listened to a new guest speaker about what they've learned as leaders.
Just prior to the Awards Ceremony, the Soaring Leaders presented multi-year plans they hope to achieve. The presentations provided the students an opportunity to practice their newly learned skills and take their first steps as leaders.
