Batavia High School

Press release:

Batavia High School is one of 425 school districts in the United States and Canada named to the College Board’s Sixth Annual AP^® District Honor Roll.

To be included on this short list (there are more than 14,000 public school districts in the United States alone, according to the Census Bureau), school districts must have, since 2013, increased student access to AP (Advanced Placement) course work as well as maintained or increased the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams.

Reaching these goals indicates that a district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for the opportunity of AP. While the recognition is welcomed, it is not news to Batavia administrators and staff. They have been working to increase student participation and success in AP courses as one more way for high-achieving students to have access to more rigorous challenges as well as to get a low-cost jump on their college career before leaving high school.

They have noted with pleasure that increasing numbers of our high school students are seeing the value of doing this. From 2010-2011 to 2014-2015, the number of BHS students taking AP courses increased from 62 to 76, and, because one student can take more than one AP course, the number of exams taken has increased from 116 to 137.

In addition to more students being willing to take the more challenging courses, more of them are achieving higher grades on the exams. With success on an AP exam being defined as a score of 3 or higher (which is also the point at which most colleges will accept the course as a transfer credit), College Board records show the percentage of our students reaching that success level  increased from 74.2 percent in 2011 to 82.9 percent in 2015. Plus, our students’ scores are better than the average AP scores in New York State and around the world. NYS had a 66-percent success rate in 2011 and 65.6 percent in 2015, while global figures were 60.2 percent in 2011 and 60.7 percent in 2015.

Currently, there are 10 AP courses offered at the High School: English Literature and Composition, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History, Studio Art/2D Design Portfolio, and Studio Art/Drawing Portfolio.

One of the goals BHS Principal Scott Wilson has set for the High School is an increase in student participation and success in AP courses. Physics, taught by Burt Howell, is one of the AP courses offered at the High School. Success rate for BHS students on the AP Physics exam for the 2011-2015 timeframe was close to 65 percent, compared to 37 percent for New York State.

Batavia High School students volunteered early this morning to be featured live on this week's edition of "Friday Morning Lights" on Fox channel 13 Rochester.

Hannah Welker 13WHAM News/FOX Rochester morning reporter was setting up before 6:30 a.m. to prepare for this week's show. Hannah was very impressed with the school spirit of the students at BHS.  

Many athletic teams, including Batavia football, cheerleading and girls volleyball to name a few, attended today's event. The Blue Zoo will be traveling to Rochester this Sunday to cheer on the undefeated Blue Devils at 1 p.m.  

Principal Scott Wilson being interviewed.

Senior co-mayor Sam Cecere being interviewed in front of students from the Blue Zoo.

Meet Senior Josh Kurtz who wears the new mascot uniform for sporting events for Batavia. 

The classes of 2015 and 2016 got together and told the administration that the old mascot uniform was in rough shape. Students lobbied for a new one.

Kutz said, “We needed one that would best represent the school spirit that our student body could give.”

Last night’s girls sectional volleyball matchup in the gymnasium was the first appearance at a sporting a for the restylized mascot.

Batavia Varsity Girls Volleyball beat Geneva in their quarterfinal sectional matchup 25-9, 28-26 and 25-13.

Batavia senior Madison McCulley had one ace and 10 assists to set up her teammates -- senior Tessa Engle with four kills, junior Maria Canzoneri with three kills.

“Maddie McCulley was setting wonderfully, making smart choices and really distributing the balls well," said Head Coach Jeremy Mettler.

Photo above is senior Madision Swiatowy watching her teammate junior Maria Canzoneri with a kill in the second set.

Freshman Ryann Stefaniak, with two kills and two aces, contributed to the 25-9 win in the first set.

The second set Geneva took an early lead coming out serving 10 to five and Batavia took a timeout.

Mettler said, “We need to relax and run our system. Our system is very good. Let’s get Maddie setting up Tessa and Taylor on the outside, but it starts with the pass."

Batavia bounced back taking a 15 to 12 lead and Geneva took a time out. The set went back and forth, exchanging leads and ties through most of the set. 

Senior Tessa Engle added some digs and kills along with Courtney Burns (with a dig pictured below) and Meghan Swiatowy who served to win a few points to tie it up 24 apiece. Timeout was called.

Mettler said, "We need to put the ball in play and hit our targets. We did it in game one and we can do it in game two."

He emphasized that, "we need to play fundamental volleyball and let’s show them what we can do."

To win a set it has to be by two points, but each team tied and exchanged leads while missing serves until Batavia edged them 28-26, which was the highest scoring set the Blue Devils had this season.

The third and eventually last set started out where both teams exchanged leads and ties. At six to six, Junior Courtney Burns had a spike to bring Tessa Engle up to serve and she did. 

Tessa served to win the next eight points for the Devils to take charge of the third set. Geneva gained a point or two, but Meghan Swiatowy added another four, which brought the lead to 21-9. 

Mettler started to pull his starters off the court and Batavia won 25-13.

Highlights for both teams:

Batavia:

Engle – Four aces, eleven digs, 10 kills

McCulley – One ace, four digs, three kills and over 30-plus assists.

Canzoneri – One block, three kills

Meghan Swiatowy – Two aces, two digs

Ryann Stefaniak -- Two aces, three digs, two kills

Taylor Stefaniak – Five digs, eight kills, one block

Maddie Swiatowy -- 13 digs, one kill

Geneva:

Guinan – Two aces, one block, four kills

Legoth – 12 digs, two aces

Maher – One ace, two blocks, five kills

Next sectional game for Batavia is the Semifinals at Gates Chili High School on Tuesday vs. Aquinas at 5:30 p.m.

For more photos go to:

Steve Ognibene Photography

The Batavia High School Blue Devils want to spray chalk designs on your dirveway, your lawn, your parking lot -- wherever you choose -- to raise money for the Batavia Cheerleading Program and boost pride.

Each design is $10 and can be done once, or weekly, to suit your budget. All designs are to be completed each week by Thursday. They feature a giant capital letter B with the well-known Blue Devil logo superimposed over it. Size is 3 feet by 55 inches.

All spray chalk is temporary and can be removed with water. The designs fade in one to three days and/or in water. All design completions are final.

"The community will be full of pride and Devil Spirit -- Show yours!"

To get your chalk-spray design, provide your name, the address, details of what/where, phone number, and e-mail and send cash or check to Batavia Cheerleading Boosters c/o:

Batavia High School

Attn: Athletic Department

260 State St.

Batavia NY 14020

If you have questions, please e-mail:

bataviacheerleading@gmail.com

The 14th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility.

Cost is $30 per person. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6.

Tickets are available at the Athletic Director's Office at Batavia High School. For more information, call 343-2480, ext. 2003.

This event is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.

The following individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame:

• Bobbie Gavel -- 1969-99
• Ed Anderson -- 1978-98
• Shirley Bacon Malek -- 1982
• Ted Lesh -- 1989
• Jennifer Bromsted Masse -- 1991
• Rob Hale -- 1992
• Chris Reigle -- 1992

(Jarrett Laskett, Shontee Allis and Allison Della Penna. Photo taken by Laura Tenebruso.)

It was Batavia senior Allison Della Penna's plan all along to give her crown to Shontee Allis, a senior with Down Syndrome, if she was named Batavia High School's 2015 Prom Queen on Saturday night.

When Della Penna was announced as Senior Prom Queen, she immediately went up on stage and declared Allis to take her place.

"I knew it would make her so happy and it doesn't really mean anything to me," Della Penna said. "I mean it's nice that people wanted to vote for me but it's something that she is going to remember for the rest of her life."

Allis was all smiles when Della Penna, her friend, called her up on stage and put the crown on her head. She had always dreamed of being named prom queen.

"I was excited," Allis said. "It's good to be queen."

( Allison Della Penna crowning Shontee Allis. Photo taken by Laura Tenebruso.)

Principal Scott Wilson has been to more than 40 proms and has never seen anything like it.

"It was absolutely wonderful," Wilson said. "I have never been a part of such a great group of kids and Allison just represented them so well. It was a very selfless thing to do."

Laura Tenebruso, English teacher and senior class advisor, has known Della Penna since she was in middle school and wasn't surprised when she made the selfless act because that is just the kind of person she is.

"Allison is a loving, giving and compassionate person," Tenebruso said.

After Allis was named Prom Queen, she and Prom King Jarrett Laskett danced to her favorite "Frozen" theme song, "Let It Go."

Allis told Della Penna she couldn't wait to watch "Frozen" and dance with her crown on. According to Allis's younger sister, Summer Mims-Allis, she wears the crown everywhere she goes.

Della Penna and Allis became friends on the school's senior trip last week. Della Penna really clicked with Allis's funny and friendly personality.

"She is always so happy and that is something that I really liked," Della Penna said. "She always wants to make sure everyone is happy and smiling. Everyone should have just a tiny bit of her happiness."

Nancy Brandon, Allis's mom, was amazed by how great the senior class has been to her daughter.

"The senior class has literally took Shontee underneath their arms and just made her feel so special," Brandon said. 

According to Wilson, Batavia High School has a saying "take care of BHS by taking care of others" and he feels Della Penna has really done that by honoring Allis as Prom Queen.

Brockport State College hosted the section V Class B track championships this weekend and both Batavia teams walked away with new records, team bests and trophies.

The Batavia girls came in first place with a total of 87 points. Team photo above is with all of Batavia High School track coaches.

Highlights:

Pentathlon -- fourth -- Nicole Maltese Nicole Maltese 2109.00 points

100 Meter Hurdles -- first -- Marissa Dispenza 15.78

3200 Meter Relay -- third -- Zickl, Canale, Bromley, Cassidy, (Nichols, Wingate) 10:11.99

100 Meter -- third -- Kiaya Franklin 12.86

400 Meter -- second -- Kiaya Franklin 59.29; third -- Marissa Dispenza 1:00.66

400 Meter Relay -- fourth -- Cohen, Dinehart, Canale, Zickl,( Denise, Ross) 51.51

400 Meter Hurdles -- third -- Marissa Dispenza 1:09.00

800 Meter -- second -- Sophia Dinehart 2:30.65

200 Meter  -- second -- Kiaya Franklin 26.34

1600 Meter Relay -- second -- Dispenza, Dinehart, Canale, Franklin, (Freeman, Pitcher) 4:17.32 

The Batavia boys finished in second place for Section V. Both teams will send students to the state qualifier in Caledonia Mumford this Friday.

Results can be seen at   http://live.yentiming.com/#/results/meet/217

The Batavia Varsity Boys Track Team competed in the Monroe County Championships on Saturday earning a tough second-place finish, 63 points total out of 22 schools competing. 

Junior Adonis Davis had a big day for the Blue Devils earning an impressive victory in the pentathlon. Senior Jerrett Laskett was the winner in the 400 hurdles and placed second in the high jump. Senior Devon Koepp placed third in the disc and fourth in the shot. 

The 4x8 relay team of Senior Eric Dilaura, Junior Cal Jantzi, Junior Louie Leone, and sophmore Campbell Andersen finished in third place also. 

Head Coach Nicholas Burk said, “The Monroe County Championships is a very competitive meet and to finish in second place is very impressive."

Class B rival Greece Olympia finished in first with 75 points. Next Saturday is Batavia’s next meet, which is the Section V at Brockport State College.

Full results of this meet can be found at:

http://results.yentiming.com/2015/outdoor/5-23-2015-monroe-county.htm

Due to weather conditions, Batavia High School Principle Chris Daly has cancelled all after-school activities today, including tonight's Girls Basketball game in Penfield. The Section V playoff game will be played tomorrow in Penfield.

The Batavia High School Cheerleaders are having an Alumni Fundraiser to help their program. There will be a special routine for 1-minute 30-seconds choreographed by alumna cheerleading coach Krista Shamp.

The routine will be performed by alumni cheerleaders at half-time at the varsity football game on Oct. 3.

Any alumni who would like to take part is asked to pay $20. For that, the participant will get a T-shirt and "time to have one last shining moment under the lights," according to JV Head Coach Jamie L. Turman, who is an alumna cheerleader of BHS, Class of '09.

She adds that alumni who would like to help boost the program can still pay $20, get a T-shirt, and skip the performance if they don't want to do it or don't have the time to practice.

Practices are held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at John Kennedy School.

Turman would like more participants to join in the fun.

If interested, contact her at the high school at 343-2480 or e-mail  <turm4722@fredonia.edu>

Thomas Ackley, pictured right, was one of the younger students in Debra Wolff’s kindergarten class at Jackson Primary School last year. He was a little bit smaller than most of the other kids, and it took him a bit longer to catch onto the lessons. But his determination left a deep impression on his teacher.

“Once you showed him how to do something,” Wolff said, “then he wanted to do it all on his own. It was an absolute joy to see his spirit.”

So much of a joy, in fact, that Wolff presented Thomas with an award for his determination at the end of the year – even though he and his family had moved to Akron in March.

Something else happened toward the end of the school year as well. In late May, Thomas was diagnosed with cancer.

Thomas has Stage 4 neuroblastoma. He is now in remission, but has about six months of treatment ahead of him to make sure the cancer does not return. Emotionally and financially, he and his family continue to struggle.

That is why Batavia High School students, under the supervision of chorus teacher Dan Grillo, are giving all the proceeds from their upcoming Talent Show to the Ackley family.

The Talent Show, which features performances from both students and faculty, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Batavia High School auditorium. The school is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.

This annual event is run by students from the BHS chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. 

“They’re the ones who run everything behind the scenes,” Grillo said.

According to Grillo, they run it like a musical – complete with a stage crew, a tech and lighting person, escorts for the performers, etc.

Each year, the Tri-M students aim to raise funds for a different charity or cause.

Grillo’s son, Sam (pictured with Thomas above), was good friends with Thomas. Knowing about the Ackley family’s situation, Grillo suggested them to his students as this year’s beneficiaries.

“They (the students) liked the idea,” Grillo said.

Most of the performances will be musical/vocal in nature; but there are a few surprises as well, including someone who plays the guitar and harmonica at the same time and a young man who does what Grillo calls “some pretty amazing yo-yo tricks.”

“I’ve never seen anything in front of my eyes (with yo-yos) as good as this young man is,” he said.

At the end of the night, everyone involved hopes to have raised enough funds to give Thomas some much needed help in his ordeal.

“He is a fighter,” Wolff said. “And he does it with a smile – it’s incredible to me.”

The show is open to the public. A donation of at least $3 is requested from each attendee. For more information, call the high school at 343-2480, ext. 2000.

Photo submitted by Dan Grillo

Press release:

Due to possible (bad) weather conditions, the SAT tests scheduled at Batavia High School on Saturday, Jan. 25th beginning at 8 a.m. have been canceled. Students scheduled to take this test will be contacted by College Board via e-mail. Make-up date is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8th.

Submitted by Jane Kauffman:

Ninety Batavia High School Class of '53 members and their spouses/guests -- some traveling from as far as California, Texas and Florida -- will come together in Batavia on Aug. 23rd, 24th and 25th to celebrate their 60th Class Reunion.

In 1953, on a typical weekday evening, teenagers would have their radios tuned to WBTA listening to "Dave's Disc Den"  and possibly calling in requests for a meaningful song to be dedicated to a favorite or prospective new friend.

Dave Jensen, a popular member of the Class of '53, will be recreating his radio show on Saturday evening during a Social Hour preceeding an Early Dinner at Bohn's. He reports from his home in North Carolina that he is looking forward to returning to his hometown with a supply of 50's music and chatter.

It is no doubt that Gene Sullivan, traveling to the reunion from Philadelphia, would have been a regular listener to Dave's show. "Sully's" son Mike, a noted California-based artist, has presented his dad's class with an original Reunion Logo which has already appeared on class correspondence. The  personal logo which will be prominently displayed during the evening will also, in another form, appear as part of a Class Gift for each attending classmate.

Major events planned for the weekend include:

• Friday, Aug. 23 -- a Casual Gathering at T.F. Brown's
• Saturday, Aug. 24 --  Social Hour and Early Dinner with Program at Bohn's
• Sunday, Aug. 25 -- Brunch at Terry Hills

The following Class Reunion Planning Committee members have been meeting monthly for the past year to assure the success of this significant occasion:

Corky Ahl
Pierre Andre
Younga Corti Hennessey
Doris Donahue Richenberg
Joanne Flaherty Muller
Chuck Graney
Mary Hitchcock Alwardt
Charlie Houseknecht
Jane Kauffman
Delores Pascucci Lanzo
Bette Lubs Rung
Sue Maybach Marshall
Sharon Plowe Pestlin
Gene Sullivan