Photo of (from left to right) Genesee County Interagency President Lisa Smith, Kenna MacKenzie, Executive Board Member Lisa Wittmeyer, and Scholarship Committee Member Meme Yanetsko. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
Genesee County Interagency Council presented a $1000 educational scholarship to Le Roy High School graduate Kenna MacKenzie. Kenna plans to study Psychology at SUNY Geneseo this fall.
Scholarship applications were accepted from all Genesee County High Schools. Applicants were required to be in good academic standing, and majoring in the fields of Human Services, Social Work, Sociology, or Psychology.
The mission of Genesee County Interagency Council is to create fellowship and understanding among community human service agencies. The council helps to identify community issues and encourages development of resolutions.
For more information about Genesee County Interagency Council please contact President Lisa Smith at (585) 344-2042 ext. 4237 or email Lisa at Lisa.Smith@ geneseeny.gov
Le Roy Jr-Sr High School held its annual art show this past week, and on Friday morning, Principal David Russell invited The Batavian to meet with three senior art students, Savannah Harms, Abby Rose Root, and Paityn Cooper.
Savannah Harms Harms said she's been an artist "ever since I was a baby, practically.
"I mean, my mother has always loved art, so I was looking up to her since I was a child. She was drawing, she was tattooing, she was doing everything, so when I was looking up at her, I was watching her do her drawings, and I'd be in the back corner trying to draw exactly what she was. I've loved it ever since I could even learn to draw."
To her, art is a form of freedom.
"In every artistic piece that you look at around here, you can see the emotion, the feelings that are put into the piece," Harms said. "What was targeted behind that? So, for example, my Edward Scissorhands, what I think about I did this the time that Johnny Depp was going through all of the things he was going through (in his legal case) case. You could just see the emotional distraught. I did that piece, kind of just reflecting that this was a very vulnerable moment. In that movie, it was acting, but you can see just that vulnerable moment. So, I mean, I just love the emotion that can be put into pieces. And you can just see somebody's raw feelings when you look at their artwork."
As for artists she admires, it's no surprise her mom tops her list.
"A lot of people always pick very famous or popular artists, but it's always I always go to my mother," Harms said. "She's somebody who I could not see anybody surpassing her level."
After graduation, Harms will become a full-time tattoo artist.
"I love tattooing," Harms said. "It's a different type of art. I love creating something that I can put on somebody's body forever."
Abby Rose Root Photo by Howard Owens.
Abby Rose Root Root's mother is also an artist.
"I grew up with furniture all about me being painted by her, paintings of hers on the wall, and watching her do color pencils, oils, gouache and all different types of mediums," Root said. "She's definitely been a key component in keeping me motivated during my process because she always gives me reassurance when I need it and helps when I need it."
The work on display in the show displayed an interest in fantasy.
"I just like to draw it," she said. "I love this idea of a magical world where you can space whenever you like, and whatever you imagine can come true."
At the top of the artists who inspire her is Le Roy HS art teacher Antonio Ieon Koukides.
"He inspires me because I love the way he can teach all different people, and no matter where they come from, not matter their background, no matter what their skill level is, he's always able to help them improve," Root said.
After graduation, Root plans to attend Genesee Community College for two years for a fine arts degree. Then, she will see where she wants to go after that, whether to continue to pursue art or maybe get a degree in business.
"Then maybe I could become a teacher or own my own studio or maybe do both," Root said.
Paityn Cooper Photo by Howard Owens.
Paityn Cooper Cooper figures her art journey began when she was about nine years old, inspired by her dad, who is an artist.
She said she likes art because "it expresses things that I usually wouldn't be able to say in words."
She said she tried to make her paintings unique and not fit into any specific genre.
Cooper isn't planning a career in art.
"I want to use it as a hobby and to express what's going on through my life throughout my life," she said.
Additional photos of some of the art on display from the show below.
Four GLOW area seniors have been named recipients of Arc GLOW’s 2024 Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship.
The $1,000 scholarship award winners — Katrelle Grover, Emma Millar, Claire Zehler, and Corina Dunn — are planning to pursue careers related to healthcare or working with people with disabilities.
Genesee County Winner:
Corina Dunn Submitted photo
Corina Dunn, a student at Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School hailing from Le Roy, plans to go to SUNY Geneseo for early childhood/special education.
“I have always wanted to be an early childhood teacher, but after working with other students who have disabilities through my high school career has made me realize I want to be dual certified in special education as well,” Dunn said. “I believe that the first years of a child’s life are the most important, and I want to ensure that children with disabilities are welcomed, accepted, and have the basic blocks to succeed in their futures.”
Dunn keeps busy inside and outside of school. Not only does she work as a cashier and customer service lead for Tops Friendly Markets, but she’s the vice president of her school’s National Honor Society and volunteers for the Le Roy Youth Soccer Association.
Dunn is active in Le Roy’s music council, student council, marching band, jazz band, musical pit orchestra, math team, success, basketball, track, and Unified Bowling.
Other winners include:
Katrelle Grover, a Warsaw Central School senior from Silver Springs
Emma Millar, a Caledonia-Mumford High School senior from Caledonia
Claire Zehler, an Attica High School senior from North Java
Now in its 19th year, the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship is given out to area high school students planning to attend college to pursue a degree in human services, special education, or a field related to helping people with developmental disabilities.
It is in honor of Mary Anne Graney, a special education teacher who died in 2004. The scholarship is funded by the Friends & Family 5K, scheduled this year for Sept. 16 in Elba. In all, 63 scholarships, including this year, have been awarded since 2006 to local high school students.
Today officials of the (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 students in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Le Roy Central School District proudly announces that Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School senior Andrew "AJ" Schmidt(inset photo, left) has been named a Semifinalist in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Competition!
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for more than 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring.
More than 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.
Nationwide, the pool of semifinalists represents less then 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, and it includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
"I am speechless, all of my hard work has led up to this point!" AJ said. "I am very honored to be in this position."
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Over 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
"AJ does an outstanding job both in the classroom and the school community," said Jay Laitenberger, AJ's AP U.S. History teacher/coach. "He always puts his best effort into everything he does and it shows in all aspects.
"It is a true privilege to work with a student-athlete like AJ and see him grow throughout the year. It was a lot of fun to see him take on the challenge of cross-country and track last year and excelling in it as well."
Austin Dwyer, Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School counselor, said "I could not be more proud of AJ for being selected as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and could not think of anyone more deserving of such an honorable recognition. AJ's success in the classroom is a pure reflection of his work ethic and desire to achieve at an exceptionally high level.
"His passion to discover and continuously learn new things is inspiring to not only his peers, but also the adults in our building. It is a privilege to serve as his high school counselor and I am so excited to see what the future holds for him.
Tim McArdle, principal Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School, said "We are so proud of AJ as he continues to excel and reach new heights. His work ethic and attention to detail are remarkable both in the classroom and beyond.
"AJ is an amazing Knight who continues to challenge himself both in and out of the classroom. We cannot wait to see what life has in store for him!"
About National Merit Scholarship Corporation
NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955, specifically to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC's goals of honoring the nation's scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
On Friday, May 18, the entire Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School traveled to Wolcott Street Elementary School to do a classroom activity with our little Knights!
The Jr.-Sr. High School divided the school into 30 teams that each connected with an elementary class.
Each team had a student leader who facilitated the group through an introduction and a discussion around our “Believe in...” visual, which listed key character traits and behaviors (Believe In... doing the right thing, kindness, honesty, acceptance, helping others, teamwork, being brave, dreaming big, and yourself).
The students participated in sharing why, when, and how they show these qualities on a daily basis. Then students paired up and created their own “Believe” rock, listing their chosen top character quality along with a picture.
The groups had a chance to share their rocks which will be split up and displayed in a rock garden at both schools.
The event was a first of its kind at our District and was a powerful moment for everyone involved.
The elementary teachers had a chance to see their old students come back to their classrooms, and the interaction between younger and older students was incredible.
Earlier in the week the WSS students sent over posters to the Jr.-Sr. High School that they had colored for their students who in return wrote a message back in anticipation of the big day.
Many WSS students also participated in videoing their “Believe” song, which junior Farryn Kennedy then edited and it was shown during the activity as well.
The day was planned by a committee from our Emerging Knights student leadership team, both buildings’ Character Ed teams, and administrators.
We cannot thank our students, staff and transportation team enough for their participation and making this district-wide event such a huge success!
