Milestones

This is from Pembroke School:

Eighth-graders from Pembroke School hit a milestone as they stomped around in D.C. this year; This is the 40th year for the school trip.

With their fearless leader Mr. Kinal leading the way, students departed to Maryland Sunday morning and arrived back home last Tuesday (April 5) evening.

The trip included a stop at Gettysburg on the way down. Mr. Kinal and an entourage of teachers, staff and friends worked very hard to make it yet another successful trip.

It was a very exciting and memorable experience for all. Students explored the various monuments and memorials within Washington, D.C., with their own personal tour guide, Mr. Kinal.

A warm welcome by parents, teachers and staff stood waiting as firetrucks escorted the buses to the school from Darien. The song "Proud To Be An American" played on the bus and all the passengers sang as they returned home to the high school.

It was an amazing end to an amazing trip!!! Thank you to everyone who made it happen!!!

The Finger Lakes District 4-H Dairy Cattle Quiz Bowl Contest was held on March 19 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County in Canandaigua.
 
Thirty seven 4-H youth representing Cayuga, Genesee, Ontario, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties participated. They demonstrated their knowledge of the dairy industry through individual and team competitions in three divisions.

They vied for the opportunity to represent the Finger Lakes District at the New York State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest to be held on Saturday, April 30 at Cornell University and at the Novice Invitational to be held on Aug. 25 at the New York State Fair.
 
These youths earned the highest individual scores and will advance to New York State level 4-H Dairy Cattle Bowl:
 
Novice:
J. Lawson, C. Minde, K. Hight, Z. Abbott, will be coached by K. Minde
 
Junior:
A. Bennett, I. Stewart, C. Rogers, E. Maslyn, will be coached by M. Bennett
 
Senior:
E. Andrew, E. Facer, S. Sullivan, K. Warner, will be coached by C. Andrew
 
The primary objective of 4-H Dairy Cattle Bowl contests is to provide an opportunity for youth enrolled in a 4-H dairy project to demonstrate their knowledge of dairy-related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. It is hoped these contests will prove to be an educational experience for both participants and spectators.
 
For more information about the 4-H Dairy Cattle Quiz Bowl contact Debbie Grusenmeyer at (607) 255-0656 or via email at djc27@cornell.edu or www.ansci.cornell.edu/4H/dairycattle <http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/4H/dairycattle> .

The Association for Conservation of Recreational and Natural Spaces, Inc. -- ACORNS -- announced the winners of its second black and white nature photography contest.

Top honors went to Mark Kulikowski, of Byron, for his photo titled “Butterfly," a close-up of a Monarch butterfly on milkweed blossoms.

“I took the photo while at the park for a family reunion," Kulikowski said. "I go to the park often with my family.”

Second Place went to George Squires, also of Byron, for “Winter in the Park,” a photo capturing the majesty of the park in winter.

Honorable Mention went to Peggy Tirrell, of Avon, for “Through the Trees II” and to Kulikowski for his photo titled “Frog."

The winners were selected by a panel of judges, including Jim Taillie, president of ACORNS.

“We were impressed with the quality of the entries," Taillie said. "The photos truly reveal the beauty and diversity in the Genesee County parks. Our panel of judges had a difficult time choosing the winners.”

The contest encourages visitors to enjoy Genesee County parks. Photographers were required to submit photos that were taken at either the Genesee County Park and Forest in East Bethany or the DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia.

The winning photos are displayed at the Nature Center in the Genesee County Park and Forest and are available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on weekends as staff and volunteers are available.

The Nature Center is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany. All photos can be also viewed on-line at: http://acorns.shutterfly.com/pictures.

For more information contact Julia Garver at 343-8514 or jagarver@yahoo.com, or go to http://acorns.shutterfly.com/.

ACORNS  is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization formed to support the Genesee County parks by assisting with environmental programs and park maintenance, offering recreational opportunities and promoting the parks. Call 344-1122 for more information.

Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County has named an Oakfield-Alabama High School student as a winner of the Young Women in Public Affairs Award.

Kasey Edgerton won and will be presented with a check for $500 to
encourage her to achieve her educational and career goals. Her application
will be entered in the Zonta International District #4 award competition.

The Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award competition,
established in 1990, is open to young women who are seniors in high school.
The program is designed to encourage women to pursue decision-making
positions in their communities in order to impact the policies that affect the lives of women in the community and throughout the world.

Applicants are asked to reflect on their lives, their commitment to the communities in which they live, and the issues that the nations of the world must address to
improve the lives of their people.

The Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs program looks to the young women of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Edgerton was selected for this honor because of her commitment to her school and her community. Throughout high school she has been a participant in Drama Club, Scholastic Bowl, Future Business Leaders of America, Batavia Player Youth Theater and volunteering as a Junior Counselor for HOBY.

In addition, she has been a member in Student Council, Elementary and Community School Organization (E.C.S.O.) and the Reach Out program.

She plans to continue to serve her community and aspires to study English and Japanese Studies at SUNY Albany to establish a career as an ESL teacher.

Zonta International, with headquarters in Chicago, is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women.

Jennifer Vereecken, of Bergen, a senior at Byron-Bergen High School has been nominated to represent New York as a National Youth Correspondent at the 2011 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University.

Vereecken has the opportunity to join a select group of students from all over the country for an intensive study of journalism and media. She was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies.

National Youth Correspondents will participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media.

The experiential portion of the program is complemented by speakers who are well-known leaders in the field. These presenters range from prominent journalists to CEOs of major media outlets, and from researchers to recent college graduates.

With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, The Washington Journalism and Media conference offers aspiring journalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience.

The week long program, held at George Mason University's state-of-the-art campus, will encourage and inspire young leaders from across the country who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry.

The Washington Journalism and Media Conference will be held July 10-15.

Nancy Mortellaro has been named the 2011 Richmond Memorial Library Friend of the Year.

Friends of the library will host a public reception in the Gallery Room at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15 and the award presentation will be at 4 p.m.

The annual award recognizes an individual or group whose interest and support of the library has been exceptional.

Consideration is given to people who generously give of their time and talent to help with library-sponsored programs, or who have worked toward promoting the mission of the library within the community.

Alyssa Reeb, of Corfu, has been awarded a $1,000 per year "Educational Foundation Academic Distinction" scholarship to attend Alfred State College.

She is slated to graduate this year from Pembroke Central School and intends to enroll in the undeclared major program.

The scholarship, based on scholastic achievement, is from the Educational Foundation of Alfred, Inc., according to Deborah Goodrich, associate vice president for enrollment management at the college.

Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Alfred State College offers some 52 associate degree programs, 19 baccalaureate degree programs, and three certificate programs.