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Byron-Bergen announces second quarter honor and high honor roll

By Press Release

Press Release:

The 2nd quarter High Honor and Honor Rolls have been released for Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School by Principal Paul Hazard. Hazard and the Byron-Bergen Central School District staff offer their congratulations to these students. 

GRADE 7:
HIGH HONOR ROLL – Charlotte Bloom, Riley Boland, Evelyn Borycki, Madison Carson, Alyssa Chupp, June Dorman, Katherine Erion, Leland Fregoe, Aaiden Gaiser, Olivia Galdun, Connor Hoopengardner, Hunter Jarosinski, Isabella Kessler, Delilah Malin, Sophia Matthews, Jack Miller, Maylee Moore, Trevor O'Brien, Lia Ray, William Scharvogel, Miranda Stanton, Landon Starkweather, Frank Trigilio, Contessa Vander Wyst, Benjamin Vargas, Kaylanah White, Teagan Williams, Dahlia Wolff

HONOR ROLL Tristen Davidson, Ce'Andre Johnson, Emmarose Michaels, Kelly Parsons, Caleb Rassel, Ava Smith, Gunner Starowitz, Connar Tuerk

GRADE 8: 
HIGH HONOR ROLL - Evan Bannister, Eala Coniglio, Samantha Copani, Emily Diehl, William Duell, Mason Farner, Zachary Gay, Cambria Goodenbery, Lila Graff, Ainsley Kent, Ruth Kuipers, Alexander Kuszlyk, Isabella Lewis, Taylor Louis, Levi McGrath, Lillian Meier, Liliana Moore, Parker Moore, Brook Pagels, Evan Phillips, Alexandra Pocock, Natalie Randall, Lucy Rea, Jenna Redick, Audrey Rimmerman, Michael Rogoyski, Cooper Sandow, Owen Sinclair, Genevieve Smith, Madeline Smith, Miley Stalica, Xavier Vargas, Jillian Weaver, Carson Wells, Willow Wilder, Paige Winkler

HONOR ROLL - Ryanna Armstrong, Cole Carroll, Brooklynn Culmo, Stryker Emrich, Colton Erion, Carter Fogg, Annabelle Haywood, Josiah Hiscutt, Annabella Madera, Olivia Mundell, Laney Niedzwiecki, Dominik Redmon, Dylan Utter

GRADE 9: 
HIGH HONOR ROLL - Nataly Barrera Zuniga, Zoey Bower, Rylee Burch, Emalyn Canfield, Cody Carlson, Gianna Cicatelli, Lauren Gartz, Isabella Gifford, Wyatt Lewis, Taylor Lundfelt, Logan Marou, Emma Matthews, Hannah Riedmiller, Brandon Schuck, Kyle Smith, Elliana Tanner, Jack Walker, Rena Wilson 

HONOR ROLL - Tyler Barberio, Joseph Brumsted, Audrey Dorman, Brayden Gelsomino, Ian MacMillen, Seth Prefontaine, Theodore Schelemanow, Bradley Tatar 

GRADE 10:
HIGH HONOR ROLL - Sara Bishop, Sarah Campbell, Adam Cardenas, Gianna Clark, Connor Copani, Addison Cummings, Justin Deleo, Gary Donofrio, Gianna Graff, Mia Gray, Megan Jarkiewicz, Pearl Jolliff, Carter Kuipers, Malacai McGrath, Maryn Meier, Grace Mundell, Paige O'Brien, Evan Orto, Bradley Pocock, Colin Rea, Katherine Rogoyski, Simone Scharvogel, Rayne Sheard, Solomon Smith, Hayden Starkweather, Elizabeth Starowitz, Aubrey Stein, Emma Wolfe 

HONOR ROLL - Katelyn Ball, Liam Boyle, Laura Curts, Logan Czachorowski, Grace DiQuattro, Ava Goff, Hayleigh Griffin, Abigail Mattern, Allison Rimmerman, Kane Tyson, Andrea White, Evan Williams 

GRADE 11:
HIGH HONOR ROLL - Aiden Barberio, Ryan Benstead, Jake Carlson, Deborah Catalino, Kendall Chase, Abigail Cook, Lea Donofrio, Ava Gray, Rachel Hanel, Ella Lewis, Jackson Lundfelt, Anna McLaughlin, Connor Moran, Meghan Muscarella, Ian Pulcini, Sydney Salmonds, Ashley Schlenker-Stephens, Lily Stalica, Rose Wilson, Jade Wolff, Mikayla Yohon 

HONOR ROLL - Zachary Brookhart, Noah Clare, Isabella Davidson, Craig DiQuattro, Annabelle Erion, Jack Farner, Chesney Fregoe, Logan Fregoe, Haylee Gartz, Peyton Goodenbery, Samuel Hersom, Eli Kupfer, Martin Mac Connell, Arianne McLaughlin, Kasey Pagels, Adam Piper, Rayden Robinson, Trent Sheard, Roman Smith, Shawna Spinks, James Starowitz, Hannah Wittman 

GRADE 12: 
HIGH HONOR ROLL - HannahRae Amador, Emma Balduf, Carlee Barons, Brody Baubie, Jeffrey Borycki, Tyler Chapman, Gabrielle Graff, Autumn Hafner, Mackenzie Hagen, Makala Hoopengardner, Kaidance Kimble, Hanna Loewke, Lincoln McGrath, Dru Nowatchik, Stephanie Onderdonk, Jillian Peters, Novalee Pocock, Carter Prinzi, Quintin Rich, Victoria Rogoyski, Travis Shallenberger, Riley Sharpe, Malachi Smith, Lydia Zaffrann 

HONOR ROLL - Trevor Beale, Chloe Gilbert, James Heick, Colin Martin, Brendan Pimm, Andrew Smith, Emma Starowitz, Connor Windhauser, Megan Zwerka 

Byron-Bergen first quarter honor and high honor roll announced

By Press Release

Press Release:

The 1st quarter High Honor and Honor Rolls have been released for Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School by Interim Principal Carol Stehm. Stehm and the Byron-Bergen Central School District staff offer their congratulations to these students.

GRADE 7:

HIGH HONOR ROLL – Charlotte Bloom, Riley Boland, Evelyn Borycki, Madison Carson, Alyssa Chupp, Tristen Davidson, June Dorman, Katherine Erion, Leland Fregoe, Olivia Galdun, Lydia Hammond, Connor Hoopengardner, Hunter Jarosinski, Isabella Kessler, Delilah Malin, Sophia Matthews, Emmarose Michaels, Jack Miller, Trevor O'Brien, Caleb Rassel, Lia Ray, William Scharvogel, Ava Smith, Miranda Stanton, Landon Starkweather, Gunner Starowitz, Connar Tuerk, Contessa Vander Wyst, Benjamin Vargas, Kaylanah White, Teagan Williams, Dahlia Wolff, Logan Zaleski

HONOR ROLL - Faith Apley, Brody Bower, Cruz Gilbert, Ce'Andre Johnson, Maylee Moore, Aleah Olander, Kelly Parsons, Angel Santiago Tirado, Ellirose Taylor, Frank Trigilio, Jr. 

GRADE 8: 

HIGH HONOR ROLL - Evan Bannister, Eala Coniglio, Samantha Copani, Brooklynn Culmo, Emily Diehl, William Duell, Mason Farner, Zachary Gay, Cambria Goodenbery, Lila Graff, Josiah Hiscutt, Ainsley Kent, Ruth Kuipers, Alexander Kuszlyk, Isabella Lewis, Taylor Louis, Annabella Madera, Levi McGrath, Lillian Meier, Parker Moore, Parker Moore, Liliana Moore, Olivia Mundell, Laney Niedzwiecki, Brook Pagels, Evan Phillips, Alexandra Pocock, Natalie Randall, Lucy Rea, Jenna Redick, Dominik Redmon, Audrey Rimmerman, Michael Rogoyski, Madeline Smith, Genevieve Smith, Dylan Utter, Xavier Vargas, Jillian Weaver, Carson Wells, Willow Wilder, Paige Winkler

HONOR ROLL - Ryanna Armstrong, Miguel Caballero, Stryker Emrich, Colton Erion, Carter Fogg, Annabelle Haywood, Cooper Sandow, Bryson Snell, Miley Stalica

GRADE 9: 

HIGH HONOR ROLL - Nataly Barrera Zuniga, Zoey Bower, Joseph Brumsted, Rylee Burch, Emalyn Canfield, Cody Carlson, Gianna Cicatelli, Lauren Gartz, Isabella Gifford, Kai Gilbert, Wyatt Lewis, Taylor Lundfelt, Logan Marou, Emma Matthews, Seth Prefontaine, Hannah Riedmiller, Theodore Schelemanow, Elliana Tanner, Jack Walker, Rena Wilson

HONOR ROLL - Tyler Barberio, Audrey Dorman, Brayden Gelsomino, Blake Liles, Ian MacMillen, Azaya Maid, Brandon Schuck, Kyle Smith, Bradley Tatar, Rylee Walker, Lily Whitney 

GRADE 10:

HIGH HONOR ROLL - Sara Bishop, Liam Boyle, Sarah Campbell, Adam Cardenas, Gianna Clark, Connor Copani, Addison Cummings, Laura Curts, Justin Deleo, Grace DiQuattro, Gary Donofrio, Gianna Graff, Mia Gray, Megan Jarkiewicz, Pearl Jolliff, Carter Kuipers, Malacai McGrath, Maryn Meier, Grace Mundell, Evan Orto, Bradley Pocock, Katherine Rogoyski, Simone Scharvogel, Rayne Sheard, Solomon Smith, Hayden Starkweather, Elizabeth Starowitz, Aubrey Stein, Andrea White, Evan Williams, Emma Wolfe

HONOR ROLL - Katelyn Ball, Logan Czachorowski, Estelle Dumuhosky, Ava Goff, Amelia Kalmbacher, Abigail Mattern, Kendall Pape, Colin Rea, Allison Rimmerman, Aiden Vander Wyst 

GRADE 11: 

HIGH HONOR ROLL - Ryan Benstead, Jake Carlson, Deborah Catalino, Kendall Chase, Abigail Cook, Logan Fregoe, Ava Gray, Rachel Hanel, Eli Kupfer, Jackson Lundfelt, Anna McLaughlin, Connor Moran, Meghan Muscarella, Ian Pulcini, Rayden Robinson, Sydney Salmonds, Ashley Schlenker-Stephens, Roman Smith, Lily Stalica, Ruger Starowitz, Rose Wilson, Hannah Wittman, Jade Wolff, Mikayla Yohon 

HONOR ROLL - Aiden Barberio, Isabelle Best, Zachary Brookhart, Isabella Davidson, Craig DiQuattro, Lea Donofrio, Annabelle Erion, Jack Farner, Chesney Fregoe, Haylee Gartz, Peyton Goodenbery, Samuel Hersom, Ella Lewis, Martin Mac Connell, Arianne McLaughlin, Kasey Pagels, Adam Piper, Natalie Prinzi, Olivia Senf, Trent Sheard, James Starowitz

GRADE 12:

HIGH HONOR ROLL - HannahRae Amador, Emma Balduf, Carlee Barons, Brody Baubie, Jeffrey Borycki, Tyler Chapman, Gabrielle Graff, Mackenzie Hagen, James Heick, Makala Hoopengardner, Kaidance Kimble, Hanna Loewke, Lincoln McGrath, Dru Nowatchik, Stephanie Onderdonk, Jillian Peters, Brendan Pimm, Novalee Pocock, Carter Prinzi, Quintin Rich, Victoria Rogoyski, Travis Shallenberger, Riley Sharpe, Andrew Smith, Malachi Smith, Emma Starowitz

HONOR ROLL - Trevor Beale, Chloe Gilbert, Autumn Hafner, Hendrik Haymon, Colin Martin, Gabriel Vallese, Lukas Volkmar

B-B Elementary receives school supplies from local organizations

By Press Release
bbes_bbcadonation.jpg
Photo of Bergen Business & Civil Association members with Principal Loftus, courtesy of Gretchen Spittler.

Press Release:

The week of August 28th started and ended with gratitude and generosity as Byron-Bergen Elementary School accepted donations of school supplies from two local organizations. On Tuesday, representatives from the Bergen Business and Civic Association (BBCA) delivered storage bins of supplies ranging from highlighters and headphones to tissues and cleaning supplies. On Thursday, the Brockport Elks Lodge #2110 delivered new backpacks, filled with folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, and tissues, all packed and ready for the first day of school. 

“I’m overwhelmed by the support the BBCA and the Elks Lodge have shown our community,” said Elementary Principal Kristin Loftus. “All of these supplies go directly to our students and classrooms. We are so grateful to receive such an outpouring of generosity.” 

The Bergen Business and Civic Association, founded in 1896, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and enrichment of local businesses and residents within our community. This is the first year they collected school supplies to donate. BBCA member Nicky Russell came up with the idea. “We were feeling there were families who could use a little extra help, and here we are.” 

It is an annual community service project for the Brockport Elks Lodge #2110 to donate school supplies, though this is the first year that Byron-Bergen has been the recipient. Every year the Elkettes, the women’s auxiliary group within the lodge, collect school supplies and monetary donations which they use to fill backpacks with standard back-to-school needs. “Every year I put out a box for donations,” said lodge member and Elkette Linda Woodworth. “People want to help the kids.”

All of the donated school supplies will be distributed directly to families or to Byron-Bergen Elementary School teachers for use in their classrooms.

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Photo of Brockport Elks Lodge #1220 members with Principal Loftus, courtesy of Michelle MacKenzie.

Stehm returns to Byron-Bergen as Interim Principal for 2023-24 school year

By Press Release

Press Release:

stehm-1.jpg
Submitted photo of 
Carol Stehm

On Monday, August 7, Carol Stehm returned to Byron-Bergen as Interim Jr./Sr. High School Principal. Stehm will serve through the end of the 2023 calendar year. During this time, the District will conduct a thorough search for a permanent replacement. Stehm also served as Interim Principal at the Byron-Bergen Elementary School for the first half of the 2022-23 school year.

“I am excited to welcome Mrs. Stehm back to Byron-Bergen,” said Superintendent Pat McGee. “She expertly facilitated the smooth and successful transition to Principal Kristin Loftus at the Elementary School in December, and I am confident that she is the ideal person to lead the Jr./Sr. High School during the search process.”

Stehm retired from the Gates Chili Central School District in July of 2021 where she was the Associate Superintendent for Instruction. She served as Interim Principal of Northwood Elementary School in the Hilton School District during the 2021-22 academic year. In her 36-year career, she served as an Interim Superintendent, Middle School Principal, and High School Assistant Principal. She taught elementary and gifted education and currently teaches for SUNY Brockport as an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Leadership Department.

“I am genuinely thrilled to return to Byron-Bergen,” said Stehm. “I had a wonderful experience at the Elementary School last year and look forward to getting to know the older students and seeing some familiar faces.”

Byron-Bergen Teacher Joins Great Lakes Research Voyage

By Press Release
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Participants on Lake Guardian research voyage.
Pete Spence is 5th from right.

Press Release:

On July 6, Byron-Bergen Secondary Science Teacher Pete Spence boarded the U.S. EPA Lake Guardian for a seven-day voyage to conduct research on Lake Ontario. Spence was one of 15 participating teachers taking part in the annual expedition which collected data in several locations looking at algae, zooplankton, and benthic organisms.

“I was interested in doing research on the Great Lakes, so I applied and was accepted,” said Spence. He requested and was assigned to the team examining differences in zooplankton populations from the east to the west end of the lake. “We also used acoustic (sonar) techniques to locate migratory shrimp species that stay on the bottom of the lake during the day and move toward the surface at night.”

Spence also assisted in research teams collecting blue-green algae levels at depths up to 40 meters and quagga mussel populations from 60 to 120 meters deep. The Lake Guardian docked in Youngstown and the participants toured the Niagara Falls gorge, an experience which many of the out-of-state teachers had never had. They then set out to collect a series of samples starting from the Welland Canal and crossing the lake to Toronto.

During one memorable experiment, the crew submerged Styrofoam cups in one of the deepest parts of Lake Ontario to observe how pressure impacts volume. The water pressure compressed them to approximately half of their original size. “I plan to have my students write their names on Styrofoam cups which I will send to the EPA for this experiment,” said Spence. “After they have been submerged in Lake Superior and returned to us, the students can measure the changes.”

Seven days after setting out on Lake Ontario, the crew disembarked at Port Rochester on July 12. “One of the things that I’m bringing back to Byron-Bergen is using the Great Lakes in my Environmental AP class,” said Spence. “The Great Lakes have always been of interest to me, being that we live so near them, I think it’s a great opportunity for students to see the bigger picture.”

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Spence examines map with researchers
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Spence and colleagues collect samples, Pete Spence is on right.
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Lake Guardian research participants, Pete Spence is back right 

Five Genesee Region ladies make all-state softball teams

By Press Release

Press Release:

The 2023 NYS All-State Softball teams were released earlier this week. Batavia Notre Dame was the only Genesee Region team with two selections. The players that were selected were:

  • Loretta Sorochty from Batavia Notre Dame - Pitcher - Class D 1st team

  • Katie Landers from Batavia Notre Dame - SS - Class D 3rd team (this is Katie's second time making the team, 2021 Class D 2nd team)

  • Kendall Phillips from Byron Bergen - Pitcher - Class C 2nd team

  • Caitlin Ryan from Oakfield Alabama - SS/P - Class C 4th team

  • Lorelei Dillenbeck from Lyndonville - SS - Class D 4th team

Byron Presbyterian Church Sunday Service On-line

By James Renfrew

The Byron Presbyterian Church has cancelled Sunday services and all other activities in the church building until furth notice due to the Covid-19 virus.  However, the Sunday services will be on line through Zoom Conferencing beginning at 9:30 AM.  To access the service by telephone please call 1-929-205-6099, then give the Meeting ID# as 773-728-758.  Any questions, please call 548-2800. The building may be closed, but our ministry of love, care and generosity continues!  

 

 

THE HARLEM WIZARDS ARE COMING TO ELBA CENTRAL SCHOOL

By Tracy Byrnes

The Harlem Wizards are coming to Elba Central School Tuesday, October 14th, at 6:30pm to play in a Stan Sherwood Memorial Game sponsored by Post Dairy Farms, Eugene Bezon Farms and Mugs and More. The Wizards will take on the Sherwood Shooters, a home team featuring Genesee Region teachers, coaches, principals, pastors, family and friends! The evening promises to be a fun filled event that is great for kids and adults and it will guarantee to put a smile on your face! This event is hosted by Batavia Assembly of God Church.

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United National Day of Prayer

By Tracy Byrnes

WHOM WILL YOU CHOOSE TO SERVE?
   The bible tells us in the book of Joshua about a man who led the tribes of Israel into the land of Canaan, the land God had promised their forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob they would inherit. (Gen 12:1-3; Exodus 6:2-8) Joshua was a faithful leader who loved God, prayed to God, and was obedient to the instruction God gave him for the people. These are the words Joshua spoke to the Israelites in his final hours, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

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What is a Christian? An example to follow!

By Tracy Byrnes

I am a Christian was the title of a recent sermon I heard that got my attention. What exactly is a Christian? A Christian is a person who believes with their heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. It is a person who confesses their sin to God in prayer and asks for His forgiveness (Romans 10:9-10). It is a person who desires to live a life pleasing to God. It is a person who denies himself to become a follower of Christ (Luke 9:23). What does it mean to become a follower of Christ?

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3rd Annual Prayer Conference

By Tracy Byrnes

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE...Batavia Assembly of God Church is hosting its 3rd Annual Prayer Conference Friday, Sept. 13th, 6:00pm to 9:00pm (registration is from 6pm - 7pm) and Saturday, Sept. 14th, 8:00am to 4pm. The theme for the conference is "Presence, Prayer, and the Power of God". The keynote speaker will be Dick LaFountain. Dick is an accomplished  speaker and a published author of the book, "Time Alone With God". His passion is to motivate a renewed love for prayer and the presence of God in our churches. Workshops will also be available.

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Do you need to be rescued?

By Tracy Byrnes

Do you need to be rescued?

Life stinks sometimes, even for a skunk! Last summer I discovered that we had five baby skunks living under our front porch without a mother. It was a puzzling situation…I did not know what to do because of the mighty punch that they pack! After a few hours of observing them, I decided they needed help, so I became their rescuer. They were not going to make it without the intercession of another, so I was it. Each day I would feed them and give them water, and I would just sit and observe their interaction with each other. What I witnessed would often bring a smile on my face or a tear to my eyes. One day while I was walking in the backyard, I looked over and saw that two of the babies had fallen into the garden pond. They were desperate and were struggling to get out. I had to reach down and rescue them from drowning. You can only imagine my apprehension of picking them out of the water. I did it, only after a quick prayer to their creator asking Him to keep their tails lowered. He answered that prayer and they were saved with no consequence to me, which put a smile on my face! Thank you Lord!

Another day while sitting on my front porch the babies were in a heap sleeping on the sidewalk. It was feeding time so I opened the front door and watched all the babies but one come over to me to be fed. That one baby skunk was gone. What I witnessed from the others brought tears to my eyes. They kept nudging that little still skunk as if to say, “come on, it’s time to eat…wake up”. They pushed and pulled on that baby skunk until he was safely under the front porch. They took him home where he could be close to them. Life does stink sometimes, even for a skunk!

Do you ever feel like your drowning in sorrow and lifes hardships?  Do you ever feel like you need to be rescued? Let me tell you of life’s greatest rescuer, His name if Jesus Christ. He came from heaven to earth so that those who call on Him as their savior may find hope, and one day be taken home to heaven to be eternally with Him (Romans 6:23). He rescued us by coming and dying on the cross at Calvary so that we may have our sins forgiven (Romans 5:8). How can He rescue you? Say a prayer asking Him to forgive you of all your sins, and ask Him to help you to live a life that is pleasing to Him. He will rescue you if call on Him (Romans 10:9-10).

Yes, life stinks “sometimes”, even for a Christian. But, when you decide to follow Him and make Him Lord of your life, He will work all things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). He promises to be with you and will never forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

We are in the Easter season, a time to reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross.  Allow Him to be your rescuer and become Lord of your life. Allow Him to forgive you and help you. Call out to Him in prayer and He will answer you. He will reach down and pick you up, He will intercede for you (Hebrew 7:25).

I was the baby skunks rescuer until they were mature enough to be safely transported to their new home called the woods. Jesus Christ became my rescuer thirty four years ago when I asked Him to forgive me and come into my life. I know He will come one day to safely take me home to be with Him forever, my eternal home called heaven (John 14:3).

If you would like someone to pray with you, please call Batavia Assembly of God at 343-8521. We would also like to invite you to a week of prayer April 22nd through the 28th beginning at 6pm to 7:30pm at the church located at 24 North Spruce Street, Batavia. You may also come for prayer any Sunday morning beginning at 8:30am. Someone would be glad to pray for you at anytime.

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Tracy Byrnes
Prayer Coordinator
Batavia Assembly of God

TVYLFSL softball tourney benefits Crossroads House

By Rick Franclemont

On Saturday the Tonawanda Valley Youth Ladies Fastpitch Softball League (TVYLFSL) hosted a Junior Division small ball softball tournament to benefit Crossroads House.

Four teams of 10-12-year-old girls participated, representing Batavia, Le Roy and Byron-Bergen.

Participants and their families were asked to bring donations from the Crossroad House wish list.

http://www.crossroadshouse.com/

"Crossroads House is a comfort care home for those who have a terminal illness and have been medically determined to be in the last three months of life. Crossroads House is an alternative to a hospital or nursing home when care can no longer be provided in the patient's own home."

Le Roy 2 coached by Micky Hyde won the tournament. Tied in points going into the last game with Le Roy 1, Hyde's team scored a run in the last inning to pull off the win.

More pictures from the games can be found here.

Byron-Bergen second-grader is a finalist for 'American Miss'

By Daniel Crofts

When Dee dee Hintz got a phone call from someone saying that her 7-year-old granddaughter, Angelique "Angel" Heick (pictured), had been recommended by an anonymous source for the National American Miss pageant, she was a little leery.

At first, she thought this was like the controversial TV reality series "Toddlers & Tiaras" or a similar type of dolled up pre-teen fashion shows. But it turned out to be exactly the opposite.

"The first thing that got me was the no-makeup rule," Hintz said. "(The contestants) aren't allowed to wear makeup or hairpieces. It's not about how they look or how they're dressed -- it's about who they are."

National American Miss is an annual contest designed to develop confidence, independence, poise and community involvement in young girls. It is open to girls ages 4 to 18 and is divided into five different pageants, each for a specific age group.

Heick -- a top-performing second-grader at Byron-Bergen Elementary School, a three-year Girl Scout and a four-year soccer player with Gillam-Grant -- will take part in the New York Junior Pre-Teen pageant from Aug. 23-25 at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester. She will be competing with girls from all over Western and Central New York for the title of Miss New York.

Among other things, the requirements for her age group include writing an essay, submitting report cards (Hintz said the grades don't officially count, but are taken into consideration) and writing a résumé.

As part of an optional talent portion, Heick is also going to perform in a commercial for the young girls clothing retailer "Justice."

Once on stage, the girls will introduce themselves to a large crowd of people and be interviewed by the pageant judges, answering questions such as what they want to be when they grow up, why they want to represent their state in this pageant, etc.

Contestants are judged in four categories:

  • Formal Wear (30%)
  • Personal Introduction (30%)
  • Interview (30%)
  • Community Involvement (10%)

For the "community involvement" component, Heick is donating 12 toys for each month of the year to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. Each set of 12 toys will go to six boys and six girls.

She said she is buying these toys with the money she earns by "doing jobs" around the house.

If she wins the title, she will be given a paid trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., where she will compete in the nationals. In the meantime, she will also have the opportunity to meet Governor Andrew Cuomo, be an honored speaker at the state fair, and crown her successor at next year's pageant.

More importantly, she wants to use the influence she will have as Miss New York for the good of others.

"If I win the title, I want to educate parents and children about the dangers of bullying," Heick said.

That goal is consistent with Heick's compassionate character, which her grandmother had a lot to say about.

Hintz and her husband are raising Heick and her three siblings in Bergen. She said that compassion is Heick's top quality.

As an example, she mentioned the fact that Heick found a wounded frog in January and brought it home, where the family took care of it and fed it until it got better. In March, they let it go free.

"She's also a great big sister," Hintz said, pointing out that she reacts with patience whenever her younger sister steals her things (which is all the time).

She also feels very deeply for the victims of bullying and violence, even if she only knows about them from the media.

With her positive, upbeat attitude and personal strength, Heick has also been recognized as a leader among her peers.

"Every day she teaches me so much," Hintz said. "I want her to get where she wants to go. She has goals, works at them, and somehow accomplishes them."

Heick said her ultimate career goal is to become a cardiac neonatal surgeon.

"I want to help little babies and work on their hearts, "she said.

With three months to go, Heick still needs local sponsors.

So far, she has been sponsored by Genesee Patrons Cooperative Insurance Company, Computer and Phone Repair, Marchese Computer Products, Urban Preschool, and Intelligent Choice of WNY (Hintz's business). She needs to raise $220 more in sponsorship fees, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Heick is also participating in an advertising contest. If she gets eight pages of advertising for the pageant program, she will win a $1,500 scholarship for college.

Anyone interested in sponsoring and/or advertising with Heick should email angel@angeliqueheick.com.

For more information, visit Heick's Web site: www.angeliqueheick.com. For more details on National American Miss, go to the FAQs page on the program's Web site.

Two local students earn degrees from SUNY Oswego

By Billie Owens

Two local residents completed their baccalaureate studies this year at SUNY Oswego.

They participated in ceremonies May 12 for the college's 151st Commencement:

Christopher M. Dougherty, of Clinton Street Road in Bergen (Graphic Design)

Heather L. Currier, of Walkers Corner Road in Byron (Studio Art)

Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."

A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.

National Day Of Prayer

By Tracy Byrnes

        PRAYER...AMERICA'S HOPE

THURSDAY, MAY 6TH

Millions of Americans will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast to observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 6th. The theme for this year is “Prayer for Such a Time as This” and is based on the verse from Nahum 1:7 which states: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”

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