Byron-Bergen High School

Two Byron-Bergen senior student-athletes sign collegiate letters of intent to play soccer

Press Release — Feb 17, 2021, 1:40pm

Submitted photos and press release:

Byron-Bergen High School seniors Bianca Brumsted (top photo, second from left) and Eden Goff (bottom photo, second from left) are taking their commitment to soccer to the next level by signing letters of intent to play the collegiate game.

Brumsted will attend Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she plans to study Criminology and Forensic Psychology. Goff will attend Monroe Community College in Rochester, where she plans to study Criminal Justice.

“On the field, Bianca is known for her high soccer IQ and her fantastic skill level," said Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannan. "However, what stands out the most to me is her ability to lead her teammates.

"As for Eden, if there is one word to describe her on the field, it's tenacious. She can always be counted on to perform at her best and she brings out the best in her teammates as well. I wish them both the very best.”

Brumsted has played premier soccer in Rochester for Empire United for six years. She also played two years of Junior Varsity and two years of Varsity soccer at Byron-Bergen. While playing for Byron-Bergen, she was captain her senior year, was a two-time Genesee League All-Star, and was named to the GLOW Super-12 first team.

Brumsted chose Chatham University because it is a small university in a large city with a degree path in Criminology and Psychology. She also formed a positive connection with their Women’s Soccer Coach Betsy Warren, whom Brumsted sees as a positive role model.

“My favorite memory is making it to the Section V finals this past season,” Brumsted said. “As a team, we were young and inexperienced but we went all the way to the finals. As a captain I did my best to help be a leader, coach on the field, and be a positive role model for the younger players on our roster. I'm soproud of our team.”

Goff played four years of Varsity Soccer with Byron-Bergen, where she is a scholar-athlete and was named a Genesee League All-Star her senior year. Goff chose Monroe Community College because of the good Criminal Justice program and out of her desire to remain closer to home. She is also excited to benefit from joining a great soccer team.

“I would like to thank Coach Hill for coaching me the last four years and for helping me improve as a player,” Goff said. “I would also like to thank my team for making my senior season one I will never forget.”

Top photo: Bianca Brumstead (front left center) with her family as she signs a letter of intent; Coach Wayne Hill stands in back.

Bottom photo: Eden Goff (front left center) with her family as she signs a letter of intent. In back are Coach Wayne Hill, left, and Coach Chris Chilano.

Photo credits: Susan Kuszlyk

B-B HS grad Bryce Yockel continues his football career at Ohio's Baldwin Wallace University

Billie Owens — Oct 1, 2020, 3:59pm

Bryce Yockel, a graduate of Byron/Byron-Bergen High School, is one of 52 student-athletes to continue their football career at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.

Head Coach Jim Hilvert, who is in fourth season, returns 39 letterwinners, 10 Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections and six All-OAC players from last year's squad that finished 7-3 overall and 6-3 in the OAC.

Click here to view the entire BW football roster.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yellow Jacket fall 10-game schedule was postponed and rescheduled to a five-game Friday night 2021 spring season. BW will open its spring season on Friday, March 12 when it travels to University Heights for an OAC East Division and 32nd Annual Battle for Cuyahoga Gold Bowl Trophy Game on Wasmer Field inside Don Shula Stadium at 7 p.m.

Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 3,500 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 80 academic areas. Located in Berea, 12 miles from Ddowntown Cleveland, Ohio, BW offers students the cultural, educational and business advantages of a major metropolitan area.

GCASA Foundation awards two scholarships for future human service workers

Billie Owens — Jun 12, 2020, 4:47pm

Submitted photos and press release:

Jillian Menzie (top photo), a senior at Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, and Ashlyn LeBaron (bottom photo), a senior at Albion’s Charles D' Amico High School were selected as this year’s recipients of $1,000 scholarships from Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA) Foundation.

GCASA Foundation supports the work of GCASA and other nonprofit organizations in Genesee and Orleans Counties. Several organizations have received mini-grants in the past to help sustain the crucial work they do in our community. The Foundation also invests in the future substance use disorder workforce by supporting individuals pursuing a degree in health sciences or human services.

The Board of Directors of both GCASA and GCASA Foundation are committed to providing quality services. Educated, skilled employees and board members are the necessary for effective service delivery.

“As a member of the selection committee, it was wonderful to read about all the applicants’ academic accomplishments and their commitment to community service," said GCASA Foundation Board Treasurer Virginia Taylor. Our recipients, Ashlyn and Jillian, were exceptionally impressive and we are thrilled to award scholarships to help cover some of their college costs."

GCASA Foundation has been pleased to honor many commendable students over the past several years. Typically, the scholarship award recipients are honored at GCASA’s Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon. Due to COVID-19, this meeting will be held virtually this year.

“We are disappointed that we are unable to recognize and honor these deserving young women in person with their parents and school representatives present," said Shannon Ford, GCASA director of Communications and Development. "Their scholarship applications were outstanding."

Both young women plan to pursue a degree in Nursing.

Byron-Bergen students compete with staff in volleyball to help shelter animals

Billie Owens — Mar 13, 2020, 1:02pm

Submitted photo and press release:

Bergen -- Byron-Bergen students and staff hit the volleyball court on March 6 to benefit the Genesee Valley Animal Shelter.

The event was organized by Byron-Bergen seniors Auburn Schwartzmeyer (photo, left) and Abby Vurraro (photo, right) as a way to help the animal shelter receive needed supplies, have some fun, and fulfil their National Honor Society community service project.

“We decided that we wanted to do a fundraiser for the Genesee Valley Animal Shelter,” Abby said. “I thought that it would be fun to spread my love of volleyball, have a good time, and have it go toward a good cause.”

Three teams of students competed for the opportunity to play against the faculty team for the event. Student teams joined the tournament by donating items from a list provided by the Genesee Valley Animal Shelter.

In the end, Vurraro’s team took on the faculty players, which included Superintendent Mickey Edwards, Jr./Sr. High School Principal Pat McGee, and several Junior and Senior High School teachers.

In the end, the students were victorious and the Genesee County Animal Shelter received needed supplies to help place pets in forever homes.

Byron-Bergen Volleyball teams get their hands dirty to help feed the community

Billie Owens — Oct 22, 2019, 2:39pm

Above: Byron-Bergen Volleyball players each hold one off the potatoes they personally cleaned and prepared at the annual “potato scrub.”

Submitted photos and press release:

Bergen -- One Saturday morning each September, the Byron-Bergen Girls Varsity and JV Volleyball teams meet in the Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church parking lot at 9 a.m. There, they join other members of the community to wash, scrub, dry, sort, pack and load approximately 2,000 pounds of potatoes.

While many teams engage in community service fundraising, or awareness-raising, the “potato scrub” requires the team to get their hands dirty -- literally. The annual community service project began three years ago when Hannah Catalino, a then sophomore, approached her volleyball coach with an idea for an unusual community service project.

“There are a lot of ways athletic teams can be charitable and this one is not glamourous,” said Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “Every year these players tackle this project with good will and good humor and no fanfare. I am extremely proud of them.”

The "potato gleaning,"(correct, with a g) as it is officially called, is orchestrated by Stewart Freeman. He has worked with area farmers for the last decade to collect extra and post-harvest crops including potatoes, butternut squash, onions and cabbage. He stores the produce and makes deliveries to shelters, food pantries and local families.

“What we’re doing is helping people who can’t afford to buy food get the chance to eat,” said senior VarsityVolleyball player Cynthia Morse. “That makes me feel happy.”

The “scrub,” which the volleyball players take part in, is crucial to this process because as the soil is scrubbed from the potatoes, spoiled spuds are identified and sorted out. If bad potatoes are packed with good ones, they will contaminate the entire box, making the food inedible.

“We all participate, both Varsity and JV players,” Catalino said. “It’s a team bonding activity. We work together and get to know each other better while helping the community.”

Eventually, Freeman will deliver the potatoes that the volleyball players helped prepare to local soup kitchens and food pantries, including the Open Door Mission in Rochester, the Batavia Salvation Army, and local organizations that deliver food to veterans and community members in need.

Below: Byron-Bergen Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach Cindy D’Errico takes part in the annual “potato scrub.”

'Kickin' Cancer': soccer players raise $2,300 for Wilmont Cancer Institute and Crossroads House

Billie Owens — Sep 20, 2019, 2:07pm

Above, Byron-Bergen Girls Varsity Soccer Team.

Submitted photos and press release:

Bergen -- On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Byron-Bergen and Attica soccer teams joined forces to raise money for good causes.

Modified, JV, and varsity girls and boys faced off for a full day of competition at the Byron-Bergen Soccer Stadium.

All the teams played hard, but the ultimate winners were the Wilmont Cancer Institute and Crossroads House. The two organizations will split the more than $2,300 in proceeds.

“We all love being part of the charity event, the whole team does,” said Byron-Bergen senior and varsity co-captain Miriam Tardy. “Honestly, the hardest part is choosing which type of cancer to support. That’s why this year we chose to support all cancer research.”

The student-led event began at 9:30 a.m. and continued until the close of the last game, which began nine hours later.

The annual fundraiser to support cancer research was launched almost a decade ago by the varsity girls soccer team in support of a teammates’ loved one.

Although those players have long since left the Byron-Bergen soccer fields, the event has grown into a community tradition, raising thousands of dollars annually and more than $12,000 since its inception. Free and open to the public, money is raised through donations, T-shirt and food sales, and vendors.

“I love this fundraiser,” said senior and co-captain Kelsey Fuller. “It’s a great opportunity to show who we are as people and really give back to the community.”

“This is my sixth year participating,” said senior and co-captain Melissa MacCowan. “It’s about raising money, but also about raising awareness.”

This year, the teams decided to expand their philanthropic efforts to include Crossroads House in Batavia. The organization provides hospice services to residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties free of charge.

“We have been supporting cancer research for years and really wanted to find ways to support differentparts of the community,” Fuller. said

“Our athletes take great pride in giving back to the community,” said Athletic Director Richard Hannan. “These are both wonderful organizations and I’m always impressed by the teams’ dedication.”

Below, Byron-Bergen Girls Junior Varsity Soccer Team.

Byron-Bergen HS Class of '69 to dedicate memorial bench this month and hold 50th reunion party

Billie Owens — Jul 11, 2019, 1:23pm

Submitted photo and press release:

BERGEN – In September, 1968, 93 students entered their senior year at Byron-Bergen High School. It was the beginning of where their roads would take them in life, decisions had to be made. Many classmates chose to further their education by attending college, some enlisted in the military, others became farmers and stay at home moms and some went into the trades.

In June of 1969, eighty-eight students received their diplomas and their adult life began.

Fifty years later, this group of friends and classmates still reunite every five years and at each reunion classmates who have passed away are remembered.

This year the Class of 1969 is donating a memorial bench to the Byron-Bergen School District. The bench has been placed in a prominent area by the flagpole in the high school parking circle.

The Memorial Bench Dedication ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, July 19, in the Byron-Bergen High School parking circle by the flagpole, 6917 W. Bergen Road, Bergen.

The public is invited and after the dedication there will be a “meet & greet” at the Rose Garden Bowl / Viking Valhalla Restaurant in Bergen.

This bench donation is the first of its kind to be made to the school and it is hoped it will inspire other classes to do something similar.

On Saturday, July 20, at 6 p.m. the Byron-Bergen Class of 1969 will gather at Dibble Family Center in Batavia to celebrate their 50^threunion and about 80 guests will be in attendance.

If you would like more information about this event, please contact Janice Gilbert at 585-967-9042 or email to jgilbert33@live.com

Byron-Bergen HS Varsity Club gets 36 students and staff to donate blood, helping more than 100 patients

Billie Owens — Mar 14, 2019, 4:11pm

Pictured: Student volunteers hand out snacks to donors. Photo credit: Susan Kuszlyk.

Submitted photo and press release:

On Thursday, March 14, the Byron-Bergen Varsity Club hosted its annual Blood Drive. Thirty-six students and staff members donated blood throughout the day, impacting more than 100 patients in need.

“It’s important to give back,” says Senior Becca Velasco.

This is her third year donating blood. Additionally, this year she is one of the 10 students who donated their time to help run the blood drive.

“Students can begin donating blood at 16 with parental permission,” says Byron-Bergen Health Educator Roxanne Wood. “Older students do not need parental permission, but all students must be in good academic standing to donate or volunteer.”

The American Red Cross, the organization collecting the donations, also provides incentives for a successful drive. Along with snacks and a free backpack to all who donate, the Red Cross sponsors a scholarship to schools collecting 30 or more pints of blood.

Despite the giveaways and scholarships, helping the community remains the driving force behind donations. The Red Cross’ app alerting donors when their blood is on its way to a patient is popular with the students.

“Byron-Bergen High School has played a pivotal role in helping and saving lives by hosting a yearly blood drive in partnership withthe American Red Cross,” says Red Cross Account Manager Thaddeus Nauden. “Thousands of lives have been helped or saved because of these students.”

“A lot of people are in need of blood,” says Junior Chloe Shuskey. “You need to help whenever you can.”

Musical 'Annie' opens Thursday night at Byron-Bergen High School

Billie Owens — Mar 6, 2019, 12:00pm

Press release:

Byron-Bergen High School presents the spring musical "Annie," opening at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7.

This rags-to-riches tale features the music and acting talents of: Molly Belknap, Jack Benstead, Sarah Bleiler, Justine Bloom, Shelby Bridge, Stephanie Buell, Fiona Burke, Dominick Butz, Caleb Calhoun, Hailey Canfield, Caris Carlson, Hannah Catalino, Emily Chaback, Destiny Colon, Sadie Cook, Jacey Donahue, Jeremy Donahue, Serenity Donahue, Kendan Dressler, Josh Fleming, Sara Fraser, Aurora Hiscutt, Jason Hoehn, Kelly Ireland, Sage Johnson, Callista Kinkelaar, Aiden Kulikowski, Naomi Mathias, Courtney Pakusch, Libby Piper, Alexandria Schuck, Chloe Shuskey, Deacon Smith, Isabelle Stevens, Nicole Stone, Alayna Streeter, Hannah VanSkiver, and Lexi Vurraro.

Erin Parnapy, Coltin Henry, and Suzanne Scholand provide stage and set management.

Direction and musical direction is by Laurence Tallman. Special Byron-Bergen staff cameos by Karen Tischer and Peter Spence.

There will also be performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9 in the Jr/Sr High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available in advance in the High School Main Office during school hours, or at the door.

This show is presented with special arrangements with, and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Music Theater International (MTI).

Photos courtesy of Gretchen Spittler.

BB varsity athletes achieve 100-percent Scholar-Athlete Team awards

Billie Owens — Jan 11, 2019, 3:59pm

Submitted photos and press release:

The Byron-Bergen Senior High School proudly announces that every fall varsity Byron-Bergen sport team achieved the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Team award.

The fall sports teams are cheerleading, boys cross-country, girls cross-country, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, girls soccer and girls volleyball.

“Here at Byron-Bergen we are always proud of our student athletes and their accomplishments,” said Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “This fall we are especially proud that all of our fall teams made the NYS Scholar-Athlete Team award.

"As Athletic Director, I am extremely blessed to work with such great student athletes and coaches. This particular recognition is a great testament to the student athletes and what it takes to perform at a high level. In and out of the classroom, our kids are getting it done!”

The Scholar-Athlete program recognizes athletes for their academic success. NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team awards go to teams whose average GPA of 75 percent of the athletic team equals 90 or above.

Scholar-Athlete Team award recipients, with Byron-Bergen HS students named below photos:

Cheerleading (a multi-school team)

Sarah Sue Streeter

Cross-country -- Boys

Joshua Fleming
Zachary Hannan
Travis Lambert
Colby Leggo
John Mercovich
Caleb Sharpe
Corden Zimmerman

Cross-country -- Girls

Rachel Best
Camryn Brookhart
Dayanara Caballero
Siomara Caballero
Emma Goodman
Sara Goodman
Annaliese Hersom
Cambria Kinkelaar
Alaura Rehwaldt
Grace Shepard
Emma Smith

Football (a multi-school team)

Alexander Dean
Anthony DiQuattro
Andrew Parnapy

Gymnastics (a multi-school team)

Victoria Rogoyski
Emily Salmonds

Soccer – Boys

Nicholas Baubie
Ryan Cooper
Adam Drake
Kyle Foeller
Rick Hubbard
William Johnson
Hunter Leach
Sabastian Pawlukewicz
Wade Thompson
Nathan Zwerka

Soccer -- Girls

Julianna Amesbury
Lydia Campbell
Zoey Chambry
Elizabeth Donnelly
Veronica Duell
Kelsey Fuller
Eden Goff
Hope Hersom
Melissa MacCowan
Jillian Menzie
Chloe Shuskey

Volleyball -- Girls

Justine Bloom
Hannah Catalino
Madison Farnsworth
Sara Fraser
Amaya Gunther
Janae Meister
Alexandra Vurraro
Annabella Vurraro