Superintendent's Weekly News Brief
For the week ending June 2nd, 2023
WINCHESTER POTTERS REMEMBERS
Academy Program Graduations
On June 1st, a joint ceremony was held for graduates of all of our Academy Programs: Academy of Business and Finance, Academy of IT/Digital Media , Academy of Visual Arts, Academy of Life Science, and Engineering Academy.
Congratulations to these fine young individuals and their supportive parents for choosing academy programs and taking on the work that comes with them, including internships within three academies, AP portfolio creation for our AVA students, and an annual fair in which our engineering students present their projects. Many of the same students who are in the Academy programs are also those who are Students of Excellence, proving that they are a special group of achievers, who made the most out of their high school experience. Many are accomplished athletes and musicians as well.
It must be said that along with supportive parents, a strong Director of Academies & CTE, teachers of excellence, and a school system and Board of Education that sees the value and wisdom of having rich Academy Programs, the NAF Advisory Board is key to our students’ success. A national group, our local NAF members are highly involved and highly benevolent West Seneca mentors. The relationships formed with our students is one of great civic pride, along with a desire to promote the fields of Business and IT/Digital Media. Sometimes, it does take a village, and the Advisory Board members are aware and willing. Kudos to all!
High School students who are considering exploring an Academy program or would like to receive information on joining an Academy as a freshman should contact their school counselor at the start of the school year. Additional information on joining an Academy can be obtained by calling 716-677-3318.
NFIEC Distributes College and Career Portfolio Scholarships
By Corrin Murphy, East Senior teacher
This year’s Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council scholarship winners are Malak Mohamed, Matthew Sarro, Ava Barth and Kyle Zakowicz.
The College and Career Portfolio class requires students to compile both a hard and electronic copy of their work, showcasing skills in leadership, communication, computer literacy, problem solving, independent learning, interpersonal skills, and research and information management skills. Each of these are standard workplace competencies that future employers value most in their employees.
Congratulations on your accomplishment!
SEAL OF BILITERACY CELEBRATIONS: East and WEST SENIOR
The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB), marked by a gold seal on our students' diplomas, recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. Multilingualism sets students up for success in college, career, and life.
This week and last, seniors at East and West received their Seal of Biliteracy medallions, and members were inducted into French & Spanish Honor Societies at East Senior. West Senior held their induction ceremony this past March, and all seniors received their cords to wear with their graduation gowns.
The NYSSB:
● Encourages the study of languages
● Affirms the value of linguistic and cultural diversity in a multilingual society
● Provides employers with a way to identify high school graduates who
have language and biliteracy skills and,
● Provides universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking
admission.
Congratulations to all, and kudos to the students and their teacher/advisors for widening language skills in the West Seneca Central Schools!
WEST SENIOR:
West Senior Seal of Biliteracy Students
Caitlyn Bedient
Maeve Borden
Jordan Brown
Julia Domagala
Alexandra Gelinas
Lydia Grzegorek
Carson Guise
Avery Harding
Jacey Kleotzer
Helena Kottas
Aydin Luangpakdy
Joshua Lundin
Caleb McLaurin
Melissa Morlock
Molly Mulderig
Danielle Nadeau
Jessica Otis
Kathryn Quinn
Lily Rudnicki
Meghan Sainsbury
Robert Sheehan
Matthew Weidmann
Noah Weidmann
West Spanish Honor Society (Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica) Inductees
Lillian Adey
Grace Aguglia
Alexis Anderson
Alex Attia
Finn Barren
Colton Brown
Riley Carey
Lucia Cartonia
Charlie Collura
Tatiana Cruz
Oliver Dana
Grace Donohue
Violet Dybalski
Rilee Farrell
Angela Frontera
Jaida Gorczyca
Tenaya Hardy
Ella Harrington
Ian Harris
Sophie Hunter
Sammy Kirchmyer
Olivia Landahl
Brady Mazurek
Samantha Nadeau
Tommy Otis
Ava Page
Alana Petschke
Travis Piotrowicz
Patrick Piwowarczyk
Dominic Rupp
Grace Schindler
Cole Shinners
Clara Stobert
Lorelai Urbanski
Sophia Vaillancourt
Ryan Vanderlip
West French Honor Society (Société Honoraire de Français) Inductees
Seniors:
Baudo, Jonathan
Bedient, Caitlyn
Borden, Maeve
Brown, Jordan
Domagala, Julia
Dusel, Aria
Gelinas, Alexandra
Guise, Carson
Hagler, Quinn
Harding, Avery
Lewinski, Gabriella
Mruk, Katie
Reisch, Maya
Rivera-Colon, Anieris
Sainsbury, Meghan
SanGeorge, Rebecca
New inductees:
Charlize Bulas
Lillian Campbell
Cadence Celotto
Allison Culliton
Grace Cutrona
Marissa Domagala
Faith Flattery
Erin Hagler
Cydney Hortman
Kayla Kosnikowski
Madison McMahon
Paige McMahon
Mina Polchlopek
Ryan Potoczak
Emma Rathmann
Troy Schoepflin
Lillian Schweikhard
Logan Sitarek
Emma Tripi
Alex Weaver
EAST SENIOR:
East Senior Seal of Biliteracy Students
Samantha Accurso
Jenelle Alcantara-Espino
Allison Czapla
Hayden Dawson
Aidan Fawls
Sophia Furlong
Ryan Glinski
Sofia Haak
Adhriyan Hashmi
Sebastian Hausrath
Julia Hise
Hannah Lockwood
McKenzie Lucey
Emilie McGrane
Malak Mohamed
Munsif Nayel
Samantha Struebel
Colton Umbleby
Ryan Wawrzeniec
Ryan Wintringer
Andrew Wolf
Anna Zimmer
East French Honor Society (Société Honoraire de Français) Inductees
Finnean Baehre
Madison Birkman
Alaina Bryant
Ava Burgio
Anna Castonguqy
Alexander Ciappa
Lorenzo Clemente
Hannah Collver
Kelsie Conti
Madison DeFazio
Ryan Delaney
Leyna Diehl
Marshall Duntley
Bryanna Francis
Dylan Fuqua
Adam Gierke
Brodey Herko
Lukas Ibrahim
Kennedy Krempholtz
Matthew Martin
Coltin Mazur
Jaeden Miller
Bianca Patronaggio
Georgia Roper
Hannah Spencer
Emily Sagi
Erin Spernyak
Emily Thompson
Ethan Tran
East Spanish Honor Society (Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica) Inductees
Hailey Alba
Sarah Amborski
Emma Abramowski
Taylor Blamowski
Jessica Blanchard
Olivia Cellino
Morgan Donaldson
Jillian Drews
Marcus Duer
Dakota Herrera
Elizabeth Hiam
Madilyn Huber
Brooke Kahanick
Jack Kalenik
Sarah Kalenik
Ella McMahon
Tawseef Nayel
Peyton Neupert
Eva Nikolov
Zachary Pawlowski
Kushal Poudel
Glenn Rath
Caysie Riker
Nathan Riley
Madison Rindfleisch
Olivia Roneker
Ariana Ruschmann
Kayla Schoenhardt
Ethan Skalski
Emily Skrzypczyk
Aiden Summers
Hannah Walter
Logan Walters
Charles Wiech
Cooper Yeomans
Tyler Zielinski
Freshman Orientation: East Middle to East Senior
Principal Jason Winnicki explained that this particular orientation was somewhat non-traditional because of construction that is being performed at the school. Still, the incoming freshmen had a chance to meet key personnel, see common areas, and enjoy tours led through their new school home.
The upper class tour leaders did a wonderful job of sharing their knowledge and pointing out areas of interest within the school. Student envoys spoke about sports and clubs, and members of various clubs and activities set up tables to entice the new freshmen to join and become involved. Assistant Principal Mary Beth Sweeny told students that if East Senior doesn't have a certain club students are looking for, she's happy to take suggestions.
Dr. Robert Merkle gave a quick primer on our array of successful Academy Programs and offered an open door policy for anyone who cares to hear more about them. Class advisors Kelley Mooar and Emily Piegay introduced themselves as the "Fun Committee," and then proved it by giving students a rundown of all of the fun yearly events they plan.
Before watching a short video and hitting the halls for the tour, Principal Winnicki gave the following advice: "Get to where you need to be, be on time, and do what adults tell you to do. I've heard great things about you, and I hope you see East Senior as a place to have a fresh start and continue your good work."
EAST SENIOR Guest Speaker Series
In the fall of 2022, a new committee was formed at East Senior called the Guest Speaker committee. tHe committee consists of Principal Jason Winnicki, Librarian and GSA Advisor Michelle Pava, and teacher Brianna Thompson.
Mrs. Pava says, “With no precedent or limitations, the possibilities were endless. It was decided to invite successful community members in to speak to students. The special focus was to share the exciting but often twisty & messy journey they took. Learning about how the challenges, failures, choices, and experiences shaped their lives made all presenters relevant to all students, regardless of their interest in the specific career being shared.”
Ms. Thompson created a Guest Speaker website so that any of the talks can be watched any time! CLICK HERE to access the site.
Principal Winnicki, in praise of Mrs. Pava and Ms. Thompson's efforts says, "You both have succeeded beyond my wildest imagination with this work this year. Words seem inadequate to express how grateful I am for your efforts in creating for East students the opportunity to be exposed to and learn about a variety of paths for their lives to follow. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You!"
EAST SENIOR Trojans Take Action
West Seneca East’s students and staff participated in their annual school-wide day of service this past Friday. Trojans Take Action allows over 1,000 student-leaders and staff to give back to the West Seneca Community.
Our Trojans shared their civic spirit with 41 sites this year to the delight of a grateful community!
In addition, the East Middle Yorkers Club that teacher Paul Gleico advises raised money all year to complete a landscaping project on the grounds of their school in conjunction with Trojans Take Action Day. It is a continuation of the beautification project the group started last year. Job well-done!
ACADEMY FIELD TRIP
Last week, 82 Engineering students in grades 10-12 enjoyed a field trip to see the fruits of engineering’s labor at Niagara Falls State Park. For the students’ knowledge, the engineering component for the Maid of the Mist involved electric boats, propulsion, the concept of varied isolated power systems, and more. 27 seniors from the Academy of Business & Finance (tourism), and Academy of IT Digital Media (visual wonder), also joined in for the Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist.
While Niagara Falls doesn’t hold an official mention as a “Wonder of the World” it does give our Academy students plenty to consider and learn about. The fun and informative field trip was funded through the New York State Connect-Kids-to-Parks Field Trip Grant Program, which is designed to connect students in New York State with nature and history. Mission accomplished!
SUPER 7 Athlete of the WEEK: Cameryn Geising
West Senior's Cameryn Geising made her 100th career field goal pin May 18th last year for the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team as a junior. Signed to play Division I Lacrosse Canisius College, Cameryn will now be featured on Channel 7 as a "Super 7 Athlete of the Week"!
"Fierce." That’s how Cameryn Geising’s coach, teacher Lauren Fibich, describes her. Fibich says, “Cam embodies everything that is wonderful about the students that attend our school: resilient, honest, hardworking, a true leader, and a friend to all."
We’re so proud of you, Cam, and of your coaches, Lauren Fibich and Megan Barone, for their guidance. You are truly "Super"!