Author: Denielle.Cazzolla
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 28-May 4, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, golf, softball and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, April 28
11 a.m.: Girls Varsity Golf Divisional at Villa Roma Country Club
3:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity League vs. Multiple Schools at The Monster at Resort World Catskill
3:45 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Liberty High School
Result: Livingston Manor/Roscoe 11, Liberty 9. Livingston Manor/Roscoe used plenty of small ball and excellent base running to go on to defeat the Redhawks 11-9. The Varsity did not give up after the Wildcats jumped to a 10-2 lead, however. The Redhawks staged a furious rally as they scored seven runs in the 5th and 6th innings to try to complete the comeback. Offensively for Liberty, Megan Schmidt led the way with three hits and three runs scored. Brenna Mangan had two hits and three RBI. Aubrey Botsford and Angie Wheeler each scored twice. Angie, Cameryn Will, Addison Bury and Maddy Stewart also had hits for Liberty.
3:45 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track & Field vs. Multiple Schools. at Washingtonville High School
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Eldred at Eldred High School
4:15 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at Rock Sports Park.
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. James I. O’Neill at James I. O’Neill High School.
Tuesday, April 29
2:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Wallkill Golf Club
3 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Tri-Valley at Tarry Brae Golf Course
4 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Chapel Field Christian Schools at Chapel Field Christian School.
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Baseball vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Liberty Middle School.
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Liberty High School
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Ellenville at Berme Road Field
Wednesday, April 30
3 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Fallsburg at Sullivan County Golf and Country Club
3:15 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Ellenville at Shawangunk Country Club
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Fallsburg JV Scrimmage at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Chester Academy at Chester Academy
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Chester Academy at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track & Field vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School.
Thursday, May 1
4 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs Multiple Schools at Tarry Brae Golf Course
4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Sullivan West Central at Villa Roma Country Club
4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Monticello at Liberty High School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Monticello at Rutherford Elementary School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Monticello at Monticello High School
Friday, May 2
3 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Monticello at The Monster at Resort World Catskill
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School
Saturday, May 3
No events scheduled.
Sunday, May 4
No events scheduled.
Retiring LHS science teacher to be honored by MHSSC
In her final year of teaching, a well-loved Liberty teacher will be honored by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council next month.
Lucinda (Cindy) Nolan, a science teacher at Liberty High School for 31 years, will receive a Teaching Excellence Award from the MHSSC. She has taught a variety of science classes from eighth grade physical science to Regents physics.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” she said. “It is the frosting on the cake of a fulfilling career as an educator.”
In his nomination letter. LHS Principal Dr. Derek Adams called Ms. Nolan “the epitome of an exceptional educator, demonstrating unwavering professionalism and dedication.”
Her high-quality instruction, engaging learning experiences and meaningful assessments fosters an environment where students thrive, he added
While her work in the classroom has been noteworthy it is her interactions with her students that make her an outstanding teacher.
“A good educator is able to inspire students to learn about the subject that they teach, but more than that to connect with students to help them to become better humans and to make a difference in their lives,” Ms. Nolan said. “Sometimes a difference is made by teaching exciting topics, other times it is by showing love.”
From engaging her students with her how-can-it-not-be-fun Physics of Toys classes, to leading lessons on rollerblading during this year’s Genius Hour, to posing with selfies with graduating seniors in their caps and gowns, Ms. Nolan has a way of connecting with students.
“I don’t think anyone dislikes Ms. Nolan,” freshman Baileigh Steinberg said.
She goes above and beyond helping her students understand their lessons, students said.
Senior Jonathan Stonick said during his freshman year he spent almost every day after school and during a study hall with her to help understand and complete his work.
“She has helped me a lot throughout my four years,” he added. “She’s a really great teacher.”
Fellow senior Nora Liddle agreed.
“I’m really happy to have had her as a science teacher. She’s one of the best female science teachers I have known,” she said. “It’s a joy to be around her.”
It’s not just the students who say that.
“I have witnessed each and every current and former student, staff and community members give and receive the warmest of greetings and interactions usually starting and finishing with a hug,” Dr. Adams said in his nomination letter. “The relationships that Cindy has built through her career are remarkable and is a testament to her dedication to an education for all students”
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Nolan also serves as adviser of National Honor Society and Science Olympiad. She is also a leader and a mentor to her colleagues, serving as a department facilitator and leading weekly professional learning community meetings, and she has spearheaded initiatives to improve instruction and student outcomes.
“Ms. Nolan is a worthy recipient of the MHSSC Teaching Excellence Award,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We will miss her at Liberty and wish her well in her retirement.”
While she may leave Liberty schools at the end of the year, her memories and connection to the district will always remain.
“I have grown so much as a person during my time here. I have received an education in different cultures and their traditions. My co-workers have become lifelong friends and extended family who have been mentors, and ‘partners in crime’ and extended family,” she said. “Not many people can meet so many people and have as much fun in their career as I have. I chose the right career for me!”
Ms.Nolan will be honored at the MHSSC’s annual meeting and awards celebration in the Fieldstone Auditorium in the North Rockland Central School District on May 7. Earlier this school year, Liberty Middle School Aide/Safety Duty staff member Cindy Mercado was honored with the MHSSC Support Staff Award for Excellence in Education.
Lead in water testing results reported at Liberty
State law requires school districts to sample all water outlets currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking purposes in buildings that may be occupied by students and to submit those samples to a state-approved lab for analysis. Testing must be completed every three years, unless the state Commissioner of Health requires testing sooner.
The state established an action level of 5 micrograms per liter or 5 parts per billion (ppb). If a sample from a water outlet exceeds this level, schools must take steps to prevent the use of the outlet for drinking or cooking purposes until it is remediated and follow-up testing confirms it is no longer above the action level.
School districts are required to report the results of all water testing to the state Department of Health, the state Education Department and the local health department, and to post the results — along with remediation plans, if required — on the official district website.
Testing took place at the middle and high school on April 8, the elementary school on April 9 and the White Sulphur Springs building on April 10.
- At the high school, a hand washing sink in the Nurse’s Office returned a 10.1 parts per billion level.
- At the middle school, a second-floor pass-through storage hand washing sink returned a 175 parts per billion level.
- At the elementary school, eight sinks were found to be above 5 ppb
- Between 16 & 17 Teacher space hand sink: 20.6 ppb
- Room 30 class sink: 14.7 ppb
- Room 42 class sink: 9.5 ppb
- Room 43 class sink: 25.6 ppb
- Room 45 class sink: 59.1 ppb
- Room 46 class sink: 6.3 ppb
- Room 48 class sink: 67.6 ppb
- Room 53 class sink: 9.1 ppb
- All outlets at the White Sulphur Springs building returned levels below 5 ppb.
Signs have been posted at all impacted sinks that water is not to be consumed from that outlet. Remedial actions will be taken and the outlets will be retested.
More information and links to the full reports are available here.
Liberty BOE OKs $68.5M budget proposal; info sessions planned
On Tuesday, April 22, Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a $68.5 million budget proposal for the 2025-26 school year that maintains programs while enhancing goals and procedure alignment as well as efficiencies district-wide without increasing the tax levy.
This is the seventh consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase.
The vote will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the high school media center.
There will be a series of budget information sessions, to which the public is encouraged to attend:
- May 5: Budget presentation to the Liberty Town Board, 6:30 p.m., the Senior Citizens Center at 119 N. Main St.
- May 6: Budget hearing, 6 p.m., High School Auditorium
- May 8: Budget, Dinner and a Concert, 5:30 p.m., HS Media Center
- May 9: Budget talk, 8:30-11:30 a.m., New Munson Diner, 12 Lake St.
The proposed $68,508,362 budget increases spending 0.70%, or $474,068 and would fund all current student programs and services.
Based on the governor’s budget proposal’s state aid projections, the district expects an overall slight decrease in state aid, with the tax lex levy remaining at $17,760,162, the same as the 2024-25 budget.
Also on the ballot is a nearly $7.5 million capital project proposal that would add air conditioning to the elementary school to address recent state legislation that sets 88 degrees as the maximum temperature in educational and support services spaces. There is no expected tax levy impact, as fund balances would be used to offset the costs not covered by state reimbursements. More information is available at the district’s 2025 capital project webpage.
There also will be three board of education seats on the ballot. On the ballot, in the order they will appear, are Miriam Rivka Singer, incumbents John L. Nichols and Timothy Hamblin, Miriam Heimlich and incumbent Matthew DeWitt.
The elected candidates will serve three-year terms running July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
For more information on the budget, including voter information, visit the district budget information page on the website.
SUNY Sullivan welcomes families to events, open house
SUNY Sullivan is hosting several events over the next few weeks to which Liberty families are invited.
Earth Day Celebration
On Thursday, April 24, the college will host an Earth Day Celebration, supported by the Liberty Partnership Program, to give prospective students the opportunity to experience sustainability in action on campus. The event, which will run from 9:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., will feature a vendor fair with more than 25 local community members, each showcasing their efforts in conservation and sustainability.
In addition to the vendor fair, the celebration will include a guided tour of the campus, highlighting key sustainability features such as the apiary, Hope Farm, and the geothermal and solar energy system.
Visitors will also have the chance to participate in interactive workshops, offering hands-on learning experiences in organic farming practices.
For more information, visit sunysullivan.edu/event/earth-day-celebration/
Open House
On Saturday, May 3, the campus will host an open house. There will be campus tours at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with an admission presentation at 1 p.m. The event is open to students who have been accepted and those who are interested in attending.
Registration is appreciated at sunysullivan.edu/open-house, but walk-ins are also welcome. For more information, email admissions@sunysullivan.edu or call 845-434-5750, ext. 4287.
SpringFest
Also on May 3 will be SUNY Sullivan’s SpringFest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more than 30 years, the festival has brought kites, crafters, food vendors, community organizations, and family-friendly activities to campus.
Attendees can take in dance and theater performances, an art show, a professional kite demonstration with candy drops, free bouncy houses, and free kites for the first 300 children.
Participants can explore the campus hiking trails, check out Hope Farm, visit with live farm animals and tour the campus apiary.
The SUNY Sullivan community also welcomes alumni back to campus to reconnect and see how SUNY Sullivan has grown. Alums can stop by the alumni table for a special gift.
For more information, visit sunysullivan.edu/springfest/
The campus is at 112 College Road in Loch Sheldrake. For more information, visit sunysullivan.edu.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 21-27, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, golf, softball and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, April 21
No events scheduled.
Tuesday, April 22
4 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Sullivan West Central at Villa Roma Country Club.
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty Middle School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School, TV – Elementary School Field
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Highland at Liberty High School
Result: Highland 21, Liberty 0
Wednesday, April 23
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. James I. O’Neill at James I. O’Neill High School
Thursday, April 24
3:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Sullivan West Central at Villa Roma Country Club
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track and Field vs. multiple schools at Sullivan West – Jeffersonville
Friday, April 25
3 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Monroe Country Club
3:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Villa Roma Country Club
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School.
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Chester Academy at Maple Avenue School (Chester).
Saturday, April 26
9 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at Dietz Stadium
Sunday, April 27
No events scheduled.
Library to host marshmallow building challenge
The Liberty Public Library will host a marshmallow building challenge for middle and high school students on Wednesday, April 30.
From 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. students in fifth through 12th grades are invited to the library at 189 N. Main St. in front of Liberty Elementary School to complete to build the tallest and strongest structure using marshmallows and toothpicks.
Snacks will be available and candy prizes will be awarded. Students may compete in teams.
For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
LMS hears anti-bullying message from Sweethearts & Heroes
A mixed martial arts professional and a retired Army sergeant severely injured in Iraq recently presented a message of hope, empathy, compassion and action at Liberty Middle School.
Sweethearts & Heroes Director and Co-Founder Tom Murphy and Rick Yarosh, a Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker, used role playing, facts, small-group exercises and real-life experiences to help teach students they can be heroes by helping stop bullying and offering hope.
“Many communities in this region grapple with socioeconomic hardships, further complicating the educational landscape,” Murphy said. “The struggles these students endure are heartbreaking, yet Liberty Middle School has paved the way for resilience and success.”
Sweethearts and Heroes’ message and approach aligns with the LMS Comprehensive Education Plan and the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan, said Behavioral Specialist Sheila Wormuth, who brought the program to LMS.
“Their unique approach focuses on actionable steps, rather than just awareness, making a real impact,” she said.
For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Murphy calls “the ‘stop, drop and roll’ of bullying” to more than 2.5 million students across the Northeast and Canada.
The target for the lessons isn’t the bullies or their targets, he said, but those who see it happening and can step in and help.
Over two days, Murphy and Yarosh presented two assemblies—tailored to fifth and sixth grade students in the first and seventh and eighth in the second—visited classes and led small group activities, called circles.
“It was real, it was honest, it was relatable and it will help me see ways to be a better person in school,” seventh-grader Greyson Torres said.
While the message was primarily geared toward students, it also heavily involved staff, who were directly addressed in the presentation and participated in the circles, Wormuth said.
“These were two of the most positive and productive days toward our SEL (social emotional learning) effort,” sixth-grade teacher Justin Golden said.
That is something Murphy said is needed.
“While their environment may not be perfect, in just two days, we witnessed not only students thriving but also a dedicated staff that genuinely loves and cares for the children in their community,” Murphy said. “Bravo, Liberty—bravo!”
A recording of the assemblies can be found at https://events.locallive.tv/events/172824
BOE to meet April 22, April 30
The next Liberty Central School District Board of Education meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the HS Media Center. The board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) immediately. The regular portion of the meeting, open to the public, is expected to resume at 6 p.m.. The agenda will be available on Monday, April 22, at Board Docs.
There will be a special meeting of the Board of Education at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the District Office at 115 Buckley St. in Liberty. The board anticipates entering into executive session immediately. There will be no other business and the meeting will be adjourned at the end of the executive session. The meeting is not open to the public. The agenda will be available at Board Docs on Tuesday, April 29.
Students named to third-quarter honor rolls at LMS
The following students were named to the third-quarter honor rolls at Liberty Middle School. Honor Roll students have an overall average of 90-96. The Principal’s Honor Roll requires an average of 97-100.
Third quarter
Eighth grade
Principal’s Honor: Phillip Burrous Jr, Amelia Cole, Grace Fitzgerald, Anthony Gavidia Reyes, Victoria Henry, Mariana Joya-Reyes, Sara Liddle, Olivia Matuszak, Jacob Pennell, Alena Tarabichi and Sophia Vasko.
Honor: Nathan Alvord, Jahir Brown, Samantha Bull, Luca Burgio, Evelin Castillo Hernandez, Matthew Decker, Casity DiBartolo, Joshua DiBartolo, Alexandra Galeas Osorio, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Yoscari Gomez Mejia, Nazarah Heglar, Dana Jimbo Montero, Savannah Johnson, Damien Keating, Paola Lopez Perez, Elizabeth MacNamara, Tristan Maloney, Xavier Martin, Wilton Mata, Justin Molina Munoz, Gabriela Mosso, Sariah Ocasio, Javier Ortiz Paz, Aaron Ponce Flores, Arianna Rodriguez, Kimberly Rodriguez, Sulenny Romero, Scarlett Saltos Zapatanga, Everett Schwartz, Jace Snowden, Emma Tacti and Amaiya Williamson.
Seventh grade
Principal’s Honor: Madison Allen, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Gavin Grant, Antoni Klys, Corinne Lake, Harper Matuszak, Americus Newhall, Angelick Rivera, Brycen Smith and Avery Wilson.
Honor: Conner Baum, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Michael Garzon Valle, Chase Golzak, Jacob Grossman, Alan Hernandez Lopez, Luna Hulse, Lilly Kehrley, Sidra Koen James, Matthew Kolarik, Jessica Laura Loftus, Adner Mejia Aguilar, Luke Poley, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Myla Rielly, Vincent Sackett, Aiden Satz, Namarpreet Singh, Hayden Smith, Angel Terraza Raymundo, Erick Torres Garcia, Evan Vidalis and Ethan Zheng.
Sixth grade
Principal’s Honor: Elisa Barragan, Owen Brust, Farrah Conklin-Degraw, Dia Marie D’Agata, Avery Decker, Ellis Dilworth, Delilah Flores-Serapio, Tyler Kavleski, Karen Mosso, Scarlett Ratner and Katherine Valdez Calle.
Honor: Kendriel Aliers Amparo, Muhammad Awais, Guiliana Birkett, Emma Boyles, Genesis Caiza Viracocha, Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Ronal Dubon Duque, Ely Garcia Garcia, Mia Grant, Astrid Guardado Diaz, Genesis Harrison, Madison Hernandez, Isabella Intranuovo, Dylan Joya Reyes, Aubrie Keating, Mateusz Klys, Makenzie Knack, Torion Lindsay, Keidy Llano Luciano, Jayden Lopez Olivares, Alexandria Lyden, Megan Martinez Gomez, Lorelai McCarthy, Abel McClain, Bentley Moore, Denali Owens, Randy Panchana, Lily Paynter, Milsi Ramirez Martinez, Daniela Ramirez-Alvarez, Jonathan Reyes Escobedo, Kailani Rivera, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Jordyn Roebuck, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin, Illiany Sanabria, MaKynlie Smith, Stephani Smith, Reinier Stanton, Sarah Steingart, Marjorie Tejada Servellon, Sophie Toledo, Cecia Vallejo Cruz, Belinda VanGordon, Raegan Wagner, Delanie Yupanqui, Sophie Zayas and Subhan Zeeshan.
Fifth grade
Principal’s Honor: Joseph Geoghan, Dean Harte, Anastasia Kelly, Josslynn Letohic, Caleb McNett, Tierney Meddaugh, Henry Vogler and Ivan Zheng.
Honor: Riley Baum, Chase Blume, Amaya Burton, Jerin Burton, Annabella Buryiak, Arabella Chaney, Gisselle Colon, Darius Dawkins, Blake Dennison, Alec Feliciano, Estiven Flores Baquedano, Willis Gamble Jr, Parker Gissentaner, Savannah Gonzalez, Bryson Hendrickson, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Ana Hernandez, Laurel Hook, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Lillian Keating, Ryleigh LaMantia, Helen Lucero Bonilla, Elvis Lucero Guzman, Lilith Lynker, Axel Malaga Lopez, Ivanna Malaga Ventura, Aaliyah McClain, Nicholas McPhillips, Juritzi Molina Reyes, Logan Moore, Anthony Philippe, Levi Poley, Isabella Puente, Yarixa Reyes Cardenas, Camila Reyes Cortez, Esmeralda Santiago Sharpe, Alonso Sierra Nunez and Audrey Yaun.