Category: High School News
Liberty unveils new logos
About a year after deciding on a new mascot for Liberty Central School District, the district has finalized a new Redhawks logo.
The design process began in November, with the district working with Gilday Creative to come up with the initial designs. The designs were brought back to the district’s student liaison teams in all three schools for input. After several rounds of redesign and student input, two basic mascot designs were created: one with a redhawk in flight and another featuring the head of the redhawk in a badge form. Versions of each have been created with the words “Liberty Redhawks” and “Redhawks” included in the designs.
“This truly was a student-led design process,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “I appreciate the work and thoughtfulness our student leaders put into the process to create the imagery that will represent Liberty Central School District and our Redhawks into the future.”
Following a mandate from New York State in November 2022, Liberty was required to move to discontinue the use of its Native American mascot and logo. Following a vote by the public in May 2023, the Board of Education approved the use of Redhawks mascot in June 2023.
The district had unveiled new logos in October, but they were discontinued over any potential legal issues that may have arisen from their use.
The new design will begin being put in use over the next several weeks.
Liberty CSD voters approve $68M school budget proposal
On Tuesday, May 21, voters in the Liberty Central School District approved, 987-69, the district’s $68 million budget proposal for the 2024-25 school year.
“We appreciate Liberty Central School District residents’ continued support and recognition of our efforts to give our students the education they need to pursue their potential and thrive in the future,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We are also glad we could do this without increasing the tax levy for the sixth year in a row.”
The $68,034,294 budget funds all current student programs and services, while keeping the tax levy the same as the current year. The budget includes several program expansions that support the district’s five-year strategic plan, including expanding the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) math curriculum to seventh grade, adding Syracuse University Project Advance college credit courses, as well as introducing more computer science and AI-related programs across grades.
The budget also includes the addition of a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)-certified teacher, creating an administrative athletic director position, and converting two part-time teacher aide positions into one full time teacher aid. An update to the middle school library’s innovation lab is also included.
Voters also re-elected three board of education members to three-year terms on the board. Maureen Crescitelli received 605 votes, Peter Racette received 591 and Pamela Teed Fisk, 595. Three write-in candidates, Miriam Singer, Miriam Breuer and Miriam Heimlich, each received more than 400 votes, with several others receiving one vote each.
LHS National Honor Society inducts 28
The 84th annual LHS National Honor Society Inductions welcomed 28 new members on May 15.
1the Liberty Chapter Number 2314 of the National Honor Society was established in 1940 and to date now has 1,520 students from Liberty High School inducted into the chapter.
Students were not only inducted but also given service awards from the Liberty Chamber of Commerce (Dr. Bodolosky) and the Liberty Elks Club (Melissa DeMarmels and Gene Adolf). LHS Class of 2013 graduate, District 1 Legislator, Majority Leader and Chairman of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Matthew McPhillips was the guest speaker and gave the inductees advice.
Members inducted were: Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos, Cristian Argenal, Carmela Burgio, Addison Bury, Genna DeFrank, Giada DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, Allison Diaz Lopez, Joseph DiBartolo, Damaris Garcia, Lia Guillerme, Camila Hernandez, Jacob Kelly, Kaley Klein, Gianna Lewis, Leonel Malaga Venture, Diego Marcia, Genesis Munoz Valladares, Sierra Norris, William Pennell, Brooke Porter, Cassandra Porter, Alexandra Rivera, Joseph Sarney, Justin Simon, Maylluri Vinocunga Llano, Cameryn Will and Isaiah Young.
The NHS Slideshow can be seen here.
Third-quarter LHS Stellar Students honored
The Stellar Student Awards were revived by Liberty High School Building Leadership Team to recognize students who for the quarter were referral-free, had no unexcused late entries, and had a 75 or above quarter average with no failures or incompletes. Students celebrated their accomplishments with ice cream parties, compliments of donations from ShopRite of Liberty, on May 6 and 7.
The following students were honored:
12th grade
Jumana Abu Al Ghanam, Alejandra Barquero Lopez, Mia Barragan, Noellia Cruz Cruz, Christopher Garzon, Valle Claudia Herzog, Zoe Kip, Samuel Olivares-Reyes, Rocio Panama, Jacob Ross, Grace Torres, Irvin Valente Guzman, Cristian Vargas Martin, Maylluri Vinocunga Llano, Alexia Viracocha, Winsley Viracocha and Benjamin Visconti.
11th grade
Quinn Allen, Guillermo Arauz Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Bodolosky, Andres Castillo Hernandez, Eugene Davis-Andino, Colin Doeinck, James Fancher, Lianna Gissentaner , Brayan Hernandez Ballen, Camila Hernandez, Nora Liddle, Erick Morales Banegas, Adamaris Navarro-Leon, Sierra Norris, Mason Smith, Austin Werlau and Rita Zheng.
10th grade
Brooke Bull, Carmela Burgio, Addison Bury, Runxian Chen, Jake Cross, Elizabeth Cruz Cruz, Joshua Decker Jr., Allisson Diaz Lopez, Joseph DiBartolo, Faith Fitzgerald, Christopher Flores Osorto, Sydania Foster,Damaris Garcia, Awky Guaillas Quizhpe, Zane Kip, DaShaun Loyce, Arwyn Lucero-Bonilla, Angelina Magie, Leonel Malaga Ventura, Angel Maldonado, Melanie Moreno Velasquez, William Pennell, Brooke Porter, Cassandra Porter, Jose Rivera, Randy Romero-Bello, Ryan Romero-Bello, Tayler Schwartz, Jaidon Simmons, Justin Simon and Elijah Warren.
Ninth grade
Zackary Alvord, Gianino Amendola, Jill Baumander, Kent Clarke, Riley Cox, Liliana Crespo, Alan Cruz, Colin Dole, Dung Duong, LeonJahnae Skye Fountain, Austin Frunzi, Yamilet Garcia Gonzalez, Rahel Garrod, Mayrelis Gonzalez Ramirez, Diana Guallpa, Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo, Audrey Krum,Nester Leon Aldana, Roger Lynker lll, Jeremiah McLeod, Mariely Medina Orellana, Katherine Panama Guaillazaca, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Riley Santiago, Jordan Smith, Lige Young and Sebastian Yupanqui.
Capital project schedule set
Construction expected to begin in the fall
While no dirt has been moved nor a sledge hammer yet swung, work on the Capital Project approved by Liberty Central School District voters in January is moving forward.
After speaking with administrators and staff who will be impacted by the work, a basic schedule of the work has been created. The plan was recently presented to the board of education.
Maintenance Building
The maintenance building structure for the Building and Grounds Department, which has already been approved by the state Education Department following the 2021 project vote, is expected to go to bid this summer and early fall, with construction anticipated to begin in the fall and be completed by late summer 2025.
Phase 1
The next phase will be broken into three sections, with all expected to be submitted for SED approval in July, and bidding to be in February and March 2025.
- Phase 1A will include exterior stair replacement and emergency generator replacement at the high school; interior door replacement at the middle school, and hazardous flooring abatement and replacement at the elementary school. The work at the athletics field is also in the phase. That will include the synthetic turf field installation, running track and field events upgrades, scoreboard, public address system and bleacher replacement, the addition of site and athletic lighting, sidewalk replacement, and replacement of the press box with a pre-engineered metal building. Construction of this phase is anticipated to take place spring 2025 through spring 2026.
- Phase 1B will be the boiler replacement in the Elementary School, with construction expected to take place in summer 2025.
- Phase 1C will be the installation of new emergency generators in the middle school and district office and the replacement of electrical distribution panels of the middle school. Construction of this phase is expected in summer 2026.
Phase 2
The second phase of the project will be at the elementary school, with the boiler conversion (steam to hot water) completed, gymnasium ventilation added, HVAC controls upgraded, unit ventilators installed and the wood flooring in classrooms replaced. The project is expected to be submitted for approval to the NYSED in September with bidding anticipated in May or June 2025 and construction to be completed in summer 2026.
Phase 3
The final phase will include renovations to the 300 wing and cafeteria, as well as work needed to convert the former maintenance space into the innovation lab, at the high school. The third phase will also include HVAC controls upgrades at the high school and middle school, new carbon monoxide systems in all three school buildings and the district office, new emergency lighting and repairs for the transformer and chiller at the middle school, and roof fascia repairs and gymnasium seating handrail upgrades at the elementary school. The final phase is expected to be submitted to NYSED for approval in January 2025, with bidding anticipated to follow in November and December 2025. Construction is expected to take place during the summers of 2026 and 2027.
The full capital project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The presentation can be seen at https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/liberty/Board.nsf/files/D49JCW4C71CF/$file/CS%20Arch%20Presentation%20April%2016%2C%202024.pdf
LHS names more than 200 to honor rolls for third marking period
The following students were named to the third marking period honor rolls at Liberty High School. High honor roll students must have attained a marking period average of 89.5 or better and have no failing or incomplete grades. Honor roll students must have attained a marking period average of 84.5 or better and have no failing or incomplete grades.
12th grade
High honor: Jumana Abu Al Ghanam, Mia Barragan, Kevin Cando, Brittany Cardenas, Shannon Ciardo, Phoenix Cordero, Noellia Cruz Cruz, Nevaeh Davis, Morgan DeGraw, Lorna DeWitt, Jayla Edwards, Christopher Garzon Valle, Hannah Gill, Claudia Herzog, Julia Juron, Liliana Ines Leon, Zoe Kip, Aylin Leon Martinez, Maytte Morales-Romero, Josue Nunura Galan, Samuel Olivares-Reyes, David Philips, Elaina-Louise Ramirez, Alesandra Rivera, Alexandra Rivera, Jacob Ross, Rozlyn Schauerhamer, Jeremy Simon, Erin Skinner, Kelvin Turcios Mejia, Maylluri Vinocunga Llano, Benjamin Visconti and Sincere Warren.
Honor: Maria Abreu, Alejandra Barquero Lopez, Alexia Caiza Viracocha, Winsley Caiza Viracocha, Carlos Campos-Castro, Yuridia Cristino Lopez, Chase Fry, Brooke Hessinger, Adam Houser, Omar Huerta, Joaquin Isler Diaz, Cyah Jackson, Madeline Kelly, Jordy Lopez Olivarez, Melany Manzanares Orellana, Dania Maradiaga, Natalie Morales, Adriana Moran Monterrosa, Lesly Panama, Jake Parks, Riley Rivera, Stefany Sandoval, Steve Santin Flores, Grace Emily Torres, Cristian Vargas Martin and Aiden Yaun.
11th grade
High honor: Quinn Allen, Endya Alvarez, Kaitlyn Bodolosky, Noah Call, Cathy Delgado-Flores, James Dworetsky, Sara Fajardo Reyes, Sophia Ferguson, Haley Gill, Camila Hernandez, Jordan Hewlett, Joshua Kratz, Carla Lara Fernandez, Kimberlin Malaga Gonzalez, Colin Mangan, Diego Marcia Paz, Matthew McKoy, Owen Moore, Sierra Norris, Joshuaj Reyes Escobedo, Mason Lewis Smith, Hannah Grace Wormuth and Rita Zheng.
Honor: Guillermo Arauz Gonzalez, Andres Castillo Hernandez, Abdi Coy Pop, Colin Doeinck, Olivia Dworetsky, Jose Galeas Aguilar, Lianna Gissentaner, Wyatt Green, Sandra Hanofee, Alex Kearney, Jack Thomas Krum, Kenisha Amber Ledoux, Matthew Lutz, Jameel D. McCline, Liam Foley Parks, Jose G. Perez Sanchez, Megan Schmidt, Brianna Kayla Smith, Austin T. Werlau, Mykenzi M. Williams and Kyra L. Wingert.
10th grade
High honor: Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos, Cristian Argenal, Brooke Bull, Carmela Burgio, Addison Bury, Runxian Chen, Genna DeFrank, Giada DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, Allisson Diaz Lopez, Joseph DiBartolo, Faith Fitzgerald, Sydania Foster, Damaris Garcia, Lia Guillerme, Jacob Kelly, Kaley Klein, Gianna Lewis, Angelina Magie, Leonel Malaga Ventura, Yuritzy Martinez Ramirez, Serenity Moore, Genesis Munoz Valladares, Soleil Ocasio-Lombardi, William Pennell, Brooke Porter, Cassandra Porter, Phillo Romero, Justin Simon, Andreas Stephens, Elijah A. Warren and Cameryn Will.
Honor: Maliea Agapito, Naiara Alvarado Piedy, Aubrey Botsford, Jake Cross, Marcus Curry, Cameron Degroat, Christopher DiBartolo, Zane Kip, Belen Leon Martinez, Gustavo Leon, DaShaun Jordan Loyce, Arwyn Lucero-Bonilla, Angel Maldonado, Brenna Mangan, Emely Maradiaga Martinez, Melanie Moreno Velasquez, Scarlet Perez, Jose Rivera, Randy Romero-Bello, Joseph Sarney, Tayler Schwartz, Jaidon Simmons, Ashley Szuba, Isabella Wagner, Angela Wheeler, Jada Williams, Haven Wright and Isaiah Young.
Ninth grade
High honor: Brayan Abrego Medina, Zackary Alvord, Jehu Baldes Lara, Jill Baumander, Eyanna Castro, Olivia Corrigan, Liliana Crespo, LeonJahnae Fountain, Kylie Fuller, Yamilet Garcia Gonzalez, Carlos Garzon Cruz, Peyton Hadjstylianos, Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo, Misael Juarez Perez, Peyton Klein, Roger Lynker III, Jeremiah McLeod, Mariely Medina Orellana, Angele Osorio Ramirez, Katherine Panama Guaillazaca, Giselle Perez Sanchez, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Jordan Smith, Amy Szuba, Allison Vasko and Sebastian Yupanqui.
Honor: Gianino Amendola, Sophia Avellino, Isabella Caycho, Kent Clarke, Jeffery Cobbs Jr, Kyla Coker, Riley Cox, Alan Cruz, Colin Dole, Dung Duong, Austin Frunzi, Diana Guallpa, Bartlomiej Klys, Audrey Krum, Orchid Langlois, Nester Leon Aldana, Marvin Lucero Ramirez, Katherine Maldonado, Bridgette Mateo Cruz, Jose Moreno Reyes, Elizabeth Navarrete, Savannah Pagan Van Wagner, Riley Santiago, Madelynn Stewart, Jeronimo Velez Osorio and Giuliana Wagner.
Two from Liberty to be honored by MHSSC
Liberty High School English Teacher Michele Clark and Liberty Central School District Board of Education member John Nichols will be honored by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council later this spring.
Michele Clark
Clark will receive a Teaching Excellence Award, which is “designed to recognize those teachers who have demonstrated excellence in achieving the educational mission at their BOCES, district, or campus level,” according to the MHSSC.
Clark, who has taught English for 30 years, 25 of them at Liberty, will be honored for her commitment to her students and the school community.
“Clark is more than just a teacher; she is a dynamic educator who continuously innovates and enhances her craft,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan wrote in nominating her for the award. “Her dedication to professional development and her willingness to explore new teaching methodologies have resulted in engaging and effective lessons that resonate with her students.”
High School Principal Derek Adams agreed, writing in his nomination letter: “In the classroom, Michele exhibits exceptional educational talent, employing effective instructional practices that not only engage students but also yield tangible results in terms of academic growth and achievement.”
Her excellence goes beyond the lessons, Sullivan wrote, calling her “a caring individual who prioritizes building meaningful relationships with her students and colleagues alike.”
“She creates a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed,” he added. “Her genuine care and concern for her students extend beyond the classroom, as she actively participates in extracurricular activities and mentorship programs to further enrich their educational experience.”
Adams’ noted Clark’s work as Allusions co-advisor, where creative writing, poetry and artistic work come together in the annual Allusions publication.
She is also a leader for her peers, Adams wrote. She is a department facilitator and hosts weekly professional learning community groups to improve her department. “She exemplifies leadership qualities that inspire others and contribute to the professional development of the entire faculty,” he wrote. “She embodies the highest ideals of teaching excellence and is truly deserving of this prestigious honor.”
John Nichols
Nichols, who has served on Liberty’s school board for more than a decade, including time as board vice president and five years as president, will receive a School Board Service Award. The award is “designed to recognize those individuals who through their selfless efforts have helped guide, support, promote and serve the school districts and communities they represent,” according to the MHSSC.
“The mission of the Liberty Central School District is to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Sullivan wrote in his nomination letter for Nichols. “After reading our mission, I am honored to state that Mr. John Nichols has exemplified our mission throughout his work as a Liberty Central School District Board of Education member.”
Nichols’ goals, Sullivan wrote, “are to provide students with the opportunities and resources to help our students achieve, uphold fiscal responsibility, and represent the entire Liberty Community.”
And that is something Nichols has done well, Sullivan wrote.
Nichols “always stresses the importance of leveraging our resources to expand our curriculum, supports each student that walks through our hallways and relays the voice of his constituents,” Sullivan wrote.
Sullivan also pointed out Nichols’ dedication to students and tradition. In his role as board president and a volunteer firefighter, Nichols, a 1985 LHS graduate, helped the district safely resume the homecoming bonfire during the 2021-22 school year.
Fiscal responsibility is also important to Nichols.
“Mr. Nichols has a strong understanding of our school budget, and he continuously balances fiscal responsibility and innovation,” Sullivan wrote. “(He) continuously supports our Strategic Plan from his Board of Education capacity and has advocated for a minimal tax increase for our school community for several years,” calling him “a true champion for our students, faculty, staff and taxpayers.”
“Liberty would not be on its trajectory if it wasn’t for Mr. Nichols’ leadership,” Sullivan wrote.
The awards will be presented at the MHSSC’s Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration on Wednesday, May 8, in the Fieldstone Auditorium in North Rockland School District
This year, the MHSSC split its awards into two ceremonies. LHS Teaching Assistant Nancy Katzenberger was honored this fall as one the recipients of the MHSSC’s Support Staff Award for Excellence in Education.
BOE approves $68M budget proposal; vote is May 21
On Tuesday, April 16, the Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a $68 million budget proposal to put before the voters on Tuesday, May 21. The proposal for the 2024-25 school year enhances curriculum and improves programs without increasing the tax levy.
This is the sixth consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase.
“This budget proposal continues our commitment to fiscal responsibility while providing the increased programming and support our students need to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
The proposed $68,034,294 budget increases spending 2.62%, or $1,737,992, and would fund all current student programs and services. The district’s allowable calculated tax levy limit increase is 5.24%; however, because the governor’s budget proposal allocates a 3.06%, or $1,686,000, increase in state aid to Liberty, the district is able to put forth a proposal with a tax levy of $17,760,162, the same as the current year’s budget.
The proposed spending increase is attributed to increases in such recurring expenses as insurance, energy costs and maintenance materials, as well as proposed expansions to curricular and extracurricular opportunities.
One of the pillars of the district’s five-year strategic plan is curriculum. Several program expansions proposed in the 2024-25 budget would support that pillar, including expanding the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) math curriculum to seventh grade, adding Syracuse University Project Advance college credit courses, as well as introducing more computer science and AI-related programs across grades.
The proposal also includes the addition of a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)-certified teacher, creating an administrative athletic director position, and converting two part-time teacher aide positions into one full time teacher aid. An update to the middle school library’s innovation lab is also in the proposal.
“This budget proposal keeps us focused on the elements of our strategic plan so that we can continue to prepare our students for a successful future,” Sullivan said.
Polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the High School Media Center. The time and location are changes from past years. More budget information will be available on the district’s budget page.
Liberty students take home 11 awards at county art show
Liberty Central School District students won several awards at last week’s Sullivan County PK-12 Art Show at the Events Gallery at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
Liberty students took four of the five possible Artist Choice Awards in Photography. The Artist Choice Awards are selected by professionals. Leonel Malaga Ventura earned an award for black and white photography, and Jill Baumander, Kaitlyn Bodolosky and Maria Quintanilla Bonilla each won for color photography.
In Sculpture, Studio Art student Roz Schauerhamer took an Artist Choice award.
In Ceramics, Brittany Cardenas won two Artist Choice awards and Brook Bull took a Student Choice award.
In Painting, Studio Art student Madelynn Stewart received an Artist Choice award
In Mixed Media, Aulanie Garcia Velez took a Student Choice award.
In Drawing, Giovanni Flores Leon earned an Artist Choice Award.
The show kicked off with a high school student opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, and opened to the public with a reception from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 12. The show continued from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14.
Student artwork from media categories of ceramics and Glass, Digital Art Design, Black and White Drawing, Color Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Black and White Photography, Color Photography, Film and Animation, and Sculpture were on display, with about 125 total pieces from Liberty students across the district.
LCSD earns national recognition for music education for fifth consecutive year
Liberty Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education for the fifth year in a row.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Liberty answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Music education offers a multifaceted array of benefits, touching on cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development,” LCSD Director of Music Eric Aweh said. “Its impact is profound, laying the groundwork for well-rounded individuals who are capable of thinking creatively, expressing themselves, and contributing positively to society.”
The community will be able to see the Liberty music students in action several times before the end of the school year, with a series of spring concerts. High school mixed ensembles will be featured Thursday, May 9; seventh and eighth graders on Tuesday, May 14; high school honors students on Thursday, May 16; fifth and sixth graders on Tuesday, May 21, and the elementary students on Monday, June 3. All concerts will be held in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m., except the elementary concert which will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“Music is a vital part of the educational experience,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We appreciate the NAMM Foundation’s continued recognition of our dedication to providing a quality music education for our students.”
Now in its 23rd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org.