archives 2011a - Fort Plain CSD, Fort Plain, NY

The 2011 edition of the Harry Hoag Elementary School Yearbook was dedicated to music teacher Julianne Sincavage at a ceremony in the school gym. The dedication reads: Mrs. Sincavage is an awesome music teacher. She makes music fun and we learn so much from her – everything from music history to singing in other languages. She is always happy and excited for choir and brightens our day. Thank you, Mrs. Sincavage, for all you do.” Behind the honoree are some of the students who made the yearbook possible: Sierra Logan, Allison Ramsey, Tim Hazzard, and Nate Florian. Libby Arndt and Eileen Kretser are yearbook advisors.

Maisie Orsillo awarded Dell Scholarship ((May 2011)

Senior Maisie Orsillo has been awarded a $20,000 Dell Scholars Program Scholarship funded by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The Dell Scholars Program is a unique college scholarship designed to identify and support college educations for determined, but financially underserved students. The Dell Scholars Program also provides an on-line community for mentoring and peer interaction. The scholarship covers a time period of up to six years. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Orsillo, Maise will be attending Cornell as a Bio-medical Sciences/Biology major. Among her school activities are National Honor Society president, Be the Change, Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council vice president, band, chorus, dance, 4H, and Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Great news writing (May 2011)

Sixth grade student Julia Stockwell has won first place in the Student Gazette writing competition sponsored The Gazette newspapers, Schenectady. Julia won in the news/feature category for her story about a fire in Fort Plain teacher Patrick Hanifin’s garage. Contest winners, parents, grandparents, and teachers were invited to a reception at The Gazette on April 27 where prizes will be awarded. The Student Gazette which includes Julia’s story was inserted in The Daily Gazette of May 13.

Prom 2011 - "Northern Lights"

Vincenza's Banquet House in Gloversville was the scene for this year's prom, held May 14. Kelsey Logan was named prom queen and Sam Kirkpatrick was prom king. Their attendants were Chelsea Koch, Alex Carter, Anderson Briggs, Brittany Koch, Kris Downes, Ashton Parker, Dylan Pechtel, and Jack Ray. Prom Photos Page 1

Prom Photos Page 2

SADD recognized (May 2011)

The high school's Students Against Destructive Decisions has been recognized by Project Action Tobacco-Free Coalition for “outstanding leadership in promoting tobacco-free healthy lifestyles” relating to the SADD chapter’s efforts against tobacco advertisements in the media. The award was presented at a recent Project Action event in Johnstown. From left are SADD advisors Charlene Denofrio and Lisa Petty and SADD President Nolan Reese.

Health Fair offered information / demonstrations (April 2011)

The district's Child Nutrition Advisory Committee’s Health and Wellness Fair April 2 in the Jr./Sr. High School featured 30 vendors / information booths and a popular Zumba demonstration in the gymnasium. Health professionals provided basic screenings, and there were presentations designed to help the community become aware of the many health, wellness, and nutrition-related programs, services and providers located in the surrounding area. The fair also featured demonstrations at the new fitness center, which is open for public use. Photos show Fort Plain High School Seniors Maise Orsillo and Nolan Reese manning the diabetes information booth

Great essay writing (March 2011)

Fort Plain students swept first, second, and third prizes in the sixth grade competition in the Yahnundahsis Scottish Rite Masons of Utica Family Life Essay Contest. Siera Nichols placed first, Austin Crouse was second, and Gracelynn Oldick was third. Students were asked to write about the importance of families in their lives. The students will receive savings bonds and, along with their families, were invited to a dinner in their honor at Roselawn Restaurant in New York Mills on March 27.

Fit for a king (Feb.)

Students in Maria Burton’s Fascinating Foods class made Mardi Gras style “King’s Cakes” as part of their study of Creole foods from the Louisiana region. The cake, which is more like a yeast bread, is made with cinnamon, sugar, pecans and other ingredients and is shaped like a crown. It is decorated in purple, representing faith; gold, representing power, and green, representing justice.

Pennies for Patients drive (Feb.)

Sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Pennies for Patients asks children to donate spare change in any amount possible to help support programs for leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancer patients and to fund research to find a cure for blood cancers. Beginning Feb. 1, students in kindergarten to grade six collected change in small boxes and brought it to school. The drive will conclude Feb. 18. As of Feb. 8, the $600 mark in change collected had been easily surpassed. Sarah Hoffman and Ryan Flannigan are just two of the many Harry Hoag students who have contributed their money and time for this cause.

WAC Champs! (Feb.)

Fort Plain High School Boys Varsity Basketball team won the Western Athletic Conference John C. Woodward Memorial Cup Feb. 6 with a 52-40 win over previously unbeaten Schenectady Christian in the WAC crossover tournament at Fulton Montgomery Community College. Brent Baker led the way with 26 points. Seniors Jabin Weaver and Ashton Parker are shown holding the cup, which was also won by Fort Plain in 2001-02, the first year it was awarded. Fort Plain, ranked 9th in the state in Class C, heads into sectional play with a 15-2 record.