WVCSD EdTalk: January 8, 2025
As we embark on the “winter semester,” it is my pleasure to look back at some of the Superintendent Spotlights and Artist of the Week profiles that have been published on our website and in the local paper. You can find the spotlight and artist profiles on our website each week, as well as on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Here’s a look at some of the students we’ve profiled since October. You can read their full stories at www.warwickvalleyschools.com.
Mariana Pineda-Pinzon and Bleek Thompson are the president and vice president, respectively, of the Warwick Valley Middle School Student Senate. Marianna is also a member of the Ukulele Club and Drama Club. Bleek is a digital content creator with a popular YouTube Channel. Both have exhibited impressive peer leadership skills, working with their schoolmates to organize and execute successful, community-centered campaigns like this year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive and the middle school’s efforts on behalf of the WTBQ Radio Toys for Military Tots Drive.
We profiled three of this year’s Wildcats football team, quarterback Brody Frederick and wide receivers Ryan and Dylan Sullivan. These guys were an offensive triple threat this season and played huge roles in the Wildcats dynamite 8-2 record. Ryan and Dylan are both National Honor Society members, Brody is a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete, and all three are active in our Future Business Leaders of America chapter.
We also shined the Superintendent’s Spotlight on five students who have already been under another the actual spotlights this fall – the lead performers from both the Park Avenue and Sanfordville Drama Clubs’ fall musicals. At Park Avenue, the outstanding performances of Frozen featured Adelaide Ronne as Anna and Margaret Calisi as Elsa. At Sanfordville, 101 Dalmatians starred Nate Fodor as Roger, Carly Orthman as Anita, and Nova McRoberts as Cruella de Vil.
Our Artist of the Week nominees included Kat Baird, a junior who shared her experiences learning to work in ceramics with Ms. Sisco and the individual creative process she has developed. Senior Sydney Stirpe, who moved to Warwick in the ninth grade, told us about how she once played Carnegie Hall as part of a music ed program in Queens. She is now the first chair violin in our orchestra. Helena Gell, a sixth grader, has been performing since elementary school, including many roles and multiple ensembles. She was also a WVMS Student of the Month for September.
Sara Marina is in eighth grade and doing incredible work with Ms. Mednick. When she’s not drawing, she’s also an avid gymnast and a member of band, chorus and honors symphony. Gianna Crescimanno is passionate about performing and visual arts. She plays cello in the high school chamber orchestra and wire choir and is part of the Portfolio & Art Careers class. And so is Ashley Ruszkiewicz, a digital artist who let us in on why so much of her artwork has the common theme of toads!
Lastly, I want to invite Warwick Valley parents to a very important event that will be happening on Thursday, January 16 at 6:00 pm. Our high school is hosting an evening event billed as a “Parent Academy,” with a renowned school educator who specializes in vaping and fentanyl, Michael DeLeon, founder of the non-profit organization Steered Straight. Mr. DeLeon will be here to shed some light on the dangers related to these substances that are trending in popularity with young people. Other topics will include alcohol, bullying and suicide. Mr. DeLeon also teaches strategies you can use to have open and honest conversations about these difficult topics with your children at home.
Steered Straight has shared their message with more than 15 million students from more than 11,500 schools across the country. Our students’ safety, your children’s safety, and overall well-being are our top priorities, and Mr. DeLeon’s message of helping young people make positive, informed choices resonates with us all, and his organization takes a no nonsense approach to educating them on the harmful nature of drugs and the dire consequences it can have on their lives.
Warwick Valley is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy and supportive environment for our students. This program promises to provide invaluable information and tools for parents and caregivers, and I am grateful to our high school administration for bringing it to our district. I hope you will plan to join us. More information is available on our website.