News items

L-R: Front row - Auxiliary Board members Barbara Mehar, Joan DiTullo (Auxiliary President) and Diana Dudley. Back row - Sue Sullivan,SLCH Vice President Development and Government Affairs, Executive Director, Foundation; Ryan Michael Sheehan; Allan E. Atzrott, SLCH President and CEO; Neil Patel and Michael Veve.

SLCH Awards Scholarships to Three Local Students

NEWBURGH (July 14) - Three college-bound students who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism and community service have been awarded scholarships through St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Foundation.

The St. Luke's Cornwall Auxiliary scholarship ($2,000) was awarded to two graduating high school students who are the children of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital employees or active volunteers, and who plan to pursue a career in a health-related field. Ryan Michael Sheehan, son of Kathleen (SLCH nurse) and Theodore Sheehan, and a recent Wallkill High School graduate will study occupational therapy at Quinnipiac University. Neil Patel, son of Dr. Umangi and Mukesh Patel, graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and will attend New York University as a pre-med student. This scholarship is made possible through the generosity and dedication of the Auxiliary, which promotes and advocates for the hospital through fundraising and volunteerism.

The Michael L. Pappis Memorial Scholarship ($1500) was awarded to Michael Veve, son of Arlean and Joseph Veve of Newburgh. He graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes and will begin his studies at Albany College of Pharmacy this fall. The scholarship was established by the Pappis family and the SLCH medical staff in honor of Dr. Michael Pappis, who passed away unexpectedly in 1996. Dr. Pappis was deeply involved in the delivery of quality medical care to the Newburgh community, and had a special interest in developing young talent for professions in medicine.

“These scholarships recognize the hard work and dedication these students have shown both academically and in their communities,” said Sue Sullivan, SLCH Vice President, Development and Government Affairs, Executive Director, Foundation. “We are very proud to help support these young people as they begin their college studies and we wish them much success.”

MSMC offers LIFE enrichment courses

NEWBURGH (July 14) - The Learning Is Forever Enriching (LIFE) program at Mount Saint Mary College is offering a broad range of enrichment courses in July and August.

LIFE courses run one to four days and are open to those 55 and older at nominal fees. They are held at the Desmond Campus.

Topics include: Introduction to Italian Grand Opera; Open Bridge; Suffering Suffragettes; Long Term Care – What You Need to Know; Paper Mask Making; Ansel Adams; History of Mexico; Return to Folk Music; Davy Crockett, and That Old Time Rock ‘n Roll.

A tour of the Desmond Arboretum is also planned, and a free class on reverse mortgages. LIFE also sponsors day trips, open to all ages, to various destinations in the Northeast.

The Desmond Campus is located a mile and a half north of the main campus, in Balmville.

To learn more and register, contact Jennifer Laubach, LIFE program coordinator, at 565-2076.

Visit the Mount at www.msmc.edu.

Community Foundation names scholarship recipients

MONTGOMERY (July 14) – Eight recent graduates from Port Jervis and Valley Central high schools have been named recipients of scholarships, by the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

Four  graduating students of Port Jervis High School were awarded a scholarship of $10,000.00 each from the Oscar B. Greenleaf Scholarship Fund.  Recipients were selected based on an essay, letters of recommendation, and their participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities, their good moral character, and their contributions to the community.

• Adam Kowal plans to pursue a degree in Engineering and will attend Lehigh University.
• Elizabeth Schneider will attend Marywood University.
• Austin Smith plans to pursue a degree in Teaching/Education and will attend Hartwick College.
• Giovanna Steinhaus will attend Binghamton University.

The scholarship fund was created in 2003 to honor Oscar B. Greenleaf, originally from Otisville and later, Port Jervis, who died at the age of 97 in 2003.  Greenleaf was an ordinary person of modest means with extraordinary goals.  He made a provision in his will and left a one million dollar bequest to assist Port Jervis students with their higher education.  He gave so that others could learn.  His name and goodwill will live on forever because of his gift to the Community Foundation.

The following Valley Central High School graduates received the John Mazur Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 each:

• Nicole Camasso of Walden plans to major in a science related field at Bard College.
• Kara Heard of Montgomery plans to major in Pre-Med at SUNY New Paltz.
• Adrienne Lindine of Montgomery plans to major in Veterinary Medicine at SUNY Brockport.
• Chelsea Michella of Walden plans to major in Veterinary Medicine/Biology at College of the Holy Cross.

The John Mazur Memorial Scholarship fund was established to provide scholarships to students of the Valley Central School District.  Recipients were selected based on their interest in pursuing an occupation or vocation in the field of agriculture which can include horticulture veterinary medicine, landscape architecture, environmental engineering, forestry, agribusiness, botany, biology or other vocation that is related to agriculture, and based on a demonstrated appreciation for the contribution that agriculture has made to society.

The scholarship funds are facilitated through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, a 501(c)(3) public charity, that was created to help people establish charitable endowments within their community.  This fund is just one of many examples of how scholarship funds create educational advancement.  To create your own charitable endowment, or to add to an existing named endowment, contact the Community Foundation, Karen VanHouten, at (845) 769-9393 or e-mail vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.

Sullivan County BOCES graduates 189 Career & Tech students

LIBERTY (July 7) – The Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services held its Recognition Ceremony for all of the graduating Career & Tech students at the Liberty Central School.  The night was filled with a lot of smiling faces and applauds for the graduates as they made their way across the stage to accept their certificates, awards, and scholarships.

Anam Chouhdry (Liberty – Health Academy/New Vision Program) and Trevor Tate (Liberty – Construction/Electrical Technology Program) gave the student addresses.  Both students spoke about their experiences and how they were grateful to have had the opportunity to learn the skills they did in their perspective programs. 

According to Anam Chouhdry, “The Health Academy and the New Vision program has opened her eyes to the different occupations in the medical profession and has helped her get accepted into college for pre-med.” 

Trevor Tates’ message was similar in that he spoke about everything he has gained from the Construction/Electrical Program.  “If I had not attended the Career & Tech program at BOCES I would not be on the path that I will follow in my future.  I have had numerous opportunities to learn and compete during my time at BOCES.  BOCES has not only taught me how to perform my trade, they have also taught me how to run my own business.”  Trevor ended his speech by stating, “BOCES has opened its doors to every student and everyone should take advantage of this opportunity.  Sullivan County BOCES get students ready for the future, either in giving them the knowledge or preparing them to succeed in college.”  

During the ceremony special award and scholarships were given to several students.

Host families needed for SUNY Rockland International Students  

SUFFERN (July 7) - Rockland Community College is seeking families willing to share their homes and provide English speaking opportunities to international scholars from the Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships (CASS) program. A monthly stipend will be paid.

Twenty women from socio-economically disadvantaged communities in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean will spend two years at RCC preparing for business careers. Host families are needed for one year. Host families are given a stipend in exchange for providing the student with housing and meals, and are expected to integrate the student into the life of the family. During the second year, the students transition to apartment living.

By providing an atmosphere of support and encouragement, the host family facilitates the student’s transition and ultimate success as a CASS scholar. While in the United States, CASS scholars will give back to their host communities by performing a minimum of 160 hours of approved volunteer service. A goal of the CASS Program is to build lasting links of friendship and understanding between the United States and the nations served.

CASS collaborates with a network of 15 academic institutions in nine states that provide students with the critical technical, professional, and leadership training to address development challenges in their home countries. Rockland Community College and Broome Community College in Binghamton are the only two institutions in New York State involved with the CASS program.

The Cooperative Association of States for Scholarship (CASS) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Georgetown University's Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED).

For more information, contact College Coordinator, Laurie Piña, at 845-574-4586 or lpina@sunyrockland.edu.  For more information about SUNY Rockland, visit:  www.sunyrockland.edu

Clum hopes someone will help her take a cool dip in the dunking booth

Students enjoy field day fun at McQuade

NEW WINDSOR (July 2) – Beautiful weather, burgers on the grill, and a Dunk Tank made for a great day for the student’s at McQuade Children’s Services’ Kaplan School at the agency’s New Windsor campus. Decked out in green McQuade T-shirts imprinted with the signatures of all staff, the students took a break from their studies to enjoy fun and games outdoors.

The highlight of the day’s activities was the Dunk Tank, good-naturedly manned by McQuade’s Director of Human Resources Jennifer Clum. Always a good sport, Clum braved the tank’s cold water as students and staff took turns throwing tennis balls at the target that would drop her into the tank. Junior High student Joe C. was the first to hit the mark that forced Clum to take the plunge.

“Field day is a great way for everyone to relax a little and spend time outdoors together before the press of final exams and year-end activities,” said HR Director Clum. “It was fun to be a part of it – volunteering for the Dunk Tank gave me the opportunity to better know students and staff,” said Clum.

McQuade Recreational Director Jose Matos organized this year’s field day activities. In addition to a barbecue lunch cooked and served by volunteer students, maintenance staff, and food service staff, field day included ball games, and a wildlife show. Wildlife expert Brian Robinson, of Wildlife Lectures, mesmerized students by showing off live animals, including an owl, buzzard, legless lizard, snake, and alligator.

“The kids got a kick out of seeing the animals,” said Matos. “Many of our students aren’t used to spending time outdoors,” he continued. “It’s great to see them gain an appreciation for it through our activities like field day and our summer hiking, biking, and swimming excursions.”

Michael Oremus Foundation announces awards

HIGHLAND (July 2) - The Michael Oremus Foundation awarded its two annual $1500 academic scholarships at the Highland High School Awards Night on June 26th.  This year’s winners are Katelynn Drake and Jesse Scriber, who will use their awards to pursue careers in public service.

In addition to these two awards, the Foundation also will fund Alexandra Roviezzo from Highland High School, and Sharon Otis from New Paltz High School to attend the National Teen Leadership Program in Sacramento, California this summer. The conference is designed to show students that it is within their power to help those in need.  Both students hope to use the skills they learn there to help them become role models for civic leadership among young people their age.

The Michael Oremus Foundation is a charitable organization established in February, 2007, in honor of 21 year old Corporal Michael Oremus, a Highland native soldier who was killed by a sniper’s bullet in Baghdad in October, 2006.  Michael’s family and friends formed the Foundation to honor his memory, and to give back to the community that helped form Michael into the fine young man that he was.

The Foundation awards academic scholarships to two graduating Highland High School students each year that are set on careers in public service.  In addition, the Foundation’s mission is to provide athletic and recreational scholarships to children of needy families in Highland and surrounding communities.  In addition to the awards mentioned above, monies have also been given this year to both the Highland and New Paltz Soccer and Little League Programs, and the Highland Recreation Commission.  The Foundation also partnered this year with the Highland Rotary Club to purchase and install a defibrillator at the Nardone Soccer Complex in Highland. 

This year, the Foundation will also be awarding camp and summer activity scholarships to children of several area families in need.

Funds are raised through the annual Michael Oremus Memorial Soccer Tournament, and private and corporate donations.

For further information about the Foundation and its activities, contact Maddy Oremus-Palmese at 845-626-3740.  Tax deductible donations may be sent to:

The Michael Oremus Foundation Inc.
PO Box 819
Highland, New York 12528. 

To read more, visit www.michaeloremus.org

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