RC 10 Second Vice-President Jim Stolis and RC 10 2019 Honorees Bob DeMarco, Beverly Harrington, and Mary Kurchinski. RC 10 Secretary Laraine Gillette is on the right. Honoree Paula Johannessen is not pictured.
RC 10 held its annual Spring Social on June 4 at Shaker Ridge Country Club and celebrated by recognizing retirees from the RC 10 geographic area that consists of Rensselaer, Washington, Saratoga and Albany counties, and awarding a scholarship to a student from each county in their honor.
From Rensselaer County, RC 10 Treasurer Paula Johannessen was the honoree. Paula attended SUNY Albany and received a degree in Speech Pathology. She went on to major at Oneonta with a BS in Elementary Ed/Ed Psych; and an MS in Elementary Education. She did post grad work in Mentor Education. She retired from Averill Park School District after 37 years of teaching in many grade levels from K-5. Paula was very active in her local, serving as a Building Representative, Vice President, Membership Chair, member of Negotiations Team, and Chairperson of the Grievance Committee. She is currently Treasurer of RC 10, a time-consuming job she performs with dedication and excellence. Paula's advice to scholarship winners is: "Your most important task will be to develop an environment for your students that is inviting,supporti ve, accepting and safe. If you can create this special space for the children in your charge, each will be free to reach his or her potential and you will experience the joy and satisfaction that I did, BEING A SUCCESSFUL TEACHER!"
The student scholarship for Rensselaer County was given to Skyelyn Haynes, who attends Hoosick Falls High School. Skye is very active in school activities including Key Club and Drama Club, and has served on the Student Council. She has been a member of JV and Varsity soccer, basketball and lacross. She volunteers at Top Soccer helping teach soccer to kids with disabilities, and at the Young Center where she teachers fifth and sixth graders basketballand also mentors third graders. She says, "Being in school and seeing how teachers have helped me, showed me how much a teacher can change your life. I would love if I could do the same."
Mary Kruchinski is this year’s retiree honoree for Washington County. Mary attended and received her degree in Education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and went on to do her graduate work in Leadership at SUNY Plattsburgh. Mary retired in 2016 from Salem Central School District, where she taught K-5 and remedial math. She served 25 years as the local’s President, 20 years as a Delegate to the RA, and was the co-chair of the Greater Capital Region Teachers Center for 12 years. In retirement, she has been active with NYSUT’s Member Organizing Institute and the AFT Back to School organizing campaign in the Southern states. Her advice to scholarship winners is: "It's never a job, but a daily unfolding of knowledge in the lives of the youth before you. You will make a difference, You will be loved, and You at your retirement will say that this was a life well lived."
The scholarship recipient from Washington County is from Cassandra Bovie from Cambridge Central High School. Cassie carries a 99 GPA and is ranked second in her graduating class, with numerous Advanced Placement courses in her transcript. She has been Vice President of her class since 9th grade, and is also Vice-President of the National Honor Society and has been co-president of Latin Club for four years.She volunteers at the Cambridge Food Pantry and Cambridge Public Library. Since 10th grade she has been a member of VOSCA -- Volunteer to South Carolina Community Service Group, which opened her eyes to what it means to live in poverty. She says, "I'm grateful for the running water in my house, the solid floors I have to stand on, and the fact that I have the opportunity to be successful in school and continue on to college."
Bob DeMarco is our retiree honoree from Saratoga County. His higher level education began at Hudson Valley Community College, then on to SUNY Plattsburgh and finally SUNY Albany, with a degree in K-9 Education. He taught Grades 3, 5, and 6 in Saratoga Springs City SD. Upon his retirement in 2000, he took a position as a NYSUT Labor Relations Specialist and worked as an LRS for 13 years. He continues to serve as a VOTE-COPE Regional Coordinator and is on the RC 10 Board of Directors. His advice to scholarship winners is: "Be yourself, don't try to be like your fellow teachers or mentors. Take their advice for sure, but don't try to copy them. Be You!"
William Carswell is this year’s Scholarship winner from Saratoga County. William carries a 98 GPA, and has taken numerous honors and AP classes. In his senior year, he is taking two college courses through SUNY Albany. He is very active in his school community, participating in French Club, serving as Captain of the Saratoga Springs High School Academic Team, National Honor Society, and Varsity swimming and diving. He is the student representative on the Saratoga Board of Education where he serves as a voice for his fellow students. He has also worked at the Saratoga Springs YMCA and as a camp counselor at Camp Chingachgook. He hopes to one day be a history teacher.
Beverly Harrington is the RC 10 Honoree representing Albany County. The scholarship award given in her honor this year is known as the Harold and Eva Green Scholarship Award, named after two people who helped to nurture and guide RC 10 from its infancy. Beverly graduated from the Albany College for Teachers, which became SUNY Albany, with a degree in Business Education and Administration. Beverly taught at first in the Schoharie Central School District, and finally in Guilderland Central School District, from where she retired in 1999. Over those years Bev taught Business Education in grades 9-12. She was very active in the Guilderland Teachers’ Association, serving as a Building Rep on the Executive Board and organizing building luncheons for staff. She has been very involved with RC 10, serving as Treasurer, and finally as RC 10 Membership Chairperson for many years. She stepped down this year, but RC 10 owes a debt of gratitude to her for her service. She is also active in a large number of civic organizations. Bev's advice to scholarship winners is: "Practice being calm and collected in all circumstances-it will be helpful when the unexpected occurs. Diversity, being prepared in more than one discipline will broaden your experience; do not hesitate to try different techniques and approaches to learning and sharing your experiences"
The scholarship winner from Albany County is Allison Stenard from Colonie High School. Allison carries a 96 GPA and ranks 24th in her graduating class. She has taken numerous honors and advanced placement courses. She has also completed several college level courses. She has been very active in school activities ranging from Drama Club, Film Club, Executive Club and National Honor Society. She has volunteered at the Regional Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Carter’s Crew. Allison states, "I want to give hope to kids struggling or feeling as though they aren't smart enough; I wish to pass hope to those who need it. I have been inspired by so many of my former and current educators who have allowed me to blossom and grow into the woman I am today."
Congratulations to all of our RC 10 Retiree Honorees and scholarship recipients. To see a photo album of the June 4 event, visit http://rc10.ny.aft.org/rc-10-spring-scholarship-social-4-june-2019.