Grand Island High School News Web Page 2002

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Dr. James Dempsey



GIHS Door Decorating Contest!
By Mark Webb
   Students at the Grand Island High School recently completed their annual Holiday Door Decoration Contest in which food and various other items are collected for charity. High School students brought in food, clothes, toys, and monetary donations to go to the local families in need. The students’ homerooms competed against each other for the most donations and best door decorations. At the end of the contest the amount of donations received was considered along with the door being judged, all on a 100-point scale. The number of students in a homeroom was compared to how much was brought in by that homeroom to compare the donation amount per student with other homerooms. The homeroom that had the highest number of points out of the 100 got a free breakfast. The contest was very successful this year and brought in a lot of donations. GIHS wishes you a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of December 26, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 12-26-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of December 19, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 12-19-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.




GI Wrestlers Beat Tonawanda 54-12
 
Barbi Lare Photos
The Grand Island Varsity Viking wrestlers met Tonawanda, Wednesday, December 18, 2002 and completely dominating the Warriors. Grand Island scored 54 to Tonawanda's 12.


The Interact Club Interacts!
 By Mark Webb
   The Grand Island High School’s Interact Club has many bright and honorable goals for the future. The Interact club “Interacts” with the Rotary Club of Grand Island. While Interact is composed of Grand Island high school students, and Rotary of job-bearing or retired adults, they work together for a greater good. An example of this would be that Interact plans to help the Grand Island Rotary in its annual Chili sale, which is always in the High School cafeteria on the day before the Super Bowl.
   Interact is only five members strong but they have already done many things and have even more planned for the future! For example, Interact planted daffodils on Grand Island Boulevard with Rotary. They have begun to sponsor a needy child and they have just concluded a candy sale within the high school to benefit senior citizens. The sale was so successful that they may even bring it back in the New Year. The group meets every Tuesday after school to exchange ideas and check on the progress of current fundraisers. All the work done by the Interact members, such as selling candy, is voluntary.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of December 12, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 12-12-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.




GIHS Winter Concert December 12, 2002
Music students of the Grand Island High School will perform in concert 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 2002 in the auditorium at the school, 1100 Ransom Road.




GIHS Sports Briefs - December 5, 2002
Girls Basketball
   The Grand Island Girls Basketball Team beat Sweet Home 54-53 in a close game in the Sweet Home Tournament December 4, 2002. Savannah Stolzenburg made the front end of a one-and-one with nine seconds left for the win. Jamie Dougherty led Grand Island with 28 points.
Grand Island (1-0): Stickl 2, Goelz 3, Frieday 12, Dougherty 28, Nedwick 4, Stolzenburg 4, MacGuire 1.
Sweet Home (0-1): Rush 8, Zgoda 14, Hudson 16, Vereen 5, Witherspoon 3, Burch 7.
Halftime: Grand Island, 27-22. 3-point goals: Frieday 2, Dougherty 2, Stolzenburg.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of November 27, 2002
Girls Tennis
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE ALL-STARS
First team: Singles - Lauren Bates-8 (Kenmore West); K.T. Rebadow-11 (Niagara-Wheatfield); Katie Shaw (Lockport). Doubles - Nitasha Smith (Kenmore East); Brittany Walters-8 (Kenmore East); Catherine Remmes (Grand Island); Andrea/ Kurpiewski (Grand Island); Lauren Abbott-11 (Kenmore West); Stefanie Pavilic-10 (Kenmore West).
Third team: Singles - Christine Leutze (Kenmore East); Samantha Hughes-10 (Lockport); Alison Catalano (Grand Island). Doubles - Jillian Beatty-10 (Lockport); Sarah Shaw-9 (Lockport); Colleen Clarke (Grand Island); Christy Donner-11 (Grand Island); Camille Sarkees-9 (Niagara Falls); Emily Thompson-9 (Niagara Falls).

Boys Hockey
WNY CLUB
Large school division
Grand Island 5, Cathedral Prep 1
Jamestown 4, Niagara Falls 2
Lancaster 14, Harbor Creek (Pa.) 0
Lockport 4, North Tonawanda 1

Cross Country - 11/25/02
CHECKERS/RUNNER'S ROOST
21st All-WNY Invitational
Sunday at Elma Meadows 3.1 miles
Boys
1, Chuck Laderer (Starpoint) 17:06; 2, Mike Deren (Frontier) 17:14; 3, Kevin Buzzelli (Grand Island) 17:15; 4, John Yager (East Aurora) 17:17; 5, Steve Palma (Frontier) 17:26; 6, Travis Prejean (Jamestown) 17:31; 7, Kevin Bauch (Starpoint) 17:32; 8, Brad Heron (Sweet Home) 17:32; 9, Matt White (Starpoint) 17:43; 10, Steve Carden (Frontier) 17:44; 11, Andy Forma (St. Francis) 17:47; 12, Ryan Mikrut (Amherst) 17:54; 13, Bob Iwankow (East Aurora) 18:01; 14, Dan Field (East Aurora) 18:09.

Cross Country
Earning All-Western New York honors for placing among the top seven were: Laderer, Mike Deren (Frontier), Kevin Buzzelli (Grand Island), in the Sunday, November 24, 2002 at the Checkers/Runner's Roost All-Western New York high school cross country invitational.




Gentlemen Prefer Blondes A Hit At High School

Barbi Lare Photo
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, produced by the Grand Island High School Spotlighters, November 22-23, 2002 was a hit for all who saw it. The main leads, Keith Morningstar, Sigrid Maerz, Mandi Thompson, Chris Mahiques and Ann Marie Goss, together with the complete cast, all put in a fine performance, very well done and a pleasure to watch. Co-directors were Kathie Scarafia and Megan Hoy.




Grand Island Varsity Hockey Team Defeats St. Joe's
   The Grand Island High School Varsity Hockey Team defeated St. Joe's, 4-1 on November 20, 2002. The scoring started with Joe Podlucky assisted by Shawn Crowley. The second goal was made by Ted Rogers who was assisted by Anthony Fanara and Joe Podlucky. Jeff Bull made the third goal assisted by Mark Kramer and Brad Wood and the fourth goal was made by Anthony Fanara, assisted by Jeff Bull. Jeff Pickel had an outstanding game in goal.
   On Sunday, November 24, 2002 the Grand Island Varsity Hockey Team defeated Cathedral Prep, 5-1, in Erie, PA. First goal: Ethan Gietz assisted by Anthony Fanara. Second goal: Ted Rogers assisted by Chris Mehltretter and Brad Wood. Third goal: Chris Steckelberg assisted by Chris Mehltretter. Fourth goal: Adam Ungaro assisted by Ted Rogers and Joe Podlucky. Fifth goal: Joe Podlucky unassisted. Jeff Pickel had another outstanding game.




Grand Island High School Honor Roll - November 2002
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained honor roll status for the first marking period of the 2002-2003 school year:
High Honor Roll
Grade 9: Lauren Campbell, Lauren Culp, Chelsea DeGlopper, Kate Dlugosz, Ashley Marien, Lucas Mesmer, Katharine Rogers, Kevin Sobol, Dana Szczepaniak
Grade 10: Julie Amato, Dana D’Angelo, Erin Dent, Jill Endres, Kathryn Figliotti, Meaghan Grotz, Linday Henderson, Sara Hilliard, Justine Kirsch, Mary Elizabeth Lacki, Meghan Macguire, Alex Marien, Stacey Monaco, Yasmin Raza, Meher Singh, Jessica Stickl, Corrine Stolzenburg, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Kari Tondera, Daniel Victor, Erik Zito
Grade 11: Kelly Beatty, Lillian Choi, Cynthia Czapla, Margaret Kiehl, Shannon O’Brien, Thomas Rayhill, Rebecka Schaber, Jaimie Stickl, Stefanie Szczykutowicz, Timothy Szczykutowicz, Christine Webb
Grade 12: Caren Bartosz, Christian Dommell, Elizabeth LoTempio, Patrick McCarthy, Stephen Pfetsch

Honor Roll
Grade 9: Brandon Antonelli, Lauren Asbach, Carissa Bailey, Christopher Benko, Timothy Blonski, Sara Boulden, Matthew Brady, Ryan Breier, Wesley Burkman, Jing Chen, Aaron Clark, Ian Clark, John Connors, Tucker Coryn, Shawn D’Angelo, Casey Dahlstrom, Christopher Damiani, Breanne DeMarco, Gerrit DenBeste, Monique Dhand, Steven Doermer, Kyle Doyle, Julie Drozdowski, Mary Kate Duff, Caitlin Dwyer, Garrett Fallin, Rebecca Fetzer, Ashleigh Frieday, Mallory Fulle, Colleen George, Ryan Gratton, Meghan Hartman, Mary Hayes, Marcellus Hogan, Angelia Jaeger, Ben Kim, Christopher King, Megan Koller, Nicole Komin, Ryan Kucharski, Laura Lang, Timothy Lavallee, Alissa Leckey, Catherine Lewis, Sarah Lipp, Dana Ludwig, Morgan Macguire, Allison Makowski, Anna Mastrangelo, Robert Michaels, Courtney Mikac, Christopher Miller, Lee Miller, Steven Mrzygut, Kayla Nash, Jessica O’Brien, Joseph Orsolits, Tiffany Pasqualichio, Christopher Prygon, Eric Quattrini, Caitlyn Quider, Christine Ray, Jessica Remmes, Elyse Ripellion, Francisco Rodriguez, Karalyn Rossi, Stephanie Russo, Jeremy Siehnel, David Sipos, Erich Skelly, Janice Sturtz, Katherine Szpala, Nicholas Thompson, Robert Utz, Brendan Waddington, Christopher Webb, Mark Webb, Zachary Zarbo
Grade 10: Tamika Adams, Amanda Albertsson, Tanya Ambellan, Corey Angelo, Kelly Astridge, Joshua Billica, Kate Bonaquist, Amy Boutet, Kelly Carter, Brian Choi, Melinda Christie, Ryan Clarke, Renee’ Collins, Jaclyn Colosi, Geoffrey Crossley, Erik Deuble, Shayna DiMatteo, Farra Dugan, Daniel Elmer, Natalie Fischer, Maria Fusco, Amanda George, Joshua Gerace, Robert Goris, Thomas Grampp, Alicia Harrison, Ryan Harvey, Justin Helman, Nakita Herlan, Beth Huber, Brian Judkins, Christian Karnath, Gretchen Kiehl, Kelly Knickerbocker, Nicole Koerntgen, Steven Kopf, Allison Kulak, Catherine Kulak, Lisa Kurpiewski, Adrienne LaLiberty, Gregory Lazelle, Gary Leckey, Chantelle LeFevre, Robert Lorence, Jason Manijak, Christina Maroulis, Victoria McCraith, Stephanie McGowan, Jenna Meyer, Andrew Missert, David Nardozzi, Arianna Nelson, Paula Nuchereno, Jennifer O’Donnell, Nicole Patterson, Ashley Perez, Emily Pifer, Alissa Pioli, Sean Rafferty, Poonam Randhawa, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, Pooya Rostami, Theodore Royal , Jessica Samland, Tionda Saylor, Michael Schimley, Scott Stanko, Shaina Starr, Robert Sugar, Sofia Syed, Amanda Thompson, Phillip Thompson, Devon Toth, Adam Ungaro, Amanda Webb, Emily Winters, James Zilliox
Grade 11: Amy Becker, Shelbey Bidell, Arielle Blanton, Andrew Boron, Puneet Brar, William Breier, Sara Burke, Heather Burkman, Meghan Casey, Robert Christopher, Michelle D’Addieco, Thomas Dewey, David Dillen, Daniel Drabik, Caitlin Enser, Lindsay Fetzer, Matthew Fields, Michelle Fox, Alishea Gainer, Holly Gallagher, Patrick Gannon, Nicholas Gerace, Monica Greco, Alex Gregorski, Nicholas Hahn, Hannah Hardy, Terry Hashley, Carly Hudson, Anthony Hughes, Karen Hutzler, Douglas Ingraham, Kari Johnson, Amanda Kaiser, Lyndsay Kearney, Rochelle Kennedy, Brett Kern, Kelly Knab, Christine Lang, Brian Lipp, Christopher Mahiques, Carey Marrinan, Allie McLean, Matthew Mergel, Nicole Miller, Rachel Morgan, Emily Newsome, Kelly O’Brien, Myles Passanese, Emily Pici, Corinne Razem, Jennifer Reisdorf, Laura Remmes, Theodore Rogers, Nichole Ryan, Lindsay Schiffhauer, Jessica Skelly, Amy Snyder, Karen Stipp, Lauren Stipp, Alexandra Sutherland, Eric Ther, Jonathan Weber
Grade 12: Michael Amato, Lauren Angelo, Drew Armusewicz, Brieanna Bailey, Michelle Becker, Shannon Becker, Ashleigh Bennett, Taralyn Bielaski, Stephanie Brown, Jonathan Burchfield, Kevin Buzzelli, Kristin Cadro, Kimberlee Carter, Christopher Ciechoski, Colleen Clarke, Christina Coates, Richard Coe, John Colosi, Rachelle Cote, Ingrid Dahlberg, Kristen Danielson, Ashley Darin, Thomas Digati, Devon Drost, Steven Duggan, Stacey Edwards, Michael Ferro, Marcella Ford, Jamie Fuhr, Ethan Gietz, Kara Glose, Rebecca Goelz, Jason Gonda, Jade Gormady, Daniel Gray, Leah Harris, Christopher Heftka, Eleanor Henderson, Danielle Henry, Aaron Hesson, Naven Kang, Brian Kim, Sara Knab, Benjamin Kozar, Robert Kujawa, Andrea Kurpiewski, Jacob LaLiberty, Theodore Lee, Katherine Loiselle, Kathryn Manijak, Marinose Maroulis, Jessica McIntyre, Caitlin Meaney, Malcolm Merriweather, Bryan Mesmer, Gabrielle Montemage, Kali Mordaunt, Bradford Namaste’, Stephanie Nardozzi, Cara O’Donnell, Rosanne Oliverio, Lisa Otto, Stefanie Penque, Laura Piccolo, Diane Pierce, Jenna Podlucky, Thomas Rajczak, Catherine Remmes, Rachel Ritzenthaler, Sara Rodriguez, Blaise Roman, Nicholas Rossi, Matthew Royal, Kathryn Schiavone, Gretchen Schumacher, Corrine Sexton, Balbir Singh, Melissa Sipos, Francis Sirianni, Tierney Smith, Justin Sobol, Savannah Stolzenburg, Kari Sumner, Danielle Voltz, Kimberley Walker, Nicole Walker, Melissa Wilbert




Grand Island High School Merit Roll - November 2002
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained merit roll status for the first marking period of the 2002-2003 school year:
Grade 9: Sheri Ackendorf, Melissa Affuso, Vanessa Alvarado, Stephen Beatty, John Blanton, Ashley Bleistein, Megan Boss, Nicole Brown, John Brucato, Wesley Brzezinski, Matthew Burns, Catherine Cline, Erie Cobello, David Cole, Christine Culp, Carlos Darby, Michael DelZoppo, Justin Dowd, Nathan Evans, Justin Everett, Eric Feathers, Robert Fiels, Jessica Fike, Dominic Florio, Russell Gaiser, Joshua Gavlock, Alexander Grande, Kaitlyn Grebenc, Adam Henry, Kevin Holzle, Lauren Kalisz, Toni Kaufman, Ryan Keifman, Justin King, Andrew Lang, Muriel Lapp, Cristina LoVullo, Christina Manning, Timothy McRae, Diane Meyer, Derek Moody, Chad Moran, Krista Moran, Nathan Morey, Andrew Nawatka, David Nolf, Cole Remmes, Ramcy Rizek, Jeffrey Rogan, Tina Rott, Tatiana Salamone, Melinda Schultz, Andrew Sharpe, Chelsea Sommer, Tina Sparks, Jeffrey Stange, Daniel Szyprowski, Brittany Weber, David Whitney, Marci Wilbert, Dane Wood
Grade10: Lindsay Aronica, Shannon Barr, Deborah Basta, Joel Becher, Christopher Benninger, Matthew Beyer, Amanda Boss, Dennis Brennan, Sergio Buriano, Kevin Buyer, Kyla Christie, Matthew Cicatello, Caitlyn Clingersmith, Kaitlynn Cook, Thomas Cope, Rebecca Cunningham, Michael Digati, Jeanmarie Dragonette, Sean Driscoll, Jennifer Farrell, Jarett Forysinski, Kelly Frantz, Jason Fritschi, Thomas Geblein, Jodi Gleason, Collin Griffiths, Nicholas Heftka, Stacey Helf, Cody Hool, Ashley Kowzan, Jessica Laurendi, Kevin Laurendi, Megan Little, Amanda Lunney, Christina Maddi, Matthew Masse’, Calvin Meaney, Kevin Mehltretter, Donald Minoian, Jacklyn Mysliwiec, Patrick O’Laughlin, Jeffrey Pickel, Noelle Pietras, James Poupalos, Corey Ress, Adam Salemi, David Santa Lucia, Salvatore Santa Lucia, Tracey Schmidt, Kelly Shoemaker, Jacqulene Sondel, Nicole Spada, Adama Sperrazza, JennaBeth Stockman, Jarilyn Stoorza, William Stypick, Nicholas Tim, Stephen Weigold, Jason Wilkinson, Scott Xie
Grade 11: Michale Antonelli, Keriann Armusewicz, Kyle Berger, Michael Blocho, Meagan Bognar, Cortney Bota, John Brenon, Dana Brindisi, Paul Bucholtz, Jeffrey Bull, Kristen Burns, Scott Buyer, Patricia Carminati, Kelliann Carney, Charles Dewey, Michael Disarno, Andrew Dlugosz, Christine Donner, Ashton Duda, Christopher Dziwulski, Alicia Ellson, Amanda Elsaesser, Anthony Fanara, Michael Feathers, Callan Fernandez, Stephanie Fick, Nicholas Forysinski, Katherine Gaudy, Nicholas Giddings, Christine Gilbert, Mark Goff, Gretchen Hildebrandt, Thomas Hooven, Nathan Jayme, Scott Kaniecki, Katie Ketterer, Joashue Kish, Robert Koryl, Emily Kowzan, Kimberly Kraft, Mindi Kratz, Mary Kucharczak, Francesca Kustra, Sarah Lang, Gabrielle Lanich, David Linenfelser, Claire Maddie, Jamie Mallo, Amanda Mallwitz, Laura Massaro, Nina Mastrangelo, Christina Mayes, Jason McInerney, Rikki Nawotka, Lauren Nedwick, Laura O’Donnell, Christina Petit, Shane Pingrey, Danielle Podlucky, Omar Raza, Ashley Remmes, Brittany Rogers, Daniel Rossiter, Steven Saxbury, Kori Sciandra, Christopher Sica, Kaitlin Smith, Christina Stickl, Peter Sukmanowski, Mohsin Syed, Johanna Turnwall, Christina Warner, Meghan White, Ginny Wilkinson, Nathan Wolinski, James Wright, Steven Zippier
Grade 12: Tammi Ackman, Nicholas Adreon, Benjamin Allen, Stephen Asbach, Donald Astridge Kevin Bates, Joshua Bonaquist, Caitlin Bozek, Christina Breier, Steven Brzezinski, Joseph Burns, Shayna Burzynski, Angel Busch, Christi Busch, Keith Call, Alison Catalano, Erica Cook, Jonathan Crossley, Shawn Crowley, Alan Damiani, Karla Darby, Jeremy Davis, Doughlas DeLuca, Kathryn Doane, Rene’ Dodge, Alicia Fahrner, Daniel Farmer, Jessica Feeley, Sara Franklin, Jennifer Frey, Krystina Geschwender, Ann Marie Goss, Jo Anna Goulah, Michael Goulding, Kenneth Groszkowski, Peter Hardman, Glenn Holler, Robert Hopkins, Natalie Ianni, Ryan Jankowski, Kathleen Kilian, Amanda Kopra, Meghan Kursdorfer, Ashley Lasut, Aaron Lloyd, Jennifer Long, Thomas Lorenz, Manuel Martinez, Mindi Mietlicki, D’anna Mock, Dale Mock, Sean Morey, Christine Morgante, Matthew Pawelski, Mitchael Pingrey, Heidi Pitcher, Sarah Raade, Crystal Robbins, Jeremy Roberts, Jennifer Rogan, Stephen Rumsey, Kera Sauer, Paul Scappechio, David Schimley, Joseph Schmit, Lindsey Smith, Eric Snyder, Michael Stanko, Kelly Strano, Larissa Thompson, Michael Valentin, Christopher Wright




Spotlighters Present Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
   The Grand Island High School Spotlighters will present Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in the auditorium of the school, 1100 Ransom Road at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23, 2002.




Coach Prozik Commends Lady Vikings Soccer Team
By Peter Prozik, G.I. Lady Vikings Soccer Coach
   November 15, 2002 . . .This is the first time that a Grand Island Soccer Team went to the final four in state competition. The Lady Vikings were facing two-time state champs, Rockville Center Southside from Long Island. The girls played well but Southside capitalized on Grand Island mistakes to take a 4-0 lead in the first half. GI. didn't quit as they dominated play for the next twenty minutes of the second half, but could only manage 1 goal by Jessica Remmes. Southside scored again with 14 minutes left in the game on a breakaway. The final score was 5-1, but the Lady Vikings played a great game and should be very proud of their achievements. A special thanks to all the seniors: Jamie Dougherty, Savannah Stolzenburg, Kim Walker, Jenn Rogan, Tina Coates, Katie Loiselle, Christina Breier and Jenna Podlucky for a fantastic season.
   Thank you to all of the parents for their support duing the season, and to the assistant coaches David Bowman, Peter Kuehne and Russ Certo, for their help in getting the team ready. Thank you to the trainer, Jen Achman and especially to Athletic Director Jon Roth. A special thanks to Mike Samland of HSBC Bank for his donation to the girls soccer team. Thanks to the police departments for their special escort off Grand Island on Thursday afternoon and to all the dignitaries who attended the send off of the team to the state's final four.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of November 21, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 11-21-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.




Lady Vikings Off To State Semi-finals 2002
  
Click photos for larger view.
Jodi Hayes Dodd Photos
The Grand Island High School Girls Soccer Team will play South Side of Long Island's Nassau County (Section VIII) in the State semi-finals, 1:15 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2002 at Honeoye Falls-Lima. The team left at noon today (Nov. 14, 2002) with State Police and Sheriff's Department escort and sirens, followed by cars and honking horns. The Lady Vikings will attend a banquet tonight for all teams playing in the semi-finals. The championship game takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday.




Lady Vikings Win Far West Regional Title
A First For Grand Island High School Soccer

(seated left) Corinne Razem; (kneeling) Christina Breier, Jamie Dougherty, Kimberley Walker, Amy Stewart, Cortney Bota, Jessica Remmes; (standing) Coach Peter Prozik, Jessica Skelly, Katie Loiselle, Jenna Podlucky, Stephanie Nardozzi, Savannah Stolzenburg, Jennifer Rogan, Amanda Boss, Christina Coates, Keriann Armusewicz, Sara Hilliard, Amy Snyder, Lindsay Fetzer, Lauren Nedwick, Mary Kucharczak and Jaclyn Seifert. Click photo for larger view.

By Peter Prozik, G.I. Lady Vikings Soccer Coach
   November 5, 2002 . . .The Lady Vikings Varsity Soccer Team won the Class A sectionals for the second year in a row. The Grand Island girls soccer team played Kenmore West to determine the winner of Class A. During the regular season, both teams split their games. It was a great night for soccer and both teams played to a 0-0 half time score. Ken-West had the better play in the first half but the Lady Vikings came alive in the second half and took control of the game. Kimberley Walker made a great cross to Jamie Dougherty who dribbled by the defender and sent a hard shot to the left hand corner to give G.I. a 1-0 lead. It was all that the Lady Vikings needed as the defense led by Jessica Skelly, Tina Coates, Amy Stewart and Sara Hilliard kept the Ken West offense from penetrating the G.I. goal area. Corinne had another strong game in goal and recorded her 15th shutout of the season.
   November 8, 2002 . . .In a return trip to the Far West Regional Class A, the Lady Vikings faced Churchville-Chili of Rochester. The game was played at Albion High School and the weather was great for a soccer game. Churchville-Chili scored first but the Lady Vikings were not going to be denied as Jamie Dougherty scored the equalizer on a low shot to the right of the goal keeper. With a minute and a half left in the half, Cortney Bota took a shot that the goal keeper made a great save on, but gave a rebound that a hustling Kim Walker put away. G. I. had a 2-1 lead at the half. In the second half, the Saints had the wind and they put constant pressure on G.I. Goalie Corinne Razem kept the Vikings in the game by making many great saves. Finally, the Saints scored on a head ball and the game after regulation was tied at 2-2. In the next two 10 minutes overtime and the two 5 minutes sudden dead periods, neither team could score and the game went into a shoot out.
   Jessica Remmes scored on her penalty kick and the Saints hit the cross bar. Jamie Dougherty then scored for G.I., but the Saints also scored. G.I.'s next shooter was Savannah Stolzenburg who buried her shot in the net, but the Saints shooter missed the net. Grand Island had a 3-1 edge. Corinne Razem made a spectacular save on the Saints' next shooter giving the Lady Vikings their first ever Far West Regional title. Great job to all the Lady Vikings and a special thanks to all the parents, students and administrators who attended the game. Also, a special thanks to David Bowman, Peter Kuehne and Russ Certo for helping the girls to get ready for this game.
   The Lady Vikings will play South Side from Section 8 in the Class A Semi-Finals at 1:15 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2002 in Honeoye Falls-Lima. The championship game takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2002 in Honeoye Falls-Lima. The team leaves for Honeoye Falls on Thursday, November 14 to attend a banquet given for all the teams that will be playing on Friday.
   Scroll down for another GI Girls Soccer 2002 story.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of November 14, 2002
Girls Soccer - FAR WEST REGIONALS
Friday's results - CLASS A
Grand Island 3, V-Churchville-Chili 2 (SO)

Click Far West Regional for complete story.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - at Honeoye Falls-Lima
Friday's semifinals - CLASS A
Grand Island (19-1-1) vs. VIII-South Side, 1:15 p.m.




Vikings Lose to Sweet Home
In Championship Game at Ralph Wilson Stadium 2002
The Grand Island Vikings lost to Sweet Home, 23-16, in their bid to win the Section VI Class A Championship before an estimated 3,000 in Ralph Wilson Stadium. Click Grand Island vs. Sweet Home for complete story.




Vikings To Ralph Wilson Stadium Saturday, November 8, 2002
The Vikings will play Sweet Home at Ralph Wilson Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 9, 2002 for the Section VI Championship. This is a change from the previously scheduled Friday game.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of November 7, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 11-7-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.




GI Girls Win VI Class A Soccer Championship
(Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002)
By Eric Keppeler, Niagara Gazette
   Jamie Dougherty felt lousy.
   Battling a fever of more than 100 degrees in Tuesday's Section VI Class A girls' soccer championship game against Kenmore West, Grand Island's all-time leading scorer tried to catch her breath on the heels of a scoreless first half at Wilson High School.
   Viking coach Peter Prozik must have noticed, because he came over and told her with conviction to hang in there because she would score the game-winning goal.
   His words were prophetic as Dougherty scored 8:47 into the second half, lifting Grand Island to a 1-0 win and clinching the team's second straight sectional title.
   "What a game," Prozik said. "We had a few players who were not at 100 percent, and you have to give these girls so much credit. They played their hearts out and I couldn't be any prouder of them."
   The Vikings (18-1-1) advance to the Far Western Regional on Friday (Nov. 8, 2002) at Albion against Churchville of Section V. Grand Island was eliminated in the regionals last year.
   We're happy now, but we know we still have a lot of work ahead of us," said Viking goalkeeper Corinne Razem, who added to her own school record with her 15th shutout of the season. "We're already preparing for Friday."
   The teams were very familiar with each other, having split two games during the Niagara Frontier League season. Kenmore West won the first game 4-1 - Grand Island's only loss of the season - and the Vikings took the second, 4-0.
   This time, the teams were much more conscious of defense with the stakes so much higher. The game was fairly even in the first half, although West held a territorial advantage in play.
   "We weren't worried because we're usually a second-half team," first-year West coach Mark Miller said. "It seemed like both teams went into a bit of a lull, and there wasn't a clear dominant team."
   Neither team was dominant, but it wasn't for lack of trying as both teams played with good pace. Scoring opportunities were scarce in the first half, but Razem and Blue Devil netminder Lynn Gugliuzza each made big stops.
   West's Laura Freeman got loose twice in the offensive zone, lofting one shot just over the crossbar and forcing Razem to make a strong save on the other opportunity. Gugliuzza denied Kim Walker, Jessica Remmes and Dougherty to keep the first half scoreless.
   "I was getting pretty nervous," Razem said. "It didn't look like we were as pumped as they were. I think they wanted it more in the first half. We just couldn't finish, but we picked it up in the second half and finally put one in."
   The Vikings opened the second half with a flurry, forcing Gugliuzza to come up with two more big saves before Dougherty finally worked free in front of the net.
   "Kim Walker crossed a really high one," Dougherty said. "I just followed it and trapped it. The girl came over and I just cut it at the top of the box and shot far post, and it went in."
   The Blue Devils had seen that move before, during the regular season.
   "We know Dougherty likes to cut the ball to the middle," Miller said. "We talked about it and we worked on it - but we slip a little bit, she makes a nice cut, and she's just a fantastic player. You can't leave her out there like that."
   West (17-3-2) pressed with increasing desperation as the second half progressed but had a hard time cracking the Grand Island defense with any sustained pressure.
   "I knew that this was going to be a close game," Prozik said. "We won it last year, and the hardest thing to do is repeat. Everyone's gunning for you all year long. These girls couldn't have played any harder all year long."




Vikings Shutout Pioneer 42-0
In Class A Semifinals - Ralph Wilson Stadium Is Next!
   The Grand Island Vikings shutout Pioneer 42-0 on Friday, November 1, 2002 to a disappointed Pioneer Panthers team that had won three straight Class B titles and was seeking a fourth. The Vikings will play Sweet Home at Ralph Wilson Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 9, 2002 for the Section VI Championship. For complete coverage of the Viking/Pioneer game, click Vikes Section VI Champs




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of October 31, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 10-31-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.


Vikings Shutout Williamsville East 48-0 - October 26, 2002
 
Viking Derek Kirkendal and his mother, Kelly are shown left. Click photos for larger view.
Fred Claus Photos
   The Grand Island Vikings shutout Williamsville East 48-0 Saturday, October 26, 2002. Junior Mike Blocho scored three times and finished with 120 yards as the Vikings scored 28 points in the second quarter to cruise. LB Pat McCarthy recovered two fumbles and had 11 tackles. Jeremy Roberts had two interceptions, returning one for a TD. Senior football players and cheerleaders and their parents were recognized during halftime.
   The Grand Island Vikings will be playing Pioneer at Pioneer in the Class A Semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2002. Pioneer is seeking its fourth straight Class B title. The Vikings beat Pioneer in Week Four with a score of 14-13.




GIHS National Honor Society Spaghetti Dinner - 2002
Members of the Grand Island High School National Honor Society will hold their annual Spaghetti Dinner from 4:30-7 p.m., Thursday, November 14, 2002 in the senior cafeteria. Everyone is welcome.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of October 24, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 10-24-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.




Vikings Beat Williamsville South 29-6 At Homecoming Game 2002

Homecoming Court 2002 (front left) D'Anna Mock, Katie Doane, King Brad Namaste, Queen Marcella Ford, Christina Basta, Stephanie Nardozzi; (back) Chris Ciechoski, Brian Culp, Tom Digati, and Jason Gonda.


Viking Mike Blocho's touchdown!


Chris Sika's handoff to Mike Blocho.

Click photos for a larger view

Fred Claus Photos
   The Grand Island Vikings beat Williamsville South 29-6 at the Homecoming game Saturday, October 19, 2002 on Masters Field. Jeff Bull scored three rushing touchdowns and Mike Blocho had 124 yards rushing and one score as the Vikings clinched a playoff spot. Grand Island's Pat McCarthy recorded 13 tackles.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of October 17, 2002
Click "Sports Briefs 10-17-02" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.




High School Fall Band Concert October 30th
The Grand Island High School Concert Band will hold its annual fall concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 30 at the school, 1100 Ransom Road. There is no charge. The community is cordially invited.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of October 10, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 10-10-02"




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of October 3, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 10-3-02"




Grand Island Beats Pioneer, 14-13
   The Grand Island Vikings, who lost their game to Sweet Home the previous week, added another win on Friday, September 27, 2002 by beating Pioneer 14-13.
   According to the Buffalo News report: "Mike Feathers' extra-point after Mike Blocho's 15-yard touchdown run late in the first half was the difference for the No. 8 Vikings over the No. 5 Panthers. Blocho gained 125 yards on 21 carries. Jeff Bull, who scored the Vikings' first touchdown, gained 95 yards on 21 rushes. Vikings linebacker Pat McCarthy collected 15 tackles."
   The Vikings, who started off the season with wins over Starpoint and Niagara Wheatfield, go up against Lew-Port at Lew-Port tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 4, 2002) at 7:30 p.m. Go Vikings!




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of September 26, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 9-26-02"




Grand Island Loses To Sweet Home 26-13

Barbi Lare Photo
The Grand Island Varsity Vikings lost their game to Sweet Home on Saturday, September 21, 2002. Click GI-Sweet Home Story




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of September 19, 2002
Grand Island 25, Niagara-Wheatfield 7: The Vikings kept pace with Sweet Home in the North with a win. Mike Blocho rushed for 226 yards and a school record 344 all-purpose yards. Blocho's scores came on an 87-yard kickoff return to start the game and a 62-yard run in the third quarter. QB Chris Sica was 5 for 11 for 107 yards and one TD. Linebackers Pat McCarthy and Paul Scappachio had nine tackles each.

CLASS A
Grand Island 25, Niagara-Wheatfield 7
Grand Island 6 12 7 0 - 25
Nia.-Wheatfield 0 7 0 0 - 7
GI: Blocho 87 kickoff return (kick failed)
GI: Bull 5 run (kick failed)
N-W: Irving 1 run (kick good)
GI: Bernardoni 13 pass from Sica (pass failed)
GI: Bocho 62 run (Feathers kick)

The Riverside Athletic Club's Connolly Cup committee announced its weekly honor roll based on players' Week Two performances: Mike Blocho (Grand Island)

The third annual Western New York Track and Cross Country Officials cross country meet is Saturday (Sept. 21, 2002) at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island. Eight races get started at 10 a.m.

GIRLS TENNIS
NONLEAGUE
Grand Island 4, Starpoint 2

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 25-20-25-25,
Lockport 20-25-22-19
Kenmore East 25-25-25,
Niagara Falls 17-18-10
Kenmore West 25-25-25,
Niagara-Wheatfield 15-14-19

BOYS SOCCER
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 4, Kenmore West 1

GIRLS TENNIS
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 6, Lew-Port 0




Vikings Beat Starpoint 41-14 In Home Opener
   
(Left) Vikings ready for first play of home opener on the Masters Field; (center) Mike Feathers (71) (behind) and Joe Podlucky (78) congratulate Mike Blocho (#2) as he scores another TD; (right) interception by Bill Breier (42) who ran it for another Viking TD helped to insure victory for GI as they beat Starpoint 41-14.

Click photos for a larger view

Fred Claus Photos
   The Grand Island Vikings played their opening game for the 2002 season against Starpoint on the Ransom Road field on Saturday, September 7th. Mike Blocho who rushed for 160 yards and scored three times to pace the Vikings. On defense Pat McCarthy had 15 tackles, Shawn Crowley returned a fumble 16 yards for a score and Bill Breier intercepted a pass and returned it 47 yards for a TD. The Vikings broke the game open with 22 points in the second quarter.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of September 12, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 9-12-02"




America and Its Students Remember - 9/11/01
 By Mark Webb
   The morning of September 11th, 2001 was a great shock to us all. Wherever we were when we first learned the news will stay with us forever. As Pearl Harbor was to the people of America in the 40’s so will this day be unto us. Today around the United States while news channels sent their coverage of the one-year anniversary of September the eleventh across the air and business found new ways to gain profit from pain, the halls of Grand Island High School were noticeably quieter than the norm this morning. At ground zero four moments of silence were observed, when the first plane hit, when the second plane hit, when the first tower fell, and when the second fell. The same was observed at the high school. Every time the ceremony in NYC paused for a moment of silence an announcement came over the P.A. at the high school and asked students to do the same. It was a solemn day for students and all Americans. We must all remember, however painful it may be, what we all were witness to. So that the message of heroes, undaunted courage, and the strength and will of a united America against evil can be passed on to countless numbers of future generations. This is the heart and soul of America.
GOD BLESS AMERICA





Grand Island Wins Lewiston Art Festival Chalk Walk 2002

Island student Adam Rivers (left) is shown with classmates Katie Manijak and Katie Gaudy during Chalkwalk competition.
Sharon Cantillon, Buffalo News photo
Click photo for a larger view
   The Lewiston Art Festival drew nine high school teams to its 18th annual Chalk Walk competition on Saturday, August 10, 2002. Teams of three, including first place winner Grand Island, practiced their artwork for weeks in advance of producing what they hoped would be the winning colored chalk mural. Each team was given an 8-foot by 10-foot area of pavement for their mural.
   According to the Chalk Walk's chief organizer, Bonnie Northrup, criteria is based on originality and creativity, on visual impact and adherence to the theme. Three judges are selected from artists taking part in the Lewiston Art Festival whose scores are tallied for the awarding of a trophy to each first place winner. Lew-Port won the People's Choice Award which is decided by a public vote. The Chairman's Award went to the Niagara Falls team. Coming in behind first place Grand Island students Adam Rivers, Katie Gaudy, and Katie Manijak were the second and third place winners, Tonawanda and Sweet Home. Grand Island High School Art Teacher Miss Megan Hoy served as the Island team's advisor.




GIHS Class of 2002 Honor Recipients
   The following scholarships and awards were presented at the Grand Island High School Commencement Ceremony that was held on Sunday, June 30, 2002 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. We would like to congratulate the following recipients:
   MILITARY RECOGNITION: The following graduates have approved enlistments.
   Cory Bota - Air National Guard: Sean Ford - U.S. Army: Michael Mehltretter - U.S. Marine Corp: Krystal Rains - U.S. Army.
   The GIHS Medal for Academic Excellence - Anna Quider: The GIHS Medal for Excellence - Sally Head: The Chopra-Lee, Inc. Scholarship - Kelly Duncan: GIBCO, Invitrogen Corporation Scholarships - Sally Head/Biological Research Award and Renee Torchia/ Business Award: The Pepsi-Cola Scholarships- Bryan Brown, Michelle Del Zoppo, Christy Gibney, and Allison Siehnel: The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Scholarships - Alexandra Heany and Jeffrey Sipos: The Business and Professional Women's Club of Grand Island Scholarship - Alexandra Heaney: The Elderwood Health Care at Riverwood Scholarship - Michelle Kalisz: The Rupp Family Scholarship - Neil Reddien: Sterling Fluid Systems (USA) Scholarship - David Blonski: Howard C. Danzer American History & Government Scholarship - Allison Siehnel: Grace and Frances Stewart Humanities Scholarship - Matthew Leuppie: Grand Island Rotary Club Scholarships - Jeannette Buscaglia and Michelle Kalisz: Grand Island Disabled American Veterans Chapter 168 Scholarship - Michael Mehltretter: Veterans of Foreign Wars: Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Post 9249 Scholarship - Michael Mehltretter: VFW Women's Auxiliary Scholarship - James Lichtenthal: Grand Island Moose Lodge Laverne Luther Memorial Scholarships - Michelle Kalisz and Jeffrey Sipos: The Greco-Trapp Achievement Awards - Stephanie Goris and Anna Quider: The Grand Island Lions Club Scholarships - Sally Head, Joseph Pasqualochio, and Danielle Wasson: The Grand Island Soccer Club Scholarships - David Blonski, Derek O'Brien, Kevin Rader, and Harrison Rogers: The Grand Island Art Society Scholarship - Megan Szymkowski: The Grand Island Order of DeMolay: Stephen H. Jamieson Memorial Scholarship - Shannon McCormick: John A. Gentz Memorial Scholarship - Joseph Pasqualichio: Carl F. Laman Memorial Scholarship - Adam Rivers: Leila C. Biancucci Memorial Scholarship - Jessica Lundquist: Kenvin Moreau Music and Arts Memorial Scholarship - Joseph Martino: Michael Morrisey Memorial Scholarships - Jennifer Breier and Christopher Duff: Dean E. Rech Memorial Scholarship - Joseph Pasqualichio: Roswell E. and Margaret L. Pfohl Scholarship - Stephanie Goris: June Glassman PTA Council Scholarship - Adam McCollum: Grand Island High School PTSA Scholarships - Jennifer Breier, Sally Head, and Anna Quider: Connor Middle School PTA Scholarships - Stephanie Goris and Neil Reddien: Huth Road Elementary School PTSA Scholarships - Kelly Duncan and James Pioli: Kaegebein Elementary School PTA Scholarships - Kevin Rader and Danielle Wasson: Grand Island High School Yearbook Scholarships - Lauren Mergel and James Pioli: Grand Island High School International Club Awards - Dawn Drozdowski, Anna Quider, and Maria Saghir: Grand Island High School Foreign Language Awards - Anup Kang/French and Stephanie Wiesnet/Spanish: Grand Island High School Art Club Scholarship - Megan Szymkowski: Grand Island High School Music Scholarships - Jill Lochren and Joseph Martino: Sal Andolina Memorial Music Scholarship - Ashly Cinelli: Grand Island High School National Honor Society Scholarships - Sally Head and Joseph Pasqualichio: Grand Island High School Student Council Scholarships - Allison Dinsmore and Stephanie Goris: GIHS Class of 1998 Scholarship - David Blonski: Class of 2000 - 'The Millennium' Scholarship - Joseph Pasqualichio; The Gene Masters Memorial Award - Mick Gallagher.




Grand Island High School Honor Roll
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained honor roll status for the fourth marking period of the 2001-2002 school year:
High Honor Roll
Grade 9: Amanda Albertsson, Julie Amato, Dana D’Angelo, Erin Dent, Jill Endres, Kathryn Figliotti, Meaghan Grotz, Justin Helman, Lindsay Henderson, Sara Hilliard, Gretchen Kiehl, Lisa Kurpiewski, Meghan Macguire, Stacey Monaco, Emily Pifer, Michael Schimley, Meher Singh, Jessica Stickl, Robert Sugar, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Phillip Thompson, Kari Tondera, Adam Ungaro, Erik Zito
Grade 10: Kelly Beatty, Cynthia Czapla, Shannon O’Brien, Corinne Razem, Rebecka Schaber, Jaimie Stickl, Stefanie Szczykutowicz, Timothy Szczykutowicz, Christine Webb
Grade 11: Lauren Angelo, Drew Armusewicz, Caren Bartosz, Colleen Clarke, Christina Coates, Christian Dommell, Jade Gormady, Christopher Heftka, Elizabeth LoTempio, Sigrid Maerz, Patrick McCarthy, Bryan Mesmer, Bradford Namaste’, Stephen Pfetsch, Catherine Remmes
Grade 12: Ashly Cinelli, Jolie Dahlstrom, Allison Dinsmore, Rachael Fraser, Sally Head, Scott McMichael, Lauren Mergel, Angela Miller, Joseph Pasqualichio, Anna Quider, Neil Reddien, Melissa Vrba, Emily Zimdahl
Honor Roll
Grade 9: Tamika Adams, Corey Angelo, Kelly Astridge, Joshua Billica, Kate Bonaquist, Amy Boutet, Alyssa Bowerman, Kelly Carter, Brian Choi, Ryan Clarke, Renee’ Collins, Shayna DiMatteo, Amanda Finn, Natalie Fischer, Maria Fusco, Amanda George, Joshua Gerace, Robert Goris, Alicia Harrison, Nakita Herlan, Beth Huber, Justine Kirsch, Nicole Koerntgen, Steven Kopf, Mary Lacki, Adrienne LaLiberty, Kevin Laurendi, Gregory Lazelle, Jason Manijak, Alex Marien, Christina Maroulis, Matthew Masse’, Stephanie McGowan, Jenna Meyer, Andrew Missert, David Nardozzi, Arianna Nelson, Paula Nuchereno, Jennifer O’Donnell, Ashley Perez, Alissa Pioli, James Poupalos, Yasmin Raza, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, Theodore Royal, David Santa Lucia, Salvatore Santa Lucia, Scott Stanko, Corrine Stolzenburg, Sofia Syed, Devon Toth, Daniel Victor, Amanda Webb, Stephen Weigold, James Zilliox
Grade10: Keriann Armusewicz, Shelbey Bidell, Arielle Blanton, Andrew Boron, Puneet Brar, William Breier, Heather Burkman, Patricia Carminati, Meghan Casey, Lillian Choi, Robert Christopher, Michelle D’Addieco, David Dillen, Daniel Drabik, Ashton Duda, Caitlin Enser, Linday Fetzer, Stephanie Fick, Matthew Fields, Nicholas Gerace, Nicholas Giddings, Alex Gregorski, Nicholas Hahn, Hannah Hardy, Carly Hudson, Anthony Hughes, Karen Hutzler, Doughlas Ingraham, Kari Johnson, Amanda Kaiser, Scott Kaniecki, Lyndsay Kearney, Rochelle Kennedy, Brett Kern, Margaret Kiehl, Kelly Knab, Kimberly Kraft, Sarah Lang, Brian Lipp, Carey Marrinan, Allie McLean, Nicole Miller, Rachel Morgan, Rikki Nawotka, Emily Newsome, Emily Pici, Danielle Podlucky, Alexis Promowicz, Thomas Rayhill, Omar Raza, Jennifer Reisdorf, Laura Remmes, Brittany Rogers, Theodore Rogers, Lindsay Schiffhauer, Jessica Skelly, Amy Snyder, Alexandra Sutherland, Mohsin Syed, Eric Ther, Johanna Turnwall, Benjamin Valentine, Meghan White, Nathan Wolinski
Grade 11: Michael Amato, Stephen Asbach, Taralyn Bielaski, Joshua Bonaquist, Caitlin Bozek, Stephanie Brown, Kevin Buzzelli, Kristin Cadro, Madeline Cazenave, Richard Coe, John Colosi, Erica Cook, Ingrid Dahlberg, Alan Damiani, Ashley Darin, Thomas Digati, Steven Duggan, Stacey Edwards, Michael Ferro, Marcella Ford, Rebecca Goelz, Jason Gonda, Jo Anna Goulah, Danielle Henry, Brian Kim, Robert Kujawa, Andrea Kurpiewski, Jacob LaLiberty, Theodore Lee, Jennifer Long, Marinos Maroulis, Elizabeth Masse’, Jessica McIntyre, Caitlin Meaney, Malcolm Merriweather, Mindi Mieticki, D’anna Mock, Dale Mock, Kali Mordaunt, Stephanie Nardozzi, Cara O’Donnell, Lisa Otto, Stefanie Penque, Diane Pierce, Mitchael Pingrey, Jenna Podlucky, Rachel Ritzenthaler, Crystal Robbins, Matthew Royal, Kera Sauer, Paul Scappechio, Gretchen Schumacher, Balbir Singh, Melissa Sipos, Tierney Smith, Eric Snyder, Savannah Stolzenburg, Michael Valentin, Nicole Walker, Melissa Wilbert, Christopher Wright
Grade 12: Margaret Anderson, Diana Barun, Daniel Belue, Amanda Benko, David Blonski, Jennifer Breier, Traci Certo, John Dougherty, Kelly Duncan, Adam Fetzer, Christy Gibney, Christopher Goelz, Stephanie Goris, Joanna Grampp, Jamie Holmes, Terri Ingraham, Darryl Johnson, Anup Kang, Robyn Kania, Kimberly Knab, Phillip Lee, Matthew Leuppie, Adam Lock, Cindy Mao, Christopher Martello, Ryan Martin, Adam Mazenauer, Shannon McCormick, Alexis Mioducki, Brian Monaco, Kathleen Moriarty, Allison Moulin, Katherine Neely, Derek O’Brien, James Pioli, Adam Reisdorf, Harrison Rogers, Anthony Rossi, Kimberly Shoemaker, Allison Siehnel, Jeffrey Sipos, Megan Szymkowski, Joseph Walf, Danielle Wasson, Timothy Yore, Nikki Zito




Grand Island High School Merit Roll
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained merit roll status for the fourth marking period of the 2001-2002 school year:
Grade 9: Omar Ali, Lindsay Aronica, Deborah Basta, Christopher Benninger, Matthew Beyer, Dennis Brennan, Garrett Carlson, Alex Coates, Jaclyn Colosi, Robert Coughlin, Geoffrey Crossley, Erik Deuble, Farra Dugan, Daniel Elmer, Jennifer Farrell, Jason Fritschi, Thomas Geblin, Thomas Grampp, Collin Griffiths, Ryan Harvey, Nicholas Heftka, Stacey Helf, Brian Judkins, Christian Karnath, Tamaria Kelly, Kelly Knickerbocker, Allison Kulak, Catherine Kulak, Andrea Lewis, Megan Little, Ashley LoVerde, Christina Maddi, Victoria McCraith, Tara McDonnell, Calvin Meaney, Christopher Mehltretter, Kevin Mehltretter, Donald Minoian, Patrick O’Laughlin, Nicole Patterson, Ashley Pearce, Elizabeth Pfohl, Richelle Piccolo, Noelle Pietras, Toni Quagliana, Poonam Randhawa, Adam Salemi, Jessica Samland, Tracey Schmidt, Justyn Smith, Jacqulene Sondel, Adam Sperrazza, Shaina Starr, Nicholas Tim, Alicia Vetter, Emily Winters, Scott Xie
Grade 10: Mohammed Ali, Michael Antonelli, Kyle Berger, Michael Blocho, Cortney Bota, Dana Brindisi, Paul Bucholtz, Jeffrey Bull, Kristen Burns, Scott Buyer, Jennifer Cammarano, Kelliann Carney, David Chambers, Ashley Davis, Charles Dewey, Thomas Dewey, Christopher Dlugokinski, Andrew Dlugosz, Christine Donner, Alicia Ellson, Amanda Elsaesser, Brian Fahrner, Michael Feathers, Nicholas Forysinski, Bryan Funk, Alishea Gainer, Patrick Gannon, David Garcia, Katharine Gaudy, Christine Gilbert, Mark Goff, Monica Greco, Kevin Hajnos, Terry Hashley, Nicole Herman, Gretchen Hildebrandt, Thomas Hooven, Nathan Jayme, Nicholas Jones, Katie Ketterer, Robert Koryl, Emily Kowzan, Mindi Kratz, Mary Kucharczak, Francesca Kustra, Christine Lang, Gabrielle Lanich, Jamie Mallo, Amanda Mallwitz, Michael Martin, Christina Mayes, Kelly O’Brien, Christina Petit, Shane Pingrey, Joseph Podlucky, Daniel Rossiter, Ashley Ruckinger, Nichole Ryan, Steven Saxbury, Jaclyn Seifert, Christopher Sica, Christina Stickl, Karen Stipp, Lauren Stipp, Christina Warner, Earl Webb, Jonathan Weber, Ginny Wilkinson, James Wright, Steven Zippier
Grade 11: Donald Astridge, Brieanna Bailey, Michelle Becker, Shannon Becker, Ashleigh Bennett, Christina Breier, Joseph Burns, Angel Busch, Christi Busch, Keith Call, Kimberlee Carter, Christopher Ciechoski, Rachelle Cote, James Dahlquist, Kristen Danielson, Karla Darby, Jeremy Davis, Douglas DeLuca, Rene’ Dodge, Lindsey Edwards, Daniel Farmer, Jamie Fuhr, Ethan Gietz, Brett Gleason, Kara Glose, Ann Marie Goss, Daniel Gray, Peter Hardman, Leah Harris, Eleanor Henderson, Glenn Holler, Robert Hopkins, Naven Kang, Kathleen Kilian, Derek Kirkendall, Sara Knab, Benjamin Kozar, Ashely Lasut, Aaron Lloyd, Katherine Loiselle, Kathryn Manijak, Laura McDonnell, Matthew Michaud, Christopher Monaco, Gabrielle Montemage, Joshua Moran, Christine Morgante, Rosanne Oliverio, Laura Piccolo, Heidi Pitcher, Sarah Raade, Thomas Rajczak, Jeremy Roberts, Jennifer Rogan, Blaise Roman, Nicholas Rossi, Corinne Sexton, Robert Shoemaker, Bikramjit Singh, Francis Sirianni, Korie Smith, Lindsey Smith, Justin Sobol, Michael Stanko, Ronald Stipp, Kelly Strano, Kari Sumner, Danielle Voltz, Kimberley Walker
Grade 12: Megan Ayers, Cory Bota, Kelly Jean Brennan, Bryan Brown, Kyle Bullock, Jeannette Buscaglia, Ian Cap, Kaitlin Certo, Deanna Cole, Michelle DelZoppo, Kristen DiSalvo, Mattthew Dlugosz, Christopher Duff, Shannon Ellson, David Falletta, Martin Finucane, Shannon Freer, Shauna Freiermuth, Michael Gallagher, Lindsay Hahn, Jennifer Hansen, Alexandra Heaney, Justin Hoover, Michelle Kalisz, Krystle Kasprzak, Christine Knab, Brian Kopf, Michael Krisch, Jonathan Lacki, James Lichtenthal, Jill Lochren, Jessica Lundquist, Bethany Marohn, John Martello, Joseph Martino, Adam McCollum, John McGinty, Michael Mehltretter, Amy Millar, Stephanie Miller, Kathleen Mitchell, Alexandra Naumovich, Parick O’Connor, Matthew Pangborn, Anthony Paolucci, Nina Parisi, Kevin Rader, Krystal Rains, Katherine Rebmann, Adam Rivers, Valery Runick, Maria Saghir, Nicole Saxbury, Christopher Scott, Kim Stedman, Jonathan Steele, Yianna Tatman, Amber Tempest, Renee’ Torchia, Joshua Turnwall, Vaninder Walia, Kory Watts, Stephen West, Stephanie Wiesnet, Jode Wroblewski, Marvin Zimmerman




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of July 4, 2002
Boys Lacrosse Honor Roll - 7/2/2002
All-Western New York
First Team - Harrison Rogers, Grade 12, Grand Island A
Second Team - Jim Breier, Grade 12, Grand Island M; Dave Blonski, Grade 12, Grand Island D
WNY League
First Team - GRAND ISLAND: Dave Blonski, Harrison Rogers, Jim Breier, Jim Blocho, Mike Blocho.
Second Team - Jeremy Roberts, Neil Reddien

Harrison Rogers, Grand Island: The senior attackman was an offensive machine, notching five-goal games against toughies Amherst, Hamburg and St. Francis. He finished with 40 goals and 57 assists for a school-record 97 points in a season for the Vikings, who received honorable mention in the Class B state poll. Rogers is an honor student who will study elementary education at Potsdam State.




Class of 2002 Commencement
Potential Graduates of the Class of 2002

Click the photo for a larger view. Click "Commencement 2002" for Grand Island High School Graduation 2002 and potential graduates.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of June 27, 2002
Baseball Honor Roll - 6/22/2002
Niagara Frontier League
Second Team
GRAND ISLAND: Bob Deloreto-11, Mick Gallagher, Rob Podlucky.
Honorable Mention
GRAND ISLAND: Chris Martello

Boys Track - Niagara Frontier League 6/27/02
ALL-STARS, 2002 - (underclassmen indicated by grade)
First Team - Bryan Brown; Second Team - Chris Sica-10; Third Team - Glenn Holler-11, Devon Keen-10, Jeff Sipos, Derek O'Brien, Nick Walworth.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of June 20, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 6-20-02"




Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
June 2002

 
Jeffrey Sipos                               Ashly Cinelli

 
Nikki Zito                               Mick Gallagher

   Jeffrey Sipos has lived on Grand Island his entire life. He has been involved in a number of activities both inside and outside of Garnd Island High School.
   Since his freshman year, Jeffrey has been an important member of both the Varsity Cross Country and Track teams, and for the last two years, a contributing member on the Varsity Swimming team. In Cross Country he was captain for two years while earning 1st team NFL honors and being named team MVP. He also earned 1st team NFL honors in Track for the 3200 meter relay and was given the Rookie of the Year award after his first year in Swimming.
   Throughout high school Jeffrey has maintained high academic success earning Honor Roll status. He has received the Academic Letter, Certificate, and Pin, and was named the Anatomy & Physiology Student of the Year during his sophomore year. He has received the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete award six times through his participation in Cross Country and Track.
   Jeffrey has been an active member of the Nation Honor Society participating in events including the annual spaghetti dinner and the walk for Kids Escaping Drugs. He also competed in the Corporate Bowl, Student Olympics, GIHS Triathalon, was a class representative the past two years and a member of Masterminds and the Concert Band.
   In the community, Jeffrey was involved as a member of the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Stephens Church. Through this program he was given the opportunity to attend the Christian Leadership Institute and participate in a number of service activities including the Island Food Drive and West Seneca Day. Jeffrey also volunteered for Kids Voting Day and the Mud Run, a cross country race which has raised funds for both D.A.R.E. and Mercy Flight.
   Jeffrey's future plans include attending the State University of New York College at Cortland in the fall where he will major in Sport Management. He is currently considering a career in the field of sports technology.
   Throughout her high school career Ashly Cinelli has pushed herself to achieve excellence in all she does. Ashly is a member of student council and Spotlighters, receiving a role in the school play for the past two years, giving her a chance to showcase her always-present dramatic nature. Instrumentally, Ashly has been a member of the String Orchestra for four years, cellist in the pit orchestra each year for the annual school musical, participated in community band and a member of the concert band. Vocally, Ashly has been a member of choir for two years. Concert choir, Madrigal Singers and Vocal Jazz were added to her vocal repertoire her senior year.
   Some of the awards Ashly has received include Pride of The Island, Most Improved Musician, the academic award, the academic pin, varsity letter in music and first and second year pins in music.    Ashly has been accepted into two universities and has decided to attend SUNY at Fredonia in the fall with plans to major in Music Education. She is also considering a double major, involving Elementary Education along with her music studies. Once she is out of college, Ashly hopes to acquire a position teaching music at an elementary school. The 57-hour internship she completed at Kaegebein Elementary School gave her a "hands-on" experience into the field in which she will be making her future. Ideally, Ashly would like to earn a Doctorate of Music Education that will eventually allow her to teach music at the collegiate level.
   Every challenge throughout high school has turned into a positive learning experience for Ashly. Ashly is looking forward to the new experiences that college will bring for her both in her field of study and life's experience.
   Nikki Zito is 18 years of age and has been a proud resident of Grand Island for 10 years. She is the daughter of Cheryl and Joseph Zito. Nikki's high school career has been a productive one, serving both her school and her community. In school, Nikki is involved in several activities including junior varsity and varsity volleyball, ski club, wind ensemble, pit orchestra, pep band, and she is also a member of the National Honor Society.
   Some of the community activities that she has been involved in are: fundraising for Make-A-Wish Foundation, mentoring at Kaegebein Elementary School, tutoring for Practice Buddies, and serving as religious instructor at St. Stephen's Church for several years.
   Awards that Nikki received during school include: Pride of the Island, membership in the Who's Who organization, Scholar Athlete, and honor and high honor roll status through middle and high school.
   Nikki has taken six Advanced Placement level courses in an attempt to prepare for her journey to college. She has also participated in a 57-hour internship program at Sidway Elementary in order to prepare for her major. She has been accepted to three colleges, but has chosen to attend Medaille College in the fall. She plans to major in elementary education with a concentrate in English. Nikki has been accepted into both the Leadership and Honors programs at the college, winning scholarships for both. She also received the Trustee Scholarship from the college based on her grade point average.
   Nikki's history as a student in the Grand Island school system has been a rewarding one that she feels has prepared her for the challenges she will face in the future.
   Mick Gallagher has lived on the Island for almost his entire life. During his years on the Island he has participated in many things including Student Advisory Council, and was vice president his senior year. He also is involved in the DECA business club where he competed at the state level. Mike has also taken part in the sports program on Grand Island, playing varsity football, basketball, and baseball for the past three years. He was the captain of both the football and baseball teams during his senior year. Mick has been awarded first team All-League in both sports as well as being athlete of the year twice at Grand Island.
   Mick has volunteered his time to many organizations in the past four years. He has helped raise money for Special Olympics, and took part in a toy drive for kids at Roswell Hospital. He has taken part in the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and volunteered at Niagara PAL. Mick also took part in the Internship program at the high school, and spent 57 hours in the Athletic Director's office. During his sophomore year, he taught religious education to first graders.
   Mick spends his summers working for the High School at a Sports Camp that teaches 5-12-year-olds many things about various sports. He plans on using this experience because he plans to major in Physical Education for the next five years.
   Mick strongly believes in being involved in school and community activities, and will take these experiences wherever he will go.




Trees Planted In Memory of Teens

        

Click photos for larger view.

   Two trees were planted in memory of Cole Aydelotte and Travis Henniger during a dedication ceremony Thursday, June 13, 2002 at Grand Island High School. Kali Mordaunt, a junior at the school, organized the collection of student and faculty donations for the two flowering trees which were placed along side the high school sign. Glass plaques were presented to the parents of Travis and Cole. Several people, including high school principal Dr. James Dempsey and Young Life leader Jim Patterson, spoke of the teenagers who died this past winter.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of June 13, 2002
 GIRLS TRACK - NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - 6/8/02
(Friday, Day 1 at Rush-Henrietta)
Class A
4x100 relay: 7, Grand Island (Becky Goelz, Erica Burns, Kara Black, Jenny Rogan) 49.25; 4x400 relay: 8, Grand Island (E. Henderson, Black, Becky Goelz, Rogan) 4:04.95.

GIRLS TRACK - NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - 6/9/02
(Saturday Day 2 at Rush-Henrietta)
CLASS A
Jenny Rogan of Grand Island took fifth in the 200 (25:85).

BOYS TRACK - NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - 6/9/02
(Saturday, Day 2, at Rush-Henrietta)
CLASS A
Shot Put: 5, Marcus Matyas (Hamburg) 53-4. High jump: 4, Brian Honsberger (Lancaster) 6-4. Steeplechase: 4, Mike Rizzone (Clarence) 9:48.50. Pentathlon: 3, Mike Feathers (Grand Island) 3,308. Long jump: Jhamal Fluellen (Lockport) 22-5. Discus: 3, Matyas (Hamburg) 163-7; 7, Jeremiah Cole (Frontier) 148-7.

Sophomore Mike Feathers of Grand Island is an athlete to watch. He had an eight-point lead going into the last event of the pentathlon, the 1,500. He took six seconds off his personal best running a 4:38.87 and finished third overall with 3,308 points, 30 points shy of the school record. "I couldn't have gone much better," he said.




GIHS Concert Band and Wind Ensemble Season Finale
By Bob Kopf
   One word can describe the season finale of the GIHS Concert Band and Wind Ensemble….WOW! For those Grand Island residents who have never had the opportunity to hear these highly skilled musicians, "you have truly missed two of the finest high school bands in New York State and the east coast." Under the direction of Marty Allen, both groups earned numerous standing ovations last night (June 5, 2002) as the bands performed their season finale. In addition to the extraordinary group performance, outstanding individual performances were performed by Elizabeth Masse, Adam Fetzer, Chris Goelz, Joe Martino, Andrew Boron, Sally Head, and Doug Ingraham.
   This final Spring Concert ended a fantastic year for both groups. The Wind Ensemble was selected as the featured high school band in New York State to perform at the New York State Band Directors Association's annual symposium. A recording of the students' performances at national music festivals over the past few years was submitted to a panel of band directors from across the state. It was considered in addition to audition tapes from other high school bands. The panel chose the Grand Island Wind Ensemble as the group to perform at their Winter Conference on March 8, 2002 in Syracuse, NY. The panel chooses one elementary, middle school and high school group to perform at this event. The students performed an hour long clinic/concert to showcase their work. The elementary group chosen was also from Grand Island! The Huth Road Elementary Band also received this honor! Two groups from the same district in the same year is unprecedented in the hitory of NYSBDA.
   In addition, the high school Ensembles traveled to Virginia Beach, VA for the National Adjudicators Invitational this spring. Is is a prestigious honor to even qualify for this festival and Grand Island was invited back for the third time. All of the groups received the highest rating of Superior and the Wind Ensemble was recognized for its Outstanding Percussion section. Among over twenty groups from six states, the Orchestra received the second highest score in the Orchestra Division, the Concert Band received the highest score in its division and the Wind Ensmeble received the second highest score in its division!!




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of June 6, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 6-6-02"




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of May 30, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 5/30/02"




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of May 23, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 5/23/02"




J.V. LACROSSE TEAM LEAGUE CHAMPS!! 2002
   The Grand Island JV lacrosse team finished up its most successful season ever, compiling a 17 - 1 record. The Vikings finished with a 9 - 0 league record, making them the Western New York Division champs for the 6th year in a row. The Vikings accomplished this without the help of three sophomores who are starting on the varsity team and the loss of captain attackman Andy Dlugosz, who was lost for the entire season with an injury. The highlight of the season was a 6-5 victory over national powerhouse Orchard Park. It was the first ever J.V. victory over the Quakers.
   The Vikings were led offensively by sophomore attackmen Ted Rogers, and freshmen Jeff Pickel and Adam Ungaro. Rogers set a team record with 78 points, while Pickel set a freshmen record for goals with 36. Ungaro finished the season with 30 points.
   Sophomores Jeff Bull, Nick Jones, Nick Giddings, Scott Kaniecki, and Scott Buyer led the Viking midfielders. The close defenders were led by sophomores Mike Thourmire, David Garcia, and eighth-grader Matt Guidotti. Mike Martin was spectacular in goal all season, starting all 18 games and compiling an astounding 3.87 goals against average. He set team records for both games won and goals against average.
   The Vikings are coached by Steve Steck and assisted by John Podlucky.
ROSTER
Andy Dlugosz 10 Attack
Scott Buyer 10 Midfield
David Kurpiewski 9 Midfield
Mike Thourmire 10 Defense
Nick Giddings 10 Midfield
Jeff Pickel 9 Attack
Mike Martin 10 Goalie
Ted Rogers 10 Attack
Pete Sukmanowski 10 Midfield
Ryan Clarke 9 Midfield
Matt Mergel 10 Midfield
Anthony Fanara 10 Midfield
Chris Mahiques 10 Attack
Nick Jones 10 Midfield
David Garcia 10 Defense
David Nardozzi 9 Defense
Jason Wilkinson 9 Defense
Adam Ungaro 9 Attack
Scott Kaniecki 10 Midfield
Ryan Harvey 9 Midfield
Jeff Bull 10 Midfield
Kevin Buyer 9 Goalie
Tom Geblein 9 Midfield
Jim Zilliox 9 Midfield
Tim Blonski 8 Attack
Jordan Stickle 7 Attack
Matt Guidotti 8 Defense
Eric Skelly 8 Defense
Dan Szyprowski 8 Midfield
Justin King 8 Defense
Ryan Samland 7 Attack




Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
May 2002


Jolie Dahlstrom

Renee Torchia


Joseph Martino

   As a student at Grand Island High School, Jolie Dahlstrom has remained deeply involved with both her school and her community.
   She was in Concert Band as a freshman and a sophomore, moving up to the audition-based Wind Ensemble for her jujnor and senior year. Other musical activities that Jolie is involved with include Pep Band for the Viking football team, Community Band during the summer, and Pit Orchestra for the "Wizard of Oz" and the" Music Man". She also works with elementary sudents in the Practice Buddy Program.    As a member of the Girls Tennis Team for four years, Jolie earned awards that include JV Most Valuable Player and the Dedication Award. She also was commended with three Scholar Athlete Awards.
   Through her 11-year involvement with Girl Scouts, she earned the Silver Award as a freshman. As a sophomore, Jolie earned the prestigious Gold Award with two other girls after working together to organize, create, and distribute "The Islander," a newspaper at the high school.
   Jolie remains active in her community as she prepares for her third year of coaching soccer for the Grand Island Soccer Club. She volunteers at Camp Good Days and Special Times, a camp for children with cancer, AIDS, burns, and other ailments. Tutoring in French is another one of her many activities; she also has experience in tutoring young children in reading and math. She has volunteered with the HIstorical Society, the Grand Island Insrumental Boosters, and the mentoring Program at Kaegebein Elementary. In addition, every year since 1992, she has submitted a piece to the Texas Children's Hospital art exhibit. Currently, she is involved in a program teaching basic French to 2nd grade students at Huth Road Elementary School.
   Jolie is certified in CPR and in lifeguarding and intends to teach swimming lessons with the Recreation Department this summer.
   Majoring in Psychology, Jolie will attend Nazareth College in the fall of 2002.

   Renee' Torchia has been an active member of Grand Island for almost seven years, and has enjoyed living on Grand Island. She is involved in many activities in the Grand Island High School as well as the Grand Island community.
   Early in her high school career Renee' participated in track and field and girls' lacrosse. In her junior and senior year she participated in the Shared Decision Making Team. In her senior year she became a member of the Student Advisory Group and the Attendance Policy Development Team. Renee' is also the co-manager of the school business, "Tasty Treats," and the President of the Entrepreneurship Club. Renee' has receive the Parent Teacher Student Association award for the past three years as well as being on the honor role for the majority of her high school career.
   Renee' is heavily involved in the Whitehaven Road Baptist Church. She is a member of the youth group as well as the Student and Leadership Team at her church. Through the youth group, she has completed over 300 hours of community service including four short term missions trips, including one to El Centro, California. She served in that economically depressed area near the Mexican border for ten days, helping to establish a Vacation Bible School for children. This was a challenge for her but she overcame with loving support from others.
   In addition to all school and community activities, Renee' works at Dr. Ruth's office on Grand Island.
   Next year, Renee' plans to attend Niagara University for Business. She intends to obtain a Bachelor's degree in marketing and become a fashion merchandiser.

   Throughout his education at Grand Island, Joseph Martino has constantly undertaken many challenges in order to further his knowledge, and to prepare for life after high school. Martino has challenged himself by taking both honors and advanced placement courses. He has also been a member of the varsity golf and swimming teams. In addition to this rigorous schedule, he has always had a passion for music and has been highly active in the Grand Island music program.
   Joe has been a member of numerous All County, Area All-State, and Conference All-State music groups and has participated in the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and Madrigal groups. He has also participated in the school's musical and been involved in the Practice Buddy program.
   In the fall of 2002, Martino will attend the Berklee School of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts, in order to study Music Education and Performance (Trumpet). Eventually, he plans to earn a Doctorate of music education, which will enable him to teach at the collegiate level.
   Throughout his life, no lesson has been pushed harder than the need to respect others and service to the community. Joe has tried to exemplify this idea in all of his actions. He has had the opportunity to serve through the St. Stephen's Youth Group as a board member for the past six years. Martino has been a religious education instructor and has done numerous service projects througout Western New York.
   Joe is excited for the future because in becoming a music educator, he can share what he has learned and set an example in a field in which he loves. Martino knows that whatever path he takes in the future, he will try to continue the lifelong journey of service and respect to his community.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of May 16, 2002
Due to the length of this week's Sports Briefs, they appear on a separate page. Click "Sports Briefs 5/16/02"




Sally Head Wins Hewitt Award


   Sally Head was one of two high school athletes selected Sunday, May 12, 2002 as the 2002 recipients of the Thomas E. Hewitt Sports Award.
   The award presentation is sponsored by the 33-member Board of Associates and Past Presidents Group of Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center and is named for the former Sunday and City Editor of the Niagara Gazette. Thomas E. Hewitt took an interest in high school athletics and expanded the paper's sports coverage to include scholastic competition. He died in 1965.
   Sally has a long list of accomplishments including percussionist for the wind ensemble at Grand Island High School, catcher on the Vikings' softball team, being an excellent volleyball and basketball player and being the recipient of many honors for the various sports she participates in. Salutatorian for her graduating class of 221, Sally carries a non-weighted grade-point average of 3.996 and has made the high honor roll in every marking period. Along with the Hewitt Award, Sally received $2,000 in college scholarship money. One of six children, she will pursue a career as a physician in orthopidic and sports medicine. For a complete look at Sally Head's accomplishments and honors, click Student Of the Month.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of May 9, 2002
Baseball
5/5/2002
NIAGARA FRONITER LEAGUE
Grand Island 6, Lockport 1
Chris Martello had a three-run homer for Grand Island in a 6-1 win over Lockport.

13th ANNUAL WILDCAT RELAYS
Saturday's results from Depew
5/5/2002
Girls Results
Grand Island 61, Lancaster 53, Alden 38, West Seneca West 32, Nardin 26, Newfane 23, Clarence 20, JFK 18, Amherst 16, Hamburg 16, Lake Shore 15, Frontier 14, Williamsville North 14, Depew 13, Kenmore West 12, Mount St. Mary 10, Sweet Home 8, Iroquois 4, Mount Mercy 1, Cardinal O'Hara 0, Maryvale 0, St. Mary's/Lanc. 0, Williamsville East 0, Williamsville South 0.
Hurdles: Lancaster (Jean Koch, Sara Haas, Gina Volpini, Jamie Militello) 1:10.3; Distance Medley Relay: West Seneca West (Stephanie Burt, Judy Canazzi, Jillian Kosinski, Katie Simon) 13:22.4; 800 relay: Grand Island (Becky Goelz, Erica Burns, Kara Black, Jen Rogan) 1:46.3 *; Jack Donohue Memorial/1500: Kate Kohout (Clarence) 4:54.5; 1600 relay: Alden (Sara Myers, Kelli Sweeney, Katie Metz, Karen Kozub) 4:12.2; Sprint Medley Relay: Grand Island (Burns, Black, Rogan, Margaret Kiehl) 4:25.6; 3200 relay: Nardin (Caitlin Hanley, Rachel McNamara, Jessica Hamm, Tamara Dawli) 10:09; 400 relay: Grand Island (Goelz, Burns, Black, Rogan) 50.5 **; Shot Put: JFK (Michelle Harrington, Karen Kalwicki, Samantha Dexter) 90-4; Discus: Williamsville North (Erin Gallagher, Laura Joyce, Meredith Cook) 273-101/2; LJ/TJ: Lancaster (Mary Saxer, Jessica McLaughlin, Riana Czapla) 62-9; HJ: Lake Shore (Rachel Marks, Jill Weinheimer) 10-0; Pole Vault: Newfane (Breezy Workman, Jessica Oliver) 17-0 *.
*-indicates meet record.
**-ties a meet record.
For complete results:
www.themoox.net/wcr/records.php

Boys Lacrosse
5/7/2002
WNY LEAGUE
Grand Island 11, Williamville East 8

Baseball
5/7/2002
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Kenmore West 2, Grand Island 1

2002 WNY coaches polls
BASEBALL LARGE SCHOOLS
No. Team (Class) Record Pts LW
1. Jamestown (A) [5] 6-2 86 3
2. Canisius [3] 8-2 81 1
3. Orchard Park (A) [1] 6-2 80 2
4. Timon/St. Jude 7-2 70 4
5. Nia.-Wheatfield (A) [1] 7-2 50 7
6. West Seneca East (A) 5-1 46 5
7. North Tonawanda (A) 6-2 39 6
8. Grand Island (A) 7-2 28 NR
9. Lake Shore (A) 6-1 25 10
10. Cheektowaga (B-1) 5-1 23 8
Others receiving votes: Niagara Falls, Clarence, Iroquois, Frontier.

Baseball
5/7/2002
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
School W L School W L
Nichols 8 0 Nia.-Wheat. 4 4
Grand Island 6 2 Lew-Port 2 6
Niagara Falls 5 2 Kenmore West 1 7
Lockport 5 3 Kenmore East 0 7
N. Tonawanda 4 4

Boys Tennis
5/9/2002
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 3, Lockport 2

Boys Lacrosse
5/9/2002
WNY LEAGUE
Grand Island 13, Nichols 4




Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
April 2002


   James Stanley Blocho II has been a part of the Grand Island community since 1993 and has always been an active member.
   Since his entrance to Grand Island High School, James has been on the junior varsity football, basketball, and lacrosse teams, varsity football and lacrosse teams, Student Council representative, DECA vice president and president, Class representative, Recycling Team, Career Internship Exploration Program, and the Mock Trial Team. He has received "Who's Who Among American High School Students" for the past four years, recognition for National Youth Technological Leaders of Today, PTSA Honor, All-Academic Football Player, Scholar Athlete Team (football), 1st Team All League Defensive Back, All WNY Honorable Mention Fullback (football), 1st Team All League Midfielder (lacrosse), and the Metro Honor Roll.
   Around the community, James has been a member of the Grand Island Youth Court for four years, a volunteer soccer and lacrosse coach, taken part in fundraiser drives for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and helps deliver holiday meals for the City Mission.
   As future careers are looked into, James has found himself determined to pursue a bachelor and master's in business Administration and, as of right now, considers to work his way into health care.
   James has made no commitments as to what school he will be attending next fall.




Grand Island High School Honor Roll
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained honor roll status for the third marking period of the 2001-2002 school year:
High Honor Roll
Grade 9 :Dana D’Angelo, Erin Dent, Joshua Gerace, Justin Helman, Lindsay Henderson, Sara Hilliard, Meghan Macguire, Jenna Meyer, Stacey Monaco, Meher Singh, Jessica Stickl, Corrine Stolzenburg, Sofia Syed, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Phillip Thompson, Kari Tondera, Adam Ungaro, Erik Zito.
Grade 10 :William Breier, David Dillen, Nicholas Gerace, Kari Johnson, Shannon O’Brien, Corinne Razem, Laura Remmes, Jaimie Stickl, Mohsin Syed, Stefanie Szczykutowicz, Timothy Szczykutowicz, Christine Webb
Grade 11 :Caren Bartosz, Colleen Clarke, Michael Ferro, Rebecca Goelz, Elizabeth LoTempio, Patrick McCarthy, Stephen Pfetsch, Melissa Wilbert
Grade 12 :Jennifer Breier, Rachael Fraser, Christy Gibney, Sally Head, Joseph Pasqualichio, Anna Quider, Neil Reddien, Danielle Wasson
Honor Roll
Grade 9 :Tamika Adams, Amanda Albertsson, Julie Amato, Corey Angelo, Kelly Astridge, Joshua Billica, Kate Bonaquist, Amy Boutet, Alyssa Bowerman, Kelly Carter, Brian Choi, Ryan Clarke, Renee’ Collins, Geoffrey Crossley, Shayna DiMatteo, Jill Endres, Kathryn Figliotti, Natalie Fischer, Maria Fusco, Thomas Geblein, Amanda George, Robert Goris, Meaghan Grotz, Alicia Harrison, Nakita Herlan, Christian Karnath, Gretchen Kiehl, Justine Kirsch, Kelly Knickerbocker, Nicole Koerntgen, Steven Kopf, Lisa Kurpiewski, Mary Lacki, Adrienne LaLiberty, Kevin Laurendi, Jason Manijak, Christina Maroulis, Matthew Masse’, Stephanie McGowan, Calvin Meaney, Andrew Missert, David Nardozzi, Arianna Nelson, Paula Nuchereno, Jennifer O’Donnell, Ashley Pearce, Ashley Perez, Emily Pifer, Alissa Pioli, James Poupalos, Toni Quagliana, Yasmin Raza, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, Theodore Royal, Michael Schimley, Justyn Smith, Scott Stanko, Robert Sugar, Devon Toth, Daniel Victor, Stephen Weigold
Grade 10 :Keriann Armusewicz, Kelly Beatty, Kyle Berger, Shelbey Bidell, Arielle Blanton, Michael Blocho, Andrew Boron, Puneet Brar, Heather Burkman, Patricia Carminati, Kelliann Carney, Meghan Casey, Lillian Choi, Robert Christopher, Cynthia Czapla, Michelle D’Addieco, Andrew Dlugosz, Christine Donner, Daniel Drabik, Ashton Duda, Amanda Elsaesser, Linday Fetzer, Stephanie Fick, Matthew Fields, Nicholas Forysinski, Patrick Gannon, Alex Gregorski, Nicholas Hahn, Carly Hudson, Anthony Hughes, Karen Hutzler, Doughlas Ingraham, Scott Kaniecki, Lyndsay Kearney, Rochelle Kennedy, Brett Kern, Margaret Kiehl, Joshua Kish, Kelly Knab, Robert Koryl, Sarah Lang, Brian Lipp, Carey Marrinan, Allie McLean, Nicole Miller, Rikki Nawotka, Emily Pici, Danielle Podlucky, Joseph Podlucky, Omar Raza, Jennifer Reisdorf, Brittany Rogers, Theodore Rogers, Rebecka Schaber, Lindsay Schiffhauer, Christopher Sica, Jessica Skelly, Amy Snyder, Karen Stipp, Alexandra Sutherland, Eric Ther, Benjamin Valentine, Nathan Wolinski
Grade 11 :Michael Amato, Lauren Angelo, Drew Armusewicz, Stephen Asbach, Taralyn Bielaski, Joshua Bonaquist, Caitlin Bozek, Stephanie Brown, Kevin Buzzelli, Kristin Cadro, Madeline Cazenave, Christina Coates, Richard Coe, John Colosi, Ingrid Dahlberg, Alan Damiani, Karla Darby, Ashley Darin, Christian Dommell, Steven Duggan, Stacey Edwards, Alicia Fahrner, Lee Ferguson, Marcella Ford, Ethan Geitz, Jason Gonda, Jade Gormandy, Ann Marie Goss, Jo Anna Goulah, Christopher Heftka, Eleanor Henderson, Danielle Henry, Robert Kujawa, Andrea Kurpiewski, Jacob LaLiberty, Theodore Lee, Katherine Loiselle, Jennifer Long, Sigrid Maerz, Jessica McIntyre, Caitlin Meaney, Malcolm Merriweather, Bryan Mesmer, Mindi Mieticki, Kali Mordaunt, Bradford Namaste’, Stephanie Nardozzi, Cara O’Donnell, Lisa Otto, Stefanie Penque, Diane Pierce, Mitchael Pingrey, Thomas Rajczak, Catherine Remmes, Rachel Ritzenthaler, Crystal Robbins, Blaise Roman, Nicholas Rossi, Matthew Royal, Kera Sauer, Paul Scappechio, Gretchen Schumacher, Corinne Sexton, Balbir Singh, Melissa Sipos, Tierney Smith, Eric Snyder, Justin Sobol, Savannah Stolzenburg, Nicole Walker
Grade 12 :Margaret Anderson, Daniel Belue, Amanda Benko, David Blonski, Traci Certo, Ashly Cinelli, Jolie Dahlstrom, Allison Dinsmore, Christopher Duff, Kelly Duncan, Shannon Ellson, Adam Fetzer, Laura Fik, Christopher Goelz, Stephanie Goris, Alexandra Heaney, Jamie Holmes, Terri Ingraham, Darryl Johnson, Michelle Kalisz, Anup Kang, Robyn Kania, Krystle Kasprzak, Kimberly Knab, Michael Krisch, Phillip Lee, Matthew Leuppie, James Lichtenthal, Jessica Lundquist, Cindy Mao, Christopher Martello, John Martello, Carmella Martinez, Adam Mazenauer, Shannon McCormick, Scott McMichael, Lauren Mergel, Angela Miller, Alexis Mioducki, Kathleen Mitchell, Kathleen Moriarty, Katherine Neely, Derek O’Brien, Anthony Paolucci, Kevin Rader, Adam Reisdorf, Amanda Rodriguez, Harrison Rogers, Anthony Rossi, Valery Runick, Maria Saghir, Nicole Saxbury, Kimberly Shoemaker, Allison Siehnel, Jeffrey Sipos, Megan Szymkowski, Melissa Vrba, Joseph Walf, Tristan Wilkinson, Timothy Yore, Emily Zimdahl, Nikki Zito




Grand Island Girls Break Track Records
Three records were broken Saturday at the 13th annual Wildcat Relays that drew a field of 52 teams and the Grand Island girls track team broke two of them. Click "Wildcat Relays" for complete results.




Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
April 2002


Shannon Ellson

Michelle DelZoppo

   Shannon Ellson has lived on Grand Island her entire life. Ever since she was a little girl she has always put her heart into everything she has done. Stating at Huth Road Elementary School, she was an active gymnast and downhill skier. While she attended Huth she received the Pride of the Island Award as well as numerous Perfect Attendance awards. Her teacher always knew her as a happy chid who was active in her academics. During middle school, Shannon continued competing in gymnastics and participated in extramural volleyball. She was on the honor roll and received the Pride of the Island Award, once again.    Going into her high school career, her previous teachers knew she would be successful. Throughout high shool Shannon maintained honor roll status, participated in Student Council, as well as the recycling club. She also took part in gymnastics, receiving her letter and bar, track and field receiving her letter, and cheerleading. She was an active member in all of the school's functions such as Student Olympics. She also participated in the Make-A-Wish Foundation helping a terminally ill child get his wish granted. Through the Career Internship Program she did an internship at Huth Road in Celeste Angelo's third grade class. This led to her desire to seek a career in education. Next year she plans on attending the State University at Cortland and majoring in Elementary Eduation.
   Michelle DelZoppo has lived on Grand Island her entire life. She has been involved in a number of activities both inside and outside of Grand Island High School. Michelle started with the JV Volleyball team when she was in 7th grade and continued on to Varsity volleyball where she played for four years and was captain of her team this year. Michelle has enjoyed this time spent with her teammates and credits many of her accomplishments to her coach, Daneen Gallagher, whom she has enjoyed working with tremendously. Michelle also enjoyed playing lacrosse during her sophomore and junior years, and she is a member of the Student council.
   Among the awards Michelle has received during her volleyball career are "Best Offensive Player," "Most Valuable Player," and "Outstanding Setter." Outside of volleyball she has received the "Pride of Grand Island Award" several times. Michelle volunteers at St. Stephen's Church as a Eucharistic Minister and has also been involved in the Religious Education Department teaching third graders and preparing them for their First Communion. This year she has volunteered for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and helped raise money to grant the wish of a child.
   During her first semester this year Michelle was involved in the Internship program at Grand Island High School and interned at Kaegebein Elementary School in the physical education department. She enjoyed her internship very much and she has decided to pursue her career at Buffalo State College in elementary education.
   For four years Michelle has worked for Grand Island High School during the summer as a counselor at Sports Camp working with children ranging from ages 5-12 years old. She is currently employed at Eckerd Drugstore.
    Michelle strongly believes in being involved in school and community activities and will take with her the many memories and friendships she has made along the way.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of May 2, 2002
Boys Tennis
NIAGARA FRONITER LEAGUE
Grand Island 4, North Tonawanda 1
Mick Gallagher fanned 12 and Bob Deloreto had a bases-clearing double for Grand Island in a 4-3 win over Niagara Falls.

Boys Lacrosse 4/27/2002
WNY LEAGUE Grand Island 14, St. Joe's 4
Baseball
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 4, Niagara Falls 3
Boys Tennis
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
School W L School W L
Nichols 6 0 N. Tonawanda 1 4
Grand Island 6 1 Lew-Port 1 5

Boys Lacrosse
WNY LEAGUE
DIVISION I
School League All
St. Francis 6-0 10-0
Grand Island 7-1 8-1
Nia.-Wheatfield 5-1 6-2
Nichols 3-2 5-2
Canisius 3-3 4-4
Timon/St. Jude 3-5 4-6
St. Joe's 0-6 0-7
Scoring (goals-assists-points): Pete Greco (St. Francis) 41-24-65; Harrison Rogers (Grand Island) 20-43-63; Mike Blocho (GI) 40-13-53; Keil Illg (St. F) 27-21-48; Preston Lay (Gow) 28-10-38; Nate Snell (Med) 26-9-35; Eric Slzkatulski (Gow) 22-10-32; Sean Murphy (Timon) 22-11-33; Jim Breier (GI) 20-12-32; Jeremy Roberts (GI) 19-13-32; Sean Moriarty (Timon) 14-17-31; Nick Herman (Timon) 16-15-31; Mike Devine (Can) 24-6-30; Brendon Costello (Can) 19-11-30; Norman Cook (Gow) 13-15-28; Dan Winkler (St. F) 16-11-27; Jim Blocho (GI) 9-14-23.

GIRLS TRACK
5/1/2002
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 117, Niagara Falls 24
GI: Jenny Rogan 100 (12.4), 200 (25.7); Erica Burns LJ (14-71/2), TJ (32-3); Alexis Mioducki 100H (16.7), 400H (1:19.5).

BOYS TRACK
5/1/2002
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 841/2, Niagara Falls 561/2
GI: Bryan Brown 100 (11.4), 200 (23.2); Fred Brown HJ (6-0), TJ (41-1/2), 400H (1:01.4).
Niagara Frontier League: Baseball
Mick Gallagher pitched a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts as Grand Island blanked Lew-Port, 4-0.




GIHS S.A.D.D. Car Wash 2002
The Grand Island High School S.A.D.D. organization will hold a Car Wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2002 at the town hall, 2255 Baseline Road to benefit the Prom Promise program, educating students about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. For further information, call 773-8820.




Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
April 2002


Laura Fik

Nicole Saxbury

   Despite being an honor student at Grand Island, member of several Advanced Placement courses, and the vice president of the National Honor Society, academics make up only a small portion of Laura Fik's active and diverse life.
   As an active member in the community, Laura has dedicated much of her time to serving others, such as volunteering at soup kitchens, the town beautification process, volunteering at a work camp fixing elderly people's homes, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, volunteering at the Inter Faith Hospitality network, as well as at St. Michel's Church, and over the summer at Young Life camp. As an active member in both NHS and her church, Laura has expressed her values through actions. Participating in bible studies, Young Life, and church dinners, Laura's aspiration has always been to give back to the community that she has been involved in, in so many activities such as the annual Crop Walk, Community Band, National Honor Society spaghetti dinner, Youth Court, and women's volleyball at Trinity.
   Laura also spends time with the youth of Grand Island; she worked closely with the Kaegebein mentor program, using time affectively she aided students with their homework. She also particpated in the school-wide Coats for Kids, which helped needy children get winter coats, and in the summer she spent time as a Vacation Bible schoolteacher.
   Her last year at Grand Island High School reflects her role throughout the years. She was captain of her tennis team, modeling not only leadership, but also sportsmanship. She was the NFL's first team all leagues for doubles, received the Viking award for her leadership and dedication, and was numerously named as a scholar athlete.
   Besides volunteering and playing sports, Laura is actively involved in many of the extracurricular events offered at Grand Island such as Corporate Bowl, a trivia contest, and Student Olympics, which raises money towards Special Olympics. Events such as Mock Trial, where she was a lawyer, and Student Advisory Group all played an active role in shaping her life.
   Next year Laura will be attending the Rochester Institute of Photographic Imaging and Technology, but she does not see it as a resultant destination reached only through four years of stress and toil, but more as a new arena for her to continue growing in the same committed, genuine, and compassionate manner.
   Nicole Saxbury has been a member of the Grand Island community for the last thirteen years. Actively involved in school activities and the community, school has always come first for Nicole. Outside of school Nicole has been energetically involved in Young Life, a Christian youth group. She attended numerous functions with the group including three summer camps where she met and acquired some of her closest friends.
   Beginning with her freshman year, Nicole was a part of the Girls Junior Varsity Basketall team, coached by Mike Stauffer, and by her sophomore year, she was voted captain of her team. Deciding to try something different, she joined Cheerleading coached by Debbie Billica. Nicole enjoyed cheerleading so much that she decided not to return to basketball her junior year. During her senior year, Nicole was voted captain of her squad, and she was determined to leave her mark. Working hard, and trying new things, Nicole and the other cheerleader decided to attend the University at Buffalo Cheerleading Competition in February 2002, where they placed fifth. It was a big accomplishment for both Nicole and the other cheerleaders because it was the first time that Grand Island had entered a competition.
   Next year, Nicole has plans to attend SUNY Brockport where her proposed majors are going to be Accounting and Business Management. She was inspired to become an accountant after a summer job that she had, when she realized that she was interested in the business aspect of her job. She enjoyed working with numbers and people and decided to pursue it further. Working her way through school, she also plans to cheer for the Golden Eagles. In the future, Nicole would like to attain her masters in both Accounting and Business Management and eventually get her CPA for Accounting.




GIHS Sports Briefs - Week of April 25, 2002
Class B Lacrosse
The Grand Island Varsity Vikings Boys Lacrosse Team received good coverage in the Buffalo News Tuesday. "Attackmen Harrison Rogers (senior) and Mike Blocho (sophomore) have Grand Island's offense rolling, while senior middies Jim Blocho and Jim Breier are among the best around. Senior longstick Dave Blonski and senior goalie Steve West back up the Vikings, who are off to a 6-0 start."
Niagara Frontier League Softball
Mick Gallagher, a senior, fanned 14 and drove in a pair of runs to help the Grand Island Vikings nip Kenmore East, 3-2 last week.
Girls Track
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 94, North Tonawanda 47
GI: Alexis Mioducki 100HH (16.8); HJ (4-8). Jen Rogan 100 (12.7); 200 (26.2). Christine Breier 1500 (5:36.1); 3000 (12:09.7). Kara Black LJ (13-9); 400 (1:05.8).
Boys Track
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 105, North Tonawanda 36 GI: Bryan Brown100 (11.7); 200 (24.1).
Baseball
Niagara Frontier League: Bob Deloreto struck out 17 Niagara-Wheatfield batters in pitching Grand Island to an 8-3 victory.
Boys Tennis
NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE Grand Island 4, Niagara-Wheatfield 1
Boys Baseball
Niagara Frontier League: Ryan Jankowski (3 for 5) drove in five runs and John Bondi (2 for 4) had a triple and an RBI as Grand Island edged Nichols, 9-8.




Superior Rating For Remson's Strings

Click photo for larger view
   The Grand Island High School String Orchestra, under the direction of Debra Remson, accepted the invitation to attend the Dixie Classic National Adjudicator Competition in Virginia Beach, Virginia where the students received a Superior rating on their level 6 performance. The competition was held Saturday, April 20, 2002 in the Salem High School.




GIHS Sports Briefs - April 18, 2002
   Apr. 18, 2002. . .Varsity Vikings pitcher, Bob Deloreto pitched a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts to help the Vikings beat Lew-Port, 3-1 in a Niagara Frontier League game last week. The Vikings are now 1-1.

4/16/2002 . . Grand Island's Girls Track 1071/2, Kenmore West 331/2
GI: Erica Burns 100 (12.8); LJ (16-0). Jenny Rogan 200 (26.4); 400 (64.8). Tina Coates DIS.

4/17/2002 . . . Boys Track - NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE
Grand Island 96, Kenmore West 45
GI: Jim Pioli 110HH (16.2) 400IM (1:01.6). Brian Brown 100 (11.3); 200 (23.1); Mike Feathers LJ (19-81/2); TJ (6-0).

WNY LEAGUE Boys Lacrosse - Grand Island 15, Medina 5

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE Softball - Grand Island 14, Lew-Port 12
Niagara Frontier League: Erin Norris pitched a four-hitter and Melissa Niethe and Beth Crego both had two hits as Lockport blanked Nichols, 4-0. . . . Jen Breier had four RBIs and Lauren Nedwick scored four times as Grand Island outslugged Lew-Port, 14-12. . . . Winning pitcher Brianna Hout fanned 14 and Jackie Loncto scored on a bases-loaded walk by Megan Miner as Niagara Falls edged Niagara-Wheatfield, 1-0.

High School Basketball - Girls game - West 51, East 44
Val Gasbarro of Grand Island and Rachel Michalek of Sacred Heart led the East Team with nine points each when the East played the West in the Niagara PAL/ACE All-Star Game.
   WEST: Cornwall (Wmsv. East) 8, Waite (Pioneer) 14, Himelein (Gowanda) 2, Anderson (West Sen. West) 4, DeVoe (Newfane) 8, Thompson (Niagara Falls) 3, Jaus (Holy Angels) 6, Malik (Holland) 6. EAST: Flynn (NF) 7, Perez (NF) 4, Michalek (Sacred Heart) 9, Pitkin (Kenmore East) 7, Hawkins (Hutch-Tech) 7, Gasbarro (Grand Island) 9, Head (GI) 2, MacGuire (GI) 2, Cray (Traditional) 4. Halftime: Tied, 22-22. 3-point goals: Waite 3, Corwall 2, Thompson, Michalek, Pitkin, Gasbarro.

Jim Stockman (Grand Island) hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give Erie Community College (8-5) an 8-7 win over Alfred State (7-3) in the first game of a doubleheader, then added two more hits in the nightcap, which the Kats won, 5-3.

NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE - Boys Tennis - Grand Island 4, Kenmore West 1

The 2001-2002 Western New York All-Academic Basketball Teams include Grand Island High School students, Sally Head and Phil Lee.






Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
March 2002


Kelly Duncan

Adam Fetzer


Michelle Kalisz


   Throughout her high school career Kelly Duncan has pushed herself to achieve academic success and to always challenge herself. The level of courses that she is currently taking in high school is helping her to prepare for college. She is taking three Advanced Placement courses, Biology, Literature and Calculus, along with a 57-hour internship at the Aquarium of Niagara. She is currently a member of the National Honors Society, the International Club, Student Council, and the String Orchestra. She was also a member of the pit orchestra for the annual high school musical this past February.
   Kelly has also volunteered in various church activities and in the political campaign of Michael Heftka and has helped a local Girl Scout troop make crafts to sell as a fundraiser. All of these activities helped shape the person that she as become.
   Some of the awards that Kelly has received include "Pride of the Island," the academic award, pin and varsity letter, a varsity letter in music, and a five-year award from the Alleghany Arts Festival.
   Kelly has been accepted to four universities but has decided to go to the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. There she is going to have a double major in Biology and Marine Biology. Once she is out of College, Kelly hopes to receive a job within the Marine Biology field. Her main goal is to receive a Masters degree and possibly go on to receive a Doctorate degree in Marine Science. Her interest in the Marine Sciences has pushed her to achieve academic success in her Biology courses along with the Marine Biology course she took in her junior year. Kelly is looking forward to the new experiences and challenges that college will bring.
   Adam Fetzer has lived on Grand Island his entire life, and he would not have wanted to grow up anywhere else. According to Adam, the community is warm and welcoming and there are things that everyone can be involved in, both in school and in the community.
   Adam has participated in many school activities during his high school career. He has been a member of the varsity soccer team for the past three years and is also currently playing varsity lacrosse. Adam has been very active in the high school music program. He participates in the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz groups. He has also participated in the school's musical for the past two years.
   While participating in so many school activities, Adam has also been involved in many community activities. During the summer he volunteers as a soccer and lacrosse coach for young children in the community. He is also very active in his church. He plays the trumpet and trombone in the church orchestra and he participates in the church youth group.
   As a member of the youth group, Adam got to participate in one of the most influential activities of his life. He attended two workcamps where approximately 300 youth gathered together for one week in order to work on the houses of older or less fortunate members of communities in Tennessee and Vermont. According to Adam, these workcamps help one to appreciate what they have, and it also gives one a strong sense of satisfaction that they helped someone and made a difference. This summer, Adam plans to participate in a local workcamp in Niagara Falls.
   Even though Adam is involved in many activities throughout his community, he still believes that academics should come first. He has worked hard throughout his career as a student and is a member of NHS, and he plans to continue his education at the college level, majoring in mehanical engineering at the University of Rochester or Clarkson University.
   Adam knows that many challenges await him in his life, but he feels that these challenges are what make all of us better people.
   Michelle Kalisz moved to Grand Island in 1995. Since then, she became involved with the community and school. Michelle has been historian for the Class of 2002 for two years, which involves planning prom and senior activities. Michelle is also secretary of National Honor Society. She feels that NHS is an excellent way in which members get involved with the community. As secretary, Michelle helped coordinate NHS events such as a spaghetti dinner, volunteering at a soup kitchen, holding a coat drive, and sleeping in the senior cafeteria in boxes for the homeless.
   Michelle is in orchestra and loves playing the violin. She was involved with All County Auditions since her freshman year of high school. Michelle also played violin for two past musicals. Mock Trial was a unique experience; her first year, she served as a witness and her second year she served as a lawyer. Michelle is an avid volleyball player, and has enjoyed her team's success in her senior year and working with her coach Daneen Gallagher. Some of her best memories originated from volleyball along with softball, which she participated in for two years. Michelle works as a receptionist at Riverwood Health Care and teaches violin and piano.
   Michelle hopes to attend the University of Pittsburgh with a tentative biology major. She aspires to complete her BS and further her studies, hopefully abroad. Michelle is grateful of her experience of Grand Island, especially throughout high school. She has been in contact with admirable teachers and colleagues and will miss them upon graduation. She knows that this town has shaped her life like no other could.




Corporate Bowl Sponsors Raise $7000 for Scholarships


The 1st place winners: The "Search for Terrestrial Intelligence" team of (left) Carey Marrinan (grade 10), Scott McMichael (grade 12), Chris Dommel and Drew Armusewicz, (grade 11).


The 2nd place winners: "Pin Pals" team of (left) Laura Fik and Sally Head (grade 12), Andy Boron (grade 10), and Michelle Kalisz (grade 12).

By Lee Cohen
   The search for terrestrial intelligence was successful last night as the team with that name earned first place in the fourth annual Corporate Bowl, held at the high school.
   The Search for Terrestrial Intelligence team, consisting of Drew Armusewicz, gr. 11; Chris Dommel, gr. 11; Carey Marrinan, gr. l0; and Scott McMichael, gr. 12, earned 200 points to outscore by 45 points the Pin Pals : Andy Boron, gr. 10; and seniors Laura Fik, Sally Head and Michelle Kalisz. The other two teams in the playoffs were the Warning Commandos: Cory Bota, gr. 12; Pat McCarthy, gr. 11; Bradford Anton Namaste, gr. 11; and Kevin Rader, gr. 12; and Caucasia: Phil Lee, Joe Pasqualichio, Jeff Sipos and Tristan Wilkinson (all seniors).
   Co-chairs for the Corporate Bowl 2001-2002 event were Joseph T. Ippolito and Eileen Lang, from American Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc., in partnership with Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., and Invitrogen Life Technologies. These three companies have spearheaded the event since its inception by David Jayme of Invitrogen.
   The winning team will share $4000; the second place team, $2000; and the third place team, $1000. Contributors include J&M Instrument Service, Inc.; K&K Janitorial Service, Inc.; Fuccillo Chevrolet; Lehigh Construction Group, Inc.; J.F. Machining Co., Inc.; Holiday Inn of Grand Island; Clawson Electric, Inc.; Eaton Office Supply Co., Inc.; MJ Mechanical Services, Inc.; Wayside Landscape & Nursery; HSBC; Grand Island Chamber of Commerce; Empire Scale; Scott Aladeen; Wendel Duchscherer, Architects & Engineers P.C.; DiVal Safety Equipment; Grand Island Optical, and State Farm Insurance.
Providing in-kind donations were Absolute Paradise, China Wok, Eddie's Art Shoppe, Gelose Art in Flowers, GI Optical, Hector's Hardware, Island Dispatch, Island Tanning, Jackson Music, Maria's Hallmark, Martin's Fantasy Island, Monro Muffler, Picasso's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Rich Nassar, Soft & Shine, State Farm Insurance, Subway, Super Wash, the Holiday Inn, The Residence Inn, The Village Inn, TOPS Friendly Markets, Trendsetter, Tru Value Hardware, Vic Nole, Wavelengths, World Duty Free, Xpress Drycleaners and GI Rotary Club.
   Question categories were developed by faculty members Tim Williamson, Claire Cieslewicz, Andy Bowen, Julie Johnson, and Carrie Earnst and included current events, science, history, geography, music, vocational/trades, languages, art/ literature, people, sports and art. Working the event were high school staff members Kevin Murray, Sean Reddien, judges; Tim Williamson, moderator; Dr. James Dempsey, David Lilleck and Julie Johnson, scorekeepers; Carrie Earnst, coordinator.
   Gary Jackson, Phil Grefrath, and Bob Austin handled AV equipment and the program booklet was by Cindy Wynne. Also involved were the high school Maintenance Department, Kristen Cadro and Dan Belue, artwork and program; Rob Wynne, Wolf Group Buffalo; and Mark Drossos, the Corporate Bowl logo. Dr. Dempsey moderated the event, held Wednesday, March 13 in the high school large cafeteria.




Kaleidoscope Concert Showcases Young Talent
   A very appreciative audience filled most seats in the high school auditorium Tuesday evening (Mar. 19, 2002) when the Grand Island school district string department presented its annual Kaleidoscope concert. Debra Remson received a well deserved round of applause for the remarkable performances of the middle and high school orchestras. Her students showed constant discipline, apparently due to her attention and dedication shown the students, some of whom she has taught for the past seven years.
   Starting off the evening were nearly 40 string students from the 4th and 5th grades at Huth Road and Kaegebein schools who performed well under the direction of their teacher Kelly Robertson. Especially noteworthy for such young musicians was their performance of "Sourwood Mountain" where the grade schoolers made the difficult arrangement seem easy.
   Music by the Connor Middle orchestra was followed by the combined high school and middle school groups and finally the extremely talented Grand Island High School orchestra. Guest violin soloist Karin Switalski, a former student of Miss Remson, was certainly a concert bonus. Her excellent performance during the high school orchestra's "Meditation from Thais" by Jules Massenet was a fine example for all of the music students.




Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
March 2002


Neil E. Reddien

Allison Siehnel


Amy C. Forbes


   Neil E. Reddien has achieved outstanding success since his Golden "K" award from Kaegebein Elementary School. Participating in honor level courses, the humanities program, and finally numerous Advanced Placement courses, Neil was inducted into the National Honor Society last spring. As an active member in NHS, he took part in the "Coats 4 Kids" program, as well as the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Neil is also a member of the Student Advisory Group with Dr. Fields, aimed at strengthening Grand Island schools.
   Neil enjoys Grand Island's youth by volunteering his time as a larosse camp counselor and Little League Lacrosse coach with the Grand Island summer program, as well as volunteering for the mentor program during the school year.
   While earning his academic pin, letter, and bar, Neil also contributed to Vikings football, lacrosse, and weight lifting. This year he was honored with many scholar athlete awards. The most meaningful to him was the Gene Masters Memorial Award given for sportsmanship, effort, dedication, pride and commitment. He was awarded this honor during the month of November, as its first recipient. Other awards include the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award and the WNY High School All Academic Team (honorable mention).
   Neil's work experience for the past three summers has been at Pier Propeller in its finishing department. He is presently working on an internship for Prior Aviation Services.
   Neil plans on attending the Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Buffalo, or Kettering University in pursuit of an engineering career.
   Allison Siehnel has been a resident on Grand Island for nine years and has attended the Grand Island schools since the fourth grade. Her role in the community has been constant as she grew. As a youth of Grand Island, she has volunteered to help in many of the area's callings. She has participated in community band, the annual Crop Walk for Hunger, and volunteered at local soup kitchens. She helps younger students with their music studies in both the middle and elementary schools during her free time. Other projects she has done have been through organizations such as the National Honor Society and her church. She belongs to Trinity United Methodist Church and avidly participates in events occurring there such as church dinners and smaller Bible studies. Allison feels that, next to one's family, being involved in ones community is a key element to the shaping of an individual's character. Without the support of and the giving back to a community, a person would never be capable of making a difference to anyone in the world.
   Allison's final year at the Grand Island High School reflects all that she has learned growing up here on Grand Island. She was elected co-captain to her Ladies' Varsity Tennis Team, serving not only as a leader to all the younger girls on the team, but as an example as well. She earned the position of secretary and first chair in her section of the high school's Wind Ensemble during this year. Throughout high school, she has been an active participant in activities such as Student Olympics, Student Council, Corporate Bowl, and Varsity Track team, Ski Club, and most recently, the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council.
   Allison is, perhaps like most 17-year-olds, unsure of her future and sometimes her present, but always pushes to succeed and take the extra step to get there. Her history on Grand Island has helped mold her into who she is today. She has applied to four colleges, with her top choice being the University of Rochester. Graduating within the top 5 percent of her class, hopefully she will be accepted to this university. Allison is interested in pursuing English, but is unsure of what she plans to follow as a career.
   Energetic, enthusiastic, and dedicated are just a few qualities which can be used when describing Grand Island High School student Amy C. Forbes. Amy is a member of many clubs and organizations including Recycling Club and Student Advisory Group. Amy's abilities are varied and her positive work ethic aids her in all endeavors.
   The Career Exploration Internship Program, through Grand Island High School, has enabled Amy to be a part of the elementary education department of Charlotte Sidway School with her sponsor Mrs. Theresa Barnack. Amy is currently working with the fifth grade students in Mrs. Tricia MacDonald's class at Kaegebein Elementary School. Amy's love and willingness to enhance the lives of children extended to her raising money for both the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Variety Club of Western New York.
   An outgoing personality, personified through Amy's many years as a cheerleader at Grand Island High School and a cheerleading coach for the Grand Island Junor Vikings, add to her interpersonal skills with children and her student counterparts. A future in elementary education awaits Amy, and she is looking forward to this very rewarding career after attending college at Buffalo State.




Kaleidoscope Concert at High School
The Grand Island String Department will present its annual Kaleidoscope Concert 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, 2002 in the high school, 1100 Ransom Road. String instrumental groups from Kaegebein, Huth Road, Connor Middle and Grand Island High School will perform.



Corporate Bowl Update - Preliminary Winners

   The High School Corporate Bowl will be held from 7-9 p.m. on the 6th and 13th of March 2002 at Grand Island High School.
   The Grand Island Corporate Bowl is an academic challenge where high school student participants compete as teams in a Jeopardy like contest. This event not only providesscholarships to the top three (3) winning teams, but recognizes allparticipants and encourages learning. It also helps improve the alliance between the business community and the Grand Island Board of Education. In its 4th year, the Bowl is sponsored by American Pharmaceutical Partners, Fujisawa Healthcare Inc. and Invitrogen, Life Technologies. With the help of Holiday Inn, the sponsors raised over $6000 from local businesses. All who participate agree that it provides a fun evening and a life-long learning experience.
   Twelve teams of 4 students each participated in the Preliminary match of the Corporate challenge. Participants ranged from freshmen year to seniors.
Team 1- The Vermicidos Flying Monkeys
Team 2- Fantastic Four
Team 3-Good Enough
Team 4- The Search for Terrestrial Intelligence
Team 5-Oviposters
Team 6-Caucasia
Team 7-Pin Pals
Team 8-Xtreme
Team 9-SLC2
Team 10-Loquacious Yaks
Team 11-The Knights Who Say Ni
Team 12- Warning Commandos
   Winners of the Preliminaries:
Team 6-Caucasia
Team 12- Warning Commandos
Team 7-Pin Pals
Team 4- The Search for Terrestrial Intelligence
   The final rounds will be held on March 13, 7-9 p.m., at the Grand Island High School. The sponsors invite the entire community to come and support this wonderful event.




Boys Basketball Team Misses out On A-2 Sectional Championship
For complete Buffalo News story click Boys Basketball




GIHS Sports Briefs
   March 5, 2002. . .WNY CLUB HOCKEY ALL-STARS FROM GRAND ISLAND
FIRST TEAM - Large Schools
Forward: Dave Bently Grade 11

SECOND TEAM - Large Schools
Defense: Harrison Rogers Grade 11 (Grand Island)




High School Corporate Bowl Competition

Please click Corporate Bowl for complete information about the upcoming competition. Show your support on Tuesday, March 13, 2002 from 7-9:30 p.m.




JV Hockey All-Stars Announced

   Four players from the GIHS JV Hockey Team were named to the WNY JV Club Hockey All-Star Team last week. The 1st team All-Stars are (left) forward Andy Marrs, goaltender Jeff Pickel, defenseman Kevin Krantz, and forward Ted Rogers. Coach Gene Kozek was named WNY JV Club Hockey Coach of the Year. The JV Vikings finished in 1st place with a league record of 14-1-1 and will play in the Super Saturday Championship game 3 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2002 at the Buffalo State Arena. Let’s all go out and support our Junior Vikings!




GIHS Junior Varsity Hockey Team Finishes First

Click photo for larger view
    The GIHS Junior Varsity Hockey team finished the season in 1st place with a league record of 14-1-1. The team will be playing in the Super Saturday Championship game against Lew-Port 3 p.m. this Saturday, March 2, 2002 at the Buffalo State Arena. Pictured above are (frontleft) Anthony Fanara, Steve Kopf, Jeff Pickel, Chris Monaco and Ted Rogers. Back row: Assistant Coach Paul Coughlin, Tim Mulvey, Kevin Mehltretter, Ben Kozar, Chris Dlugokinski, Kevin Krantz, Chris Steckelberg, Andy Marrs, Mike Parisi, Dan Victor, Rob Coughlin, Coach Gene Kozek and Manager Bob Monaco.




GIHS Sports Briefs
   Feb. 28, 2002. . .BOYS SWIMMING
Friday (Feb. 15, 2002) . . Grand Island's Varsity Boys Swim Team won the Niagara Frontier League boys swimming and diving title ending its season with 15 victories and no losses. The Vikings won six individual events and one relay with 322 total points. The medley relay team of Jim Pioli, Charles Schifano, Steve Rumsey and David Blonski set a pool record when they won the first event of the meet held in the new North Tonawanda pool. Other winners on the Vikings team were Rob Rumsey (200-yd. freestyle), Steve Rumsey (200-yard individual medley), Steve Rumsey (100-yard butterfly), Rob Rumsey (100-yard freestyle), Jim Pioli (100-yard backstroke), Charles Schifano (100-yard breaststroke), and 7th grader Ian O'Rourke (2nd, diving).
BASKETBALL
Jon Steele scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half, including an 8-for-11 showing at the foul line, as fourth-seeded Grand Island ousted fifth-seeded West Seneca East, 53-42 last week. Bryan Brown led the Vikings (12-9) with 17 points and eight rebounds.
FIGURE SKATING
Tory Strada of Grand Island, among the local participants in the scholastic and open divisions in the figure skating, Kissing Bridge X-Series
GIRLS BASKETBALL
2/22/2002 . . . No. 2 seed Grand Island enjoyed 18 points from Sally Head and 15 from Val Gasbarro in a 52-44 win over Lake Shore. The Vikings jumped to a 16-5 lead after the first quarter and built a 30-13 margin at the break. The Vikings (19-2) play Pioneer (17-4) Saturday.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
CLASS A-2
Grand Island 52, Lake Shore 44
GRAND ISLAND (19-2): Gasbarro 15, Head 17, Goelz 2, Dougherty 6, Stolzenburg 5, MacGuire 7. Half: Grand Island, 30-13. 3-point goals: Gasbarro 2, MacGuire.




Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
February 2002


Kaitlin Certo

Adam Lock


   Kaitlin Certo has been a resident of Grand Island since she moved from Connecticut at the age of three. Her father, Russell, grew up on the Island and her mother, Elizabeth was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. From a young age, Kaitlin proved to be academically inclined and interested in her studies.
   Although she has always been concerned and focused with her grades, Kaitlin has still found time to give back to the community. Beginning at the age of thirteen she was a religious education teacher for St. Stephen's parish, first in the classroom and then she brought the students into her home. From this, Kaitlin discovered that she enjoyed teaching and helping children so she later coached House Soccer during the summer months.
   As Kaitlin came into high school, she continued to show her fine academic ability as well as her talent and love for the game of soccer. Each fall, Kaitlin has been noted as a Scholar Athlete for her academic excellence during the season. She also has received a Certificate of Academic Excellence her freshman year, an Academic Pin her sophomore year, and an Academic Letter her junior year. In her senior year, Kaitlin continues to challenge herself with courses such as Pre-Calc, Advanced Placement English, and Physics.
   Now that Kaitlin is half way through her senior year, the quest for a college has begun. So far she has been accepted to Quinnipiac University in New Hamden, Connecticut and Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire. She is, however, waiting on her acceptance to her first choice school, St. Anselm's College, also in Manchester, New Hampshire, in order to play Division II soccer and become a criminal justice major. Following her college education, Kaitlin plans to attend law school and achieve her life long dream of being a criminal lawyer which is very much supported by her parents and younger siblings, John Russell, Benjamin and Emily.
   Adam Lock has been a student of Grand Island schools since the fourth grade. Throughout that time, he has been very active for his community, and in his school's music and drama clubs. During his early years in elementary school, Adam was involved in Huth Road's boys chorus in fourth and fifth grade. In addition, to singing Adam was also involved with Grand Island's Cub Scout Pack 510, where he helped perform a number of community service projects for Grand Island.
   Throughout Adam's years in middle school, not only was he involved with the school's chorus for three years, but he was also very active with the school's M.S.S.A.D.D. group (Middle School Students Against Doing Drugs), where he was filming and acting in self awareness videos for fellow middle school students to help make them aware the dangers of doing drugs. In addition, Adam would help give back to the community by helping to organize the annual Grand Island 5 km Run for Renaissance House. Since entering Grand Island High School, Adam has been very involved with the school's drama club. He has acted in six shows on Grand Island's stage. Two of Adam's biggest roles include playing Prof. Zoltan Karpathy in My Fair Lady, and as General Hammond in M*A*S*H.
   This year, in his senior year Adam never having been part of a show's stage crew, took on the crucial role of being the stage manager for the production of The Music Man. Adam had the sole responsibility of putting together the show's stage crew, and running the show each of the three night's performances. At the high school level, Adam has remained very active in music. He's been in the school's Concert Choir since freshman year. This year he is Concert Choir's treasurer and is involved in the school's Vocal Jazz Ensemble. In addition, this year Adam was selected by the Erie County Music Educators Association to participate in the 2002 All County Senior High Chorus Ensemble. In his senior year Adam was the first ever Grand Island student to be selected for the Erie 1 BOCES "Connections: Health Related Careers Program" at the Buffalo VA Hospital. This is a highly competitive program that only accepts high academic students who plan on pursuing a career in the health field. Last year over 70 students from all over Erie County applied, and only 12 were accepted. This means Adam beat out over 50 students from all over Erie County. The program demands a lot of Adam's time, because the program curriculums include completing 30 clinical rotations, covering college level Anatomy. In addition, it covers AP English, and Government & Economics. Honors Adam achieved in high school are honor roll throughout most of his four years, receiving his academic certificate, pin, and letter for excellence, Pride of the Island Award, and being published in the 2000-2001 edition of Who's Who Among American High School Students. During his time away from school, Adam works at Grand Island's Tops Deli department and at least once a month volunteers at Buffalo's Children's Hospital. In addition, Adam has been training 10 years of Mandarin Kung Fu under the guidance of his instructor, Norman Mandarino. He has achieved the rank of 2nd degree blue sash. Next year Adam will attend Niagara University where he was awarded an academic scholarship. While attending NU, Adam will be majoring in Biology. Upon graduation, he plans to go on to medical school, to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a pediatrician.




Grand Island High School Merit Roll
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained merit roll status for the second marking period of the 2001-2002 school year:
Grade 9:Tamika Adams, Tanya Ambellan, Lindsay Aronica, Joseph Balisteri, Deborah Basta, Joel Becher, Glenn Bird Jr., Dennis Brennan, Garrett Carlson, Kelly Carter, Alex Coates, Tiffany Coburn-Garlock, Thomas Cope, Rebecca Cunningham, Michael Digati, Farra Dugan, Daniel Elmer Jr., Jennifer Farrell, Jarett Forysinski, Kelly Frantz, Jason Fritschi, Thomas Geblein, Thomas Grampp, Nicholas Heftka, Stacey Helf, Nakita Herlan, Brian Judkins, Tamaria Kelly, Kelly Knickerbocker, Ashley Kowzan, Catherine Kulak, Gary Leckey Jr., Andrea Lewis, Megan Little, Christina Maddi, Tara McDonnell, Donald Minoian, Timothy Mulvey, Paula Nuchereno, Noelle Pietras, Roonam Randhawa, Corey Ress, Adam Salemi, David Santa Lucia, Kyle Sauer, Tracey Schmidt, Justyn Smith, Joshua Stein, Jarilyn Stoorza, Alicia Vetter, Amanda Webb, Emily Winters, Scott Xie, James Zilliox

Grade 10: Stephanie Affuso, Michael Antonelli, Andrew Asbach, Cole Aydelotte, Kyle Berger, Ashley Bielec, Arielle Blanton, Michael Blocho, Cortney Bota, Sara Burke, Erica Burns, Kristen Burns, Lisa Burns, Jennifer Cammarano, David Chambers, Timothy Conn, II, Robert Corrao, Ashley Davis, Thomas Dewey, II, Michael Disarno, Christopher Dlugokinski, Christine Donner, Paul Eberhard, Amanda Elsaesser, Brian Fahrner, Anthony Fanara, Michael Feathers, Bryan Funk, Mark Goff, Terry Hashley, Nicole Herman, Gretchen Hildebrandt, Thomas Hooven, Nathan Jayme, Nicholas Jones, Robert Koryl, Jr., Kimberly Kraft, Mindi Kratz, Mary Kucharczak, Christine Lang, Sarah Lang, Gabrielle Lanich, Claire Maddi, Christopher Mahiques, Jamie Mallo, Michael Martin, Nina Mastrangelo, Christina Mayes, Jon McGinn, Jason McInerney, Matthew Mergel, Nicole Miller, Rachel Morgan, Lauren Nedwick, Casey O'Brien, Laura O'Donnell, Shane Pingrey, Thomas Rayhill, Omar Raza, Joshua Roberts, Daniel Rossiter, Ashley Ruckinger, Steven Saxbury, Marc Scibilia, Jaclyn Seifert, Christina Stickl, Lauren Stipp, ,Daniel Stoddard, Peter Sukmanowski, Michael Thoumire, Michael Vallina, Earl Webb, III, Jonathan Weber, Ginny Wilkinson, James Wright, Jr., Steven Zippier

Grade 11:Tammi Ackman, Nicholas Adreon, Mark Anderson, Donald Astridge, Brieanna Bailey, Kevin Bates, Shannon Becker, Carrie Boehm, Jessica Booker, Caitlin Bozek, Christina Breier, Josepha Burns, Shayna Burzynski, Kristin Cadro, Christopher Ciechoski, Erica Cook, Rachelle Cote, Jonathan Crossley, James Dahlquist, Karla Darby, Rene' Dodge, Devon Drost, Daniel Farmer, Marcella Ford, Jamie Fuhr, Krystina Geschwender, Brett Gleason, Kara Glose, Daniel Gray, Matthew Hagen, Peter Hardman, Leah Harris, Aaron Hesson, Robert Hopkins, Natalie Ianni, John Itzo, Kathleen Kilian, Brian Kim, Benjamin Kozar, Aaron Lloyd, Marinos Maroulis, Manuel Martinez, III, D'anna Mock, Dale Mock, Christopher Monaco, Gabrielle Montemage, Joshua Moran, Christine Morgante, Katie Newell, Rosanne Oliverio, Stefanie Penque, Jessie Petit, Laura Piccolo, Jenna Podlucky, Sarah Raade, Crystal Robbins, Jeremy Roberts, Sara Rodriguez, Jennifer Rogan, Blaise Roman, Nicholas Rossi, Robert Shoemaker, Francis Sirianni, Korie Smith, Eric Snyder, Kelly Strano, Kari Sumner, Larissa Thompson, Milynda Tim, Michael Valentin, Tanya Violanti, Kimberley Walker, Christopher Wright

Grade 12: Diana Barun, Kelly Brennan, Anthony Brindisi, Bryan Brown, Jeannette Buscaglia, Michelle Cammarano, Kaitlin Certo, Nadine Coffey, Michelle DelZoppo, Joseph DeMarco, Christopher Duff, Laura Fik, Martin Finucane, Shannon Freer, Shauna Freiermuth, Michael Gallagher, Andrew Golembiewski, Lindsay Hahn, Jennifer Hansen, Alexandra Heaney, Michelle Kalisz, Krystle Kasprzak, Nicholas Kingston, Christine Knab, Jill Lochren, Jordan Lucsok, Cindy Mao, Christopher Martello, Ryan Martin, Carmella Martinez, Joseph Martino, Adam McCollum, Dylan McLean, Amy Millar, Stephanie Miller, Alexis Mioducki, Allison Moulin, Alexandra Naumovich, Patrick O'Connor, Matthew Pangborn, Robert Podlucky, Christina Reaser, Katherine Rebmann, Adam Reisdorf, Adam Rivers, Amanda Rodriguez, Valery Runick, Christopher Scott, Jason Snug, Lauren Spacone, Julie Sturtz, Joshua Turnwall, Marc Violino, Kory Watts, Marvin Zimmerman




Click For Buffalo News Story
Class A-2 Semifinals Girls Basketball GRAND ISLAND





Click For Buffalo News Story - Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002
Class A-1 Girls Basketball GRAND ISLAND
MARY JO MONNIN /Buffalo News







Grand Island High School Honor Roll
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained honor roll status for the second marking period of the 2001-2002 school year:
High Honor Roll
Grade 9: Erin Dent, Natalie Fischer, Joshua Gerace, Robert Goris, Meaghan Grotz, Alicia Harrison, Lindsay Henderson, Sara Hilliard, Meghan Macguire, Jenna Meyer, Stacey Monaco, Yasmin Raza, Meher Singh, Jessica Stickl, Robert Sugar, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Phillip Thompson, Kari Tondera, Adam Ungaro, Daniel Victor
Grade 10: Kelly Beatty, Lillian Choi, Matthew Fields, Shannon O'Brien, Rebecka Schaber, Jaimie Stickl, Stefanie Szczykutowicz, Timothy Szczykutowicz, Eric Ther
Grade 11: Caren Bartosz, Christian Dommell, Michael Ferro, Rebecca Goelz, Andrea Kurpiewski, Elizabeth LoTempio, Patrick McCarthy, Bryan Mesmer, Melissa Wilbert
Grade 12: Jennifer Breier, Sally Head, Darryl Johnson, Scott McMichael, Joseph Pasqualichio, Anna Quider, Danielle Wasson, Timothy Yore
Honor Roll
Grade 9: Amanda Albertsson, Julie Amato, Corey Angelo, Kelly Astridge, Joshua Billica, Kate Bonaquist, Amy Boutet, Alyssa Bowerman, Ryan Clarke, Renee' Collins, Jaclyn Colosi, Geoffrey Crossley, Dana D'Angelo, Shayna DiMatteo, Jill Endres, Jill Figliotti, Amanda Finn, Maria Fusco, Amanda George, Ryan Harvey, Justin Helman, Beth Huber, Christian Karnath, Gretchen Kiehl, Justine Kirsch, Nicole Koerntgen, Steven Kopf, Lisa Kurpiewski, Mary Lacki, Adrienne LaLiberty, Kevin Laurendi, Gregory Lazelle, Robert Lorence, Jason Manijak, Christina Maroulis, Matthew Masse', Victoria McCraith, Stephanie McGowan, Calvin Meaney, Andrew Missert, David Nardozzi, II, Arianna Nelson, Jennifer O'Donnell, Ashley Perez, Emily Pifer, Alissa Pioli, James, Poupalos, Toni Quagliana, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, Theodore Royal, Jessica Samland, Michael Schimley, Jacqulene Sondel, Scott Stanko, Corrine Stolzenburg, Sofia Syed, Devon Toth, Stephen Weigold, Erik Zito

Grade 10: Keriann Armusewicz, Shelbey Bidell, Andrew Boron, Puneet Brar, William Breier, Dana Brindisi, Jeffrey Bull, Heather Burkman, Scott Buyer, Patricia Carminati, Kelliann Carney, Meghan Casey, Robert Christopher, Cynthia Czapla, Michelle D'Addieco, Charles Dewey, David Dillen, Andrew Dlugosz, Daniel Drabik, Ashton Duda, Alicia Ellson, Lindsay Fetzer, Stephanie Fick, Nicholas Forysinski, Alishea Gainer, Holly Gallagher, Patrick Gannon, Katharine Gaudy, Nicholas Gerace, Nicholas Giddings, Monica Greco, Alex Gregorski, Nicholas Hahn, Hannah Hardy, Carly Hudson, Karen Hutzler, Douglas Ingraham, Kari Johnson, Amanda Kaiser, Scott Kaniecki, Lyndsay Kearney, Rochelle Kennedy, Brett Kern, Margaret Kiehl, Kelly Knab, Brian Lipp, Carey Marrinan, Laura Massaro, Allie McLean, Rikki Nawotka, Emily Newsome, Emily Pici, Danielle Podlucky, Joseph Podlucky, Corinne Razem, Jennifer Reisdorf, Laura Remmes, Brittany Rogers, Theodore Rogers, Nichole Ryan, Lindsay Schiffhauer, Christopher Sica, Jessica Skelly, Amy Snyder, Karen Stipp, Alexandra Sutherland, Mohsin Syed, Johanna Turnwall, Benjamin Valentine, Christina Warner, Christine Webb, Meghan White, Nathan Wolinski
Grade 11: Michael Amato, Michael Anderson, Lauren Angelo, Stephen Asbach, Taralyn Bielaski, Joshua Bonaquist, Stephanie Brown, Kevin Buzzelli, Madeline Cazenave, Colleen Clarke, Christina Coates, Richard Coe, John Colosi, Ingrid Dahlberg, Alan Damiani, Ashley Darin, Thomas Digati, Steven Duggan, Lindsey Edwards, Stacey Edwards, Alicia Fahrner, Ethan Gietz, Jason Gonda, Jade Gormady, Ann Marie Goss, Jo Anna Goulah, Christopher Heftka, Eleanor Henderson, Danielle Henry, Navdeep Kang, Sara Knab, Robert Kujawa, Jacob LaLiberty, Theodore Lee, Katherine Loiselle, Jennifer Long, Sigrid Maerz, Kathryn Manijak, Jessica McIntyre, Caitlin Meaney, Mindi Mietlicki, Kali Mordaunt, Bradford Namaste', Stephanie Nardozzi, Cara O'Donnell, Lisa Otto, Stephen Pfetsch, Diane Pierce, Mitchael Pingrey, Thomas Rajczak, Catherine Remmes, Rachel Ritzenthaler, Matthew Royal, Kera Sauer, Paul Scappechio, Gretchen Schumacher, Corinne Sexton, Balbir Singh, Melissa Sipos, Tierney Smith, Justin Sobol, Savannah Stolzenburg, Danielle Voltz, Nicole Walker
Grade 12: Margaret Anderson, Daniel Belue, Amanda Benko, James Blocho, II, David Blonski, Cory Bota, Kyle Bullock, Traci Certo, Ashly Cinelli, Jolie Dahlstrom, Allison Dinsmore, John Dougherty, Dawn Drozdowski, Kelly Duncan, Shannon Ellson, Adam Fetzer, Rachel Fraser, Christy Gibney, Christopher Goelz, Stephanie Goris, Joanna Grampp, Jamie Holmes, Justin Hoover, Terri Ingraham, Anup Kang, Robyn Kania, Kimberly Knab, Brian Kopf, Stephen Krahel, Michael Krisch, Jonathan Lacki, Phillip Lee, Matthew Leuppie, James Lichtenthal, Adam Lock, Jessica Lundquist, Bethany Marohn, John Martello, Adam Mazenauer, Shannon McCormick, Michael Mehltretter, Lauren Mergel, Angela Miller, Kathleen Mitchell, Brian Monaco, Kathleen Moriarty, Katherine Neely, Derek O'Brien, Anthony Paolucci, James Pioli, Kevin Rader, Neil Reddien, Harrison Rogers, Jr., Anthony Rossi, Nicole Saxbury, Kimberly Shoemaker, Allison Siehnel, Jeffrey Sipos, Megan Szymkowski, Yianna Tatman, Amber Tempest, Renee' Torchia, Melissa Vrba, Joseph Walf, Vaninder Walia, Nicholas Walworth, Stephanie Wiesnet, Tristan Wilkinson, Jodi Wroblewski, Nikki Zito




GIHS Vikings Lose In Semi-Finals

   The GIHS varsity hockey team season ended on Sunday night (Feb. 17, 2002) with back-to-back losses to the North Tonawanda Lumberjacks. Dave Bentley scored the only goal for Grand Island on Saturday night in the 4-1 loss. The Vikings played very well during Sunday’s game, clearly out-playing the Lumberjacks during much of the game, but could not score against NT’s all-star goaltender Glenn Deverall. The semi-final win for NT places them in the championship game against Lancaster on Sunday, February 24th.
   The Vikings had an outstanding season this year compiling an overall record of 15 wins, 4 losses, and 5 ties. Outstanding season performances by forward Dave Bentley and defenseman Harrison Rogers earned them 1st and 2nd WNY Club All-Star Team recognition respectively.




GIHS Sports Briefs
   Feb. 14, 2002. . . The Girls Varsity Vikings Basketball Team added another victory to their list when they beat Kenmore East 44-40 last Friday, February 8th. Val Gasbarro led with 14 points. Monday's game against Lew-Port was another big win for the Vikings girls with a score 60-38. Once again Val Gasbarro led the scoring - this time with 17 points, followed by Jamie Dougherty's 16. Val Gasbarro had 18 points and nine rebounds as Grand Island scored a 53-40 victory over Kenmore West on Tuesday. The girls are still in first place with a league record to 12-2.
   The Varsity Boys Basketball Team beat Kenmore East 56-39 with Bryan Brown leading the scoring with 19 points.
   The Girls Varsity Vikings Basketball Team added another victory to their list when they beat Kenmore East 44-40 last Friday, February 8th. Val Gasbarro led with 14 points.
   The Varsity Vikings Boys Basketball Team beat Lew-Port 65-53 on Monday with - you guessed it - Bryan Brown leading with a huge 25 points.
   For Varsity Hockey Team results, see complete story below.
   The High School Rescling Team lost by a point to Kenmore West 34-33.
   The Girls Varsity Vikings Basketball Team won their game Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 with a score of 53-40 against Kenmore West. Val Gasbarro led with 18 points.
   Isledegrande.com e-News is looking for a high school sports reporter. Those interested may email Sports Reporter. Submitted sports reports are more than welcome.




GIHS Hockey Vikings Defeat Lockport 3-2

   The GIHS varsity hockey team ended the regular season with a 3-2 victory over the Lockport Lions Sunday night (Feb. 10, 2002) at Hockey Outlet. Defenseman Ethan Geitz scored the winning goal early in the third period. The WNY Club Hockey League top two scorers, Dave Bentley and Shawn Crowley, each added a goal for the Vikings. Defensman Harrison Rogers continued to be among the top defensive players in the league by blocking numerous shots at goaltender Ryan Martin.
   The Vikings finished the regular season tied for 1st place with Lancaster but will be the second seed in the playoffs due to the tiebreaker formula. Lancaster and Grand Island, by finishing 1st and 2nd in league play, have earned quarterfinal playoff byes. The Vikings will open their semi-final playoffs on Saturday, February 16, 2002, at 7:20 p.m. at Hockey Outlet. The 2nd game will be played on Sunday, February 17, at 9:35 p.m. A ten-minute mini game will be played at the conclusion of the 2nd game if necessary. The winner will advance to the Super Sunday Championship game on Sunday, February 24 at HSBC Arena. Everyone is encouraged to attend the playoffs and support the GIHS Vikings.





"Music Man" At High School Tonight

Rehearsals this week looked as good as the real thing!
Barbi Lare photo
   Grand Island High School students will present "The Music Man" 7:30 p.m. tonight, (Feb. 7), Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9 in the school auditorium, 1100 Ransom Road. Tickets may be reserved by calling the high school music department, 773-8868 and are available from cast members and at the door.
   High school music teachers Nancy Lang and Carolyn Lokken will director the play which follows the exploits of a smooth-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he takes a chance at swindling the residents of River City, Iowa into buying band instruments and uniforms for every kid in the town.
   Orchestra Director Martin Allen, Set Designer Mark Tollner, Student Stage Manager Adam Lock, Technical Assistant Gary Jackson, Art Advisor Cindy Wynne and Accompanist Carol Horrigan round out the production team.
   The large cast includes students Christian Dommell, Angela Miller, Rusty Burchfield, Patrick Gannon, Malcolm Merriweather, Jeff Adamek and Brian Fahrner.




GIHS Vikings Hockey Team Defeats Niagara Falls
Brian Kopf scored a goal with six minutes remaining in the game to break a 3-3 tie against archrival Niagara Falls on Saturday night (Feb. 2 2002). The Vikings won the game 6-3, improving their undefeated record to 13-0-5. Jim Breier scored two goals while Shawn Crowley, Mark Kramer and Ryan McDonough scored single goals. Dave Bentley continued to lead the WNY Club Hockey League by adding three assists. Ryan Martin played a strong game in goal. The Vikings' next game is at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 against 2nd place Lancaster High School at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion.




GIHS Hockey Vikings Defeat Livingston County

The GIHS varsity hockey team remains undefeated after defeating Livingston County by a score of 7-3. Shawn Crowley, Brian Kopf, and Ethan Geitz led the scoring with two goals each while Dave Bentley added a single goal. Harrison Rogers had a strong game on defense. The win brings the Vikings league record to 12-0-5. The next game for Grand Island is at 8:45 p.m. Saturday night, February 2, 2002 against Niagara Falls High School at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion in Niagara Falls.




Hockey Team In First Place

Over the past few seasons the Grand Island High School varsity hockey team has struggled on the ice and has developed a less than positive reputation with regards to their on-ice behavior and the student fan behavior. The team has made a complete turn-around this year and is in 1st place in the WNY Club League with an undefeated 11-0-5 record. The team is currently ranked #1 in the Buffalo News High School Club Hockey poll, and there have been no incidents involving student supporters.
   Much of the team’s success may be attributed to the new head coach, Regis Morales. Coach Morales' hockey career includes being a member of the three time State Champion Buffalo Regals Midget team, the Niagara Scenics (two appearances in the National Championships), and four years on the Buffalo State College hockey team. His coaching experience includes four years as 1st Assistant Coach for Buffalo State College.
   The Vikings have four remaining home games before the WNY Club playoffs begin. The top two teams from the playoffs will play Sunday, February 24, 2002 in the Super Sunday Championship game at the HSBC Arena. The remaining games include Livingston County 7:45 p.m. January 30; Niagara Falls 8:45 p.m. February 2; Lancaster 9:15 p.m. February 9; and Lockport 9:00 p.m. February 10. All home games are played at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion. Come out and support your GIHS Vikings hockey team!




Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
January 2002


Amanda Benko

Christy Gibney

David Blonski


   Amanda Benko is a hardworking individual who is not only an outstanding student but is also a valuable member of her community.
   Amanda has been taking honors classes to challenge herself throughout high school. Her grades have exelled, and she has been on the Honor Roll for four years, earning the Academic certificate, pin and letter. She also earned the award for Who's Who Among American High School Students twice. She admits that fitting four Advanced Placement classes into her schedule this year with all of the extra work that goes along with them is a challenge, particularly with all her other activities.
   Amanda has participated in both cross-country and track for four years. There have been many long and hard practices through rain, snow and a lot of mud, but she feels that running has given her a great deal of self-discipline. As captain of the girls cross-country team for two years, Amanda strengthened her leadership skills. She has earned her varsity letter and pins, and has won the coach's award for responsibility and dedication twice. Her team has also won the scholar athlete award for four years.
   Amanda is a member of the Student Advisory Group and hopes to improve the school district with her ideas and suggestions. She is a member of the PTSA, serving as a student liaison for four years. Amanda also helps her peers by tutoring them in almost any subject.
   Most importantly, Amanda has consistently given back to the community with hours of service, beginning in the first grade when she joined Girl Scouts. After eight years of doing both individual and group community service projects with the Girl Scouts, ranging from cleaning up the environment to brightening senior citizens' holidays with carols and cards, Amanda earned the Silver Award. Her community service has continued since then and has helped her gain acceptance to the National Honor Society. She is currently working on service for NHS, and she enjoys serving in such a great community. Next year Amanda plans on attending college to major in biology and hopes to continue serving her community.
   Christy Gibney is an active participant in her community. This past November, Christy won the title as Grand Island Youth Ambassador Runner-Up. Since then, she has attended different activities in the community as part of her job. She prides herself in her responsibilities of representing the youth on Grand Island and acting as a positive role model.
   About three years ago, Christy began to suffer from a chronic back injury that took her out of gymnastics and all other physical activities. The doctors told Christy that she would have to stop competing in gymnastics and other sports. Because athletics has always been a love of hers, she refused to give up and was determined to compete in gymnastics for her school up until, and including her senior year. She finished her senior year on the gymnastics team and even competed at the state level for Section 6 during her junior year. This challenge led Christy to believe that through determination, hard work, and perseverence, anything can be accomplished.
   Christy plans on continuing her studies after high school by attending college. She wishes to enter the field of Communications and major in Television/Radio Broadcasting. She has already received acceptances from SUNY Brockport, Cortland, Fredonia and Oswego. She anxiously waits to receive acceptances from two more colleges before making her decision on which college is the right college for her. Christy looks forward to a bright and successful future with many challenges along the way.
   Christy has always been very active. Since the age of four, she has been involved in gymnastics. Recently she finished her last year as a member and captain on the Grand Island Varsity Gymnastics Team. Christy is also a part of the Grand Island Varsity Track and Field Team. This upcoming spring will be her third year on the team and second year as a team captain. She also plays the saxophone in the Grand Island Wind Ensemble, which is a well-respected group that has won numerous awards and titles. Last year, Christy was inducted into the National Honor Society. As a part of this group, she visited and volunteered at a soup kitchen the day following Thanksgiving. Other services that she has participated in are donating blood, tutoring another saxophonist, delivering toys to sick children at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute on Christmas Eve, and fundraising for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Christy found these services to be self-rewarding and hopes to continue with such services in the future.
    David Blonski has been a student of the Grand Island School District since he entered Kaegebein Elementary at the age of five. In the many years since then, he has become involved in various aspects of student life. However, no matter what the circumstances, from academics to athletics, David has prided himself in applying maximum effort in exchange for optimum success.
   As a student, academics have remained David's top priority. Consequently, he has received numerous honors to commend his scholastic achievements including Pride of the Island, Excellence in Foreigh Language, and the PTSA Award for academic excellence. Moreover, David's repeated standing as an honor roll, or high honor roll student has earned him an academic pin and letter. All together, David's achievements earned him the right to be inducted into the National Honors Society last Spring. David knows that academics are the keys to achievement, and thus, he is determined to follow the path he has created towards scholastic success.
   Although academics have always been David's first priority, it is the same competitiveness that fuels his performance in the classroom that drives him to excel on the athletic field. In the past four years of high school, David has earned four varsity letters for athletics and will have participated in twelve athletic seasons. He has been a member of the varsity football and soccer teams and is currently captain of the varsity swim and lacrosse teams. As a swimmer, David has been named as a Niagara Frontier League All-Star and is currently in the midst of a championship season. In Lacrosse, although David has been a member of the All-League Team and has received the award for outstanding defenseman in the past, his goals this season are focused on bringing the Sections VI title back to Grand Island.
   Over the years, David has been an active participant in the community. For the past three summers, he has volunteered his time as a youth soccer coach for the Grand Island House Soccer Program. He has also repeatedly helped out in the summer lacrosse camps held by the recreation department and has more recently been a coach in Grand Island's Youth Lacrosse League. David also spent a year as a peer tutor in the Learning Center and two years as a member of Youth Court at town hall.
   Following high school, David plans to pursue a career in Engineering. He has applied to a variety of different Universities, a few of which include Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell, Drexel, and Carnegie Mellon. Engineering will provide David with the challenges that he loves and opporunity for advancement.





High School Production 2002 - "Music Man"
   Grand Island High School students will present "The Music Man" 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 7, Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9 in the school auditorium, 1100 Ransom Road. Tickets may be reserved by calling the high school music department, 773-8868 and are available from cast members.
   High school music teachers Nancy Lang and Carolyn Lokken will director the play which follows the exploits of a smooth-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he takes a chance at swindling the residents of River City, Iowa into buying band instruments and uniforms for every kid in the town.
   Orchestra Director Martin Allen, Set Designer Mark Tollner, Student Stage Manager Adam Lock, Technical Assistant Gary Jackson, Art Advisor Cindy Wynne and Accompanist Carol Horrigan round out the production team.
   The large cast includes students Christian Dommell, Angela Miller, Rusty Burchfield, Patrick Gannon, Malcolm Merriweather, Jeff Adamek and Brian Fahrner.

Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
January 2002


Anna M. Quider

Rachael Fraser

   Anna M. Quider has been an honor student achieving the 'high honor' roll every marking period since she first attended the Grand Island school district in the 7th grade. Anna has achieved academic excellence as a student taking many Advanced placement courses, Honors level courses and participating in the Humanities program.She has recently been awarded a $1500 four-year renewable New York State Regents scholarhsip for achieving the highest Regents Exam test scores in the Grand Island School District.
   Anna is the recipient of numerous academic awards including the NASA/New York Space Science Essay competition where she won second place in NYS. She has also placed first and third in the Western New York Science Congress competition. Anna has participated in the DECA public speaking contest where she most recently placed first in the region and finished within the top eight statewide. Anna has been the recipient of numerous awards for academic excellence from Grand Island High School including English, Spanish, Regents Physics, AP Biology and a Varsity Letter for Academic Excellence. Other awards include the Harvard Book Award and the Xerox Humanities Social Sciences Award.
   Anna Quider has given of herself to improve the quality of life within the Grand Island community. She has volunteered for various community organizations including Girl Scouts as a leader in training, Learning Center peer tutor, Kids Vote, co-vice chair of the Grand Island Youth Advisory Board, Neighbors Foundation food distribution, March of Dimes, Grand Island Connections Community Clean-up, Buffalo News Kids Day, and is active in various local political campaigns.
   Anna's extra-curricular activities have developed her leadership skills and offer her diversified experiences. These extra-curricular activities include president of International Club, treasurer of Spotlighters, president of DECA, Student Council member, stage crew (musical), National Honor Society, and Corporate Bowl, where she was on last year's third place team.
   Anna's work experience includes employment with the Grand Island Recreation Department, academic tutoring, assisting with income tax preparation, providing childcare, and landscaping.
   Anna has decided to pursue a career in physics and/or astronomy and hopes to attend Cornell University or the University of Buffalo in the Honors Program.
   Rachael Fraser is a life-long resident of Grand Island. Due to her hard work and determination, Rachael has achieved many accomplishments and has tried to make a difference in her community.
   Rachael's community and studies are very important to her. In fact, they take precedence over all of her endeavors.Throughout Rachael's school years, she has volunteered at various senior citizen homes through performing arts. She brings the performing arts to people who would not normally receive outside stimulation. She has also volunteered at churches, including St. Andrew's Church, helping with spaghetti dinners. Rachael has also volunteered her time helping with a Girl Scout troop. She believes that it is very important to give a helping hand in the community and try to make a difference.
   Rachael also places a huge importance on school and hard work. She has received the certificate of academic excellence, the academic pin, as well as the academic letter. She has received Pride of the Island three times and has also been place in Who's Who Amongst American High School Students for two consecutive years. Rachael is a member of the National Honor Society as well.
   In the future, Rachael plans to pursue a profession in early childhood education. She has recently been accepted to Buffalo State College where she plans to study this upcoming fall. She would like to give back to the community through teaching.

Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
January 2002


   Emily L. Zimdahl has been a Grand Island resident for the past fifteen years. She resides on Fieldstone Drive with her father, stepmother and two brothers. Emily attended Huth Road Elementary School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school. Emily has been awarded numerous academic awards including Excellence in Spanish two years consecutively, and Academic Excellence the past three years. She is a member of the Recycling Club, is responsible for announcements, and is active in the school choir. Emily also enjoys her membership in the Student Advisory Group with Dr. Fields. This group has enabled her to speak up about her concerns and to raise suggestions about how to better the Grand Island schools.
   After school, Emily participates in numerous activities. She was on the Varsity Swimming and Diving team for three years and attended Sectional competition each year. She was commended as a scholar athlete as a member of the Swim Team. Emily also participated in a private Diving Club outside of school. She has been on the Varsity Cheerleading squad for four years, serving as a Captain during her junior year. This past summer she was named a Universal Cheerleader Association All Star and currently attends Rines Gymnastics Club in West Seneca for the "RGC Chill" All star Cheerleading Squad.
   Emily holds a part-time childcare job when not busy with school activities. She recently accepted a tutoring position where she will be able to use her extensive Spanish Language skills. During the summer months she has held positions at numerous local businesses including Duce's Dogs, the Island Fun Center, and Collins Marine.
   Emily is a member of St. Stephen's RC Church on Grand Island where she has been a religious education instructor and an usher. She was confirmed last spring.
   Emily has applied to SUNY Colleges at Fredonia, Cortland, Oswego and Geneseo. She is awaiting her acceptance letters and hopes to attend Geneseo next fall. She intends to be a high school math teacher after graduating college and would like to coach high school cheerleading or diving.
   Emily would like would like to take this opportunity to thank her father for making her work so hard and pushing her to succeed. His loving support and guidance has given her the ambition to make him proud. She would also like to thank her mother and her stepmother for their ongoing support and encouragement. The teachers and administration of the Grand Island School District have played a critical role in Emily's accomplishments and she would like to include them in her thanks.

Hundreds Enjoy First Grand Island Ski Club Outing At Holiday Valley

Fred Claus photo

The Grand Island Ski Club got off to a good start this past Saturday, January 5, 2002 when members and chaperones gathered at the high school to board eight "Grand Tours" buses for their first trip to the Holiday Valley ski slopes.

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