The G.W. Bush Team was led by Anthony Capone who did the opening and closing.
                  Allison Williams - Continuity
                  Amanda George - Education
                  Mark Webb - Stem Cell/Abortion and the only Junior
                  Alex Marien - Social Security
                  Amanda George - Taxes/Economy
       
John Kerry Team:  Sofie Syed - opening and closing
    (both Sofie and Anthony did the War in Iraq in their opening)
                  Rob Goris - Continuity
                  Johanna Aponte - Education
                  Ashley Perez - Stem Cell/Abortion
                  Rob Sugar - Social Security
                  Hank Belding - Taxes/Economy
                  
The Moderators were led by Sarah Tanbakuchi
                  Others were Sara Hilliard, Mike Schimley, Lisa Kurpiewski, Gretchen Kiehl,
                  Kate Bonaquist and Mary Beth Lacki.

   A blood drive is being held at the Grand Island High School on Wednesday, November 24, 2004. "We are calling it a Day of Giving as a way to begin the holiday season," a spokesman for the drive said this week. "For the first time we are asking parents to consider donating along with their children who are 17 years of age or older," she said. The Blood Drive is sponsored by the Red Cross will begin at 7:45 a.m. on November 24th and continue until 1:45 p.m.

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Visiting Chinese Teachers Enjoy High School's Halloween Dance - 2004

By Joanne Kud
   Visiting Chinese teachers, Ms. Li Jai Shen and Ms. Li Han, enjoyed this country's tradition of celebrating Halloween when they joined Grand Island High School students at last week's Halloween dance. Proceeds from the dance will go to the school's Spotlighters Club and International Club scholarship fund. The Chinese teachers have been working with the students at Kaegebein Elementary School and learning US teaching methods, while also participating in the everyday lives of the students and teachers.

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Lady Vikings Win Sectional Games - 2004

Grand Island Lady Vikings goal keeper Allie Weiser, a ninth grader, has registered her 13th shut out of the season
   October 28 - Grand Island 8 Maryvale 0
This is the first game of sectional play and the Lady Vikings are the defending Class A champions. Grand Island started very fast as Alicia Fisher scored the first goal of the game in the first minute of play from a great cross from Jessica Remmes. The Lady Vikings controlled the play from defense to midfield to the forward line. Jessica Remmes, Heather Buzzelli and Alicia Barnaby who is back from a knee injury each scored two goals. Megan DenBeste added one goal to give G.I. a 7-0 win. Natalie Fischer had two assists in the game. It was a great team effort as everyone played a great game.
   October 30 - Grand Island 7 Lakeshore 0
It was a windy day but the lady Vikings are playing a very control game by keeping the ball on the ground and using quick passes. Sarah Sukmanowski scored the first goal of the game by kicking the ball from 25 yards out that hit the upper right hand corner of the net. Alicia Barnaby scored three goals and Jessica Remmes scored 2 more goals to give her a total of 40 goals for the season. Megan DenBeste scored a header to give G.I. a 7-0 win. Dana Szczepaniak had two assists in the game. The defense played another strong game as Allie Weiser registered her 13th shut out of the year. It was another great team effort as everyone made contributions for the G.I. win.

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High School Spotlighters To Present "Go Ask Alice" - 2004

Click photo for a larger view.
By Joanne Kud, School District Communications Consultant
   The Grand Island High School Spotlighters will present the production, Go Ask Alice, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, November 19-20 in the high school auditorium. The play, by Frank Shiras, is based on a powerful, real-life diary of a seemingly normal teenage girl’s struggle with the seductive, often fatal, world of drugs and addiction and chronicles what happens to her family, her friends and her own life.
   Auditions were held September 29-30, 2004 after school in the auditorium. Brendan Powers, interim director of the Niagara University Theatre Department, presented an Improvisation Workshop with the forty-four students who auditioned. Mr. Powers was there to facilitate the process and run the workshop as part of the club’s attempt to give students access to theatre professionals of various degree. Twenty-three grade 9-12 students were cast in performance roles, while others were assigned various technical and design roles including lighting, props, hair, makeup and costume design. Students continue to rehearse under the direction of Grand Island High School English Teacher, Katherine Scarafia.
   Parents and their teenagers are urged to attend this educational production, which has a powerful message that everyone needs to see and hear. Admission is $3.00.

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Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
November 2004
   
Amy Boutet                       Dana D'Angelo                Corrine Stolzenburg
   Amy Boutet has been a Grand Island resident most of her life and has attended school within the Grand Island Central School District since 2nd grade. Throughout her years on Grand Island, she has been involved in many activities both in school and within the community.
   During High School Amy has earned many awards for her academic excellence. Amy has been on the honor roll consistently throughout high school, and she has earned her Varsity letter in academics, the Pride of the Island award, and was recognized twice as a Who's Who Among American High School Students. Not only is she dedicated to her schoolwork but also to other activities. Amy has played volleyball for the past four years and has played on the Varsity level where she earned her Varsity letter and 1st pin. She has been involved with Grand Island softball for over eight years. Amy has been on the Varsity softball team since 10th grade along with the National Qualified, Grand Island Travel Team where she is the starting catcher.
   Amy's love throughout high school is music. She has been active in Choir, Concert Choir, Madrigals and Vocal Jazz. She has held presidential office in both Madrigals and Humanities Club. Amy has been involved in school musicals for several years. Through the school's Student Council, Amy has participated in Share the Holiday Magic and attended many leadership conferences. This year Amy holds the office of Art Decorator for the school dances. She has participated in the Career Exploration Internship Program where she interned with Mr. James Randles at Veronica Connor Middle School and is currently interning with Miss Roberta Frisoni at Grand Island High School.
   Several community service activities that Amy has been involved with include being a religious education teacher for St. Stephen's Church, a mentor at Kaegebein Elementary School, student choreographer for VCMS musicals, and Ride for Roswell and Cradle Beach Camp volunteer.
   Amy has worked as a lifeguard for Martin's Fantasy Island and the Grand Island Community Education Program. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university in New York where she will major in History Education with a minor in Musical Theater.
   Dana D'Angelo is a Grand Island native, and has been enrolled in the Grand Island School District since kindergarten. Since a young age Dana has been very involved in her community through school, extracurricular activities, church and work.
   In school Dana has taken a challenging academic schedule. Since 8th grade she has been taking advanced classes, and is currently enrolled in AP Biology, AP Government, and AP Psychology. She has received many awards for her academic achievements. As a student at Huth Road Elementary School, she won the H-pin and has been a recipient of the Pride of the Island award three times. Dana has been on the honor roll and high honor roll since middle school. She has earned an Academic Excellence certificate, pin and varsity letter, and the Student Sage Scholarship for Women of Influence from Russell Sage College for service in her community. This past June, Dana was inducted into the National Honor Society that recognizes students for academic excellence, service, character and leadership.
   Dana has also been involved in many extracurricular activities. Since the fourth grade she has been riding horses. Dana continues to ride regularly in Youngstown, NY and also competes in local, regional and statewide shows. Through her horseback riding she has become involved in the Niagara County 4-H where she has participated in team demonstrations, work bees, and horse shows. Dana is also an active member of the Grand Island High School Student Council where besides participating in school events she helped to raise money for "Meghan's Miracle." Dana was also a member of the Grand Island Ski Club for three years. She has participated in the Relay for Life at Lewiston-Porter High School and at Grand Island High School. Through school Dana has partaken in two career internships at Huth Road Elementary and Charlotte Sidway Elementary School. After high school she plans to attend a four-year college to major in childhood education.
   Dana is involved in community service through St. Stephen's Church on Grand Island. She helped at the St. Stephen's Lawn Fete for two years, helped to teach a Vacation Bible School class, and participated in wrapping and donating gifts to St. Bridgett's of Columba Church. Through religious education Dana was involved in a Craft Show to benefit AIDS Family Services, which involved making and selling crafts. Care packages were bought from the proceeds items to help women suffering with AIDS.
   In addition to this, Dana holds a part-time job at Wegmans food services where she is currently working in the Old Fashion Sub Shop. Dana has been employed by Wegmans since the summer of 2003.
   Corrine Stolzenburg has been a resident of Grand Island for her entire life. Although her academic history with the Grand Island School District only began in eighth grade, the five years spent within the school system has been nothing short of exemplary.
   Throughout her academic career, Corrine has pursued challenging Advanced Placement courses and electives, such as a variety of art courses, anatomy, and introduction to psychology. She is currently taking Advanced Placement psychology and a college level French course. Thus far, Corrine has remained on the Honor Roll for the duration of her academic history. Corrine is also a member of the National Honor Society, in which she was inducted into last spring. Some of her academic awards include the Academic Excellence certificate and varsity letter, recognition for Who's Who Among American High School Students, and the Pride of the Island Award, which was received in her junior year.
   In addition, Corrine has been involved in several extracurricular activities. She has played for the Grand Island soccer program since ninth grade and has had the privilege of accompanying the Varsity team to the state Final Four Championship for the past two years. She also participated in track and field as well as lacrosse. She has earned her varsity letter for each.
   Involvements in community and church activities have also been a major part of Corrine's life. She attends Whitehaven Road Baptist Church regularly and volunteers in the nursery there. For the past two years, she has participated in the American Cancel Society's Relay for Life held at Grand Island High School. She has delivered meals for the City Mission and this past summer, Corrine was a Junior Volunteer at Mount Saint Mary's Hospital.
   After graduating, Corrine is planning on attending Messiah College where she will pursue nursing.

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School District Receives $3000 County Grant - 2004
Legislator Chuck Swanick Secures Funding For Portable Electronic Scoreboard

Click photo for a larger view.
   Erie County Legislator Chuck Swanick (R-Grand Island/Kenmore) has provided $3000 to Grand Island School District for the purchase of a portable electronic scoreboard for the athletic department.
   “It’s great to be able to make a contribution to the school district,” Swanick said. “Sports has such a positive impact on our children and I know the scoreboard will be put to great use for years to come.”
   According to John Roth, Grand Island Schools Director of Athletics, the scoreboard will be used for the JV and Varsity Soccer teams and the JV Lacrosse team and Girls Lacrosse team.
   “Legislator Swanick’s generosity benefits our student athletes and we appreciate his efforts in securing this grant,” said Roth.




High School Music Department Concert Wednesday - 2004
   The Grand Island High School Music Department will hold a concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2004 in the high school auditorium.




Instrumental Boosters Meeting Cancelled - 2004
   The Grand Island Instrumental Boosters meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 2, 2004 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
   The Grand Island High School Music Department will hold a concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2004 and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 16, 2004.




Vikings Beat Williamsville South 35-13
To Play In Consolation Bowl Playoffs - 2004
   Grand Island ended its football season with a win over Williamsville South 35-13. Glenn Bird, the 2004 leading player, ran for 176 yards resulting in three touchdowns. Ryan Breier threw for 208 yards on nine of 14 passes. This included a touchdown by Josh Raiser. Derek Moody had 11 tackles in this last game of the 2004 schedule. The game was played on the home field October 23, 2004.
   The Grand Island Varsity Vikings will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 5, 2004 in the semifinals of the Consolation Bowl Playoffs (Class AA-A Blue Bowl) against Lancaster at Lancaster High School.
   The Vikings lost only two games of their 8-game season. Results follow.
• Saturday, September 4 - Grand Island 14 Niagara Falls 41
• Saturday, September 11 - Grand Island 24 - Starpoint 17
• Saturday, September 18 - Williamsville East 25 - Grand Island Vikings 7
• Saturday, September 25 - Grand Island 34 - Kenmore East 8
• Friday, October 1 - Lew-Port 35, Grand Island 3
• Friday, October 8 - Grand Island 28 - Lakeshore Falls 21
• Saturday, October 16 - Grand Island 35 - Sweet Home 27
• Saturday, October 23 - Grand Island 35, Williamsville South 13

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Lady Vikings Win 5th Consecutive N.F.L. Championship
Viking Girls Soccer Team Beats NF & Lew-Port - 2004

Click photo for larger view
Grand Island Soccer team's senior girls (left) Corrie Stolzenburg, Adrienne LaLiberty, Natalie Fischer and Sara Hilliard
   October 18 Grand Island Vs. Lewiston Porter
After the homecoming weekend celebration the Lady Vikings had a game against Lew-Port. It was a very close game from beginning until the end but G.I. prevailed with a 2-0 win. Jessica Kuehne and Casey Carminati had the assists as Jessica Remmes scored both goals. It was a good team effort and Allie Weiser registered her 11th shout out of the season. This win gave the Lady Vikings their fifth consecutive N.F.L. championship.
   October 19 Grand Island Vs. Niagara Wheatfield
Today is a very special day, it's "Senior Recognition Day." The four seniors, Sara Hilliard, Adrienne LaLiberty, Corrie Stolzenburg and Natalie Fischer, are playing their last regular season home game. I, Coach Prozik, personally want to thank the seniors for all their contributions, commitment and dedication to the Grand Island soccer program during their high school career. They are the reason for the great success that G.I. soccer has had over over the years. Today, as we faced Niagara Wheatfield, the seniors played the game of their life. Sara Hilliard scored three goals, Adrienne LaLiberty played strong defense and also scored a goal. Corrie Stolzenburg and Natalie Fischer controlled the midfield and both had assists in the game. Jessica Remmes scored three goals, raising her total to 36 goals for the regular season. Jessica Kuehne and Sarah Sukmanowski added one more in G.I. 9-1 victory. The Lady Vikings finished their regular season going undefeated in the Niagara Frontier League with a 13-0-1 record. The team is seeded number 1 for sectional play. Their first game will be Thursday, October 28, 2004 at Grand Island against the winner of West Seneca East and Maryvale game.

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Grand Island Varsity Vikings Football Schedule - August 2004
   The Grand Island High School Varsity Vikings Football Team will play four home games on the Ransom Road field and four 'away' games. The schedule follows:
• Saturday, September 4 at Niagara Falls, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 11 at Starpoint, 2:00
• Saturday, September 18 home against Williamsville East, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, September 25 home against Kenmore East, 2 p.m.
• Friday, October 1 at Lewiston-Porter 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 8 at Lake Shore, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 16 home against Sweet Home, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, October 23 home against Wmsv. South, 2 p.m.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Oct. 21, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 10/21/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Viking Girls Soccer Team Beats Kenmore East 7-0, Ties Ken-West 1-1 - 2004

Click photo for larger view
Grand Island Soccer team's senior girls (left) Sara Hilliard, Corrie Stolzenburg, Natalie Fischer and Adrienne Laliberty
   October 13 Grand Island at Kenmore East
The Lady Vikings are slow starters and Kenmore East played even with G. I. for most of the first half. G.I. took a 1-0 lead into half time as Alicia Fischer scored the only goal of the half. In the second half, the team responded with 4 goals from Jessica Remmes who increased her total to 31 goals for the year. Sarah Sukmanowski and Sara Hilliard tallied one each. Sara Hilliard had four assists in the game. The midfield led by Heather Buzzelli, Corrie Stolzenburg, Natalie Fischer, Dana Szczepaniak and Kathy Rogers, did a great job in controlling the midfield in the second half as G.I. won 7-0. Allie Weiser registered her 10th shutout of the year.
   October 15 Kenmore West at Grand Island
Kenmore West always plays Grand Island very hard. In the first half, Kenmore West dominated the play and they scored first to take a 1-0 lead but in the last five minutes of the half the Lady Vikings picked their game and equalized the score at 1-1. In the second half G.I. controlled most of the play but couldn't score. In the two-10 minute over time periods, G.I. had the better play but the keeper of Kenmore West made two spectacular saves. The game ended at 1-1. It was a great second half effort by the Lady Vikings. Their league record is 11-0-1 and over all record 12-1-3.

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High School Spirit Day - "Is That You?"

Jodi Robinson Photos
   Grand Island High School Spirit Day, brought out the best in the students
who "lived" the blue and white Grand Island Viking spirit on Friday,
October 15, 2004. Students, who had a half day of school, assembled
in the auditorium where all of the fall sport teams were dressed up and introduced.
It was a loud, wild and very exciting assembly!

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Lady Vikings Tennis Team Victorious in Finals - 2004
    The Lady Vikings Tennis Team beat Niagara Falls 4-2 the last match of the year to even their league record at 6-6-2.
    Third singles player freshman Brittany Stallard led the Vikings with a 10-4 record. Freshman Ashley Koerntgen (9-4 record) teamed with her sister, Senior Captain Nicole Koerntgen (7-6) to finish as one of the best second doubles teams in the league. Another outstanding freshman, Lauren McGowan (8-6) teamed at first doubles with Senior Captain Jackie Colosi (6-8) to give the Lady Vikings another outstanding doubles team.
    The third doubles team of Seniors Stephanie McGowan (8-4), Stacey Helf (7-3) and Sophomore Vida Rostami (6-0) proved to be one of the top third doubles teams in the league. Juniors Nicole Komin and Kara Rossi also contributed at third doubles.
    The Lady Vikings received outstanding singles performance and leadership from senior first singles player Alicia Harrison (2-12) and sophomore second singles player Courtney Donner (6-8).
    The Lady Viking J.V. team has a very bright future with juniors Nicole Komin (16-1) and Kara Rossi (14-2), and freshman Courtney Catalano (13-4) who led the JV’s with their consistent play. Three first year players who contributed immediately were senior Lindsay Aronica (11-4), and juniors Caitlin Hayes (6-1) and Monique Dhand (11-3). Six ninth graders who worked very hard this season were Sara Kurpiewski (10-5), Kristen Laurendi (10-6), Micahlena Beyer (10-5), Danielle Bruno (10-3), Brittany Papaj (7-7) and Jessica Cespedes (6-6).
    Coach Jon Roth and Assistant Coach Julie Roth thanked all the seniors for their outstanding leadership and dedication. Seniors who played their last match are Co-Captains Jackie Colosi and Nicole Koerntgen, Stacey Helf, Stephanie McGowan, Alicia Harrison and Lindsay Aronica. Congratulations Lady Vikings!




High School Orchestral Studies, Choral Studies - October 2004
   Grand Island High School music students have auditioned and been chosen to further their music studies. These students participate in four-week programs. The orchestra studies in Saratoga Springs with members of the Philadelphia Philharmonic and then perform at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center. The chorus meets at Fredonia State University. Only the very best in the State are accepted.

Participating in the NYS School of Orchestral Studies are (left) Greg Lazelle (trombone), Lauren Campbell (French horn) and Kevin Laurendi (trumpet).

Participating in the All State are (left) Emily Pifer (band), Lindsay Henderson (orchestra), Lauren Campbell (band), Carissa Bailey (choir), and Greg Lazelle (band).

Participating in the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra are (left) Vida Rostami (violin), Lindsay Henderson (violin), Stephanie Cartwright (viola), Lauren Campbell (French horn), Kristen Laurendi (clarinet) and Kevin Laurendi (trumpet).
   Zach Zarbo (choral) has been studying with the NYS School of the Arts.




GIHS Homecoming Dance - October 2004

Fred Claus Photos - Click for larger view
   Grand Island High School's Homecoming game and dance took place on Saturday, October 16, 2004. The game on Masters Field in extremely rainy weather had a grand ending when the Vikings beat Sweet Home 35-27. The weather never cleared but the Homecoming Dance in the school that evening was well attended. Photos from right: Erin Bonaquist, Courtney Donovan and Caroline Boron take time away from the dance to pose for this shot; Royal couple for the night are King Calvin Meaney, and Queen Alicia Harrison; The crowd rushes in as the dance starts; Lisa Sonnenberg, Kathy Rogers and Nicole Morgan smile for the camera during the Homecoming Dance October 16th, 2004.

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Inter-generational Community Sing - 2004
   Singers of all ages are invited to join forces with current members of the Grand Island Senior High School vocal department for an inter-generational sing. Singers of all ages are welcome to attend in an evening of song and fellowship 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2004 in the Senior High School Choir Room. High school choral director, Carolyn Lokken, is hoping students, parents, grandparents, neighbors and Grand Island alumni will take this opportunity to join together for this event. Sing-ins are popular in communities around the country and are unique in bringing together singers of different generations. No experience is necessary. "Hope to see you there!"

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Oct. 14, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 10/14/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Unbeaten Lakeshore Falls To GI Vikings 28-21 - October 2004
   Unbeaten when they went into the game Friday night on their home field, the Lake Shore Eagles suffered their first loss of the Class A season when Grand Island came out on top with a score of 28-21.
   The Vikings, behind 15-6 at the half, gained 22 points in the second half. Glenn Bird had a 5-yard run and quarterback Ryan Breier gained 2-points for the team with a bootleg run. Fullback Matt Guidotti gave the Vikings a 21-14 lead when he scored on a three-yard run. With nine minutes left, Glenn Bird scored on a four-yard run and the game ended when a Lake Shore player threw an incomplete pass.

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Devon A. Toth Named Commended Student In 2005 National Merit Scholarship Program - October 2004
   Devon A. Toth, a senior at Grand Island High school, has been named a Commended Student in the 2005 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2005 competition for Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than one million students who entered the 2005 competition by taking the 2003 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
   "Devon has exhibited an outstanding academic performance for which he is being honored," commented a spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. "We hope that the recognition received by this scholastically talented student will encourage him to take advantage of opportunities for the continued pursuit of excellence. The nation will benefit from the full development of this valuable intellectural resource."

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Viking Girls Soccer Team Beats Lockport, Niagara Falls, Nichols - 2004

Click photo for larger view
Grand Island Girls Soccer Team defenders (front) Nicole Fischer; (middle) Jessica Kuehne and Adrienne LaLiberty; (top) Heather Buzzelli and Rebecca Fetzer. The Grand Island defense has allowed only one goal in ten league games. Team coach is Peter Prozik.
Click photo for a larger view.
   October 5: Grand Island 4 - Lockport 0
The Lady Vikings are 8-0 in league play and Lockport is 7-1. This was an important game for 1st place. Lockport is an excellent team and it was a very hard fought contest. Jessica Remmes scored in the first half as Alicia Barnaby gave her a great pass and Jessica drilled a low shot in the lower left hand corner. Allie Weiser was busy in goal in the first half as she made 4 saves to keep G.I. in the game. In the second half the Lady Vikings took over the game as Jessica Remmes added two more goals and Sara Hilliard scored the last goal of the game on a direct kick from 20 yards out. The defense led by Jessica Kuehne, Rebecca Fetzer, Heather Buzzelli, Adrienne LaLiberty and Nicole Fischer did another great job in keeping Lockport from entering G.I.'s 18 yard line. Corrie Stolzenburg and Natalie Fischer had a strong game in midfield. The win gave the Lady Vikings a two-game lead in the NFL with a 9-0 record.
   October 7: Grand Island 8 - Niagara Falls 0
   The team is all excited to play under the lights at Sal Maglie Stadium. The Lady Vikings had a very fast start as Sarah Sukmanowski, who has been out since the second game of the season with an ankle injury, is back in great form as she scored the first goal of the game in the first two minutes. Jessica Remmes continued her scoring spree as she netted three more goals to give her 27 goals for the season. Megan DenBeste scored 2 goals, Alicia Fisher and Dana Szczepaniak each added one more for an 8-0 win. The midfield of Sarah Hilliard, Kathy Rogers and Charlotte Booth controlled the game for G.I. The Lady Vikings improved to 10-0 in the NFL and 10-1-2 over-all.
   October 9: Grand Island 2 - Nichols 1
With three starters gone to a tournament in Washington D.C., Jackie Coe and Casey Carminati were brought up from the JV. Both players never looked out of place as they played extremely well on defense. Sara Hilliard and Sarah Sukmanowski scored for the Lady Vikings. This was a great team effort as everyone stepped up a notch and played very hard from start to finish. Nichols scored with four seconds left in the game to spoil Allie Weiser's shut out.

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GI Hockey Teams To Host Chinese Basket Auction - 2004
   The Grand Island Hockey teams will host a Chinese Basket Auction from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2004 to benefit both the Varsity and JV teams. The event will be held at the VFW Post #9249 on Grand Island Boulevard. The price of $10 includes food and beverages, including beer and wine. In addition to the basket auction there will be other raffles and music.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Oct. 7, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 10/7/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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JV Viking Girls Soccer Team Scores 6-0 over Lew-Port
Coach David Bowman's 100th JV Girls Soccer Win - 2004

The JV Soccer team members are (left) Maria Buyer, Samantha Forysinski, Casey Carminati, Jordan Dudish, Cassie Ungaro, Jackie Coe, Shari Geblein, Sam Drexilius, Carly Snyder, Katie Hilliard, and Coach Bowman" (kneeling) Giovanna Andolina, Lindsey Boyle, Jenna Hutzler, Liz Lorence, Amber Duda, Alexa Amato, Mia Magliazzo, Heather Goris and Kristen Wegzryn.
Click photo for a larger view.
   Congratulations to Coach David Bowman on his 100th JV Girls Soccer win on October 1, 2004 against Lew-Port with a score of 6-0. Scoring for Grand Island was Catie Hilliard adding 3 goals, with her second hat trick of the season; Amber Duda with 2 goals; and Lindsey Boyle with 1 goal. With this win GI improves their record 10-1.

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Viking Girls Soccer Team Wins Two, Ties One - 2004
   September 27: Grand Island 6 - North Tonawanda 0
The Lady Vikings had a great start as Jessica Remmes scored her first of two goals of the game in the first minute and Alicia Barnaby, who also scored two goals, scored her first two minutes later. G.I. had a 4-0 lead at half time. In the second half Kathy Rogers and Heather Buzzelli added one goal each. The Midfield's play of Sara Hilliard, Natalie Fischer, Corrie Stolzenburg and Charlotte Booth controlled the game for G.I. The defense had another great game as Allie Weiser had the shut out in goal for the Lady Vikings who improved to 7-0 in league play and 7-1-1 over all.
   October 1: Grand Island 6 - Lewiston Porter 0
This game was played at Lew-Port under the lights. The Lady Vikings were ready for this game. It was very close as Dana Szczepaniak scored the lone goal of the first half. In the second half Jessica Remmes and Alicia Barnaby each scored twice and Alicia Fisher added one more goal to give G.I. a 6-0 win. The defense led by Jessica Kuehne, Rebecca Fetzer, Nicole Fischer, Heather Buzzelli and Adrienne LaLiberty continued their strong play. Allie Weiser had her 7th shut out of the year.
   October 2: G.I. 1 - Williamsville North 1
The Lady Vikings and the Spartans of Williamsville North, ranked 1-2 among WNY large schools played to a 1-1 tie. This was the second game in two days for the Lady Vikings and the game was played under rainy conditions. Williamsville North scored first but Alicia Barnaby tied the game before half time. The Lady Vikings played very well but neither team could score in the second half. G.I. improved to 8-1-2 over all.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 30, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 9/30/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Viking Girls Soccer Team Wins Two, Ties One - 2004

Jessica Remmes became the third Grand Island Viking to reach the 100th goal mark.
Click photo for a larger view.
   Grand Island at Kenmore West (September 21st)
There exists a strong rivalry between the two teams and today's game was a very intense and hard fought contest right from the start. Both teams wanted this game but the Lady Vikings scored in the first half as Jessica Remmes hit the upper right hand corner from 25 yards out. It was a defensive game but G.I.'s defense led by Jessica Kuehne, Nicole Fischer, Rebecca Fetzer, Adrienne Laliberty and Heather Buzzelli kept Kenmore West from penetrating their eighteen yard line and made the lone goal stand as G.I. won 1-0. Sara Hilliard and Alicia Barnaby controlled the midfield for Grand Island as Allie Weiser registered the shut out in goal. The Lady Vikings improved to 5-0 in league play and 5-1 over all.
   Grand Island at Niagara Wheatfield (September 23)
This was a memorable game for G.I. as Jessica Remmes scored three goals but also became the third Grand Island Viking to reach the 100th goal mark. The Lady Vikings won 5-0 as Alicia Barnaby also scored 2 goals. The defense played another great game but the midfield led by Corrie Stolzenburg, Natalie Fischer, Katie Rogers, Dana Szczepaniak and Charlotte Booth did a great job in controlling the play in the midfield. The Lady Vikings are 6-0 in league play.
   Aquinas (Rochester) at Grand Island (September 25)
Grand Island faced a strong Rochester team in Aquinas. Grand Island scored first on a goal from Jessica Remmes but Aquinas struck for 2 goals in the next fifteen minutes. Jessica Remmes tied the game just before half time. Both teams had chances in the second half but neither could score. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. The Lady Vikings played their best game of the season as all the players hustled from beginning till the end. It was a great team effort.

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High School Seniors Celebrate Threshold of Graduation Year - 2004
 
Jodi Robinson Photos
   The Grand Island High School Senior Class of 2005 celebrated the beginning of their graduation year on Friday, September 24, 2004. The day started with an assembly in the auditorium, after which the students "signed the wall." This custom started a number of years back where the upper portion of a wall is painted blue and the students sign their names to it. A photographer was at the school to take pictures of the class in the 2005 formation and individual photos for those who requested them. School activities were followed by a luncheon at "The Pier."

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 23, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 9/23/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Grand Island High School Girls Soccer Results - 2004
September 13
Grand Island 2 - Lockport 0
This was a very hard fought game right from the start. Alicia Fisher scored the first goal of the game at the 7th minute mark. It was a great shot from the right wing position that hit the left upper hand corner of the net. Lockport pressured the Lady Vikings but the defense led by Jessica Kuehne, Nicole Fischer, Adrienne LaLiberty and Rebecca Fetzer played extremely well and goalie Allie Weiser made a couple of spectacular saves. In the second half it was all Grand Island and Megan DenBeste scored on a head ball to give G.I. a 2-0 win in league play.
September 15
Grand Island 11 - Niagara Falls 0
Grand Island took control of the game right from the start. Jessica Remmes scored 4 goals, Sara Hilliard scored 2 goals and Megan DenBeste, Jessica Kuehne, Corrie Stolzenburg, Adrienne LaLiberty and Dana Szczepaniak each scored one goal to give the Lady Vikings a 11-0 win. Allie Weiser registered her second shut out of the season. It was a great team effort and all the girls played very well.
September 17
Grand Island 11 - Kenmore East 0
This is the third game of the week and the Lady Vikings were ready to play. Jessica Remmes scored 3 goals, Alicia Fisher and Alicia Barnaby scored 2 goals each. Jessica Kuehne, Sara Hilliard, Megan DenBeste and Dana Szczepaniak each scored one goal. It was another great team effort. Natalie Fischer, Heather Buzzelli and Kathy Rogers all played extremely well. Allie Weiser continued her shut out streak to three games. The Lady Vikings are 4-0 in league play and 4-1 over all.
   The team is coached by Peter Prozik

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High School Social Teacher Loses Hair - 2004

By Jodi Robinson
   Tenth grade Grand Island High School social studies teacher Kevin Murray challenged his regents class last spring. His offer was that if 95% of the students passed the regents exam, they could cut his hair any way they wanted. Well Friday, September 17 was pay back time. In a class that usually has a passing percentage of 90-91%, 99% of the students passed. Mr. Murray is very proud of his class but was a bit nervous before the students took hold of the scissors and clippers. Kevin Murray came to Grand Island from Buffalo in his sophomore year and graduated from the high school in 1996. He is in his fourth year teaching at GIHS.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 16, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 9/16/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Sofia Syed Qualifies As Semi-Finalist In Nat. Merit Scholarship Program - 2004

By Joanne Kud
   Sofia G. Syed, a senior at Grand Island High School, has qualified as a semi-finalist in the 2005 National Merit Scholarship Program. The Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and scholarships that is open to all U.S. high school students. The semi-finalists who have been chosen have shown exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The 16,000 semifinalists, who have qualified to continue in the competition for merit scholarship awards to be offered in 2005, were designated from some 1.3 million National Merit Program entrants in nearly 21,000 high schools nationwide. Approximately 8,200 of these students will win merit scholarship awards and be honored as merit scholar designees.
   Announcement of scholarship award winners will be made in the spring.
   Sofia has been inducted into the National Honor Society, is involved in the Kaegebein mentoring program, and also volunteers at Elderwood Health Care at Riverwood. She plans to attend college next year to study pre-law and international diplomacy.

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Viking Girls Soccer Team Beats North Tonawanda 9-1 - 2004

Girls Soccer Team members are (front left) Charlotte Booth, Katie Rogers, Natalie Fischer, Co-captain Sara Hilliard, Co-captain Jessica Remmes, Heather Buzzelli, Alicia Barnaby and Megan DenBeste; (back) Assistant Coach Jim Ritzenthaler, Rebecca Fetzer, Dana Szczepaniak, Adrienne LaLiberty, Jessica Kuehne, Nicole Fischer, Alicia Fisher, Sarah Sukmanowski, Alexandra Weiser, Corrie Stolzenburg and Coach Peter Prozik.
Click photo for a larger view.
   The Grand Island High School Girls Soccer Team played a great first game of the season against North Tonawanda. Jessica Remmes scored the first goal for G.I. but North Tonawanda tied the game just before half time at 1-1. In the second half, G.I. took control of the game as Jessica Remmes scored three more goals, Natalie Fischer scored twice and Alicia Fisher, Katie Rogers and Megan DenBeste each scored one. Sara Hilliard, Alicia Barnaby and Dana Szczepaniak had two assists each. The defense, led by Jessica Kuehne, Nicole Fischer, Adrienne Laliberty and Rebecca Fetzer, played a great game in front of goalie Alexandra Weiser. It was a great team effort as the Lady Vikings won 9-1.
   Grand Island at Mercy
   The Lady Vikings traveled to Rochester to play power house Mercy in a non league game. G. I. lost 4-2 but the girls played a great game. Alicia Barnaby and Sara Hilliard scored for G.I. The Lady Vikings lost Sarah Sukmanowski for six weeks when she fractured her ankle in the first half of this game.

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Grand Island High School Concert Choir - 2004

Click photo for a larger view.
   The Grand Island Senior High School Concert Choir has been selected to perform at the New York State School Board Association Convention being held in Buffalo in October. Their performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, October 23 at the Adam's Mark Hotel. Schools throughout the state have been invited to audition for consideration to perform at this convention. The 80-voice choir is busy preparing a concert program with an international theme: Many Voices in One World.
   Grand Island Concert Choir, under the direction of Carolyn Lokken, is one of five vocal ensembles at the high school. An auditioned ensemble, Concert Choir has been in existence for nine years. Admittance into this ensemble is based on each student’s quality of vocal sound and the ability to sight-read. Sight-reading ability allows for the performance of advanced choral literature in an academic setting. The Choir has consistently received Gold and Gold with Distinction ratings at NYSSMA Major Organization Choral Festivals. In March of 2004, Grand Island Concert Choir members were the invited guests of the Buffalo Choral Arts Society for the performance of Haydn’s Mass in Time of War-Paukenmesse. Students in this ensemble participate in All-County, Area All-State festivals as well as Conference All-State and MENC All-East Chorus, the New York State Summer School of the Arts Chorus and NYSSMA Solo festivals.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 9, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 9/9/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Grand Island High School PTSA Meeting - 2004
   The Grand Island High School PTSA will hold its meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2004 in the High School Library. Memberships for the PTSA will be available at $5 per membership.

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Grand Island High School Open House - 2004
   Grand Island High School is holding its Fall Open House on Thursday, September 16, 2004, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The students have been asked to bring home a form to their parents with their schedule filled out. The parents are invited to visit each classroom, join the PTA, meet the student's counselor in the Guidance Center and enjoy refreshments in the library.

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Grand Island Varsity Vikings Open Season With Loss To Niagara Falls -2004
   The Grand Island High School Varsity Vikings Football Team opened the season Saturday night, September 4, 2004 at Niagara Falls with a 41-14 loss to the Niagara Falls Wolverines in a Section VI Football Federation game.
   The Vikings scored its first of two touchdowns when Ryan Breier threw a 45-yard pass to Eric Hajnos. Breier also completed four passes for 66 yards preceding the Vikings 69-yard touchdown drive bringing the score to 35-14 at the half.
   The team, coached by Dean Santorio, will play Starpoint, 2 p.m. at Starpoint on Saturday, September 11.

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Transition To High School Made Easier For 9th Graders, Parents - August 2004
   
By Joanne Kud - Click photos for larger view
   Entering high school can be a very intimidating time. In order to make the transition from middle school to high school easier, incoming freshmen at Grand Island High School were invited to attend an orientation on August 30, 2004.
   The orientation began with a warm welcome from Principal James Dempsey. Dr. Dempsey reminded the students that high school is a new beginning, and that it is important to get a good start. He outlined his expectations, along with the school’s rules and regulations, and stressed the importance of students challenging themselves – academically, socially and personally.
   Students then had the opportunity to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers and enjoy a picnic with refreshments and hot dogs.
   School begins on Wednesday, September 8.

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Grand Island Art Students Win Lewiston Chalkwalk - 2004
Click photos for larger view
     
   The Grand Island High School team of Katie Gaudy, Andy Sharpe and Justine Kirsch won the first place trophy and ribbon at Western New York High School Chalkwalk Competition held Saturday, August 14, 2004 in conjunction with the annual Lewiston Art Festival. In its 20th year, the community arts event drew students from Grand Island, Iroquois Central, Lewiston-Porter, North Tonawanda, Niagara Catholic, St. Joseph’s Collegiate, Niagara Falls and Tonawanda High Schools. Each team consisted of three participants. This year’s theme was the Underground Railroad.
   Student teams are expected to create drawings using pastel artist chalk. The street becomes the artists’ canvas, and a place for audiences to watch works of art being created right before their eyes.
   The Grand Island team researched their subject matter, submitted their ideas to art teacher, Megan Gaiek, and then practiced several times during the summer months. Judging was done by local artists, and the judging criteria were: execution of the theme, relevance of the theme, perspective, color, craftsmanship and overall impact.
   Ribbons were awarded to second place winner Lewiston-Porter, and third place winner, Tonawanda High. The Mayor’s Award was given to Niagara Falls High School, the Supervisor of Lewiston Award to Iroquois Central and the Chairman’s Award to St. Joseph’s Collegiate. Spectators also had a chance to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award. The first place Peoples’ Choice Award went to Lewiston-Porter, with second place awarded to Grand Island.

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Student Orientation For 9th Graders, Parents - August 2004
   Grand Island High School 9th grade orientation for students will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 30, 2004, and for parents at 6:30 p.m. Both will take place in the auditorium. Parents unable to attend in the evening are welcome at 11 a.m.

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HS Guidance Office Open For New Students - 2004
   Students who have moved to Grand Island recently and are planning to attend Grand Island High School for the first time in September should make an appointment to meet with a high school guidance counselor. Appointments are available from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, August 5, 2004 and Tuesday, August 10.
   When prospective students or their parents call for an appointment, they should ask the secretary for a pre-packet of information so the registration process can be expedited.
   New students must provide the following information at the time of registration: Proof of residence on Grand Island, original birth certificate, immunization records from a previous school and a copy of their academic transcript.
   For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the High School guidance office at 773-8860 or 773-8866.

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Freshman Orientation Set For Aug. 30 - 2004
   Grand Island High School is offering orientation sessions on Monday, August 30, 2004 for incoming freshmen, new students and their parents. Sessions are in the morning for students and in the evening for parents, although parents may attend either session.
   Student may pick up their student packets and 2004-05 schedules at 10:50 a.m. in the auditorium. The program begins at 11 a.m., and at 11:30 a.m., students may tour the academic wing, following their schedules.
   Food will be on sale in the large cafeteria. Parents can pick up a Student-Parent Handbook from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. in the Viking Mall outside the auditorium. The program runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is for parents, only.
   The first student day of school is Wednesday, September 8, 2004 with regular a.m. and p.m. transportation. Students eligible for transportation will receive notification via mail. Dr. James Dempsey, high school principal, said parents with questions about busing should not call the high school. All questions should be directed to the Transportation Department at 773-8890.

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Grand Island High School Honor Roll - July 2004
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained honor roll status for the fourth marking period of the 2003-2004 school year:
High Honor Roll
Grade 9:Traci Aladeen, Alexandra Angelo, Amanda Arki, Lauren Aughey, Karen Bellanca, Vincent Covatto, Karen Figliotti, Emily Hasselbeck, Shannon Howley, Emily Kahn, Rachael Kaplan, Ashley Kippley, Dianne Maerz, Justin McInerney, Andrea Monaco, Kayla Mornelli, Sarah Mye, Patrick O’Donnell, Julie Pangborn, Amanda Richter, Vida Rostami, Sydney Seese, Forrest Smith, Joshua Snyder, Yiyu Zhang
Grade 10: Jing Chen, Lauren Culp, Chelsea DeGlopper, Julie Drozdowski, Nicole Komin, Laura Lang, Lucas Mesmer, Robert Michaels, Lee Miller, Christopher Prygon, Caitlyn Quider, Katharine Rogers, Karalyn Rossi, Kevin Sobol, Dana Szczepaniak, Mark Webb, Zachary Zarbo
Grade 11: Julie Amato, Lindsay Aronica, Brian Choi, Renee’ Collins, Erin Dent, Kathryn Figliotti, Robert Goris, Lindsay Henderson, Sara Hillard, Justine Kirsch, Meghan Macguire, Calvin Meaney, Stacey Monaco, Yasmin Raza, Meher Singh, Jessica Stickl, Sofia Syed, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Amanda Thompson, Phillip Thompson, Kari Tondera, Adam Ungaro, Daniel Victor
Grade 12: Cortney Bota, Karen Hutzler, Amanda Kaiser, Stephanie Langers, Shannon O’Brien, Corinne Razem, Theodore Rogers, Stefanie Szczykutowicz, Timothy Szczykutowicz, Christine Webb
Honor Roll
Grade 9: Janeen Amantia, Carolyn Asbach, Michael Asbach, Adam Bakula, Alicia Barnaby, Ryan Benninger, Brandon Bettinger, Erik Billica, Erin Bonaquist, Caroline Boron, Juliana Burkhart, Heather Buzzelli, Christine Call, Stephanie Cartwright, John Certo, Kiel Clarke, Abigail Cliff, Lyndsey Clingersmith, Lianna Connors, Michael Coty, Jessica Coughlin, Michael Davis, Paul Dhand, Brian Dolan, Courtney Donner, Courtney Donovan, Kristin Duggan, Robert Elsaesser, Kate Endres, Ashley Fabio, Timothy Fargino, Brett Fiedler, Nicole Fischer, Jennifer Freiermuth, Joseph Fusco, Cassidy Hogrewe. Paul Holler, Jaime Justen, Jared Kazmierczak, Jessica Kuehne, Matthew Lang, Cassandra Lange, Elise Loiselle, Sean McDermott, Matthew McKenna, Thomas Minarcin, Abram Morgan, John Naumovich, Sean O’Brien, Casey Olszewski, Valerie Paris, Justina Potenzo, Ashley Ray, James Rayhill, Tara Rogers, David Rosati, Justin Samland, Lindsey Samland, Ryan Samland, Matthew Scibilia, Nicholas Shemik, Ajit Singh, Ryan Stanko, Kristen Swan, Melissa Thompson, Zachary Tondera, Donald Turner, Cassandra Ungaro, Keith Wegrzyn, Philip Wendt
Grade 10: Cortney Ambrosia, Brandon Antonelli, Lauren Asbach, Christopher Benko, Timothy Blonski, Sara Boulden, Ryan Breier, Wesley Brzezinski, Wesley Burkman, Lauren Campbell, Ian Clark, Catherine Cline, John Connors, Tucker Coryn, Shawn D’Angelo, Casey Dahlstrom, Christopher Damiani, Carlos Darby, Breanne DeMarco, Monique Dhand, Kate Dlugosz, Steven Doermer, Kyle Doyle, Mary Kate Duff, Caitlin Dwyer, Rebecca Fetzer, Mallory Fulle, Joshua Gavlock, Colleen George, Joel Hasselbeck, Mary Hayes, Angelia Jaeger, Lauren Kalisz, Ryan Kucharski, Andrew Lang, Alissa Leckey, Sarah Lipp, Morgan Macguire, Allison Makowski, Ashley Marien, Steven Mrzygut, Kayla Nash, Andrew Nawotka, Jessica O’Brien, Joseph Orsolits, Tiffany Pasqualichio, Jessica Remmes, Tatiana Salamone, Sarnjit Samra, Jeremy Siehnel, David Sipos, Erich Skelly, Chelsea Sommer, Katherine Szpala, Nicholas Thompson, Robert Utz, Brendan Waddington, Christopher Webb, Marcia Wilbert, Cory Zaranek
Grade 11: Tamika Adams, Amanda Albertsson, Kelly Astridge, Deborah Basta, Katie Bitikofer, Kate Bonaquist, Amy Boutet, Gloria Calvaneso, Kelly Carter, Ryan Clarke, Jaclyn Colosi, Dana D’Angelo, Shayna DiMatteo, Jill Endres, Amanda Finn, Natalie Fischer, Kelly Frantz, Maria Fusco, Amanda George, Alicia Harrison, Ryan Harvey, Stacey Helf, Justin Helman, Beth Huber, Gretchen Kiehl, Kelly Knickerbocker, Nicole Koerntgen, Steven Kopf, Allison Kulak, Lisa Kurpiewski, Mary Elizabeth Lacki, Adrienne LaLiberty, Gregory Lazelle, Robert Lorence, Christina Maddi, Jason Manijak, Victoria McCraith, Stephanie McGowan, Maureen McInerney, Kevin Mehltretter, Jenna Meyer, Donald Minoian, Richelle Piccolo, Noelle Pietras, Emily Pifer, Alissa Pioli, James Poupalos, Sean Rafferty, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, Theodore Royal, Adam Salemi, Corrine Stolzenburg, Robert Sugar, Colin Thompson, Devon Toth, Alicia Vetter, Amanda Webb, Erik Zito
Grade 12: Michael Antonelli, Keriann Armusewicz, Kelly Beatty, Amy Becker, Shelbey Bidell, Arielle Blanton, Michael Blocho, Andrew Boron, Puneet Brar, William Breier, Sara Burke, Heather Burkman, Kristen Burns, Patricia Carminati, Kelliann Carney, Meghan Casey, Lillian Choi, Robert Christopher, Cynthia Czapla, David Dillen, Ashton Duda, Alicia Ellson, Lindsay Fetzer, Stephanie Fick, Matthew Fields, Stephanie Fike, Alishea Gainer, Holly Gallagher, Patrick Gannon, Nicholas Giddings, Mark Goff, Monica Greco, Alex Gregorski, Nicholas Hahn, Hannah Hardy, Terry Hasley, Carly Hudson, Anthony Hughes, Douglas Ingraham, Kari Johnson, Lyndsay Kearney, Brett Kern, Margaret Kiehl, Kelly Knab, Emily Kowzan, Mary Kucharczak, Sarah Lang, Jamie Mallo, Laura Massaro, Allie McLean, Matthew Mergel, Nicole Miller, Rachel Morgan, Rikki Nawotka, Kelly O’Brien, Emily Pici, Jennifer Reisdorf, Ashley Remmes, Laura Remmes, Brittany Rogers, Rebecka Schaber, Jessica Skelly, Amy Stewart, Christina Stickl, Jaimie Stickl, Alexandra Sutherland, Mohsin Syed, Eric Ther, Michael Thoumire, Johanna Turnwall, Christina Warner, Jonathan Weber, Steven Zippier

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Grand Island High School Merit Roll - July 2004
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained merit roll status for the fourth marking period of the 2003-2004 school year:
Merit Roll
Grade 9: Benjamin Angelo, Rebecca Asbach, Erin Banas, Christopher Bidell, Arielle Brzezinski, Tim Burns, Krista Burzynski, Evan Busch, Samantha Chambers, Kong Chen, Ryan Chrostowski, Anna Cislarski, Lauryn Clingersmith, Joshua Doermer, Corey Dudish, Mark Eberhard, Emily Eisenberger, Rachel Eisenhauer, Jonathan Figler, Colin Gallagher, Thomas Geib, Bianca Genova, Bridget George, Devan Golda, Lamar Hogan, Kristen Kobza, Brianna Konopa, William Lewandowski, Ryan Link, Lawrence Loveless, Jarrad Mendel, Nicole Morgan, Connor Neff, Alicia Neutz, Kelsey Nordvik, Ian O’ Rourke, Jessica Perry, Kevin Pifer, Robert Potter, Shannon Quinn, Christopher Rajczak, Jasmine Rivers, Peter Schaber, Adam Schopp, Jordan Stickl, Victoria Strada, Thomas Sukmanowski, Shannon Tegler, Christie Utz, Matthew Ward, Charles Whiting, Amanda Williams, Rhianna Wing
Grade 10: Sheri Ackendorf, Carissa Bailey, Stephen Beatty, Amanda Bentley, Ashley Bleistein, Charlotte Booth, Megan Boss, Matthew Brady, Cassondra Carlson, Desmond Carswell, Aaron Clark, David Cole, Erin Conn, Gerrit DenBeste, Justin Dowd, Garrett Fallin, Jessica Fike, Ashleigh Frieday, Russell Gaiser, Alexander Grande, Meghan Hartman, Adam Henry, Marcellus Hogan, Stephanie Hopkins, Beth Huffnagle, Toni Kaufman, Ben Kim, Christopher King, Justin King, Megan Koller, Timothy Lavallee, Catherine Lewis, Cristina LoVullo, Christina Manning, Anna Mastrangelo, Amanda McCord, Diane Meyer, Christopher Miller, Derek Moody, Chad Moran, Krista Moran, David Nolf, Eric Quattrini, Christine Ray, Cole Remmes, Elyse Ripellino, Francisco Rodriguez, Jeffrey Rogan, Candace Santana, Melinda Schultz, Lisa Sonnenberg, Tina Sparks, Janice Sturtz, Daniel Szyprowski, Brittany Weber, Aaron Wilson, Dane Wood
Grade 11: Corey Angelo, Johanna Aponte, John Bakula, Shannon Barr, Joel Becher, Thomas Belue, Christopher Benninger, Joshua Billica, Glenn Bird, Dennis Brennan, Kevin Buyer, Garrett Carlson, Ryan Carney, Kyla Christie, Melinda Christie, Caitlyn Clingersmith, Kaitlynn Cook, Robert Coughlin, Rebecca Cunningham, Anthony Curry, Joshua Deuble, Sean Driscoll, Daniel Elmer, Jennifer Farrell, Jason Fritschi, Thomas Geblein, Thomas Grampp, Collin Griffiths, Meaghan Grotz, Nicholas Heftka, Rick Ianni, Brian Judkins, Christian Karnath, David Kurpiewski, Gary Leckey, Megan Little, Alex Marien, Christina Maroulis, Christopher Mehltretter, Andrew Missert, David Nardozzi, Arianna Nelson, Michael Norris, Paula Nuchereno, Jennifer O’Donnell, Ashley Perez, Toni Quagliana, Poonam Randhawa, Pooya Rostami, Tiffanie Sadowski, Jessica Samland, David SantaLucia, Steven Sarkees, Tionda Saylor, Tracey Schmidt, Kelly Shoemaker, Scott Stanko, Shaina Starr, JennaBeth Stockman, John Stoneham, Stephan Weigold, Emily Winters, Scott Xie, James Zilliox
Grade 12: Omar Ali, Federica Bentivegna, Kyle Berger, Jason Bleistein, Meagan Bognar, John Brenon, Lisa Burns, Scott Buyer, David Chambers, Michelle D’Addieco, Ashley Davis, Thomas Dewey, Andrew Dlugosz, Katy Domagala, Christine Donner, Daniel Drabik, Joelle Drexelius, Amanda Elsaesser, Michael Feathers, Katharine Gaudy, Christine Gilbert, Nicole Herman, Thomas Hooven, Scott Kaniecki, Katie Ketterer, Robert Koryl, Francesca Kustra, Christine Lang, Friederick Leitlein, Cassie Linville, Brian Lipp, Christopher Mahiques, Amanda Mallwitz, Carey Marrinan, Michael Martin, Brian McGovern, Jason McInerney, Lauren Nedwick, Emily Newsome, Laura O’Donnell, Myles Passanese, Danielle Podlucky, Joseph Podlucky, Thomas Rayhill, Omar Raza, Daniel Rossiter, Nichole Ryan, Jaclyn Seifert, Ashley Shilling, Christopher Sica, Amy Snyder, Karen Stipp, Earl Webb, Meghan White, Nathan Wolinski, James Wright

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GIHS Artist Creates Gown For Senior Prom - 2004
Click photos for larger view
   
   When Kelly O'Brien began to invision what she would wear to the Grand Island High School Senior Prom, men's ties came to mind. Being the artist that she is, Kelly created her unique and stunning prom gown several weeks before the big event which was held on June 18, 2004 in Samuel's Grande Manor. Kelly is shown with best friend and escort, Josh Moran (click for better view of gown). Good friends Dan Stoddard and Holly Gallagher are shown on the right. In the group photo from left are Josh Green, Jennifer Cammarano, Keith Morningstar, Kristin Sommer, Rico, Gabe Lanich, DJ Elmer, Christina Warner, Alex Coates, Kim Kraft, Jamie Miskines, Chris Stylides, Laura Piccolo, Brian Farmer, Dan Stoddard, Holly Gallagher, Kelly O'Brien and Josh Moran. Nick Giddings and Heather Burkman were chosen king and queen.
   Be sure to click the photos, especially the group picture to see the "entire" photo.

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Ian O'Rourke Named to All-American Diving Team - 2004
   Grand Island High School Diver Ian O'Rourke has been named to the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) All-America Diving Team. A 9th grader, Ian is ranked 15th in the nation among Public High School Boys.

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Boys Lacrosse Honor Roll -
Buffalo News All-Western New York Team - 2004
      The following Grand Island High School seniors have been named to the Buffalo News All-Western New York Team: Bill Breier (LSM) and Mike Blocho (A).
   Named to the Coaches All-Western New York First Team are Bill Breier (LSM), Senior Jeff Bull (M) and Mike Blocho (A).
   Mike Blocho was named All-America.
   Coach Bill Riffel was named WNY Man of the Year.
   Named to the WNY League First Team are Mike Blocho, Bill Breier and Jeff Bull. Named to the Second Team were Jeff Pickel, Dave Garcia, Chris Spratford and Ted Rogers.

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Girls Lacrosse Honor Roll -
Buffalo News All-Stars - 2004
      The following Grand Island High School seniors have been named to the Buffalo News Girls Lacrosse All-Stars: Division II All-Star - First Team - Jamie Stickl
Division II All-Star - Second Team - Meghan Macquire

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Grand Island High School Class Of 2004 - 2004
 
Click photos for a larger view.
   Members of the Grand Island High School Class of 2004 posed for the annual photograph on the grounds of the Ransom Road school complex.

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Senior Class Day Awards - 2004

   The annual Grand Island High School senior awards day took place
at the school on Monday, June 7, 2004. For the awards and recipients, click Class Day Awards.

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Feathers Wins At State Track Championships - 2004

   Grand Island Senior Mike Feathers capped his four-year athletic career with an impressive win at the State Track Championships this past weekend at Cicero-North Syracuse. He competed in the Pentathlon, which is made up of five events, (110 Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put, Long Jump and 1500m). Each event receives points for each performance. He ran 15.23 (HH) 822 points, High Jumped 1.89m (6-2.25) 705 points, Shot put 14.65m (48’ .75”), Long Jump 6.39m (20’-11.75”) 673 points, 1500m (4:32.35) 729 points for a total of 3697 which is also a new school record.
   Coach Don Sauer was very pleased with his athlete's performance. “Being down a ton of points going into the last event and then run a 4:32 is absolutely amazing!” “He ran on sheer determination from start to finish. It was the most incredible finish I have ever seen in the multi-event,” noted the ecstatic coach. Feathers had a number of obstacles to overcome to win the title. He has been hampered during the season with a tight hamstring and went for treatment on Monday and Wednesday. During the week some of the family members became ill from a family outing. Mike ended up staying with relatives for the week and visited home to just get clothes. At the meet, his top rival had a prom and was placed into the other group to compete earlier. He long jumped with the wind at his back while Mike jumped into the wind being in the other group.
   “Over the years Mike has learned to overcome adversity, whether it is wind, snow, track conditions and sub-par performance in one event. He learned to come back when he’s down,” commented the coach. “He’s a technician and knows conversions, points needed and what he has to do in order to beat his rival. I told him that he could beat this kid with his experience regardless of what he has done so far this year, just believe in yourself.”
   Mike has competed in the pentathlon for the past 4 years, earned 3 trips to the State Meet finishing 2nd the last two years. This past winter, he took a lot of criticism from teammates and coaches in his decision to forgo basketball and compete in Indoor Track. He competed at the State Indoor Meet in March and placed 5th in the Long Jump. A week later he competed in the National Indoor Scholastic Championships and won the Pentathlon. That probably established him on a national level more so than anything else, getting the look from a number of college coaches. He narrowed his selection to earning a Track scholarship to Clemson University next year. He is the second State Champion in Grand Island Track & Field history. Stacey Schroeder won her specialty, the shot and discus at the state meet in 1992.

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GIHS Students Are Scholarship Winners - June 2004
   
Robert Goris                       Carly Jo Hudson                Karen Hutzler
   Three Grand Island High School students won scholarships for demonstrating excellence in their internship experiences. The Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council sponsors internships for Western New York high school students which allows them to explore various careers. The students spend 57 hours per semester at the worksite, and an equal number in the classrooms. At the end of the experience, they are judged on a portfolio they put together that highlights their work. Winning $500 NFIEC scholarships based on their outstanding portfolios were Grand Island junior Robert Goris and seniors Carly Jo Hudson and Karen Hutzler. Robert will serve as president of the Class of 2005. His high school activities include National Honor Society, Percussion and Wind Ensemble, track and field and cross country. He is considering a career in pharmacology when he graduates. Carly Jo is a cheerleader, editor-in-chief for the high school yearbook, treasurer of the National Honor Society, a youth ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and participated in Relay for Life. She also works part time. In September she will attend the State University of New York at Brockport, and is considering studying political science. Karen plans to attend the University at Buffalo, with an interest in pediatric psychology. While at Grand Island she has been a member of the National Honor Society, is secretary of the senior class, a member of the district Safety Committee and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, participated in Relay for Life and serves on the yearbook staff.

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NFL Tennis Team All-Stars Named - 2004

Steve Kopf
Grand Island High School dominated the NFL 1st Team All-Stars for a second straight year as 4 players were named to the team. Steve Kopf, 2nd Singles, made his second consecutive appearance as a 1st Team All-Star. Also named to the 1st Team All-Stars were Matt Scibilia, 3rd singles; and Matt Fields and Dave Chambers - 1st Doubles (tied with the 1st Doubles team from North Tonawanda). Steve Beatty received 1st Singles 2nd Team All-Star recognition.

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GIHS Band Concert Dedicated To "Meaghan's Miracle" - 2004
   Members of the Grand Island High School Band and Wind Ensemble performed a selection of pieces from their award-winning trip to Chattanooga during a concert fundraiser Wednesday, June 2, 2004 and dedicated to Meagan Grotz, a GIHS junior. Meagan, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, is on the national registry awaiting a set of donor lungs.
   Over 100 baskets were on display during the evening concert and tickets sold for the upcoming Silent Auction for "Meagan’s Miracle." The basket drawings will be held at the chicken dinner fundraiser sponsored by the GHIS Junior Class from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 8th in the high school cafeteria.
   Meagan was scheduled to personally thank everyone for the unbelievable community response during the concert but was unable to attend. Adrienne LaLiberty read a letter written by Meagan in which she described her illness and her anticipated double lung transplant. She thanked the hundreds of generous people who have devoted their time, prayers and financial help to her cause.

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Chiavetta's Chicken Dinner To Benefit "Meaghan's Miracle"
Sponsored by the GIHS Class of 2005 - June 2004
   Members of the Grand Island High School Class of 2005 will hold a Chiavetta's Chicken Dinner to benefit "Meaghan's Miracle" from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2004 in Grand Island High School Small Cafeteria. Sit down or take out will be available. Tickets at $8.50 will be sold at the door. There will also be a basket raffle, with winners drawn around 6:30 p.m.

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GIHS Exams And Bus Schedule For Exam Week
Click "Exam Schedule" for 2004 Exams. Click "Exam Week Bus Schedule".

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Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
June 2004
   
Douglas H. Ingraham                       Jaimie Stickl                Johanna Turnwall
   Douglas Ingraham, a seventeen-year-old senior, has been a lifelong resident of Grand Island. He has actively participated in school and community activities and spends free time with his family and friends.
   Doug has been very active in the school community. In football, he has been varsity captain as a junior and a senior, and placed on the second team All-State, first team All-Western New York, and earned the Vaughn Parker Award for most outstanding lineman in section, as well as his varsity letter and two pins. He has duplicated this on the Track and Field Team; he was captain last year as a junior and has already earned his letter and two varsity pins.
   Doug participated in the school musicals, The Music Man, and Guys and Dolls. He actively participates in the school bands and currently is a member of the Wind Ensemble's percussion section, which has received numerous awards at national competitions. In addition to this, he serves on the Superintendent's Senior Advisory Council, he was on the winning team of this year's Corporate Bowl, and has snowboarded with the Grand Island Student Ski Club over the past two years.
   In the community, Doug has also been prevalent. He is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 510 sponsored by Trinity Methodist Church and is currently pursuing the rank of Eagle. Besides service projects associated with Boy Scouts, Doug has participated in such events as the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the Ride for Roswell. He has been a Independence Day Parade volunteer and has played with the Grand Island Soccer Club since age 7. This past summer he volunteered as a coach for an under-ten house league team.
   Doug has earned many academic awards including National Merit Commended Student, College Board AP Scholar, and First Team Academic All-Western New York. His current coursework includes six Advanced Placement classes.
   Doug plans to attend college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for electrical engineering. He would like to thank his mother and the community for all they have given him throughout his life.
   Jaimie Stickl has been a resident of Grand Island all of her life and has been very active throughout her four years at Grand Island High School. She has shown herself to be a dedicated and committed person. Academically, Jaimie strives for excellence and is 8th in her class.
   Jaimie has been influential in many school, community and athletic events. She is a member of the National Honor Society, volunteers at her church, has been a member of the Corporate Bowl, Student Olympics and Relay For Life, and has been a volunteer at the City Mission, Cornerstone and Son Rays ministries.
   Jaimie has shown herself to be a leader by example. She was the captain of the varsity volleyball, basketball and lacrosse teams, as well as co-leader of the High School Bible Club, and a member of the leadership team for her church and youth group.
   During her high school career Jaimie has received many honors and awards including the American Character and Citizenship Award, the French Foreign Language award for grade 9 and 11, the Who's Who National Student Day Award, the Who's Who Among American High School Students, the National Honor Roll and she has been published twice in "A Celebration of Young Poets."
   Jaimie has also received many athletic honors. These include the offensive player of the year, MVP and WNY All League 2nd Team for volleyball, the coach's award and WNY All League 1st and 2nd Team for lacrosse, the WNY Basketball Senior All Star Team, the WNY All Academic Basketball Team, the WNY Paddock/Chevrolet Scholar Athlete All WNY Girls Basketball Team, the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, Varsity Scholar Athlete, and Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. Jaimie also enjoys skiing, playing the piano and water sports.
   After graduation Jaimie plans to attend Grove City College where she hopes to play volleyball while pursuing her degree.
   Johanna Turnwall has lived on Grand Island for most of her life and has attended Grand Island schools since kindergarten. She is involved in her academics and helps with her community. Johanna has wanted to be an elementary school teacher for many years. She thinks that her studies are a very important aspect of her life and strives for the best that she can do. As she would say, "If I get lower than a B on anything, I will question what I got wrong and learn from my mistakes, so that I can do that much better the next time." Johanna wouldn't be at this point she is at today if it weren't for her academic efforts.
   Johanna's community services include serving at soup kitchens to the less fortunate, volunteering at Roswell Cancer Institute to help patients on holidays, caroling for closed-in families, and assisting at various church events. She has completed much of her community services through the Girl Scout organization, which she has been in since elementary school.
   Johanna has also been employed at Northtown Orthopedics Medical Services and Woodscreek Day Care Center. Supervisors characterize her as an excellent employee.
   Since Johanna could remember, she has wanted to be an elementary school teacher. To get closer to her dream, she is currently taking an internship class involving a 57-hour internship with Mrs. Percival at Sidway Elementary School and last year was involved in another internship with Mrs. Chadwick at Kaegebein Elementary School.
   After graduation, Johanna is planning on attending Buffalo State College for elementary education. She is anticipating her future as an elementary teacher and believes that the Grand Island School District has prepared her well for her future endeavors.

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Grand Island High School Class of 2004 Commencement - 2004
   The Grand Island High School 39th Annual Commencement Exercises will take place 7 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 2004 at Kleinhan’s Music Hall.
   Class President Allie McLean will welcome the graduates, their families and friends. The program will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senior Class Vice President Laura Massaro.
   Class speakers are Shannon O’Brien, Cynthia Czapla and Margaret Kiehl. Keriann Armusewicz will introduce the musical selections. Military recognition will be made by High School Principal Dr. James R. Dempsey. The Grand Island High School Scholarship Program recipients will be announced by Assistant Principal Mr. William Miller and Dr. Thomas Ramming, School Superintendent.
   2004 Class Advisors Mrs. Carrie Earnst and Mr. Andrew Bowen, will assist with the program. Dr. James R. Dempsey will conduct the roll call of graduates. Mr. David Goris, President of the Board of Education, and Dr. Thomas Ramming will confer the Grand Island High School diploma upon each of the 248 graduates. Congratulatory remarks will be given by Dr. Ramming.
   Musical interludes will be performed by the Choir, under the leadership of Mrs. Carolyn Lokken and the High School Wind Ensemble, conducted by Mr. Martin T. Allen.
   Class officers are:
President..................................Allie McLean
Vice-President..................................Laura Massaro
Treasurer..................................Kariann Armusewicz
Secretary..................................Karen Hutzler
Historians..................................Amy Snyder, Brooke Newsome
Student Council Representatives.................................. James Wright, Carey Marrinan
   Parents, relatives, and friends are cordially invited to attend this special event honoring the Class of 2004.
   These potential graduates are wished success in their future plans.

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Grand Island High School Potential 2004 Graduates - 2004
   Click "Potential Graduates" for the list of Grand Island High School Potential 2004 Graduates.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 27, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 5/27/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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High School PTA Officers - 2004

Click photo for a larger view.
   Grand Island High School PTA officers installed in the Buffalo Launch Club May 25, 2004 are (left) Principal Dr. James Dempsey, President Terry Endres, Vice Principal Jim Miller, Treasurer Sandy Toth, 1st Vice President Maureen Lewis, Council Delegate Nadine Bakula, Corresponding Secretary Lauren Campbell, and Recording Secretary Sue Campbell. Missing from the photo are Council Delegate Patty Meyer and 2nd Vice President Shelia Richards.

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District String Kaleidoscope Concert - 2004
   The School District String Kaleidoscope Concert was presented in the Grand Island High School auditorium Monday evening, May 17, 2004. The program included music by the grade school orchestra, Connor Middle School Orchestra and the High School Orchestra.
   Click photos for complete view. Photos may take time to load.
      
Nathan Cook Photos

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Grand Island Varsity Tennis Team Tied For Niagara Frontier League Championship

Bob Kopf Photo - Click for larger view
Grand Island's Varsity Vikings Tennis Team (12-2) ended its Niagara Frontier League season tied for first place with Lockport and Niagara Wheatfield. Steve Beatty, 1st singles, will compete in the sectionals. Steve Kopf and Matt Fields will be competing in the doubles qualifying tournament for sectionals, being held on Saturday, May 22.
Results of the week ending May 20, 2004 follow with Vikings in bold:
May 12 - Grand Island 3, Lockport 2
May 14 - Grand Island 4, North Tonawanda 1
May 17 - Grand Island 5, Ken East 0
   First singles - Steve Beatty - defeated Kevin Baran 6-0, 6-0
   Second singles - Steve Kopf - defeated Kyle Weis 6-0, 6-1
   Third singles - Matt Scibilia - defeated Bryan Papaj 6-4, 6-2
   First doubles - Matt Fields and Dave Chambers defeated Ed Papaj and Josh Feurstein 6-3, 6-0
   Second doubles - Jeff Bullock and Casey Dahlstrom defeated Kevin Myers and Joe Crawford 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
May 19 - Grand Island 4, Niagara Falls 1
   Steve Beatty - led the win over NF, will represent the Vikings in the NFL Tournament
   First singles - Steve Beatty - defeated Jacob Neubauer 6-1, 6-0
   Second singles - Steve Kopf - defeated Matt Mack 6-0, 6-2
   Third singles - Matt Scibilia - defeated Lance Fasciano 6-0, 6-0
   First doubles - Matt Fields and Dave Chambers defeated Aaron Aderhold and Matt Anderson 6-0, 6-1
   Second doubles - Bryan Zaczek and Dom Justiana defeated Jeff Bullock and Mohsin Syed 7-6, 4-6, 6-3

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 20, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 5/20/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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GIHS Basket Raffle Raises Funds For "Meaghan's Miracle" - 2004

Shown are some of the many student volunteers. Meaghan Grotz front and center is supported by Emily Pifer and Alissa Pioli; (back) Mike Schimley, Shayna DiMatteo, Lisa Kurpiewski, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Kari Tondera, and Rob Goris.
Fred Claus Photo
   Grand Island High School students set up a basket raffle as a fundraiser for "Meaghan's Miracle," a drive to help finance a double lung transplant for GIHS junior Meaghan Grotz. At total of 90 baskets were on display Tuesday evening (May 18, 2004) during the School Board election and choral concert at the high school.
   Donations for baskets were received by event organizers and many local businesses. Some of the larger prizes being raffled off are a full computer system donated by PC Expanders, a Gym membership from Summit Fitness, and jewlery from Designet International on Whitehaven Road. For those who missed this opportunity, the baskets will also be available on June 2, 2004 during the band concert at the high school, as well as June 8th, at the GIHS chicken dinner.

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National Honor Society Inducts 57 Students - 2004

Officers of the Grand Island chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed the newest members during an induction ceremony in the High School auditorium. From left are Brian Lipp, president; Carly Hudson, treasurer; Shannon O’Brien, vice president and Allie McLean, secretary.
   Grand Island students who demonstrate outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character and service have been inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Dr. James Dempsey, principal, accepted 56 juniors and one senior into the prestigious national society during a ceremony attended by students, faculty and family in the High School auditorium.
   Lillian Choi, Nick Hahn, Stephanie Cartwright and Alexandra Angelo, members of the Grand Island String Quartet, played as the honored students entered the room and advisor Andrew Bowen congratulated the new inductees.
   Leading the tapping ceremony were NHS officers Brian Lipp, president; Shannon O’Brien, vice president; Allie McLean, secretary and Carly Jo Hudson, treasurer.
   The new members are senior Nicole Miller and the following juniors: Tamika Adams, Julie Amato, Corey Angelo, Joshua Billica, Kate Bonaquist, Brian Choi, Ryan Clarke, Dana D’Angelo, Erin Dent, Shayna DiMatteo, Jill Endres, Kathryn Figliotti, Natalie Fischer and Maria Fusco.
   Also Amanda George, Robert Goris, Meaghan Grotz, Alicia Harrison, Justin Helman, Lindsay Henderson, Sara Hilliard, Gretchen Kiehl, Justine Kirsch, Lisa Kurpiewski, Mary Elizabeth Lacki, Adrienne LaLiberty, Gregory Lazelle and Meghan Macquire.
   Also Christina Maroulis, Stephanie McGowan, Calvin Meaney, Jenna Meyer, Stacey Monaco, David Nardozzi, Emily Pifer, Alissa Pioli, James Poupalos, Yasmin Raza, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, and Theodore Royal.
   Also Michael Schimley, Meher Singh, Jessica Stickl, Corrine Stolzenburg, Robert Sugar, Sofia Syed, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Amanda Thompson, Kari Tondera, Devon Toth, Adam Ungaro, Daniel Victor, and Erik Zito.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 13, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 5/13/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Five Outstanding Music Soloists - 2004

   Five Grand Island music students won competitions for outstanding soloists at the recent Grand National Adjudicators Invitational in Tennessee. From left are Shannon O'Brien, outstanding piccolo solo; Emily Pifer, outstanding clarinet solo; Margaret Kiehl, outstanding soprano sax solo; Kevin Laurendi, outstanding trumpet solo and Greg Lazelle, outstanding trombone solo.

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Student Council Sponsors Basket Raffle For Meaghan Grotz - 2004

   The Grand Island High School Student Council is sponsoring a basket raffle for Meaghan Grotz, a 16-year-old in need of a double lung transplant. Raffle tickets will be sold on the following dates:
• May 18 - Choir Concert - 6 p.m. - thru the end concert
• June 2 - Benefit Band Concert for Meaghan - 6 p.m. - thru end of concert
• June 8 - Junior Class Chicken Dinner - 2:30-6:30 p.m.
   All events are being held at Grand Island High School, Ransom Road. All proceeds go to "Meaghan's Miracle."

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 6, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 5/6/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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SADD To Hold Annual Car Wash - 2004
   The Grand Island High School chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving will hold its annual car wash fundraiser on Saturday, June 5, 2004. Students will be washing cars at the Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. The money raised by SADD will be used to fund high school educational field trips, awareness programs at the school, Grim Reaper Day, and more. "Please bring your car by to get a great wash and to benefit a worthwhile cause."

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Tim Szczykutowicz Named Academic All-American - 2004

   Tim Szczykutowicz, a senior at Grand Island High School, has been named as a National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) Academic All-American for 2004. Tim, who was also named to the All-Western New York Scholar Athlete Winter 2004 Team, has participated for three years on the cross-country and track teams. He served as team captain of the Grand Island High School Boys' Varsity Swimming and Diving team this past year and was a member of the Grand Island Piranhas Swim Club. Tim plans to attend either SUNY Buffalo or Canisius College majoring in science or engineering.

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Grand National Adjudicators Give Highest Marks To GI Music Groups - 2004

By Kathleen Ganz
Presidents of three Grand Island musical groups proudly show the plaques and trophies they and their fellow music students brought home from the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational in Tennessee. From left are Matthew Fields, Orchestra; Margaret Kiehl, Wind Ensemble; and Tim Szczykutowicz, Concert Band. - Click photo for a larger view.
   As the motor coaches pulled up to the school, more than 150 tired, smiling students piled out and unpacked almost as many trophies as they did instruments and luggage.
   The Grand Island High School Concert Band, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee April 21 – 26 to compete in the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational, considered one of the most prestigious music festivals in the country.
   The young musicians joined 20 bands and orchestras from 13 states to perform in front of a panel of the country’s leading conductors and composers.
   The Grand Island High School Concert Band, 114 members strong under the direction of Martin T. Allen, performed in Division 5, which is the second most difficult level. They were amply rewarded for their efforts, receiving a Superior Rating, the highest prize given at the festival. They played “Proud Heritage Concert March” composed by William Latham, “Aquarium” by Johan de Meij, and “Alleluias” by Jared Spears. They received many favorable comments from the four-judge panel.
   In addition, the Concert Band Percussion Section was awarded the Outstanding Percussion Section Trophy and the Grand Island’s Concert Band gave the highest rated performance of the day.
   The High School String Orchestra, under the direction of Debra Remson, performed in Division 6, the most difficult division. This is the first time that the orchestra has attempted to perform at this type of event in Division 6.
   Their performance was met with a standing ovation and very positive reviews from the clinician, Allen said.
   The String Orchestra was awarded an Excellent Rating, the second highest rating given at the festival.
   They performed “Brandenburg Concerto #3” by Bach, “Sarabande from “Simple Symphony” and Aaron Copland’s “Hoe Down from Rodeo.”
   The 54-piece select Wind Ensemble also performed at Division 6, along with 11 other bands in this division.
   They received a Superior Rating and received their highest score ever as an ensemble, along with a standing ovation and extremely positive comments from the judges.
   “ One judge called their performance of “Incantation and Dance,” by John Barnes Chance, the single finest performance of that piece he had heard in his entire career,” Allen said.
   They also performed “The Virginians Concert March” by James Hosay and “Slava!” by Leonard Bernstein.
   Earning awards for Outstanding Soloist were senior Shannon O’Brien, who plays piccolo; junior Emily Pifer, clarinet; senior Margaret Kiehl, saxophone; junior Kevin Laurendi, trumpet, and junior Greg Lazelle, trombone.
   “These students were true ambassadors for Grand Island as they received many compliments on the maturity, responsibility and conduct during trip,” Allen said.

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Douglas Ingraham Is Hewitt Award Winner - 2004

Doug Ingraham, a member of the winning Midnight Funk Express team in the Corporate Bowl 2004 in March.
   Grand Island High School senior Douglas Ingraham received a $2000 scholarship during the Tom Hewitt Sports Award Dinner Sunday, May 2, 2004 at Niagara County Community College. The award honors Thomas E. Hewitt, a man keenly interested in sports who believed in active sports participation by young people. Each school submits nominations and one male and one female are chosen to receive a $2,000 scholarship to the college of their choice.
   Doug, one of eighteen area scholar-athlete honored for their achievements at the 39th annual Sports Awards Dinner, was the overall male winner and Niagara Wheatfield High School student Elizabeth A. Scholl was named the female winner.
   Doug served as co-captain of the football and track teams in both his junior and senior year. A lineman, he earned Second Team All-State, First Team All-Western New York and First Team All-League honors in football. He was also First Team Academic All-Western New York and received the Trench Trophy as the most outstanding lineman in Section VI Class A and the Vaughn Parker Award as the Western New York Offensive Lineman of the Year. A member of Who's Who Among American High School Students and an honor roll student, he was also a member of the school wind ensemble and jazz ensemble. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has received a number of other academic awards. Doug plans to study electrical engineering and play football in college.
   Also nominated from Grand Island was Margaret Kiehl who has excelled in varsity cross country and varsity track and field. Margaret, an All-American scholar, is ranked third in her senior class of 242 students.
   High School Principal Dr. James Dempsey said Ingraham has been very active in his school and community and typlifies the “total man” concept that Mr. Hewitt exemplified in his life. After graduation this fall, Ingraham plans to major in electrical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

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Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
May 2004

     
Puneet Brar                       Thomas Dewey                    Rachel C. Morgan              Stephanie Szczykutowicz
   Puneet Brar, daughter of Paarmjeet and Malkit Brar, moved to Grand Island in August 2000. It is her third place of residence. Her family moved from India in March 1993 to Niagara Falls and finally Grand Island.
   Puneet started school on Grand Island as a freshman in the high school. While in school she takes challenging courses that include many AP classes. For three years, Puneet has achieved the academic awards of a Certificate of Academic Excellence in ninth grade, an Academic pin in tenth grade, and the Academic Letter in eleventh grade. She has also received the Pride of the Island as a junior. Puneet, time after time, is on the honor roll, and she is a hard working academic student.
   after school she takes part in many extracurricular activities including Interact Club, which does various activities such as school clean ups, and Students Against Drinking and Driving. Furthermore, she is the vice president of International Club and a member of National Honor Society. Puneet also volunteers at the Riverwood Nursing Home. Additionally, this year Puneet has been active in Kids Vote program and American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
   One advantage, she thinks she has and is proud of is her cultural. Because of her background, she is able to speak and understand two languages; other than English, she can speak Punjabi.
   After leaving high school, she hopes to major in biology and one day go to medical school. Upon leaving high school, she plans to attend a school close to home.
   Thomas Dewey, an 18-year-old senior at Grand Island High School, has been a member of the Grand Island community his entire life. He is the son of Tom and Denise Dewey, and the twin of Charlie Dewey, also a Grand Island senior. Tom is an active participant in many activities held at the high school. He is a member of the Venture yearbook staff, and the Grand Island High School chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving. Tom also donates his time to volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and donates blood to the American Red Cross. He also spends his time at sports practices. He is a member of the varsity football and baseball teams, and is a co-captain of the varsity wrestling team. Tom plans to attend Niagara University and earn his degree in Criminal Justice.
   Rachel C. Morgan, daughter of Mark and Renee Morgan, has been a Grand Island resident since birth. As a result, her scholastic career has been based in the Grand Island Central School District. By being a lifelong resident, she has had the opportunity to participate in many activities including volunteer work, school affiliated clubs, and athletics.
   Rachel thoroughly enjoys giving back to the community. She has learned about many different walks of life by serving food at the City Mission, volunteering over the summer at Niagara Memorial Medical Center, and helping The Relay of Life.
   Throughout her high school career she has participated in class offices by holding both the position of student representative and vice president. Here she organized fundraising through the Buffalo Track Club and at the Corporate Challenge. She has also had the opportunity to be a student mentor at Kaegebein Elementary School where she assisted children with their homework one day a week after school. Rachel has been a member of West Side Rowing Club for three years and has accomplished many things in that time. She has placed in both New York State competition and the Royal Canadian Henley, as well as winning various other regattas. Rachel has also been a member of the Grand Island Piranhas for six years and now teaches swim lessons to aspiring swimmers. In addition to swimming for the Piranhas, she has also been a four-year member of the Lady Vikings Swim Team.
   Throughout school, Rachel has had the chance to complete a 57-hour internship with an architectural firm, Trautman Associates, through which she confirmed her interest in an architectural career. In the future, she plans to attend Hobart William Smith College, Cornell University or Philadelphia University to major in architecture.
   Stephanie Szczykutowicz, 17 has been a Grand Island resident for her entire life and is the daughter of Peter and Jeanne Szczykutowicz. She has been involved in a variety of activities throughout her high school career to include: being a 3-year member of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team. There she earned the Varsity letter, pin and certificate, as well as the Scholar Athlete Award and Most Improved Player Award. She has been volunteering with the Interact Club through grades 11 and 12, while serving as secretary for both years. Through this club, Stefanie has been involved in a variety of community service activities including the 2003 Sleep-Out for the Homeless, and Lobsterfest. Stephanie has also been involved in community activities outside of school, such as being a weekly volunteer at Elderwood Health Care At Riverwood, helping with the "Senior Olympics" and volunteering time at the St. Stephen's Church Carnival.
   Stefanie is an academically strong student. She has received the Certificate of Academic Excellence in grade 9, the Academic Pin in grade 10, the Academic Letter in grade 11, and has been on either the Honor or High Honor Roll throughout high school. She has challenged herself by taking two advanced placement courses, AP U.S. History and AP Psychology, in order to better prepare herself for college. Stefanie was recognized for her hard work last spring, when she was inducted into the National Honor Society. She received the President's Award for Educational Excellence in 8th grade and was selected Pride of the Island in 6th grade.
   After graduation, Stefanie is planning on attending college with a major in physical therapy.

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Grand Island High School S.A.D.D. Grim Reaper Day - 2004

   Grand Island High School’s Students Against Drunk Driving Club sponsored a Grim Reaper Day on Friday, March 19, 2004 at the high school. To represent the statistic that a person dies in this country every 20 minutes in an alcohol-related car accident, a student was taken out of class every 20 minutes by a teacher dressed as the Grim Reaper. Students posing as crash victims wore a black t-shirt and white make-up, and remained silent for the rest of the day to visually represent this statistic as a reminder to everyone to avoid drinking and driving. The GIHS SADD co-advisors are Mandy Becker and Ardie Kasahara.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending April 29, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 4/29/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Grand Island High School Honor Roll - April 2004
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained honor roll status for the third marking period of the 2003-2004 school year:
High Honor Roll
Grade 9: Traci Aladeen, Amanda Arki, Lauren Aughey, Abigail Cliff, Vincent Covatto, Karen Figliotti, Shannon Howley, Jaime Justen, Emily Kahn, Rachael Kaplan, Cassandra Lange, Kimberly McLeod, Andrea Monaco, Kayla Mornelli, Sarah Mye, Julie Pangborn, Amanda Richter, Tara Rogers, Vida Rostami, Lindsey Samland, Sydney Seese, Nicholas Shemik, Forrest Smith, Joshua Snyder, Yiyu Zhang
Grade 10: Brandon Antonelli, Chelsea DeGlopper, Julie Drozdowski, Nicole Komin, Sarah Lipp, Lucas Mesmer, Robert Michaels, Lee Miller, Caitlyn Quider, Katharine Rogers, Karalyn Rossi, Kevin Sobol, Dana Szczepaniak, Nicholas Thompson
Grade 11: Julie Amato, Lindsay Aronica, Brian Choi, Erin Dent, Kathryn Figliotti, Maria Fusco, Sara Hilliard, Beth Huber, Justine Kirsch, Lisa Kurpiewski, Jason Manijak, Calvin Meaney, Stacey Monaco, Yasmin Raza, Jessica Stickl, Corrine Stolzenburg, Sofia Syed, Phillip Thompson, Kari Tondera
Grade 12: Monica Greco, Karen Hutzler, Margaret Kiehl, Shannon O’Brien, Corinne Razem, Laura Remmes, Theodore Rogers, Rebecka Schaber, Timothy Szczykutowicz
Honor Roll
Grade 9: Alexandra Angelo, Carolyn Asbach, Michael Asbach, Adam Bakula, Erin Banas, Alicia Barnaby, Karen Bellanca, Brandon Bettinger, Erin Bonaquist, Juliana Burkhart, Evan Busch, Heather Buzzelli, Christine Call, Stephanie Cartwright, John Certo, Ryan Chrostowski, Kiel Clarke, Lyndsey Clingersmith, Lianna Connors, Michael Coty, Michael Davis, Paul Dhand, Brian Dolan, Courtney Donner, Courtney Donovan, Corey Dudish, Kristin Duggan, Robert Elsaesser, Ashley Fabio, Timothy Fargino, Brett Fiedler, Nicole Fischer, Jennifer Freiermuth, Joseph Fusco, Emily Hasselbeck, Cassidy Hogrewe, Paul Holler, Samuel Isch, Jared Kazmierczak, Ashley Kippley, Brianna Konopa, Matthew Lang, Elise Loiselle, Lawrence Loveless, Dianne Maerz, Sean McDermott, Justin McInerney, Matthew McKenna, Jarrad Mendel, Thomas Minarcin, Abram Morgan, Sean O’Brien, Patrick O’Donnell, Casey Olszewski, Valerie Paris, Robert Potter, Ashley Ray, James Rayhill, David Rosati, Justin Samland, Ryan Samland, Peter Schaber, Matthew Scibilia, Ajit Singh, Ryan Stanko, Jordan Stickl, Zachary Tondera, Donald Turner, Cassandra Ungaro, Keith Wegrzyn, Philip Wendt, Amanda Williams, Rhianna Wing
Grade 10: Cortney Ambrosia, Lauren Asbach, Carissa Bailey, Christopher Benko, Timothy Blonski, Sara Boulden, Matthew Brady, Ryan Breier, Wesley Brzezinski, Wesley Burkman, Lauren Campbell, Jing Chen, Ian Clark, Catherine Cline, John Connors, Tucker Coryn, Lauren Culp, Shawn D’Angelo, Casey Dahlstrom, Christopher Damiani, Carlos Darby, Breanne DeMarco, Monique Dhand, Kate Dlugosz, Steven Doermer, Kyle Doyle, Mary Kate Duff, Caitlin Dwyer, Rebecca Fetzer, Ashleigh Frieday, Mallory Fulle, Joshua Gavlock, Meghan Hartman, Joel Hasselbeck, Mary Hayes, Stephanie Hopkins, Angelia Jaeger, Lauren Kalisz, Toni Kaufman, Justin King, Laura Lang, Alissa Leckey, Cristina LoVullo, Dana Ludwig, Morgan Macguire, Allison Makowski, Ashley Marien, Anna Mastrangelo, Diane Meyer, Chad Moran, Steven Mrzygut, Kayla Nash, Andrew Nawotka, David Nolf, Joseph Orsolits, Tiffany Pasqualichio, Christopher Prygon, Eric Quattrini, Jessica Remmes, Jeffrey Rogan, Sarnjit Samra, Jeremy Siehnel, David Sipos, Erich Skelly, Janice Sturtz, Katherine Szpala, Robert Utz, Brendan Waddington, Ronald Warner, Christopher Webb, Mark Webb, Brittany Weber, Zachary Zarbo
Grade 11: Tamika Adams, Amanda Albertsson, Corey Angelo, Kelly Astridge, Deborah Basta, Thomas Belue, Kate Bonaquist, Amy Boutet, Gloria Calvaneso, Garrett Carlson, Kelly Carter, Melinda Christie, Ryan Clarke, Renee’ Collins, Jaclyn Colosi, Dana D’Angelo, Erik Deuble, Shayna DiMatteo, Daniel Elmer, Jill Endres, Amanda Finn, Natalie Fischer, Kelly Frantz, Jason Fritschi, Amanda George, Robert Goris, Alicia Harrison, Ryan Harvey, Justin Helman, Lindsay Henderson, Gretchen Kiehl, Kelly Knickerbocker, Steven Kopf, David Kurpiewski, Mary Elizabeth Lacki, Adrienne LaLiberty, Megan Little, Meghan Macguire, Christina Maddi, Alex Marien, Christina Maroulis, Victoria McCraith, Stephanie McGowan, Maureen McInerney, Sarah McLeod, Kevin Mehltretter, Jenna Meyer, David Nardozzi, Paula Nuchereno, Jennifer O’Donnell, Ashley Perez, Richelle Piccolo, Emily Pifer, Alissa Pioli, James Poupalos, Sean Rafferty, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, Pooya Rostami, Theodore Royal, Adam Salemi, Steven Sarkees, Michael Schimley, Meher Singh, Shaina Starr, John Stoneham, Robert Sugar, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Amanda Thompson, Devon Toth, Adam Ungaro, Alicia Vetter, Daniel Victor, Amanda Webb, Stephen Weigold, James Zilliox, Erik Zito
Grade 12: Michael Antonelli, Keriann Armusewicz, Kelly Beatty, Kyle Berger, Arielle Blanton, Michael Blocho, Andrew Boron, William Breier, Sara Burke, Heather Burkman, Kristen Burns, Lisa Burns, Kelliann Carney, Meghan Casey, Lillian Choi, Robert Christopher, Timothy Conn, Cynthia Czapla, David Dillen, Christine Donner, Ashton Duda, Lindsay Fetzer, Stephanie Fick, Matthew Fields, Alishea Gainer, Holly Gallagher, Nicholas Gerace, Nicholas Giddings, Christine Gilbert, Mark Goff, Alex Gregorski, Nicholas Hahn, Hannah Hardy, Terry Hashley, Carly Hudson, Anthony Hughes, Kari Johnson, Amanda Kaiser, Lyndsay Kearney, Brett Kern, Kelly Knab, Robert Koryl, Francesca Kustra, Christine Lang, Sarah Lang, Stephanie Langers, Laura Massaro, Allie McLean, Matthew Mergel, Nicole Miller, Rachel Morgan, Rikki Nawotka, Kelly O’Brien, Myles Passanese, Emily Pici, Thomas Rayhill, Omar Raza, Jennifer Reisdorf, Brittany Rogers, Daniel Rossiter, Jessica Skelly, Jaimie Stickl, Alexandra Sutherland, Stefanie Szczykutowicz, Eric Ther, Johanna Turnwall, Christina Warner, Christine Webb, Jonathan Weber, Meghan White, Steven Zippier

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Grand Island High School Merit Roll - April 2004
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained merit roll status for the third marking period of the 2003-2004 school year:
Merit Roll
Grade 9: Kenneth Agnello, Janeen Amantia, Benjamin Angelo, Rebecca Asbach, Ryan Benninger, John Berger, Christopher Bidell, Erik Billica, Caroline Boron, Samantha Chambers, Kong Chen, Anna Cislarski, Lauryn Clingersmith, Jessica Coughlin, Karen Coughlin, Michael Dlugokinski, Joshua Doermer, Samantha Drexelius, Mark Eberhard, Emily Eisenberger, Rachel Eisenhauer, Sara El Houssieny, Kate Endres, Jonathan Figler, Daniel Gadawski, Colin Gallagher, Thomas Geib, Bridget George, Erin Hanel, Meghan Higgins, Lamar Hogan, Jessica Kuehne, Dustin Lange, William Lewandowski, Nicole Morgan, John Naumovich, Connor Neff, Alicia Neutz, Kelsey Nordvik, Ian O’Rourke, Raymond Page, Kevin Pifer, Justina Potenzo, Shannon Quinn, Christopher Rajczak, Guy Reckart, Jasmine Rivers, Andrew Rogers, Michael Salisbury, Michael Scappechio, Adam Schopp, Alysse Schuster, Shannon Tegler, Matthew Ward
Grade 10: Sheri Ackendorf, Melissa Affuso, Vanessa Alvarado, Jordan Bahleda, Stephen Beatty, Amanda Bentley, Ashley Bleistein, Charlotte Booth, Megan Boss, Daniel Brierton, Erich Burchfield, Sarah Calvaneso, Desmond Carswell, Joseph Ciechoski, Aaron Clark, David Cole, Erin Conn, Gerrit DenBeste, Justin Dowd, Nathan Evans, Garrett Fallin, Eric Feathers, Jessica Fike, Russell Gaiser, Colleen George, Alexander Grande, Kaitlyn Grebenc, Ashley Hansen, Adam Henry, Marcellus Hogan, Beth Huffnagle, Ben Kim, Christopher King, Megan Koller, Ryan Kucharski, Andrew Lang, Timothy Lavallee, Catherine Lewis, Christina Manning, Amanda McCord, Mercedes Miles, Christopher Miller, Derek Moody, Krista Moran, Jessica O’Brien, Nicholas Potenzo, Christine Ray, Elyse Ripellino, Francisco Rodriguez, Tatiana Salamone, Melinda Schultz, Chelsea Sommer, Lisa Sonnenberg, Tina Sparks, Daniel Szyprowski, Kaitlin Voltz, Marcia Wilbert, Kimberly Williams, Aaron Wilson, Cory Zaranek
Grade 11: Ashraf Abdellatif, Tanya Ambellan, Joseph Balisteri, Shannon Barr, Joel Becher, Henry Belding, Christopher Benninger, Joshua Billica, Glenn Bird, Katie Bitikofer, Dennis Brennan, Kaitlynn Cook, Robert Coughlin, Geoffrey Crossley, Rebecca Cunningham, Joshua Deuble, Sean Driscoll, Jarett Forysinski, Thomas Geblein, Joshua Gerace, Collin Griffiths, Nicole Hauser, Nicholas Heftka, Stacey Helf, Brian Judkins, Christian Karnath, Nicole Koerntgen, Edward Kopra, Jamie Krupczyk, Allison Kulak, Catherine Kulak, Kevin Laurendi, Gregory Lazelle, Gary Leckey, Chantelle LeFevre, Andrea Lewis, Carl Lindquist, Robert Lorence, Amanda Lunney, Matthew Masse’, Christopher Mehltretter, Donald Minoian, Arianna Nelson, Nicole Patterson, Noelle Pietras, Toni Quagliana, Poonam Randhawa, Lucia Rossi, Robert Rumsey, Tiffinie Sadowski, Jessica Samland, Caitlin Sansalone, David SantaLucia, Tionda Saylor, Tracey Schmidt, Kelly Shoemaker, Jacqulene Sondel, Nicole Spada, Chelsey Spiesz, Scott Stanko, Joshua Stein, JennaBeth Stockman, Jarilyn Stoorza, David Survillo-Melgar, Colin Thompson, Jason Wilkinson, Emily Winters, Scott Xie
Grade 12: Mohammed Ali, Omar Ali, Amy Becker, Shelbey Bidell, Meagan Bognar, Cortney Bota, Puneet Brar, Dana Brindisi, Scott Buyer, Patricia Carminati, David Chambers, Robert Corrao, Candice Curtis, Ashley Davis, Paul Dayton, Charles Dewey, Thomas Dewey, Andrew Dlugosz, Daniel Drabik, Christopher Dziwulski, Alicia Ellson, Amanda Elsaesser, Michael Feathers, Callan Fernandez, Stephanie Fike, Michelle Fox, Patrick Gannon, Kevin Hajnos, Nicole Herman, Gretchen Hildebrandt, Thomas Hooven, Douglas Ingraham, Scott Kaniecki, Katie Ketterer, Emily Kowzan, Mary Kucharczak, Friederick Leitlein, Brian Lipp, Claire Maddi, Jamie Mallo, Carey Marrinan, Michael Martin, Jason McInerney, Lauren Nedwick, Emily Newsome, Laura O’Donnell, Vincent Pittman, Danielle Podlucky, Joseph Podlucky, Alexis Promowicz, Sean Quinn, Ashley Remmes, Ashley Ruckinger, Nichole Ryan, Christopher Sica, Katlin Smith, Amy Snyder, Christopher Spratford, Amy Stewart, Christina Stickl, Karen Stipp, Peter Sukmanowski, Mohsin Syed, Michael Thoumire, Ginny Wilkinson, Nathan Wolinski, James Wright

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GIHS's Bill Riffel Featured In Buffalo News - April 2004
Bill Riffel, who started the lacrosse program on the Island, has coached the sport for 22 years and 22 varsity seasons, winning more than 200 games and six sectional titles before leaving Grand Island last season. Click "Bill Riffel Feature" for story.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending April 22, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 4/22/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending April 15, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 4/15/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Year Of The Viking - Niagara Gazette Story - Apr. 2003
By Pat Murray, Niagara Gazette
Longtime sports writer Pat Murray has consistently given the Grand Island Vikings the credit in print they so justly deserve. Grand Island Viking sports coverage in the Niagara Gazette is complete and up to date on a regular basis.
   It's been an incredible year for athletic success at Grand Island High School.
   Three Section VI team championships in three years would be a noteworthy accomplishment for any high school. Three sectional championships in a year would be impressive. Three sectional championships in one season may sound next to impossible, but that's what was accomplished at Grand Island last fall.
   Grand Island won Section VI titles in football, boys soccer and girls soccer in the fall, then added a Section VI girls basketball crown in the winter. Add to that some individual success in wrestling and diving, and it's been an amazing year for the Vikings. And the spring season isn't even in full swing yet.
   "It's been just a tremendous year," Grand Island athletics director Jon Roth said. "We have some great student-athletes and great coaches."
   With the exception of football, which competes in the Section VI Football federation, and boys lacrosse, which competes in the Western New York Lacrosse League, Grand Island is a member of the Niagara Frontier League. It is the second smallest school in the eight-team NFL, with only Lewiston-Porter having a smaller enrollment.
   The Vikings, however, don't look at the NFL as a problem. They look at it as a challenge.
   "I think the NFL gets us prepared for sectional play," Roth said. "We have so many tough games during the season that we're ready for the rough games in the playoffs."
   Roth said the decision to join the NFL came in the late 1970s after he returned from a game late one evening with legendary coach Gene Masters.
   "Gene asked why we were doing this, having to come back from Pioneer," Roth recalled. "I told him we would take our lumps against the bigger schools in the NFL, but Gene said "The more our kids compete against the better competition, the better we'll get."
   "Right then, I knew we should be in the NFL."
   Grand Island's relatively small enrollment hasn't relegated the Vikings to the basement in most NFL sports. Actually, the Vikings enjoy quite a bit of success in the NFL.
   "In six of the past seven years, we've finished second to Lockport for the Supremacy Cup," Roth said. "That's something we're pretty proud of."
   Jenepher Banker, the girls basketball coach for Grand Island, gives much of the credit for GI's success to the student-athletes.
   "We couldn't be that successful if we didn't have good athletes," she said. "The kids pretty much expect to win. That's their mindset."
   Dean Santorio, who coaches football and baseball, said Grand Island's success is no fluke.
   "Our tradition over the last 30 years has been very strong," he said. "When the kids see the success, it pushes them a little harder. Success breeds more success."
   Roth, who also coaches the girls tennis team, said the coaches deserve their share of credit for Grand Island's success.
   We look for coaches who are committed to Grand Island," he said. "Out of our 58 coaches, 54 are either from the district or are Grand Island residents."
   Banker and Peter Prozik, the girls soccer coach, are among those who have benefited from having players participate in their particular sport during the offseason.
   "We have players who play soccer all summer before playing for Grand Island in the fall," Prozik said. "That's definitely a big advantage."
   Banker said many of her players participate in AAU-sponsored programs during the off seasons.
   "What that means is we have basketball players playing basketball, rather than just athletes who are playing basketball," she said.
   That doesn't mean that all of Grand Island's athletes are just one-sport competitors. Some of Banker's players missed the first few weeks of practice because they still were playing soccer.
   "You might say that it hurts us at the beginning that soccer does well, but I want them to win," Banker said. "The plus is that these kids know how to win, and carry that winning attitude with them."
   But Grand Island's success has come at a price, the kind that shows up on the budget. Grand Island has to find a way to pay for the extra transportation, expenses and lodging that comes with having to compete in sectional, regional and state tournaments.
   "We plan on it somewhat," Roth said. "But we're going through a tough budget. I'd love to call Grand Island Transit to get a coach bus for some of those long trips, but we can't afford it. We have to use our school buses.
   "But that's the type of problem you don't mind having. We'll find a way to keep sending our teams to the playoffs."

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Boys Hockey Team Beats Cleve Hill/JFK - 2004
   The Grand Island High School Boys Hockey Team beat Cleve Hill/JFK in a Division I game on Friday, March 26, 2004 by a score of 6 to 4. The Vikings lost to S'westernn/M. Grove 8 to 4 on Friday. Grand Island won its Saturday, March 27 game against, Long Beach 2-1

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Corporate Bowl Winner Is Midnight Funk Express - 2004

   The 2004 Corporate Bowl final competition took place on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 in the Grand Island High School auditorium with a total of 19 teams starting out in the previous week's semi-finals. The Midnight Funk Express team of Rebecka Schaber, Brian Lipp, Doug Ingraham and Andy Boron were declared the first place winners. The foursome defeated six other teams with a score of 215.
    Team Emily, an all freshman team, took second place. Team members were Emily Kahn, Abe Morgan, Juliana Burkhart and Amanda Richter. The point difference between first and second was only 15 points, the equivalent of one question. Third place was captured by The Flying Nonsense, comprised of all juniors, Yasmin Raza, Meher Singh, Sara Hilliard and Sofie Syed.
    Winning teams will be awarded scholarships and prizes (totaling $7000).

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Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
April 2004

   
Cynthia Czapla                       Rebecka Schaber                Jessica Skelly
   Cynthia Czapla is very unique when compared to other Grand Island High School students. Even though she has been a resident of Grand Island all of her life, she attended St. Stephen School from Pre-K to 8th grade, and then decided to continue her education at Grand Island High School.
   Cynthia has participated in many school sponsored clubs and organizations throughout her high school career. She has been a part of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team for four consecutive years, and was the first singles player as well as one of the selected players to move on to sectionals. Cynthia was a captain for Fall 2003 and helped lead the team into a successful season. She has been named a Scholar Athlete and has received such prestigious athletic awards as a varsity certificate, letter, and bar, Most Improved Player Award, and the Viking Award.
   Apart from sports Cynthia has been involved with the school in many other ways. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and DECA. She is also the president of Students Against Drunk Driving as well as the Library Club. Cynthia's favorite school activity is Mock Trial. Not only was she the head attorney for the team, but also was the team captain this year. Cynthia has received many academic awards including: Who's Who Among American High School Students, National Honor Roll, Most Outstanding Chemistry Student, Russell Sage Scholar, and an academic letter.
   In addition to her athletic and academic achievements, Cynthia has found time to serve her community and hold summer jobs. She serves as a judge and lawyer on Grand Island Youth Court, volunteers at the Buffalo Museum of Science and Kid's Vote, and aides Legislator Chuck Swanick in his campaigns. She has held various summer jobs including being a researcher at the University of Buffalo under the SRI Program, a babysitter, and best of all, a Cabana Girl at Beaver Island State Park.
   After graduation Cynthia plans on attending a 4-year college with a major in math and/or science. She is unsure where her efforts will take her, but she is confident that she will go far.
   Throughout her years as a Grand Island resident, Rebecka Schaber has had many accomplishments. Along with her schooling, the majority of her community works have been performed on Grand Island. She has truly been a committed member of the Grand Island community.
   While in high school, Rebecka became involved in many different activities and organizations. An avid member and officer of the Wind Ensemble, she excelled in the All County and Area All-State competitions. Since sophomore year, Rebecka has been a study buddy and helped sixth graders become more proficient on their clarinets. She has also been a member of S.A.D.D., youth court, and the Varsity swim team for the majority of her high school career. Rebecka was inducted into the National Honor Society in May 2003 and continues many of the activities she has done in the past.
   Outside of school, Rebecka performs many acts of service to the community. Since her freshman year of high school, she has been both a private and volunteer tutor in all subjects, especially math and science and is the treasurer of a local 4-H club. She has enjoyed the time she has spent with these organizations.
   Rebecka has been granted many awards throughout her high school career. She has received the academic certificate, pin and varsity letter, as well as a varsity letter in both music and swimming. She has consistently been on the Honor and High Honor Roll and has retained this achievement every marking period of her high school years.
   Currently, Rebecka continues her work as a volunteer and private tutor, as well as being a member of the swim team and the Wind Ensemble. She hopes to attend college for architecture at Syracuse University after graduation and one day own her own business.
   Jessica Skelly has been a resident of Grand Island her entire life. She believes her education at Huth Road, Connor Middle School and Grand Island High School has prepared her well for college and her intended major, psychology. Throughout her schooling, Jessica has always found time to be active in the life of her other school and community.
   Jessica is a three-year starter on the varsity soccer team and a senior captain, a three-year member of the varsity basketball team, and a three-year member of the varsity track and field team. She also plays clarinet in the Wind Ensemble and pep band, and she is a member of the National Honor Society. In her spare time, Jessica can be found playing soccer with her Buffalo/Niagara premier team.
   Jessica is very involved in her church youth group at Trinity United Methodist Church. With this group she has traveled to Tennessee, Vermont, Niagara Falls and New Mexico on service projects. These weeklong trips over the past four summers involved youth repairing houses, building porches, etc., for elderly persons. She hopes to attend again this summer. She also has been a Vacation Bible School teacher for the past five years.
   Over the past three summers, Jessica has been involved with the Grand Island Soccer Club as a coach for a house team as well as a referee. She enjoys working with people, especially late elementary and middle school age children.
   Throughout high school Jessica has received many awards, including the academic certificate, pin and letter and has been on the honor roll. She also has varsity letters and pins in soccer, basketball and track. These teams have always excelled academically and won the state's academic award. Jessica continues to work hard and make the most of the rest of her senior year. Even though she is busy, that's what makes her Jessica. She enjoys all the activities she participates in and always gives everything she can.






Academic Excellence In Science Awards Presented - 2004

Science Award winners Brian Choi and Erin Dent. Click photo for a larger view.
   The Grand Island High School Science Department would like to congratulate the following students who have received honors for their academic excellence.
   Erin Dent, a junior at the High School, has received the Rensselaer Medal Award. This prestigious medal recognizes superlative academic achievement in math and science and supports careers in science, engineering, and technology.
   Brian Choi, also a junior at GIHS, has been selected as the recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award promoted by the University of Rochester. This award honors outstanding individuals who commit to a future in science and technology advancements.
   These awards and other honors will be presented at the PTSA Awards Ceremony at Grand Island High School at 7:30 p.m. May 27, 2004 in the auditorium.

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Lady Vikings Are Soccer Champs - 2004

Show (left front) are Jessica Kuehne, Adrienne LaLiberty, Amy Stewart, Cortney Bota; (back) Allie Weiser, Nicole Fischer, Heather Buzzelli, Jackie Coe, Jessica Remmes, Coach David Bowman. Not picture: Leah Ponticello. Click photo for a larger view.
   The Grand Island Lady Vikings won their second championship at the Third Annual Fredonia State Indoor Soccer Tournament on Sunday March 7th. The Vikings (HSBC) went home with a record of 6 wins and 0 losses as they defeated Elba 2-0, Kendall 5-0, Alden 5-0, and Williamsville East 5-4 in the first round. The Vikings (HSBC), seeded number 1 going into the playoffs, defeated Alden 2-1 in overtime, then went on to defeat Fredonia 2-0 in the finals. Scoring for the Vikings (HSBC) were Jessica Remmes with 11 goals, Leah Ponticello with 5 goals, Jackie Coe with 2 goals, and Cortney Bota, Jessica Kuehne and Heather Buzzelli with 1 goal apiece. Playing solid defense for the Vikings (HSBC) were Amy Stewart, Adrienne LaLiberty, and Nicole Fischer. Allie Weiser made some key saves in goal recording 4 shutouts and allowing only 5 goals in six games. The Lady Vikings represented the Grand Island branch of HSBC Bank and wish to thank them for their support of Vikings soccer.




Summer Driver Ed Classes - 2004
   Resident students who are currently seniors, juniors or sophomores may register for the summer driver education program. Registration is from 2:15-3:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 20 or Thursday, April 22, in the Grand Island High School senior cafeteria. The cost is $375, and all students must have a valid driver’s permit. Dr. James Dempsey, principal, said seniors have the first preference for registration and class assignments, then juniors will be registered on a lottery basis. Any remaining vacancies will be opened to sophomores, with priority based on date of birth. “This process will be followed on both days,” Dempsey said. “Therefore, a sophomore registering on Tuesday may have a more desirable spot than a senior registering on Thursday,” he said. For more information, contact the High School office at 773-8820. The program is sponsored through the Community Education Department of the Grand Island Schools.

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Girls Finish Basketball Season
With Section VI Class A Title - Mar. 2003
   The Grand Island Lady Vikings Basketball Team, coached by Jenepher Banker, finished their season with an 81-54 loss to Honeoye Falls-Lima in the Class A Far West Regionals, Saturday, March 13, 2004 at Wayland-Cohocton High School. Disappointing? Yes! However, the Lady Vikings had a fabulous season and a team that will be long remembered.
   Leading the scoring for Grand Island in Saturday's Class A loss was Ashleigh Frieday with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Other lead scorers were Lauren Nedwick (9 - 8 rebounds), Jamie Stickl (8). Three-pointers were scored by Ashleigh Friday (2), Ashton Duda (2), and Meghan Macguire.
Lady Vikings 2004 Win/Loss Season:
• January 6, 2004 - Grand Island 58, Niagara Falls 50
• January 8, 2004 - Grand Island 54 - Niagara-Wheatfield 44
• Jan. 13, 2004 - Grand Island 41, North Tonawanda 39
• Jan. 22, 2004 - Grand Island 49, Kenmore East 35
• Jan. 27, 2004 - Lockport 46, Grand Island 43
• January 30, 2004 - Grand Island 51, Kenmore West 43
• February 2, 2004 - Grand Island 43, Lew-Port 41
• February 6, 2004 - Grand Island defeated Niagara-Wheatfield, 58-47
• February 10, 2004 - Grand Island 43, North Tonawanda 42
• February 12, 2004 - Lew-Port 46, Grand Island 34
• February 19, 2004 - Grand Island 45, Kenmore East 42
• February 26, 2004 - CLASS A-1 Quarterfinals - Grand Island 56, Iroquois 40
• March 3, 2004 - Class A-1 Final - Grand Island 59, Pioneer 49
• March 6, 2004 - Section VI Class A Title - Grand Island 61, Olean Huskies 41
   Corrections to this article may be emailed to teddy@giecom.net.

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Kelly O'Brien Best At Daemen All High Art Show - 2004

Kelly O’Brien won the “Best Painting” award at the Daemen College All High Art Show. Click photo for a larger view.
   Grand Island High School art student Kelly O’Brien won the “Best Painting” award at the Daemen College All High Art Show.
   A senior, she received a $2,000 per year scholarship for four years to attend Daemen College, a $50 cash prize and a $50 gift certificate for Hyatt’s art supply store.   Emily Pici, also a senior, won honorable mention at the show for her drawing and received a scholarship of $1,000 a year for four years to attend Daemen. Emily recently was chosen as one of 12 Western New York winners of the Organ and Tissue Donors Poster Contest. A total of nine Grand Island students participated in the Daemen show, which drew students from 36 schools.

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Mike Feathers Wins Nike Indoor Championship Pentathlon - 2004
 
Winner Mike Feathers is shown far left in hurdles photo. Click photos for a larger view.
   Mike Feathers, a senior at Grand Island High School, won the Nike Indoor Championships Pentathlon event held over the March 12-13, 2004 weekend in Landover, Maryland. Mike easily won with 3772 points. Second place winner was Trevor Gerland of Katy, Texas with 3627 points.
   By virtue of his victory, Mike is now an All American in the Pentathlon. In addition he will also receive:
Awards and Rings
Nike Indoor Championships medals will be awarded to the top 6 in each event, and each champion in the high schools division will receive a championship ring.
ALL AMERICANS
The first six finishers in each event attending who reside in the U.S. or its possessions will be named to the 2004 Nike Indoor Championships All America Team and receive All America certificates.
   Click "Nike Indoor Championships Pentathlon" then click on all of the boys' pentathlon stories. Mike's name is also mentioned regarding how he did in each event.

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GI Girls Win Section VI Class A Title - Mar. 2003
   The Grand Island Lady Vikings Basketball Team, coached by Jenepher Banker, beat the Olean Huskies 61-41, to win the Section VI Class A Title on Saturday, March 6, 2004. Grand Island's Girls connected on ten 3-pointers. Ashleigh Frieday and Meghan MacGuire had four 3-pointers apiece and both girls had 17 points.
   Ashton Duda led the Viking scoring with 18 points and had two 3-point goals. Also scoring for Grand Island were Lauren Nedwick (6) Jessica Skelly (1) and Jaimie Stickl (2).
   Olean led the game at the end of the first quarter, 15-13, however Grand Island took over with the score at 30-18 at halftime. Grand Island also made eight free throws in a row.
   The Lady Vikings (18-6) will play the Section V Honeoye Falls-Lima team (20-1) in the Class A Far West Regionals, at noon on Saturday, March 13th at Wayland-Cohocton High School.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending March 11, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 3/11/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Diver Ian O'Rourke, 2nd At States - High School All-American - 2004
   Grand Island High School freshman Ian O'Rourke placed second out of 39 divers at the New York State High School Swimming and Diving Championships at the Nassau County Aquatics Center in East Meadow, NY (Long Island) on Saturday, March 6, 2004. His score was 455.85. First place went to Donnie Callura (I-Scarsdale), with 470.10 points.
   This was Ian's third trip to the state meet due to the fact that he has qualified for the event in 7th, 8th and 9th grade. His score was good enough to make him an High School All-American for 1-meter springboard/11 dives.
   He is Grand Island Swimming and Diving's first All-American since Anne Marie Wozniak in 1989.
   Ian has set new GIHS School records for both 6 and 11 dives, an NFL Meet record for 11 dive, and Niagara Falls Pool Records for both 6 and 11 dives. His Grand Island High School coach is the current Section VI 11 dive record holder and Grand Island resident Terry Butler (Kenmore East '88).

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Viking Girls Basketball Team Wins Finals - 2004
Click for Girls Basketball Victory" .

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending March 4, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 3/4/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
March 2004

 
Laura Remmes                               Allie McLean
   Laura Remmes has been a Grand Island resident all of her life. She has been a student of the Grand Island District since kindergarten and has participated in many activities during her time here.
   Laura has spent time in various activities in the school and community throughout her life on Grand Island. She has been a member of both the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble at Grand Island High School where she plays the French horn; she played in the Pit Orchestra of the musical "South Pacific," has been a member of the Pep Band for four years, and has been in Community Band for two summers.
   Laura is a member of Interact Club, which participates in community service activities. She has been the treasurer of this club for the past two years and, with the club, has done the sleep out for the homeless, two school cleanups, and Lobster Fest during the summer, among other things. Other volunteer activites have included the Corporate Challenge and the carnival at St. Stephen's Church where she is a member.
   Additionally, Laura has been a member of the Grand Island High School Varsity Tennis Team for three years. During her time on the team, she has received her Varsity letter and bar, the Most Improved JV Player award, and the NYSPHSAA award, naming her a Scholar Athlete. She was chosen by her teammates to be captain for her senior year and finished the year with a winning varsity record.
   Laura has been a strong academic student during her years in the Grand Island School District. She has consistently been on the honor and high honor roll and has elected to take many Advanced Placement courses. She has received the Pride of the Island, the Certificate of Academic Excellence, the Academic Pin, the Academic Bar, and has been inducted into the National Honor Society.
   After graduating, Laury plans on attending college with an intended major in business.
   Allie McLean, daughter of Daniel and Karen McLean, moved to Grand Island from Slidell, Louisiana in 1998. Allie's father's Coast Guard career has offered her the opportunity to experience life from Maine to Alabama. New York is Allie's fifth state of residence and she has embraced many aspects of Grand Island, where she has established roots.
   Allie's Grand Island education began in seventh grade. She has always challenged herself with a heavy course load. Allie enrolled in Advanced Placement courses in her sophomore year, increasing the number of AP courses each year thereafter. Due to her commitment to work had, she has maintained honor or high honor roll status throughout her schooling. Additionally, she has been recognized with several awards including Pride of the Island in middle school and high school, Academic Certificate of Excellence, Academic Pin and Academic Letter. She serves as secretary of the National Honor Society and looks forward to opportunities to give to the community through N.H.S. this year. Her strength in both academics and athletics earned her four Scholar Athlete awards.
   Athletics have also been a large part of Allie's life. She did gymnastics throughout her childhood and has been a varsity gymnast since eighth grade, serving as captain this year. She also earned a varsity letter on the girls' track team. For fun, Allie enjoys snowboarding with Ski Club each winter. She has been part of many extracurricular activities. She has participated in class government since her sophomore year when she was class president. She continued as junior class secretary/vice president and this year is honored to serve as president of the senior class.
   Allie has been active in the high school's musical programs. She has been a member of concert choir for three years, sings in Madrigals, and has performed in the musicals since her freshman year.
   Out of school, Allie has studied piano and dance. She attends Emmanuel Community Bible Church and participates in youth activities. For the last three years, she has worked at the Niagara Falls KOA on Grand Island. After graduation, Allie will pursue a career in elementary education, with concentration in child psychology.

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Western New York Swimming & Diving - 2004
For Top Ten Swimming and Diving Times, click "Times" and for Grand Island results, click "Sectional/Grand Island".




JV Hockey Team Wins Tournament And Championship - 2004
   The Grand Island JV Hockey Team won the Niagara Challenge tournament over the February 21-22, 2004 weekend, defeating Ken West. It was a major win for GI due to the fact that Ken West was proclaimed the best federation league JV team this season and finished first in their league.
   Grand Island's JV team finished first in the regular season with 15 wins, 1 loss and 2 ties. Grand Island has six sophmores who will move up to Varsity and 10 returning freshmen for next season.
Grand Island 7 - Starpoint 4
   The Grand Island JV Hockey Team won the championship game against Starpoint, 7-4, on Saturday, February 28 at Buffalo State College.
Game Statistics
• Robby Utz - 2 goals, 2 assists. Game 1st star
• Dan Victor - 2 goals, 1 assist. Game 2nd star
• Ryan Gratton - 1 goal, 1 assist
• Dan Dinsmore - 1 goal, 1 assist
• Frank Black - 1 goal
• Sean OBrien, Jim Zilliox and Brian Nusstein all added an assist.
• Tom Cunningham had a strong game on defense and Matt Brennan tended the net.
• Utz and Mike Dlugoginski were first team all stars and Ryan Gratton was second team.
   The Team's over all record was 23 wins 3 losses and 2 ties.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 26, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 2/26/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 19, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 2/19/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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5th Annual Corporate Bowl Sponsors - February 2004
   The Corporate Bowl Committee extends a grateful thank you to the following local businesses that provided monetary donations to the Grand Island School-Business Alliance to fund scholarships going to the winners of the 5th Annual Corporate Bowl:
(Donations of goods and services auctioned off to raise additional monies will be posted soon. This auction typically raises over $1,000 toward the same goal.)

Company
A.J.'s Heating & Cooling
Advantage Professionals
American Pharmaceutical Partners
Cintas Uniform Company
Clawson Electric
DiVal Safety Equipment
Dobmeier Janitorial
Eaton Office Supply Co.
First Niagara Bank
Flexible Staffing
Fuccillo Chevrolet
Fujisawa Healthcare
Invitrogen Corporation
Grand Island Automotive Inc.
Grand Island Chamber of Commerce
Grand Island Rotary Club
HSBC
J & M Instrument Service
J. Hugill Home Construction, Inc.
J.F. Machining Co., Inc.
K & K Janitorial
Lehigh Construction
M&T Bank
M.J. Mechanical
Nassar, Rich
Pizza Hut Fundraiser
Scott Aladeen
Securitas
Sonitrol Security
State Farm Insurance
Suburban Pest Control
Superior Staffing
The Keller Group, Inc.
Tonawanda Environmental
Wayside Landscaping and Nursery
Wendel Duchscherer

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Grand Island High School Honor Roll - February 2004
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained honor roll status for the second marking period of the 2003-2004 school year:
High Honor Roll
Grade 9:Amanda Arki, Lauren Aughey, Kiel Clarke, Kristin Duggan, Shannon Howley, Emily Kahn, Rachael Kaplan, Andrea Monaco, Kayla Mornelli, Sarah Mye, Vida Rotami, Sydney Seese, Joshua Snyder, Yiyu Zhang
Grade 10: Chelsea DeGlopper, Sarah Lipp, Lucas Mesmer, Robert Michaels, Caitlyn Quider, Katharine Rogers, Karalyn Rossi, Kevin Sobol, Nicholas Thompson
Grade 11:Lindsay Aronica, Brian Choi, Erin Dent, Kathryn Figliotti, Robert Goris, Lindsay Henderson, Sara Hilliard, Justine Kirsch, Meghan Macguire, Stacey Monaco, Yasmin Raza, Meher Singh, Jessica Stickl, Sofia Syed, Sarah Tanbakuchi, Nicole Tates, Amanda Thompson, Phillip Thompson, Kari Tondera, Adam Ungaro, Daniel Victor
Grade 12: Keriann Armusewicz, Patricia Carminati, Kelliann Carney, Margaret Kiehl, Shannon O’Brien, Corinne Razem, Rebecka Schaber, Stefanie Szczykutowicz
Honor Roll
Grade 9: Traci Aladeen, Alexandra Angelo, Carolyn Asbach, Adam Bakula, Alicia Barnaby, Karen Bellanca, Christopher Bidell, Erin Bonaquist, Juliana Burkhart, Evan Busch, Heather Buzzelli, Christine Call, Stephanie Cartwright, John Certo, Samantha Chambers, Ryan Chrostowski, Anna Cislarski, Abigail Cliff, Lyndsey Clingersmith, Lianna Connors, Vincent Covatto, Paul Dhand, Joshua Doermer, Brian Dolan, Courtney Donovan, Robert Elsaesser, Kate Endres, Ashley Fabio, Timothy Fargino, Brett Fiedler, Jonathan Figler, Karen Figliotti, Nicole Fischer, Joseph Fusco, Daniel Gadawski, Emily Hasselbeck, Cassidy Hogrewe, Jaime Justen, Jared Kazmierczak, Ashley Kippley, Brianna Konopa, Matthew Lang, Cassandra Lange, William Lewandowski, Elise Loiselle, Lawrence Loveless, Dianne Maerz, Sean McDermott, Justin McInerney, Matthew McKenna, Kimberly McLeod, Jarrad Mendel, Thomas Minarcin, Abram Morgan, Connor Neff, Sean O’Brien, Patrick O’Donnell, Ian O’Rourke, Casey Olszewski, Julie Pangborn, Valerie Paris, Robert Potter, James Rayhill, Amanda Richter, Tara Rogers, David Rosati, Justin Samland, Lindsey Samland, Ryan Samland, Peter Schaber, Adam Schopp, Matthew Scibilia, Nicholas Shemik, Forrest Smith, Ryan Stanko, Shannon Tegler, Zachary Tondera, Cassandra Ungaro, Matthew Ward, Keith Wegrzyn, Amanda Williams, Rhianna Wing
Grade 10: Sheri Ackendorf, Vanessa Alvarado, Cortney Ambrosia, Brandon Antonelli, Lauren Asbach, Carissa Bailey, Christopher Benko, Ashley Bleistein, Sara Boulden, Ryan Breier, Wesley Brzezinski, Erich Burchfield, Wesley Burkman, Lauren Campbell, Jing Chen, Ian Clark, Catherine Cline, John Connors, Tucker Coryn, Lauren Culp, Shawn D’Angelo, Casey Dahlstrom, Christopher Damiani, Carlos Darby, Sara DeBole, Kate Dlugosz, Steven Doermer, Kyle Doyle, Julie Drozdowski, Mary Kate Duff, Caitlin Dwyer, Rebecca Fetzer, Ashleigh Frieday, Mallory Fulle, Russell Gaiser, Joel Hasselbeck, Mary Hayes, Angelia Jaeger, Lauren Kalisz, Toni Kaufman, Nicole Komin, Ryan Kucharski, Laura Lang, Timothy Lavallee, Alissa Leckey, Catherine Lewis, Dana Ludwig, Morgan Macguire, Allison Makowski, Christina Manning, Ashley Marien, Anna Mastrangelo, Christopher Miller, Lee Miller, Krista Moran, Steven Mrzygut, Kayla Nash, Andrew Nawotka, Jessica O’Brien, Joseph Orsolits, Tiffany Pasqualichio, Christopher Prygon, Christine Ray, Jessica Remmes, Elyse Ripellino, Sarnjit Samra, Jeremy Siehnel, Dana Szczepaniak, Katherine Szpala, Robert Utz, Brendan Waddington, Mark Webb, Brittany Weber, Zachary Zarbo
Grade 11: Tamika Adams, Amanda Albertsson, Julie Amato, Tanya Ambellan, Kelly Astridge, Deborah Basta, Katie Bitikofer, Kate Bonaquist, Kelly Carter, Melinda Christie, Ryan Clarke, Renee’ Collins, Dana D’Angelo, Shayna DiMatteo, Daniel Elmer, Jill Endres, Amanda Finn, Natalie Fischer, Kelly Frantz, Maria Fusco, Amanda George, Alicia Harrison, Ryan Harvey, Stacey Helf, Justin Helman, Beth Huber, Gretchen Kiehl, Kelly Knickerbocker, Nicole Koerntgen, Steven Kopf, David Kurpiewski, Lisa Kurpiewski, Mary Elizabeth Lacki, Adrienne LaLiberty, Amanda Lunney, Jason Manijak, Alex Marien, Christina Maroulis, Victoria McCraith, Stephanie McGowan, Maureen McInerney, Sarah McLeod, Calvin Meaney, Kevin Mehltretter, Jenna Meyer, Andrew Missert, Ashley Perez, Richelle Piccolo, Emily Pifer, Alissa Pioli, James Poupalos, Toni Quagliana, Sean Rafferty, Poonam Randhawa, Jeffrey Rebmann, Melissa Roach, Nicole Roach, Lucia Rossi, Pooya Rostami, Theodore Royal, Adam Salemi, Michael Schimley, Shaina Starr, Corrine Stolzenburg, John Stoneham, Robert Sugar, Devon Toth, Alicia Vetter, Amanda Webb, Stephen Weigold, James Zilliox, Erik Zito
Grade 12: Michael Antonelli, Kelly Beatty, Kyle Berger, Michael Blocho, Andrew Boron, Cortney Bota, Puneet Brar, Sara Burke, Heather Burkman, Kristen Burns, Meghan Casey, Lillian Choi, Robert Christopher, Cynthia Czapla, David Dillen, Christine Donner, Ashton Duda, Alicia Ellson, Lindsay Fetzer, Stephanie Fick, Matthew Fields, Alishea Gainer, Holly Gallagher, Patrick Gannon, Nicholas Giddings, Monica Greco, Alex Gregorski, Nicholas Hahn, Hannah Hardy, Terry Hashley, Carly Hudson, Anthony Hughes, Karen Hutzler, Douglas Ingraham, Kari Johnson, Amanda Kaiser, Lyndsay Kearney, Kelly Knab, Robert Koryl, Mary Kucharczak, Christine Lang, Sarah Lang, Stephanie Langers, Brian Lipp, Jamie Mallo, Carey Marrinan, Laura Massaro, Allie McLean, Matthew Mergel, Nicole Miller, Rachel Morgan, Rikki Nawotka, Kelly O’Brien, Myles Passanese, Emily Pici, Jennifer Reidorf, Laura Remmes, Brittany Rogers, Theodore Rogers, Jessica Skelly, Amy Snyder, Jaimie Stickl, Mohsin Syed, Timothy Szczykutowicz, Eric Ther, Johanna Turnwall, Christine Webb, Jonathan Weber, Meghan White, Nathan Wolinski, Steven Zippier

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Grand Island High School Merit Roll - February 2004
   The following Grand Island High School students have attained merit roll status for the second marking period of the 2003-2004 school year:
Merit Roll
Grade 9: Janeen Amantia, Benjamin Angelo, Michael Asbach, Rebecca Asbach, Erin Banas, Ryan Benninger, John Berger, Brandon Bettinger, Erik Billica, Caroline Boron, Arielle Brzezinski, Kong Chen, Lauryn Clingersmith, Michael Coty, Jessica Coughlin, Karen Coughlin, Stacey Cyman, Michael Davis, Courtney Donner, Samantha Drexelius, Corey Dudish, Emily Eisenberger, Rachel Eisenhauer, Colin Gallagher, Thomas Geib, Bianca Genova, Bridget George, Erin Hanel, Meghan Higgins, Lamar Hogan, Paul Holler, Jessica Kuehne, Erik Lang, Ryan Link, Samantha Miller, Alex Missert, Nicole Morgan, Alicia Neutz, Kelsey Nordvik, Brian Nusstein, Jessica Perry, Kevin Pifer, Christopher Rajczak, Ashley Ray, Jasmine Rivers, Michael Salisbury, Ajit Singh, Jordan Stickl, Matthew Stoddard, Kristen Swan, Donald Turner, Christie Utz, Philip Wendt
Grade 10: Melissa Affuso, Jordan Bahleda, Stephen Beatty, Timothy Blonski, Charlotte Booth, Megan Boss, Matthew Brady, Daniel Brierton, John Brucato, Sarah Calvaneso, Desmond Carswell, Joseph Ciechoski, Aaron Clark, Erin Conn, Breanne DeMarco, Monique Dhand, Justin Dowd, Nathan Evans, Garrett Fallin, Eric Feathers, Jessica Fike, Joshua Gavlock, Colleen George, Alexander Grande, Ryan Gratton, Ashley Hansen, Meghan Hartman, Adam Henry, Marcellus Hogan, Kevin Holzle, Stephanie Hopkins, Beth Huffnagle, Ryan Keifman, Ben Kim, Christopher King, Justin King, Megan Koller, Andrew Lang, Cristina LoVullo, Amanda McCord, Diane Meyer, Derek Moody, Chad Moran, Eric Quattrini, Cole Remmes, Francisco Rodriguez, Jeffrey Rogan, Ashleah Shelton, David Sipos, Erich Skelly, Chelsea Sommer, Lisa Sonnenberg, Tina Sparks, Janice Sturtz, Daniel Szyprowski, Christopher Webb, David Whitney Marcia Wilbert, Dane Wood
Grade 11: Corey Angelo, John Bakula, Shannon Barr, Joel Becher, Henry Belding, Christopher Benninger, Joshua Billica, Amy Boutet, Dennis Brennan, Kevin Buyer, Gloria Calvaneso, Garrett Carlson, Kyla Christie, Jaclyn Colosi, Robert Coughlin, Geoffrey Crossley, Rebecca Cunningham, Erik Deuble, Sean Driscoll, Thomas Geblein, Joshua Gerace, Collin Griffths, Nicholas Heftka, Nakita Herlan, Brian Judkins, Christian Karnath, Ashley Kowzan, Allison Kulak, Catherine Kulak, Gregory Lazelle, Chantelle LeFevre, Carl Lindquist, Megan Little, Robert Lorence, Christina Maddi, Matthew Masse’, David Nardozzi, Arianna Nelson, Michael Norris, Paula Nuchereno, Jessica Samland, Steven Sarkees, Tionda Saylor, Tracey Schmidt, Kelly Shoemaker, Scott Stanko, Joshua Stein, JennaBeth Stockman, David Survillo-Melgar, Jason Wilkinson, Scott Xie
Grade 12: Stephanie Affuso, Mohammed Ali, Omar Ali, Amy Becker, Federica Bentivegna, Shelbey Bidell, Meagan Bognar, William Breier, Dana Brindisi, Jeffrey Bull Scott Buyer, Jennifer Cammarano, David Chambers, Michelle D’Addieco, Ashley Davis, Charles Dewey, Christopher Dlugokinski, Daniel Drabik, Amanda Elsaesser, Francis Englert, Michael Feathers, Callan Fernandez, Stephanie Fike, Katherine Gaudy, Mark Goff, Nicole Herman, Thomas Hooven, Nicholas Jones, Scott Kaniecki, Brett Kern, Emily Kowzan, Kimberly Kraft, Alexander Kuch, Francesca Kustra, Friederick Leitlein, Claire Maddi, Christopher Mahiques, Amanda Mallwitz, Michael Martin, Caroline Miller, Shane Pingrey, Vincent Pittman, Danielle Podlucky, Joseph Podlucky, Alexis Promowicz, Sean Quinn, Thomas Rayhill, Omar Raza, Ashley Remmes, Daniel Rossiter, Nichole Ryan, Kori Sciandra, Katlin Smith, Amy Stewart, Christina Stickl, Karen Stipp, Lauren Stipp, Peter Sukmanowski, Alexandra Sutherland, Michael Thoumire, Earl Webb

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OFFICIAL Grand Island High School Football WEBPAGE
Click " Grand Island High School Football" for the official Grand Island High School Football page.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 12, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 2/12/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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High School Parent/Teacher Conferences - 2004
   High School Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Friday, March 5, 2004 in the high school, 1100 Ransom Road, from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. Students will be dismissed at 9:44 a.m. Teachers will be in their rooms. A list of room assignments will be posted and appointments are not necessary.

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Corporate Bowl - 2004
   The preliminary round for the Grand Island High School Corporate Bowl, sponsored by GISBA at the school, 1100 Ransom Road, will be held 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. Finals are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. Click for Complete Story.

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Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
February 2004

   
Carly Jo Hudson                               Margaret Kiehl                         Mohsin Syed
   Carly Jo Hudson is a lifelong resident of Grand Island and has been a student in the Grand Island School District since she began kindergarten at Kaegebein Elementary School. Over the past 17 years, Carly has been involved in various community activities. Three summers ago Carly traveled to New Port, Vermont, with the Trinity United Methodist Youth Group to repair the homes for those less fortunate through Reach Workcamps.
   Carly has been an active participant in Make-a-Wish Foundation for the past four years, and last summer she participated in the first Relay-for-Life held at Grand Island High School. She is currently involved in the preparation for the 2nd relay to be held June 11, 2004 and for the past two summers she enjoyed working part-time at Adrian's Custard and Beef.
   During Carly's high school career, she has participated in many extra-curricular activities. They include being a member of the cheerleading squad since her freshman year, Sophomore Class Representative and Junior Class Historian. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Venture 2004 yearbook, and has been an editor for the past three years. Currently Carly is the treasurer of the National Honor Society, has participated in the annual Spaghetti Dinner and is planning to participate in many more community service projects. As part of her community service, Carly takes time out of her schedule each week to tutor French.
   At the beginning of her junior year, Carly was named the Vice Youth Ambassador for the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, and in October Carly was chosen to be the Youth Ambassador for the 2003-2004 term.
   Throughout high school Carly has maintained honor roll status and has received her academic certificate, pin and letter. After graduation Carly is planning on attending a four-year university with a major in travel and tourism.
   Margaret Kiehl 18, moved to Grand Island from Ohio during first grade. As a resident and student of this community for most of her life, she has enjoyed many successes, particularly in the areas of academia, music and sports.
   Margaret always enjoys a challenge. She has taken all the honors classes available in the middle and high schools. She has consistently achieved honor roll and high honor roll status throughout her career. In her final years of high school, she has elected to take multiple Advanced Placement courses in order to prepare for college. During her junior year, she was awarded the Clarkson University Award for Outstanding Leadership and Academic Promise. She has received the academic certificate, academic pin, and academic letter in recognition of her achievements. She has also participated in the GIHS Corporate Bowl for three years. As a member of the National Honor Society, this year she plans to contribute to the community through events such as the NHS spaghetti dinner, sleep out, and the Relay for Life. Margaret is currently ranked 3rd in her class.
   Music is an integral part of Margaret's life. She has studied piano for ten years, sharing her skill with the community by accompanying children's choirs and church productions. As a saxophonist, she has performed as both lead alto and tenor saxophonist for the award-winning GIHS Wind Ensemble, as well as lead alto sax for the GIHS Jazz Band. She has participated in numerous solo festivals, her ratings earning her positions in honors bands such as All Erie County and Area-All State. During her junior year, she was also selected as an Alternate for Conference All-State Band. Margaret is currently serving as president of the Wind Ensemble. An active member of the Music Program, she participates in Concert Band, Jazz Band, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, Community Band, Community Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, studies privately, and volunteers in the Practice Buddy Program. She also teaches private lessons to young saxophonists. She enjoys studying music theory, and earned a superior score on the Advanced Placement Music Theory exam. This year, Margaret is completing a 57-hour instrumental music internship with Mr. Allan Ripley at Huth Road Elementary School. she has received her Varsity Letter, First and Second Pin, White Letter, and Gold Bar for her active participation.
   Margaret has been running for Grand Island since sixth grade. She has achieved NFL League All-Star in both Cross Country and Track since her freshman year. A two-time NFL Champion in both the 800m and 4x800m, as well as a record-holder in the Distance Medley Relay, Frosh 800m, and Frosh 4x800, her hard work and commitment to her teams has contributed to their success in competition. In these sports, she has been awarded "Rookie of the Year," "Most Improved," "Most Valuable Runner," and "WNY Runner of the Week," as well as Varsity Letters and Bars. she is also a two-time recipient of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
   In the future, Margaret wants to share her passion for music with others as an instrumental music teacher. She plans on attending Ithaca College, Case Western Reserve University, or SUNY Fredonia to pursue a degree in music education.
   Grand Island High School senior Mohsin Syed is the son of Imtiyaz and Tahir Syed, who immigrated to the United States from Kashmir eight years ago. He is fluent in three languages. Mohsin has been involved with the school and community throughout his high school career, dedicating much of his time to study in order to perform well academically. He has attained honor and high honor roll distinction all through his high school career and has accepted various scholastic achievement awards including the Academic Excellence, Academic Pin, Academic letter, and National Honor Society award. These awards are based on scholarship, service and character.
   Mohsin has also been involved in many school activities. He is the public relations officer for International Club, has been the treasurer for Rotary-Interact Club, Student Council representative, freshman and sophomore class officer, member of the National Honor Society, as well as a member of the varsity tennis team.
   Mohsin has also involved himself in volunteering. He has been a volunteer at Kaegebein Elementary School as a mentor, at Elderwood Health Care at Heathwood, at Kids Voting and has been a member of the Grand Island Youth Court. Along with his volunteering Mohsin is an employee of Elderwood Health Care at Heathwood, where he works in the dietary department. Mohsin plans to continue his education at the University of Buffalo where he will major in pre-med and will minor in criminal justice.

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Brett Kern Signs National Letter of Intent - 2004

    Brett Kern, a senior at Grand Island, signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Toledo. This signing, on February 4, 2004, is a full athletic scholarship for four years. Brett is a punter and earned 1st Team All State and 1st Team All Western New York honors this year. He holds the Grand Island record for average yards per punt at 41 yards per punt. He also holds the Ralph Wilson Stadium record for punt average which was 45 yards per punt on 5 punts. The University of Toledo is in the Mid American Conference and he will be the punter and handle kickoff and field goal duties as well.

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Corinne Razem Signs National Letter of Intent - 2004

Grand Island Athletic Director Jon Roth, Coach Peter Prozik, Coach David Bowman and the Girls Soccer Team watch as Corinne Razem signs National Letter Of Intent.
   Corinne Razem, on February 4, 2004, signed a National Letter of Intent to Play Soccer at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. With her during the signing were Grand Island Athletic Director Jon Roth, Coach Peter Prozik, Coach David Bowman and the Girls Soccer Team. Corinne is very excited to be going to Gardner-Webb and feels the academics, coaches, soccer team and location is a perfect fit for her. The Grand Island Girls Soccer team ended their 2003 season 18-3-3 Ranked 3rd in State Class A NYSSCOGS.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 5, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 2/5/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Grand Island Wins Depew Wildcats Wrestling Tournament - 2004
   The Grand Island Varsity Vikings Wrestling Team was victorious in the Saturday, January 31, 2004 Depew Wildcats Tournament beating out 11 other high school teams. Grand Island's score was 143. Viking Colin Thompson had the most pins in the shortest time (three pins in 1:24) and won the 275-pound title. Colin Thompson pinned Bubby Williamson of the Alden team in 46 seconds in the final.
   Viking Kyle Spratford won the 96-pound title for the Island team. The Vikings also posted three second-place finishes.

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Corporate Bowl 2004
By Kathleen Ganz
   The Grand Island School/Business Alliance — GISBA — is once again challenging our students to compete for scholarships at the annual Corporate Bowl. The sixth annual event invites teams of High School students to compete for college scholarships. Students answer questions in English, math, science, history, geography, music, art, current events, sports and business. Scholarships are presented to the top three teams and prizes are given to all participants. Sponsors are being sought for this year’s competition, which will be held in March 2004. The preliminary round is March 10, with the final round on March 17.
   Donations of cash, products and services are being accepted from Western New York businesses. Corporate sponsors will benefit by being able to showcase the talent of our high school students by providing students with college scholarships and by enhancing bonds among the school district, local businesses and the community. Cash donations will be recognized at the following levels:
• Platinum sponsors: $1,000 or more; includes full-page recognition of your company in the program.
• Gold sponsors: $500 to $999; includes a half-page recognition of your company in the program.
• Silver sponsors: $100 to $499; includes a quarter-page recognition of your company in the program.
   Products and service donations are used to prepare theme baskets for a raffle, with proceeds used to fund scholarships.
   For more information, contact Douglas Dohn, Corporate Bowl chairman, at 775-2244, or email Doug_Dohn@fujisawa.com. Dohn explained that $7,000 in scholarship money will be divided among the three winning teams at the Corporate Bowl.
   The Corporate Bowl is sponsored by the Grand Island Central School District, (GISBA) and Fujisawa Healthcare, in conjunction with GIBCO Invitrogen Corp.

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GIHS Swim Team News - 2004
   Grand Island's Boys Varsity Swim Team lost to Lew-Port 81-105 at a home meet on Friday, January 30, 2004. The Boys JV Swim Team lost to Lew-Port 6-47.
   Grand Island is now 6 - 4 in the NFL and 7 - 4 overall. Lew-Port is 6 - 4 in the NFL. This is the first time Lew-Port has beaten Grand Island in High School Boys Swimming since Grand Island joined the NFL about 30 years ago.
   GI diver Ian O'Rourke is currently ranked first in Section VI and second in New York State for 1 meter diving with a score of 335.20.

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Guys And Dolls Rehearsal Photos - 2004



Jodi Robinson Photos - Click photos for a larger view.
   Monday, Jan. 26, 2004. . . The Grand Island High School music department is in rehearsal for the musical, "Guys And Dolls," with evening performances scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 5-7, 2004. Photos from left are Crap Shooters, Adam Salemi, Hot Box Dancers with Mary Beth Lacki, Patrick Gannon and Jim Wright, Mission Singers, Lillian Choi and Andy Boron and Mary Beth Lacki and Adam Salemi.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending January 29, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 1/29/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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Grand Island Vikings JV Hockey Wins Niagara Falls Blizzard Challenge - 2004
   The Grand Island Vikings JV Hockey Team recently won the Niagara Falls Blizzard Challenge Hockey Tournament held at Hyde Park, Niagara Falls from Saturday, January 17 to Monday, January 19, 2004. On their way to the win, Grand Island defeated West Seneca East 4-2 and beat Kenmore West 4-2 in the finals. Robby Utz led the scoring with 10 goals. Scoring one a piece for the Vikings were Jim Zilliox, Frank Black, Mike Dlugokinski, Dan Dinsmore, Brandon McDonough, Ryan Gratton and Sean O'Brien. Mike Darnley won three games in goal for Grand Island.
   The JV Vikes also beat Tonawanda in a contest Saturday, January 24, 2004 at Hockey Outlet.

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Grand Island High's Guys and Dolls - Behind The Scenes - Jan. 2004
Grand Island Senior High School students are busy behind the scenes preparing for their production of Guys and Dolls on the high school stage Thursday, February 5, Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m. Click Behind The Scenes for who's who behind the scenes.

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Grand Island's 2003 Fall Scholar Athletes - Jan. 2004
Click Scholar Athlete Teams for students from the Football, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Girls Swimming and Gymnastics teams who have been named Scholar Athletes.

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Swim Championship - Grand Island 62 - Lockport 112 - Jan. 23, 2004
Click Swim Meet 1/23/04" for results of the January 23rd meet held at Lockport.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending January 22, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 1/22/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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GIHS To Present "Guys And Dolls" - 2004
The Grand Island High School Music Department will hold three performances of Guys And Dolls on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - February 5-7. Curtain time for all three performances is 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets may be purchased in advance for $7 from all cast members or by placing a ticket order by phone to 773-8868 or 773-8820. For the whole story plot and who's who in the cast, click "Guys And Dolls".

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending January 15, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 1/15/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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GIHS NYS Regents Exam Schedule - January 2004
   Grand Island High School students will be taking the NYS Regents Exams from Monday, January 26 through Thursday, January 29, 2004. Click for the "NYS Regents Exam Schedule"
   Exam Week Bus Schedule
   The bus schedule for January 2004 Regents Exams (Jan. 26-29) follows.
• A.M. 7:30 - Arrival for a.m. exam
• A.M. 10:10 - Departure, 1st Dismissal
• A.M. 11:10 - Departure after a.m. exam and pick-up for p.m. exams - Names and addresses required for pick-up - Please sign up in Main Office
• P.M. 2:10 - Departure, 1st Dismissal
• P.M. 3:40 - Departure after p.m. exams (back lot) LAST BUS

REGENTS EXAM SCHEDULE: Jan. 26, 27, 28, 29
• 8:00 - 11:00 - a.m. exam
• 12:00 - 3:00 - p.m. exam

PLEASE NOTE: JANUARY 29 - A.M. only - No P.M. Exams or buses
10:15 & 11:15 - Departure Times (1/29)

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Art Students Think Big! - 2004
  
  

Some of the sculpture on display in High School Office.
Jodi Hayes Robinson Photos
   The 9th-12th grade sculpture students of Art Teacher Cindy Wynne created a soft sculpture based on the artwork and concepts of the Pop artist Claes Oldenburg. Oldenburg created artwork mainly in the 1960s, focusing on the idea of using ordinary, everyday, insignificant objects and changing their size as well as their form. Students first chose a small, common object, then recreated it much larger with wire modeling and then sewing and painting techniques. Miss Contento, a student teacher from Buffalo State College, has been assisting with the art class during the sculpture project.

Student credits:
Steve Zippier - combination lock
Robert Sugar - push pin
Lucas Mesmer - Twix Bar
Corey Stolzenburg - apple
Erik Zito - dolphin
Kelly Knickerbocker - fishing lure
Tiffanie Sadowski - flip flop

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Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month
January 2004

   
Emily Pici                               Andrew Boron                         Shannon O'Brien
   Emily Pici was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Grand Island, after living in Buffalo and New Jersey. Throughout high school she has been involved in many activities in both the school and the community.
   In school she is a singer in Concert Choir, Choir, Madrigals (where she sang and took the position of secretary), Vocal Jazz, Community Choir and Youth Choir. She was selected this year to be in All State and Area-All State, and has been involved in the musicals. She was Mrs. Paroo in "The Music Man" and was Bloody Mary's Assistant in "South Pacific." In the plays, she played the character of Stage Manager in "Our Town." Whether on the stage or off, she has been the marketing assistant, stage crew, and Production Manager in the musicals, and painted sets for the play. Other clubs she has been involved in are Art Club, Humanities, and Bible Club. She has also been a teacher assistant for two years in Health.
   Emily is involved in many community and church activities as well. At Whitehaven Road Baptist Church she is a student youth leader, worship leader, Sunday School teaching assistant, member of the youth group and youth choir, taken part in dramas, Harvest parties, Girls' Bible Studies and has been involved in community service out of the church (AWOL - a Work of Love).
   In the fall and winter, she volunteers on the weekend to work at a camp where she counsels other youth during the summer break. Outside of camp, she delivered papers for the Buffalo News, baby-sat for numerous families on the Island, and has worked in the nursery at church.
   Emily's mai hobbies include singing, acting serving others, and her deep passion for the arts and teaching. Currently, she is taking AP Art and advertising. Other art classes taken include Studio in Art, Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, and Sculpture.
   Emily has received many awards. Being on the honor roll for all of her high school career has given her an Academic certificate, pin and letter. Other awards include Pride of the Island for two years.
   After graduation, Emily is planning to go to Robert's Wesleyan College with a major in Art Education with hopes of one day being employed by the Grand Island School District, a dream she has had since her days in elementary school.
   Andrew Boron of Bishops Gate Road has attended Grand Island schools throughout his academic career and has shared his talents and gifts with his school, church and community.
   During his tenure at Grand Isand High School, Andrew has excelled in music, sports, and academics. He is an accomplished percussionist in the Grand Island High School wind ensemble, Pep Band and Jazz Band. Andrew has sung with the Grand Island High School Concert Choir, Men's Choir, Vocal Jazz and the Madrigals for whom he currently serves as president. Andy has participated in All-County and All-State music competitions, and his consistently superior competition scores have earned him the right to participate in prestigious audition-only ensembles throughout Erie County and New York State. One of his musical highlights was touring Europe during the summer of 2002 with the AMA Honor Band; he has also been involved in high school musicals since his sophomore year, including the role of Luther Billis last year in South Pacific.
   Andrew has been a member of the track and field, golf and the cross country teams. He has consistenty been on the Grand Island High School honor roll, earned academic awards, ranks fourth in his class of 2004, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Other school activities have included ski club, Humanities Club, and going to the finals in the Corporate Bowl for the last two years.
   In the community, Andrew is the keyboard and guitar accompanist for St. Martin-in-the-Fields Youth Choir, participates in their adult choir and served on the Strategic Planning Committee for two years. He shared his musical gifts as tutor in the Grand Island Music Departments "Practice Buddies" program with elementary school students at Huth Road School and has accompanied on piano for various choral ensembles at school choral concerts. Andy coordinated this year's CROP Walk at his church. He has volunteered with the Salvation Army and Trinity Church, worked at Fantasy Island and the Huth Road playground through the Town Recreation Department and currently teaches piano lessons. He plans to go to college somewhere close to home for a degree in music education, hoping to become a music teacher.
   Shannon O'Brien has been a resident of Grand Island for her entire life. She began her education at Kaegebein Elementary School and is currently a senior at Grand Island High School. She has always been a dedicated student, challenging herself with the most difficult courses available. This year, those courses include AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Literature and Composition, AP Government, and AP Microeconomics. She has achieved High Honor Roll status every semester since sixth grade and ended her last semester of her junior year with a 4.01.
   Aside from her academic achievements, Shannon is also an avid musician. She has been the first chair flutist of Wind Ensemble for the last two years and has been a member of Concert Choir since she was a sophomore. In addition to these two groups, she is a member of Vocal Jazz, Madrigals (which she is vice president of), and Pep Band. Last year, she was one of two students to be selected as a member of the All Eastern Honors Choir in Providence, Rhode Island. She spent a month this past summer at New York State's Summer School of Orchestral Studies, better known as NYSSSA. She has been involved in the high school musical for the last three years and last year held the lead role of Nellie Forbush in the school's musical production of South Pacific.
   Shannon is involved in many other activities in her community as well. She has been a member of SADD for the last two years and is currently the treasurer of that organization. She was voted vice president of National Honor Society as well. In her spare time, she tutors middle school math students and is a member of the Grand Island Youth Court.
   After graduation, Shannon is planning to attend college with a double major in biology and music. She hopes to one day research diseases and aid in the pursuit of a cure for cancer.

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GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending January 8, 2004
Click "Sports Briefs 1/8/04" for this week's Grand Island High School Sports Briefs.

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