GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Dec. 29, 2011

Alex Brown - Buffalo News All-WNY Girls Volleyball - Dec. 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Dec. 22, 2011

GIHS Students Assist Neighbors Foundation - Dec. 2011

Right: Hank Kammerer and Stephanie Senn
   
Left: Student Council Advisor Christina Podlucky, Bree McGuire, Hank Kammerer and Council President Brittanee Ramallo.
Right: Casey's Corner representatives and Hank Kammerer (Katie Turner, James Rustowicz, Josh Ungaro, Mr. Kammerer, Nick Soos, Alex Ahne, Matt Seaman, and Mrs. Chamberlain) - Click photos for larger view

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Dec. 15, 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Dec. 8, 2011

Stephanie Senn, Member of Soccer National League U18 - Dec. 2011

Steph is shown on the right, down on one knee - Click photo for larger view

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Dec. 1, 2011

High School Honor Roll - Dec. 2011

High School Merit Roll - Dec. 2011

Grand Island's Jon Voyzey Gazette Athlete of Year (Boys Volleyball) - Nov. 2011

Grand Island's Alex Brown Gazette Athlete of Year (Girls Volleyball) - Nov. 2011

Holiday Magic Event at GIHS - Dec. 2011

High School Parent/Teacher Conferences - Nov. 2011

GIHS Spotlighters: "Don't Drink The Water" - Nov. 2011

                   The Cast            
Father Drobney………..…..……Michael Giambra
Ambassador Magee………….…..Shannon Boreali
Kilroy………….…Magdalyn Chauby/Laura Dolan
Axel Magee…………..……………..…Tom Rall Jr.
Marion Hollander.…Kallan McMillan/Mary Kneer
Walter Hollander……..…………..…Dan Konopski
 Susan Hollander………………...Grace Kulikowski
 Krojack…………………………….….…Ben Smith
Burns…….…………………………….Kailah Moss
 Chef……………………………..…… James Bobak
Sultan of Bashir………… ………...……Seth Carey
Sultan’s First Wife………..…….Jessica Ackendorf
Kasnar………………………………..Kyle Pletcher
Countess…………..………………..Emily Dauphin
Waitress……………………………....Rebecca Hale
         ……………………………...Ashley Fischer     
Party Guests……………………..…Lauren Shepard 
  Ryan Falter
  Nolan Miles
  Ashley Fischer
  Beth Wynne
  Corey Wilkinson
  Ashley Gugino
  Zoanne Pittman

U. of Rhode Island Scholarship for Banker - November 2011

Brett Banker, Kallie Banker and Jenepher Banker.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Nov. 10, 2011

Veterans Day Assembly at GIHS - Nov. 2011

Boys Jr. Viking Soccer - "The Perfect Season" - Nov. 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Nov. 3, 2011

It's Fruit Sale Time! - November 2011

Jon Voyzey Volleyball Standout - November 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Oct. 27, 2011

Grand Island High School Bands Welcome Colonel Arnald Gabriel

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Oct. 20, 2011

Spirit Week at GIHS - October 2011

Vikings Beat McKinley in Homecoming Game 14-12 - October 2011

Eddie Krecisz, Football Standout - October 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Oct. 13, 2011

Alex Brown, Volleyball Standout - October 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Oct. 6, 2011

Volleyball
Jessica Oyer - October 2011

Featured Swimmer Stephanie Voyzey - October 2011

Jason Bibler Named GI Cross Country Coach - September 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 29, 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 22, 2011

Varsity Lady Vikings Soccer News - Sept. 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 15, 2011

Stephanie Senn Featured in Niagara Gazette - September 2011

   

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending Sept. 8, 2011

New Student Orientation at GIHS - August 2011

(left) Ryan Miller, Andrew Jasek, Brent Fred, Zack Reese, Manraj Grewal, and Taylor Sweet.

   

From left: Jason Chadwick, Marshall Cancilla and Abhiraj Grewal.
Click for larger view.

(left) Abhiraj Grewal, Marshall Cancilla and standing Jason Chadwick

(Left top row)Jane Cooke, Orendael Miller, Matt Seaman, Christian Lamarco; (bottom row) Brianna Gibney, Laura Dolan, Sarah Chamberlain, Kristen Greinert and Mark Dryfout
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Brooke Chamberlain and GITA Representative Mark Lamparelli
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Venture staff, Make-A-Wish rep. Mary Moore and advisor Chris Simpson.
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High School Regents/Local Exam Schedule - June 2011

Alex Brown Featured In Gazette - June 2011

School District
Proposed Sports Related Improvements - June 2011

Grand Island Boys Win Track Championships - June 2011

The Grand Island High School Lifeskills class enjoyed an end of the picnic on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 that was a huge success.
Click group photo for larger view

Students Compete at Interview Competition - June 2011

Brooke Chamberlain and Michael Seaman

Grand Island wins Boys Title at NFL Championships - May 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 26, 2011

Town Clerk Registers Seniors - May 2011

From left: Seniors Bob Dickinson, Jeanne Taylor, Nikki Zimmerman and Town Clerk Pattie Frentzel

Interviews at Connor Middle School! - May 2011

Pictured are (left) Ally Cutting and Sydney Dudish and (right) Brent Fred and Ben Shaw.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 19, 2011

(left) Jeannie Taylor, Ben Tomkins, and Sidway School teacher Beth Boron - (right) Internship Program students
Click photos for larger view

Help Support the Senior Celebration - May 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 12, 2011

GIHS Class of 2013
Chicken BBQ during School District Budget Vote - May 2011

High School Honor Roll - May 2011

High School Merit Roll - May 2011

(left) Student Council Advisor Mr. Robert Simpson with his Student Council Officers and teacher Mrs. Lori Burns.
Click photo for larger view

Help support the Class of 2014! - May 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending May 5, 2011

Masiello 'fights' through runs for GI - May 2011

Pictured are student volunteers from Grand Island High School.
Click photos for larger view

Stephen Vitello Wins Hewitt Award - May 2011

Liam Dodd - Lacrosse - April 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending April 28, 2011

Pat Gallagher - Tennis - April 2011

Justin Lee To Play Soccer For Mercyhurst College - April 2011

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending April 14, 2011

Left photo - Sweet Beginnings Bakery with intern Jane Cooke (center) and owners Mr. and Mrs. Wells on Shadow Day
Right Photo - From left at Cannon Design: Kristen Greinert, Dan Olszewski, Rich Little, and Matt Arida
Click photos for larger view

Help support the Class of 2014! - April 2011

Post Prom/Senior Celebration 2011

Viking Baseball - Niagara Gazette - April 2011

Viking Softball - Niagara Gazette - April 2011

PTSA/Rotary Students of the Month - April 2011

Stephen Vitello                     Benjamin Tomkins              Sara Victor                      Jessica Yarnes
   Stephen Vitello is a proud lifelong resident of Grand Island, where he lives with his parents, brother Nick, and dog Christy. In addition to his grandmother, he also has many aunts, uncles and cousins on Grand Island. Since a very young age, Stephen has been involved in many civic, athletic and scholastic activities on and off the Island. Academics have always been of paramount importance to Stephen and his parents. He will complete his time at Grand Island High School as one of the top 10 students in his class with a weighted grade-point average of 5.25. Stephen achieved that academic status while enrolled in many Advanced Placement and honors classes. He was recognized for his academic accomplishments by being named to the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society as well as winning the Elmira College Key Award for academic excellence, student leadership and community service. Stephen is an active member of the DECA club, both the principal's and superintendent's Advisory Councils, and participated in multiple Corporate Bowls and Student Olympic Games. He has received the Pride of the Island award, as well as two Presidential Awards. Stephen has completed Dale Carnegie training, and enjoys doing the school announcements frequently. Athletics has been a big part of Stephen's life since he was 4 years old when he began to play hockey and other community sports, such as soccer and baseball. After many years of playing travel hockey, where he earned Most Valuable Player recognition, he gave it up once he began to participate in high school sports. Stephen has been a starting member of the Grand Island football and basketball teams since middle school. During those years, he has served in the captain position, earned MVP, Viking, and Scholar Athlete Awards, as well as an Niagara Frontier League Sportsmanship Award. At the end of his senior football season, Stephen was named to the All-Western New York Scholar Athlete football team and was also named to the second team All-League football team. Also, early in the basketball season, Stephen had a career high scoring and rebounding game during the team's home opener. Stephen has enjoyed his sports career at GIHS and will miss the fun and camaraderie of his teammates and many the coaches who have had such a tremendous impact on his life. While the demands of family, friends and school consume much of Stephen's schedule, he has made the time to give back. He missed being on the ice when he stopped playing hockey to play high school basketball. This inspired him to volunteer with SABAH to assist and teach the handicapped to ice skate. That activity allowed Stephen to bring to others the same enjoyment that ice skating has always brought to him. Stephen became passionate about his involvement with SABAH and eventually began participating in their year end extravaganza event at HSBC Arena. In 2010, after being associated with SABAH for more than four years, Stephen's participation and devotion to this charity was acknowledged with the prestigious Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. In addition to SABAH, Stephen volunteers with the Lions Club and as a school mentor. He also participates in various community and charity fundraising events. When he's not studying, playing a sport or volunteering, Stephen enjoys playing the piano and working out. Stephen believes that of all the activities he has been involved with and all the accomplishments that he has achieved, he is most fulfilled by the things he has done to enrich the lives of other people. Stephen plans on continuing his association with SABAH by engaging the local chapter in the area where he decides to attend college. Stephen plans on attending college after high school. While he is undecided as to where he will attend at the moment, he plans to major in physics or chemical engineering, and minor in economics/finance. He currently has his applications into many schools, including Duke, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Buffalo and the University of Rochester.

    Benjamin Tomkins has been a resident of Grand Island all of his life and has been enrolled in the Grand Island Central School District since kindergarten. During his high school career, Ben has valued his academic successes, and has balanced his time between extracurricular activities, sports and community service. Since his freshman year, Ben has consistently made the honor roll, been the male representative of his class for the Student Advisory Council, and helped run the Student Olympics. Ben was inducted into the National Honor Society and has earned the academic excellence certificate, pin, bar, varsity letter and scholar athlete award. Additionally, he has sung in the concert choir, been a member of the Ski Club and the PTSA, and has received the Pride of the Island award twice. Athletics have been an important part of Ben's life. He has played Little League baseball, with the GI Soccer Club's house/travel soccer team, and swam with the Piranha Swim Club. While at Conner Middle School, Ben participated in junior varsity baseball, JV swimming, modified football, basketball and baseball. Ben has been a three-sport athlete throughout high school, playing football, basketball and baseball. He has been recognized for his leadership skills by being selected as captain in all of these sports. He was named outstanding male athlete his sophomore year when he pitched the Vikings baseball team to its first sectional championship in 30 years. Ben's senior football season highlights included receiving the Gene Masters Memorial Award, defensive Player of the Year, and first team All-League. He has been a scholar athlete for every varsity team he has played on. Ben has helped out on a regular basis with community groups such as: Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Quality Quest, Re-TreeWNY, HANCI, Riverkeeper and the Lions Club. After high school, Ben intends to pursue a college degree in engineering.

   Sara Victor Sara Victor has lived on Grand Island all her life. She has attended Sidway School, Kaegebein Elementary, Connor Middle School and Grand Island Senior High School. Sara was on the honor or high honor rolls each marking period and has earned her academic excellence certificate, pin and letter. She is ranked seventh in the graduating Class of2011, During her junior year, she was inducted into the National Honor Society. Athletics have also played a large part throughout Sara's four years of high school, playing varsity lacrosse and soccer. Sara has received scholar athlete team awards in those sports. She was recognized as an Academic All-American athlete for lacrosse. Her leadership roles continued with athletics, as she was a captain of the varsity lacrosse team in her junior year and a captain of the varsity soccer team this past season. Sara has also demonstrated leadership qualities and has served as class president during her sophomore, junior and senior years. She has participated in the Student Council and is currently an officer. During July of 2009, Sara attended the Young American Foundation Conference in Washington, D.C., where she furthered her knowledge of leadership skills. Sara has enjoyed volunteering each summer since middle school with the Grand Island Soccer Club. She served as an assistant coordinator for the 6 and 7 year old program. In this role, she was able to pass on her love for soccer to the youth of Grand Island. Sara also spent a summer volunteering at Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center as an assistant with the patient services department. In addition, Sara enjoyed participating in the wind ensemble as a flutist during her sophomore and junior years. She auditioned and was accepted into the Area All-State Concert Band in her freshman year. After graduation, Sara will attend Penn State University with a major in engineering and a minor in business. She hopes to continue leadership roles in college.

   Jessica Yarnes has lived on Grand Island since 1994. She has been enrolled in the Grand Island Central School District since nursery school. Jessica has maintained an honor roll or high honor roll status since sixth grade. She has always challenged herself by taking numerous honors and Advanced Placement classes. Among the academic achievements she has received are the Pride of the Island, the H Pin, the Presidential Academic Award, the PTSA academic certificate, pin, and letter, the AP Scholar Award, the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, and the Scholar Athlete Award. Also, Jessica has been inducted into the National Honor Society and the Hispanic Honor Society. Athletics plays a significant role in Jessica's life. Her longest commitment has been with soccer and she has been involved in the Grand Island Soccer Club since second grade. Jessica has gone on to play junior varsity and varsity soccer and basketball for Grand Island High School. For varsity basketball, Jessica and her team competed in the KSA Classic Tournament at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Jessica was nominated for and received the Al Pastor Sportsmanship Award at the 2010 Pastor Cooper Memorial Basketball Tournament, where her team also won the championship. Jessica has devoted much of her time and creativity to music. She began playing clarinet in fourth grade, and has taken private lessons since middle school. Jessica made the Grand Island wind ensemble on bass clarinet as a sophomore, and then on clarinet as a junior and senior. Jessica has auditioned and made All-County six times, and Area All-State three times. In 11th grade, the clarinet section of the wind ensemble was chosen to receive the Best Section Award at the annual banquet. Jessica has given back to her community through volunteering. She has participated in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Relay For Life, assisted in the National Kidney Foundation Walk, volunteered at Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center, and has been an active member at Trinity United Methodist Church. After high school graduation, Jessica aspires to continue her studies towards the field of medicine, and has an interest in pediatrics. The Grand Island Rotary Club will host Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month at an awards dinner April 29.

GIHS Annual Geranium Sale - April 2011

   The GIHS Annual Geranium Sale is in progress. Orders must be in by Thursday, April 28 at 5 p.m. Avilable are geraniums, greens, grasses and 10" and 12" hanging flower baskets. Pick-up and payment will take place at the Sidway bus garage on Friday, May 6th....just in time for Mother's Day. 100% of funds raised support the PTSA Scholarship Program. Call Jeanne Suski, 716-316-6631 with questions
See Complete Information

Girls Lacrosse - Niagara Gazette - April 2, 2011

   Katie Baird takes over the coaching reins for the Vikings, who hope senior captain Sara Victor can give Grand Island another impressive scoring total in Class B action.
   Victor will lead the attack from the midfield for the first year coach, who takes over after a 3-14 season last spring
   Junior midfielder Sidney Dudish and junior Maggie DeMarco will also contribute for the Vikings, who will have a good mix of underclassmen in the varsity roster.
   "I think they can do pretty well this year," Baird said. "We have 12 seniors including Sarah (Victor) but the rest of the team is really young."

Autism Awareness Walk 2011 - April 2011

Please help raise money for Team Ryan! The Grand Island High School Life Skills Class is looking for donations to help support Summit Educational Resources in promoting Autism Awareness. This is the 2nd annual walk for Team Ryan. The goal is to raise $500 by April 30.
See Autism Awareness Walk

Corporate Bowl Winners - March 2011

   
Click photos for larger view    The Corporate Bowl finals took place Tuesday, March 22, 2011 in the Grand Island High School auditorium. Shown (left) are the first place team, Macroscopic Debroglians (Bri Gibney, John Turner, Katie Rustowicz, Ben Sherman), second place team Chester's Tree Jumpers (Chris Boulden, Nick Masiello, Evan Shaw, Matt Killian), and third place team The Gray Matters (Aden Cook, Matthew Osinski II, Sarah Stewart, Melissa Zytariuk). Scroll down for more information.

13th Annual GISBA Corporate Bowl Results - March 2011

The 13th Annual GISBA Corporate Bowl finals took place Tuesday, March 22, 2011 in the Grand Island High School auditorium. The results of the 3 Semifinal rounds and the Championship Match including winners (**) and the match scores follow:
Semifinal Match 1 - (**) The Gray Matters - 400 pts. were victorious over Legion of Doom - 195 pts., and Justice League - 5 pts.

Semifinal Match 2 - (**) Chester's Tree Jumpers - 450 pts. were victorious over One Team To Rule Them All - 170 pts., and Team Carlos - 85 pts.

Semifinal Match 3 - (**) Macroscopic Debroglians - 260 pts. were victorious over The Ninjas - 210 pts. and The Brits - 65 pts.

Championship Match - (**) Macroscopic Debroglians - 480 pts. were dominant over Chester's Tree Jumpers - 140 pts. and The Gray Matters - 90 pts.

1st Place - Macroscopic Debroglians - Ben Sherman, Katie Rustowicz, Bri Gibney, John Turner awarded $3,000 in scholarship money ($750 each)

2nd Place - Chester's Tree Jumpers - Evan Shaw, Matt Killian, Nick Masiello, Chris Boulden awarded $2,000 in scholarship money ($500 each)

3rd Place - The Gray Matters - Melissa Zytariuk, Matthew Osinski II, Aden Cook, Sarah Stewart awarded $1,000 in scholarship money ($250 each)

See "Team Photos" for teams and team members
Time Warner Cable filmed the event including the entire Semifinal rounds and the Championship Match. It will be broadcast on one of their Public Access channels at a later date (which has not been determined as of yet).

Steve Vitello - Gazette All-Area Team - March 2011

Steve Vitello, a senior at Grand Island High School, has been named to the Niagara Gazette's second team (basketball). Steve is a forward for the Vikings Varsity Basketball team. His statistics follow: (16.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 1.8 APG, 1. SPG) He has been named two-sport All-WNY Scholar Athlete, third team all-NFL, and his Career-high is 33 points in a playoff win against Lake Shore.

Viking Queen - Kallie Banker - March 2011

Niagara Gazette Player of the Year: Girls Basketball
Viking Queen Kallie Banker wins third Gazette Player of the Year
By Ryan Nagelhout
      Kallie Banker is exhausted.
   You would never hear her say it out loud, but the signs of fatigue were all over her body as the Grand Island girls basketball team made its run to the state semifinals.
   The heavily-taped right wrist hiding a broken bone the point guard suffered during an early-season tournament in Florida. The sprained ankle she suffered before the regular season ended that may have pushed the Vikings' athletic tape budget into the red as they kept winning basketball games.
   Then there's the sickness, whatever it was, that hit just after the postseason began, during a rough-and-tumble game against Kenmore East that at times looked more like a rugby match than organized basketball.
   Kallie Banker limped off the court more than once that Saturday in late March fighting off the pain and a weak immune system only to jump back to the scoring table moments later and resume playing.
   I've hit a couple bumps this season, but I'm working through it," Banker would say. "No pain can keep me away from the basketball court."
   Some would call it stubborn, but Banker's perseverance is yet another reason the junior claimed her third straight Niagara Gazette Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.
   Through injuries and missed practices, she kept improving her already impressive career numbers, averaging 16 points, eight assists, five steals and three rebounds per game as the point guard drove the Vikings all the way to a Far West Regional win and their first state semifinals appearance in school history.
   "She missed a lot of practice time with the sickness and with the wrist," Kallie's mother and coach Jenepher Banker said. "To be able to battle through that, and all she wants to do is win, that's all she cares about."
   Grand Island lost in the Class A state semifinals against Peekskill where it seemed like Kallie finally ran out of gas, struggling to hit shots as the Vikings lost 41-34 at Hudson Valley Community College.
   Banker had just two points in Grand Island's (23-1) final game, but the Niagara Frontier League player of the year had already given the Vikings her most dominant season yet.
   Looking at her laundry list of ailments it seems as if nothing can keep Banker off the court.
   "That's what she tells me," the elder Banker says. "There have maybe been some questions in my mind but she always tells me she's playing."
   Kallie was almost born on the court, her mother's water breaking while she was working the sidelines as an assistant coach at Canisius College. Banker was in the gym dribbling before most saw their first basketball game on television, and playing around in the gym with a D-I basketball team and her older brother Kolby is an easy way to fall in love with the sport.
   "They've been around the game for so long because I've been coaching so long," Banker said. "They've been doing double moves in the gym since they were tiny along with the rest of the team."
   Watching her mother coach the Grand Island girls team gave Kallie plenty of chances to find role models, and her mother says when she watches her daughter play it's easy to pick out the influences.
   "There have been players that over the years she's tried to model her game after," her mother says. Grand Island standouts Sally Head and Megan MacGuire came to mind right away for Kallie, who says she wears 24 in honor of Head.
   Now it's Banker who has become the model for girls basketball on Grand Island. Entering her senior season in the fall and knocking on hardwood for health, the 5-foot-10 sharpshooter has one more season to make an impression on Lady Vikings basketball.
   And maybe get a few little girls talking about her own game.
   "I hope people are saying that. Looking up to Sally was awesome, I've learned a lot from her," Banker said, her eyes lighting up at the thought of a little girl trying t mimic her jump shot somewhere on the Island.
   "I hope people can learn from me," she said. "That'd be awesome."

Viking Fans Headed To Troy - March 2011

Click photo for larger view

   The super fans at GIHS got their wish today, March 18, 2011. Thanks to the cooperation of Superintendent Robert Christmann and Principal Sandra Anzalone, 50+ students and teachers are headed to Troy, NY to cheer on the Viking girls' basketball team. The bus left before 7:00 a.m. and will arrive in plenty of time for the 1:30 p.m. tip-off of the Class A state semifinal. Then back on the road with an e.t.a of 9:30 p.m. this evening at the high school.
Team Story - Niagara Gazette 3/18/11
Danielle Wegrzyn - Niagara Gazette 3/18/11
Buffalo News Story 3/17/11
Vikings lost to Peekskill 41-34 at the state semifinal game.

Boys JV Basketball - March 2011

Row 1: Dalton Pitts, Jacob Sweeney, Bryce Callen. Row 2: Mark Dryfhout, Justin Canazzi, Jordan Jelks, Andrew Masiello, Jadon Wegrzyn, Christian Lamarco, Derek Schutrum, Kevin Borowicz. - Click photo for larger view

   The Grand Island boys' J.V. basketball team had its end-of-the year party at the high school on Wednesday, March 16th. The team celebrated its 10-8 season and team members received individual awards. Coach Chris Simpson recognized all of the players with a GICSD certificate as well as stats and team pictures. Coach Simpson also recognized the following individuals for team awards:
Justin Canazzi: Certificate of Excellence, Team Participation & Most Improved Player
Jordan Jelks: MVP
Jadon Wegrzyn: Certificate of Excellence, Sportsmanship
Jacob Sweeney: True Viking Award
   Justin Canazzi led the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots as well as shooting percentage. Jordan Jelks, Ryan Ross, Corey Adamshick, and Jadon Wegrzyn were in the top 5 in scoring. Corey Adamshick was first in assists and second in rebounds.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending March 17, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 3/17/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

Corporate Bowl - March 2011

   Twenty-seven teams took part in the first round of the GISBA Corporate Bowl 2011 on Tuesday, March 15th. The 9 match winners advance to the Corporate Bowl semifinals next Tuesday, March 22 at 6pm in the High School Auditorium. Time Warner Cable Sports Net will be in attendence to record the Semifinals and Finals. $6,000 in scholarship money will be awarded to the Top 3 Finalists at the event. Check out the semi-final match-ups and first round results.

DECA 2010-2011: Dare To Dream - March 2011

Click photo for larger view
Click Nicholas Soos
Click Marina Scerra
Click Nikki Scerra
   There is a club at Grand Island High School that helps students with workplace skills such as interviewing, proper business attire, and business knowledge. This club is DECA, and has been in the care of teachers Cheryl Chamberlain and Christopher Simpson for the past six years. Each year, more students join and compete in business related events at the regional, state and national levels. Categories for students this year ranged from Principles of Marketing (a course taught at Grand Island) to Travel and Tourism, and even Sports and Entertainment Marketing. Students compete in individual and team events, often taking a test and then competing in an authentic role play situation. The judges are from the areas of business that they work in, giving students a very good idea what life is like in that particular career.
   Grand Island brought 25 students to the State Conference and are proud to bring home 19 top ten medals and one Nationals title. Nicholas Soos competed in Principles of Marketing and qualified to travel to Orlando, Florida in April. Congratulations to all of the competitors, who comprised over one third of the 68 members at the high school.

GIHS Special Olympics Raises $1600 - March 2011

   

Special Athlete Team, Final Awards Winners

First Place Costumes - Click photos for larger view

   Eighteen teams of four students competed in the special olympics to benefit the Grand Island Athlete Team on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Over $1600 was raised by the students, First place in fundraising and in the overall event went to the team of Ben Tomkins, Scott Rogers, Jenna Raepple and Jeanne Taylor. Second place overall was the team of Andrew Dale, Jamie Magaris, Chelsea Mazurkiewicz and Liam Dodd, who also won best costume. Third place team was Matt Killian, Jason Chadwick, Megan Karpie and Danielle Redmond.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending March 10, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 3/10/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

Students Compete for $6000 in Scholarship Awards at 13th Annual Corporate Bowl - March 2011

See "Annual Corporate Bowl"
See "Team Photos"

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending March 3, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 3/3/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

PTSA/Rotary Students of the Month - March 2011

Kelly Lorence                     Katie Rustowicz              Rebecca Sturniolo                      Ambria Tim
   Kelly Lorence, a lifelong resident of Grand Island, and daughter of Kurt and Patty Lorence, attended Charlotte Sidway School, Kaegebein Elementary, Veronica E. Connor Middle School and Grand Island High Schools. Kelly has received the Pride of the Island three times since elementary school. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. Kelly has challenged herself in school since middle school and continues today by taking rigorous classes her senior year. While excelling in the classroom, she has also been very involved in after-school activities and with her community. Kelly has played volleyball since eighth grade. She played junior varsity volleyball her freshman and sophomore year and varsity volleyball her junior year. She was an active member on the team and loved supporting her own teammates. Kelly has shown leadership qualities on and off the court. Community involvement has been a major part of Kelly's life. Kelly loves giving any way she can. One of her biggest community involvements has been being as big sister at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western New York. Kelly meets with her little sister once a week for several hours to help her with her homework and do activities with her. Kelly will continue to be with her little sister throughout college. Kelly also is a volunteer at ElderWood Healthcare Center on the Island. She volunteered over the summer several days a week visiting with the residents, doing activities and playing games with them. Kelly enjoyed putting smiles on each one of the resident's faces. Kelly also volunteered at Roswell Park Cancer Institute the summer of her sophomore year. She worked in the chemo/infusion lab, giving refreshments to the patients receiving treatment. Kelly has participated in the Holiday Cheer activity at her school to decorate Tops grocery bags which will be filled with food to give to families in need for the holiday season. She also volunteered at the Special Kids Picnic at the Buffalo Launch Club. She handed out beverages to all the kids attending the picnic. Kelly plans to attend Daemen College for a physician assistant program. She anticipates leaving with a bachelor of health science and master of science in physician assistant studies. She then hopes to travel to Haiti or the Dominican Republic to help the sick kids in need.

    Katie Rustowicz is a lifelong Islander and has attended Grand Island schools since kindergarten. Throughout her educational career, she has strived to do her best, achieving the honor or high honor roll status since sixth grade, while taking a strenuous course load, including advanced and honors classes, band and chorus, and presently three Advanced Placement courses. She is a recipient of the Pride of the Island award, the H Pin, and the President's Award in both elementary and middle school. Last spring, as a junior, Katie was accepted as a member of the National Honor Society and received her academic letter. In addition to academics, Katie has been very involved in school. She has been on the cheerleading squad for four years now. Katie represented Grand Island High School in DECA at the regional and state level last spring, placing first in the region and third in the state. She is an active member of several school clubs, including Donate Life Club, Interact Club, and the Venture Yearbook, where she is an editor. Katie has always been taught it is important to give back, and she has been a volunteer in the community for as long as she can remember. As a young child, she participated in the Beach Sweep and cleanup activities around the Island. At the age of eight, Katie made her first donation of 12 inches of hair to Locks of Love, and has donated an additional three times since then, totally 50 inches of hair. She is very involved in the St. Stephen R.C. Church parish, in particular, the Parish Players, having had roles both on and off stage. She has also participated in the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild community theater. Other volunteer activities include PTA events, Grand Island Fire Co., Grand Island Foundation, soup kitchens, and Make-A-Wish, to name a few. One of the most significant experiences in Katie's volunteer experience was going to Reach Workcamp, a Christian group that travels to different areas in need of assistance. Through Reach Workcamp, she was able to help people and make their homes a better place in which to live. Katie is very involved with Young Life and Campaigners. Service leadership has been instilled in her for the better part of her life through the examples set by her parents. This November, she was honored when chosen as a Grand Island Youth Ambassador. At the age of 4 years old, Katie began Irish dancing with the McCarthy School of Irish Dance, where she not only learned about her Irish heritage, but also had the opportunity to compete throughout the United States and Canada. She is presently at the preliminary championship level. In addition to competing, she has performed throughout the region, including dancing for patients at Women and Children's Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institue, Buffalo General Hospital, and many nursing homes in Western New York. Katie, the second of six children, is the daughter of Kevin and Maura Rustowicz. She plans to pursue a career in adolescent mathematics education.

   Rebecca Sturniolo has been a resident of Grand Island all of her life where she lives with her mother, father, and older sister, Jessica. Rebecca has consistently been on the honor and high honor roll since sixth grade. She has challenged herself academically by enrolling in various honors and Advanced Placement courses. Her hard work and dedication led to her induction into the National Honors Society during her junior year. Rebecca has been a recipient of the Scholar Athlete award for three years, and has also previously received the Pride of the Island award, H Pin, and the Presidential Academic Award. She has also been awarded the academic excellence certificate, pin, letter, and bar each year of high school. Along with academics, Rebecca has also been involved in various extracurricular activities. She has been a member of the junior varsity and varsity Grand Island Vikings girls tennis team for three years. She has just recently joined the Viking Vision newscast crew at Grand Island High School and is enjoying informing her fellow students of the daily news. Rebecca is also a senior editor of Grand Island High School's yearbook staff. She has been on the staff all four years of her high school career. Just last year, her design was awarded the cover of the yearbook. Rebecca has always had a strong passion for art ever since she was young. She has taken a multitude of art classes all throughout school, including Studio in Art, Photography 1 and 2, Textiles in Art, and more. Just last year, Rebecca received a scholarship from Rochester Institute of Technology for her creativity and innovation skills. Currently, as part of her portfolio/internship class, Rebecca is interning at Niagara Frontier Publications, helping the staff write up articles, and learning the ins and outs of journalism and web design. Giving back to her community is also something Rebecca truly loves doing. She has been an active member of her church's youth group for many years, volunteering at various places to give back to those in need. As a part of her youth group, Rebecca has raised money for various charities, collected and delivered canned food to a food panty, adopted a less fortunate family for the holidays, worked at the Buffalo City Mission soup kitchen, and more. Rebecca has participated in community service activities as a member of the National Honor Society as well, such as helping Grand Island schools with various fundraisers and activities. She also gives back to her community by regularly assisting in Relay For Life, the Boys and Girls Club, the Lions Club, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Buffalo City Mission, and other organizations. After graduation, Rebecca plans to attend Buffalo State College to pursue a career in art education at the high school level.

    Ambria Tim has lived on Grand Island her entire life and has attended Grand Island schools since kindergarten. Her high school career has been a productive one. Ambria has valued academic success and has a balanced life filled with various extracurricular activities, including sports and community service. Ambria excelled through her years at Grand Island school district, challenging herself in the classroom. Academically, she has achieved honor and merit roll status throughout middle and high school, while challenging herself with Advanced Placement and honors classes. She participated in the Leadership Scholarship Award in Washington, D.C., in her sophomore year. A three-sport athlete, Ambria has received her varsity letter and pins for volleyball, basketball and lacrosse. She has received the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete team award all varsity years. This year, the basketball team competed in Orlando, FL.
    Ambria has volunteered her time to many organizations in the past four years. She has helped raise money for Student Olympics, Relay For Life, Donate Life, Make-A­Wish Foundation and the Polar Plunge. She is a regular American Red Cross blood donor and works with the Grand Island school district during summers. Currently involved with the district's community education program in youth basketball, Ambria's community service continues with her volunteering as a junior cadet with the Grand Island Fire Company. After graduating, Ambria plans to enlist in the New York Air National Guard with a possible career in intelligence. A 57-hour internship she completed with the Police Explorers program gave her "hands on" experience into the field in which she will be making her future. Ideally, Ambria will attend college for criminal justice/forensic science and would like to become an U.S. marshall some day.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 24, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 2/24/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

High School Honor Roll - Feb. 2011

The following Grand Island High School students have been named to the honor roll for the second quarter, 2010-2011 school year:
High Honor Roll Grade 9 - Kali Aronica, Jacob Athoe, Samantha Bartolotta, Magdalyn Chauby, Sierra D’Ettorre, Sarah Dollendorf, Jenell Duxbury, Benjamin Goc, Abhiraj Grewal, Ashley Gugino, Ryan Held, Amanda Jelonek, Zachary Jones, Kristina Kasprzycki, Emily Kernin, Emma MacIntryre, Brentyn Mendel, Jenna Paternostro, Maygan Payan, Tara Stewart, Timothy Utz, Mitchell Weis

Grade 10 - Alexandra Bahgat, Rachel Bailey, Lydia Bernatovicz, Jessica Brownschidle, Sarah Chamberlain, Brianna Gibney, Melissa Gibson, Alexandra Griffin, Kourtney Hoppel, Mark Hughes, Manjinder Kaur, Bridget Kennedy, Shannon Kieffer, Christopher Komin, Stephanie LoTempio, Ellen Lutnick, Orendael Miller, Marisa Phillips, Kelsey Ruszkowski, Rachel Ruszkowski, Marina Scerra, Lauren Shepard, Javier Solis, Joshua Tixier, Kimberly Yaeger, Christina Zytariuk

Grade 11 - Sonia Brar, Marshall Cancilla, Alexandra Corrao, Rebekah Evans, Jonathan Goc, Katlyn Holt, Samantha Kahn, Megan Karpie, Elizabeth Kowalik, Brendon Lutnick, Rebecca Masse’, Kallan McMillan, Nigel Michki, Joshua Miller, David Mohr, Dominic Morell, Kristen Percival, Ryan Proctor, Sarah Ramsperger, Rachel Ripellino, Kenneth Rogoza, Alexandra Seibert, Zachary Smith, Sarah Stanczyk

Grade 12 - Sara Diletti, Chelsea Fairbairn, Anna Ferrante, Emma Henderson, Ariana Mendel, Shannon Moody, Evan Shaw, Sarah Stewart

Honor Roll Grade 9 - Brian Ailinger, Natalie Argy, Marisa Atkinson, Robert Augugliaro, Sukhdeep Bajwa, Natalie Baldassarre, Sierra Besi, Alicia Bianco, Grace Bolton, Kevin Borowicz, Kirsten Burtch, Liana Buscaglia, Bryce Callen, Amanda Cancilla, June Chadima, Qian Chen, David Cich, Aaron Cook, Quinton Corrao, Nicholas DeMita, Brian DeRubes, Frank DeRubes, Sean DeRubes, Jaskiran Dhaliwall, Thomas Doctor, Ashley Dragonette, Heavyn Dreher, Alexandra Dzielski, Michael Dzielski, Kevin Freedman, Emma Garten, Emily Glose, Bianca Gowanny, Anthony Grana, Andrew Grinchishin, Patrick Hall, Alyssa Heitman, Nicolas Hernandez-Rojas, Ciara Howley, Henry Huang, Addison Joslyn, Alexa Kalinowski, Julia Kelly, Mary Frances Koch, Ashley Kroetsch, Lauren Kullerkupp, Kathryn Lamarco, Julianna Lavallee, Justin Lavis, Alexander Lenz, John Lillian, Brittany Little, Elizabeth LoBrutto, William Madigan, Johnna Marinello, Justin McCarthy, Austin McCoy, Jacob McMahon, Wyatt Mock, Catherine Navagh, Anna Nicolia, James Osborn, Michael Paternostro, Zoann Pittman, Alessandra Price, Dominic Prine, James Pufpaff, Daniel Ray, Zoe Reda, Marissa Ruffolo, Natalie Schultz, Derrick Schutrum, Jillian Sheehan, Vincent Shores, Lucas Siebert, Chelsea Sinicki, Jenna Stufkosky, Mia Villani, Lillian von Reyn, Stephanie Voyzey, Jadon Wegrzyn, Jackeline Wilson, Brigid Wilton

Grade 10 - Corey Adamshick, Ciara Alcorn, Jennifer Amato, Jessica Amsdill, Paul Arida, Kevin Aronica, Conor Atkins, Shelby Bailes, Kassandra Bennett, Eli Brennan, Alexander Brink, Allysa Bush, Sara Carlson, Megan Carroll, Alexis Cino, Alyssa Cino, Sam Clarke, Ashley Colan, Samuel Colao, Courtney Collignon, Christopher Connors, Lauren Cook, Jane Cooke, Annaliese Corrao, Courtney Czajka, Jenna DelSignore, William Diefenbach, Jacob Dixon, Zoe Dodd, Laura Dolan, Mark Dryfhout, Nicholas Egloff, Keelan Erhard, Sarah Ernst, Brittany Faulise, Meghan Federico, Madeleine Goc, Rebecca Green, Leah Harris, Adam Heftka, Megan Hoople Anthony Huff, Jacqueline Johnston, Hayley Keane, Zaineb Khawar, Mary Kneer, Stephanie Knight, Daniel Konopski, Grace Kulikowski, Christian Lamarco, Jake Lawley, Evan Leffler, Matthew Lenz, Mandy Liesenfeld, Jessica LoBrutto, Alexandria London, Collin McMahon, Kimberlee Moss, Maggie Nobumoto, Grace Olszewski, Matthew Osinski, Cassandra Oursler, Samantha Pangborn, Michelina Pariso, Kyle Pletcher, Benjamin Purrington, Alyssa Quarantello, Christina Richard, Dominica Roberts, Katrina Rockwood, Kelly Ruminski, Rosalie Russell, James Rustowicz, Katelyn Ruszkowski, Kevin Salonek, Aaron Schauger, Taylor Scheuing, Ashley Serianni, Christopher Serra, Nicholas Soos, Adam Stanczyk, Lillian Thompson, Ashley Tillett, Dominic Tripi, Joshua Ungaro, Elena Watt, Margaret Weiser, Megan Wendt, Jodie White, Nicholas Winger, Andrew Yarnes, Elenor Zaccaria

Grade 11 - Reem Abdellatif, Gabrielle Ailinger, Laura Amantia, Joshua Bastian, Korey Bennett, Katelyn Benns, Alexandria Black, Amanda Blanton, Diana Boulden, Sarah Brady, Christopher Brownschidle, Thomas Butcher, Justin Canazzi, Amber Carpenter, Emma Chambers, Andrew Chorey, Jesse Ciffa, Silvana D’Ettorre, Emily Dauphin, Jordan Davis, Maggie DeMarco, Allison Donahue, Sydney Dudish, Talia Fabiilli, Donald Failing, Matthew Foote, Brent Fred, Alyssa Fuoco, Matthew Gannon, Rebecca Gasiorek, Kaitlyn Gilbert, Ashley Gorman, Olivia Graziano, Anmol Grewal, Marissa Haley, Jessica Hall, Lynne Huffnagle, Ryan Hughes, Gabriella Jaramillo, Andrew Jasek, Casey Jelonek, Korey Kostek, Nathan Kulak, Jenna Lee, Jodie Lee, Kaitlyn Lozo, Mark Lydle, Michael Malaney, Madelyne Mankowski, Casey McNamara, Shannon McNaughton, Brendan Mergel, Mia Michael, Ryan Miller, Alexis Pearce, Alyssa Pino, Danyelle Redmond, Matthew Robinson, Nicolette Scerra, Gagandeep Singh, Glenn Skelly, Emily Sommer, Jessica Spencer, Taylor Sweet, Kathryn Turner, Jessica Ungaro, Jonathan Voyzey, Rachel Watt, Laurice Wilbert, Sarah Williams, Nathalie Winder, Jessica Young

Grade 12 - Danya Abdellatif, Karl Albrecht, Samira Amin, Matthew Arida, Dale Baran, Taylor Bedford, Scott Bennett, Kathryn Boutet, Kathleen Brady, Jenna Cardone, Brianna Catanzaro, Brooke Chamberlain, Bethany Cinelli, Kevin Colman, Aden Cook, Nicolette Corrao, Andrew Dale, Robert Dickinson, Geoff Federspiel, Korin Frantz, Carmela Gentile, Christian Gibson, Rebecca Hammett, Julie Hasselbeck, Amanda Heftka, Steven Henderson, Angelina Howe, Ava Jackson, Emily Jones, Jordan Kaufman, Matthew Killian, Taylor Kozlowski, Justin Lee, Kelly Lorence, Domenic Luciani, Nicholas Masiello, Chelsea Mazurkiewicz, Ryan McCarthy, Jennie McCoy, Sariyya Melikova, Shelbi Milkas, Kevin Neary, Jessica Osvath, Alaina Pariso, Emily Pease, Cameron Pezzino, Jack Pilie, Michael Pless, Alexzander Prine, Jeremy Rockwood, Paige Rockwood, Chelsea Rupert, Kathleen Rustowicz, Rachel Schauger, Amy Schooping, Michael Seaman, Michael Sharon, Christopher Shemik, Tara Sozio, Catherine Sponn, Rebecca Sturniolo, Megan Tates, Eugenia Taylor, Ambria Tim, Benjamin Tomkins, Sara Victor, Stephen Vitello, Danielle Wegrzyn, Nils Wernecke, Alyssa Yaeger, Richard Yager, Jessica Yarnes, Megan Young, Melissa Zytariuk

High School Merit Roll - Feb. 2011

The following Grand Island High School students have been named to the merit roll for the second quarter, 2010-2011 school year:
Grade 9 - Rana Abdelal, Keegan Belstadt, Jack Boyko, Jon Busch, Christina Butcher, Kristen Call, Jason Cichon, Hannah Corrao, Jensen Dorey, Kai Ellsworth, Elijah Fields, Elizabeth Figler, Joseph Gioeli, Alex Gormady, Jack Gorman, Joseph Halpin, Andrew Hannah, Jake Hawley, Vanessa Haynie, Amber Internicola, Madeline Jackson, Kurtis Johnson, Kristin Kalman, Alyssa Karb, Amanda Kinmartin, Michael Kleinschmidt, Stephanie Kowalak, Kyle Krueger, Matthew Madigan, Vincent Malpica, Andrew Masiello, Elliott Michki, Benjamin Morrish, Brooklyn Morton, Gregory Nicolia, Anna Niland, Yiannis Papavramidis, Nicholas Pino, Macey Porter, Angela Pozantides, Kristopher Rassega, Shannon Robillard, Kaitlyn Rose, Ryan Ross, Maren Russell, Grace Scherrer, Kyle Schoener, Jeremy Smith, Tanner Speer, Lindsey Spiker, Kristen Stark, Jacob Stromberg, Christopher Swagler, Raymond Tafelski, Brock Tetreault, Christian Wallinder, Ashley Weiser, Madalyn Wright, Brandon York, Matthew Zabaldo, Ashley Zartman

Grade 10 - Ammany Abdellatif, Daniel Blocho, Dakota Bower, Alexandra Brown, Zachary Burns, Danae-Grace Busch, Tiffany Carlson, Dylan Childs, Alyssa Cinelli, Ronald Clark, Cody Csendom, Adam Cummings, Aurora Dee, Aubrie DiTullio, Jamie Dobson, Katarina Eichel, Mitchell Fachko, Alexandra Filips, Shannon Gallagher, Michael Giambra, Andrew Gilbert, Kristen Greinert, Nicole Hall, Emily Harnden, Jessica Hiser, John Holody, Tyler Jackman, Julie Kilmer, Leanna Lang, Cassondra LoBrutto, Taylor Marino, Christina McGuire, Robert Meer, Quinn Mikulski, Taylor Moran, Gurwinder Nijjar, Amanda Passarelli, Dylan Phillips, Jacquelyn Phillips, Dalton Pitts, Alyssa Pizzuti, Russell Potter, Zachary Re, Matthew Seaman, Cole Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Ronald Steffans, Emily Steinbrenner, Jacob Sweeney, Nicole Swiantek, Alexander Tollner, Gregory VanNorman, Kayleigh Weselak, Adam Wilk, Joshua Zernickel, Anthony Zogaria

Grade 11 - Alexander Ahne, Jeremy Anderson, Jessica Bamberg, Elora Bascello, Matthew Beauchamp, James Bobak, Conner Bolles, Seth Carey, Alanna Cedrone, Natalee Culbert, Samantha DeMarco, Shannon Doctor, Sean Garten, Deanna Green, Jonathan Grenda, Thomas Grenke, Manraj Grewal, Charles Grunzweig, Mackenzie Howe, Mary Irving, Dylan Kelly, Laura Kondziela, Victoria Kostenbauder, Victoria Kustra, Mitchell Lariviere, Kelsie Loos, Cory Ludwig, Robin Mangat, Shannon McDonough, Thalia Melendez, Alec Metro, Kyle R. Meyer, Kyle T. Meyer, Lindsay Morano, Michelle Morgan, Kailah Moss, Gabriela Nizialek, Hallie Nowak, Samuel Oursler, Marina Pozantides, Kayla Pyc, Brittanee Ramallo, Ryan Sharrow, Brittney Sonnenberg, Phyllip Stallard, Angelina Stromberg, Harrison Thompson, Samantha Warden, Dominic Zannin, Alicia Zartman, Tyler Zoldowski

Grade 12 - Robert Arsenault, Shannon Becker, Nathaniel Benoit, Alexandria Bleich, Nicholas Bruno, Brennan Carey, Mario Cataffo, Jason Chadwick, Amanda Cinelli, James Corrao, Samuel Cummings, Brooke DeMarco, Alexandra DeMita, Liam Dodd, Sara Dzielski, Thomas Dzielski, Matthew Edwards, Christopher Ernst, Jennifer Fiels, Patrick Gallagher, Vincent Golda, Heather Graff, Katherine Hannah, Lucas Hazelet, Kyle Held, Molly Higgins, Alexander Howard, Ryan Jackson, Mark Jurga, Thomas Kalman, Allison Kaminski, Kyle Keifman, Alex Killian, Bradley Ludwig, Jaime Magaris, Elizabeth McLean, Jaclyn Nusstein, Jenna Raepple, Noah Rothberg, Miranda Santa Lucia, Samuel Serra, Benjamin Sherman, Rachel Spiker, Amanda Sutter, Victoria Sutton, Ashley Swiantek, Nicholas Wallinder, Courtney Weiser, Zachary Wojnar

PTSA/Rotary Students of the Month
Feb. 2011

Jason Chadwick                     Brooke Chamberlain              Korin Frantz                      Emma Henderson
   Jason Chadwick is a lifelong resident of Grand Island. He has attended Sidway School, Kaegebein Elementary School, Veronica Connor Middle School, and Grand Island High School. He has strived to be well-rounded and involved in his community.
    Jason has done very well academically. He has consistently been on the high honor, honor, or merit roll since sixth grade. He has already taken four Advanced Placement courses and is currently enrolled in four more AP courses. He has received many academic honors, including being inducted into National Honor Society and receiving the PTSA academic certificate, pin, and letter. He has been recognized as a New York State Public High School Athletic Association scholar athlete every season so far. He has received the Grand Island Teachers Association Pride of the Island award, and the President's Award for Educational Excellence. He was also awarded the Sage College Art Award in his junior year.
    Jason has been extremely active in extracurricular activities. He has been a member of the varsity cross country team in grades 9-12, the varsity indoor track team and the varsity track and field team in grades 10-12, and the junior varsity indoor track team and the JV track and field team in grade 9. He has served as co-captain in cross country and track and field. Jason went to the state meet this year as part of Grand Island High School's cross country team and has qualified twice for sectionals in the triple jump. Jason has been a member of PTSA throughout high school and served as corresponding secretary last year. He has been a member of Grand Island High School's Chalkwalk team since freshman year, and last year the team's design won first place in the Lewiston Art Festival. Jason has participated in Corporate Bowl the last two years. He played tenor saxophone in concert and jazz band in ninth grade and was a member of Ski Club in ninth grade as well. He has been a member of Young Life since ninth grade.
    Jason has been very involved in his community. He is an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 630, and his Eagle Scout project involved building planters in the butterfly garden at Eco Island. He has also helped many other fellow Scouts complete their Eagle Scout projects as well. Jason has participated for many years in Relay For Life. He has raised money for Special Olympics by participating in Student Olympics at Grand Island High School the last two years. After graduation, Jason would like to attend college with the goal of pursuing a degree in graphic design or a design-related field.

    Brooke Chamberlain has spent her high school career being involved in both her school and her community on Grand Island.
   Brooke currently holds four varsity letters for her sports in high school, which began when she joined high school swimming in her freshman year and made varsity her very first day. Brooke continued swimming in her sophomore year, when she was the top 100 butterfly swimmer and made it to the Sectional meet. An injury changed her outlook from swimming to track and field, where she earned her varsity letter as a sophomore in pole vaulting. With this success, she joined indoor track, which also earned her a varsity letter for pole vaulting. Brooke loved the people she met in track so much that she permanently switched from swimming to running in her junior year and joined the Grand Island cross country team. Brooke stays busy in many extracurricular clubs at Grand Island, such as DECA, where she currently serves as secretary. Brooke's strong business appreciation continues, and she participates in the GISBA Corporate Bowl, Job Search, Shadow Day, and CEIP/Internship. She also enjoys her role as an editor of this year's Venture yearbook. A love for music enabled Brooke to play the violin starting in fourth grade, with the highlight being her playing in the pit orchestra for Fiddler on the Roof in 10th grade. She also involved herself in concert choir during her junior year. As this year's co-president of Student Council, Brooke is proud of her four-year involvement with this wonderful organization. Brooke has planned numerous dances and community service projects, and even served as treasurer one year. Brooke's community service is exemplary and she finds time to give back frequently to organizations such as the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation, GIHS freshman orientation, the National Kidney Foundation and Relay For Life. Brooke is an avid sailor and has been a volunteer coach in training for sailing camp at the Niagara Sailing Club on Grand Island.
    Brooke works hard at her academics, making the honor roll every marking period since the beginning of her freshman year. She was accepted into the National Honors Society and the Spanish National Honor Society in her junior year and continues to assist with those clubs.
   Brooke currently works part time at Buzzy's Pizzeria and plans to study in the biology field at either Canisius College or the State University of New York at Oswego.

   Korin Frantz has been a Grand Island resident since the day she was born and has attended only Grand Island schools. She has been involved in school, the community, and her church. Korin is a well-rounded person. She is involved in sports, art, music, the National Honor Society, Girl Scouts, two church youth groups and still maintains her status on the honor roll. She is also able to hold two part-time jobs, a paper route once a week and working at Rainbow Roller Rink, to earn some money. She has varsity letters in softball, volleyball, bowling, music and academics.
   Sports have been part of her life since she was 4 years old, when she started to play T-ball and soccer. After a few years, she started playing travel sports in both softball and soccer. In eighth grade, she decided to try modified volleyball and has stuck with it all the way through to the junior varsity and varsity levels. In her sophomore year, she decided to try out for the bowling team just to do something over the winter and soon became the 18th bowler in the league just after her second year. In 11th grade, she made the Niagara Frontier League first team for softball and was an honorable mention for All-Western New York large schools. She has also received many other awards for her sports. Korin was able to teach herself how to play piano when she was young and eventually started taking lessons. She started playing the trumpet in fourth grade, but switched to flute in fifth grade. She currently plays in the high school concert band and has even played the oboe in concert.
    Korin has been passionate about art all her life. She has always loved coloring, drawing and making crafts. She has always enjoyed art class and still does. She has taken advantage of the art program at the high school and will be graduating with five art credits. She is currently in Advanced Placement art hoping to eventually go to college for art.
   She has been active in Girl Scouts for 13 years. Korin has earned her Bronze and Silver awards. She has done more than 65 hours toward her Gold Award, which is the highest award a Girl Scout can receive. For her project, she set up softball clinics at the Sidway gym and Veterans Park and taught girls from ages 8 through 12.
   In the future, Korin is planning to become a police officer and having an art minor on the side. For college, she will attend Erie Community College Police Academy and then transfer to Buffalo State College to major in criminal justice and minor in fine arts.

    Emma Henderson has been a Grand Island resident all her life. She attended Sidway School, Huth Road Elementary School, Veronica E. Connor Middle School, and is currently a senior at Grand Island High School.
   Emma has received numerous academic awards throughout high school, including the Student Sage Award, Certificate of Academic Excellence, academic pin, academic letter, and the Advanced Placement Scholar Award. She has been placed on the high honor roll every marking period in high school, and challenges herself with multiple AP classes. Emma plays violin with the high school orchestra, and she has participated in the pit orchestra, string quintet, All-County Orchestra, and Area All-State Orchestra. She has received varsity letters and pins for music. Emma is vice president of Interact Club, treasurer of the National Honor Society, treasurer of Donate Life, and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. She has also played travel, JV, and varsity softball, and has been named a scholar athlete.
   Emma has taken tap and jazz classes at Step-in-Time Studio of Dance for 11 years, where she is also an assistant dance teacher.
   Emma is a pre-kindergarten religious education teacher and youth group member at St. Stephen R.C. Church. She serves on the Diocesan Youth Board and is a co­captain of St. Vincent De Paul's youth group. She has also received the Diocesan Spirit Award. Emma has volunteered at many different organizations and events throughout Western New York, including Habitat for Humanity, the Nicaragua Mission, the Salvation Army, Vive La Casa, Niagara Falls Community Garden, St. Vincent De Paul's soup kitchen, Heart and Soul soup kitchen, Villa Maria Nursing Home, Kaegebein Family Fun Night, and the Rotary International Lobster Fest. Emma has also been a coach of Grand Island Memorial Library's Battle of the Books team for the past four years.
   Emma plans on attending college with a major in chemical engineering and a minor in psychology.
   The Grand Island Rotary Club will host Rotary/PTSA Students of the Month at an awards dinner April 29.

Job Search = Success! - February 2011

Click photo for larger view
   The Grand Island Holiday Inn served as an interview site for over 80 students attending the annual Job Search Seminar on Thursday, February 17th. The business department of Grand Island High School, with the help of GISBA members, coordinates this event to prepare students for the job interview experience. This authentic program has helped countless students develop the necessary skills for the future demands of the workforce. Bryant and Stratton College provided breakout sessions on business etiquette and college success skills. For more information about Job Search and the other "career-readiness" programs at Grand Island High School contact Mrs. Cheryl Chamberlain at 773-8820.

Job Search Seminar - February 2011

Standing from Left - N.U. student and interviewer Andrew Simpson, high school students Scott Bennett, Amanda Heftka and Molly Higgins - Click photos for larger view
   The GIHS Job Search Seminar was held on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Started fifteen years ago by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, the seminar is now presented by the GIHS CTE Department and the Grand Island School & Business Alliance (GISBA). Over eighty freshman-senior students had a chance to interview with thirty different members of the community. Representatives from the Grand Island schools, Holiday Inn, Fucillo Chevrolet, Fantasy Island, DeSignet International, M & T Bank, Wegman's, NYS Police, The Legend Group, Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara, Whitehaven Road Church, Young Life and FSC Securities were among the interviewers. Bryant & Stratton College held information sessions on Business Etiquette, Job Interview Skills and College Prep & Planning.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 17, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 2/17/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

Kisses for Wishes! at High School - February 2011

Picture (left) Brooke Chamberlain, Patrick Crowley, Shannon Becker, Katie Rustowicz, Mike Seaman, and Hank Cushing.
Click photo for larger view
   Grand Island High School's student bookstore, Casey's Corner, was busy on Valentine's Day when 200 candy treats were being delivered to student sweethearts at the school. "Kisses for Wishes" was developed by students in Cheryl Chamberlain's Small Business Class as a promotion to raise money for the "Make-A-Wish" foundation. Yearbook Advisor Christopher Simpson's classes have been hard at work on various fundraisers for this worthy cause and the Valentines were delivered by both classes during homeroom on Monday (Feb. 14). For a one dollar donation, Hershey kisses and a personalized Valentine were sent to students, staff and teachers. The goal is to grant a child a wish this year and more fundraisers are planned in the future!

Niagara Region Reflections Winner - February 2011

   "Reflections" is a national PTA program that encourages participation in the arts. This year's theme was, "Together We Can...". Grand Island High School student, Katherine Studley submitted a literature piece that was judged at the end of November in our district and then sent to the Niagara Region competition for judging at the Region level. Niagara Region had 99 entries from several area schools in several different categories (film, dance choregraphy, literature, visual arts, and music composition). Katherine's literature piece placed 1st in the Niagara Region and she is now headed to the New York State level for judging in March.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 10, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 2/10/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

Grand Island’s Indoor Track & Field News – Feb. 2011

Maggie Demarco - School Record in 1500 Racewalk
Matt Killian in 300 race
Derek Geiger in Mile also 4x8 relay record
Nick Masiello in 1600 also 4x8 relay record
Amanda Cinelli in girls 4x4 relay
Chris Meyer in the 4x8 relay record

Click names for photos

GI INDOOR TRACK SHATTERS 3 RECORDS
4X800 WINS AT RIT INVITE
GIRLS 4X200 RECORD FALLS
DEMARCO WALKS FAST
   Grand Island’s Indoor Track & Field team has found a way to stay warm this winter. Run Fast! In spite of training outside in the cold weather this season, the team has broken 3 school records recently and having an outstanding indoor season.
   At the RIT/Tiger Invite, the team broke 3 school records. The Boys 4x800 relay shattered the old school record by 9 seconds in winning impressively. Derek Geiger, Chris Meyer, Brendon Lutnick and Nick Masiello ran a 8:25.60 breaking the old record of 8:34. The Girls Team of Lauren Kullerkupp, Annie Corrao, Thalia Melendez and Liz Kowalik broke the 4x200 relay by 2 seconds with a time of 1:56.76. and placed 9th overall. Maggie Demarco broke her own school record in the 1500 meter walk with a time of 8:35.60 and placed 11th overall. Nick Masiello placed 3rd in the 1600, while the Boys 4x200 relay had a season best of 1:43.48 with Nick Bonarek, James Rustowicz, Matt Killian and Luke Moyer. The 4x400 Boys relay also had a season best with Killian, Bonarek, Meyer and Geiger running 3:43.89. Adam Cummings was fifth in the shot with a 41’ 8” effort. Danyelle Redmond was 10th in the Pole Vault with an 8-6 effort.
   At the WNY Relays, the Boys Team finished 3rd in team scoring behind Lancaster and Clarence with 30 points. The quartet of Derek Geiger, John Mosley, Nick Masiello and Chris Meyer started off the day by winning the 4x800 relay. They later came back won the Distance Medley Relay with Derek Geiger, Matt Killian, Chris Meyer and anchored by Nick Masiello. Also scoring were Matt Killian and Jay Chadwick placing 4th in the High Jump relay.
   League Championships are on February 12th. The teams are coached by Donald Sauer

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending February 3, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 2/3/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

GIHS Viking Vision 100th Newscast - February 2011

Link To Viking Vision 100th Newscast.
   Grand Island High School started a newscast at the end of January 2010 and they recently recorded their 100th episode. The newscast is aired 3 days a week in the Viking Mall and online. The show includes school news, weather, Viking Values messages and announcements. Led by district coordinator of instructional technology Mr. Mark Gorton, more than 40 students have taken a turn at on-air reporting and many others doing filming and editing. The equipment cost was covered by a Best Buy grant received by Mark Gorton and Tom Gorman.

Phys Ed & Global Classes Work Together - February 2011

Standing from Left- Mrs. Gallagher, Ashley Gugino, Stephanie Voyzey, Sierra D’Ettorre, Sarah Chamberlain, and Mrs. Bowen.
Front from Left- Ashley Zartman, Tara Stewart, Emma McIntyre, and Sierra Besl. - Click photo for larger view
   In an interdisciplinary lesson at Grand Island High School, the girls’ physical education class created a dance that represented an event in their Global Studies class. In the picture above Physical Education teacher Mrs. Daneen Gallagher and Global Studies teacher Mrs. Julie Bowen watch as the girls present a dance depicting the German invasion of the Jewish Ghettos.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending January 27, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 1/27/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

Feature Story: Bowler Nick Colao - Jan. 2011

See "Nick Colao Feature" in the January 27, 2011 Niagara Gazette

PTSA/Rotary Students of the Month
Jan. 2011

Kate Boutet                      Justine (Helen) Call                     Jenna Cardone
   Kate Boutet has lived on Grand Island since she was a child and has been an asset to the community through her involvement in many different areas of interest.
   All through her years at GIHS she has been involved in sports. She was a captain for the junior varsity volleyball teams in ninth and tenth grade and then went on to play on varsity volleyball in eleventh and twelfth grade. In eleventh grade, the team made it to the New York Section VI Class A championship game. After one year on junior varsity softball she was pulled up to varsity softball for tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades where she started all three years at third base and occasionally played shortstop. In eleventh grade she was voted to the third All-Niagara Frontier League team. In the summers she has played on the Grand Island Vipers travel softball team.
   Along with softball, Kate has spent her past summers volunteering at Cradle Beach Camp in Angola, New York. As a volunteer she served the kids meals, cleaned, and got to interact with the campers. While working the summer of 2008 and 2009, she received over 140 hours of community service. Kate believes every second she spent there was worth it in more ways than one. In 2010, she also volunteered at the Every Step Walk to sponsor the Hunter's Hope Foundation at Beaver Island State Park, the Grand Island mentor program, the Second Annual BobKat Race/Walk benefiting the North Towns Boys and Girls Club, and Project Sticker Shock. Kate enjoys giving back to the community with her friends as a way of spending time together excellence.
   In the summer of 2010, Kate worked at both Cradle Beach Camp and at the Grand Island Recreation Department as a sports camp counselor. These two jobs made Kate realize how much she enjoyed working with children.
   Throughout high school Kate has maintained Honor Roll grades and received the Academic gold bar and Academic letter. Still she continues to strive for better grades.
   Upon graduation Kate plans on attending a large college or a SUNY college for Athletic Training or Sports Management.
   Justine (Helen) Call is now a senior at Grand Island High School. Being born and living on Grand Island her whole life, Justine has been involved in many activities. Being a Girl Scout since kindergarten, she has volunteered for several years at Relay for Live, Susan G. Komen Walk for a Cure, Hunter's Hope, has volunteered at St. Timothy Lutheran Daycare Center, and never gets enough of being able to volunteer her time to help others. Justine has also participated in many activities that Grand Island High School has to offer. Throughout her music career on Grand Island, she has been a clarinetist in Wind Ensemble, plays saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble, and has played clarinet and saxophone in Pit Orchestra since her freshman year. She has also been an active choir member in Vocal Jazz, Madrigals, and Women of Note. She has also participated on clarinet in All-County Orchestra/Band since th4e fifth grade, Area All-State Band since middle school, and was selected to play in the Conference All-State Symphonic Band/Wind Ensemble her junior and senior year. She also has the great honor of being selected for Conference All-Eastern Wind Ensemble on clarinet for this 2010-2011 school year. Throughout high school Justine has been awarded Most Outstanding Pit Musician, Rookie of the Year, has received several All-County Orchestra/Band pins, and several Area All-State Band plaques. Musically outside of school Justine participates in the American Legion Band of the Tonawanda's Post 264, goes to Bristol Hills Music Camp, is a member of the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, and has been studying clarinet privately with Bill Mosher for six years.
   While being involved in all of her music activities, Justine has been on the Honor Roll since her freshman year and has worked diligently to maintain this status. Working hard has definitely paid off. Justine was nominated by Cheryl Chamberlain for the United States Achievement Academy National Business Award as well as Who's Who Among American Scholars. Throughout high school she has also been awarded Most Outstanding Modified Earth Science Student, has received an Academic Excellence Certificate in French, and has received her Academic Excellence Certificate, Pin and Blue Letter. Academically, Justine participates in her school's Bible Club, JV Masterminds Team and is a member of the National Honor Society, and the National Society of High School Scholars.
   Justine is honored to be selected as a Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month and is extremely thankful for all of the support she has received from her family members, friends, and teachers since the start of her education. After graduating from high school Justine is interested in attending either SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Potsdam, or Ithaca School of Music with the possibility of additional college interests in the fall of 2011, and will be fulfilling her life goal of earning her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Education as well as in Clarinet Performance.
   Jenna Cardone moved to Grand Island from Lockport at the start of her 7th grade year. Since this time she has excelled while being involved in extracurricular activities, sports, music and the community.
   Jenna has always challenged herself academically and is currently taking seven AP courses. During her 9th grade year she received the Outstanding Foreign Language (Spanish) Award. She has always been on the honor roll and has earned her academic certificate, letter and pin. She is well on her way in earning her academic bar this year. In her junior year, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, where she currently holds the office of secretary. Jenna has been involved in Corporate Bowl since her freshman year and is hoping that her team wins the title this year. She has maintained a 3.7 average while being involved in numerous extracurricular activities.
   Jenna has been a member of Student Council since 7th grade and has held the office of treasurer. She has been involved in DECA since her sophomore year and Mock Trial for the past two years. Since 8th grade, Jenna swam for the Grand Island Girls Swim Team. She earned her Varsity Letter, recognition as a scholar athlete and participated in sectionals. She swam for the Piranha's Club for three years. Most recently she received the Section VI Honorable Mention Scholar Athlete Award.
   A lot of her time has been devoted to music. Jenna has been vocally involved in the Middle School Syncopations and the middle school musical. She currently is in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Concert Choir and the select Madrigals Vocal Performers. She has performed with the Madrigals all over Western New York and recently performed in Saratoga Springs for the Superintendent's induction to the Presidency of the NYS School Superintendents. This past summer Jenna was selected to participate in the New York State Summer School of the Arts Choral Studies at Fredonia. She also received the Zach Zarbo scholarship to attend this event. She was selected to attend the Choral Area All State junior year and has been selected to perform in the Choral All-County Performances every year since 5th grade. Jenna has been involved in Solo fest for the past three years and the school musicals since 8th grade. In this year's musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," she is playing Rosemary, the female lead.
   Outside of school, Jenna is a member of St. Stephen's Church and has been involved in serving spaghetti dinners and attending religion classes. Currently, she is involved with the St. Stephen's Parish Players and is performing in its musical rendition of "Grease." She has completed an internship at Walgreens, and has volunteered in the summer at DeGraff Memorial Hospital. Jenna takes private voice and piano lessons. Most recently she was a semi-finalist for the Grand Island's Youth Ambassador Program. She is a certified lifeguard and works at the Holiday Inn. In the spring she will start back up working on the Grand Lady.
   After graduation, Jenna plans on attending college to major in Economics and minor in music. Currently, she has been accepted to Ithaca and Siena Colleges.

GIHS Exam Schedule - Jan. 2011

Click "Schedule"

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending January 20, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 1/20/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.

GIHS Musical February 3 - 5 - January 2011

Click photos for larger view

UPDATE 1/25/11: The cast of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is in high gear as GIHS students prepare for the opening curtain. The show’s office setting provides opportunities for lots of situational comedy. The chorus chimes in to show the light-hearted side of the day to day workings of the World Wide Wicket Corporation.
   What day would be complete without the daily meeting over a cup of coffee? Chorus members Natalie Baldassarre, Kourtney Hoppell, Casey Jelonek, Kaliah Moss, and Lilly Thompson share a glimpse of their office productivity without a little java in Coffee Break. Paris Original highlights a gala event with the office secretaries all showing up in the same dress. Rosemary (Jenna Cardone), Smitty (Taylor Kozlowski), Miss Krumholtz (Ava Jackson), Miss Jones (Shannon McNaughton) and Hedy LaRue (Kallan McMillan) bemoan their fashion faux pas while chorus members Shannon Boreali, Emily Dauphin, Carly Kruzona, Jessica Pierce, Michelle Aronica and Emily Kernin multiply their fashion woes.
   The men of the office are reminded by Bratt (Noah Rothberg) that A Secretary is not a Toy, and cast members Emily Sommer, Shelby Bailes, Ashley Serianni, Rebecca Masse, June Ann Chadima,, Alexandra Frandsen and Brianna Guagliano back up that statement. A TV show brings out the World Wide Wickettes Grace Bolton, Mads Goc, Laura Dolan, Zoe Reda, Jenna Stufkosky in a pirate dance. Brotherhood of Man and Cinderella Darling round out the chorus numbers with Brianna Beadles, Amanda Weselak, Maggie Chauby, Ashley Fischer, Rebecca Gasiorek, Bri Gibney, Cassie Gilcart, Alex Gormady, Ashley Gorman, Alyssa Karb, Grace Kulikowski, Samantha Pangborn, Zoann Pittman, and Jessica Spencer filling the stage with song and dance.
   How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying will be performed Thursday, February 3; Friday, February 4; and Saturday, February 5 at 7:30 pm in the High School Auditorium. Tickets are $8 General Admission for the evening shows with a special three pass ticket available for $20.00. Tickets are available from all cast members or from the High School Music Department at 773-8820 ext 308-3007#.

   The story line follows the corporate rise to fame of a lowly window washer, J. Pierpoint Finch. (Alex Howard) It is no coincidence that his initials J.P. reminds the corporate world of the successful J.P. Morgan. Using a handbook How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (Nils Wernecke), Finch pursues his dream up the corporate ladder. He works his way past the personnel office of Bratt (Noah Rothberg), the mailroom boss, Twimble (Keelan Erhard), Miss Jones, the boss’s secretary, (Shannon McNaughton) and the boss himself, J.B. Biggley (Tom Rall). His arrival catches the eye of Rosemary from the secretarial pool (Jenna Cardone). She does her best to distract him in spite of the advice of her best friend, Smitty (Taylor Kozlowski). Finch’s ambition is a major threat to the boss’s nephew, Bud Frump (Dan Olszewski). He plots to catch Finch in a farfetched advertising scheme using Biggley’s girlfriend, Hedy, (Kallan McMillan) as bait to distract the young Finch. Comedy is provided by the office staff Gatch (Joe Carrato), Jenkins (Dan Konopski), Tackaberry (Michael Giambra), Peterson (Elliott Michki), Toynbee (Kyle Meyer), Ovington (Phil Valore), Johnson (James Bobeck), Matthews (Andre Certo), Franklin (Ryan Falter), Davis (Chris Swagler) and their secretaries Miss Krumholtz (Ava Jackson), Betty (Lydia Bernatovicz), May (Amanda Heftka), Brenda (Allison Donahue), Norma (Lori Scherrer),and Phyllis (Lizzie Davis). Flo (Samira Amin), Lucille (Kristen Percival), Womper (Ben Smith) and TV Announcer (Kyle Pletcher) complete the office staff. A large chorus entertain us with their daily addiction to coffee, office loyalty, fashion knowledge and their take on office flirting.
   This light-hearted comedy is sure to delight audiences young and old. Directors Mike DeDario and Carolyn Lokken invite all theater lovers to join us for the fun.

Venture Yearbook Staff Visits City Mission - January 2011

    Members of the Venture Yearbook at Grand Island High School, on December 18th, ventured out to the Buffalo City Mission to prepare and serve lunch. The Mission location near Buffalo General Hospital serves both homeless and abused women and children everyday.
   Yearbook students Alyssa Pino, Grace Kulikowski, Courtney Weiser, Kayla Schmidt, Katie Rustowicz, Sydney Dudish, and Taelor Reynolds made the trip to Buffalo on a Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with Yearbook advisor Mr. Christopher Simpson.
   Along with preparing, serving, and cleaning up, students helped clean out, inventory, and organize the pantry and walk-in storage units.
   Grace Kulikowski, who is the editor in charge of the yearbook's community service activities, made all of the arrangements.

Grand Island Team Victorious at Tech Wars Competition - January 2011

    For the second year in a row, GIHS won the 14th Annual Tech Wars that took place at NCCC on Wednesday, January 12th. Grand Island has only been participating for three years and led the competition with a score of 49 points. Second place was Lockport with 27 points and Tonawanda and Williamsville tied for third with 27 points. Over 80 students participated from the high school and middle school, led by technology teachers Carl Koppman and Jon Shelley. Students designed and built projects and competed against 28 school districts and over 700 WNY students. One of the favorite events, the sumo robot competition, was won by GIHS senior Geoff Federspiel.

GIHS Rocked the Regional DECA Competition - January 2011

(Left) Sports and Entertainment Team Winners: Dominic Morell, James Rustowicz, Megan Karpie, Angelina Howe, Mike Seaman and Steve Vitello
(Right) DECA senior girls competing on January 9
Click photos for larger view
   Grand Island Rocked the Regional DECA competition on Sunday, January 9, 2011 by sweeping the category of Team Sports and Entertainment Marketing! President Mike Seaman and Steve Vitello, Megan Karpie and Angelina Howe, and James Rustowicz and Dominic Morell were all winners in this category. Over 500 students from 15 WNY schools participated in various business competitions. Supporting Grand Island as judges for various events were: Mary Cooke, Cheryl Cardone, Donna Tomkins, Paul Krull, Maggie Kennedy, and Maria Turner. In addition the following DECA students made State cuts: Maddie Mankowski, Sydney Dudish, Brooke Chamberlain, Katie Rustowicz, Marina Scerra, Erica Surdi, Nicolette Scerra, Mary Kneer, Alexis Cino, Keelan Erhard, Lydia Bernatovicz, Jenell Duxbury, and Heavyn Dreher. Mrs. Chamberlain and Mr. Christopher Simpson want to congratulate all of the competitors and look forward to the NYS Competition in March.

GIHS Sports Briefs - Week Ending January 6, 2011

Click "Sports Briefs 1/6/11" for this week's Grand Island High School sports scores.