Archive: News

One pleasant recurring agenda item in Lansing's Board of Education (BOE) meetings is "Student Highlights," in which students who have done something outstanding in the school or community are recognized by the Board.  At last Monday's meeting High School Principal Michelle Stone presented students from her school who had been recognized by Tompkins County.

"It's an honor for me," she told the Board, "because certainly they are students who have shown a great deal of leadership here in the High School.  They are very involved in High School types of things.  It's one thing to be recognized by the people that see you every day and know about those accomplishments, and yet another to have the community notice that in your students and ask them to serve in a capacity that will not only impact our school and the youth in our community, but also in the County."

This year four Lansing students were chosen to be involved with the Tompkins County Youth Philanthropy effort.  $23,000 of United Way of Tompkins County grant money is made available to the group.  Organizations hoping to receive money for programs must submit applications, which the students review in order to determine how the money is spent.  Sander Moolin, Katie Hartz, Scott Sevey and Katie Hranek were chosen to be part of the group of about 20 students from communities within the county that administers the money.  The money comes from a grant by the Park Foundation.

(left to right) BOE President Bonita Lindberg, High Schhol Principal Michelle Stone, Sander Moolin, Katie Hartz, Scott Sevey

Moolin, Hartz and Sevey were present to tell the BOE about their experience.  Katie Hartz acted as spokeswoman.  "One that we did was handicapped accessible ramps," she said.  "There is a waiting list to get them.  They are reusable.  There was one for the drop-in center, school theater programs for after school.  One was for a list of emergency contacts."

She went on to tell about the process the students used to pick the nine recipients from 19 applications.  "If you were close to an applicant or if you had some kind of connection you had to step back, so that you would remain impartial.  Everyone went around and you put an M&M in a cup if you wanted to keep it.  If there was one M&M left we'd keep debating it.  There was one that went on forever!  One person didn't want to let go."

Steve Moolin and Beth Hartz were present to see their kids recognized by the BOE.  Board President Bonita Lindberg presented certificates to the students.


Next Stone presented Mark Bailey, who recently received the Tompkins County Distinguished Youth Award.  Recipients are selected based on leadership and involvement in the school and community.  "Oftentimes they are looking for someone that deserves recognition, but doesn't always get that recognition, an unsung hero, if you will," said Stone.  "So I'm really proud that someone has noticed Mark and his abilities and the leadership that he demonstrates not only here, but also in the community."

Baileywas recommended by Marlaine Darfler of the Lansing Community Library Center, because he designed and built the reading garden.  This was part of his Eagle Scout project last year.  He conducted the fund raising and led his fellow scouts in realizing his design.  "I know they're really proud of that garden," said School Board member Glen Swanson.  Bailey is hoping to become an Eagle with another boy scout in March.

His mother, Linda, was present to see him receive a certificate from the BOE.  Asked what he would be doing next year, Bailey replied that he was just accepted to SUNY Potsdam

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