August grads look to future

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, September 13, 2007

Niagara-Wheatfield’s August graduates, who attended a graduation ceremony before last week’s Board of Education meeting, include, from left: Carol Brown, Leah Clause, Steven Greene, Andrew Magyar, Mandi Bietz, Noah Henry and John Adams. (photo by Mindy Clause)

It was a small ceremony, just before the Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education meeting last week, but the excitement was there in the happy faces of students and parents as August diplomas were presented.

Seven of the 13 young men and women who completed graduation requirements this summer went down the line shaking hands with the school superintendent, high school principal and board of education members after accepting envelopes containing the hard-earned diplomas. From there they went to a flurry of picture-taking, hugs and kisses by proud relatives.

“This is only the beginning for all of you,” said Superintendent Dr. Judith Howard. “Wherever you go, it’s going to be constant learning.”

A beaming Leah Clause of the Tuscarora Nation said she already has her plans in place. She’s going to Niagara County Community College, then on to university, maybe Syracuse, Ithaca or the University at Buffalo. She wants a career in the medical field, definitely working with children.

“It feels good. It’s a relief,” she said of her graduation. “I’ve been through a lot in these past four years. Because of medical problems I missed a lot of school and had to make up for it.”

“I feel I’ve accomplished more than anything I’ve ever done with my life,” said August grad Andrew Magyar of the Town of Niagara. “I’m just glad I stuck with it.”

Magyar admitted he had thought about dropping out of school in the past. “School wasn’t always my thing.”

Now, he’s looking at attending college to study computer design and graphic arts.

The complete list of August graduates includes:

John A. Adams, Mandi M. Bietz, Dale Brosius, Christopher Brothers, Carol Brown, Leah Clause, Paul Corulli, Lauren V. Golding, Steven A. Greene, Noah S. Henry, Andrew Magyar, Christopher Sharpe and Kristina M. Wagner

In other matters at the Sept. 5 board meeting:

•Board members were enthusiastic about the changes and renovations at the high school. Those with children attending the school, said their students returned from the first day of class with glowing reports.

“I want to thank the voters for giving us this opportunity to make our schools up-to-date,” said Board President Maureen Kaus.

Voters approved a $38 million bond issue in 2005 that brought improvements, renovations and additions to all the schools, with major changes at the high school. Most work was completed by the time school opened except for a few finishing touches.

•The board approved the inter-municipal agreement with Niagara County for obtaining low cost power from the New York State Power Authority.

The board approved retaining the law firm of Personius Molber for any matters pertaining to litigation by Mark Zito against the school district regarding its membership in the Niagara Power Coalition.

•Liz Carr, principal of Tuscarora School, introduced new music teacher David DiGiacomo, whose appointment was among several approved by the board at the meeting. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, he will be teaching music in pre-kindergarten to sixth grade at Tuscarora School, and on Mondays, he will teach at Colonial Village School.

•The board approved the adoption of several new textbooks. In the public portion of the meeting, former board member Rosemary Warren suggested that board members be advocates for parents and students by taking and reviewing for content textbooks that are used in the schools.