IT’S TIME TO RALLY IN THE VALLEY!
The Cheerleading program invites you to attend its "Rally in the Valley Cheer Competition" at the High School on Saturday, Jan. 10. You'll be impressed with this high quality competition and talented participants!
Session 1: Rec teams – 9:30 a.m.
Session 2: JV teams – 12:12 p.m.
Session 3: Varsity teams – 2:12 p.m.
SPECIAL NOTE: The JV team performs at 1:18 p.m.; and the Varsity team performs at 4 p.m. --- so you want to be sure to be there earlier than their actual performance times to get the best viewing spot!
Admission: Adults: $10, students: $5, children under 5: Free
Event T-shirt sales, cheer apparel, and more!
Concessions available
PLUS: Thirteen wrestlers placed in the Top 6 in their weight class! AMAZING! Well-done to all!
Champions
--- Keira Filip, 114-pound weight class
--- Jaida Macaluso, 165-pound weight class
Second Place
--- Sara Pauls, 126-pound weight class
--- Treven Costello, 152-pound weight class
--- Caitlin McIlroy, 165-pound weight class
5th Place
--- Aubrey Weed, 138-pound weight class
6th Place
--- Calista Vargas, 100-pound weight class
--- Makenna Matone, 107-pound weight class
--- Amelia Patzelt,120-pound weight class
--- Paris Deslandes, 126-pound weight class
--- Avery Wingen, 132-pound weight class
--- Olivia Miller, 138-pound weight class
--- Brooke Besson, 152-pound weight class
WELL-DONE! The varsity girls and boys indoor track & field teams were busy over the recent break, competing in three invitational competitions:
At the recent Jim Mitchell Invitational, held at the Armory Track & Field Center, Minisink Valley collected one program record and event win, a trio of runner-up finishes, and a number of top-10 finishes:
•In the field events, junior Ella Michelitch won the individual title in the girls high jump, clearing a new program best bar of 5'10". Michelitch and teammate Delila Kronimus also earned second-place finishes in the girls long jump and pole vault, respectively.
•In the 4xMile relay, the boys quartet of Santiago Martinez, Luciano Palacios, Carter Rossi and Landon Straw produced a runner-up showing in 19:15.70.
At the recent Ocean Breeze Holiday Festival, Minisink Valley collected two event wins and five podium finishes:
•Delila Kronimus was victorious in the girls pole vault, continuing her strong start to the young season with a win at 11'6".
•The quartet of Robert LaBarbera, Angel Mendez, Stetson Terpak and Maximillian Wickrath closed out the meet as champions in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:29.18, with the 'B' lineup of Jeremiah Alexis, Logan Cohen, Chase Lattimer and Michael Moran taking fifth place.
•The boys distance medley relay team of Daniel Oenga, Luciano Palacios, Carter Rossi and Elijah Zittel earned a fourth place finish in 11:30.77; and the girls 4x400 meter relay squad of Lyla LaBarbera, Salma Samdaoui, Danica Martinez and Jerlivia Frederick nabbed the final podium position in 4:20.33.
And at the recent Ocean Breeze Freedom Games:
•Delila Kronimus earned her second consecutive win at 11'6" in the girls pole vault event.
•In the boys 4x400 meter relay, the quartet of Robert LaBarbera, Stetson Terpak, Maximillian Wickrath and Angel Mendez were runners-up in a season best 3:26.27.
•In the girls 4x200 meter relay team of Kessler Hirsch, Ferrah Hill, Chloe Beck and Ella Michelitch produced a strong showing in the preliminaries in 1:46.29 and finished fourth in the finals in 1:47.31.
See more photos on the district's Facebook page!
Minisink Valley returns to the track at The Armory tomorrow, Jan. 7, looking to advance the 4x400 and 4x800 meter relay teams to the prestigious Millrose Games.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL-DONE! The work of 15 High School student artists from Jenna McElroy’s Drawing & Painting and AP Art classes was part of SUNY Orange’s recent and annual “An Artist’s Response to Human Rights” exhibition.
Seniors Jenna Bartels, Audrey DeFazio-Schultz, Melanie Jans, and Madisyn Nunez-Troy; juniors Sadie Lambro, Zoey Wagner, and Josephine Witherow; and sophomores Vitalia Carlucci, Sabrina Listwon, Gianna Miller-Bianchi, Addison Sacco, Ava Schoenleber, Zoe Schultz, Elsa Suen, and Mia Whiting had work on display at SUNY Orange’s Orange Hall Gallery from Dec. 3 through 15.
Students were challenged to create a work of art that illustrates, educates, or raises awareness about one of the articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 that lists the basic rights and freedoms every person should have, such as the right to life, freedom of speech, education, and fair treatment. It applies to everyone, everywhere, and is meant to guide countries in treating people with dignity and equality.
The document’s basic rights and freedoms include:
• Right to life, liberty, and security
• Freedom from slavery and torture
• Right to equality before the law
• Right to a fair trial
• Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
• Freedom of opinion and expression
• Freedom of peaceful assembly and association
• Right to privacy
• Right to nationality
• Right to marry and have a family
• Right to education
• Right to work and fair wages
• Right to rest and leisure
• Right to an adequate standard of living (food, housing, healthcare)
• Right to participate in cultural and public life
Team results:
Minisink vs. Shaker 39–25
Minisink vs. Granville/Whitehall 47–17
Minisink vs. General Brown 41–21
Minisink vs. Utica Proctor 66–5
Minisink vs. Coxsackie 54–5
Minisink vs Glens Falls 49–16
Individual highlights:
MOW: Keira Filip, 6–0
Sara Pauls, 6–0
Avery Wingen, 5–0
Jaida Macaluso, 5–0
Kenzie Welch, 5–0
Amelia Patzelt, 4–0
Olivia Miller,4–0
Cait McIlroy, 4–0
Treven Costello, 4-0
The three alumni returned to the high school during their semester break to speak to interested students in a question and answer format about their college experiences. Students submitted questions in advance and later were part of an open discussion with the panelists. The three college students answered questions regarding initial homesickness; how easy or difficult it was to make new friends and take advantage of all that their schools offered; how they “found” their roommates; and if they were transfer students, how was their transfer experience, among other important topics.
Ms. Hauck attended SUNY Orange, transferred and now attends SUNY New Paltz; Ms. Rodriguez attends SUNY Ulster; and Ms. Guido attends the University of Connecticut.
“All the panelists all have very different college backgrounds so they all provided unique insights,” said counselor Bryana Sewell. “We're hoping this will be a yearly event.”
Players and coaches from the Minisink Valley and Valley Central varsity girls wrestling team gathered last evening, Dec. 18, for a group photo following Minisink Valley’s 52-10 dual meet win!
These Minisink Valley wrestlers won their weight class (in parentheses)
• Zoe Ford (94 lbs.)
• Caleesta Vargas (100 lbs.)
• Makenna Matone (107 lbs.)
• Keira Filip (114 lbs.)
• Peyton Matone (120 lbs.)
• Paris Deslandes (126 lbs.)
• Sara Pauls (132 lbs.)
• Avery Wingen (138 lbs.)
• Kenzie Welch (145 lbs.)
• Jaida Macaluso (165 lbs.)
• Treven Costello (185 lbs.)
Minisink Valley also won four exhibition matches before the varsity meet:
• Madyson Thorpe (126 lbs.)
• Kensi Nigro (132 lbs.)
• Lorencia Gangi (138 lbs.)
• Aubrey Weed (138 lbs.)
“Our girls varsity wrestling team wrestled the first dual meet ever in our home gym,” said Head Coach Dan Gallo. “It was a lot of fun and really cool atmosphere. Congratulations to the current roster, led by captains Jaida Macaluso, Keira Filip, Avery Wingen and Sara Pauls. Let’s keep the ball rolling and continue pushing ourselves to be successful and disciplined each and every day.”
Over the season, Valley Central, Minisink Valley, Monroe-Woodbury, Port Jervis and Middletown will compete at various venues within Section IX's area.
"Dual meet" competition for full teams in girls wrestling is representative of the tremendous growth of the teams in Section IX and across New York State over the last two to three years.
While girls have wrestled for many years (often on boys teams or in club tournaments), the sport became officially recognized by the NYSPHSAA in the 2022–23 school year and held its first official state championship in 2025.
Senior multi-eventer Ella Michelitch had a standout debut in all three of her individual events. She opened the evening with a program record of :8.56 in the preliminaries and raced to a runner-up finish in the final of the 55 meter hurdles. After establishing a new personal best of 34'6" in the shot put, Michelitch closed the evening with a dominant win in the high jump, clearing 5'8". Senior Delila Kronimus also finished second in the pole vault, opening her season with a clearance at 11'6".
The boys team were led by a strong showing in the sprint events, with runner-up finishes for seniors Robert LaBarbera (400 meter dash) and Maximillian Wickrath (55 meter dash). Max emphatically lowered the program record in the flat sprint twice in little more than an hour, blazing to times of :6.65 in the preliminaries and :6.52 in the finals.
And in their first 4x200 meter relay of the season, Robert and Max teamed with Angel Mendez and Tarius Theodore to break the program record and earn third-place honors in 1:32.77.
The teams will return to action with a weekend double-header at West Point (OCIAA Developmental Meet) and The Armory (Jim Mitchell Invitational), before a trip to Staten Island for the Ocean Breeze Holiday Festival.
“And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say
That the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day.”
The High School's Youth Against Cancer (YAC) and ES PTO's "Kids Night Out" fundraiser, held this past Friday was a huge success! Everyone had a wonderful time, which included an opportunity to meet The Grinch! Thank you to all who worked hard to make a memorable night for attendees and for supporting the good work of both organizations.
If so, THANK YOU for your support of the group’s mission to support community organizations caring for cancer patients and cancer patients through their fundraising efforts. YAC sold 151 wreaths, raising $1,109 which will be earmarked for their important work!
Sixteen schools from all over New York State competed in the tournament, which was hosted by the Girls Varsity Wrestling Team.
“When the dust settled, our girls walked away as team champions with 327 team points,” said Head Coach Dan Gallo. “Shenendehowa and Middletown came in second and third respectively.”
Seniors Keira Filip (120-pound weight class) and Jaida Macaluso (165-pound weight class) earned Most Outstanding Wrestling (MOW) honors. At 120 pounds was senior Keira Filip and at 165 pounds was senior Jaida Macaluso.
“Every single Minisink wrestler won a match,” added Coach Gallo. “That’s pretty cool.”
Champions
Calista Vargas, 100-pound weight class
Aubrey Weed 138-pound weight class
Treven Costello, 165-pound weight class
Olivia Carroll, 185- pound weight class
Keira Filip, 120-pound weight class
Sara Pauls, 132-pound weight class
Jaida Macaluso, 165-pound weight class
Finalists
Kolbie Furman, 107-pound weight class
Kensi Nigro, 132- pound weight class
Kenzie Welch, 145-pound weight class
3/4th
Zoe Ford, 94-pound weight class
Mady Thorpe, 126-pound weight class
Avery Wingen 138-pound weight class
Joanna Wodzinski, 152-pound weight class
Amaris Miklwood, 165-pound weight class
In Oaxaca, Mexico, a large part of the culture is the art of the Alebrije, colorful and lavishly decorated fantastical creatures. Students have been tasked with identifying three of their own "spirit animals," or "tona," to create a unique and new fantastical creature. They’re currently working on their armature (skeleton of the sculpture) and will soon be plastering and painting their work. You can already see the creativity and uniqueness in each one!
•Folk art is typically created by individuals from a specific community, often with humble or traditional materials, and reflects cultural heritage and social history.
•Alebrije sculptures originated in the 1930s in Mexico City by Pedro Linares Lopez, who fell ill with a high fever and dreamed he was in a strange land filled with fantastical, brightly colored creatures shouting the word “Alebrije!” Upon recovery, Linares began recreating the creatures in a “cartonería” (papier-mâché)- surrealist dream-state.
•His art caught the attention of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, who commissioned him to create more.
•In the 1980s, artisans in the central valleys of Oaxaca adapted the Alebrijes by carving them from copal wood.
Yes, we know teams can’t “redshirt” themselves.... but we did it anyway for the 2025 Special Olympics New York Polar Bear Plunge. Next year, we will be back!
We’re grateful to officials from Special Olympics New York’s Hudson Valley chapter who visited us this past Friday, Dec. 5, to present us with the 2024 Cool School Challenge Trophy (we raised $4,022) and brought celebratory pizza for anyone from the 2024 team who was able to attend. They gratefully recognized the efforts of the 2024 team and are completely energized to work with us to get an awesome team in place for 2026.
However, the trophy didn’t stay in our possession very long. It’s now in the safekeeping of our friends at the nearby Chester School District, the Cool School Challenge winner for the 2025 plunge at The Rez in Highland Mills. Congratulations, Chester, but you better watch out: We’re coming after you in 2026 to reclaim our title!
Thank you to everyone who supported the High School’s Youth Against Cancer (YAC) Club’s effort to bring awareness to the many health issues impacting men in November, particularly during its Nov. 21 GOING BLUE DAY. The group’s coin jar collection efforts at Perino’s Market, Slate Hill Market and Callie's Coffee Café raised $121.50. THANK YOU to everyone who donated to these jars and to our friends at Perino’s, Slate Hill Market and Callie’s Coffee Café for agreeing to have these jars on display.
But... it gets better! A Buildings & Grounds collection drive raised an additional $325. THANK YOU to everyone who donated! All these funds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, a favorite charity of retired Maintenance Mechanic Joseph Palazzo, who initiated the district’s men’s health awareness initiative years back, with funds raised donated to St. Jude.
And... it still gets better! Mr. Palazzo, though retired from the district but who holds the St. Jude mission in high regard, IS MATCHING the amount raised! A GRAND TOTAL of $893 will be donated to St. Jude, which treats children with serious illnesses and finds cures, no matter their family’s ability to pay. THANK YOU, THANK YOU ---this total amount is the highest amount ever collected!
Don't make lunch, remind your student to pick up lunch (and breakfast) too!
VERY COOL STUFF! Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory method used to separate DNA, RNA or proteins based on their size by pushing them through a gel with an electric current. Smaller pieces move faster and farther than larger ones.
Brendan McGann’s College Biology and College Forensic Science students did just that in their recent gel electrophoresis lab. The separated (by size) DNA fragments allowed students to analyze genetic differences, which is useful to track evolutionary ties and observe genetic similarities for a variety of reasons.
Students prepared an agarose gel, carefully pipetted their DNA samples into wells and applied an electric current across the gel. Because DNA carries a negative charge, the fragments migrate toward the positive end, smaller pieces move faster and farther, while larger pieces lag behind. After the run, the students viewed the separated fragments as distinct bands, each telling a piece of the DNA story.
Not only did students see how DNA can be separated by size, they had the opportunity to practice scientific skills such as micro measuring, pipetting and preparing reagents; apply biology concepts; and have a better understanding of real-world biotechnology tools. These gains in experience allow them to grow from learners into capable young scientists in the fields of genetics, forensics, biotechnology and microbiology research!
WOW! SIMPLY AMAZING!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the recent High School FLBA Food Drive! The group shattered its past collection drive efforts with over 1,000 items donated, weighing an estimated 800 pounds! The FBLA Club will be making a very healthy donation to Minisink Cares, the group which distributes the food to the community. Thank you for helping those who are coping with food insecurity; your donations will make a difference!
