Hudson Falls Central School District

Lee E. Townsend, ’68, Teacher
Lee E. Townsend was born on January 29,1951. During her high school years, she participated in many clubs and activities. She was active in National Honor Society, Drama Club, Thespian Society, Library Club, Physical Science Seminar, Ski Club, Biology Club and Future Teachers of America. Lee graduated in 1968.

Following high school, Lee enrolled at SUNY Adirondack earning an Associate’s Degree and continued her studies at SUNY Oneonta to complete her Bachelor of Science degree. She began teaching sixth grade at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School in Saratoga Springs in January of 1972, prior to her college graduation in May of that year. 

Her thirty-five-year career encompassed positions at Dorothy Nolan, Caroline Street Elementary School, Maple Avenue Middle School, and summer school at the High School. Additionally, Lee worked at a psychological educational program held during the summer at Wood Road School in Ballston Spa.

While teaching Lee continued her own education to obtain her Master of Science at SUNY Plattsburgh. She also took post-graduate courses at SUNY Cortland, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Plattsburgh and a John Hopkins program at RPI. Many of her post-graduate studies centered on science to better serve her students. One of the most unusual was preparing taxidermy for school specimens thus, she became the “queen” of road kill and has been remembered as having preserved mounts in her classrooms.

Lee also became an ardent sailor attending Annapolis Sailing School. Her interest in sailing gave her an opportunity to teach for the Lake George Sailing School. This was eventually incorporated into the YMCA Camp Chingagook sailing program where she was a consultant for their educational component. 

She joined the US Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGAUX) on May 3, 1990 to continue her quest to assist the boating public. She has held numerous offices including Flotilla Commander, Vice Commander, public affairs, member training, vessel examinations and diversity. Her Coast Guard training has led her to be a coxswain, vessel examiner, telecommunications operator and instructor. She has attended the Coast Guard Academy for leadership training as well.

Lee was a board member for the New York State Outdoor Education Association serving as treasurer. She also served on the board of directors for the Saratoga Springs Federal Credit Union. She participated in the 1993 and 1994 Yellowstone Safari, taking students from 6th through 12th grade on an outdoor camping experience in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.

Her interest in track and field has led her to be an official/referee in different organizations for athletes of all ages including youngsters through masters. She is a Master Official for USATF and a 40-year official for the Capitol District Track Officials serving Section 2.

She serves as an election inspector for Saratoga County, continues friendships with past students and colleagues, officiates, contributes within the USCGAUX and during late winter and early spring does a small bit of making maple syrup.

Lee lives in Wilton with her partner and wife of 40 years, Sharon L. Spaulding and their three dogs and one cat.

Thomas E. Mahan, PhD, ’03, Neuroscientist
Thomas E. Mahan, PhD was born on October 26,1985 to Edward and Lynn Mahan. While growing up in Hudson Falls, he participated in baseball, basketball, soccer, bowling, track and field, and ice hockey. He was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated from Hudson Falls in 2003. 

After high school, Tom then journeyed to Lebanon, IL to be a member of the McKendree University Men’s Bowling team and pursue his BS in Biology. While at McKendree, he was also a member of the Men’s Ice Hockey team and was a member of the national math and science honor society, Sigma Zeta. He graduated in 2007 and began working for the life science company Sigma-Aldrich in St. Louis, MO.

While working for Sigma-Aldrich, he received his MS degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2011. Tom then took a job as a research assistant at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis working on Alzheimer disease research in the lab of Dr. David Holtzman. In 2014, he entered the Neuroscience graduate program at Washington University in the Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. In 2021, Tom received his PhD for his research focused on understanding the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s, the APOE gene.

During grad school, Tom and his wife Jessica had three sons, Teddy, Zackary, and Conley. His oldest son, Teddy, was born with Down syndrome and became the motivation for his scientific endeavors. In 2022, Tom began working as a Postdoctoral research scholar working on developing new human cell-based models to better understand how Alzheimer’s develops in Down syndrome. Upon completing his Postdoctoral training, Tom hopes to continue pursuing career opportunities to advance scientific research into preventing and treating Alzheimer disease in those with Down syndrome.

Jan Graham (Pranschke), ’64, Musician
Jan Graham (Pranschke) was born October 24, 1946 in Steubenville, Ohio. Her family moved to Hudson Falls as she began her Junior year of high school. Her musical and vocal talent was immediately recognized and encouraged by Joyce Irwin. Being a member of the Choraliers and having many solo opportunities were key elements in Jan’s musical development.  Jan earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Miss Irwin’s alma mater, Ithaca College.  

Timothy Horrigan, ’71, Musician and Teacher
Born in 1953, Tim Horrigan had a close to idyllic childhood growing up in Hudson Falls. He played Little League, he formed a rocket club, and when the Beatles came on the scene, he was inspired to form his own band, The Crystal Four. 

Tim’s love of music dominated his youth. In school, Joyce Irwin, Hudson Falls’ longtime Choir Director always supported his singing. Outside school, he played organ with The Villagers and guitar mass at St. Mary’s church. 

Beyond music, Tim’s teen achievements included participating in the National Honor Society, the University of Vermont Writers Workshop, the Drama Club, the French Club, and serving as Junior Class President.

Tim majored in English at Boston College. While there, he booked musical acts and wrote for the college newspaper. 

Graduating in 1971, Tim pursued his career in music, playing and recording in Boston. In 1980, when Tim received a songwriting scholarship from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), he moved to Los Angeles. He composed film scores and wrote songs for other artists, producing and arranging nearly 1,000 songs.  

In 1999, Tim attended the University of California, Irvine for Graduate School, and obtained a teaching credential in English. Upon graduation, he was hired at Northwood High School, where he taught Freshman English, Contemporary Literature, The History of Rock ’n’ Roll, and Journalism, and he was the advisor to the school newspaper, The Howler. Tim received the 2009 Teacher of Excellence Award for Northwood High School and in 2018, he was the commencement speaker. 

Tim was the Children’s Theatre Musical Director for the South Coast Repertory Theatre at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. He also led the youth music ministry and played guitar and piano at St. Edward’s Church in Dana Point, California for over 20 years.

Tim’s music including playing with dozens of bands, his writing skills, sense of humor, and teaching ability, all come from a strong ethical foundation and education, all developed during his youth in Hudson Falls. 

Robert K. Chatel Jr. (posthumously), ’67, Teacher/Professor
Robert Kenneth Chatel Jr. was born in Northampton, Massachusetts to Robert Senior and Annella Card Chatel on May 30, 1949. He was the eldest of three sons growing up at 56 Oak Street in Hudson Falls. You could always find a woodcut hanging on their side porch of the figures of brothers Bob, David and Peter, side by side holding hands. 

Bob excelled in school, serving as Treasurer and Vice-President of the Student Council and participating in football, wrestling, and track. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded a Regents Diploma, graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1967.

After attending Norwich University and graduating cum laude from SUNY Albany with a major in English, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago in a doctorate program in the philosophy of language. Bob chose the topic of metaphor for his dissertation. 

In 1978, Bob moved to Thessaloniki, Greece to join his partner in life, Kathleen Hart. There he taught English and Epistemology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He then moved to Portugal, where he spent many years working as a “leitor” (reader) at the University of Coimbra. 

As a lifetime student of languages, he mastered Greek and Portuguese and collaborated as a translator for the Center for Social Studies in Coimbra. Upon returning to Greece in 1997, he served as an Assistant Professor of English at the American College of Thessaloniki. Additionally, he worked with Kathleen in Future Perfect, an enterprise that provided tutoring for students intending to study abroad. Bob also edited academic books, articles, and dissertations for clients whose mother tongue was not English.

On December 2, 2020, Bob passed away peacefully. Of his life’s accomplishments, he would no doubt first of all cite his daughter, Lara Chatel Turbide. He could also be proud (though pride was not part of his nature) of the many students, colleagues, relatives and friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

David A. Chatel, ’68, Public Health American Heart Association
David Chatel’s life is a testament to dedication, service, and the power of activism to improve the lives and health of those in his larger community. Born in 1950 to Robert K. Chatel Sr. and Annella Chatel in Hudson Falls, New York, David’s upbringing on Oak Street with his two brothers, Bob and Peter, set the foundation for a life marked by compassion and leadership. The Chatel family, deeply rooted in education, fostered a love of learning and civic responsibility. This environment would shape David’s path from an early age. David admired the passionate commitment of his father, who chaired the science department and taught chemistry in Hudson Falls for more than 33 years, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of students.

At Hudson Falls High School, where he graduated with the class of 1968, David excelled in academics, sports, and the arts. A member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council, and President of his senior class, David also played on the varsity soccer and tennis teams. His love of music found expression in singing in the Glee Club, the Choraliers, and playing violin in the school orchestra.

David’s passion for learning and service continued at Dartmouth College, where he graduated cum laude in 1972 with a major in cultural anthropology. His college years were marked by a deepening commitment to community service, exemplified by his creation of a Big Brother program in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, for which he received a citation from Dartmouth’s President. This blend of academic excellence and community engagement would become a hallmark of his career.

Following his graduation, David began a distinguished 30-year career with the American Heart Association (AHA), a period defined by his relentless advocacy for public health. In 1981, while continuing his work with the AHA, David earned a master’s degree in cultural anthropology from Brown University. His thesis, which explored the transformative power of self-help groups for stroke survivors, underscored his belief in the ability of collective action to bring about meaningful change.

As Executive Director of the Rhode Island affiliate of the AHA for 18 years, and later as Senior Vice President of Health Initiatives and Advocacy for the Northeast affiliate, David’s leadership was instrumental in advancing health education, policy, and research in cardiovascular disease. His advocacy extended to the creation of support networks for stroke survivors, ensuring that those affected by such a life-altering event had a community to help redefine their lives. 

David’s dedication to public health carried him to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where he served as Director of Patient Advocacy and contributed to the expansion of Medicare to include prescription drug coverage, earning him a Commissioner’s Citation. His career culminated as the Executive Vice President of Advocacy at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Washington, DC. There, he championed the rights of those living with MS, advocating for increased research funding and improved access to healthcare.

Today, David enjoys his retirement in Westerly, Rhode Island, with Mary, his beloved wife of over 50 years. Together, they share the joy in their two daughters, Elizabeth and Michaela, their spouses, and grandchildren, Tess, Paige, Elise, and Oliver. David’s life is a legacy of service, marked by a deep commitment to improving the lives of others, and an understanding of how engagement with a community of passionate advocates can alter the arc of the moral universe.

Peter C. Chatel, ’74, Environmental Specialist/Consultant
Peter Card Chatel, was born September 25, 1956, in Glens Falls, NY as the youngest son of Robert K. Chatel, Sr. and Annella Chatel. From his start at Margaret M. Murphy Elementary School, through Hudson Falls Junior and Senior High Schools, Peter was greatly influenced by his father, who was his high school chemistry teacher. Peter’s experience in his father’s Science Seminar spurred his interest in environmental studies. Peter’s mother, Annella, also contributed significantly to his education as his preschool teacher and math tutor.

Peter was a well-rounded student, actively participating in numerous extracurricular activities including choir, Choraliers, band, orchestra, chess club, soccer, and tennis. He held leadership roles as the yearbook editor-in-chief and was a National Honor Society member before graduating in 1974.

Peter earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Technology from Cornell University in 1978 and went to work as an Environmental Specialist at Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle, focusing on environmental regulations and compliance programs. He later earned a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University in 1987. 

After receiving his Master’s degree Peter joined Arthur D. Little, Inc. (ADL) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his career advanced quickly and he became the youngest elected Director in 1989 and received ADL’s Presidential Award in 1990. His work in environmental, health, and safety compliance auditing and training was notable. 

In 1992, Peter joined The Coca-Cola Company to help establish its first corporate environmental program. Within Coca-Cola, Peter assumed leadership roles in various departments where he led a wide range of environmental and quality initiatives.

In 2015 after 22 years at Coca-Cola, Peter founded The Chatel Consulting Group, focusing on helping organizations improve through excellence, capability development, and accountability. 

In 2021 he joined his wife Sarah at Chatel Group, a real estate team, and in 2022, they achieved recognition in the Atlanta Real Estate market as being in the top 5% of teams.

Peter Chatel’s extensive career, marked by leadership and innovation, reflects his commitment to excellence, driven by a foundation of strong family values and diverse educational experiences.

Brooke Goff, ’05, Attorney, Owner of Goff Law Group
Brooke Goff is a 2005 graduate of Hudson Falls Schools. Since her days as the first female player on her middle and high school football teams, she has achieved remarkable success in her journey to establish the largest female-owned personal injury law firm in Connecticut. Her dedication to promoting equality and empowering women and mothers in the workplace is truly inspiring.

Starting with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Bridgeport, Brooke pursued her dreams of becoming a female entrepreneur and attorney by graduating cum laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law. In 2017, she founded Goff Law Group LLC, which has grown into a Connecticut empire with extensive visibility through billboards, commercials, radio shows, and social media segments like Brooke’s Bites. She has received the Super Lawyers Rising Stars award every year since 2017, and was recognized by Connecticut Magazine as a recipient of the Top 40 under 40.

Brooke’s outstanding contributions extend beyond her professional achievements. This year she pledged $500,000 to Quinnipiac University School of Law to create the Goff Law Group Endowed Law Scholarship benefiting women students with demonstrated financial need, with preference given to LGBTQ+ students and allies. In recognition of Goff’s philanthropy, School of Law Dean Jennifer Brown announced that the Ceremonial Courtroom will be named the Brooke A. Goff Courtroom.

When not in the courtroom, Brooke enjoys leisure time on the golf course or can be found watching football (GO JETS!) at her West Hartford home with her wife, Angie, and their two children, Greyson and Victoria. She will also speak at numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities about the importance of education and pursuing one’s dreams. Brooke’s passion for justice and her dedication to making a difference exemplify her as a leader in law and a role model for aspiring legal professionals.

Joseph P. Gross, ’83, Business Owner, Gross Electric
Joseph P. Gross, a proud graduate of Hudson Falls High School (1983), credits his formative years and inspiring teachers for guiding him on his business journey. Shortly after high school, he began his career in the construction industry as an electrician’s helper, wiring the Crossgates Mall. His dedication and talent quickly propelled him to the role of Lead Foreman, where he honed his leadership skills managing projects at the IBM Facility in Poughkeepsie.

In 1994, Joseph took a bold step by founding Gross Electric, Inc. from a small office above his garage in Queensbury, NY. Joe quickly built a strong team that included fellow ’82 alumni Francis Nassivera & Andrew Mahan and guided by a bold vision and exceptional leadership, he and his team of skilled professionals rapidly expanded the business, turning it into the largest electrical contracting firm in Upstate New York. Gross Electric now has multiple offices along the East Coast and a workforce of over 300 electricians. The company proudly serves a diverse range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, data centers, food production, healthcare, and water/wastewater treatment facilities.

Joseph’s commitment to his profession extends beyond business. For more than 20 years, he has served as a Governor of the National Electrical Contractors Association and has been an Employer Trustee overseeing employee retirement benefits. He is also dedicated to philanthropy, with Make-A-Wish being one of his key charitable endeavors, helping fulfill the wishes of numerous children.

Family is central to Joseph’s life. He is a proud father to two grown children, Kevin and Kyle, who are both part of Gross Electric, ensuring the company’s legacy continues as a multi-generational business.

In his rare moments of downtime, Joseph enjoys boating and hunting with friends and family, embracing the joys of life outside of work.

Andrew Bigelow, ’02, Army Lieutenant Colonel
Andrew Bigelow was born on October 4, 1984, at Glens Falls Hospital, to Karen and Ted Bigelow. He grew up on School Street and spent his entire youth in Hudson Falls. He lettered in three varsity sports and served as Captain of the Football and Wrestling teams. 

Upon graduation from Hudson Falls High School in 2002 he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was a member of the Army Sprint Football team.  In 2006, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army as an Environmental Science and Engineering Officer.  He has served continuously on active duty for the past 17 years and is currently a Lieutenant Colonel. 

Andrew has served in several operational and leadership assignments while in the Army at various locations around the world. His duty assignments include Fort McPherson, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Drum, Afghanistan, Baltimore, Fort Bragg, and West Point. He served as both a Detachment and Company Commander for over 40 months. In 2010 he deployed to Afghanistan for twelve months as part of the 10th Mountain Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he was awarded the Bronze Star. While in Command at Fort Bragg, he led his unit through two humanitarian deployments as part of Northern Command providing support for hurricane relief efforts in the Virgin Islands and in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. 

Andrew attended graduate school at Johns Hopkins University in 2014 where he earned a master’s degree in environmental engineering. He is a board-certified Professional Engineer. 

Andrew is currently assigned at West Point serving as the Chief of Public Health for West Point. He lives in Cornwall, NY and is married to his high school girlfriend Sarah Romano (Hudson Falls Class of 2001).  They have three kids, Drew, Maximus, and Arabella.  In addition to serving on active duty, he is an active member of his local community where he coaches youth athletics year-round.

Samuel Ratti Robinson, ’06, School Administrator
Samuel Ratti Robinson is a 2006 graduate of Hudson Falls. Following his time at Hudson Falls, he attended Siena College where he pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in history with a focus in education. After graduating from Siena College in 2010, he attended the College of Saint Rose where he finished his teaching certification and graduated with a Master’s in Adolescent Education 7-12 with dual certification in social studies and special education. Samuel graduated from Saint Rose and was inducted into the St. Rose Graduate School Honor Society. 

After finishing his time in Albany, Sam moved to Boston for two years where he taught Social Studies and Special Education at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School. In addition to teaching, he began his career in athletics at Mystic Valley where he was the boys’ JV basketball coach.

In 2013 he accepted a position teaching Social Studies at Fort Edward Union Free School District. The following year, Sam returned to the sidelines as the boys’ JV basketball coach. Over the next few years Sam also co-coached varsity tennis, and varsity softball as part of the merged teams with Argyle and Hartford. 

His career in school administration started as the Athletic Director at Fort Edward which ultimately led to him enrolling in the School Building Leadership (SBL) program through SUNY Plattsburgh. After completing the SBL program, Sam moved over from his teaching position at Fort Edward into the 6-12 principal position where he continued to work for the next two years. During his time at Fort Edward, Sam helped oversee the development of an after-school peer tutoring program that paired National Honor Society students with struggling middle school students. Additionally, Sam began working alongside Arthur “Chip” Corlew as part of the NYSPHSAA Boys’ Basketball State Tournament Committee, where Sam now serves as the Assistant Tournament Director for Glens Falls.

In 2020, Samuel moved on from Fort Edward to Northville Central School District where he is currently the Middle School/High School Principal. There Sam has led a regional initiative to increase student engagement and awareness around career paths related to the trades and other career expo work with students. Because of this work, Sam is now a board member on the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition where he works alongside area employers and engineers.

In his personal life, Sam is an Eagle Scout and continues to volunteer in a number of area events. He met his wife Catherine, during the spring of 2010 at Siena College and the two of them were married in 2018 in Saratoga. They have one son, Everett, who was born in 2022, and a loving dog named Stella. They currently reside in Ballston Lake, NY and still frequently visit Hudson Falls where his mother lives by Derby Park.

Theresa A. (Pratt) Ibbotson, ’73, Teacher
Theresa “Mrs. Ibby” Ibbotson was born on October 28, 1954, in Glens Falls to Henry and Hilda Pratt. Her family includes five sisters, Diane, Barbara, Martha, Kay, and Susan, and three brothers, Larry, and David, and Hudson Falls football standout Robert. 

Theresa attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and received The Monsignor Kiffin Memorial Award. She taught church school and was a counselor for the Junior Catholic Daughters. While at Hudson Falls High School she sang in the choir, was in Library Service for three years, and played girls’ softball. She graduated in 1973. Theresa still keeps in touch with “The Lunch Bunch”, close school friends she still sees once a month.

Mrs. Ibby married Craig Ibbotson in 1973 and had two wonderful sons, Craig and Michael, who also attended Hudson Falls Schools. She was a Den Mother and homeroom mom and, along with Mrs. Hafner, made breakfast for the football team. Additionally, Mrs. Ibby has proudly supported children with William Syndrome. 

In 1979 Mrs. Ibby began a career in Early Childhood Education. She earned her Child Development Associate Credential, with Mr. William Goodrich as her advisor. She was on the executive board of the New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NCAEYC) for 16 years, both as Treasurer and Chairperson of the annual Children’s Festival. 

Theresa was a Recipient of the 1999 Award given to one who has strengthened the foundations of the Early Childhood community through the North Country Association for Education of Young Children (NCAEYC). She was also a Recipient of a 2016 Women of Distinction Award from the New York State Assembly, presented by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. 

Later, Mrs. Ibby was the Assistant Director at the Learning School in Hudson Falls. She also taught at the Bluebirds Nest in GF, Apple A Day in Saratoga Springs, and Saratoga Independent School. 

She retired after 38 years of teaching and still lives in Hudson Falls with her husband and son Mike; Craig lives out of town with his lovely wife Jessica.

Daniel Giroux, ’83, Certified Memorialist
Dan was born in 1965 to Jeannine and Roland Giroux of Hudson Falls and started school at Burgoyne Ave Elementary School in 1970. He was uninterested in education until his first day of 9th grade when a teacher informed the class that high school was a chance at a fresh start. That’s when education and school started to matter.

Dan graduated with the class of 1983 and continued his education at Siena College, Class of 1987, with a degree in marketing and a plan to take over the family monument business. He joined the boards of the Sandy Hill and Fort Edward Union Cemetery and New York State Monument Builders where he served in a number of offices including President in both organizations. In 1990, he joined Monument Builders of North America and became a Certified Memorialist, and later served as District Trustee of New York and New England for several years. In 1993, Dan was awarded the Siena College Business Division Gold Medal Award. 

Dan married Lisa Cavanaugh in 1993 and moved to Ballston Spa. In order to improve his skills and better serve the community, he returned to school to learn to draw and draft, and won several national monument design awards. 

Since that time in 9th grade, Dan understood that education opened doors, and with the support of his family, he returned to school. Soon after he won the Capital Area School Development (CASDA) Award for new teachers and completed a Master’s in Teaching in 2000. He decided, however, to return to the monument business but was better prepared for presentations and public speaking as well as teaching others throughout the industry. 

Dan was selected to join the American Institute of Commemorative Art, an association of exceptionally creative designers. Dan has won several design awards within the organization including the prestigious Faehnle Design Award for excellence in memorial design. 

Dan designed several civic monuments including the Korean War Veterans monument and the Global War on Terror monument in Crandall Park, The Ethan Allen Memorial monument in Lake George, the Four Freedoms monument in Minerva, the Global War on Terror monument at SUNY Adirondack and the 9-11 monument at the University at Albany to name a few. 

He and his wife Lisa have two children, Dan and Rachel.

William Collins ’59, Business Owner
Bill was born in Glens Falls Hospital in August 1941, son of Frederick A. and Margaret Derry Collins.  Bill, his two brothers, Pete, and Andy, lived in Fort Edward.  He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Hudson Falls and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1959.  Bill is a proud alumnus of Villanova University and graduated with a BS in Economics with a major in Accounting in 1964. After completing his military service in the US Army. Bill was buyer for department stores in Philadelphia, Scranton, and Baltimore.  Bill met his wife, Michele, in Scranton and they were married in 1971.  Bill and Michele moved to Hudson Falls and took over as owner/operator of Pender Towly women’s clothing store.  In 1994, following the closing of Pender Towly, Bill went to work for the Post Star Newspaper, in circulation, until 2012.  He also worked for McCann’s Pharmacy for two years.

As a lifelong advocate for progress in Hudson Falls and Kingsbury, Bill has been involved in many different activities including the Rotary Club of Hudson Falls, being a 50-year member, serving as president twice, and on the board of directors for many years.  Bill was also a Trustee of the Kingsbury Town Board for 20 years, member of the Glens Falls 1st National Bank of Hudson Falls Board of Directors, Chairman of Hudson Falls Business Persons Committee, Hudson Falls/Kingsbury Chamber of Commerce serving as President and Secretary, Vice Chairman of 1976 Bicentennial Celebration Committee, Chairman for eight years of the Legs for Lungs 10K Road Race, 35+ years on the Sandy Hill Days Committee.  

Bill and Michele had four children, Colleen Sauter, Burke Collins, Kevin Collins, Kathleen Rourke, five grandchildren, and one great grandson.

Kathy Marie Bruno-Dudley (posthumously), ’84, Secretary
Born on May 3, 1966, in Glens Falls, is the cherished daughter of Clarence and Joyce Bruno, who grew up alongside her five siblings in the close-knit community of Hudson Falls and the Town of Kingsbury. From an early age, Kathy’s vibrant personality and zest for life were evident. Kathy loved being a Hudson Falls Tiger. Graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1984, leaving behind a legacy of her active involvement in sports, particularly softball and basketball. 

In 1985, Kathy embarked on a new adventure by enlisting in the United States Army, serving in both Germany and Alaska.  Kathy earned the esteemed “Army Achievement Medal” which is awarded for outstanding achievement and meritorious service. She proudly and honorably concluded her military journey in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of service that she held dear.

On September 3, 1994, Kathy married her soulmate, Russell Dudley. They learned the ins and outs of parenting three children and their many beloved pets. A devoted mother to her children—Joshua Michael, Cassie Renee, and Aaron Blake Dudley—she shaped their lives profoundly. Kathy was their biggest fan, often found at the sidelines, cheering them on with unwavering enthusiasm.  Kathy was also the proudest Grandmother, her grandsons held a special place in her heart, and she relished spending weekends creating cherished memories with them, they were the apple of her eye. 

Hiking to the shores of Lake George and exploring its waterfalls and islands were some of her most cherished activities. Kathy found solace in camping, adventure in the mountains, and tranquility near water.  

Kathy had a lifelong connection to St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church of Hudson Falls, worked in Prospect school and as a family worker at Headstart School. Each of Kathy’s pursuits lead her to become the Athletic Director’s Administrative Assistant at Hudson Falls High School. This is where Kathy showcased her commitment to her faith and her passion for supporting and guiding young athletes and students.  Kathy also coached cheerleading, actively participated in the Hudson Falls Wrestling Booster Club, Tiger Booster Club, and HFCSD/Kingsbury Recreation.

Kathy’s wisdom was captured in her favorite quote: “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” Kathy Marie Bruno-Dudley’s life was a testament to the power of a big heart, a vibrant spirit, and a determination to make a difference. 

A Life of Love, Adventure, and Unwavering Support

Todd R. McIntosh, ’91, United States Marine Corps
Todd R. McIntosh, the son of Eileen VanDoran, was born on March 1, 1973, in Glens Falls, NY and began his elementary schooling at Burgoyne Avenue elementary. He lettered in three varsity sports and was named All-Conference and was a Section 2 Class B Champion in all three sports his senior year. He graduated in the class of 1991 and subsequently attended Adirondack Community College in the same year.

After completing one year of college, he attended Marine Corps Basic Training at Parris Island, SC. After the completion of thirteen weeks of basic training, he attended numerous military occupational specialties schools in the North Carolina area where he was eventually trained as a cook and a logistician.

After completing Basic Training and his Military Occupational Specialties Schools, he was sent to his first duty assignment in Camp Fuji, Japan. Prior to his departure, he married Mary Lynn Carlisle of Hudson Falls.

His duty stations and assignments have brought him around the world; Camp Fuji Japan, Twenty-nine Palms CA; Camp Pendleton CA; Okinawa Japan; Cherry Point NC; Kansas City MO; Indian Head MD and Camp Lejeune NC. He also deployed for six months to Iraq, and twelve months to Afghanistan in support of the War on Terrorism. In addition to supporting the War on Terrorism he was also one of the lead planners in Operation Allied Welcome, where military personnel received the displaced Afghanistan nationals here in the United States.

Todd retired from the Marine Corps in 2022 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) after serving 30 years of honorable service. He and Mary currently reside in Hampstead, North Carolina. They are the parents of a son and daughter: Zachary of Wilmington, NC; Hailey of Hampstead, NC.

Marc Anthony Cerro, ’93, Consultant, Google/Fitbit
Marc Anthony Cerro was born on July 28, 1975, at Glens Falls Hospital, to Antonio and Michelle Cerro.  He spent his entire K-12 education in the Hudson Falls Central School District, where he enjoyed Football, Track & Field, Band, Chorus, performing in School Musicals, and participating in student government.   

Upon graduating from Hudson Falls in 1993, Marc attended American University in Washington, DC, where he majored in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government.  At American, Marc played Men’s Lacrosse, maintained a GPA of 3.6, served on the School’s Rank and Tenure Committee, and interned at the White House and with General Electric, as a Gadbaw Fellow.

Marc has spent the past 5 years in transformative roles at Google, including driving hyper growth in Google Cloud. He is now focused on growing strategic partnerships at Google’s recent consumer health acquisition, Fitbit. 

Marc’s 25 years of professional experience offers a distinct blend of consulting and corporate responsibilities.  Marc’s tenure with industry leaders, such as General Electric, Booz Allen Hamilton, Starwood Hotels, Marsh & McLennan Companies, and now Google, provides him with a broad perspective and deep understanding of how to transform insight into action.  

Marc’s tireless commitment, positive attitude, and functional expertise in critical areas, such as finance, risk management, technology, sales, and six sigma quality, enable him with the perspective and track record to solve even the most complex business challenges.  While supporting U.S. Government clients, Marc also secured and maintained a U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret Clearance, working at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Marc currently resides in Glens Falls, NY, with his wife, Rhianna Hogan-Cerro, and daughters, Vivienne and Lily.  In his free time, Marc enjoys watching his daughters participate in school activities, playing with their dog, Poppy, and relaxing on Glen Lake

Joseph C. Melucci, ’89, Vice President of Glens Falls National Bank
Joe Melucci was born in April, 1971, at Glens Falls Hospital. He grew up in Fort Edward and attended Hudson Falls Schools until his graduation in 1989. While a student, he participated in many activities, including football, baseball, and tennis.

After graduation, Joe attended SUNY Adirondack (formerly Adirondack Community College), and earned his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. He spent the first several years of his working career in retail environments, first at Rite Aid and then at Gold Day in Queensbury. In 1998, he married local teacher, Samantha Melucci, also a graduate of Hudson Falls High School, and they chose to make Hudson Falls their home.

In 2001, Joe was hired by Glens Falls National Bank, first as an Assistant Manager, then quickly moving into the manager position at the Main Office in Glens Falls. He moved to the Kingsbury Branch of Glens Falls National in 2003, where he was promoted to Vice President and remained for several years.  Joe was recognized multiple times by the bank for his service to his customers and for his volunteerism in the community. He was also recognized as a member of the Post Star’s “20 Under 40” Inaugural designation in 2008.  He currently serves as a Regional Manager for the bank, overseeing 13 branches in Washington, Saratoga and Essex counties.  

Joe is extremely active in the community. His Board service includes both the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks and the Hudson Falls Little League, where he also served as a coach and coordinator for 16 years. He is currently a member and past President of the Hudson Falls Rotary, as well as a board member and past President of the Adirondack Samaritan Counseling Center. He has also served on several committees to support the betterment of the Village, including committees to address vacant and abandoned homes, identifying Brownfield sites for future development, and the Moran-Derby Park Committee, helping to revitalize the park for generations to come.

Joe and his wife Sam currently reside in Hudson Falls. Their five sons, Matt, Ryan, Jack, William and Sam all attend or have graduated from the Hudson Falls School District. They are proud to live and work in this community, and hope to be an example to the students in Hudson Falls that hard work and service to others pays off in dividends in building a better future.

Don G. Hassett (posthumously), ’48, Engineer GE
Don G Hassett was born on April 11, 1930 in Glens Falls, NY. He grew up on Geer Road in the Town of Kingsbury. He lettered in four varsity sports and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1948. 

Upon graduation Don attended Norwich University and graduated in 1952 with a distinguished military graduation designation. Don then began his service as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army on July 15, 1952. While serving, Don completed a 15 month tour of active duty in Germany during the occupation. He was later given an honorable discharge from the Army Reserve on September 13, 1960. As a result of his service, Don was rewarded with an Army of Occupation Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. While in the Service, he married the former Patricia Winters of West Chester, PA. 

In 1954, Don began his career with General Electric in Hudson Falls as a mechanical engineer. During this time, Don served for 33 years on the Hudson Falls School Board of Education and was an active member and Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club. Don also served on the Village of Hudson Falls Zoning Board. He and Patricia resided in Hudson Falls, raising three daughters: Debra Cirino of Hartford NY, Linda Muller of Ravena NY, Sandra Peters of Orlando FL, and a son Dale Hassett of Delmar NY. They had seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Linda Shaw Marzialo, ’71, Architect
Linda Shaw Marzialo was born on October 25, 1953, in New York City.  She moved to Hudson Falls with her mother and two sisters in 1959.  There she attended second through fourth grades.  After a brief period living in Lake George, Linda returned to Hudson Falls to complete seventh through twelfth grades, graduating in 1971.  In high school, Linda was a member of the National Honor Society, the Activities editor of HERMES, and a member of the Physical Science Seminar and Latin Clubs. 

In 1971, Linda left Hudson Falls to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.  There she enrolled in a pre-med program, majored in physics, and minored in math.  Linda balanced this heavy science and math curriculum with art electives.  This balance led her, upon graduation in 1975, to shift her focus from the practice of medicine to that of healthcare design. Through apprenticeship and examination, Linda became a licensed architect in 1985.  She spent the remainder of her professional career designing healthcare facilities across the country.  Linda rose in rank from intern to the owner and CEO of Gould Turner Group, at the time the largest woman-owned architectural firm in Tennessee.  She is responsible for the design of 30 new hospitals, hundreds of hospital additions and renovations, and numerous award-winning projects.

Linda is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is accredited by the American College of Healthcare Architects.  She has spoken at national healthcare conferences about healthcare design, mentored young students, and has been recognized as a “Power Leader”, “Woman to Watch”, and “In-Charge Healthcare” by Nashville Business Journal and Nashville Medical News.

Linda currently serves as President of the American Institute of Architects for the State of TN, as well as President of Renewal House, a non-profit residential treatment program for women who suffer from addiction. 

Linda resides in Franklin, TN.  She and her husband, Michael, enjoy spending summers at their Schroon Lake, NY camp.  Linda is the mother of two children, Nicholas Marzialo of Salem, MA and Lin Marzialo of Salt Lake City, UT.

Laurie R. Trombley, ’91, Marketing, National Media
Laurie R. Trombley was born on January 17, 1973, at Glens Falls Hospital. She is the middle daughter of George “Bud” Trombley and Barbara R. Trombley (nèe McAuley), class of 1964, and sister to fellow Hudson Falls alums Angela Trombley (class of 1988) and Rebecca Trombley (class of 1993).

Laurie’s entire pre-college education took place in Hudson Falls. From the time she was a child, she expressed a strong interest in the Arts (music, drama, writing, poetry). Throughout high school, she participated in the Marching (drums) and Jazz (percussion) bands and was a cheerleader. Laurie’s extracurricular activities included piano & dance lessons and acting in the Lake George Youth Theater. She graduated in 1991 and started college that year.

Laurie attended the College of New Rochelle (CNR), located outside New York City, and double majored in English and Philosophy. There, she became a Music Editor of the college’s newspaper, The Tatler. Laurie received a promotional copy of Jeff Buckley’s ‘Live at Sin-è’ EP, which became a pivotal moment in her life. Taken by what she heard, Laurie wrote a letter that ultimately led Mr. Buckley to select her as his Fan Relations Manager personally. She worked for De-El Entertainment (Mr. Buckley’s Management Company) while also interning at Wenner Media (Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal, Us Magazine).

After graduating from CNR in 1995, Laurie moved to NYC and began building her marketing career. She has worked for Wenner Media, A&E Television Networks, Fuse TV, and National CineMedia.

Upon Jeff Buckley’s untimely death in 1997, Laurie worked tirelessly with her friend and co-worker Nyla Adams to pay tribute to the late singer by co-producing and co-directing the award-winning documentary ‘Amazing Grace: Jeff Buckley.’

Laurie’s favorite gig continues to be playing Aunt to several nieces and nephews and their children. She visits Hudson Falls frequently.

Dr. David Leaf,’65, Chiropractor
David was born on December 22, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas. His parents moved with him to Hudson Falls two years later, first living on main Street and then on North Oak Street.

He graduated from Hudson Falls in 1965 and lettered in track. After high school, he went to the State University at Albany. In 1971, he graduated from the Texas Chiropractic College as valedictorian.

After college, David first moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts, and practiced there for six years before opening three offices in southeastern Massachusetts. He has had a practice treating the general public in Plymouth, MA, since 1977. This year he is celebrating 50 years in practice. His goal has always been to teach people to take care of themselves.

Aligning with this goal David started studying applied kinesiology in 1971 and began teaching this in 1976. Since then, he has lectured throughout the United States and in Canada, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, and Australia.

He started treating Olympic class athletes in the ‘80s and later members of the New England Patriots, A.C. Milan soccer players, and Paralympic athletes of Russia. These athletes have also included a 100-meter world record holder, players in the NFL, NBA, and NHL, and world champion powerlifters. For the last six years, he has been honored to lecture in Moscow at symposiums for neurologists in November and sports injury specialists in May.

David has authored two books, one on applied kinesiology and the other on muscle testing. In addition, he is currently working on an online learning course for professionals to improve the diagnosis and treatment of muscle injuries.

Cheryl Potvin Hogan, ‘85, Attorney
Cheryl Hogan was born on September 1, 1967 in Hudson Falls.  She was the fifth of six children of Dr. Mitchell L. and Norma Potvin.  While in high school, she served as a class officer and was active in Key Club and National Honor Society, as well as playing tennis, volleyball, and softball.  She also maintained a number of close friendships that continue to this day.  She graduated in 1985 and entered the College of the Holy Cross in September of that year.

She graduated cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.  After graduation, she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC).  As a Jesuit volunteer, she served one year in North Philadelphia as a legal advocate for victims of domestic violence.

After her year of service in JVC, Cheryl enrolled at Albany Law School, where she was an Executive Editor of the Albany Law Review.  She graduated magna cum laude from law school in 1993.  After graduation, she joined the law firm of Hinman Straub in Albany.  At Hinman Straub, Cheryl specializes in health insurance and became a shareholder of the firm.  In 2008, The Legal Project awarded her the Stanley A. Rosen Memorial Award for Pro Bono Service to Victims of Domestic Violence.

Cheryl resides in Hudson Falls with her husband William.  They are the parents of four children: Thomas, Benjamin, Daniel, and Eliza.  She currently serves on the Distribution Committee of The Glens Falls Foundation and is on the Board of Directors of Operation Santa Claus and The Hudson Falls Free Library.  She is also a former member of the Hudson Falls Central School Board of Education.

John A. Toole (posthumously) ‘68, Educator/Coach
John “Jack” A. Toole was born on March 15, 1950 in Glens Falls to John and Joan Toole. With James, Mary Jane, and Joanne, Jack is one of four children. He attended St. Mary’s in Hudson Falls, and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1968.  In high school, Jack broke multiple records including the school record for the mile. His time of 4:16 minutes still stands today. He finished his high school career as New York State Runner Up in the Track Championship.

As a result of his high school success, Jack earned a full track and field scholarship to the University of Nebraska.  At Nebraska, he ran against the top runners in the country and won two Big Eight Championships.  In 1973, he graduated from college and began working at Granville Elementary where he taught 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade for 35 years.  During his career, Jack was nominated for the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Honoring Our Nation’s Most Respected Teachers in 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2005.

Along with teaching, Jack coached football and track for 46 years. Throughout his career, he coached at Hudson Falls High School, Granville High School, and he helped coach various players and runners from other school districts including Glens Falls and Queensbury.  In the 1990s, he was also the head coach of the Glens Falls Greenjackets.  Jack has had a decorated coaching career by winning numerous football championships and producing various championship runners. In 2015, he was inducted into the Greenjackets Hall of Fame.

What made Jack’s coaching special was not only the success of championships or by using his analytic techniques, rather it was special because of his strong influence on the players he coached and coaches he worked with.  “Coach Toole” was special in that he cared and had so much passion for the game and the players he coached.  He provided guidance on and off the field to his players, and cared not only about bringing out the best of their abilities but also about being the most successful in life they could be, no matter where life took them.

Accompanying all of his success, Jack married his wife of 27 years, Maria in 1991.  He is the father of three children: Alexa, Christopher, and Ryan. Jack strove to be the best husband and father to his children that he could be.  He was once asked what he was most proud of in life and without hesitation, he responded with, “I am most proud of my wife and my children.”  

On October 20, 2018, Jack passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Jack’s memory lives on in the family that survives him, and all those whose lives he touched in teaching and coaching in the most special way.

Dr. Richard Eaton Wardwell, ‘64 Engineer
The Glens Falls Hospital welcomed Richard Wardwell into this world on March 1, 1947.  One month later he, his parents, and big sister, Beth, moved into a country farmhouse at the corner of Sanford Ridge and Vaughn Road where Richard lived for the next 21 years. He was educated in the Hudson Falls School District, starting in 1951 with Miss Rinfret’s kindergarten class, and finishing in 1964, graduating high school with an unremarkable record as he was mostly interested in skiing at Hickory Hill in the winter, and playing on Lake George in the summer.  

After high school, Richard majored in Civil Engineering at the University of Vermont, graduating with a B.S. in 1968 while working school beaks at Rist-Frost Engineers.  After college, he joined the Navy, where he trained as a Naval Flight Officer stationed at Maryland’s Patuxent River Naval Air Station tracking Russian submarines over the North Atlantic. 

Discharged as a Lieutenant in 1972 and armed with VA benefits, Richard pursued graduate studies at the University of Maine (M.S. 1973) and Colorado State University (Ph.D. 1981), specializing in geotechnical and groundwater engineering.  During the subsequent 28 years of experience, Dr. Wardwell started in academia, but then served as an engineering consultant evaluating earthwork stability and solid & hazardous waste disposal design, remediation, and reclamation.

While practicing in Maine, Richard was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) – a seven citizen panel tasked to assess the environmental impact associated with permit applications, appeals, and rulemaking that came before the State’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  He held this position for five years and as its chair for the last two.

Based on Dr. Wardwell’s engineering and adjudicatory experience, in 2005 he was selected to serve as a full-time technical judge for the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP) of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to adjudicate licenses challenged by outside parties regarding nuclear reactor operation and control of radioactive materials.  During his 14 years on the ASLBP, Richard volunteered at food kitchens in Washington D.C., and for the Open Door Mission in Glens Falls.  

In 2019, Richard retired to Lake George but continued volunteering at the Open Door Mission, gleaning excess groceries for food kitchens and pantries in Warren County.  His spare time has been spent sprucing up his Lake George cottage, skiing, and maintaining his aviation skills as an FAA licensed commercial pilot and certificated flight instructor.  Richard realizes he has been blessed to enjoy these activities and, especially to share life experiences with sons, Ethan of Bangor, ME, and Duncan of Richmond, VT, and with daughter-in-law, Amy, and two grandsons, Quinn and Alex.

Dr. Kevin B. Mercure, ‘93 Doctor/Educator
Kevin B. Mercure was born on April 4, 1975, to the Honorable Thomas and Theresa Mercure. He grew up on Clark Street in Hudson Falls with his siblings Kelly, Thomas, Michael, and Katie. The Mercure family still lives on Clark Street today.

Kevin has always felt that his four years at Hudson Falls High School were some of the best years of his life.  He was president of his class – all four years – and president of the National Honor Society.  He played the French horn in the band and was chosen to participate in the All-County Band Festival.  He was in the drama club and was active at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls serving on the Parish Council. Kevin was also very successful as a varsity athlete.  He was a pole vaulter on the Tigers Championship Track teams in 1990, 1991, and 1992.  He also played quarterback on the 1991 Tigers football team that beat Glens Falls to keep the Jug in Hudson Falls.  On the Tigers 1992 varsity football team, he was a co-captain. 

In 1993, after graduating from Hudson Falls High School, as salutatorian, Kevin entered the Siena College/Albany Medical College program in Art, Humanities, and Medicine.  He graduated from Siena College summa cum laude in 1997 and won the St. Francis Medal.  During his time at Siena, Kevin was involved with extensive service projects which included working on an Apache reservation in Arizona, in soup kitchens in Philadelphia, and working with victims of child abuse near Thunder Bay, Canada.   He then graduated from Albany Medical College in 2001 after winning the Albert Yunich Award in Gastroenterology and thereafter completed a three-year internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University in 2004.  He completed a three-year fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Albany Medical Center in 2007 and is currently board certified in gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Kevin Mercure has had an active gastroenterology practice for the past 14 years.  He is currently an assistant professor of medicine and gastroenterology at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia.  He supervises residents and treats patients throughout Southwest Virginia.  

Kevin has two children, Jack and Mary.  Kevin is active with the Boy Scouts of America. His hobbies include running, hiking, and mountain biking.

Richelle Ives-Archard, ’86 Healthcare Management
Richelle Ives–Archard was born October 23, 1968, in North Bend, Oregon to Richard and Jean Ives while her dad was serving in the Air Force. In 1969 the family moved back to Hudson Falls. Richelle attended Burgoyne Avenue Elementary School then Hudson Falls Junior and Senior High Schools. She graduated in 1986. Her brothers, James and Timothy Ives, also graduated from Hudson Falls Schools. During her time in high school, she worked as a dietary aide at Fort Hudson Nursing Home as well as several full-time summer babysitting jobs. 

Richelle attended Adirondack Community College for a semester after graduation. At that time she was unsure of a career path and decided to work full-time as a certified nurse’s aide at Fort Hudson Nursing Home. After several years at Fort Hudson, she decided to take a new path and worked as a commercial line underwriter for the United Community Insurance Company/The Lawrence Group in Glens Falls, New York. After several years the insurance company closed and Richelle decided to follow her heart and enrolled in the nursing program at Adirondack Community College. She graduated in 2000 with an Associate’s Degree in nursing. 

Richelle worked at the Glens Falls Hospital as a Registered Nurse until 2004 when she took some time away from nursing to be at home with her two children. At that time she worked at the Glens Falls Family YMCA in the childcare room, fitness room, and as a preschool aide. From 2011 to 2013 Richelle worked as a Registered Nurse for Community, Work & Independence, Inc. In 2013 she took a position as the director of the assisted living program at Adirondack Manor, then in 2016 moved on to be the Director of the assisted living program at The Terrace at the Glen at Hiland Meadows. 

While working full-time Richelle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, a Master’s Degree in Nursing Leadership and Management, and a Master’s Degree in Business specializing in Healthcare Management. 

Richelle is currently working as Director of the Terrace at the Glen at Hiland Meadows, and also assists the Executive Director of the Glen. During the summer of 2021, the Glen started construction of a Memory Care center on-site and Richelle has been involved with the planning and development of this program. 

Richelle is certified in assisted living nursing and is a member of the American Assisted Living Nurses Association and is also involved in the Alzheimer’s Association, The Adirondack Rural Health Network, and the Long Term Care Council. 

She lives in Queensbury, New York with her husband Peter and her two children Emilee and Zachary.

David Caruso, ’75, Senior Vice President & Director
David J Caruso was born on May 1, 1957 in Glens Falls, NY. After attending Saint Joseph Elementary School in Fort Edward NY, he attended Hudson Falls High graduating with the class of 1975.

As a young teenager, Mr. Caruso worked in his uncle’s Lake George restaurant. He later became a supermarket manager with the Grand Union Co., and then an Account Manager for Brach’s Candy Co. of Chicago, covering northeastern NY and Vermont.

He joined Stewart’s in 1986, first as a District Field Auditor, then as a District Manager, and later Vice President, Mr. Caruso ultimately rose to Senior Vice President and Director.

Mr. Caruso retired April 1, 2018 as Senior Vice President for Stewart’s Shop based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Throughout his 32-year career with Stewart’s he was instrumental in its development into one of the nation’s largest family and employee owned convenience store chains. Mr. Caruso remains on the Stewart’s Board of Directors and works part-time on real estate ventures with the company through his consulting firm, Lakeside Business Advisors LLC.

Mr. Caruso is active with New York Association of Convenience Stores and was inducted into the New York Convenience Store Hall of Fame in May 2019. He also participates in National Association of Convenience Stores shows and events throughout the country.

Throughout his life and career, Mr. Caruso was always involved in the communities he has lived and worked in. He has been active with many non-profit organizations and community programs. Mr. Caruso currently serves on the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and is serving on the hospital’s investment committee.

Past affiliations include the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Ulster County, and the WHHQ Happy Christmas Fund Inc.

Tod Eagle, ’66, Superintendent
Tod Eagle was born May 31, 1948, to Peg (McGinnis) Eagle and Chuck Eagle, both graduates of Hudson Falls High School. Tod was the oldest of their three children. David Eagle and Dianne Leonelli are his siblings and fellow Tiger alumni. David is also a Wall of Distinction honoree. Tod lettered in two varsity sports and was a member of the 1965 team that neither lost nor was scored upon football team; Tod also acted in school plays with the Drama Club and was likely as suspect an actor as he was an athlete.

Like many of the post-World War II generation, he was the first from his family to ever attend college. Mr. Eagle graduated from Le Moyne College in 1970 with a BA in English. He received an M.S. in English Education from Syracuse University in 1972. A few years later, he attended SUNY Oswego to earn a CAS degree, which certified him to become a school administrator. Tod also attended the University of Rochester to work on a doctorate in educational administration.

Mr. Eagle began his career as an educator teaching high school English at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse then moved on to become Language Arts Supervisor at both Liverpool and West Genesee School Districts. He came back home to become the principal of Glens Falls High School. He ultimately was a school superintendent for 21 years, beginning in 1984 at Manchester-Shortsville Schools, later at Jamestown City Schools and completing his career as the District Superintendent of the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES. He retired in 2005.

In 1991 the American Association of School Administrators named him New York State “Superintendent of the Year.” He was appointed to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on School Leadership and was a Charter member of the NY State Excelsior Award Executive Committee. He was elected Chairperson of the NYS District action three times and served four years on the Project Lead the Way National Oversight Committee. New York selected him as a “Distinguished Educator” to serve as one of three judges to recertify schools that were under registration review in New York City.

He was an adjunct professor of Educational Leadership and School Law at SUNY Brockport graduate school. In retirement, he mentored many new principals and superintendents and worked for an architectural firm assisting districts with capital project funding and educational design.

Mr. Eagle’s wife Maura, was also an English teacher who became a school principal and Assistant Superintendent in her career. His daughter Alyson Eagle Story is currently an English teacher in Greece Central School District. His daughter Lauren Eagle Blackburn is a Vice President of The Hartford Insurance Company. He has two grandsons Patrick Beam and Max Blackburn. Now retired, Tod is an avid reader, golfer, traveler, and is a charter board member of an Educational Foundation he helped create in 2001 that has, so far, given well over a million dollars to assist students with college and career training.

Todd Mead, ’87, Poet/Author​​​​​​​
Todd A. Mead, the youngest of three children in his family, was born on July 29, 1969, to Charles and Christine Mead, graduates of the Hudson Falls Class of 1965. He was raised in Kingsbury and attended Dix Avenue Elementary School, where he had his first taste of success in writing. While there, his letter submitted to WWSC for a Father’s Day contest was selected as the winner and read during a radio broadcast.

Mr. Mead was a member of the 1987 Foothills Council co-champion of the Hudson Falls varsity baseball team. Graduating that year, he won the Sawyer Local History Essay Prize and chose to pursue an education focused on English.

He graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1991 and began his career as an editor at Tribune Media Services. His education and fluency in French allowed him to move into an editorial translation job with Tribune, where he stayed for 18 years before becoming the head copy editor of Grace Note, formerly known as Tribune.

Between 1991 and 2000, Mr. Mead won three Editor’s Choice Awards in poetry and became recognized as a Distinguished Poet of America and Outstanding Poet of the ’90s. Heading into the new century, he began writing columns for Adirondack Outdoors Magazine, Outdoors Magazine, Outdoors North, and the Outdoor Gazette. In 2009, he wrote his first book, “A Lifetime of Big Woods Hunting Memories.” In 2010, he released his second book, “Backcountry Bucks,” and in 2018, he wrote his third book, “Pursuing Public Land Whitetails.”

Todd has also been featured in Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, and North American Whitetail magazines. He has been the featured guest on multiple podcasts, including the two most popular podcasts in the whitetail deer hunting industry, “Wired to Hunt” and “Big Buck Registry.”

Mr. Mead has been a lecturer and seminar speaker for many outdoor shows, church functions and school districts, helping people of all ages and backgrounds.  In 2012, Mr. Mead began working with the Australian documentary filmmaker Alex Kershaw as a main subject for the film, “Something Other Than Its Own Mass,” in which he was filmed across the country, from New York to Colorado, pursuing his passion of being in the outdoors.

In 2013, he became a NY State Director for the International Bow Hunting Organization, a position which has allowed him to donate his time and efforts to archery and conservation. His longstanding membership in the New York Outdoor Writers Association has also allowed him to share his passion with people across the region.

Mr. Mead has competed in the IBO, ASA, NABH, NETAA and NFAA archery organizations. Along with winning multiple state and regional titles, he has also been crowned an IBO World Champion two times, winning the title in 2015 and 2017.

Lisa Mitzen (Rozell), ’86, Banker​​​​​​​
Lisa A. (Rozell) Mitzen was born in Glens Falls, New York, on November 2, 1968, to parents David and Darlene Rozell. She graduated from Hudson Falls in 1986.

Her father and her sisters, Amy and Kate, are also Hudson Falls graduates. After high school, Lisa earned an Associate of Science degree from Adirondack Community College and then continued her education at the SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica/Rome where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.

Mrs. Mitzen’s banking career started while working as a teller during college summer breaks at the First National Bank of Glens Falls. After graduation, she ended up in a management position at Countrywide Home Loans, where she spent the majority of her career. She managed both sales and operations for upstate New York and the state of Vermont. In the midst of her successful mortgage career, Lisa met and married her husband Ed in the fall of 2011. Ed has three children, Emily, Nick, and Grace, so Lisa was blessed with an instant family.

Mrs. Mitzen was fortunate enough to be able to retire from the mortgage business in the fall of 2013 so that she could focus on her passions: fitness, farming, and philanthropy. She became a certified personal fitness trainer and enjoys teaching a few classes a week as well as doing one-on-one personal training. Lisa and Ed also have a small hobby farm consisting of goats, chickens, dogs, and cats—which fulfills her adoration of animals.

Mrs. Mitzen and her husband’s greatest passion is the ability to help others. Lisa served as board member for six years for Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, and she remains active in the organization as the chairperson for their annual fundraising dinner. She and her husband are also supportive of the Red Cross of Northeastern New York, the Double H Ranch, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Northeastern New York Chapter, and the Franklin Community Center, to name a few.

Mrs. Mitzen currently sits on the board for Shelters of Saratoga, and she and her husband have been actively involved with trying to find a permanent location for the Code Blue emergency shelter. She also enjoys preparing meals for the homeless, and most recently has been writing articles for Saratoga Living Magazine hoping to remove the stigma often associated with people experiencing homelessness.

This summer, Lisa and Ed traveled to Uganda, Africa with The Giving Circle, where they volunteered in an orphanage as well as in two schools. They continue to work closely with this wonderful organization in the hopes that the school can be finished and a health clinic can be built in the village of Mutai. Although Lisa and Ed live in Saratoga Springs, New York, Lisa still visits Hudson Falls often to see her lifelong friends.

Michael Poulos, ’49, (posthumously), President/CEO​​​​​​​
A native of Hudson Falls, New York, Mr. Poulos was born on February 13, 1931. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Colgate University in 1953 – establishing a scholarship fund at that school which still lives on. He received his MBA from New York University in 1963.

Michael James Poulos began his life insurance career in 1958 with the United State Life Insurance Company in New York City.  In 1970, Mr. Poulos signed on as a senior officer of a subsidiary, California-Western State Life Insurance Co. in Sacramento, California. He also served as President and CEO from 1970 – 1975.

During this time, he served as a Director of American General from 1980-2001. He also served as President of American General Corporation in Houston from 1981 to 1999 and as Vice Chairman until 1993 when he joined Western National. Mr. Poulos joined Western National Corporation in 1993 as Chairman and CEO, taking the company public in 1994. He served as Vice Chairman until 1998 when American General acquired Western National.

Mr. Poulos was one of four original investors in Forethought Financial Group, Inc., serving as Chairman (2004 to 2009) and Lead Director for a number of years thereafter.

Mr. Poulos has served as a Director/trustee of several non-profit organizations: Colgate University, Houston Symphony and Grand Opera, the Texas Heart Institute Foundation Board, and the Boy Scouts of America. He also served on many insurance related boards.

Industry and professional memberships include American Society of CLU, National Association of Life Underwriters, Beta Gamma Sigma, and he is a Life Member of Delta Sigma Pi. Mr. Poulos is married to the former Mary Kay Leslie. They have four adult children, his son died at age 41, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. He was a member of the River Oaks Country Club in Houston and the University Club in New York City.

May his memory be eternal.

Commander Thomas Rainville, ’86, US Navy Platoon Commander​​​​​​​
Commander Thomas A. Rainville was born on June 4, 1968 in Glens Falls, NY.  His parents, Fred and Phyllis Rainville, currently reside in Arygle, NY. He has three brothers (Tony, Brandon, and Joe) and one sister (Teri-Jo).  He was a four-year varsity letterman in wrestling and earned All-Foothills honors his senior year. He was active in Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1986.

Commander Rainville graduated from Norwich University in 1990 earning a B.A. in History.  While at Norwich, he was the first Norwich University wrestler to earn All-American status in 1989 and again in 1990. In May of 1990, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. Tom was inducted into the Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and the New England Wrestling Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

After graduating from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Class 171, he reported to SEAL Team FIVE in early 1991.  Later that year, he also graduated from U.S. Army Ranger School.

Throughout his 22 year career, Commander Rainville excelled in operational leadership positions such as Assistant SEAL Platoon Commander, SEAL Platoon Commander, SEAL Team Executive Officer, SEAL Task Unit Commander and Deputy Commander for a deployed Joint Special Operations Task Force.

In December 2000, he earned a Master’s of Science in Defense Analysis (Financial Management) from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, California.  After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, he completed multiple combat deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Commander Rainville’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards) and the
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

After Commander Rainville retired from active duty Naval Service, he assumed a position as the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) China Lake liaison to Naval Special Warfare Command focusing on developing emerging technologies for operational employment. Presently, he continues to serve in this position.

He is married to Karen Rainville (Schmidt) of Argyle, New York.  They have two boys, Joshua and Jacob. They reside in San Diego, CA.

Matthew Abrahamson ’02, Aerospace Engineer
Matthew Abrahamson was born on October 29, 1984, in Glens Falls, NY, and spent his entire childhood in Hudson Falls.  He participated in cross country, indoor track, and track & field varsity athletics at Hudson Falls High School and was also active in the music and drama departments.  Matt graduated as valedictorian of the Hudson Falls Class of 2002 and attended MIT in Cambridge, MA, the following autumn. 

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2006, Matt was selected as a Draper Laboratory Fellow to fund his Masters of Science research at MIT.  As a fellow, Matt was mentored by engineers who developed the flight computer for the Apollo missions to the Moon and researched concepts for autonomous deep space navigation. He received his Masters of Science degree in 2008 and accepted an offer to work for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. 

At JPL, Matt served as a mission navigator on a variety of exploration missions.  On November 4, 2010, he helped navigate the EPOXI spacecraft within 700km of the comet Hartley 2 to snap photographs of the comet core while traveling at 12 kilometers per second. Over the next few years, Matt supported the Stardust-NExT flyby of comet Tempel 1, the Juno launch to Jupiter, and the Dawn imaging campaign at the asteroid Vesta.

Matt served as the mission manager for the Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS) instrument on the International Space Station (ISS).  On June 5, 2014, OPALS demonstrated the transmission of a high-definition video from the ISS to a California ground station using laser communications. Matt and his team operated OPALS for three years, conducting over fifty laser experiments with ground telescopes in California, Germany, France, and the Canary Islands.

Matt has led several sessions at Hudson Falls High School to discuss the math and science behind space exploration.  In 2014, he presented a TEDx talk titled “Opening New Worlds with Space Navigation” on the UCLA campus.  In his free time, he enjoys camping in the Adirondacks and bonfires on Spring Street with his brother, Michael Abrahamson, and his parents, Thomas and Helen Deyette, of Hudson Falls.

John Barton, ’74, Public Official/Mayor
John E. Barton was born on July 12, 1956, in Glens Falls, NY.  His parents are Carl and Joan Barton.  He is the oldest of five boys Jeff, David, Terry, and Dan are his younger brothers.

John graduated in 1974 from Hudson Falls and attended Morrisville for two years.  In 1976, John joined The United States Marine Corps Active Reserves.  He graduated from Paris Island in October, 1976, and served in the active reserves for six years.

In June of 1978, he married Michelle Inglee.  They have four children Amber, Brandon, Todd, and Jarrod, and five grandchildren Kalista. Brady, Emma, Dane, and Skylar who all attend Hudson Falls schools. Michelle and John recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.

In August of 1977, John started a long career at Finch Pruyn paper mill.  Starting as the Mail Clerk and eventually moving up to a division manager’s role.  He retired from Finch Pruyn in 2007 but returned to Finch Paper in January, 2010, where he continues to work as an Area Manager.

In 1988, he was elected to the Hudson Falls Village Board as a trustee.  He served in this capacity for 18 years.  He then was elected Mayor in 2008.  At the end of his current term (2020), he will have served as Mayor for the last 12 years.  His 30 years of service to the community as an elected official make him the longest tenured Village Board ever.

John coached at all levels of Hudson Falls Little League for 13 years.  He was Vice President of Little League for a couple years.  John was also an Assistant Coach for the Hudson Falls freshmen and varsity basketball teams at one time.  He coached youth soccer at Derby Park for many years.

Tammy Moss-Hicks ’80, Educator
Tammy was born in Niagara Falls, Sept. 1962, and moved to Hudson Falls with her family in 1965. Tammy has two brothers, Michael (’80) and Ronald (RJ) (’87). She attended Maple St. School K-5, Jr High School (6-8), and Sr. High School (9-12) at Hudson Falls. She earned her varsity letters in field hockey and swimming. Upon graduation in 1980, she attended Niagara University. 

Tammy swam at Niagara during her freshman year then competed for an Army ROTC Scholarship. As an ROTC Cadet, she graduated in May 1984 with a BS in Chemistry, ACS approved, and became a 2LT in the Army Reserves. 

Upon graduation, she attended Chemical Corps Officer Basic (OBC) then returned home to attend a master’s program at Roswell Park. While attending college, Tammy began her career as an analytical chemist working near Love Canal in Niagara Falls. Simultaneously, she began her career as a 2LT teaching Nuclear, Biological, Chemical defense courses. 

Tammy transferred to the NY Army National Guard in 1986 to become a Medical Service Corps Officer. She attended Medical OBC in 1987, graduating in the top ten. Tammy served as a platoon leader, executive officer then commander for the 646 Medical Company on Warren St. in Glens Falls until May 1995. 

In May 1995, Tammy as transferred as a chemical officer to the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters in Troy. She worked on developing and executing plans for both state and federal missions starting as Captain. In May 2005, as a Lieutenant Colonel, Tammy was activated as sent to Iraq serving as the Division Chemical Officer in Tikrit, Iraq for Task Force Liberty. While deployed, she was attached to the 11th Armor Cavalry Regiment, serving in Mosul, Iraq as the Secretary to the General Staff for Task Force Freedom. Upon her return, Tammy became the Comptroller for the 42nd ID and deployed for Operation Brightstar in Egypt. In Sept. 2008, Tammy took command of 2/106 RTI in Peekskill, NY. She was activated in July 2011 to command the 27th IBCT Rear Det. While elements of the 27th were deployed to Afghanistan. Tammy retired from the NYARNG in June 2014 as a Colonel. While serving in the NYARNG, Tammy was activated for state missions including 9/11, Y2K, 1991 Woodstock, Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. 

Tammy Earned her MS in Education at SUNY Plattsburg, in December 1993. She teaches chemistry at South High. She earned her National Board Certification in 2002 and is a NYS Master Teacher. She has taught at South High since 1996. She serves on several committees and is the Key Club advisor.

Tammy resides in South Glens Falls with her husband, Kenneth Hicks. Between them they have four children: Miles and Jordan Lee Mandwelle of NYC: Kevin Hicks of Glens Falls and Jaime Hicks of Gansevoort. They have three grandchildren.

Matthew Rozell ’79, Educator/Author
Matthew A. Rozell, the eldest son of the late Tony and Mary Rozell, was born on March 31, 1961, and raised at 2 Main Street, Hudson Falls, with his four siblings—Mary, Ned, Nora, and Drew.  As a kid, he roamed the banks of the Hudson River looking for lost encampments of past heroes and historic battle sites.  He graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1979 and afterwards from SUNY Geneseo, BA in 1983 and MS in 1988.

In 1987 he joined the faculty at Hudson Falls, teaching world history, as his father had done at Glens Falls, Over the next 30 years he would eventually teach every subject in the Social Studies department, specializing in the history of World War II and running summer archaeology field courses at the colonial frontier sites he had discovered along the Hudson.  He created an oral history program at the high school that became the catalyst for The Things Our Fathers Saw book series he is writing.

Mr. Rozell also became an authority on the teaching of the Holocaust.  He reunited over 275 Holocaust survivors with their actual American soldier-liberators, described in his 2016 book, A Train Near Magdeburg.  He and his former students were featured as the “ABC World News Persons of the Week” on September 25, 2009, after a joyous community-supported reunion at the high school.  His teaching experiences have been filmed for the CBS Evening News, NBC Learn, the Israeli Broadcast Authority, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the New York State United Teachers.

For his dedication to teaching history, Mr. Rozell was named the Organization of American Historians History Teacher of the Year in 2010.  In 2012, he was the national recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Founders’ Medal for Education.  He is a United Stated Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow and a graduate of the International School at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel’s Holocaust martyrs and heroes Remembrance Authority.  In 2016 he was the recipient of the New York State Education Department’s highest award for teaching about the Holocausts and human rights.

Upon retirement in 2017, Matthew Rozell was honored in resolutions by the United Stated Congress, the New York State Senate and Assembly, the Village of Hudson Falls, and the City of Glens Falls.  The Greater Glens Falls Jewish Community recognized him as a “Righteous Human Being” with a tree planting and monument in Juckett Park in 2018, and he has been honored by the Washington County Historical Society.

Matthew and his wife Laura reside in Washington County with their three children, Emma, Ned, and Mary, all graduates of the Hudson Falls school system.

Brendan Ryan ’02, (posthumously), Scientist
Brendan was born on January 26, 1984 to Andrea and William Ryan.  He was totally deaf from birth, as was his brother Danny who pre-deceased him in 1987.  He is survived by a sister, Aisling.  He began schooling at three months of age and embraced learning from that moment on.

Brendan was the salutatorian of the Hudson Falls Class of 2002.  He was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the golf team his senior year. Before going to college he mentored younger students in the Association of the Hearing Impaired. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology and on May 25, 2007 received a Bachelor of Science degree in Imaging Science.

He was hired by Chroma Technology of Bellows Falls, VT in March of 2008 as a quality control technician and was highly regarded by his fellow employees.

He had a great thirst for knowledge and was a kind and mature young person whose potential was unlimited.  He loved life, learning, and his years at Hudson Falls schools. He died on May 20, 2009 while on a walk with five of his co-workers.

Frank Smith ’74, Engineer
Frank R. Smith was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  He started school at Margaret Murphy and graduated from Hudson Falls Central High School in 1974.  Frank attended Adirondack Community College and graduated with an AS in mechanical engineering in 1976.  He transferred to Norwich University.   At Norwich, Frank was the Regimental S4 and graduated in 1978 with a BS in mechanical engineering.

Frank’s first job in aviation was at Pratt 7 Whitney in Hartford, CT where he worked on the JT8D-209/217 programs.  Recruited by Williams International, Frank and his wife Joyce moved to Michigan in 1981.  Frank worked his way up from the position of Repair and Overhaul engineer to his current positions of Sr. VP Product Support and Assurance, Sr. VP Aurora Aircraft, and FAA Organization Delegated Authority Holder at Williams International.

Frank is a member of the Advisory Board at Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology supporting the development of Airframe and Powerplant mechanics for future aviation employment.

Frank enjoys being active in service projects including working at Food Banks, rebuilding homes through the Appalachian Service projects to helping to build hand cranked mobility carts through World Wide Mobility.

Frank enjoyed the Derby Park activities as well as the activities in BSA Troop 83 growing up.  As a way to reach back and repay that volunteer work, Frank has supported the Amorak Youth Group in Hudson Falls.

Along the way, Frank has worked on many projects including the Global Flyer, the SK60 Swedish trainer, the cruise missile engine, and many General Aviation aircraft where the FJ33 and FJ44 series of engines are installed.

Frank and Joyce reside in Wixom, Michigan and are the parents of two daughters, Sarah of Mason and Lisa of West Bloomfield, Michigan.  They are also the proud grandparents of two grandchildren.

Paul Bromley, ’74, Owner, Bromley Sawmill and Machinery, LLC
Paul R. Bromley was born August 17, 1955 in Glens Falls, NY the second of three sons to Richard Bromley and Mary O’Brien Bromley.  He grew up in the Woodfin Park area of Hudson Falls.  He attended Maple Street Elementary School and Hudson Falls Junior and Senior High Schools graduating in the class of 1974.  Paul worked on local dairy farms during and after high school.  Farmers such as Cliff and Roy Wicks, David and Merrilyn Pulver, and Otto and Francis Hunsperger helped shape his work ethic. He then moved on to the construction field working for Howard Burch Construction in South Hartford, NY and then Torrington Industries of Glens Falls, NY.

In 1976 he married Roxanne Bain of South Argyle, NY.  Together they raised two children, Thomas and Elizabeth.

In 1977 he landed his dream job with Finch Pruyn & Company of Glens Falls, NY in the company’s Woodlands Division starting out as an equipment operator and progressing to Operations and Construction Management.

In 2002 Paul started a new career when he and his son Tom and brother Brian formed Bromley Sawmill and Machinery LLC, providing general contracting services.  After 15 years the company continues to flourish in the Washington and Warren County area.

He has been a member of the Kingsbury Town Board for 12 years and is a life member of the Kingsbury Volunteer Hose Company.

Paul and Roxanne built their home on Kingsbury Road and shared 39 years together before her passing in 2016.  He has four wonderful grandsons.

Dr. Melissa Durkee, ’91, Associate Chief of Pharmacy for Clinical Services for VA Health Care
Dr. Durkee was born on November 2, 1973 in Glens Falls, NY.  She attended Hudson Falls Central Schools until she graduated with honors in 1991.  She played varsity basketball and softball and was a member of the National Honor Society. She worked annually with her family on the community fundraiser Sandy Hill Days.  Dr. Durkee discovered a passion for pharmacy during high school.  She was accepted to the Albany College of Pharmacy (ACP) during her junior year of high school.

Dr. Durkee continued community service during college through her involvement in Lambda Kappa Sigma and enjoyed participating in local health fairs and educational events while completing her pharmacy education.  She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Pharmacy from ACP in 1996 and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Campbell University in 2000.  She completed an ASHP Accredited Specialty Residency in Geriatrics with Campbell University and Duke University Medical Center in 2001.  Dr. Durkee is dually licensed in NY and NC and has achieved certifications as a pharmacist immunizer, certified geriatrics practitioner and board certification in ambulatory care pharmacy.

Dr. Durkee is currently the Associate Chief of Pharmacy for Clinical Services for the Durham VA Health Care System (DVA HCS) serving over 65,000 veterans across North Carolina. She has had the honor and privilege of serving our Nation’s Heroes in this role for over 15 years.  She leads over 40 clinical pharmacy specialists providing clinical pharmacy services in over 17 specialty areas including critical care, nutrition support, cardiology, internal medicine, infectious diseases, oncology, anticoagulation, primary care, emergency medicine, pain management, women’s health, and geriatrics.

Dr. Durkee is active in state and national pharmacy organizations and serves on several local, regional, and national committees.  She has collaborated on professional publications and is considered a national subject matter expert on clinical pharmacy staffing models and professional practice competency evaluations.  Dr. Durkee has mentored and supported the training of hundreds of pharmacy students and residents, always encouraging them to be open to opportunity and embrace the lessons learned from mistakes.

Dr. Durkee lives in Cary, NC with her husband, Brenden, and their children, Cameron and Caitlin.  She visits Hudson Falls at least once a year to spend time with her best friend from high school (Marla), parents (Jane and Bob), and her brother (Kevin) and his family.

 Judy Chittenden Moffitt, ’78, Biology and Chemistry Teacher 
Judy Chittenden Moffitt was born January 20, 1960 to LeRoy and Dolores Chittenden – the oldest of six children.  She grew up in Hudson Falls and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1978. 

Following high school, Judy attended Cornell University and received a BS in Biology in 1982.  In 1984 she received her Secondary Teaching Certification from Siena College and in 1992 earned her MS in Secondary Education in Science from The College of St. Rose.

Judy began her career teaching biology and chemistry at SPA Catholic High School in Saratoga.  She currently teaches chemistry and college-level forensic science at South Glens Falls Senior High School where she has been teaching for 27 years. In 2002 and 2012 she earned National Board for Professional Teaching Certification in adolescent/young adult science.  In 2014 she was awarded the status of New York State Master Teacher.

Judy is passionate about helping families and communities address the many issues of addiction. She is one of the original members of Hometown vs Heroin and Addiction, co-chair of Friends of Recovery-Warren and Washington (FOR-WW), a leadership member of Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga (RAIS), a member of the Community Coalition for Family Wellness and Facing Addiction a Community Effort in South Glens Falls and sits on boards of directors for the Council for Prevention of Washington and Warren Counties, Catholic Charities Care Coordination of Albany, and St. Luke’s Recovery Center in Mechanicville. She has also helped to start 3 local NarAnon Family Support groups that help families and friends who love someone with an addiction and has earned a certificate as a Recovery Coach.  In 2015, Judy was honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding service in the community from the Warren and Washington County District Attorney’s Offices.  

She has a great love for Jesus which has led her to become a leader in the Landing, a Christian ministry for adolescents. It has also helped her find her purpose in life–“Go tell the people what I did for you and tell them I will do it for them”  a constant reminder that hangs in the front of her church, the Gospel Lighthouse of Hudson Falls–the home of the ‘Hope Dealers’.

Judy lives in South Glens Falls with her son Nicholas who has taught her the meaning of unconditional love and her many animals.

Jeffrey Murphy, ’78, Washington County Sheriff
Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy was born on September 9, 1960 to James and Alice Murphy and is a 1978 graduate of Hudson Falls High School, attended Adirondack Community College, and the Zone 5 Law Enforcement Academy.

One year later he joined the Hudson Falls Police Department where he would go on to serve for twenty years retiring as Deputy Chief of Police.

Since being elected in 2011, Sheriff Murphy has spent his time in Office making sweeping changes within the agency.  All of these ideas, philosophies and platforms have had one intended goal, to elevate the perception of the office in the minds of the public and enhance its ability to provide professional law enforcement and correctional services to the people of Washington County.

The Sheriff has started many community based programs under this “Community First” initiative including a Law Enforcement Explorers Post available to youths aged 14-20 who are interested in Law Enforcement as a career which was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America for “significant leadership” to the youth of the County.

Sheriff Murphy also founded the Hometown vs. Heroin and Addiction Committee in response to the opiate epidemic and developed a diversion program offering treatment in lieu of incarceration for those struggling with addiction.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently recognized the Sheriff with an award stating “Under your leadership, the men and women of the Sheriff’s office have implemented a culture of community engagement promoting strong relationships between law enforcement, families, and the communities they serve.”  The award went on to say “Community First greatly enhanced the quality of life for the citizens of the Northern District of New York and people of the United States of America.

Norma Scivetti Myers, ’68, retired French/Spanish teacher
Norma was born in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of immigrant parents Corsignana and Vincenzo Scivetti from Giovinazzo, Italy.  She and her older sister Ann enrolled in the Hudson Falls Central School system when Norma was in first grade.  Seasonal town offerings such as playground activities at Maple Street Elementary School and ice skating at Derby Park along with school sponsored events, clubs, girls’ intramural sports, and music provided an atmosphere to thrive outside the classroom. These activities transitioned Norma from a Brooklyn girl to a Hudson Falls Tiger.

Norma graduated from Hudson Falls with the class of 1968.  She continued her education at Russell Sage College where she received a BA degree in French and Spanish followed by an MA degree in Advanced Classroom Teaching of the Foreign Language from SUNY Albany.  After a successful year of teaching in Lawrenceville, NJ, she returned to Hudson Falls in 1973 to teach French and Spanish for ten years.  She organized and chaperoned student travel to France, Spain, and Canada and established the local chapter of the Société Honoraire de Francais.  She advised the French Club, Cheerleaders, and Junior Prom and served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

Norma studied as one of four Rotary Scholars chosen from the United States to participate in a teacher exchange in Chavaniac, France during the summer of 1979.  At the annual convention of the NY State Association of Foreign Language Teachers, she taught colleagues how to integrate culture into their lessons.  She was inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Honor society in 1982.

While she and her husband John were raising their daughters Jessica and Laura, Norma remained active professionally honoring requests from teachers in area schools as a long term substitute, invited speaker, and private tutor.  She was a Board member and headed the Education Committee of the International Arts and Culture Association.

Norma represented the South Glens Falls community on the Citizens Advisory Committee and the School Business Connection and secured a visitation with children’s author Ann McGovern for the elementary students.  She returned to teaching in the middle school in South Glens Falls in 1993 and in 2001 became a SUNY Albany adjunct professor at the senior high offering French 4 and 5 as college credit bearing courses.  She again formed a chapter of the Société Honoraire de Francais for her students.

In retirement, Norma joined Soroptimist International of the Adirondacks.  As part of the Service Committee, she volunteers weekly at Catholic Charities to help displaced women.  This group was given the Volunteer Award of the Diocese of Albany last year.

Janet Van Deusen Merrill, ’84, (posthumously), Athletic Director
Janet was born to John and Brenda Van Deusen on April 20, 1966, the youngest of four children, all of whom graduated from Hudson Falls Central School.  Her siblings are Greg Van Deusen, Jill Stimpson, and Sheila Van Deusen.

In 1984 Janet graduated 11th in her class with a 91 average.  She was a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and Junior Senate.  During her high school years, Hudson Falls had four sports seasons for girls – field hockey, volleyball, basketball, and softball.  Janet received 14 varsity letters over the four years.

Janet continued her education at Ithaca College, graduating Cum Laude in 1988.  At graduation she received the President’s Award for excellence.  She had a dual major in Physical Education and Athletic Training.  She played four years of basketball at Ithaca.

In 1989 she got her Master’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of Virginia.

From 1989-2001 Janet was employed as Head Athletic Director at Northern High in Durham, NC.  There she met and married Gary Merrill in 1992.  

From 2001-2002 she was Athletic Director at Triangle Orthopedics and from 2003-2004, Athletics Director at Duke University Sports Medicine.

Janet and her dog Divot were killed in an automobile accident on March 27, 2004 en route to go jogging.

Dayle Ahrens, ’61, Retired English Teacher; Helped established the 9-12 English AP Program
Dayle R. Ahrens, and her twin Gayle, were born in Hudson Falls in 1944 to Eunice and Roger Ryder, a WWII bomber pilot stationed in Luzon.  However, in 1945, Roger and his older brother Jack, a pilot in the European theater were killed within two weeks of each other.  Ten years later, Leonard Tarantino married Dayle and Gayle’s mother Eunice and, within six years, the house at four Main was bustling with their five younger brothers and sisters. 

Despite those hectic teenage years, Mrs. Ahrens helped her mom with her siblings, AND graduated valedictorian of her 1961 Hudson Falls class. Then in her college senior year she was listed in the 1965 edition of Who’s Who Among College Students for writing and producing musicals for her classmates. After receiving her BA degree in English Education from The College of Saint Rose, Dayle was selected as one of five women to enter the pioneer graduate program of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications, earning an MS degree in 1967.

After marrying Roger Ahrens in 1967 which produced four children in six years, Dayle’s career path switched from television news reporter to teacher. From 1979 to 2003, she taught English at her alma mater for the youth at risk as well as the college bound student, grades 7-12.  In the 80’s she and Courtney Walsh established the 9-12 English AP program.  Countless students herald that program as the one most useful in teaching them how to think, read, write, and discuss on a college level. 

A pivotal moment in her career happened during 6 months in 1995 over the book issue. Confronted by this adversity, Mrs. Ahrens, supported by Superintendent John Zeis, successfully defended a selection of literary classics from being eliminated from the AP curriculum, setting a precedent that has benefited students even beyond Hudson Falls.  

July 8 marks Mrs. Ahrens’ 50th wedding anniversary to her husband Roger – 4 term HF school board member and 4 years Tiger Trackers president.  More recently, in 2010, Dayle and Roger have continued to show their allegiance to Hudson Falls youth by establishing in their son’s honor (Michael ’86) The “Big Mike” Memorial Award given annually to a graduating boy and girl scholar-athlete.  

Nancy Brown, ’67, Retired Elementary Substitute Teacher, Managing Trustee of The Sandy Hill Foundation, Director of the Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization​​​​​​​
Nancy Elizabeth Juckett Brown was born on December 26, 1949 in Burlington, Vermont.  She was adopted by her parents, J. Walter and Elizabeth Juckett, of Hudson Falls and attended Hudson Falls Schools.  She graduated in 1967.  During her high school years, she was a member of the Library Staff, Future Teachers of America, Choir, Choraliers, All-County Choir, and the Area All-State Choir.

College years were completed at The University of Vermont with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  During college, Nancy married Thomas S. Brown II and they later had two sons, Stephen and Timothy.

During the 1980’s Nancy worked as an elementary substitute teacher in local schools as well as being elected library trustee in their hometown of Georgia, Vermont.  She also was a Boy Scout leader for the local Vermont troop. She enjoyed working with the boys and giving them a positive experience.

Starting in the 1980’s, she was appointed as a Trustee of The Sandy Hill Foundation, a small private foundation headquartered in Hudson Falls.  This Foundation started by her father and grandfather mainly donates funds in the local Hudson Falls area.  Nancy has most recently been the Managing Trustee and her greatest feeling of pride in the work of the Foundation has been their donations to the college scholarship program.  She feels that a college education is an important start for a student and enjoys helping the students fund their education.

Nancy was elected as a Director of the Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization in the 1990’s.  She was appointed its Chairman in 2007.

In retirement, Nancy continues to reside in northern Vermont with frequent trips to see family and spend summer vacations at the family cottage on Lake Champlain.

Paul Chapman, ’61, Retired Art Teacher at Queensbury Schools; Union representative/building Vice President and member of the negotiating team
Following his birth in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1943 his family returned to the Glens Falls area where Paul attended St. Mary’s Academy to grade six.  His family built a home in Hudson Falls and in 1955 he entered grade seven in the “new” high school, graduating in 1961.  He furthered his education, graduating from SUNY New Paltz in 1965with a major  in Art Education.

Following college and a summer working at Kamyr, he took a brief trip to the American west coast.  He returned to Hudson Falls, realizing that he was a small town boy.  Soon after his return, he began his career joining the Queensbury school system.  He taught art in the primary, intermediate, middle school, and finally in the high school.  While at the high school, he was art department chairman.  He also spent considerable time as a union representative throughout his career; ultimately becoming a building Vice President and a member of the negotiating team.  In 2001 he retired after teaching thirty-five and a half years.

In 1966 he married Charlotte Sarra and in the 90’s he built his family’s present home in Hudson Falls next door to the house his father built.  The Chapman’s have three children, Jennifer, Benjamin, and Schuyler and all members of the family have  graduated from Hudson Falls Central School.

Upon retirement, Paul started painting full time; trying to learn more about the ways of acrylic paint.  He has been included in many juried shows, locally and nationally.  In some of those shows he has won prizes and recognition.  He has also been part of many group and solo shows locally and out of the area. In 2009 he won an individual artist’s grant from LARAC.  In 2010 he was a winner in a national competition.  His work was shown in the 2010 issue of “The Artist’s Magazine”.  He has been a winner in this competition twice in five years and has been a finalist twice, in similar competitions held by this magazine.  He has been included in the Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region, several years.  He has shown in the states of Ohio, Texas, New Jersey, Vermont, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New York.  His work has been shown in New York City twice.  His work has been published in International Art Search publications.  He has also been included in another national art book, “Studio Visit Magazine”.  His work is part of many private collections.  His work has gone through many changes and continues to do so.  He still shows his work at the local and national level.

David Eagle, ’69, Coordinating Supervisor for Prince George’s District College and Career Ready Office, Principal at Lake George Jr/Sr High School and was the Director of Guidance prior to becoming Principal
David Eagle attended St. Mary’s in Hudson Falls through 8th grade and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1969.  He has fond memories of playing on championship basketball and track teams for Tony Luciano and singing in Joyce Irwin’s Choraliers.  Many special teachers at Hudson Falls inspired him to become an educator.  Dave attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts on an academic scholarship and spent his junior year in Bangor, Wales.  After graduating with his BA in Sociology in 1973, he became a social studies teacher and coach in Liverpool, NY.

He married his college sweetheart Leslie Rosebrook from South Glens Falls in 1976 and traveled to Oregon so he could pursue his Masters in Counseling at Western Oregon State College.  They lived on Mt. Hood for six years while Dave worked as a middle school counselor and returned to the Adirondacks where he worked as the Director of Guidance at Lake George Jr/Sr. High School for 15 years.

He completed a CAS in Counseling degree in 1987 from SUNY Plattsburgh. For years he taught parenting classes to hundreds of parents in the Glens Falls region.  From 1991 to 1996 Dave served as a member of the Glens Falls School District Board of Education.

In 1996 Dave became Principal of Lake George Jr/Sr. High School.  Under his leadership, Lake George was accredited with commendations from the Middle States Accreditation team.  Dave did staff training in brain-based teaching strategies and differentiated instruction not just for his staff but many local school districts as well.  After completing an advanced educational administrative CAGS degree from Castleton College in 2001, Dave taught graduate courses in brain-based teaching strategies through SUNY Plattsburgh and Castleton College as an adjunct professor until 2007.

In 2007 Dave retired as principal of Lake George and moved to Washington, D.C.  Here he worked in the central office of Prince George’s County Public Schools until 2013.  He was a Turn-Around Specialist for two schools identified by the state as needing alternative governance and was instrumental in the significant improvement in student attendance and achievement that prevented the schools from being taken over by the state.

In 2010 Dave was asked to take the position as the Coordinating Supervisor for the Prince George’s district’s newly formed College and Career Ready Office.  He sat on the Superintendent’s Executive Council that developed magnet career academies in each of the 26 high schools that served the 40,000 high school students.  In 2013 he retired from Prince George’s.  In 2016 Dave was honored as Educator of the Year by the Lake George Alumni Association.

David and Leslie reside in Lake George.  They have a son, Brook, living in Santa Cruz, California and a daughter Jessica who lives in Glens Falls.  They have one granddaughter and are expecting a second grandchild soon!

Luke Nikas, ’00, Partner in NYC office of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, a major international law firm
Luke Nikas was born on April 28, 1982, to William and Doneen Nikas.  He attended Hudson Falls schools, beginning with Margaret M. Murphy elementary.  In high school, he lettered in wrestling, golf, and track.  He was a two-time Section II Champion in wrestling and was named to the All-Foothills team in golf.  

After high school, Luke attended the University at Albany as a Presidential Scholar.  He graduated summa cum laude, was selected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and served as the Chief Justice of the University Supreme Court.  He then attended Harvard Law School, where he earned a J.D. and graduated magna cum laude in the top 10% of his class. 

Following law school, Luke served as a law clerk to Judge William J. Holloway, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.  Luke is now a partner in the New York City office of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP a major international law firm.

Luke specializes in complex commercial litigation.  He has represented a diverse group of clients, from Fortune 100 companies to Academy Award winning artists and Pulitzer Prize winning journalists.  He was recently lead trial counsel in an art forgery case the ArtNews magazine called the “The Art Trial of the Century.”  Luke was also named to the 2016 “Under 40 Hot List” by Benchmark Litigation (meant to honor the nation’s leading law partners under 40), was named a “Rising Star” by New York Super Lawyers, and was listed by ArtNet as one of the most “highly influential” art lawyers in the world. Luke is regularly quoted in the national and international media and recently appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes. 

Luke lives in New York City with his wife Nadine and their three children, Eli, Jack, and Claire.

Roy Wicks, (posthumously), ’65, Dairy Farmer; Member of Cornell Cooperative Extension​​​​​​​
Roy Leroux Wicks was born to Clifford and Blanche (Leroux) Wicks on August 28, 1947.  Roy was born and raised in Durkeetown, a hamlet in Fort Edward; located in the southern part of the Hudson Falls School District.

While in high school, Roy was an active student.  He was the Junior Class President. Roy was a four-year varsity football player.  It was also during these years where he fell for the love of his life, Jean Blinn.

Roy’s hard work, divine character and dedication brought him many years of fulfilling his lifetime dream of being a dairy farmer.  As a dairy farmer, Roy was able to demonstrate his high quality business sense.  He used many skills throughout his career and was determined to be a strong asset to the Washington County Dairy Industry.  Roy was a member of Cornell Cooperative Extension.  His biggest strength was his faith. 

Roy encouraged many people to rely on faith; to celebrate great times and when times were tough.

The Wicks Farm will be celebrating its centennial in January, 2017; Roy would be proud of this accomplishment.  Roy loved his heritage dearly and along with his wife, Jean, raised their four daughters, Melody Wicks, Tammy Williamson, Joy Wicks-Lindsay, and Heather Bigelow, to appreciate their heritage as well.  Roy has ten grandchildren.  All of his children and grandchildren have graduated from, or are currently enrolled in the Hudson Falls School District.

Roy would be humbled and honored to have received this award.

Thomas Albrecht, Sr. ’74, President & CEO of Hilltop Construction Company
Thomas George Albrecht Sr., President and CEO of Hilltop Construction is a 1974 graduate of Hudson Falls High School and is a BOCES – Building trades graduate with Hall of Fame merits. Tom has been married to Cindy Doty for 40 years and they have three wonderful children and five grandchildren. 

In the building business for 40 years, Tom has led the construction of such landmarks as Sutton’s Market Place, the Adirondack Girl Scouts building, the Sleep Lab and 100’s of projects throughout the tri-county area. He received the Ethics in Business Award in 2012 and the Special Distinguished Business Award, also in 2012.

Tom’s office is located on Crowley Road in Hudson Falls where equipment is housed and you will find a professional office environment. Tom’s family is very involved, with his spouse Cindy serving as Secretary and Treasurer and daughter April a member of the office staff. Tom Albrecht Jr. and son-in-law Daniel Washburn are principle owners and handle everyday field operations.

Tom is on the Board of Directors of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Glens Falls Kiwanis and is Past President of the Builders Association.

Tom’s love of his community is illustrated by his service and involvement in various organizations and activities. Some examples of his commitment include:

• Chairman of the Local CROP Walk for 15 years 
• Advisor for BOCES
• Volunteering for several needy projects
• Member of the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church and the Emmaus Community
• Hudson Falls Rotary Citizen of the Year Award 2004
• Glens Falls Family YMCA Service Award

Additionally, Tom is a big fan of Major League Baseball and to date has visited 25 Major League stadiums.

Gary D. Bigelow (posthumously), ’60, Teacher and Community Leader
Gary Dean Bigelow was born on August 20, 1942 to George and Hazel Woodcock Bigelow. He graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1960, and began his studies at Plattsburgh State University. Gary took a hiatus from school to serve his country with the United State Army, where he earned the rank of sergeant with the Military Police.  Upon honorable discharge in 1968, he returned to Plattsburgh to complete his education, and graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Gary began his teaching career as the first male kindergarten teacher in the Queensbury Union Free School District.  He went on to teach fourth and finished his tenure teaching sixth grade.  Gary enjoyed teaching his students about nature, and brought his love of the outdoors into the classroom.  He launched an inceptive program which taught students the dangers of drug and alcohol use.  He coached Mat Rat wrestling, and helped lead the varsity tennis team to several sectional championships.

Involvement in the community was very important to Gary.  Operation Santa Claus and Big Brother/Big Sister were organizations close to his heart.  He volunteered countless hours working to make other peoples’ lives better.  In keeping with his community involvement, Gary served with the Lake George Police Department from 1970 through 1975, the Naval Reserves from 1974 through 1977, and the Hudson Falls Police Department from 1973 through 2003.

Other than his time at college and his military service, Gary lived his entire life in the community that he loved best; Hudson Falls.  Together with his wife, Marne, they raised a daughter, Megan and a son, Geoffrey.  Gary died in 2003 at the age of 60.

Daniel Burke, ’70, North Country/Saratoga Regional President, NBT Bank
In 2007, having over 30 years in banking, Dan was appointed President, Glens Falls Region of NBT Bank; within a few years, promoted to President, North Country Region, spanning from Saratoga County to St. Lawrence County. 

Prior to NBT Bank, Dan held other senior level banking positions which included President and CEO of TD Banknorth (predecessor, Evergreen Bank) in Glens Falls, where he started in 1986. Prior to banking, Dan worked in Washington D.C., as a consultant in the airline industry; Assistant Director of Economics for a national trade association and led the Economic Evaluation Group for the Bureau of Land Management, leasing federal mineral rights in the eastern United States. 

A longtime resident of Queensbury, Dan was born near Derby Park in Hudson Falls in 1952. He went to St. Mary’s in Hudson Falls through Grade 8 and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1970; received a BA in Economics from SUNY Plattsburgh; and his Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Delaware. 

Leadership roles in professional/community organizations with major accomplishments: Glens Falls Business Improvement District, Chairman/a founding organizer, renovations to Glens Falls City Park; Adirondack Civic Center Coalition, President/a founding director, oversaw management of the Glens Falls Civic Center; Adirondack Health Institute, Board Chair, redesigning the health care delivery of the entire North Country of NYS; Greater Glens Falls Amateur Athletic Association, Board President, oversaw the NYS Boy Basketball Championship Tournament in Glens Falls; Economic Development Corporation of Warren County, President, oversaw expansion of Gore Mountain Ski Center; relocation of Tribune Media (now Gracenote) and opening of EDC’s Industrial Park; Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo for the North Country Healthcare Redesign Commission; Glens Falls Hospital Board of Trustees (Finance Chair); SUNY Plattsburgh Foundation (President); WAIT House (Director); and Glens Falls YMCA Foundation (President).

In 2011, Dan received the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Living & Giving Award; 2012, recipient of the J Walter Juckett Award and the Wakpominee District, Twin Rivers Counsel, BSA, Good Scout Award.

John E. Dolphin, ’47, Korean War Tank Officer, Proctor and Gamble Sales, 24 year member of HFCSD BOE – 10 years as President
Jack Dolphin (class of 1947) and son of Wm. T. and Letitia Dolphin graduated from Norwich University majoring in Education with additional concentration in educational psychology. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant, he received additional training and was assigned to the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment and served in Korea as a tank officer with the 140 Tank Battalion, 40th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the U. N. Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal and continued to serve an additional five years with the active army reserve with the rank of captain.

He retired from the Proctor and Gamble Company after 33 years with the N. E. Sales Division and served on both the BOCES BOE (11 years) and the HFCSD BOE (24 years).

 During his ten year tenure as President of the HFCSD BOE, several large construction and renovation projects were approved by district voters. These projects included a new transportation and maintenance complex providing indoor bus storage.  The high school received a new air conditioned gymnasium, a new fitness center, a wrestling room and computer labs. Additionally, a new science wing was constructed and the auditorium and a new band room were air conditioned. All varsity fields were irrigated by wells, a new field house was constructed and the track and bleachers were replaced.

At the Middle School, the pool was replaced and a physical fitness room was added. All buildings received upgrades including asbestos abatement, new roofs, new boilers, and upgrades to entrances to enhance safety. The district also assumed ownership and responsibility for the community pool at this time.

Jack is a member of the Military Officers Association, VFW Post #6196 Queensbury.  He is also a member of American Legion Post #574 Hudson Falls and was honored by the Post by being named as Grand Marshall of the 2002 Memorial Day Parade, the first parade after 9/11.

Jack and his wife Shirley are the proud parents of two Hudson Falls’ graduates, Mark who went on to graduate from San Diego State and Scott, a graduate of Norwich University.

Colleen Kennedy, ’95, Attorney for U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of California
Colleen M. Kennedy was born on January 8, 1977, to Linda and Edward Kennedy.  She attended Hudson Falls schools, beginning with Maple Street Elementary.  In high school, she lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball, and was a member of the New York State Class B Volleyball Champions in 1991 and 1992.  She was named The Post-Star’s Volleyball Player of the Year in 1994 and received the Sports Foundation MVP Scholar-Athlete Award in 1995.  Colleen was also active in the music program, as an oboe player and Choralier.

Following high school, Colleen attended Duke University and pursued a major in Public Policy Studies.  She graduated from Duke Summa cum laude in 1999, and then attended the Yale Law School, receiving a J.D. in 2002.

After law school, Colleen served as a law clerk to Judge Michael Hawkins of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and then spent the first years of her career in legal practice with a large international law firm in San Francisco, followed by work with a criminal defense firm in Portland, OR.  Colleen did significant pro bono work while in private practice, including overturning the conviction and securing the release of a Texas death row inmate who had been wrongfully convicted.

Since 2012, Colleen has worked at the U.S. Department of Justice, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California.  She works in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, focusing on financial fraud prosecutions.  Colleen was a member of a small team that obtained a $13 billion settlement with JPMorgan for its fraud in the mortgage securitizations that contributed to the financial crisis.  The settlement was at the time the largest with a single entity in American history.  In 2014, Colleen was named an Attorney of the Year by California Lawyer magazine and received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service from then-Attorney General Eric Holder.

Colleen lives in Sacramento with her husband John Mounier and their one-year-old son Charlie.

Dr. Christopher McCann, ’96, Gynecologic Oncologist
Christopher K. McCann D.O., son of Richard and Monica McCann, was born on March 4, 1978 in Portland ME.  A member of the class of 1996, he attended Siena College from 1996-2000 where he played football for three years. Graduating Cum Laude with a BS in biology, he went on to the University Of New England College Of Osteopathic Medicine from 2000-2004 where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathy medical degree.

After medical school he attended an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT from 2004-2008. During this time he participated in the Galloway Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center, which focused on the practice of gynecologic oncology. He also met his future wife Christine DiLeo, DO during residency. 

From 2008-2011 he participated in a gynecologic oncology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. During his fellowship, his research interests in basic science focused on the hedgehog pathway and the treatment of ovarian cancer. He also had strong interest in incorporating minimally invasive surgical techniques including robotics and single incision laparoscopic surgery into the practice of treating gynecologic malignancies.

After fellowship he worked for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA from 2011-2014 where he served as instructor for Harvard Medical School actively involved in training of residents and medical students.  His interest in robotic surgery continued where he served as co-director for a course “Advancing Surgical Skills in Robotic Surgery” which focused on education around robotic surgery for gynecologists adopting robotic surgery. 

In 2014, he joined Bon Secours Gynecologic Oncology Specialists in Newport News, VA where he currently continues to practice in the medical and surgical treatment of gynecologic malignancies.  He lives in the waterfront community of Poquoson, VA where he enjoys activities on the water including boating, fishing, and the beach with his wife and two children, Caden and Caleigh (with a third child on the way).

Michael T. Ahrens (posthumously), ’86, Plant Manager of Engineering for Tredegar Film Products
Michael T. Ahrens was born on May 24, 1968, the first of four children of Roger and Dayle (Ryder) Ahrens. By graduating as salutatorian in 1986 from Hudson Falls, and winning a Naval ROTC scholarship, Mike was able to attend then graduate from The Massachusetts Institute Technology in 1990 with a material science engineering degree and an officer commission to serve his country in the Gulf War, specializing in cryptology – breaking the enemy code using mathematical formulas.

Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1994, he started his engineering career working in fiber optics for Alcatel, home based in North Carolina.  Two years later he married his beloved Debbie and became a step father to Charlie, and with this new family as support, returned to academia from 2003-2005, earning his MS degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in electrical engineering.  Michael was especially proud of his participation during these two years in a consortium studying the enhancement of color for light emitting diodes.

Reentering the workforce, Mike became from 2005-2010 the plant manager of engineering for Tredegar Film Products in Red Springs NC.  Six months before his untimely death in December 2010, Mike was hired by the CEO of Stanley Tools who was impressed with not only Mike’s intellect, and drive, but more importantly his civility and integrity in dealing with employees from his past leadership roles, and wanted him to take over the reins as head of engineering in the Cheraw SC plant.  Tragically, destiny had other plans.

Today, our 6’3” gentle giant, All Conference 1989 ECAC New England defensive tackle, faithful NY Met and Giant Fan, has overcome his mortality with the annual Big Mike Memorial Award given to both a deserving boy and girl scholar athlete from his beloved Hudson Falls Tiger teams who will represent in their futures, and thereby Mike’s, the “big hearted” spirit by which Mike led his brief but full life, giving of himself before others in the arenas of life.

We, who were blessed to have loved him as a brother, husband, father, and son, are warmed by this final accolade, given by a community he so loved and always considered home.

Barbara Sabo Joudry, ’77, Executive (mathematician) for Department of Defense
Born in Hudson Falls on June 15, 1959, Barbara Sabo Joudry, the fifth of six children of Janet and Sabo Sabo, attended Hudson Falls public schools growing up, graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1977.  She continued her education at SUNY Albany, majoring in mathematics, and graduated in 1981.

After graduating Ms. Joudry was employed at Westinghouse in Maryland.  She worked there on the radar to be used in F16 fighter jets. The following year she began her career as a cryptanalyst at the Department of Defense.  While working for the Department of Defense, she attended Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and received her Master’s degree in 1986.

In 1998 Ms. Joudry, along with the Executive Director of the American Mathematical Society and several renowned mathematics professors, created the Research Experience for Undergraduates Conference to encourage women and minorities to be successful in mathematics programs at the graduate level.  That same year, Ms. Joudry was awarded the Federal Women’s Program Award, given annually to an individual woman for achievements in her field as a Federal employee.

In 2008 and 2010, Ms. Joudry served two tours in Afghanistan, supporting the U.S. and Allied troops stationed there.  Also in 2010 she was awarded the National Intelligence Exceptional Achievement Medal.  The citation with the award notes that Ms. Joudry’s work led to the prevention of two terrorist attacks on the homeland and uncovered two international terrorist networks.

Ms. Joudry has two daughters, Natalie, who works for a medical management company, and Emily, an electrical engineer at Dahlgren Naval Base.  Ms. Joudry lives in Severna Park, Maryland and when not attending the theater with her daughters or working, she enjoys scuba diving, salsa dancing, competing in Iron Girl Triathlons, gourmet cooking, and traveling the world.

Colin R. Sabol, ’85, Senior Vice President & President of Xylem’s Global Dewatering Business
Colin was born on June 2, 1967, the second of Joe and Becky Sabol’s two sons.  He graduated with honors from Hudson Falls High School in 1985, a multiple varsity letter winning athlete and first trumpet in the band.  He worked summers, evenings and weekends to help fund his college education, including delivering the Post Star.

In 1989, Colin graduated cum laude from Alfred University with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.  He was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta and Keramos honor societies for his academic achievements and was Vice President of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.  He studied abroad at the University of Leeds in England. 

Colin began his career at General Electric in 1989 as an Application Engineer and rapidly progressed through the company, working in the U.S., Europe and Asia.  During this time, he formed a strong belief that high-performing companies should create value for society, while also delivering outstanding returns to their shareholders.  This vision was the impetus for creating GE Water, a $2 billion water treatment business that he formed through acquisitions and then grew as Chief Marketing Officer.

Colin’s passion for driving companies to create both social and economic value led him to accept the role as Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for Xylem, a global leader in providing technologies that transport, treat and test water.  Colin is proud to be a founding board member of Xylem Watermark, the company’s corporate citizenship and social investment program that provides and protects safe water resources for communities in need around the world.  Watermark has improved the lives of more than 2 million people in 25 countries. 

In 2013, Colin became President of Xylem’s global Dewatering business, focused on solving global water challenges in the areas of: flood protection, drought management, water reuse and urban resilience.

Colin and his wife Julie are blessed with two children, Lauren and Gavin.  He was grateful that he and his brother Keith were inducted into the Wall of Distinction together.  To commemorate the occasion, he established the Colin Sabol Scholarship Fund to help the next generation of Hudson Falls Tigers achieve its dreams.

Keith J. Sabol, ’83, Portfolio Manager for Davis Appreciation and Income Fund
Born on February 14, 1965, Keith is the elder son of Joe and Becky Sabol and proud brother of fellow inductee Colin Sabol.  As a Tiger, he lettered in swimming and soccer, was a delegate to the American Legion’s Boys’ State, led his class as President, and graduated as Valedictorian. 

Keith attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, fulfilling a goal first articulated in the fifth grade.  He is Hudson Falls High School’s first graduate of West Point.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Keith was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and joined his unit in West Germany as the Platoon Leader in charge of four M1A1 tank crews.  Keith was deployed to the border between East and West Germany where he led patrols that constituted the front line of NATO’s Cold War deterrence.  Later he served in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait during the First Gulf War.

In 1992, after having attained the rank of Captain, Keith resigned his commission to attend business school at Carnegie Mellon University.  There, he played an instrumental role in establishing the I Have a Dream Foundation.  The foundation adopted a kindergarten class of approximately ninety disadvantaged youth and promised them college scholarships if they graduated from high school.  It also organized mentoring, counseling, computer labs and after-school programs to maximize each child’s likelihood of graduating.  Keith’s efforts were critical in securing initial operating funds and building a $100,000 scholarship fund. 

Following business school, Keith joined Federated Investors as an Equity Analyst where he launched a mutual fund that he grew to over $600 million dollars in assets under management.  In addition to continuing his service on the board of the I Have a Dream Foundation, Keith joined the board of Gateway to the Arts, an organization inspiring students and their teachers by introducing professional performing/visual artists into the classroom. 

Keith lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his lovely wife Julie and their twins, Karen and Ryan.  As a portfolio manager for Davis Selected Advisers, he runs a high-performing mutual fund that was recognized in Kiplinger’s magazine.  Keith has continued to make volunteerism a priority, recently serving on the Investment Committee of the Rio Grande School and coaching youth soccer for nine seasons spanning five years.

Erica Washburn, ’96, Director of Choral Activities at the New England Conservatory
Mezzo soprano Erica Washburn, a 1996 graduate of Hudson Falls High School is no stranger to the music community in our area. Her grandparents were founding members of the Schuylerville Community Theatre where she made her stage debut in an SCT production of Annie. Early memories are of a very supportive mom, Eileen Hannay, who allowed her to sit on the piano bench and sing along while she practiced for her own performances. It is no surprise that the little girl on the piano bench went on to have a major impact with the music department in high school both in the concert band and the chorus. 

After high school, she went to Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J. intending to teach music with a concentration on voice. At the Eastman School of Music, while considering a career in opera, she got the conducting bug and her career path was formed. Presently, she is the Director of Choral Activities at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. At NEC, she conducts the 100-voice Concert Choir and the 23-voice auditioned Chamber Singers. She is also a professor of basic and advanced choral conducting, as well as sacred and secular choral literature. Prior to her appointment at NEC, she taught at the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton College where she was an instructor of voice, and director of both the Houghton College Women’s Choir and the Camerata Singers.

As a conductor, Washburn has worked with the East Carolina University Women’s Chorale and Eastman Women’s Chorus, has been a guest conductor for several New York State School Music Association Area All-State Mixed Choruses, spent five summer as a conductor and voice faculty member for the New York State Summer School of the Arts School of Choral Studies, has been a visiting guest artist and clinician at William Jewell College, is a sought-after high school choral ensemble guest clinician, and most recently held performances in Sydney, Australia of her choral ensemble Northern Voices.

As a soloist Washburn has been featured on the Eastman-St. Michaels Recital Series, given her Jordan Hall recital debut, performed selections of Finzi’s Dies Natalis with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, given the Boston premiere of two works for mezzo-soprano by the late Richard Toensing with the NEC Symphonic Winds, performed with the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus, and was the mezzo soloist for Duruflé’s Requiem with the Vivificus! Chamber Players.  

Locally, she has performed with the Glens Falls Symphony and when she is in the area, sings with the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church. Her brother Scott Hannay, though at the opposite end of the music spectrum in terms of interests, is also an accomplished singer, guitarist, trumpeter, keyboardist and composer.

Myron J. Watkins, Jr. ’48, Proprietor of Watkins Nursery
Born at home June 1, 1930, Myron J. Watkins, Jr. was the third child of Myron and Helena Watkins. He attended Ferry Street Schoolhouse, Margaret Murphy Elementary School and the Hudson Falls High School on Main Street, graduating in 1948.  After high school, Myron served in the army.  Completing his time in the army, Myron and his new bride Joan, moved to Ithaca, NY where he studied horticulture at Cornell University.  Graduating in 1956, Myron and his new family moved back to Hudson Falls, becoming the fourth generation in the family florist, greenhouse and landscape business.  In 1960 Myron built his home on Meadow Road where he and Joan raised their four boys.

Myron was involved in the creation of an outdoor skating rink at Derby Park lasting 21 years.  He encouraged neighborhood kids to sell raffle tickets where money raised was used to buy hockey equipment.  To this day, the game “Red Rover”, played on the last third of the flooded football field, brings many fond memories for the kids of Hudson Falls.  At the end of the season, the Kiwanis Club held a field day with races and hockey games, filling kid’s shelves with well-deserved medals and ribbons.

Myron was a past board member and President of the Hudson Falls Chamber of Commerce.  For many years, Myron actively participated in the holiday decorating of the park-now-known as Juckett Park.  Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the Nativity, tree lights, the Three Wise Men (created by the Hudson Falls High School art class) and the Hanukkah candles were some of the village favorites.  During summer concerts, Myron provided ample lighting for the musicians. Since the beginning of “Sandy Hill Days”, Myron used his skills aiding in the success of the craft show.  Myron was a founding board member in the Feeder Canal Alliance that utilized towpaths along the Feeder Canal linking the communities of Kingsbury, Hudson Falls, Glens Falls, and Queensbury.

Myron loved to ski!  He operated a rope tow at Wall Street in 1949-50 and at “Hogan’s Hill” during the 60’s.  This passion led to a winter career as a ski instructor at Killington VT for nearly 30 years.

Myron loved his family, friends and the surrounding communities where he lived, worked and played.  His compassion for the environment and people was ever present. We were fortunate that despite his love for exploring new places, he always came home to Hudson Falls.

Amanda I. Beecher, Ph.D., ’97, Asst. Professor of Mathematics
Amanda (Matte) Beecher was born and raised in Hudson Falls.  In school, she lettered in Cross-Country and Track and Field, served as President of the National Honor Society, President of the Leo Service Club, Advertisement Editor of the Yearbook, and was actively involved in St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church.  She graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1997.

After graduation, Amanda attended the University of Pittsburgh for two years.  She graduated summa cum laude in 2001with a Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics from University at Albany, SUNY.  Encouraged by her professors, Amanda continued into graduate school in spring 2002 at the University at Albany, SUNY.  She married her husband Daniel Beecher that summer.  She was awarded Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree for her mathematics thesis “Combinatorial Description of a Free Resolution of a Multigraded Module” in spring 2007.  She also earned an Excellence in Teaching award and a Special Service to the Graduate Program Award for coordinating the graduate students’ seminar and the Noetherian Ring Women’s seminar.

Upon graduation, she accepted a post-doctoral teaching position in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she expanded her teaching, research, and service interests.  She earned a Master Teacher Certificate and Outstanding Civilian Service Award from West Point.

Currently, Amanda is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Ramapo College of New Jersey.  She enjoys working closely with students in and out of the classroom.  She teaches a variety of courses throughout the mathematics curriculum and is the advisor of the Math Club.  She is a member of the American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America, the Association for Women in Mathematics, and Pi Mu Epilson National Mathematics Honor Society.  In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy traveling, cycling, and running.

Helen K. Fountaine, ’65, Retired Spanish Teacher​​​​​​​
Helen Koskinas Fountaine was born in Glens Falls on June 13, 1947.  She moved to East River Road, Fort Edward, in 1959 and began seventh grade at Main Street School in Hudson Falls that September.  While a student in the district, she participated in many activities including French and Spanish Clubs, Future Teachers of America, and yearbook.  Following graduation in June 1965, she attended Russell Sage College graduating with a BA in Spanish in 1969.

Married soon after college, Helen began her teaching career in Moravia, New York, while pursuing graduate studies at SUNY Cortland.

In 1975, the Fountaines returned to the area.  Helen taught for 27 years in Glens Falls, chairing the Foreign Language Department for sixteen of those years.  In addition to teaching duties, she undertook advising the Junior Class, Hi-Y, and Student Government, as well as leading many student trips to Spain.  Serving as advisor to the Drama Club for several years, she directed a variety of plays and musicals.  In 1985, along with Hudson Falls’ teacher, Betty Barrett, she was selected to lead seminars and train area educators in The Effective Teaching Model, a role that lasted until 2005.  After retirement in 2002, she also continued part-time work in the Glens Falls School District as a consultant presenting workshops and coaching young educators as they began their teaching careers.  In addition, she heartily enjoyed the role of Spanish instructor at ACC for two semesters and relished teaching “mature” language learners at A.L.L. in Saratoga.  Currently, she is “teaching” as she leads groups around the Hyde Collection in her volunteer capacity as docent.  Helen believes her passion for art history began at The Hyde in 1963 when Hudson Falls’ teacher, Mrs. Weatherbee, brought the French IV class there on a field trip.

Mrs. Fountaine was recipient of the Glens Falls School District Teacher of the Year Award in 1996; was selected five times by students for the Scholars’ Recognition Award, and received a special achievement award from that organization in 2003.  The Riverside School Bell Award for Retired Educators was presented to Helen in 2004.  In that same year, she was named Docent of the Year at The Hyde.

Gary Fullerton, ’68, Proprietor of Fullerton Farms​​​​​​​
Gary Fullerton, a 1968 graduate of Hudson Falls Central School District, was born on March 24, 1950.  Although not raised on a dairy farm, he aspired to establish and operate his own enterprise.  Gary began his self-funded post-secondary education at SUNY Cobleskill as the avenue to Cornell University to obtain the best education for his anticipated goal.  Following graduation, he accepted a position at the former Agway Research and Development Center.  In 1976, he rented the current Main Drag Farm in Kingsbury and purchased a herd of cows and line of machinery which he was able to leverage in 1979 to purchase what is now Fullerton Farms in Argyle.

Fullerton Farms has grown from the original seventy-five cow dairy as additional parcels of land became available.  Over the years, new barns and buildings, including a milking facility, were constructed.  In 2011, an adjacent dairy farm was purchased allowing continued growth to the current three hundred plus cows.

Fullerton Farms is the largest dairy farm in Argyle but, of greater personal significance, it is truly a family farm.  Gary and his wife, Ellen, are the proud parents of four children who have each participated in its growth.  Son, Matthew (Cornell 2006), and daughter, Kathryn (Cornell 2006), have joined the operation as Field Manager and Herd Manager (respectively) and each own their own herd of cows.  Son, Daniel (Cornell 2009), is employed by Titan Enterprises and also operates Fullerton Enterprises.  Daughter, Elizabeth (Cornell 2013), the 2009 Dairy Princess, is a Management Trainee at Leprino Foods in Waverly, New York.

Gary is a member of the Argyle Presbyterian Church, Washington County Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension where he is a former Agriculture Program Committeeman and served as an Agway board member.

Gary Fullerton achieved the career goal developed while a student at Hudson Falls Central School District by implementing both short and long term strategies utilizing sound business practices, hard work, and family support.

Megan (Rosselle) Munafo, ’96, Senior VP/Assoc. General Counsel of EnTrust Capital​​​​​​​
Megan (Rosselle) Munafo was born on April 22, 1978, the youngest of Carolyn and Norman Rosselle’s four children. Her love of learning and sports began at Maple Street Elementary School and carried into Hudson Falls High School where Megan continued her love for academics and extracurricular activities.  In high school, she played varsity field hockey, basketball and softball and served in roles with class government and National Honor Society.

Megan attended Boston University, participating in the College of Arts & Sciences Honors Program. She studied in Dublin, Ireland for one semester and completed an internship with a local solicitor’s office. She graduated from BU in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology.

Upon graduation from Boston University, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in law.  She attended Fordham University Law School while working full time and earned a J.D. in 2006.  Following graduation, Megan joined K&L Gates, an international law firm, as an Associate in the Investment Management practice group.  In January 2011, Megan left K&L to join EnTrust Capital, a NYC-based hedge fund of funds with assets under management of $9 billion, as Senior Vice President/Associate General Counsel and currently also serves on the firm’s Compliance and Conflicts Committee.  

Megan and her husband Jeff enjoy traveling the world, most recently traveling to Iceland. She and Jeff have a one-year old son, Maddox, and are expecting their second child early next year. They currently reside in New Jersey.

Laurie K. Normandeau, ’79, Outdoor Recreation Specialist​​​​​​​
Laurie K. Combs Normandeau was the fifth child in a family of eight children.  Born on September 14, 1961 in Glens Falls, she grew up in Hudson Falls.  In high school, she was a member of Art Club, Pep Club, and Yearbook Staff and she lettered in Varsity Volleyball and Track and was most known for her painting of the Hudson Falls Tiger on the high school gymnasium floor.  Upon graduation in 1979, she entered the US Army as a Still and Aerial Photographer.

After completing photography school at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, she was stationed in Ft. Meade, Maryland, where she was selected to be a photographer at the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan on January 20, 1981.  She served two years as a US Army Recruiter in Glens Falls and was chosen as the Top RA Recruiter in the Army in 1982.

After successful completion of her military enlistment, she attended Keene State College and the University of Massachusetts earning an Associates of Science Degree in Physical Education where she ultimately found her greatest passion.

She completed as a World-Class professional Bodybuilder for six years with the WNBF, earning the title of Universe in 1997 and World in 2000.  She served in the US Air Force at Barnes Air National Guard in Westfield, Massachusetts, as a Fitness Manager for pilots and enlisted members.  Her article, the “Air Force Fitness Blast” was published in Men’s Health and Fitness magazine in 2001.  She is an Outward Bound and NOLS Alumni and an Outdoor Recreation Specialist.

In 2003, she became a volunteer climber for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington.  She was selected as a member of the “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer” Team and reached the summit of the 19,340 foot peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa, in 2004.

In 2006, she founded the Power of Seven project, where she is climbing the highest mountains on earth to raise funds and awareness to fight Cancer.  To date, she has climbed over 77,000 vertical feet and raised over $75,000 dollars for Cancer Research.  She has completed five of the famous “Seven Summits”, the tallest mountain on each continent, with plans to attempt Mt. Everest in 2014.

Laurie currently lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she teaches Rock-Climbing, Yoga and CrossFit in between her high-altitude training and expedition travels around the world.  Her goal is to save lives through research and honor lives lost.  She blogs her Power of Seven project on-line and invites everyone to follow the journey and support the cause.  She is the mother of one daughter, Lauren B. DuBois of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Michael A. Powell, ’97, FBI Special Agent​​​​​​​
Michael Powell grew up in Hudson Falls and graduated high school in 1997.  Upon graduation, Michael enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and went to basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina.  His permanent duty station was in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was a Financial Management Analyst and was awarded the “Marine of the Quarter” in his first year as a Marine.  Michael was honorably discharged from the USMC after four years of active duty service.

After being honorably discharged, Michael set his sights on his next goal: to be the first college graduate in his immediate family.  He started his academic journey at Adirondack Community College (ACC) and earned his Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice.  Michael then transferred to Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, Illinois, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Criminology.

Michael still had the desire to serve his country and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC in 2008.  He served as an intelligence Officer for 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division and 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.  Additionally, he successfully deployed to Iraq serving as an Intelligence Officer Advisor for the 27th Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division and was subsequently awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.  Michael was honorably discharged, while achieving the rank of Captain.

After serving approximately eight years in the USMC, both enlisted and as an officer, Michael was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent.  Michael graduated from the FBI Academy, located in Quantico, Virginia and is currently assigned to a violent crime/major offenders (VCMO) squad.  He investigates various federal crimes, such as bank robberies, kidnappings, murder for hires, major thefts, extortions, and crimes against children.

J. Andrew Collins, ’58, Hudson Falls Merchant and former Executive Director of the Adirondack-Saratoga Chapter of the American Red Cross
Andrew “Andy” Collins was born March 7, 1940 in Glens Falls, NY, the son of Frederick A. Collins and Derry Holler Collins.  He grew up on Upper Broadway, Fort Edward and attended Hudson Falls Central Schools, graduating in 1958.  While in high school he was a member of the track team, choir and choraliers, the yearbook committee, student government, and a charter member of Key Club.

He graduated from Villanova University, School of Commerce and Finance, Villanova, PA, where he was an active member and treasurer of the Blue Key Society and managing editor of the yearbook.  After graduation he returned to Hudson Falls to join his father [and later brother] in the family business, Pender Towly, a women’s retail clothing store.  

Community involvement began immediately.  He became an active member and later president of the HF Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, member and president. He was a member of the HF Planning Board, as chairman for 25 years.  He served on the local American Red Cross Board of Directors and later chairman of the board.  He held several volunteer positions at the national level for the American Red Cross.  As a communicant of St. Mary’s/ St. Paul’s, he formerly taught in the religious education program and was an usher for many years.  More recently he has served on the board of directors of Girl Scouts NENY and CWI as treasurer and board member and chairman of the American Red Cross Centennial Committee.

He retired as the executive director of the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter.  During his tenure there he was very active in numerous local and state initiatives.

In 1963 he married Nancy Whiting, also a member of the Class of 1958, HFCS.  They have three children, all HFCS graduates, Amy C. Jumbelic, Karen C. Prakelt, and Brian A. Collins.  Since retirement in 2003, he and Nancy have enjoyed travel, their four grandchildren, and their home in Hudson Falls.

Paul M. Dietrich, ’79, Vice President and Partner of Carlton Funeral Home
Paul Dietrich was born on July 19, 1961 in Glens Falls, NY. He is a 1979 graduate of Hudson Falls Senior High School and a 1981 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY, where he received an AAS Degree in Mortuary Science.

Growing up in a family dedicated to public service, Paul became very interested in fire service. In 1979, at the age of 18, he became a member of the Hudson Falls Volunteer Fire Department and has been an active member ever since. He has held every line officer position, and served for 11 years as the Chief of Department. Awarded twice for rescues (including the department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor), he continues to serve as an active member.

In 1977, Paul was offered a part time position at the Carleton Funeral Home taking care of the company vehicles. From there he began assisting with funeral services and the many aspects of funeral service and soon came to realize that he had found his calling. Following his graduation from Hudson Valley Community College, he served his one year residency with Carleton’s and then became a New York State Licensed Funeral Director. He has been serving the people of this area ever since. Following the retirement of C. Bruce Wetmore, manager of the funeral home, Paul became the manager of Carleton Funeral Home. He now serves as vice president of the funeral home and he and his partner Doneen Nikas, now continue the Carleton Funeral home tradition, providing hometown owned, caring service to those in need. 

He is the past President of the Adirondack Funeral Directors Association, past Treasurer of the Washington County Chief’s and Officer’s Association, a member of Mac Boston 18Truck (a memorial dedicated to firefighters), a member of the Washington County Traffic Safety Board, and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees to the Hudson Valley Community College Mortuary Science program.

Paul resides in Hudson Falls in the family home on Feeder St., where he and his brothers and sisters grew up.

Dr. Amy M. Fuller, ’81, Musical Arts/Vocal Performance
Dr. Amy M. Fuller, graduate of Hudson Falls High School class of ’81, is the daughter to George and Patricia Fuller of Hudson Falls. Amy went on to receive a Bachelor of Music Degree in Opera Performance (1985), and an Artists Diploma in Opera Performance (1987), from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, in West Hartford, CT. She completed her Master’s of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, in 1995, and later returned to the University of Illinois for her Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Vocal Performance (2011).

As an opera singer, Amy has worked for opera companies and music festivals in the United States, Germany, and Israel, such as: Metropolitan Opera in New York, Opera Colorado in Denver, Chicago Opera Theater, and Opera Theater of St. Louis, Berkshire opera, Augusta Opera, and others.

As a recitalist, soloist, and sacred music vocalist, she has performed in numerous concerts, recitals, programs, and radio broadcasts, with various organizations, symphonies and choral groups throughout the U.S., and for a number of years was soloist and cantor at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Ct.

Amy has received many awards and scholarships. She was a finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti International Vocal Competition, a finalist in the Licia Albanese, Puccini-Foundation Competition, a finalist in The Stewart Awards, a Metropolitan Opera District Competition winner, a recipient of a study grant from the Wagner Society in NY, as well as others. 

Amy looks back fondly upon her experiences as an active student involved in music, sports, and class government, while a student at Hudson Falls High School. The training and musical experience offered by choral director, Ms. Joyce Irwin, and string director, Mr. Steven Parsons, gave Amy the musical foundation and invaluable tools which helped her achieve many of her musical goals, and that she continues to use as a singer and teacher.

Amy E. Hogan-Moulton M.D., ’84, Specialist in the field of Nephrology
Amy Elizabeth Hogan was born at the Glens Falls Hospital on March 31, 1965, the sixth of eleven children to the late Dr. Richard T. (“Doc”) and Betty Hogan. She attended St. Mary’s Academy through eighth grade and graduated from the Hudson Falls Senior High School in 1984, a member of the National Honor Society.

Like most of her siblings, Amy began her collegiate studies at Adirondack Community College (ACC), which provided a great foundation for the studies that would follow. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1989); graduated with honors as an AOA Inductee from Albany Medical College in 1993; and went on to do an internship and residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in nephrology and hypertension at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1993-1998).

Amy returned to Hudson Falls to be near family, joining the staff of the Glens Falls Hospital as a nephrologist at the Broad Street Medical Office.  Amy was named co-director of the Glens Falls Hospital’s Renal Dialysis Center. After the passing of her father in 2005, Amy took over his practice to establish the Hudson Falls Internal Medicine Office. She continues to practice and oversee operations at the Broad Street Medical Group, the Glens Falls Hospital satellite nephrology office in Saratoga, and Hudson Falls Internal Medicine Office. Amy is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology.

Dr. Amy takes great pleasure in caring for her patients. She places strong emphasis on patient education, noting that being educated about one’s health is just as important as the medicines prescribed to facilitate that good health. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the National Kidney Foundation.

When not enjoying her professional endeavors, Amy likes to spend time with her husband, David Moulton of Hudson Falls; their children, Christine (married to Matthew Barton) and Stephen, and her granddaughter, Chloe.

Robert Hogan M.D., ’82, Specialist in the field of Cardiology
Robert Hogan was born in 1963, the fifth in order of birth of the eleven children of the late Richard T. “Doc” and Betty Hogan. From kindergarten to grade five, he attended St. Mary’s School in Hudson Falls and moved on to St. Mary’s Academy for Middle School. Upon graduation from Hudson Falls High School in 1982 he enrolled at ACC (now SUNY Adirondack) where he earned the RPI award for Excellence in Engineering.  

After taking time off to work with a road construction crew at Kubricky Construction, he enrolled at RPI where he studied Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, graduating in 1989. Upon graduation, Dr. Hogan returned to ACC in order to complete the requirements necessary to enroll at Upstate Medical College in Syracuse. Graduating in 1994, he went on to complete his residency in Internal Medicine at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, New York. While in attendance, he received the Golden Stethoscope Award as Resident Teacher of the Year. He returned to Glens Falls to join Adirondack Cardiology after completing his Cardiology Fellowship and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts at Worcester. Dr. Hogan was instrumental in establishing the PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) program at Glens Falls Hospital in 2003 which allowed him to perform emergency angioplasties on patients experiencing heart attacks. He is presently the Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab of Glens Falls Hospital. In 2005, he was the winner of the Harry M. “Mac” DePan Physician Award of Excellence from Glens Falls Hospital.

An involved parent, he has constructed soccer goals for the St. Mary’s soccer team as well as assisted the Odyssey of the Mind teams for both St. Mary’s and the Glens Falls Middle School. The displays at the Coolidge Ave. Neighborhood Art Shows and the props for the neighborhood outdoor theater are also the product of his efforts. He is always willing to volunteer his time to help family and friends with various engineering and construction projects. Dr. Hogan is a believer that we are all capable of excellence and if we find something interesting to learn, there will be a meaningful application for that knowledge. Dr. Hogan lives in Glens Falls with his wife Elizabeth and their four children, Jackie, Nolan, Neil and Josie.

Rebecca Loftus Lusignan, ’93, Physical Therapist
Becky (Loftus) Lusignan was born on September 8, 1975, the youngest of Jerry and Joanne Loftus’s four children. Her love of learning and sports began at Dix Avenue Elementary School and was carried onto Hudson Falls High School where Becky was a multi-sport athlete, excelling most at volleyball. She was a member of the Class B State Volleyball Champions in 1990, 1991 and 1992. She was named Post Star Volleyball Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992 and Class B Volleyball Player of the Year in 1992. She also received the Sports Foundation MVP Scholar Athlete Award in 1993. In addition to her family’s support and influence, Becky credits her volleyball coach Gail Schafer for laying the foundation that hard work and dedication can lead to success as a student and as an athlete. She graduated from Hudson Falls School in 1993.

Becky continued to excel as a collegiate student athlete at Providence College. She played Division 1 volleyball and was named to the BIG EAST All-Conference Second Team in 1994 and 1996. She was also named a GTE Academic All-American in 1996 and 1997. She graduated from Providence College in 1997 with B.S. in Biology. 

She then attended Boston University, where she earned a M.S. in Physical Therapy in 2001.

Upon graduation from Boston University, she moved to western Massachusetts to become a Physical Therapist. She is currently self-employed and works in multiple school systems, providing therapy to children with disabilities. She enjoys the professional challenge and creativity of transforming therapy into play and enhancing educational opportunities for her students. 

Becky is always seeking out adventure which led her to run the Boston Marathon in 1997. She has also travelled to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Belize and most recently took a 6 month trip around the US in an RV with her husband, Tom. She and Tom are the parents of two children, Amelia and Benjamin, and reside in western Massachusetts.

Tony DeSare, ’94, Recording Artist and Musician
Singer, pianist and songwriter Tony DeSare – whose third CD Radio Show was recently released by Telarc Records – was named a “Rising Star” male Vocalist in the Downbeat Critics Poll. He has won critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout the United States as well as in Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. He launched his international tour with three weeks at the Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room in NYC, two weeks in London, then continued on to cities such as Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, St. Louis and Palm Beach

Tony, the son of Louise and John DeSare, was born in Glens Falls in November of 1975 and both he and his sister Trina are graduates of Hudson Falls High School. Though Tony began his academic career at the Dix Avenue and Margaret Murphy elementary schools, he really made his mark at the high school. Named valedictorian of the class of 1994, it is important to note that he was an integral part of the NHS Induction Dinner before it was joined with the Wall of Distinction Ceremony. In his senior year, The Tony DeSare Trio filled the high school auditorium for a concert that was to provide the funds to pay for the dinners of the new inductees. When the Chronicle review came out, we knew we had a star! It was a “magical and joyful” performance and described as “pure entertainment”. The standing ovation shook the house!

At Ithaca College, while a top student in the field of Business Administration, he was inducted into three honor societies. Though not a music major, he was the centerpiece of the Ithaca Jazz Band and has proven himself to be an accomplished music writer, lyricist, composer, arranger, violinist, pianist and vocalist. Tony also won first prize in the Ithaca College Showcase/Talent Show while competing against seven other bands and Tony, true to himself, shared the award with one of his biggest supporters – his Dad.

Tony composed and performed the title theme to My Date With Drew, an independent documentary feature film about a guy who has 30 days and $1,100 to get a date with Drew Barrymore. It has been featured on “The Tonight Show”, “The Today Show”, Entertainment Weekly and Premiere. The film- awarded top honors at the New York Gen Arts Festival, the HBO Comedy Arts Festival and the Vail Film Festival – was released in theaters nationwide in 2005. The theme song, “If I Had Drew”, is featured on his debut CD. Tony has performed at the legendary Apollo Theater where he first met jazz guitar icon Bucky Pizzarelli.  Since then, Bucky has continued to perform with Tony’s band around the country. For the 2011-12 season, Tony will be headlining major symphonies around the country. His performance at the opening of the New York Pops 29th season – “Irving Berlin: Rags to Ritzes” drew raves from the Carnegie Hall audience. Tony continues to collaborate with longtime friend and fellow inductee, Tedd Firth. Google either of them and you will be amazed at their accomplishments!

Tedd Firth, ’94, Musician
Tedd Firth was born on November 16, 1976 and grew up in Hudson Falls, NY.  Raised in a musical family, (parents Pam and Ted were both music teachers and performing musicians in the area, brother Patrick is also a musician) Tedd began playing the piano at an early age and started taking lessons when he was five.  In addition to his family’s support and influence, Tedd’s musical development throughout his school years was greatly enhanced and furthered by the music department in the Hudson Falls schools. In particular, Tedd credits band director Mr. Scott Larsen and choir director Miss Joyce Irwin for their contributions to his musical growth.

Tedd’s jazz piano studies began as a teenager with Lee Shaw in Albany, NY.  Following graduation from Hudson Falls High School in 1994, Tedd attended William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, receiving a BM in jazz piano performance in 1998.  He went on to receive a MM degree in jazz piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music in 2000.

While in college, Tedd began laying the groundwork for his professional career as a musician.  Over the last ten years Tedd has become one of the first-call pianists in the New York City area for performance and recording work in several styles.  In particular, specializing as an accompanist for vocalists, he has appeared in concert many times with some of the brightest stars on Broadway and the biggest names in the jazz world.

In addition to several performances at Carnegie Hall, Tedd has performed across the country and around the world.  However, one of his favorite continuing collaborations is with Tony DeSare, whose friendship since their early days in Hudson Falls has made their professional work together that much more meaningful.

Currently Tedd lives in Baldwin, NY with his wife Kerry and son Brandon.

David DeCamilla, ’66, – President, DeCamilla Capital Management
From the playing fields of Hudson Falls Central to West Point, the University of South Carolina, and in his own business, David DeCamilla has distinguished himself as a leader ready to listen.

“Any success I may have had in athletics, business, and life, was because of the support, training, and leadership I had from first grade (at Margaret Murphy Elementary) to the present,” said DeCamilla, a 1966 Hudson Falls Central graduate.  A distinguished football player, DeCamilla, the son of Lydia and Joseph DeCamilla and one of three brothers, was born March 8, 1948. 

DeCamilla was co-captain and played on the Tiger’s undefeated, and unscored upon 1966 team. He served as Student Council President and played varsity basketball. Appointed to the USMA at West Point, he played football for the Cadets. On a football scholarship, he earned a degree in economics in 1970 from the University of South Carolina. At USC he was a three year starter and was twice named All Atlantic Coast Conference offensive tackle, and as a senior, Honorable Mention All American. He participated in USC’s Academic College Bowl and was named to South Carolina’s All-Time Football Team in 2009. 

A Masters in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University in 1971 did not hamper him from being graduate assistant coach for MSU’s football program. In East Lansing, he met his wife, Jean, an executive with the Girl Scouts. Their daughter Emily is an accomplished tennis player and coach. 

Dave coached football and wrestling at Carroll College in Wisconsin. He marketed health care plans, became an account executive at brokerage firms, and also commented and reported on finance on his successful public radio show for 11 years. Since 1998, Dave has been president and chief investment officer of DeCamilla Capital Management, an investment firm in Sacramento. For more than 20 years he has served as Chairman, Sacramento Employee Pension Fund. In 2010, he was named to the Capital District Football Hall of Fame. He continues to practice tennis and manage an olive ranch and olive processing business with his brothers.

Andrew M. Doty, ’44, Author
Andrew M. “Andy” Doty was born on October 12, 1925 in Stillwater, NY and moved with his family to Hudson Falls while in elementary school. He lettered in four varsity sports and was named an All-Conference halfback after the 1943 championship season. He graduated from high school as President of the class of 1944 and entered the Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) in January of that year. 

After finishing aerial gunnery school at Harlingen, TX, Andy became a tailgunner on a B-29 bomber in World War II and flew on 21 bombing missions from the island of Guam to the Japanese homeland. His crew parachuted into the sea on its fifteenth mission and spent the night in their life vests or one-man rafts. Three of the men failed to survive. 

After the war the GI Bill of Rights enabled Andy to attend St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY.  He won the university award for college journalism, was elected to the senior honor society and graduated in the class of 1950. He became a reporter for the Watertown Daily Times that year and married the former Eleanor Baker of Hudson Falls. 

In 1952 he began a career at three universities: Johns Hopkins, the University of Michigan, and Stanford. He became Director of Community Relations at Stanford in 1972 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1993. He received Palo Alto’s “Outstanding Professional” award in 1980 and was cited for a “Lifetime of Achievement” by the city’s senior center upon his retirement. 

Andy is the author of a book, “Backwards into Battle, A Tailgunner’s Journey in World War II.” He and Eleanor reside in a retirement community on the Stanford campus. They are the parents of three daughters: Susan of Boulder, CO; Ann of Palo Alto, CA; and Nancy, also of Boulder. They have six grandchildren in those communities. 

Ann M. (Flanigan) LaFave, ’86, Director of Student Services for Cornell University
Bio to come. 

Dr. Jesica Chard Trello Turner, ’91, Educator
Dr. Jesica Chard Trello Turner’s roots are firmly established in Hudson Falls. A member of the Class of 1991, she is among the fourth generation of her family to graduate from Hudson Falls. Dr. Turner is one of four children born to Cindy Trello Chard and Tom Chard. She lived in the family apartment above Trello’s Market and worked in the store alongside her great grandparents (Guy and Mary Trello), her grandparents (Tony and Jean Trello), and her parents, all through high school. She is extremely proud of her extended family.

 Her professional accomplishments include her role as a multi-million dollar technology grant evaluator, an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma, research assistant at OU’s School of Mechanical Engineering, European travel group leader, and teacher at both private and public schools.

Since earning her Ph.D. with distinction at the University of Oklahoma in 2005, she has been recognized for both her ability and her accomplishments. In Washington, D.C., she received the Lead America, Congressional Student Leadership, People to People Ambassadorship, and the National Women’s Mentor awards. Oklahoma State Superintendent Garrett awarded Dr. Turner as Teacher of the Year at the district level and Senator Cal Hobson recommended her for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She won a fellowship from the National Science Foundation, grants from the Christa McAuliffe Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Other awards include the Dunham Scholarship for Achievement in Modern Languages, the International Library of Poetry Editor’s Choice Award, and the Angus National Service Award. She was also recognized in the NY Times for completing the NYC Marathon. 

Dr. Turner was a guest speaker at national conferences including the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in NYC, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Council of American Society for Engineering Education. She is also the author of A Phenomenological Study, a permanent part of the library collection at OU. 

Dr. Turner’s dedication to the teaching profession is known at the state and national level. She credits her family and teachers for her success. She uses the bedrock principles acquired during high school to elevate her students both at OU and at the private and public schools in which she has worked.

Robert L. Desjardins, ’90, Administrative Director, Image Guided Radiation Therapy of Latham, NY
Robert Desjardins, a graduate of Hudson Fall High School (class of 1990), currently serves as the Director of Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), in Latham NY.  Robert began his career as a staff radiation therapist at Glens Falls Hospital in 1994.  In 1995, he joined Samaritan hospital and was quickly promoted to Chief Radiation Therapist in 1998.  A few years later (2001), Robert was again promoted – this time to Director of Oncology for Northeast Health.  In this role Robert oversaw all aspects of the system’s cancer program at both of its acute care hospitals (Albany Memorial Hospital in Albany and Samaritan Hospital in Troy).  That same year, Robert enrolled in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s (RPI) Executive MBA program.  

The seeds for what would ultimately become IGRT were planted during Robert’s final year at RPI.  Robert wrote the business plan for this venture and pitched it to an area oncologist who he had worked with for several years.  In 2005, Image Guided Radiation Therapy was opened.  This state-of-the-art freestanding radiation therapy center utilizes truly groundbreaking technology.  When IGRT opened its doors, it became the first clinical site in the world to fully utilize CT (Computerized Tomography) based imaging technology to localize a patient’s cancer at the exact moment of treatment for ultra-precise radiation therapy delivery.  Patients from as far away as Sydney, Australia have come to IGRT to receive this advanced cancer treatment.

Robert is a renowned expert in the field of radiation therapy and has spoken at several large conferences including the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology and a Webex presentation that was viewed by clinicians throughout the world. IGRT was named a Center of Excellence by Varian Medical Systems in 2007 and is currently a premier show site for this global leader in medical linear accelerator manufacturing.

Robert also currently serves as Chairman of the Radiation Safety Committee at Community Care Physicians and is an active member of the Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators, the American Society for Radiologic Technology and the American Registry of Radiologic Technology.

Robert is married to Amy Desjardins and has a son Connor.  He is an avid golfer and is devoted to his family.  He currently resides in Niskayuna, NY, but still travels to Hudson Falls to visit family and friends.

Bertram J. Dube, ’35, posthumously – longtime school district attorney and clerk of the Board of Education, Hudson Falls Central School District
Bertram J. Dube, Hudson Falls High School class of 1935, was born to Flora and Roland Dube in 1916.  He continued his studies at Duke University graduating in 1940.  Following his military service in World War II, he returned to Duke University to attend law school and was awarded his LLB degree in 1947.

During WW II, Mr. Dube was commissioned aerial navigator in the 9th Air Force.  He flew combat missions from bases in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, D-Day Crossing at Normandy, France, Rhineland and Ardennes. He was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the EAME Ribbon with 7 battle stars and the American Theater ribbon. He held the rank of Captain when leaving active duty and Lt. Col. upon his retirement from the Reserves.

Mr. Dube was admitted to the N.Y. State Bar in 1947 and practiced in both Glens Falls and Hudson Falls. He was a sole practitioner for a number of years before joining the firm of Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart and Rhodes, retiring in 1993.

During his 46 year law career, he served as the District Clerk for the Hudson Falls Central School District. This is particularly noteworthy because during his tenure, he was deeply involved in the Centralization of the District and also new school construction. He also served as the Village Attorney for Hudson Falls from 1953 to 1978, was a member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Hudson Falls, President of the Washington County Bar Association from 1964 to 1965 and the General Counsel to the Sandy Hill Corporation from 1952 to 1993.

Bertam J. Dube married the former Elizabeth Freeland in 1942 and lived in what is described as a happy union until his death in 1999. At the time of his death, many expressed admiration for his legal expertise, and his personal ethics and integrity. Quoting one of the many tributes, “Bert was a compassionate person with a keen sense of humor, a workaholic, a perfectionist, a listener, and an individual who always had his hand on the pulse of the community.”

These admirable standards, developed over a lifetime in Hudson Falls, were given back in service.

Mark (Martin) C. Gage, ’72, Deputy Minority Chief of Staff, Senior Policy Advisor, Director of European Affairs for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, United States House of Representatives
Martin grew up in Hudson Falls with his seven brothers and sisters. After graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1972, he spent several years as a factory worker, bartender and hotel desk clerk while attending Adirondack Community College on a part-time basis. After earning an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from ACC, he transferred to the State University of New York, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Russian and East European Studies. 

Subsequently, prior to studying in Moscow, Russia under the Ohio State University program at the Pushkin Institute, in 1981 Martin was selected by then-Congressman Jerry Solomon, who represented the Adirondack region in the United States House of Representatives, as a “Lyndon Baines Johnson” intern in the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office. Upon returning from Russia, Martin joined Congressman Solomon’s permanent staff, serving as one of his District Representatives for several years.

In 1986, Martin moved to Washington, D.C. to serve first as Legislative Assistant and later as Legislative Director for Congressman Solomon, and then as the Professional Staff Member for Foreign Policy and National Security for Solomon when the latter served as the Ranking Minority Member on the House Committee on Rules. 

In 1993, Martin accepted a position on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as the Professional Staff Member covering United States policy and assistance regarding the Eastern European region and Russia, Ukraine and the other independent states of the former Soviet Union. He continued in that position under Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Benjamin Gilman for several years, subsequently accepting an appointment by former President George W. Bush to serve as a Senior Advisor at the Department of State’s Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Martin returned from the State Department to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2007, where he served as Deputy Minority Staff Director as well as Director of Foreign Assistance and Director of European Affairs.

Throughout his years in the Congress and at the State Department, Martin played a role in formulating and implementing United States Government policy across a range of areas, particularly US relations with Russia and with Europe more broadly and the implementation of foreign aid programs and efforts to reform those programs to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Nancy Gleason Groenwegen, ’75, President of the Civil Service Commission, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Civil Service
Nancy Gleason Groenwegen was born on October 7, 1957, the third of four children born to Robert and Beverly Knobel Gleason.  She graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1975.  In 1979, she graduated from SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College with a BS degree in political science and went on to receive her JD from Boston University School of Law.  

Nancy has developed an expertise in public-sector employment and labor law in more than two decades of work in or near State government.  She has had the privilege of working for three governors and three attorneys general. In 2007, she was nominated by Governor Eliot Spitzer and confirmed by the New York State Senate to serve as the President of the New York State Civil Service Commission and Commissioner of the New York State Department of Civil Service.  

As Commissioner, Nancy oversees an agency that serves as the central human resources agency for executive branch agencies of state government employing nearly 170,000 people.  The agency also provides technical services to 97 municipal civil service agencies, which cover approximately 390,000 local government employees.  The Civil Service Department’s Employee Benefits Division administers the New York State Health Insurance Program, which provides benefits to more than 1 million current and retired state and local government employees and their dependents. 

Prior to her appointment as commissioner, Nancy held a variety of positions in the administration of Governor Mario M. Cuomo.  She was assistant counsel in the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, then assistant counsel to the governor himself for labor, public pension and economic development matters. She later served as deputy commissioner and general counsel to the Departments of Civil Service and Labor. She also served as an assistant attorney general in the New York State Department of Law.  In addition to her service in State government, Nancy was the counsel for policy and employee relations services at the New York State School Boards Association.  

Nancy married Paul Groenwegen in 1988.  They have one son, Philip, born in 1995.

James R. Ives, ’88, Assistant Inspector General for Investigative Operations for the Department of Defense
Special Agent James R. Ives is a member of the U.S. Government’s Senior Executive Service. Members of the SES are senior Government leaders who serve as a link between presidential appointees and the civil service work force. He currently serves as Assistant Inspector General for Investigations at the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), which is the law enforcement arm of the Pentagon’s Office of Inspector General. DCIS‘ mission is to conduct criminal investigations in support of crucial national defense priorities. In his current position, Special Agent Ives oversees the activities of approximately 425 federal agents and support staff located throughout the United States, Europe, Korea, and Southwest Asia. 

Special Agent Ives began his career with the Department of Defense in 1994 at DCIS’ Boston Resident Agency where he worked a wide variety of highly complex criminal investigations. From 1997 through 1998, he was co-case agent on a multifaceted white collar fraud investigation that, at the time, resulted in the largest single monetary recovery in U.S. history. Upon completion of the investigation, Special Agent Ives and other investigators received several awards for investigative excellence, to include the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency’s Award for Excellence. 

Subsequent to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Special Agent Ives was temporarily detailed to New York City for several months to assist with investigation and recovery efforts. Shortly thereafter, he was reassigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Boston, MA, where be served through 2004. While serving on the task force, he played a significant role in several extremely high profile counterterrorism investigations, to include an investigation involving an individual who was eventually convicted of removing sensitive classified information from military detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 

Special Agent Ives graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1988. In 1990, he earned an Associate’s degree in Police Science (summa cum laude) from Adirondack Community College. In 1992, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice (summa cum laude) with a minor in Psychology from SUNY Brockport. In 2005, he earned a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Administration at Virginia Tech. He is also a part-time associate professor at University of Maryland University College where he teaches Criminal Justice courses.

Jonathan Newell,  ’82, Pianist, Guitarist, Composer, Instructor
Jonathan Newell holds a BA from Ithaca College in Piano Performance and Art History and an MA (summa cum laude) in Piano Performance and an MA (summa cum laude) in Composition from Hunter College.  He is a member of the piano faculty of the Diller-Quaile School of Music in Manhattan and the State University of New York (Adirondack) and is a pianist and composer with The Adirondack Repertory Dance Theater.  Mr. Newell gave his New York debut in 2009 at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall and was recognized as a Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers for 2006-2007.  He performs as much as 150 times a year throughout the northeastern US as a pianist or as a pop/guitarist and singer.  He was also a string bassist with the Glens Falls Symphony from 1980-83. 

He is a 2010 recipient of a Strategic Opportunity Stipend from the New York Foundation for the Arts and a 2009 and 2002 winner of individual artist grants from the New York State Council for the Arts.  He has studied piano with Edward Housman at Skidmore College, Phiroze Mehta at Ithaca College, Steven Graff at Hunter College and Dr. Julie Jordan at the Juilliard School and has performed in master classes with Andre-Michel Schub, Paul Badura-Skoda and Mordeci Shehori.  He studied composition with Shafer Mahoney at Hunter College.

Jonathan Newell is a 1982 graduate of Hudson Falls Central School.  He played the string bass in orchestra under the direction of Steven Parsons and participated as a string bassist, pianist and guitarist in numerous musical productions under the direction of Joyce Irwin.  In 1980 and 1981 he was a participant in the All-State High School Orchestra. He received varsity letters in Football, Baseball and Basketball.  Mr. Newell lives in Hudson Falls, New York with his wife Jennifer and their sons Brandon and Evan.

Robert F. Bristol, ’58, Chair, CEO, and President, Saratoga Associates Landscape Architects, Architects, Engineers and Planners, P.C.

Robert F. Bristol was born September 20, 1940, the first of two children born to Leona Pattee Barot.  He is a 12^th generation family in America with his 2^nd and 3^rd generation fighting in the Revolutionary Battle of Bunker Hill.  Robert is a 1958 Hudson Falls Central School graduate.  He received a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Landscape Architecture from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) at Syracuse University (in 1963 and 1966, respectively).  In 1979, he was awarded a Master’s of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY.  He briefly attended Union University’s Albany Law School in 1999.

Robert started a sole practice of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning in Lake George in 1968.  He expanded that firm moving to Saratoga Springs in 1970.  It later became known as Saratoga Associates and one of the largest multidisciplinary design firms in upstate New York.  His national peers elected him a Fellow of Landscape Architecture in 1994.  He taught at ESF first as an instructor and later as a visiting graduate program professor.  For many years, he taught as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the RPI School of Architecture and Management.  He taught a special summer course for several years at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

In his 40 plus years of private practice, Robert developed extensive experience on sensitive environmental planning topics.  He has lectured and published numerous articles and scholarly papers.  He is very proud to have been one of the people who expanded New York State Environmental Quality Review Act to include nationally recognized visual impact assessment policy.  He has been a long-standing member of a joint legislative commission charged with recodifying land use statutes in New York State.  His community volunteer commitments are many and he always expressed an ethical and moral obligation to give back to the community.  He instilled these ideals in his son and daughter.

Robert cherished his time in the Hudson Falls Central School District, but knew his Hermes’ “Most School Spirit” moniker would require much greater due diligence, hard work, and dedication to earn the right to serve his community.

Synthia Woodcock-Dang, ’62, Retired English as a Second Language Teacher, K-12, University, and Adult Programs in U.S. A., Thailand, Laos, and Iran, Adjunct Professor at UMBC and Montgomery College

For Synthia Woodcock-Dang it’s been a grand adventure through many countries, cultures, and languages since graduating from HFCS in 1962!

While still in college, Synthia went on her first foreign experience as an exchange student to Poland and the USSR; then with a BA in English and drama from the University of Idaho and two years teaching experience in New York, she went off to the first of many years living and teaching in South East Asia.  First, at the International School of Bangkok, Thailand, and after getting an MS in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from SUNY Albany, had the great honor to receive a Fulbright Lecturer/Consultant to a new university in southern Thailand.  Then after two more years teaching in the Albany area, it was off to the American School of Vientiane, Laos.

After being evacuated from Laos in May of 1975 Synthia went to teach English to the Shah’s helicopter pilots in Iran, but not wanting to be evacuated again, she left Iran early and returned to the USA!  She came back to the Washington, DC area where she has lived since 1976.  There she has taught English to adult refugees, been co-director of the Language and Orientation Program at the Center of Applied Linguistics, taught ESL K-12 in Montgomery County Maryland Public Schools, and trained teachers to teach ESL at Montgomery College and as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Along the way she met and married her husband George Phuoc Dang and their daughter Amy was born in 1983.  They are active in their communities promoting mutual understanding among diverse ethnic groups.

Currently in “retirement”, Synthia continues to supervise teachers working on ESL certification in Maryland.  It has been a rewarding journey all based on the excellent foundation she received as a student at HFCS.

Holly Januszkiewicz Gregory, ’74, Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, L.L.P.

Holly Januszkiewicz attended kindergarten at the Hudson Falls Maple Street School, graduating from the Hudson Falls High School in 1974.  The fourth of five children of Marjorie (“Matka”) and Tadeusz (“Tati”) Januszkiewicz, she was challenged to keep up with the academic, artistic, musical, and social activist interests of her parents and the many talents of her siblings, Elizabeth, Joan, Aldona and Edmund (Andy).  An honors graduate of S.U.N.Y. Purchase, she received her J.D. summa cum laude from New York Law School, where she served as Executive Editor of the Law Review and met her husband, Robert S. Gregory.  Together they have one son, Thaddeus Robert Gregory.  Holly maintains close ties to New York Law School; she was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2009.

After clerking for the Honorable Roger J. Miner, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Holly joined the international law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.  As a partner specializing in corporate governance, she advises boards of directors on the full range of governance issues, including fiduciary duties, risk oversight, executive compensation, and shareholder initiatives.  She has worked on corporate governance policy matters for the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Bank, the European Commission, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and lectures and writes extensively on corporate governance topics.  She is the Chair of a Task Force of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section on the Delineation of Governance Roles and Responsibilities, which issued its Report to Congress and the SEC in August 2009.  She was named by her peers to the first International Who’s Who of Corporate Governance Lawyers in 2002 and to all subsequent editions and was listed among the “100 Most Influential Players in Corporate Governance” (the Directorship 100) by Directorship Magazine in 2007 and again in 2008.

Holly provides pro bono counsel to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the New York City Opera, the Brooklyn Public Library, the International Corporate Governance Network and the New York Junior League, and is actively involved in the National Association of Corporate Directors as faculty for board education programs and as a frequent member of various NACD Blue Ribbon Commissions.

Holly is an aspiring mandolin player (bluegrass) and jewelry designer.

Mary Ellen Hafner, ’64, Executive Director, Warren County Head Start

Mary Ellen Hafner was born April 2, 1947, to R. Gorman and Edna M. VanAernem.  She was the only daughter of five children.  Her parents and brothers, Richard, Robert, George, and Thomas, all graduated from Hudson Falls.  Mary Ellen graduated in 1964.

Mary Ellen’s career with Head Start began in 1978 as Finance Coordinator for the Washington County Head Start Program, overseeing the financial operations of federally funded grants.  In 1989, Mary Ellen was one of the first non-federal employees chosen to review the fiscal and governance regulations in Head Start programs around the country.  In 1995, she accepted the position of Executive Director of Warren County Head Start.  She has been active in many human service organizations working on behalf of children and families.

Mary Ellen became a “Head Start Fellow” after attending the Head Start – Johnson and Johnson Fellows Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in 1996.  In 2003, at the annual Region II Conference representing New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, she received the “Nicholas Cordasco Award” recognizing her work with Head Start families.  In 2005, she was awarded the prestigious “Helen Taylor Award for Management Excellence” at the National Head Start Annual Conference.  In May 2009 Mary Ellen was elected President of the New York State Head Start Association, representing 190 Head Start and Early Head Start Programs that serve over 50,000 children and families.

Mary Ellen and her husband Harry have resided in Hudson Falls their entire lives.  They have three children Julie (William), Rich (Kellie), and Erik (Lynda) and five grandchildren Thomas (TJ), Michelle, Shaylyn, Johnny, and Jacob.  She has fond memories of her time at Hudson Falls High School and continues the friendships she started there to this day.

Jill A. Jenkins, Ph.D., ’77, Research Microbiologist, National Wetlands Research Center

Dr. Jill A. Jenkins was born on August 4, 1959 to John and Joyce (Flanigan) Jenkins in New York City.   Jill attended Margaret M. Murphy Elementary School, Hudson Falls Junior High School, and Hudson Falls Senior High School before graduating in 1977.  Especially influential teachers included Mr. Gary Conrick (Biology), Miss Joyce Irwin (Choir), and Mr. Alan Chien (Art).  After attending a liberal arts curriculum at Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls, New York, she transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.  After serving as a microbiological technician at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, she headed “out west” to earn a Master’s Degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry, with a thesis project on steelhead trout immunology, from the Department of Biology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho.  She was recruited “back east” to Memphis State University earning a Ph.D. in Biology with a focus on immunopathology.  While serving as a post-doctoral research associate with Dr. S. Wachtel in human female reproductive genetics at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, she learned important biotechnologies in molecular research, as well as approaches for publishing, upon which she continues to rely during her career.

Dr. Jenkins has served as a research microbiologist with the United States Department of the Interior since 1992, currently stationed at the United States Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, Louisiana, after working with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Marion, Alabama.  She enjoys working with a network of esteemed colleagues across the country in assessing changes in watersheds, which is central to the understanding of ecosystems and germane to the management of their associated resources.  Her research focuses on biomarker development in aquatic animals (fish and frogs, especially); biomarkers are quantifiable, and so are diagnostic and predictive of ecosystem health, with typical stressors being poor water quality and contaminating chemicals.  Dr. Jenkins works with federally endangered animals, as well as invasive fish species.   Biomarker research results generated are informing environmental managers in such locations as the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, the Columbia River Basin in the northwest, the Imperial Valley of southern California, the island of Oahu in Hawaii, Kenai Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, and the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system on the east coast.

Activities include long-distance running, dogs, and involvement in scientific professional organizations such as the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and the American Fisheries Society.  Dr. Jenkins is married to a professor of genetics at Louisiana State University, Dr. Terrence Tiersch.  They have two sons, Connor age 13 and Nolan age 10.  They attend a Catholic Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

David P. Reed, ’72, President of North American Operations and Corporate Vice President, Ceradyne, Inc.

David Reed was born on October 19, 1954, the second of three boys born to Edward and Bernadetta Reed.  David graduated from Hudson Falls High School with honors in 1972 and was active in student government and athletics.  He attended Alfred University where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Ceramic Engineering.  He went on to receive a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1978 where he studied biomedical ceramics supported by a National Science Foundation grant.

From 1978 to 1983, David worked for Norton Company as a Research Scientist and Manager of Process Engineering for the Industrial Ceramics Division.  His groups supported some of the early government funded high temperature ceramic turbine engine research work.  He also was instrumental in setting up high purity facilities for the production of semiconductor furnace components.

From 1984 until present David has worked for Ceradyne, Inc. and has held various engineering and management positions.  He is currently President of North American Operations and has responsibility for over 1400 employees and approximately $350 million in sales of advanced ceramic materials into Defense, Solar Energy, Nuclear Power, Medical, and Oil exploration markets.

David is directly responsible for the R&D and production of the lightweight ceramic body armor system known as the Enhance Small Protective Inserts (ESAPI) used by every American fighting man and woman.  Under his leadership, over $1.8 billion of these state-of-the-art ballistic body armor systems have been produced over the past six years, saving thousands of American lives.

David and his wife Diane have two boys, Greg, 27 who works in Finance and Steve, 24 who works in Marketing.  He is a life member of the American Ceramic Society and actively supports research programs throughout the industry.  He and his family are tennis enthusiasts and he maintains his passion for skiing which he fostered from his many trips to Gore Mountain as a child.

The education and mentoring from the teachers at Hudson Falls High School established a solid educational base that allowed David to pursue his passions for research and production of advanced materials.  He is indebted to the community for the job support he received during his college years and feels that the Adirondack work ethic has served him well to this day.

Richard Bartlett ’85, Managing Director, Head of Equities for the Americas, Citigroup
Rick Bartlett was born on March 25, 1967.  He attended Maple Street Elementary School and the Hudson Falls Junior High School.  In High School he was active in athletics and academics.  He was the captain of the football and track teams as well as a varsity letter winner on the basketball team.  He also was a member of the National Honor Society and President of the Senior Class of 1985.

He attended Dartmouth College where he earned varsity letters in both football, track, and field.  He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer science.

Mr. Bartlett began his career on Wall Street in 1989.  He has worked in various capacities for Citigroup for 19 years and was promoted to Managing Director in 1998.  Today he is the Head of the Equity Division for North and South America of Citigroup.  His division employs 1,200 people and conducts business in over 23 countries.  He sits on various boards of directors and is active in multiple charitable organizations.  Rick is married to Loring Bartlett and they reside in New York City with their three children.

Dr. Amy Jane Cadieux ’83, Gynecology and Obstetrics Private Practice and Clinical Director of Obstetrics Rotation, University of PA
Dr. Amy Jane Cadieux was born an only child to Ron and Linda Cadieux, on November 3, 1965 and was raised in Hudson Falls, NY.  She rode her bike to the local Margaret M. Murphy Elementary School, and went on to attend Hudson Falls Junior and Senior High Schools, where she received an excellent education. She was a member of the National Honor Society, many clubs and service organizations, and immensely enjoyed her years as a boisterous cheerleader.

From a very young age Amy Jane had a dream to become a doctor and deliver babies.  Many well-meaning adults tried to contain that dream, saying that she didn’t come from a family with a medical background or fiscal prestige.  They’d warned her that it was very difficult to get into medical school, “especially for a woman”, and recommended that she consider nursing as an alternate career.  Luckily, the dream was strong, and Amy Jane encountered many encouraging mentors within the Hudson Falls school system.  They continued their support of Amy Jane’s dream by setting some realistic expectations, helping with standardized test preparation and resume building, and were especially helpful with guidance in picking colleges.  They advised her against putting “all her hopes in one basket”, but supported her application to the Ivy League, even when she was told that students from small, rural communities and from families of limited means are rarely admitted to such schools.  Her guidance counselors and teachers celebrated with her as SAT scores and college acceptances returned.  The dream was alive!  Dr. Cadieux went on to study at Wells College and Dartmouth Medical School. She completed her medical training at the University of Pennsylvania in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and is now in her 14^th year of private practice treating women and their families, delivering babies, performing infertility surgery, teaching medical students, and volunteering at a local clinic for the un-insured.  She credits her success to hard work, persistence, and the wise advice and education that she received as a student at Hudson Falls High School.

Robert Daly ’48, posthumously, Dept. Chair, Mathematics Department, Hudson Falls Central School
Robert C. Daly was born in Kingsbury on the family dairy farm in 1931.  He attended a one-room schoolhouse before entering Hudson Falls High School in the ninth grade where he excelled in math and science and received a New York State Regents Scholarship.  He graduated from Hudson Falls High School in June, 1948.

He attended the New York State Teachers College, now the State University of New York at Albany, from 1948 to 1953.  He was a member of the Gamma Chapter of the National Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and a founding member of the Alpha Pi Alpha fraternity when the Gamma Chapter broke away from the national fraternity over its discriminatory membership policy of not admitting negroes or Jews.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY in 1952 and a Master of Arts degree in 1953, Bob entered the military and served two years in the Army Chemical Corps studying the toxicology of different gases.

Having received excellent preparation from Hudson Falls’ schools, in 1956 he returned home to join the outstanding faculty of the high school and begin his teaching career.  He married Gertrude Smith of Piermont, NY on August 18, 1956.

In 1960 he received a National Science Foundation Award and attended Union College for three summers and received a Master of Science in Teaching degree from Union College in 1962.

Over the years he taught Physics, Biology, Mathematics and Computer Science.  As Chairman of the Mathematics Department, he pioneered the introduction of computers into both the administration and the curriculum in 1973. He instituted “Physical Science Seminar”, an after-school science and mathematics program for college-bound students which included taking students for Saturday lectures to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  His calm demeanor, good humor and honesty made him a role model for the thousands of students who attended his classes. He dedicated 31 years to educating and preparing the youth of Hudson Falls.

As president and chief negotiator of the local chapter of the New York State United Teachers’ Union, Bob worked to secure just compensation for teachers at a time when they lagged far behind other professionals.  When school budget cuts threatened the high school sports programs, Bob was a driving force in raising the necessary funds.

Upon retirement from teaching, Bob became active in public advocacy.  He was an early and outspoken opponent of the Hudson Falls Burn Plant and a member of the Concerned Citizens of Hudson Falls, a group targeted in a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) brought by Warren County and the Warren-Washington Counties IDA.  The group’s civil-rights countersuit as well as the original suit was settled in its favor.

Bob and Gert raised five children, Kathleen, Robert Jr., Christopher, Michael, and Andrew, all graduates of Hudson Falls High School who later earned college degrees.

Bob passed away August 21, 1998.

Marcia Etu, ’72, Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Practice of Dr. Joel Solomon
Marcia M. Etu grew up on Mears Meadows, a dairy of distinction owned and operated by her parents, Bill and Carol Mears.  She is the second of four daughters.  Marcia spent 13 years in the Hudson Falls School District, graduating with the Class of 1972.  She has fond memories of playing bassoon in the band and orchestra, singing with the Choraliers, and serving as the pianist for a production of Godspell, under the direction of the ever encouraging Mrs. Cackener.

A graduate of Russell Sage College, Marcia was fully funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to pursue graduate work at the University of Rochester as a pediatric nurse practitioner.  Subsequently, she was one of the first nurse practitioners to be registered in the State of New York.

She has been in private practice with Dr. Joel Solomon, serving children and adolescents in Hudson Falls, the surrounding communities, and the Hudson Falls and Hartford School Districts for the past 20 years.  In addition, Marcia has been involved in clinical nursing education, at both the baccalaureate and graduate levels.  She has served on the faculties of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Skidmore College, the Regents External Degree Program, and the Sage Graduate School.  She was the lead investigator of the first nursing research ever conducted at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital, and is currently piloting a study in pediatric asthma.

Marcia’s life is centered on her faith in Jesus Christ; she finds great joy in serving others.  She is an elder and served many years as the Clerk of Session at the Bay Road Presbyterian Church.  She is a member of Albany Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, and has volunteered with many local organizations.  In 2005, she spearheaded the local Gulf Coast Mission, and continues to organize teams of volunteers and resources to help rebuild homes and lives devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Marcia is married to Dr. Paul Etu, a clinical psychologist with the State of New York.  They have three sons, Eric, who works internationally in microfinance; Joshua, a research physicist in defense; and Nathan, a geographer with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Joseph Murphy, ’56, Elementary Teacher, Superintendent of Schools, Fort Edward and North Warren Central School District
Joseph Richard Murphy was born March 20, 1938 in Hudson Falls, New York.   He is the second of seven children born to Marion McKinney Murphy and Clifford “Mike” Murphy: Jim, Peggy, Mary, Ruthann, Cliff (Mike), and Patrick.  Except for a few years spent living in Hawaii while his father was stationed there with the military, Joe lived in Hudson Falls until college.

Joe attended St. Mary’s School and Hudson Falls High School.   During his high school career, Joe was a standout football and basketball player (4-year varsity starter).   His school record for the most rebounds in a single game (33) still stands.   Under the guiding influence of Coach Tony Luciano and his wife, Mary, Joe completed his high school education and graduated in 1956. 

Joe served in the United States Marine Corp and attended SUNY at Oneonta earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in Elementary Education.   His educational honors include being a member of Phi Delta Kappa and a Visiting Fellow in Education at Skidmore College.  

Joe applied his education as a teacher in the primary, intermediate, and junior high school levels.   Joe completed his C.A.S. in Administration-Supervision at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1978 which enabled him to concentrate on curriculum and teacher development as well as parent and community outreach.   He has served as a Vocational Administrator, High School Principal, and Superintendent of Schools.   In addition, Joe served as consultant and writer for the NYS Education Department.    He was an advisor and writer for the NYS K-6 Elementary Social Studies Curriculum, Canadian Studies Project, and writer of Planning for Social Studies in Elementary Education.   Joe also co-authored with Dr. John Reed a symposium paper Piaget, Polanyi and Education.

Throughout his career Joe has held true to one underlying philosophy – “Do it for the kids.”   To this end he has dedicated himself to causes that would impact the lives of children including Community Services Board Washington/Warren Counties, Youth and Justice Taskforce, Early Release Program Board, NYSPHAA Central Committee, Section II Executive Committee and Boys Basketball Committee, Assistant Director NYS Boys Basketball Tournament, and much more.

He has been honored by numerous organizations for his work on behalf of children and at-risk youth including:   Warren/Washington Counties Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council, NYSPHAA Section II Basketball Committee, and Washington County EOC Community Action Angels.

Sean Ryan, ’90, Quarterbacks’ Coach, NY Giants Football Team
Sean M. Ryan was born on May 1, 1972, the youngest of Frank and Marilyn Ryan’s six children.  He graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1990.  Ryan is a graduate of Hamilton College, where he received a B.A. in American studies.  He then attended the University of Albany, where he earned an M.S. in Higher Education Administration in 1999.

Ryan played defensive back and outside linebacker at Hamilton College.  He began his coaching career in 1997 as the Quarterbacks’ Coach at Siena College.  Ryan coached the wide receivers at Albany in 1998 and 1999 and the running backs at Colgate in 2000.

Ryan then spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Boston College, where he worked primarily with the wide receivers.  The Eagles won bowl games in each of those seasons, beating Georgia in the 2001 Music City Bowl and Toledo in the 2002 Motor City Bowl.

In 2003, Ryan moved to Columbia University, where he spent two seasons as the Running Backs’ Coach and Special Teams’ Coordinator.  Ryan was Columbia’s Quarterbacks’ Coach in 2005.

Ryan spent the 2006 season as Recruiting Coordinator, Running Backs’ Coach and Head Coach of the junior varsity at Harvard University.

In 2007, Ryan joined the NFL as the New York Giants’ Offensive Quality Control Coach.  That season, he helped guide the Giants to an NFL record for consecutive single-season road victories culminating with a victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Ryan is now the Quarterbacks’ Coach for the Carolina Panthers.

Kate Hogan ’81, Warren County District Attorney
Kate Hogan, a graduate of the class of 1981, is the second of five children born to Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Hogan. She held the office of class treasurer for four years and was an active member of the National Honor Society. Upon graduation from Hudson Falls, she attended St. Lawrence University and is proud to say that she felt that she received a better education from Hudson Falls than her college roommate did from her prep school. She received her law degree from Washington and Lee University. 

Kate is the first woman to be elected district attorney in Warren County and began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, where she specialized in trial work and prosecuted murders, rapes, and more serious felony cases. She left Brooklyn to return to her hometown and entered into private practice. She soon returned to prosecution though, taking a position with the New York Prosecutors Training Institute. There, she worked on death penalty cases around the state and help train prosecutors statewide. 

In 2000, she accepted a position as an assistant district attorney in Warren County. When the sitting District Attorney surprisingly announced that he would not seek a third term, Kate announced her candidacy. She won a three-way primary and a three–way general election. In 2005, she was re-elected to a second term. As District Attorney, Kate has worked to establish a grass–roots network called Communities that Care. She had created a child advocacy center that was fully funded through grants from the state. In addition to serving as District Attorney, she has served on the Commission on the Jury and serves a statewide task force on children‘s justice issues. She has also been a member of the New York State Arson Board. In April 2007, the United States Attorney‘s Office for the Northern District of New York awarded her their Spirit of Justice Award for her work on behalf of victims of crime. 

Kate is married to Kevin Bruen and has three children: Kit, Bridget and Patrick.

Jennifer DePalo, ’92, Ballerina, Soloist with the Martha Graham Dance Company
Jennifer Lynn DePalo was born on June 3, 1974, the first of two children born to Jo-Ann Hayes and John DePalo. She graduated from the Maple Street Elementary, Junior High School, and High School in 1992. She is a magna cum laude graduate of the Boston Conservatory with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 1996. From Boston, she immediately moved to New York City after receiving a Coca Cola Scholarship Living Stipend for Artistic Excellence and joined the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble. Three months thereafter, she was invited as a full company member of the world renowned Martha Graham Dance Company in November of 1997. She has traveled the world performing major roles such as Eve in “Embattled Garden“, Chief Celebrant in “Arcs of Light”, Lead Woman in “Sketches from Chronicle“, Mary in “El Peniteste“, and The Princess in “Cave of the Heart”. 

This July, Jennifer was honored to be promoted to the highest level of performer; she is now a Principal Dancer of the Martha Graham Dance Company with top Playbill billing. 

In 1998, Jennifer received the Princess Grace Award for Artistic Excellence and performed for the Royal family of Monaco. She is also a Principal at Buglisi/Forman Dance Theatre and was a Principal at Ballet Hispanico from 2000-2003. Each year, Jennifer is invited to teach the Ballet Nacionale de Mexico in Quertaro, Mexico, the National Institute of Theatre in Barcelona, Spain, and the Centro de Andalucia de Danza in Seville, Spain, and has been a rehearsal director for Metros Danza, a contemporary dance company in Barcelona. Jennifer also is a certified Gyrotonic instructor and rehabilitates clients as young as eight-years-old up to 83-years-old. She has two beautiful dogs, Coco, a Japanese Chin Poodle and Muffin, a tiny Yorkie. 

Jennifer has tremendous love and dedication and pride in her Hudson Falls roots. She is fortunate to return to the community to perform with the Adirondack Junior Ballet Company‘s production of “The Nutcracker” as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She adores returning to teach, coach, and mentor the young artists from the community who have big dreams of dancing for their future. 

Jennifer attributes her success to Mary Cortese for her advice to dive deeper into technical dance at such a young age. Jennifer actually began dancing in the basement of Mary Cortese’s home. She would also like to thank a few teachers who made an enormous difference in her life and confidence to be where she is today. Joyce Irwin, for always believing in her and allowing her to dance with the choir, Mrs. LaFountain, her cheerleading coach, for not holding her back, ever, and Mrs. Potvin for also believing that through positivism, you can achieve anything you set your mind on. 

She would like to dedicate this Wall of Distinction to her mother, Jo-Ann Hayes, and her grandparents,  Irene Sherman, and the late Edward Sherman.

Russell Saville, ’86, Cargill Animal Nutrition Dairy Management Consultant
Russell G. Saville was born on July 29, 1968, the first of four children born to Norma and Gordon Saville. Russell graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1986. He then went to Cobleskill College for two years where he received his Associate’s Degree in Agricultural Business. He continued his education at Cornell University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and Agricultural Business Degree. 

Russell was then hired by Cargill as a Dairy Management Consultant. He has won numerous awards at Cargill. The two most prominent being The President’s Club Award where he was the youngest recipient ever to win this award. He went on to win it another ten times. He also received the President’s Award, which one person in the world is chosen each year. 

Russell not only achieves great things at work, but also gives greatly to his community, helping at any school event, raising money for causes, and being an active member in the Kingsbury Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon. 

Russell believes his roots of coming from the small community of Kingsbury has instilled in him three things he lives by: 

Integrity –– Doing the right thing regardless of the consequences.
Respect for Others – Treat others as they would like to be treated. (If you give it, you will receive it.) 
Passion for Success – What drives you to continually challenge the status quo. No walls, no stops, proceed to “Go”. Love what you do, do what you love. 

Russell is a leader for the agricultural community, always inspiring and helping farmers to stay viable and profitable in Upstate New York. 

Russell has two children, Ethan and Jared, who are attending Hudson Falls Central School District at this time.

Thomas Yole, ’48, Past Principal of Hudson Falls Junior High School
Tom was born to William and Clara Yole on June 13, 1931, the sixth of seven children. During his high school years in Hudson Falls, he worked at the A & P Store stocking shelves and bagging groceries. At graduation in 1948, he was awarded a New York State Scholarship and attended Albany State Teachers College graduating in 1952. During his college years, he supplemented his scholarship funds by stocking shelves at the Empire Market, redecorating apartments for an Albany landlord, and unloading mailbags for the New York Central Railroad. His summers were spent on the log pile at Finch Pruyn & Company 

In 1952, Tom taught mathematics at the Fort Ann Central School District. He began his career with the Hudson Falls Central School District as a Mathematics Teacher in 1952, left in 1961 to teach in Glens Falls, and was hired again in 1972 as Principal at the Hudson Falls Junior High School. Tom touched thousands of young lives in both Washington and Warren counties during his time with the school district. In 1965, he was designated as the New York State “Outstanding Young Educator” for the Year, by the Jaycees. He was a member of the Edward E. Potter Club of Union College, a member of the Sandy Hill Foundation Scholarship Committee, Treasurer of the Kingsbury community pool, Councilman for the Town of Kingsbury (1965-69), a Trustee for the Hudson Falls Library (1980-97), member of the American Cancer Society for 33 years, and Chairman of the Swim-A-Thon for Cancer. After Tom started teaching, he built his home on Notre Dame Street Extension. He tutored students, worked at Alphonso‘s as an expeditor and worked for John Hughes’ Construction Company building homes, spent summers at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, teaching, which he used to say were working vacations, 

He retired from the Hudson Falls Central School District in 1986. In June 30, 1951, he married Patricia White. Together, they raised nine children, six girls and three boys. Pat passed away in December 1992. On May 7, 1994, he married Patricia Busher Taylor. They reside at 94 Oak Street, Hudson Falls.

Hal Mayforth, ’71, Cartoonist
Hal Mayforth III was born in Burlington, VT on March 18, 1952. After a fairly uneventful childhood, Hal’s family moved to Hudson Falls, NY in 1969 because his Dad got a job offer in Glens Falls. Upon first attending Hudson Falls Central School in the Fall of 1969, he was primarily known as the “new kid” with the long hair. Hal spent two years at HFCS and was encouraged greatly in music and art by the choir teacher Joyce Irwin and the art teacher, Alan Chien. Having picked up the guitar during this period, Hal played in many bands and formed close friendships with a number of talented musicians, some of whom he considers his best friends to this day. 

Upon graduating from High School, Hal moved back to Burlington to attend the University of Vermont for two years then returned to the Hudson Falls area to major in art Skidmore College. 

After graduating from Skidmore he moved to Boston with his musician buddies and after several years pursuing music and a diet consisting primarily of lentils and rice, Hal went out on his own with an eye on making a living doing art. He developed a portfolio of humorous illustrations and started pounding the pavement, showing his work to design studios and magazines. Eventually he started illustrating for a variety magazines that covered the computer boom of the mid 80’s. By the time the computer industry shifted from the outlying Boston area to Silicon Valley, Hal was already established nationally as a humorous illustrator. 

Over a career that spans more than 25 years Hal’s work has appeared in thousands of magazines and ad campaigns. You’ve no doubt seen his work while waiting for a doctor’s appointment. Hal has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including Cartoonist of the Year in 1993 from the National Cartoonists Society. 

When not busy with work, Hal has pursued his fine art and has exhibited his paintings all over the country. He currently lives and works in East Montpelier, VT with his wife and three children. Oh, and he still plays guitar every day.

JoAnn Pierce, ’59, Head of Maternal & Child Healthcare, Newcomb Hospital, Vineland, NJ
JoAnn was born on April 12, 1941, the first of four children of William and Marge Fitzgerald.  JoAnn went on to graduate from the Albany Medical Center School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1963. She started her nursing career at Albany Medical Center in the Pediatric Department. She worked there until she married Thomas Pierce in 1966. 

JoAnn lived in Vineland, New Jersey for most of her married life and worked as a pediatric nurse at Newcomb Hospital for over 28 years. She quickly became the head nurse of the Pediatric Department. When she retired in 2001, she was the Director of Maternal Child Health for the South Jersey Hospital System and Director of Nursing at their Newcomb facility. During that time, JoAnn wrote the grant to create the Our Kids (OK) Clinic that provided health care for thousands of children that otherwise would have had no access to health care. She also wrote the grant that created the Impact Center, which provides health care, infant day care, and a way for teenagers who are pregnant or have young children, to continue their high school education. She spent her last three years as the Practice Manager for the Pediatric Associates Office of Dr. David Rosenberg. 

JoAnn and Tom had two daughters, Lisa and Kathy. JoAnn and Lisa were both victims of the Baltimore water taxi accident in 2004. The Last Rose is a book that Tom wrote about them after the accident. There are copies of the book in the school library if you would like to learn more about JoAnn.

Mary B. Cortese, ’50, Owner, Mary Cortese Dance Studio
Mary Cortese was born and raised on John Street in Hudson Falls. Her parents, Frank and Vincenza Battiste, settled here after coming to America through Ellis Island from Italy, and then they ran a grocery out of their home. Mary was fourth of five children. She started school at the one-room schoolhouse, then called John Street School, where the Volunteer Firehouse is housed today. Mary graduated from the Main Street High School in 1950. She married Anthony Cortese in 1951, and they have five children, who are all graduates of Hudson Falls High School. They now have seven grandchildren as well. 

Since she was three years old, Mary has been involved with dance. From her first tap classes as a young girl to student teaching as a teenager in high school, she knew that performing and teaching others to perform was her passion. She began her own dance studio out of her home in 1965, teaching tap, jazz and ballet. Over the years she has had thousands of students, ranging from three and a half to eighteen years old. She is still teaching out of her basement, and many of her dancers today are the children of former students. 

For the last 41 years, Mary has donated the proceeds of her recitals to many local charities, including Hudson Falls boys and girls athletic programs, but she feels that her real contribution to the community has happened inside of her cellar studio. She values the relationships she has created with several generations of dancers. Mary is not just a teacher, but someone who her students also call a friend. Mary’s goal has not been to groom professionals, but to positively impact the lives of others through dance and music. She has taken tremendous pride and happiness in being able to give back to her community.

Michael Jones, ’68, Owner, Niche Concepts and JonesCam Camera Systems
Michael Jones was born in Schenectady, New York on November 1, 1950 to Martha Young and Joseph Jones. The first of two children he had the good fortune of growing up in a family and community that almost always encouraged and supported his athletic abilities and his sports/leisure vision and entrepreneurial spirit. From Maple Street Elementary School to Main Street Middle School and graduation in 1968 and afterwards, his grade school coach and lifelong mentor Tony Luciano‘s words “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” rang true. 

Jason E. Maynard, ’89, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Jason Maynard was born on November 3, 1971 at Glens Falls Hospital. He was the first of two sons born to Mark Maynard and Deborah Caruso (Maynard). 

Morris Nassivera, ’43, Partner, DeCaN Construction, Former Mayor of Hudson Falls
Morris Nassivera was born on January 17, 1926 in Hudson Falls. He is the son of Attilio and Rose Nassivera. He attended St. Mary‘s and Hudson Falls Schools, graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1943. 

He played four years of football, basketball, and baseball. He was a quarterback and captain of the first undefeated football team in Hudson Falls High School; made All League and All Area in all sports. Also, he was active with the Hudson Falls Green Jackets when he quarterbacked the Green Jackets football team to two state championships. 

Morris coached Little League baseball for 13 years, helping to build the Little League field. He also coached 7th and 8th grade basketball for eight years at St. Mary‘s and refereed high school basketball for 28 years. 

He was the President of the Adirondack Board of Certified Basketball Officials twice; a 40 year member of the Adirondack Board of Football Officials serving as president and commissioner; life member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was elected to the Sports Memorial Hall of Fame at the Glens Falls Civic Center in 1991. 

Morris served as a member of the Hudson Falls Village Board for 12 years and was Mayor for seven years. He helped to build the community swimming pool and helped in starting the Sandy Hill Days. 

Morris served in World War II as a B–29 Tail Gunner in the Army Air Force. 

He married Anne Somers and they have six children – five sons and one daughter 

He is vice president and part owner of Decan Construction Co. Presently, he is president of the Glens Falls Contractors Association which gives out several scholarships per year. 

He is an owner and trainer of harness horses presently racing at Saratoga Raceway. He has served as President of the Northeast Harness Horsemen Association.

David H. Rozell, ’60, Retired Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services at WSWHE BOCES
David H. Rozell was born on February 12, 1943, the first of two children born to Virgil and Elizabeth Rozell. A 1960 graduate, Dave received his elementary and secondary education in the Hudson Falls Central School System. He received a BS degree from Bryant College in 1963. 

From 1966 to 2000, Dave directed the fiscal and administrative activities for this region‘s Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), retiring as Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services. Prior to joining BOCES he held positions as an internal auditor and as an assistant corporate treasurer. During his career, he also assisted several local accounting firms in the preparation of income tax documents, instructed adult education classes and was a member of the Evergreen Bank Advisory Board. 

He was a member and officer of many professional organizations including the New York State and the National Associations of School Business Officials. Dave served as the president of both the New York State and the Regional BOCES affiliates and as secretary of the Capital Region chapter for public schools. He was appointed by the Commissioner of Education to his advisory committee on school finance in New York State and played an instrumental role in the writing of the Uniform System of Accounting for the BOCES systems. 

As a proud native of Hudson Falls, Dave has served the community as a board member of the Hudson Falls Public Library and the Fort Hudson Health Services Corporation. He served several terms as treasurer for both organizations and completed twenty years of membership on the Library Board. He also has been a member of the St. Mary‘s St. Paul‘s Church Ushers Society and a volunteer for the annual Sandy Hill Days celebration. 

Dave and his wife, Darlene, have three daughters; each one received a college degree after graduating from Hudson Falls High School.

Rear Admiral Almon C. Wilson, ’42, MC USN, Physician-Posthumous
Born in Hudson Falls, Rear Admiral Almon C. Wilson served in the United States Navy from 1941 until his retirement in 1984. From apprentice seaman in the V-12 College Program in 1944, he was commissioned an Ensign and Served on the USS Liddle (APD-60) which participated in four amphibious assault landings in the South Pacific. 

After World War II, he earned a B.A. from Union College in 1946 and Doctor of Medicine from Albany Medical College in 1952. In 1965, he became Commanding Officer of the Third Medical Battalion, Third Marine Division, in Danang, RVN. It was here that he formulated the ideas which led to the Naval Fleet Hospital Program. He was known as the Father of the Naval Fleet Hospital Program. Under his leadership, the 3rd Med succeeded in reducing the mortality rate of wounded U.S. Marines to the lowest figure in wartime history, for which it was awarded the Navy Unit Citation. 

In 1966 he became Chief of Surgery, U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan. During subsequent tours in Washington, D.C., at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BuMed) Resource Planning Division, Admiral Wilson played a major role in design and construction of naval hospitals. Concurrently, he served as personal physician to Adm. Thomas Moorer, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1975, in his first Flag officer assignment as Assistant Chief for Material Resources in BuMed, while concurrently overseeing Navy hospital construction, he played a major role in the procurement of the Navy‘s modern Hospital Ships, the USS Mercy and USS Comfort.  Adm. Wilson became the first medical flag officer assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters. In 1981, he became the Fleet Hospital Program Manager, the first medical officer to be appointed a major acquisition program manager. The Fleet Hospitals, which were deployed in the Persian Gulf and Iraqi wars, have transformed Navy Medicine. In 1982 to 1984, he returned to BuMed as head of the Resources Division and Deputy to the Surgeon General. Adm. Wilson retired in 1984 and resided in Poulsbo, Washington. 

Adm. Wilson was retroactively awarded the Surface Warfare Officer Qualification Insignia. In 1982, he was only the third officer to be retroactively qualified. In July 1991, following the Persian Gulf War, Navy Secretary H. Lawrence Garrett III officially commended Admiral Wilson “... I know that the Fleet Hospitals and Hospital Ships were your goals...I assure you that the effort you put forth to achieve those goals paid off handsomely...Our Navy‘s medical response in Operations Desert Shield/Storm was built upon those Fleet Hospitals and Hospital Ships that were the focus of your dreams... The Navy Department‘s successful medical support in Desert Shield/Desert Storm proved to the nation and its  allies the wisdom of your efforts. Thank you and Godspeed.” 

Admiral Wilson left his credo: “Change is ever present and so is inertia; courage comes in many forms, adventure is where you find it – usually just around the corner; career is all that you make of it.”

Richard J. Carota, ‘54
Richard J. Carota is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Finch, Pruyn & Co., Inc., a 140–year–old, independent manufacturer of premium uncoated printing papers located in Glens Falls, NY. The company also owns and manages more than 160,000 acres of forestland, primarily in New York’s Central Adirondack region. Finch, Pruyn employs more than 800 people, with an annual payroll with benefits of approximately  $58 million. 

He was born June 5, 1937 the first of three children born to Gladys E. and Patrick J. Carota. He graduated from St. Mary’s Grammar School in Hudson Falls in 1950 and from Hudson Falls High School in 1954. He attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida for two years. He has three sons Michael, Timothy and Christopher. 

Mr. Carota joined Finch, Pruyn as a laborer in 1956 sweeping out railroad cars for $1.35 an hour, and was soon elected secretary–treasurer of Local 20 of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulfite & Energy Workers  International Union. He earned a rapid series of promotions, placing him in the position of scheduling/customer service manager within his first five years with the company. 

In 1970, at age 32, he became one of the paper industry‘s youngest plant managers. In this capacity, he oversaw the implementation of a unique pulping process – a pivotal development in the history of manufacturing in  1974. 

In 1979, he was elected to the board of directors and, in 1980, named executive vice president. He was elected president in 1982, CEO in 1983 and, in 1984, became the first non–family member to hold the position  of  Chairman. 

He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Arrow Financial Corp. and the Glens Falls National Bank and the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees. He is currently a member of the Board of the Business Council of New York State and Chairman of the Finch, Pruyn. Board of Directors. Mr. Carota’s contributions to Finch, Pruyn and the paper industry were recognized by his peers in 1993 as he was named  Executive of the Year by the National Paper Industry Management Association. 

Among the noteworthy accomplishments since becoming president at Finch, Pruyn in 1982 are: Assets grew  from $106 million in 1982 to $326 million in 2005; net sales increased from $127 million in 1982 to over $200 million in 2004; paper production increased from 189,511 tons in 1982 to 255,248 tons in 2004; dividends paid since 1982 totaled $88,000,000; net income produced since 1982 was $235,000,000; authorized capital  expenditures, totaling over $450 million including the building of a $25 million co–generation plant that has made the company virtually energy–independent; a $20 million modernization of the company’s largest paper machine increasing paper production by 60 tons per day; the $10 million conversion to an elemental chlorine–free pulp bleaching process, and the independent certification of the company’s forest management practices as meeting the standards for responsible forestry established by the international Forest Stewardship Council.

John  J. Dickinson, ‘74
John Dickinson along with his wife Denise is presently the owner of Ideal Dairy, a consolidation of the original Ideal Dairy Farm and Quiet Brook Holsteins which they had started in 1981. He is the son of Lorraine and Nathan Dickinson Jr. and is the sixth generation to operate the farm. He also has a daughter Crystal, who will be off to graduate school soon. 

An outstanding wrestler throughout high school, John graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1974 and continued on to Cobleskill Ag and Tech, where he majored in Animal Husbandry – Dairy and  graduated with honors. 

As a youngster, John grew up on a 450-cow producer–handler dairy (Ideal Dairy Farms) where he assisted  in all aspects of the business: production, processing and distribution. The primary focus at that time was the production of both milk and forage. Upon his return from college, he became herd manager and successfully developed a Genetics program utilizing Al and raising replacement. In 1981 John and Denise started their own 80 cow dairy business, Quiet Brook Holsteins. By 1991 they had grown to 250 head from within the herd and in 1992 they expanded to 350 cows, remodeled the Ideal Dairy facility consolidating the two businesses,  which presently operates as Ideal Dairy, milking 800 cows. 

Heavily involved in industry organizations, his primary focus revolves around Financing and environmental issues impacted by agriculture, particularly water quality and meeting agricultural labor needs. A member of the Washington County Farm Bureau since 1981, John also serves the agricultural community through 

membership in a number of other organizations. In 1998 he was elected to the First Pioneer Farm Credit Board of Directors (a two billion dollar lender serving Northeast Agriculture) and in 2003 he was elected to the  position of Vice–chair of the WCFB. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District and since 2000 has been a delegate to the Dairy Farmers of  America. In 2004, the Governor appointed him to the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee  and he has been a member of the NYSERDA Technological Transfer Advisory Committee since 2002. Additionally, John finds the time to serve as a Trustee of the Kingsbury Baptist Church. 

John is proud of the fact that both facilities have received Dairy of Distinction Awards and he also finds time for special interests both related to his work and also a bit of recreation. He cares deeply about Agriculture and the Environment – water particular and he enjoys sailing, scuba diving and skiing.

Dr. Elizabeth L. Lewis-Michl, ‘71
Elizabeth Lewis-Michl entered the Hudson Falls school system as a second grader when her mother and  stepfather, Helen and Robert Cackener, and two sisters, Deborah and Margaret, moved to Hudson Falls in 1960. She graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1971, and from Oberlin College in 1975, with a bachelor’s degree in government. 

After exploring a variety of jobs and causes, Dr. Lewis-Michl was attracted to public health as a field that combined her interests in politics, women‘s issues and health. She received a Ph.D. in Socio-medical Sciences, an interdisciplinary field combining public health and sociology, from Columbia University in 1990. Her dissertation described how the transformation of nursing education affected the development of the modern hospital. 

In 1993, Dr. Lewis-Michl’s training led to a position with the New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, where she is now Chief of the Community Exposure Research Section. Her first project at the Health Department was a study of environmental factors and breast cancer on Long Island. This study’s suggestive findings spurred others to consider the possible role of air pollution in breast cancer risk. 

Dr. Lewis-Michl has led many projects that address environmental health concerns faced by New York State residents. She and her staff work with residents to plan and carry out health studies in communities where unusual environmental exposures or unusual patterns of disease have occurred. Dr. Lewis-Michl is fortunate to have had opportunities to present study proposals and results directly to people affected by them, in every part of New York State. She also shares her perspective on environmental health issues as a member of the faculty of the School of Public Health at the State University at Albany. 

Dr. Lewis-Michl lives in Delmar, New York, with her husband of 27 years, Thomas Michl, Professor of Economics at Colgate University. They have a son Glyn, 19, and daughter Meredith, 15.

Dr. John C. Nassivera, ‘68
John Nassivera was born in 1950. He lived next door to the house the Nassivera family built when they came here from Italy in 1906. He graduated from HFCS in 1968. He attended college in the U. S., in Italy, and in Canada, receiving his B.A. from Boston University in 1972, and his Ph.D. from McGill University in 1977. 

After graduate school, he moved to Manhattan to teach at Columbia University, where he became a lifetime Fellow of Columbia’s Society of Fellows in the Humanities. At that time he began playwriting and his plays have since been presented around the United States, including New York, Miami, Washington, Phoenix, etc., and have received a National Endowment for the Arts Award. 

John Nassivera was Founding Producing Director of the award winning Dorset Theatre Festival in Vermont, and he co–produced plays in New York, as well. He also founded the Dorset Colony for Writers, for authors from across the U.S. 

While at HFCS, he studied under Mr. Robert Rose, who taught English and instilled a deep respect for writers and the written word. That valued relationship was a classic example of the truism: one teacher can make all the difference in one’s life. He’d also like to express appreciation to Ms. Joyce Irwin as well, who instilled a 

love of music and had him in the choir – even though he‘s never been sure he could sing. Of course, a special thanks to his parents: to his mother, for her love of books and reading, and to his father for his curiosity, patience, and positive support of his son’s decisions in life. 

Professor Nassivera is now on the faculty of Green Mountain College in Vermont, where he greatly enjoys teaching drama, literature, and writing. He lives in Vermont with his wife, actress Paula Mann, and their two adopted children.

Dr. Aileen T. Townsend, ‘61
Aileen T. Townsend was born August 12, 1944, a twin, and one of three children born to Neil and Noella Townsend. She attended Union Free School #9 in the Town of Fort Edward and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1961. Advanced educational degrees include a B.A. in psychology, Masters in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo, Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Doctorate in Public Administration from New York University. Her career was in the field of mental health working as 

a social worker and mental health administrator. 

From 1965-1999 she was employed by the State Office of Mental Health (OMH) in adult, children and forensic psychiatric hospitals. As Director of a National Institute of Mental Health grant, she initiated the first State comprehensive mental health program for children on Long Island working with schools and other child caring agencies to decrease the need for institutional care for many children. She was part of the executive team responsible for the development of NYS Forensic Mental Health Programs for inmates which serves as a model for forensic mental health programs in other states and countries. Her doctoral dissertation “Decision making as it Relates to the Release of Offenders with Mental Health Histories” served as the basis for changing the way mental health parole evaluations in NYS are completed for the Division of Parole. 

As a community volunteer, she has been active with the American Cancer Society and was a literacy volunteer. She served on several Boards including a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed adolescent boys, the Forensic Hospital Board of Visitors and the Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties a private philanthropic fund. Her current commitment is to the mission of the Women’s Fund to improve the quality of life for women and girls. She cherishes time spent with family and enjoys tennis, golf, kayaking, painting, and traveling.

Mr. William E. Philion
William E. Philion was born in Hudson Falls in 1926, the son of Wilfred and Elizabeth (Hart) Philion. Upon graduation from Hudson Falls High School, Mr. Philion enlisted in the Navy and served with U.S. Amphibious Assault Forces as a radioman on LSM 413. After his service to his country, he attended the University of Bridgeport Connecticut and graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in Hospital Administration. He married Florence Adams in 1951. 

Mr. Philion had a long and distinguished career at Glens Falls Hospital from 1950 until his retirement in 1989. During those 39 years he held the positions of Personnel Director, Assistant Superintendent, Administrator, Executive Vice President, Superintendent, and President/Chief Executive Officer. In two capital campaigns, he raised over $8 million for the Pruyn Pavilion, Juckett Family Cardiac Catheterization Suite and renovation of the Floyd H. Rourke Inpatient Surgery Center. He was also the founding member and board chairman for the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation. 

Career initiatives included the West Tower project (1975), a behavioral Health Unit, Emergency Room expansion, Quality Assurance program, Mobil Dental Unit, Day Surgery Unit, the first ultrasound imaging device in the area, The Hearing Center, and numerous other accomplishments that benefited the hospital and surrounding community. He also served on the Boards of Evergreen N.A., Finch Pruyn, and NAMIC U.S.A. Corporation. 

Mr. Philion had a deep and abiding pride in his Hudson Falls birthright, and enjoyed his retirement with family and friends, relishing the time he was able to spend in his hometown. He passed away in December of 2002 at the age of 76.

Christopher Belden, ’78
Chris Belden was born September 11, 1960 to Richard and Lois Belden of Hudson Falls. He was second of 5 children who attended school in Hudson Falls From 1963 until 1992. Chris graduated from Hudson Falls High School with Honors in 1978. 

Chris attended Alfred University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with BS Degree in Ceramic Engineering in 1982. Chris began his professional career with Motorola as a summer intern in 1980, which he later joined full time as an engineer. 

From 1989 until 1997 he served in leadership roles and was responsible for the design, construction and production of two of Motorola’s state of the art facilities located in Austin, Texas. Both facilities were recognized throughout the industry for their innovative design. As a result of his performance, Chris was appointed Vice President of Manufacturing in 1996. The following year he was given responsibility for over 15 plants located around the world including France, China, Japan, Scotland and the US and was elected Corporate Vice President of Manufacturing. His responsibilities were expanded in 2001 to include all technology development and manufacturing for Motorola Semiconductors, which included over 20 sites and 23,000 employees worldwide. He serves on various industry boards around the world. 

Chris and his wife Susan have two boys, Connor, 16, and Ted, 13. The family is active in supporting the American Cancer Society, and Chris has also served on its board of directors. He was awarded the Motorola CEO Volunteer of the Year in 1998 for his efforts in the community in the fight against cancer, and is himself a survivor of a cancerous brain tumor.  

Chris take great pride in being a team player and leader in an industry that has created the cutting edge technological advancements in our lives in the 21st century. The quality of education Chris received from Hudson Falls was instrumental in his success in college, work and life and he is deeply appreciative of the teachers and administrators that enabled it. He is also indebted to the people of the community who employed him as he grew up and gave him a chance to work, to earn and prepare for his future.

Judith Bronk, ’59
Judith A. Bronk was born on May 10, 1941 to Frank and Edith Neilson Bronk. She came home to the house purchased by her Grandfather Neilson in 1905 and where she continues to live with her sister Marjorie.

A charter member of the National Honor Society, Ms. Bronk graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1959 as valedictorian of her class. Graduating with honors from Wheelock College in Boston, she taught elementary education first in Pearl River, New York, and retired in 1991 from Hudson Falls.

An active life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, Ms. Bronk sings in the choir. She was a member and President of both the Board of Trustees and the Presbyterian Women. Ms. Bronk has also been a member of Beta Sigma Phi International since 1965 and worked as a Hospital Guild Volunteer for 25 years.

Her community service has included serving as treasurer for the Fort Edward Historical Association and the Sixty-Plus Senior Citizens Board. She is currently secretary of the Hudson Falls Free Library Board. Ms. Bronk is also founder and president of the Sandy Hill Branch of the Women’s National Farm and Garden Association, which sponsors an annual flower show during Sandy Hill Days and oversees community plantings. She also initiated “Flowers from the Heart”, a fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

Ms. Bronk continues to find Hudson Falls a special place to strengthen her roots while finding new ways to grow.

Angelo Catalfamo, ’65
Angelo “Chuck” Catalfamo was born on October 6, 1945, in Glens Falls, the third child and only son to Annette and Anthony Catalfamo.  He began his education at Dix Avenue Elementary School and continued at Hudson Falls, graduating in 1965. 

During high school he excelled in sports and was a key player on championship football and baseball teams, receiving several individual awards for his accomplishments.  For many years he held school and local football records for rushing, tackles, and touchdowns, and was recruited by national powerhouses such as Oklahoma and Nebraska.  He also played in the Greenjackets semi-pro football league. 

In baseball he was a tremendous pitcher and power hitter.  He played semi-pro baseball for many teams while still in high school.  At the end of his senior year he signed a Major League Baseball contract with the New York Mets organization and went on to play for two seasons with their minor league affiliate; he has the unique distinction of being Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan’s first roommate. 

After a career-ending injury, Mr. Catalfamo returned to Hudson Falls in 1967. He married Anne Moumblo and in 1971 he and Anne started Catalfamo Construction Company, which they have operated for 32 years.  In a return to his baseball roots, he and Anne started a second company in 1993, A.J. Exhibit Corporation Inc. that manufactures and sells decorative wall borders featuring famous baseball players such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.   

Mr. Catalfamo’s defining feature has always been his generosity and “can-do” attitude.  He has always made himself available to others.  For 18 years he was a coach and president of the girls softball league, leading various teams to local tournaments and teaching interested girls the fundamentals of fast pitch.  He worked many hours preparing softball fields on game days, and often purchased uniforms and supplies with his own money.  As a contractor, he has taught important skills to young people, many of whom have since gone on to start their own successful businesses.  He continues to be a presence in the local community and is eager to share his wealth of knowledge, skills and resources with anyone in need.   

Mr. and Mrs. Catalfamo have two adult daughters, Lisa Catalfamo and Lori Kiernan, and three grandchildren, all of who live in Hudson Falls.

Lynda Karig Hohmann, ’64
Lynda Karig Hohmann grew up in Hudson Falls and graduated from Hudson Falls HS in 1964. She was admitted to the first 6-year biomedical program between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College. Excited by the research experience, she graduated from RPI in 1968 and went to the University of California, Berkeley, to pursue a graduate degree in biochemistry. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa in 1974 and her MD degree at the University of Buffalo in 1981 and became a board-certified family physician in 1984.  

After several years of practice in Buffalo, Dr. Karig Hohmann moved closer to home by joining the faculty of the Albany Medical College in the Department of Family Practice.  During her time there, she was awarded several national teaching grants and was active in creative curriculum development.  

Expanding on an interest in addiction medicine, she became certified in addiction medicine and was the Medical Director for St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center from 1992-1996. She joined the Capital District Physician Health Plan in 1996 as a Medical Director, focusing the majority of her activities on quality health care. She recently received her MBA from the University of Albany. She has served many roles in the NYS Academy of Family Physicians, including serving as president in 2002.  

Dr. Karig Hohmann believes in the importance of collaboration and the use of enlightened public policy to improve health. She began by working for the first child car seat law in New York State in 1984 and has continued her efforts by promoting appropriate utilization of antibiotics, patient safety, quality health care, indoor clean air and improved access to health care for all New Yorkers.

Lee Potvin, ’51
Dr. Mitchell Lee Potvin, Jr. was born on July 30, 1934, the second of four children of Dr. Mitchell and Annabelle Potvin. He attended grade school in Larchmont, New York. In 1947, the family returned to Hudson Falls, his father’s hometown. He graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1951. A graduate of the College of Holy Cross with a BS degree, he went on to receive his DDS degree from the University of Buffalo School of Dentistry. He served two years in the United States Army  as a general dentist, where he attained the rank of Captain. Dr. Potvin subsequently returned to Hudson Falls and took over his father’s dental practice. He practiced for 35 years, retiring in 1996.

Dr. Potvin has always expressed tremendous pride in Hudson Falls and has been very active in the community. He is a member of The Knights of Columbus, and for the youth of the community he helped form a program in the 1970’s. He was a member of the Hudson Falls Recreation Commission for more than 20 years and is a former president of the Hudson Falls Kiwanis, where he was a member for over 30 years. Dr. Potvin was also a  village trustee and is presently a member of the village planning board. He is also presently serving on the board of directors for St. Joseph’s House of Grace, a non-profit home for the dying in Glens Falls.

Dr. Potvin is also a former president of the Upper Hudson Dental Society and is a member of the American Dental Association. During his 35 years of practice, he annually hosted several primary grades at his office for dental health education. For the past five years, Dr. Potvin has volunteered as a mentor in grades 1 and 3 at the Hudson Falls Primary School.

Dr. Potvin married the former Norma Hart of Hudson Falls. They have six children: Amy, Mitchell, Stacy, Joseph, Cheryl, and Renee. His two sons are continuing the practice of dentistry in the community and his four daughters are a special education teacher, a physical therapist, an attorney and a school psychologist, respectively. He is also the proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren.

J. Walter Juckett
J. Walter Juckett was born on May 26, 1908 in Mittineague, Massachusetts.  He was a graduate of Norwich University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and was a Trustee of the University from 1958 until his death.

In 1936, J. Walter Juckett began work at Sandy Hill Iron and Brass Works as office manager and his father Frank Juckett was appointed President. During World War II, Mr. Juckett received the rank of captain and served as the director of military training in the Second Command Tactical School. Mr. Juckett was named President of Sandy Hill in 1957.

Mr. Juckett had a great love for the Hudson Falls and especially education. He was a member of the Hudson Falls School Board for 28 years and was president of the board for 17 years. During his tenure he helped establish the Hudson Falls Central School District from 16 common school districts in Kingsbury and the town of Fort Edward. In 1985, Mr. Juckett was awarded the State University of New York’s Distinguished Citizen Award.

Mr. Juckett had many local interests. He was a director of Kamyr Inc., President of Richmor Aviation, Director of the Glens Falls Insurance Co., Director of the Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co., Vice President of the Mohican Council of the Boy Scouts, a founding Trustee of the Sandy Hill Foundation, a founding Director and Chairman of the Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization, and Chairman of the Adirondack Samaritan Counseling Center. Other interests included the First Presbyterian Church, the Chapman Museum, BOCES, ACC, the Salvation Army, the Glens Falls Community Workshop, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Lake George Opera Festival. 

Mr. Juckett passed away in 1988, but his legacy continues to enhance the quality of life in our community. This is personified in Juckett Park, the showpiece of our town that symbolizes the pride J. Walter Juckett took in our community.

Michael Cameron, ’77
Michael Cameron, class of 1977. Studies in double bass began with Steven Parsons, and continued with Allan Dennis. He was a member of the Albany Symphony Orchestra for two years, as well as the New York All-State Orchestra, in which he was principal bassist his senior year. He was also active in track and cross-country, and was senior class president. Additionally, he was the first recipient of the Elmer Heidorf Sportsmanship award and a National Merit Scholar. Upon graduation from Hudson Falls, Cameron attended Indiana University, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in 1981 and a Master of Music degree in 1982, both in double bass performance. He was also the first bassist in over a decade to receive a Performer’s Certificate from that institution. 

His first academic position was at West Texas State University, followed by Baylor University, and finally at the University of Illinois, where he was appointed in 1985 and promoted to full professor in 1998. In 1996 he was the National Endowment for the Humanities Distinguished Visiting Professor at SUNY Potsdam. He has made over a dozen recordings for various labels of solo and chamber music, and has performed frequently in North and South America, Asia and Europe. One recent tour with the Ensemble Modern took him to many major music festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival and Musikfestwochen Lucerne. He has also performed often with the London based group Topologies, and the Chicago based Ensemble Noamnesia. 

Cameron has commissioned dozens of new works for the double bass, and has also performed the American premiers of many works by European composers, including Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (broadcast on NPR’s “Performance Today’)) and Luciano Berio. He has given lectures and master classes at a number of leading music schools, including the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Oberlin Conservatory. He is an active freelance writer, with articles in many periodicals. In 2000, he began writing for the Chicago Tribune, and has contributed over 50 music reviews for that newspaper.

Gary Wilson, ’67
A 1967 graduate of Hudson Falls High School, Gary Wilson continued his studies at St. Lawrence University graduating with a B.A. degree in Economics in 1971. He completed his formal education graduating from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City in 1973. Upon his return to Hudson Falls, he joined the Carlton Funeral Home, which had been in his family since the late 1800’s and has kept the family tie as an owner and operator to this day. 

The service that is exhibited by a Funeral Director has been a part of Mr. Wilson’s life and is clearly illustrated by his devotion to the Hudson Falls community. He has served on various Boards of both the Evergreen and Glens Falls National banks, is a Past President of the Hudson Falls Free Library and is a Past President of the Hudson Falls – Kingsbury Chamber of Commerce. In addition to these voluntary positions, he has been instrumental in making sure that the village of Hudson Falls is so beautifully decorated at Christmas. To that end he oversaw the construction of the Train House in the Village Park. He is also responsible for the many flower boxes seen throughout the village and has been an active member of the Sandy Hill Days committee. In that capacity he constructed the Chamber of Commerce Dunking Booth which has been used by so many organizations as a fundraiser. 

He lists snow skiing, boating and water skiing, snowmobiling, woodworking and traveling as his hobbies and he is well known to be proficient in all of the above activities. Though we honor this Hudson Falls High School graduate for his outstanding service and potential as a role model for those who return to their roots, we are not the first to so honor Mr. Wilson. In 1997 Gary was the recipient of the Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award and the Hudson Falls – Kingsbury Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Flowers to the Living Award in 2000. 

Gary Wilson is the husband of Emmy Wilson and is the father of two children, Melissa of Arlington, Virginia and Nicholas of Baltimore, Maryland.

Dan Cameron, ’74
Dan Cameron graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1974, attended Syracuse University, and received a B.A. degree with a major in Philosophy from Bennington College in 1979. He moved to New York City later that year and has lived there ever since. 

Dan began working as an independent curator of contemporary art in 1981, and has organized more than fifty exhibitions to date, including retrospectives of several internationally renowned artists, and survey exhibitions of emerging artists from all over the world. Since 1995, he has held the position of Senior Curator at the prestigious New Museum of Contemporary Art in Soho, where about half of these exhibitions have taken place. As an independent curator, he has also organized exhibitions in countries such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Austria, Sweden and Mexico, and currently serves as Artistic Director for the 8th Istanbul Biennial, which opened on September 19 of this year. 

Since 1983, Dan has published more than two hundred book texts, museum and gallery catalogs, and magazine articles on contemporary art, and has lectured widely in museums and universities in every corner of the globe. He also serves on advisory boards for numerous foundations, collections and exhibition committees including the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C., “la Caixa’ Foundation in Barcelona, the 2001 Yokohama Triennial in Japan, and the Cintas Foundation in New York and Miami. 

In 2001, Dan was invited to join the MFA faculty of Columbia University School of the Arts, where he teaches a semester-long symposium on critical theory for artists.

Maureen Casey, ’80
Maureen Casey is a Vice President with Giuliani Partners LLC, an alliance of former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and a number of senior executives from his administration and Ernst and Young LLP, which provides strategic consulting services to municipalities and major corporations. Her primary areas of responsibility include public safety and crisis management. Ms. Casey is currently coordinating Mr. Giuliani’s project with the Police Department in Mexico City to make recommendations regarding its efforts to reduce crime in the City. She also recently completed work on a project with the United States Department of Justice Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program, in which a management accountability program was developed. 

Before joining Giuliani Partners, Ms. Casey worked for the New York City Police Department. She joined the NYPD in 1997 when she was appointed as Counsel to the First Deputy Commissioner. In this capacity, Ms. Casey provided legal and policy advice to the person responsible for running the NYPD’s day-to-day operations. In July 1999, Ms. Casey was promoted to Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning. As Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Casey served as a key advisor to the Police Commissioner on managerial, administrative, and operational issues affecting the Department. She supervised the Office of Management Analysis and Planning, which functioned as the Police Commissioner’s research and policy development staff, coordinated administration of the Department’s grant funding, analyzed NYPD crime data, disseminated crime statistics, and coordinated external audits of the Department. Ms. Casey also participated in the weekly CompStat meetings. In addition, the former Deputy Commissioner coordinated the NYPD’s strategies for 2001, which were to continue the NYPD’s crime reduction efforts, improve community relations, and improve police officer morale. 

Ms. Casey also served as special advisor to the Police Commissioner regarding the NYPD’s efforts to better utilize DNA technology in the Department’s crime fighting efforts. Further, she was responsible for coordinating the collection of DNA samples from the family members of the victims of the World Trade Center attack and the American Airlines Flight 587 crash in Queens. As a result of her expertise in this area, Ms. Casey was asked to serve as a member of the working group for Attorney General John Ashcroft’s Initiative on DNA Laboratory Backlogs. 

Prior to joining the NYPD, Ms. Casey served as General Counsel to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and as Counsel to the Governor’s Director of Criminal Justice, who is responsible for coordinating law enforcement, corrections, probation, and parole services throughout New York State. She also served as Assistant Counsel at the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives and was a probation officer in Warren County prior to pursuing her law degree. Ms. Casey has been licensed to practice law in New York since 1989. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Buffalo School of Law and a Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Brockport. Maureen Casey is a 1980 graduate of Hudson Falls High School.

Mary Cameron, ’74
Mary Cameron, presently the Director of the Women’s Studies Center at Florida Atlantic University, is a 1974 graduate of the Hudson Falls School System. She received her BS (with honors) from Russell Sage College in Biology and went on to earn her MA and Ph.D. from Michigan State University in the field of Anthropology. Areas of research include: cultural anthropology in Nepal and South Asia, feminist anthropological theory, medical anthropology, caste and gender politics, Ayurvedic medicine, farmers and artisans, women and international development, body and culture. 

Dr. Cameron credits her love for languages and cultures of the world to her maternal grandmother, Madeline Carmody, of Hudson Falls, who took her to important cultural and religious sites in Montreal as a child. Her grandmother also admired President John Kennedy, the founder of the American Peace Corps, and from an early age, Dr. Cameron aspired to be a Peace Corps volunteer. She achieved that goal, and as a volunteer in Nepal, Dr. Cameron taught high school mathematics and science in a remote Himalayan community, in Nepali language. She continued her volunteer activities when she returned to this country. While at Michigan State University, she was a crisis counselor for The Listening Ear which was a recipient of “A Thousand Points of Light” Presidential Award and at Auburn University, she served as a Board Member of the East Alabama Task Force on Battered Women. 

The author of the award-winning ethnography of people of lower caste, On the Edge of the Auspicious: Gender and Cast in Nepal, Dr. Cameron has also written extensively in journals on anthropological topics. She is credited with a number of book chapters and also has a number of works pending. Dr. Cameron’s original research on untouchables, on third world women, and on indigenous medical systems has been funded through a number of competitive grants, including two Fulbright fellowships. Dr. Cameron is much in demand as illustrated by presentations at numerous conferences on anthropological topics in India, Nepal, Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Illinois and Madison, Wisconsin. This by no means exhausts the list! 

While working toward her Ph.D., Dr. Cameron held positions in both teaching and research. Upon completion of that degree she secured a position as an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Auburn University, was promoted to Associate Professor within five years, was selected as a teacher of the year, and rose to become the Director of the Women’s Studies Program at the University, where she successfully secured the program’s future as a permanent and regularly funded academic program. As indicated above, she is now the Director of the Women’s Studies Center at Florida Atlantic University, administering the top graduate program in Women’s Studies in Florida, and teaching courses on gender, health care, international development, and ethnographic research and writing. Dr. Cameron is married and the mother of twins, Deven and Aisha. 

Each of the institutions at which Dr. Cameron has studied has seen fit to bestow upon her fellowships, grants and other academic awards. The Hudson Falls School District has now joined this elite group as she is inducted to the Wall of Distinction.

William Bronk, ’34
The creative arts were important to William Bronk: the visual arts, music, writing. Throughout his  life,  he maintained a commitment to the community of artists and those who cared about the arts. But it was language that mattered most to him: poetry was his unique gift to the world. 

William Bronk was born on February 17, 1918 in Fort Edward, NY; by 1920 his family had moved to Hudson Falls. He graduated from Hudson Falls Senior High School in 1934, highly influenced by a young English teacher, Elizabeth Clark, who recognized and encouraged his talent. 

He attended Dartmouth College where he studied with the poet/professor Sidney Cox. He spent two summers at Cummington School of the Arts in western Massachusetts, where he began life–time friendships with the artists Herman Maril and Shirley Clark. These early experiences confirmed the journey he would take as one of America’s gifted poets. 

He spent a year at Harvard Graduate School, 1938-39, before leaving in order to write. His first important  publication included two poems in Five Cummington Poets, in 1939;  this was  followed by his poems in  Four Dartmouth Poets, edited by Sidney Cox in 1940. 

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While stationed at Governor‘s Island, he wrote the history  of the Eastern Coastal Defense. During this time he became friends with another soldier, Eugene Canade, and met his father, the artist Vincent Canade in NYC. 

After the war, Bronk taught literature at Union College in Schenectady, but by 1946 he had started to manage the William M. Bronk Coal and Lumber Company in Hudson Falls, a business his father had begun in 1918. He managed this business for 32 years. During these years he traveled extensively until the early 1970s: to England, Spain, Italy, Greece, Peru, Mexico, Columbia. Reference to these travels are found throughout his writings. 

Bronk’s poetry gained recognition. In 1951 Cid Corman selected several poems for publication in Origin;  he continued to publish Bronk’s poems for two decades. In 1953 Robert Creeley included Bronk‘s poems in The Black Mountain Review. These publications opened relationships with some other great poets in America, including Charles Olson, William Carlos Williams, Wallace Stevens, Denise Levertov, Gary Snyder and John Taggart. 

More than 20 books of Bronk’s poetry have been published. It is of note that at the time of his death, all of his poems were in print through Talisman House, Publishers. 

Recognition for his work came in the successful publication of his poetry and in other ways. He read his poem “Waterland” at the Inauguration of Governor Mario Cuomo in 1980.

He received two prestigious awards: The American Book Award for Life Supports in 1982 and the Lannon Prize in 1992. 

Bronk’s correspondence and manuscripts are in the archives at Columbia University, Dartmouth College, SUNY Buffalo, University of New Hampshire, University of Connecticut and University of California San Diego. His art collection is at Adirondack Community College, where he held his last public reading in the Visual Arts Gallery on November 2, 1997. 

Submitted by W. Sheldon Hurst. Dates and facts are confirmed in the following sources: It Becomes Our Life by Sheldon Hurst and The “Winter Mind” by Burt Kimmelman.

John A. Leary, ’36
Judge John A. Leary, born May 4, 1919, the second of four children born to John and Adelia Leary, graduated from St. Mary’s Grammar School in 1932 and Hudson Falls High School in 1936. A graduate of Syracuse University with a BS degree, he went on to receive his LLB and JD from the Syracuse University College of Law. He began practicing law with the firm of Hart, Senior and Nichols of Utica, New York and subsequently returned to Hudson Falls where he practiced law for many years in an office over the present Evergreen Bank on Main Street. 

From 1941 through 1945, Judge Leary was a carrier pilot in the United States Naval Air Force. During his tenure in the service, he was a two-time recipient of the Navy Cross and has shared his World War Il experiences on a number of occasions with the students of Hudson Falls High School. From 1947 through 1949 he was a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Judge Leary has served the community as a Justice of the Peace and as a member of the Kingsbury Town Board and he has been the recipient of the Liberty Bell award. During his career, he has also served as county attorney, district attorney and the administrator of the Assigned Counsel Plan. He has served as a judge in Washington County Court, Surrogate Court, Family Court and State Supreme Court as assigned. Judge Leary retired in December of 1989. 

Judge Leary expresses tremendous pride in his Hudson Falls roots. The community is fortunate indeed to have another of its native sons return to the community that fostered his ideals. His interest in flying, originating during World War II, has remained a constant – occasionally he can be seen taking off from Warren County Airport. He has three sons, two of whom are members of the area medical community and one who is an accomplished artist.

Anthony Luciano, ’40
“Coach” Luciano, born July 18, 1921, is the son of Donato and Raffaela Luciano, attended Fenimore Grammar School, St. Mary’s Grammar School and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1940. Upon graduation, he entered Seton Hall Preparatory School on a full athletic scholarship, went on the Seton Hall College and received national recognition as a member of the 2-mile Relay Team which established a national record that stood for 16 years. 

In 1943, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served for 39 months and was discharged as a First Lieutenant with service in the Pacific Theater. Luciano completed his collegiate career at Colgate University and went on to receive his Master’s Degree from Springfield College. In 1948, he took his first teaching position and remained until his retirement in 1983. 

Over the course of his career, “Coach” served as a physical education teacher and athletic director and also coached football, basketball, track and cross country. Three years prior to retirement, he returned to his elementary roots so he could get back to the level at which he started. 

Though he has been honored many times over for his outstanding record as a coach and a teacher, it is his devotion to his community that places him in a category all of his own. Generations of kids think of Derby Park as a home due to his willingness to give of himself to benefit those kids. From 1951 until 1991, the team of Mary and Tony Luciano worked tirelessly for the Washington County Children’s Fund which helped not only the children of Hudson Falls but also many throughout the county. 

Along with his wife Mary in a team effort, “Coach” raised four children and now enjoys his six grandchildren.

Richard Hogan, ’48
Dr. Hogan was born January 5, 1931 and raised on his family’s dairy farm in Kingsbury, N.Y. He graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1948. 

After a year of work on his family’s dairy farm, Dr. Hogan attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1949 – 50, then, Niagara University for three years, graduating in 1952. Dr. Hogan went on to the Marquette University Medical College (now the Medical College of Wisconsin), where he graduated in 1957, having suffered a bout of polio in 1953-54. 

From 1957-58, Dr. Hogan interned as an Internal Medicine resident at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, New York, then at the Albany VA until 1961. After serving as a member of the Internal Medicine staff at the Naval Hospital where he was a lieutenant commander in the Navy in Illinois from 1961-63, Dr. Hogan returned to Albany for a one-year fellowship in cardiology at the Medical College. 

In 1964, Dr. Hogan set up his medical practice in Hudson Falls where he has dedicated himself to serving the community with compassion and excellence ever since. 

Dr. Hogan married Elizabeth Werner, a nurse from Minnesota in 1957. Together they have eleven children (two of whom are currently practicing medicine in the community) and twenty–six grandchildren.

Patrick McCullough, ’70
Dr. McCullough, born December 12, 1952, was raised in Hudson Falls and attended schools in the District graduating in 1970. During his high school years, he achieved athletically as well as academically: Patrick, captain of the 1969 football team, was also a member of the Sandy Hill Chapter of National Honor Society 

In his senior year at Niagara University, Dr. Pat was one of the few to complete his studies without a graduation ceremony, in order to accept a position in the prestigious dental school at the University of Buffalo. After receiving a 1977 cum laude degree at Buffalo, he became a general practitioner in residence at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in West Haven, Connecticut 

Dr. McCullough has been practicing dentistry in Hudson Falls since 1978 and he has been a tremendous asset to the community. In addition to providing professional dental services since he returned to his home community, Dr. Pat has also served as a mentor to prospective dental students to our students and also students from the area high schools. He has further distinguished himself by providing oral hygiene education to countless children and adults in our community. 

Although Dr. Pat misses competitive team sports, athletically he still challenges himself in the ADK 46’er Club as a high peak’s leader. Pertaining to service, Dr. McCullough volunteers each year for Operation Santa Claus. 

Together with his wife Paula, Dr. Pat is raising a son and a daughter.

Anne C. Steele, ’66
Dr. Steele born November 2, 1948, was a 1966 graduate of Hudson Falls High School. Dr. Steele earned a bachelor‘s degree from Reed College, studied at Princeton Theological Seminary, and obtained both master’s and doctoral degrees from Lehigh University. Her doctoral work includes a specialization in measurements and research with a focus on statistics and information science. She presently serves as the 20th president of Muskingum College in Ohio. 

Noted for the depth and breadth of her experience and for an ability to bring vision into reality, Dr. Steele assumed her duties as President on January 1, 2000. Since that time, she has worked to enhance Muskingum’s learning environment by working with the Board of Trustees and the Muskingum College community to develop a far–reaching strategic plan for the educational programs and facilities of the College. She is leading the College in examining and defining its academic mission and has encouraged a process to coordinate and plan the College‘s unprecedented growth. 

President Steele had previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to Chatham College, Dr. Steele held a number of positions at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro including Associate Provost for Enrollment Management and Associate Professor of Information Systems. 

With a career as both a faculty member and as an administrator, Dr. Steele has established a reputation for building partnerships. She continues to forge collaborations and strong ties between Muskingum College and the Southeastern Ohio community 

Dr. Steele is married to Rev. Rollin (Chip) Steele, who is pastor of the Rix Mills and Cumberland Presbyterian church congregation. Their son, Shaylor, is a student at Trinity College in Connecticut.

Dana King
Dana M. King, though not a graduate of Hudson Falls, was chosen due to his myriad contributions to both the students of the district and also to the community. He came to Hudson Falls as the principal of the high school and in a short time was named superintendent of the school district. A visionary with tremendous foresight, he is responsible for the acquisition of the land now occupied by the High School, the Middle School, the Primary School, the Intermediate School and the Transportation and Maintenance offices. 

In the January 1964 issue of Central Topics, it was indicated that the physical achievements were not enough to measure this man. He was described as “forward-looking” and innovative resulting in respect for the Hudson Falls Central School District throughout the state. The author of the article further states that, “The imprint he has made in the school is not in the buildings but in the devotion, the earnestness and the painstaking attention to duty that he himself has always manifested and which he has inculcated in his staff.” Interviews with those who knew him bring forth accolades for his accomplishments and his character. He made decisions based on what was right rather than the politics of the situation. 

Graduating from Chesborough Seminary (a high school) near Rochester, N.Y. in 1917, he went on to Greenville College where he earned a BS degree in chemistry and mathematics. He also earned a Master‘s Degree from Cornell University in 1921. Upon the completion of his degree, he married Lepha Priestley whom he met in high school and the marriage lasted for 59 years, until Mrs. King’s death. Together, they raised one daughter, Mrs. Virginia King Turner, now of Burgess, Virginia. 

The legacy of Mr. King is difficult to produce in this short space but suffice it to say that this most deserving man has been “adopted” by the Hudson Falls community. The LaRue-King Scholarship, given annually to a deserving senior at graduation, keeps his spirit alive in the youth of our community.