Locals: People and Businesses in the News, July 25, 2024

SUNY AWARDS EXCELLENCE: In early May, SUNY Oneonta held its annual award ceremony on campus, where more than 50 students received an Academic Achievement Award. This award recognizes seniors who strive for excellence and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA within their major. Students are nominated by faculty members. The following area students were honored: Amber Genova of Cooperstown, Jacob Ghiorse and Graham Wooden of Oneonta, Raynella Clarke of Richfield Springs, and Jessica Dix of Mount Upton.

ONEONTA ADAPTIVE FIELD DAY: EDD Adaptative Sports recently partnered with the Sport and Exercise Sciences department at SUNY Oneonta to host the first Adaptive Field Day on campus. EDD Adaptive Sports is a non-profit organization that offers adaptive sports programs to children and adults with any disability,” according to a press release for the event, which took place on May 4 at the Alumni Field House and Red Dragon Field. Two students from Oneonta participated in the event as volunteers: Olivia Litzinger and Graham Wooden.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS: Clarkson University has recently listed two local students on its spring 2024 Presidential Scholars list. This distinction is given to students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.8, while also being enrolled in at least 14 credits. Matthew Huestis of Fly Creek and Joseph VanDeValk of Richmondville were among those named.

VILLAVERDE SHOWCASED: Local SUNY Oneonta student and resident Victoria Villaverde was featured in “The Capstone: 2024,” an exhibit showcase for students in the upper-level Studio and Digital Art Capstone courses for the semester. Villaverde, who majored in art and design, recently graduated.

PHARMACY GRAD: Shane Miller of Oneonta recently graduated from Wilkes University with a DPH in pharmacy. The graduation took place on May 18 at the McHale Athletic Center in the Simms Center, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

MAHAR WINS CAA SCHOLARSHIP: Lana Mahar of Mount Markham Central School received the 2024 Cooperstown Art Association Scholarship Award, in the amount of $1,400.00. She will continue her art education at SUNY Oneonta in the fall, studying animation and illustration. Mahar’s work is on display in the hallway exhibit case near the stairway to the 89th Annual National Juried Exhibition at the CAA galleries.