Today, we highlight the second group of students receiving the Seal of Civic Readiness award. Students will share why this achievement is important and share more about the individuals(s) who impacted them during their time at FFCS. We are proud of our F-F students for becoming involved in making their community stronger. As a reminder, a formal ceremony celebrating their achievement will take place during Awards Night on Tuesday, June 25.
Isabella Miller
What inspires you to “Be the Change?”
I recently completed an internship at the Neural Stem Cell Institute in Rensselaer, NY. I had the opportunity to lead my project, which was to create antibodies for the researchers to use for imaging and staining of cells. My project was successful, and I made the antibodies at an exponentially cheaper rate than the institute could buy commercially. The institute does amazing work, working on treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, Spinal Cord Injury, and Macular Degeneration. I am very grateful for this experience and for participating in something that could potentially help many people worldwide. I would like to pursue a career in the medical field so I can continue to help people and make a difference.
Who has inspired you?
I am very grateful to the Fonda-Fultonville family and all of my amazing teachers and coaches throughout my high school journey. Coach Joe Geniti is one person that particularly stuck out to me. He has been my coach in cross country for nearly five years, and I am very grateful for the success he helped me achieve. I am very lucky to have had such a dedicated coach who helped me have an amazing senior season. I am thankful for all of his help throughout my whole running career.
Ty Sanges
What inspires you to “Be the Change?”
Through my various experiences in volunteering in my community, I have found myself enjoying helping those in need and giving my time and efforts to the people around me. I have found that these activities have shaped who I am today and have led to the qualities that I believe are the best I have to offer. Giving back to the community makes me feel whole and like I have a purpose, giving me a sense of accomplishment and duty when I can help others. I want to continue to “Be the Change” as it brings me joy to see people happy and through this work that I continue to do, I believe I can spread this mentality of selflessness to my peers to create a passion for assisting wherever possible.
Who has inspired you?
I would like to shout out to my mom, Mrs. Sanges, who, as an 8th-grade teacher, has made such a positive impact on not only my life but the lives of so many others. Her mentality of helping those around her has stuck with me and the many others she has taught and has left nothing but an overwhelmingly positive mark on Fonda-Fultonville and the surrounding community. Her consistent efforts to praise the right thing to do, and taking her time to help those who may not be as fortunate or may need more assistance than others are unmatched, and her teaching of these qualities has helped me and many others to be the kind, considerate people we are today.
Alexis Soodsma
What inspires you to “Be the Change?”
I show my character by working harder when things don’t go my way, and I strive to continually improve myself and be better. Character is the moral substance of a person that identifies him or her as a good person. 4-H makes this shine through you by making you open up and go out of your comfort zone to learn the basics of life and also leadership responsibilities. During the fair week, we all learn and grow. You must always remember that it is to help everyone who needs your help because you were once in this boat too, and needed guidance and direction from others. Every year at the fair I show my rabbits and chickens. This requires a lot of time prepping the animals and studying. But the best experience is being able to assist others about the species and educate them on showmanship techniques and skills. I enjoyed checking in the animals and making sure they didn’t have any diseases or abnormalities before allowing them to be accepted into the fair. Learning what needed to be distinguished when checking in the animals was one of my strongest skills. I also was able to learn from others more experienced than me what I needed to look for and make sure these animals weren’t bringing in any contagious illnesses. The life skills I encountered helped me with my overall confidence and learning experiences. I will use my knowledge from my 4-H years in my future career, in animal science. I want to continue to be the change around our world because by changing the world around us, we change ourselves. Changing yourself can make a huge impact on our society. Being hopeful and positive all around your community positively changes others’ emotions around you.
Who has inspired you?
Amanda Rose has made an impact on my life. Not only is she my guidance counselor but she is also my god mom. Amanda reminds me when something goes wrong to look at things from three perspectives, your own, the other people, and someone who has no idea what is going on (a unanimous person). When thinking about something going wrong in your life at that time you need to look at the problem from multiple viewpoints, not just your own. After she told me this I always looked at things from multiple perspectives. Yes, she may be my good mom, but she always puts her work life apart from home life. When people need guidance, she separates what she knows about you and gives you the guidance that you require. For that, I will always be grateful to Amanda. Love you. 🙂
Rachel Gardner
What inspires you to “Be the Change?”
Throughout my years at Fonda Fultonville, I’ve worked to spread kindness and sincerity among my peers. From small compliments to smiles, I’ve worked to better the people and environment around me. Along the way of my athletic career, I’ve contributed to the support of my teammates, as well as assistance in simple tasks to benefit others. Primarily Track and Field has shown me the importance of teamwork, and the difference that others can make to your well-being. Kindness is a simple act that costs nothing. I will continue to “be the change” around others because I truly don’t know what others are going through.
Who has inspired you?
Every morning that I have entered the Fonda-Fultonville High School, I receive a warm and excited welcome from Mrs. Rossi. She never fails to tell me “Good Morning”, or hold small silly conversations. Each day this has helped create a higher sense of positivity in my mornings, as well as shaping my days for success. Words of kindness are simply the most impactful thing anybody can do to help another. I would not be who I am today without her positive energy and enthusiasm, and I express my sincerest thanks and gratitude to her.
Amber Hoffer
What inspires you to “Be the Change?”
For myself, I consider my job to be one of the most significant experiences in my life by far. I’ve learned how to deal with these new situations while helping the people in my community find things that make them happier. Moreover, it has allowed me to speak to others more freely while gaining new friendships that I will forever cherish.
Who has inspired you?
I am very grateful to the Fonda-Fultonville family and all of my amazing teachers and coaches throughout my high school journey. Coach Joe Geniti is one person that particularly stuck out to me. He has been my coach in cross country for nearly five years, and I am very grateful for the success he helped me achieve. I am lucky to have had such a dedicated coach who helped me achieve an amazing senior season. I am thankful for all of his help throughout my whole running career.
Emerson Fuller
What inspires you to “Be the Change?”
Recently, one of the most impactful acts of volunteerism I had the opportunity be a part of was one of the weekly donation distribution events organized by the Street Soldiers charity in Schenectady. We aided numerous families; men, women, and children of all ages, in receiving meals, clothes, groceries, and other basic necessities. Being able to help provide some stability for them fueled my desire to “be the change,” because it showed me the profound impacts of support within a community. Lending a hand to those in need, even in the slightest, could give them a sense of hope, relief, or remind them that they aren’t alone and there are people in this world who care about their well-being.
Who has inspired you?
Throughout my high school career, athletics have been a significant contribution to the person I am today. More specifically, overcoming the various mental and physical obstacles in the course of my seasons of cross country. Ultimately, I reached many personal goals and achievements, which I could not have done without the help of Coach Joseph Geniti. Whenever I felt like giving up, or I doubted my capabilities, he reassured me and pushed me beyond my limits to keep moving forward. He saw potential in me when I failed to see beyond my lack of success. In the end, his unconditional encouragement resulted in several more personal bests, a W.A.C. All-Star title, a greater love for running, and the ability to push myself through whatever life throws at me.
Madison Fonda
What inspires you to “Be the Change?”
To me, being the change means to stick out from others and provide a good influence upon others. This could mean volunteering out in the community, spreading positive morale, and being an inspiration to others around me. I have always felt the need to be the change for not only people around me but also within myself. Volunteering and helping out in the community has been a big part of that. Whether it was volunteering at an animal shelter, helping out at my neighbors farm, or even just babysitting for my grandparents, I interacted with the people around me and was able to feel a part of something. All of this was very meaningful to me and is just a little part of the change I am trying to make overall.
Who has inspired you?
I would like to thank Mrs. Waters for making such a true impact on my life throughout my high school career. Not only is she a dedicated teacher but also a thoughtful, caring person. Throughout my years in her class, she helped me persevere through all of my hardest times even when I thought I couldn’t. I have her to thank for being the person who got me through her math class and many other situations. Mrs. Waters will always be a member of the Fonda-Fultonville family who I genuinely admire and look up to.