News

February 25, 2016

The Academy for Character Education at Sage Announces 2016 Champions of Character Honorees

The Academy for Character Education at The Sage Colleges is pleased announce its 2016 Champions of Character honorees. The award winners will be honored at the annual Champions of Character awards banquet to be held at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy on Thursday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. Individuals, schools and organizations throughout New York State will be honored for their leadership and dedication to the vision and mission of fostering positive character development in our youth and communities.

This year’s honorary committee chair is Rex Smith, editor of the Albany Times Union. Kelly O’Donnell, assistant sports director and anchor for WRGB CBS6, will serve as master of ceremonies.

This year’s honorees are as follows:

Business and Community Leadership Awards:

  • Business Organization Award: B. Lodge & Co. (Mark Yonally), Albany, N.Y.
  • Business Leader Award: Michael Cocca, Franklin Hospitality Group, Troy, N.Y.
  • Civic Leader Award: Barbara Smith, pecial Community Projects; City of Albany
  • Civic Organization Award: Troy YWCA, YWCA of Greater Capital Region
  • Community School Partnership Award: Jim Hladun, School Advisor, New Scotland Kiwanis Club
  • Mayors’ Challenge Recognition Award: Albany, Amsterdam, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Syracuse, Troy

Student Awards:

  • Student Award, High School: Nick Murphy, Voorheesville High School
  • Student Award, Elementary School: Collette Jacobs, Carroll Hill School, Troy CSD
  • Student Group Award: Interact Club, Shaker High School, North Colonie CSD

Educator Awards:

  • Teacher Leadership Award: Noelle Gentile, Theatre, Albany High School
  • Teacher Leadership Award: Michele Bintz, Librarian and Key Club Advisor, Voorheesville High School
  • Teacher Leadership Award: Bridget Hodgkinson, Troy Prep Charter School, Troy, N.Y.
  • Teacher Organization Character Leadership Award: Hoosick Falls Teachers Assoc.

Educator Awards Continued:

  • School Social Worker Award: Janet Kaiser, East Greenbush CSD
  • School Administrative Team Award: Principal Jessica Rosetti, William H. Barton Intermediate
  • School, Vice Principal John Luthringer, Wm. H. Barton Intermediate School, Queensbury UFSD
  • School Administrator Award: Principal Erica Ryan, Shatekon Elementary School, Shenendehowa CSD
  • School Board Award: Dan Egan, Albany City School District Board of Education
  • College Advocate for Character Development Award: Dean Lori Quigley, The Esteves School of Education, The Sage Colleges
  • District Administrator Award:Stewart Amell, Superintendent, Sandy CSD
  • Education Leader Award: Superintendent Ken Facin, Hoosick Falls CSD

The Sage Colleges Champions of Character:

  • Administrator Award: Elizabeth Robertson, Associate Vice President for Admission
  • Russell Sage College Faculty Award: Sara Schuman, Developmental Writing Support Specialist
  • Sage College of Albany Faculty Award: Pamela Ko, Assistant Professor of Law
  • Sage Staff Award: Kim Cooney, Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor
  • Russell Sage College Student: Kamiah Turmon
  • Sage College of Albany Student: Michael Hotchkiss

New York State Schools/Districts of Character:

  • Jonas E. Salk Middle School, Levittown UFSD;
  • Valley Stream North High School, Valley Stream UFSD;
  • Valley Stream South High School, Valley Stream UFSD;
  • Turtle Hook Middle School, Uniondale UFSD;
  • Uniondale High School, Uniondale UFSD;
  • Yorktown UFSD

To register or for more information about this year’s banquet, please go online.

Sage College Banquet Page