YOUTH ON THE GO
All eighth-grade students at Catskill Middle School on Feb. 9 participated in the annual History Day Fair.
This project served as their mid-term grade in social studies class. History Day is an educational program sponsored in New York state by the New York State Historical Association. It encourages students to explore local, state, national and world history.
After selecting a historical topic that related to an annual theme, students conducted extensive research by using libraries, archives, museums and oral history interviews. They analyzed and interpreted their findings, drew conclusions about their topics’ significance in history, and created final projects that display their research. This year’s theme was “Innovations in History.”
The projects were on display in the school library. Awards were given by their peers to a select few. The award for most informative project went to Nate Riordon for his project on “The Computer.” The award for most creative project went to Alivia Westbrooke and Hannah Konsul for their project on “The Invention of the Contact Lens.” The award for the most eye-catching project went to Mary Johnson for her project on “The Guillotine. “
Many parents, classmates, administrators, faculty and staff visited throughout the day to see the students’ work.
••• Christopher Dunn-Cappellino and Cole Matthews were named the Hunter-Tannersville Middle/High School students of the month for January.
Dunn-Cappellino, an eighthgrader, represents the “Maroon Group” (grades 7-9). He is a member of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), which he joined at the beginning of this year. He is also a member of the Middle School Chorus.
Dunn-Cappellino will be starring in the upcoming spring musical, “Peter Pan.” He enjoys singing at home and in school and is very interested in acting. He has played on the modified soccer team since fifth grade. He has achieved honor roll status each quarter.
He is the son of Chris Dunn and Fran Cappellino of Tannersville.
Matthews, a junior, represents the “Gold Group” (grades 10-12). He has many interests in school as a member of SADD, Varsity Club, band, chorus and the Spanish Club. He is also in the Ethel Slutzky National Art Honor Society. Continuing his honor roll status, he was on the principal’s
honor roll for the first quarter of this school year.
Matthews participates, at the varsity level, in soccer, basketball and baseball. He plays in the Babe Ruth League in Saugerties and made the All-Star team. His other interests are hunting, fishing and camping. In addition, he volunteers for the Booster Club. He plans to attend college and possibly pursue a career in law enforcement. He would also like to travel the world.
He is the son of Tim and Bobbi Jo Matthews of Haines Falls.
Students are nominated by school staff. The criteria for nominations are academic perseverance, involvement in school/community activities, participation in sports/hobbies, respectfulness, determined to succeed in an endeavor, dedication to do their best and dependability.
Each student of the month enjoys a lunch or dinner for two at The Last Chance Antiques and Cheese Café, a one-day lift ticket at Hunter Mountain provided by Peak Resorts, two passes to the Mountain Cinema from the Catskill Mountain Foundation, an engraved pen from the Student Parent Teacher Organization, a family bumper sticker from the Board of Education and a complimentary special breakfast from Principal Tom Cervola.