Poughkeepsie City School District

Four Poughkeepsie City School District teachers are being honored by the state Senate as “Educators Inspiring a Generation.”
Poughkeepsie High School’s Nashon Anderson and Tiffany Ward, Krieger Elementary’s Annmaree Gemmel, and Truth Elementary’s Cheryl Haines were named recipients in the first-year New York State Senate Educator Recognition Program.
Sen. Rob Rolison, the former mayor of Poughkeepsie, visited the high school and Krieger Monday – a visit to Truth is still being coordinated – to present the teachers with certificates and offer congratulations.
The honors came as a surprise to Anderson and Ward. In fact, as Anderson walked through the school’s front entrance Monday morning, she didn’t stop to notice Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott and Principal Dr. Phee Simpson speaking with Rolison just beyond the front doors. When she was called to the group over mid-stride, an uncertain smile washed across her face. That, very quickly, was followed by a wider smile and laughter.
“This does mean a lot,” she said, thanking the senator, before reflecting on her nearly 15 years in the district. She noted her daughter, Class of 2026 member Zoe King, earned the Dr. Ronel E. Cook Scholarship this year, named for the late former Poughkeepsie district administrator. “He hired me. That meant so much, that literally almost brought me to tears. This was like the icing on the cake this year. So, thank you so much. Very appreciative.”
The honor was somewhat less surprising to Gemmel. Krieger previously held its own presentation for the longtime district kindergarten teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week. Monday she received a second certificate directly from Rolison while surrounded by her students in her classroom, with that first certificate framed and prominently hanging on the wall.
Rolison read from the certificate of recognition for the class to hear.
“With immense gratitude for going above and beyond for your students and for shaping future generations,” Rolison read. “You serve as a true testament to the impact of exceptional educators and we wish you continued success in all your endeavors.
“And all your endeavors,” he said breaking from script and motioning to the kids,” are sitting right here.”
Each of the teachers honored are known around the district as not only outstanding educators but also heavily involved members of their school communities. Haines, a first-grade teacher, is among the strongest engines powering the holiday celebrations at Truth, among other activities. Gemmel is an extended learning time teacher and a regular at school events. Anderson and Ward – the Social Studies Department chair – both serve as advisers to school clubs and teams, and teach in summer sessions.
The awards began with nominations from with each school building. Executive Director of School Engagement Da'Ron Wilson nominated Anderson, Assistant Principal Joseph Mazzetti nominated Ward, and Gemmel and Haines were nominated by their respective principals, Melissa Barrow and Alicia O’Connell.
“It’s really about you, and what you do for children,” Rolison said to Anderson and Ward. “I think the most inspiring part of this is, others see this in you.”

"Cyrano de BurgerShack," the musical at Poughkeepsie High School featuring students from the high and middle schools, is on as scheduled tonight.
The free performance is open to the public. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. in advance of the 6 p.m. show.
“Cyrano de BurgerShack” is a modern retelling of the classic play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” filled with pop music.
Twenty-two students in all are part of the production, which began rehearsals in March. There are 11 cast members – six from the high school and five from the middle school – and 11 crew members. In addition to five members of the Smart Scholars Early College High School Performing Arts Academy, the group also includes students with exceptionalities.
Come to the high school tonight to see our talented students perform in a great show, inside our newly renovated auditorium!

Twelve members of Poughkeepsie High School’s Class of 2026 are committed to compete in college athletics next year.
On Monday, the school celebrated that rare feat with an inaugural signing day.
Friends and faculty were invited to the library for the ceremony, in addition to the athletes’ family members. Each athlete had a chance to sit down alongside their coach and sign their ceremonial letter of intent to compete for their college, before posing for photos with family in front of a Poughkeepsie Pioneers backdrop.
“We wanted to do something nice for our athletes who will be playing sports at the next level,” Coach Mark Bianco, who organized the ceremony, told the attendees. “It’s an accomplishment. Not many high school athletes get to play at the next level.”
At least 12 Pioneers will compete in sports ranging from basketball and soccer to swimming and bowling.
This year there are even two members of the Pioneers’ successful eSports team who plan to continue playing for Dutchess Community College’s team. They both received Dutchess team shirts from their future coach.
Each athlete’s coach provided words before each signing about the commitment and character put forth during their time as a Pioneer.
Several of Bianco’s basketball players took part, including the Fulton-Montgomery-bound Tyrone Dubois, who the coach called “a leader on the floor, a coach, a mentor to our younger players,” and Tazjir Gary, “our human highlight film … an extremely hard worker,” who will attend Albertus Magnus.
Gary, later Monday, was named Poughkeepsie’s Male Athlete of the Year at the annual athletics awards ceremony. In addition to basketball, Gary was a standout for the football and baseball teams. Fellow senior Kyshina Justus-Gause was named Female Athlete of the Year.
Meanwhile, Bianco called Victor Nelson III “probably one of the best (players) ever to come through here on the basketball court.” Nelson, who will attend Western Connecticut State University, was the Dutchess County basketball player of the year this year and became the fourth player in school history to eclipse 1,000 points.
Two girls basketball players, Monroe-bound Nyla Anderson and Dutchess-bound Mariah Charles were also among those honored. Coach Joe Laster introduced both by praising them as hard workers not only on the court but also as students. “They will definitely be missed,” he said.
Bowling coach Nashan Anderson, in introducing Kyle Duncan, reminded attendees he became the first Poughkeepsie athlete to make states in bowling as a sophomore and repeated the feat this year. Duncan will attend SUNY Westchester.
“He broke so many records,” she said. “He is such an amazing person, student and athlete. I love him to death.”
Afterward, the families posed for more photos and enjoyed slices of cake.

Dozens of family, friends and faculty gathered at Poughkeepsie Middle School Tuesday to celebrate a new class of National Junior Honor Society inductees.
However, Principal Barrington Atkins pointed out, “This is more than an awards ceremony. This is a recognition of character, commitment and potential each of these young people possess to make a difference in our school community.”
Thirty-two Poughkeepsie students were inducted to the NJHS, having not only excelled in the classroom but also contributed to the school through service and leadership.
Teacher Jennifer Burke began the ceremony welcoming guests, after her co-club adviser Joyette Walton led the procession of students to their seats.
Of the induction class’ impressive qualities, one stood out, Burke said. “Academically, they’re fantastic.”
Students who may meet the academic criteria to join are sent messages letting them know of the requirements should they decide to apply, such as obtaining two letters of recommendation from teachers. The organization focuses on the five pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
“The application process is lengthy and these kids took the time to do that,” Burke said, praising the quality of the teacher recommendation letters submitted this year.
Like the National Honor Society, NJHS has a community service component for inductees. Burke said the club advisers “provide as many opportunities in-house, as we can. Whenever we have an event here, they’ll help.”
Due to the renovation of the school’s auditorium, the ceremony was held in the gymnasium. Still, dividers in the room maintained a mostly intimate feel as attendees watched from bleachers.
One of the inductees, Lara Topaloglu, performed the national anthem as the high school’s Air Force Junior ROTC presented the colors. This year’s NJHS President, Za-Kai Douglas, served as emcee.
“Today’s ceremony indicates the continued emphasis on excellence and awards for our school community,” Douglas said, noting the NJHS chapter at the middle school has been operating since 1995. “Throughout the year, members of our chapter serve as role models for other students. In addition to the strong academic records, which establish the membership eligibility, our chapter members are leaders in many school organizations and serve our school community in many activities.”
Douglas’ fellow members then each spoke on the organization’s five pillars.
The ceremony itself featured several rituals, including one added this year that injected a sense of sophistication and reinforced the NJHS as a community of learners the inductees are joining in perpetuity, not simply for one night or one year.
Before the traditional lighting of candles and taking their National Junior Honor Society Pledge, the inductees took part in a “passing of the stole.” Current club members from various corners of the gymnasium joined the seated group of inductees and, from their own backs, removed yellow stoles and placed them around the new members’ shoulders.
“The passing of the honor stole symbolizes the five pillars on which we stand,” Douglas explained.
Atkins said the “inductees represent the very best here at Poughkeepsie Middle School,” before reminding them of the responsibility of membership:
“Continue to lead by example. Continue to serve others. Continue to use your voice and your actions to make a positive impact,” the principal said. “The world needs new leaders.”

More than 60 Poughkeepsie High School students were honored Tuesday night as the school held its annual Senior Awards and Scholarships Celebration at the school's auditorium.
More than $107,000 was awarded Tuesday, with some scholarships renewable for multiple years. That’s in addition to other scholarships not included in the celebration or not yet awarded, and the Rensselaer Medal, a full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scholarship worth $160,000, pending acceptance, to Lander Perez-Gonzalez.
Throughout the year, members of the school staff work not only to expose students to higher education opportunities but also to connect them with scholarship applications and offers. Among other efforts, College Readiness and Workforce Education Counselor Kelly Semexant maintains a running list of available scholarships, complete with requirements and deadlines, and circulates each through ParentSquare messages to students and staff.
“Students were granted more than $100,000 in local scholarships alone,” Semexant said. “This is why it’s so important for seniors to apply for local scholarships before applying to national ones.”
Visit https://poughkeepsieschools.org/index.php?pageID=smartSiteFeed&psqFeed=true&articleID=82079936 to read all about the night and hear from some of the students.

As Skyler Jenkins celebrated inside Poughkeepsie High School’s lobby late Tuesday afternoon, her little sister was standing by her side, coming up to her waist, wearing a matching jean jacket and pink dress.
Jenkins has just become a member of the National Honor Society, just like her two older siblings.
“A lot of the inductees are legacies,” said Katie Livermore, the school’s longtime NHS adviser. “So many of them are following the good example that their older siblings set for them, which is really nice and a I hope that will keep passing down.”
Twenty-three Poughkeepsie students were inducted into the National Honor Society Tuesday. The most prestigious student organization in the country, the NHS stresses not only excellence in the classroom but also community leadership.
To earn induction, the group completed hundreds of service hours, many assisting the district’s elementary schools at special events and after-school programs.
As has been the case in past years, the ceremony is completely run by the school’s NHS officers. President Renata Martinez led the presentation, with Vice President Aubrey Wood, Co-Treasurers Edwin Gomez-Perez and Alexis Urena Marte, and co-Volunteer Coordinator Diana Canales Melendez providing comments on the four pillars of NHS, Character, Scholarship, Service and Leadership.
“Character is what differentiates one person from another and it isn’t simply born with you,” Wood, the Class of 2026 Salutatorian said. “It is made with a mix of one’s principals and qualities that come from the choices and actions we take every day.”
Canales Melendez explained, “There is a price for leadership. It’s a sacrifice – the willingness to cast aside personal interest for the benefit of others.
“Leadership is always needed,” she continued. “In the National Honor Society, there will be the opportunity for you to become leaders. However, being a leader is not an easy task.”
The NHS co-Volunteer Coordinator Israa Hadine and Secretary Rodrigo Vega-Salvador then read off the names of the new members. As they were announced one-by-one, the inductees picked up and lit an electric candle. Once the full group was assembled, they recited the National Honor Society Pledge.
Principal Dr. Phee Simpson closed the ceremony with congratulatory remarks focusing on the organization’s pillars. She thanked the students’ support systems in attendance and addressed the inductees directly.
“As you embark on this new chapter, remember these traits we are celebrating you tonight for,” she said. “Seek out knowledge endlessly. Always speak kindness. Lead with empathy and let your unique character shine through. Actively honing these traits will lead you to achieve all the greatness everyone here sees in you, as you should see in yourself.”