When the Fallsburg Central School District Alumni Association (FAA) gets together, the event is overflowing with good feelings and celebration of the Town as well as the schools. Saturday, July 16, seemed extra special. Every award presented truly honored good people that have made a difference in Fallsburg as graduating seniors and distinguished alumni.

With each presentation, the presenters spoke beautifully about the kindness, compassion and intention of participating in the school and in volunteer activities outside the school of the graduates honored. Three students received FAA Award Scholarships. Kaitlyn Cross, Musa Dumbuya, and Josie Galeas Iraheta expressed their gratitude to the teachers and staff, and, most emotionally for their parents in attendance. Jonathan Espinoza and Jennifer Santos were unable to attend, and they composed heartfelt appreciative letters of thanks that were read by Jonathan’s Aunt Theresa Trujillo and Sue Kasofsky, respectively.

The Sheryl Kalter Memorial Award went to two deserving seniors, who embodied the values of love, scholarship and commitment to the community that Sheryl held throughout her life. Ana Dell’aquila accepted the award as a great honor and to devote her education to those same values. Isabel Cruz acknowledged the Sheryl Kalter Award in a moving letter read by Sue Kasofsky.

Arlene Hussey, retired teacher, long-time Board of Education member and mother of the late and beloved Robynne Anderman presented the award in Robynne’s name to Kyle Tremper. Arlene knew Kyle Tremper since he was a baby. So, it was very emotional for her to present Kyle with the Robynne Anderman Award. Kyle remembered Ms. Anderman and the kindness she showed every day at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School. When Arlene Hussey and Kyle embraced, the love filled the space.

Kyle was not seated for very long after his acceptance speech because Eileen Kalter was introducing him to return and accept the FAA Award in Honor of Jack Leshner, another beloved teacher and member of the FHS Hall of Fame. The event was held in the Main Lobby right in front of the HOF display. Jack’s smiling face reflected the happiness at the choice of Kyle Tremper for this honor.

The three members of the Fallsburg Community that were honored are all outstanding contributors to the Town. The FAA Committee chose well when they presented the Retired FCSD Staff Award to Mike Weiner. His service to the school, to the Town of Fallsburg Planning Board and Town Board, and currently as President of the Board of Education has been beyond exemplary. Fellow BOE member Renee Kates read the reasons for how deserving Mike is of the award. FAA Recording Secretary Mona Bogan wrote the words. She had to miss the event because of illness.

The two additional Honorees among the Alumni were Robert Kaplan and Terence Duncan, who earned the Alumnus Award and Lawrence Kotin Award, respectively. Kaplan has served on numerous community-related governing and agency organization since he graduated. Presently, he is Treasurer of the Fallsburg Lions Club. The late Fallsburg alumnus Lawrence Kotin devoted his life to serving children with special needs and being their advocate. Terence Duncan embodies these ideals as he now serves as Assistant VP of Program Operations at Loch Sheldrake’s New Hope Community. All three alumni recipients expressed humility, gratitude for the FAA and their Alma Mater, and the great support of their families.

What a perfect day of celebration and appreciation for selfless service and the values of devoted educators and learners! The future is bright for the seniors continuing their education and for the alumni that will continue to serve the special educational needs of the Town of Fallsburg and beyond.