Month: May 2025
Library to host taste test for middle, high school students
Liberty Public Library is inviting middle and high school students to a taste test starting at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.
Students in fifth through 12th grade will have the opportunity to taste different drinks and snacks to see if they can tell the difference between name brands and generics of the same type of foods.
The library is at 189 N. Main St. in Liberty. For more information call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypublicibrary.org.
Road work to impact bus/travel routes
Starting tomorrow May 13, state DOT will be doing work on state Route 52/Chestnut Street/Mill Street. Chestnut Street will be closed from North Main Street to Academy Street, with work expected to last until Saturday, May 17. Milling and paving work along other parts of Chestnut Street, from West Street to the second traffic circle, will also take place, but will be done at night starting May 18 and is not expected to impact routes.
Students who are normally picked up and dropped off at the post office will now be picked up and dropped off at Paesanos on Main Street this week. Those who normally travel on Chestnut between North Main and Academy to the schools should find alternative routes.
For more information, please call Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna’s office at 845-292-6171. Thank you for your cooperation.
Dozens earn Stellar Student honors at LHS
The following students earned Stellar Student status for the third marking period at Liberty High School.
Students earn Stellar Student honors for being referral free have five or fewer excused lates and no unexcused lates, two or fewer excused absences and no unexcused absences, a 75 or above quarter average and no failures or incompletes.
12th grade: Christian Aucaquizhpi Perez, Yordy Benitez, Alexia Caiza Viracocha, Noah Call, Eugene Davis-Andino, Faith Fitzgerald, Gianna Lewis, Brenna Mangan, Sierra Norris and Rita Zheng.
11th grade: Jake Cross, Genna DeFrank, Giada DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, Allison Diaz Lopez, Jacob Kelly, Zane Kip, DaShaun Loyce, Arwyn Lucero-Bonilla, Angelina Magie, Quelin Molina Gavilan, William Pennell, Brooke Porter, Randy Romero-Bello, Jaidon Simmons, Justin Simon and Angela Wheeler.
10th grade: Derrick Aliers Amparo, Olivia Corrigan, Riley Cox, Liliana Crespo, Mariah Edwards, Angel Figueroa, Yamilet Garcia Gonzalez, Peyton Hadjstylianos, Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo, Misael Juarez Perez, Bartlomiej Klys, Audrey Krum, Kevin Leon Gavilan, Jeremiah McLeod, Katherine Panama Guaillazaca, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Jordan Smith, Allison Vasko and Jireth Zambrano Laines.
Ninth grade: Brandon Amador, Keven Cordero Lima, Jayden Diaz, Sophia Duarte, McKayla Figueroa, Hunter Kavleski, Radek Klys, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen, Justin Lima Cedeno, Danna Lopez Ojeda, Evelyn Molina Ax, Baileigh Steinberg, William Vargas-Martin and Jackson Wilson.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of May 12-18, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, May 12
9 a.m.: Boys Varsity Championship vs. Multiple Schools at West Point Golf Course
2 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Roscoe Mountain Club
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis High School
Tuesday, May 13
3 p.m.: Varsity Baseball doubleheader vs. Beacon City at Liberty High School
4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Monticello at Monticello High School
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Monticello at Monticello High School
Result: Monticello 19, Liberty 7. The Varsity took another tough loss; this time to Monticello. Monticello struck early, scoring seven runs in the first inning, and the Redhawks couldn’t overcome it, ultimately losing 19-7. Brenna Mangan had a good day at the plate as she had a double, walk and two RBI. Maddy Stewart also had a single and drove in two. Amy Szuba and Megan Schmidt also had hits while Cameryn Will scored twice in the loss.
4:15 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at Liberty Middle School
Wednesday, May 14
4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track and Field vs. multiple schools at Tri-Valley Central School TV – Iatauro Sports Complex
Thursday, May 15
5 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School
Friday, May 16
1 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track & Field vs. multiple schools at Warwick Valley High School.
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Chester Academy at Maple Avenue School (Chester)
Saturday, May 17
9:30 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field Championship vs. Multiple Schools at Warwick Valley High School
Sunday, May 18
No events scheduled.
Liberty names new high school principal
On Tuesday, May 6, the Liberty Central School Board appointed Liberty High School Assistant Principal Stephen Matuszak as LHS principal, effective July 1. He will replace Dr. Derek Adams, who was named assistant superintendent.
Mr. Matuszak has served as assistant principal at LHS since April 2020.
He grew up in the Binghamton, New York, area. He began his educational career as a substitute in the Maine-Endwell school district after earning a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus in social studies from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Matuszak moved to Sullivan County in 2007 to take a seventh and eighth grade social studies teaching position at RJK Middle School in the Monticello Central School District, where he also was a coach. He was the school’s behavior specialist his final year. He also earned a master’s degree from the University of Scranton in curriculum development and design, and completed his certificate of advanced studies in educational leadership from SUNY New Paltz in 2019.
A Liberty resident, he is married and has two daughters.
Liberty Music Department to host spring concerts
The Liberty Music Department will present its spring concert series, starting Thursday, May 8. All concerts will take place in the HS Auditorium at 7 p.m. except for the Elementary Concert, which will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend all concerts, which will also be livestreamed. The schedule, with the livestream links, is as follows:
- Thursday, May 8: High School Mixed, https://events.locallive.tv/events/174442
- Tuesday, May 13: Seventh and Eighth Grade and Middle School Jazz Band, https://events.locallive.tv/events/174443
- Thursday, May 15: High School Honors, https://events.locallive.tv/events/174444
- Tuesday, May 20: Fifth and Sixth Grade, https://events.locallive.tv/events/174445
- Monday, June 2: Elementary, https://events.locallive.tv/events/174446
Each concert will offer a variety of music and is a celebration of the dedication and creativity Liberty students have put into their performances this year.
LHS teacher arrested on charges of sharing child-related pornography
This evening, May 5, Liberty Central School District was informed of the arrest of a Liberty High School teacher on charges of sharing child-related pornography on social media. The district was made aware of the investigation on April 22, and the teacher was placed on immediate paid administrative leave by the district, pending further investigation.
It is not believed any Liberty student is involved. Counselors have been made available for students. The district is fully cooperating with the investigation.
Anyone with more information regarding this case is asked to contact state police in Liberty at 845-344-5300.
“The safety of our students is our top priority,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We remind our students if they see or experience anything suspicious to report it to a trusted adult or through our Anonymous Alerts portal.”
More than 200 students earn honors at LHS
The following students were named to the honor rolls for the third marking period at Liberty High School. High Honor Roll students must have attained a marking period average of 90 or better and have no failing or incomplete grades. Honor Roll students must have attained a marking period average of 85 or better and have no failing or incomplete grades.
12th grade
High Honor: Elmida Aguilar Reyes, Quinn Allen, Franki Alvarado, Endya Alvarez, Guillermo Arauz Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Bodolosky, Lewis Bound, Alexia Caiza Viracocha, Noah Call, Andres Castillo Hernandez, Braedan Clarke, Cathy Delgado-Flores, Colin Doeinch, James Dworetsky, Sara Fajardo Reyes, Sophia Ferguson, Faith Fitzgerald, Lianna Gissentaner, Wyatt Green, Sandra Hanofee, Jordan Hewlett, Gianna Journet, Alex Kearney, Joshua Kratz, Carla Lara Fernandez, Kenisha Ledoux, Gianna Lewis, Jordan Loucks, Skylar Loyce, Addison Makky, Brenna Mangan, Colin Mangan, Matthew McKoy, Andrew McPhillips, Luis Molina Gonzalez, Owen Moore, Sierra Norris, Liam Parks, Jeferson Pineda Monzon, Wenifer Ramos Mata, Joshuaj Reyes Escobedo, Megan Schmidt, Mason Smith, Angel Valladares, Austin Werlau, Cameryn Will, Mykenzi Williams, Hannah Wormuth, Rachel Yaun and Rita Zheng.
Honor: Yedrick Aliers Cruz, Christian Aucaquizhpi Perez, Ayaan Awais, Jackson Bustillo Martinez, Winsley Caiza Viracocha, Yelsin Cruz Marin, Eugene Davis-Andino, Jose Galeas Aguilar, Bryan Garzon, Gabriella Gentile, Anjay Harripersad, Ashley Jordan, Jack Krum, Kimberlin , Malaga Gonzalez, Adamaris Navarro-Leon, Gerson Nolasco Monroy, Iris Ogden, Luis Otero Jr., Melody Rivera, Christopher Rodgers, David Sellers, Ashley Szuba, Konnar Williams and Kyra Wingert.
11th grade
High Honor: Maliea Agapito, Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos, Carmela Burgio, Kamoren Connell, Genna DeFrank, Giada DeFrank, Cameron Degroat, Eli Desrochers, Allisson Diaz Lopez, Christopher DiBartolo, Adrian Ferguson, Lia Guillerme, Jaspreet Kaur, Jacob Kelly, Kaley Klein, Lincoln Klein, Belen Leon Martinez, John Palacios Medrano, William Pennell, Brooke Porter, Cassandra Porter, Justin Simon, Elijah Warren and Jada-Lynn Wiliams.
Honor: Naiara Alvarado Piedy, Christian Argenal, Shawn Bickham Jr., Brooke Bull, Addison Bury, Naima Canady Byam, Jake Cross, Elizabeth Cruz Cruz, Marcus Curry, Joshua Decker, Maria Guambi, Kelsey Hopkins, Zane Kip, DaShaun Loyce, Angelina Magie, Sarai Miranda, Serenity Moore, Makayla Morales, Melanie Moreno Velasquez, Genesis Munoz Valladares, Randy Romero-Bello, Joseph Sarney, Tayler Schwartz, Jaidon Simmons, Elmer Son Vincente, Emma Stonick, Tatianna Warren and Angela Wheeler.
10th grade
High Honor: Derick Aliers Amparo, Zackary Alvord, Gianino Amendola, Sophia Marie Avellino, Jill Baumander, Olivia Corrigan, Liliana Crespo, Ashley De Leon, Dung Duong, Mariah Edwards, Angel Figueroa, Austin Frunzi, Yamilet Garcia Gonzalez, Peyton Hadjstylianos, Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo, Misael Juarez Perez, Peyton Klein, Bartlomiej Klys, Audrey Krum, Orchid Langlois, Nester Leon Aldana, Roger Lynker III, Katherine Maldonado, Bryan Maradiaga-Marin, Jeremiah McLeod, Mariely Medina Orellana, Jose Moreno Reyes, Katherine Panama Guailazaca, Giselle Perez Sanchez, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Katterin Reyes Guardado, Amy Szuba, Allison Vasko, Jeronimo Velez Osorio, Sebastian Yupanqui and Jireth Zambrano Laines.
Honor: Keila Barrios Castanon, Eyanna Castro, Isabella Caycho, Kent Clark, Jeffery Cobbs, Jr., Riley Cox, Hudson Danzilo, Frandy DeLaCruz Solano, Colin Dole, Carlos Garzon Cruz, Mayrelis Gonzalez Ramirez, Kevin Leon Gavilan, Gia Matullo, Lucas McCarthy, Angele Osorio Ramirez, Daniela Ponce Flores, Riley Santiago, Jordan Smith, Madelynn Stewart, Olivia Tyler and Lige Young.
Ninth grade
High Honor: Colten Allen, Lillianna Black, Samuel Blandon Cardona, Emily Cardenas Reyes, Hope Corbett, Kevin Cordero Lima, Sophia Duarte, McKayla Figueroa, Belle Gandulla, Stephanie Gomez Nivelo, Hunter Kavleski, Jacob Klein, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen, Justin Lima Cedeno, Danna Lopez Ojeda, Evelyn Molina Ax, Anai Perez Sanchez, Adriana Ponce Agredano, Raul Rios, Gabriella Sheridan, Mason Williams and Jackson Wilson.
Honor: Brandon Amador, Irwin Barragan Rojas, Brayan Deras Barrios, Ezra Dilworth, Michael Feijo, Jade Guillazaca Lopez, Radek Klys, Lena LaGattuta, Jessey Miranda, Kourtney Perry, Baileigh Steinberg, Sophia Travis and Samantha Vidalis.
Liberty PTA, LFA to host Meet the Candidates event
The Liberty Schools PTA and the Liberty Faculty Association will co-host a Meet the Candidates night for the Board of Education candidates at 6 p.m. Monday, May 12, in the Liberty High School Media Center.
The five candidates on the ballot have been invited to attend. The candidates, in the order in which they will appear on the ballot, are Miriam Rivka Singer, incumbents John L. Nichols and Timothy Hamblin, Miriam Heimlich and incumbent Matthew DeWitt. The top three vote-getters will serve three-year terms running July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
The board election and budget vote will take place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the LHS Media Center at 125 Buckley St. in Liberty.
For more information on the budget, visit the Liberty Central School District budget page.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of May 5-11, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, May 5
10 a.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at The Monster at Resort World Catskill.
Tuesday, May 6
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Ellenville at Ellenville High School.
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track & Field vs. Multiple Schools at Tri-Valley Central School.
Wednesday, May 7
4:30 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Onteora at Davis Park
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. James I. O’Neill at James I. O’Neill High School
Result: Liberty 6, James I. O’Neill 10. After two rainouts in a row, the Varsity traveled to James I. O’Neill High School to take on the Raiders. In a very competitive, back and forth game, Liberty ultimately was unable to withstand a final O’Neill rally, losing 10 to 6. The Redhawks’ bats were hot all day and were led by Angie Wheeler’s 2-3 performance. Angie had a double, single, RBI and two runs scored. Maddy Stewart had a single and two runs driven in. Megan Schmidt was robbed of two hits, but still finished with a single and run scored. Brenna Mangan, Ashley Szuba, Addison Bury and Giuliana Wagner also had a hit. The Redhawks defense was sharp as they turned two double plays on the day. Liberty is scheduled to next play Chester at home this Friday if the weather permits.
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School
Thursday, May 8
3:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg Junior/Senior High School
4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at Sullivan West – Jeffersonville
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty High School
Friday, May 9
All events postponed or canceled because of rain.
Saturday, May 10
No events scheduled.
Sunday, May 11
No events scheduled.