Year: 2026
Students help preserve local history at Walnut Mountain
Throughout the spring, students at Liberty Middle School have been learning about the rich history of Walnut Mountain during Flex Period. As part of this educational experience, students explored the story of the historic Walnut Mountain House, a five-story mountain hotel built in 1887 at the summit of Walnut Mountain. The hotel welcomed visitors from near and far, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Catskill region. Although the hotel no longer stands, its foundation remains as an important reminder of Liberty’s past.
Taking their learning beyond the classroom, Liberty Middle School hosted a community service project on Sunday, May 31. Students, staff, families, and community members came together to help clear and improve the trail surrounding the original Walnut Mountain House foundation.
The project was a success, with 34 volunteers participating in the cleanup effort. Volunteers worked to remove brush, clear debris, and create a safe, walkable path around the historic site. Their hard work will allow visitors to better experience and appreciate this important piece of local history.
The project is part of the ongoing Walnut Mountain House History Trail initiative, which will officially celebrate its grand opening on June 6. The self-guided trail features six interpretive panels that share the history of Walnut Mountain, the Walnut Mountain House, and the people who helped shape Liberty’s heritage.
Liberty Middle School students have also played an important role in the project through the Interact Club. Club members designed and built benches that will be placed along the trail, providing visitors with opportunities to rest and enjoy the scenic views that have attracted visitors to Walnut Mountain for generations.
This project highlights the power of community partnerships and hands-on learning. By helping preserve a local landmark, students gained a deeper appreciation for Liberty’s history while making a lasting contribution that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come.
LHS students create video about LES Leader in Me program
Leader in Me is a program used throughout the district to help teach life skills and empower students to thrive.
Liberty High School students Jose Rivera, Kamoren Connell and Teodulo Banegas, who are in the Media Program at Sullivan BOCES, partnered with Liberty Elementary to create a video highlighting the eight habits of Leader in Me and how they are used at LES and in real life. Watch the video below:
Liberty Redhawks Track and Field to compete in state qualifiers
The Liberty Track and Field team competed last weekend in the Class B Section 9 Championships.
The top finishers were as follows:
- Boys: Aaden Woolard, fifth place in high jump; and Dylan Romero with a new school record in the 400m dash with a time of 51.00 seconds.
- Girls: Audrey Krum, fifth place in pentathlon; Sydania Foster, fifth place in the 400m; Starriah Harris, fifth place in the 400m hurdles; Brooke Bull, second place in pole vault; and 4x100m relay team of Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull and Sydania Foster with third place. The girls team placed seventh overall.
The following will be competing in the state qualifiers today and tomorrow:
- Wednesday, June 3, starting at 2:30 p.m. at Cornwall High School: Joe Sarney, 100m & 200m; Dylan Romero, 200m; Colten Allen, 200m; Adriana Ponce Agredano, 800m & triple jump; Brooke Bull, pole vault; Starriah Harris, 100m hurdles; Sydania Foster, 100m; Audrey Krum, pentathlon; Peyton Rivera, pentathlon;and Aaden Woolard, high jump
- Thursday, June 4, starting at 3:30 at Goshen High School: Quinn Santiago, 400m; Victoria Henry, long jump; Dylan Romero, 400m; Sydania Foster, 400m; Aaden Woolard, long jump; Audrey Krum, pentathlon; Peyton Rivera, pentathlon; Girls 4x100m relay (Victoria, Starriah, Brooke, Sydania *alt Quinn); Girls 4x400m relay (Starriah, Quinn, Brooke, Sydania *alt Adriana); Boys 4x100m relay (Joe, Colten, Dylan, Aaden *alts Tyleal Aubain and Samuel Blandon); and Boys 4x400m relay (Joe, Colten, Dylan, Tyleal *alts Michael Reyes and Samuel)
Good luck, Redhawks! The state championship meet will be held June 13 and 14 at Webster Schroeder High School in Webster.
Redhawks honored during annual Academic Block ‘L’ Awards
Liberty High School celebrated its students on May 28 during the annual Academic Block ‘L’ Awards.
High School Principal Mr. Stephen Mauszak welcomed students, staff, faculty, family and friends and led the Pledge of Allegiance before the following awards were presented
Music Director Mr. Eric Aweh presented the following awards:
- Fred Waring Director’s Award for Chorus: Eli Desrochers, Jacob Kelly
- John Philip Sousa Band Award: Joseph DiBartolo, Cassandra Porter
- Patrick Gilmore Award for Band: Phillo Romero
- National School Orchestra Award: Genna DeFrank
- National School Chorus Award: Lia Guillerme
- Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Gustavo Leon
- Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Awards: Genna DeFrank
- All County: Colten Jay Allen, Zackary Alvord, Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos,
- Alyessia Avellino, Jill Baumander, Zachariah Bickham, Carmela Burgio, Genna DeFrank, Joseph DiBartolo, Sophia Duarte, Sydania Foster, Belle Gandulla, Aubreigh Green, Nevaeh Jones, Tyler Juron, Alexandra Kelly, Gustavo Leon, Sara Liddle, Roger Lynker III, Olivia Matuszak, Jeremiah McLeod, Mariely Medina Orellana, Selkir Molina Gonzalez, Mckinzie Paterson, Giselle Perez Sanchez, William Pennell, Adriana Ponce Agredano, Brooke Porter, Cassandra Porter, Phillo Romero, Sophia Vasko
- Area All-State: Genna DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, Jacob Kelly
Mrs. Erin Alvord presented the following Outstanding Physical Education Awards and Outstanding Health Students:
- 9th Grade: Nazarah Heglar, Damien Keating
- 10th Grade: Alyvia Sampson-Payne, Justin Lima Cordero
- 11th Grade: Bridget Mateo Cruz, Jose Moreno Reyes
- 12th Grade: Sarai Miranda, Rene Bernal Huezo
- Personal Fitness Grade 9: Sophia Vasko, Carlos Portillo Larios
- Personal Fitness Grade 10: Starriah Harris, Peyton Rivera
- Personal Fitness Grade 11: Riley Cox, Audrey Krum
- Personal Fitness Grade 12: Allison Diaz Lopez, Elmer Son Vincente
- Advanced Personal Fitness: Ryan Romero Bello, Brooke Bull
- Health: Michael Feijo, Colten Jay Allen, Tyler Juron, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen, Evelyn Molia Ax, Adriana Ponce
Mrs. Jennifer Bull and Mrs. Kath Johansen presented awards for Outstanding Art Students:
- Studio Art: Orchid Langlois, Alex Olivares-Reyes
- Advanced Studio: Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo
- Ceramics: Makayla Morales
- Drawing & Painting: Madelynn Stewart
- Photo I : Evelyn Molina Ax, Cassandra Porter
- Photo II: Sebastian Yupanqui
Assistant Principal Mrs. Lacy Jones presented the awards for Outstand Social Studies Students:
- Global History & Geography 9: Olivia Matuszak
- Global History & Geography 10: Shea-Leigh Kristiansen
- US History & Government: Riley Santiago
- College US History & Government: Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo
- Government: Lia Guillerme
- Economics: Allison Diaz Lopez
- College Political Science: Cassandra Porter
Mr. Kevin Ferguson presented the Outstanding Science Students awards:
- Life Science/Biology: Anthony Gavidia Reyes
- Environmental Science: Peyton Rivera
- Earth Science: Olivia Matuszak
- Forensics: Genna DeFrank, Lucas McCarthy
- Physics of Toys: Jacob Kelly
- Physics: Shea-Leigh Kristiansen
- Regents Chemistry: Giada DeFrank
- SUPA Biology: Jill Baumander
Awards for Outstanding World Language Students were presented by Mr. Aaron Salvadge:
- Spanish Exploratory: Tristan Maloney
- Spanish Language Arts: Stephanie Amaya Bonilla
- Spanish II: Anthony Gavidia Reyes
- Spanish III: Shea-Leigh Kristiansen
- Spanish IV/V SCCC: Misael Juarez Perez
- Mandarin 1: Dung Duong
- Mandarin II: Sara Liddle
- Mandarin III: Gabriella Sheridan
Mrs. Jones presented awards for Outstanding Math Students
- Math with Financial Application: Phillo Romero
- Algebra I: Phoenix Johnson, Madysen Reilly
- Algebra II: Shea-Leigh Kristiansen
- College Algebra: Belen Leon Martinez
- Informal Geometry: Bryan Maradiaga-Marin
- Regents Geometry: Amelia Cole, Olivia Matuszak
- College Statistics: Lia Guillerme
- College Pre-Calculus: Sebastian Yupanqui
- College Calculus: Lia Guillerme
- Siena College Computer Science: Zackary Alvord
Ms. Chiara VanValkenburg and Mrs. Ashley Maher presented the Outstanding English Students
- 9th Grade: Anthony Gavidia Reyes
- 9th Grade Honors: Olivia Matuszak
- 10th Grade: Anai Perez Sanchez
- 10th Grade Honors:Shea-Leigh Kristiansen
- 11th Grade: Angel Figueroa
- 11th Grade Advanced Placement: Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo
- 12th Grade: Makayla Morales, Joseph Sarney
- Composition: Cassandra Porter
Mr. Matuszak then presented the non-classroom based awards and scholarship opportunities:
- Office of the NYS Attorney General Triple “C” Award: Jeffery Cobbs, Ruth Sellers
- Office of the NYS Attorney General Civic Ambassador Award: Derick Aliers Amparo
- Awards and Scholarship opportunities
- Elmira College Key Award: Roger Lynker III, Amy Szuba
- Rensselaer Medal Program: Sebastian Yupanqui
- Clarkson University Achievement Award: Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo
- Clarkson University Leadership Award: Giselle Perez Sanchez
- Rochester Institute of Technology Awards
- Computing Award: Bartlomiej Klys
- Science and Math Award: Mariely Medina Orellana
- Humanities and Social Sciences Award: Zackary Alvord
- Business and Leadership Award: Peyton Hadjstylianos
- Engineering and Technology Award: Misael Juarez Perez
- Art and Design Award: Allison Vasko
- University of Rochester Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award for Humanities: Liliana Crespo
University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award: Jill Baumander - University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award: Austin Frunzi
- University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information: Peyton Klein
- Student Sage Award: Olivia Corrigan, Jordan Smith
- Saint Michael’s College Book Award for Community Engagement: Jeremiah McLeod, Katherine Panama Guaillazaca
- Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award: Gianino Amendola, Audrey Krum, Angele Osorio Ramirez, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Riley Santiago
- Alfred State Promoting Pioneer Leaders Award, 2 Year Degree: Mariah Edwards
- Alfred State Promoting Pioneer Leaders Award, 4 Year Degree: Dakota Avellino
- Alfred Outside of Ordinary Award: Angel Figueroa, Jeronimo Velez Osorio
The evening concluded with the presentation of the top 10 students of the Class of 2026:
- 10. Jacob Kelly
- 9. Kaley Klein
- 8. Genna DeFrank
- 7. Runxian Chen
- 6. William Pennell
- 5. Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos
- 4. Carmela Burgio
- 3. Brooke Porter
- 2. Lia Guillerme
- 1. Cassandra Porter
Congratulations, Liberty Redhawks, on a job well done!
AYSO seeks players, coaches, refs
Registration for AYSO Region 1514 Soccer is underway through June 30.
Co-ed programs are available for kickstart (3-6-year-olds) 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U. To register, visit www.ayso1514.org/region1514.
Coaches, referees and board members are also wanted. Those 14 and older can become a referee or coach’s assistant. Training is available.
For more information, email libertyAYSO1514@gmail.com
End-of-the-year busing schedules change
As Liberty approaches the end of the school year, the busing schedules will change to meet the needs of the students.
The following changes are planned:
- The last day of the 6 p.m. bus will be Friday, June 5.
- The final 4 p.m. bus will run Thursday, June 18.
- There will be a mid-day bus home to accommodate high school students taking the Algebra 1 Regents on June 17.
Those who have any questions, may email questions@libertyk12.org
Liberty athletics to wrap up year with signings, awards
The Liberty Athletics Department has plenty to celebrate in the coming weeks.
Five seniors will sign their letters of intent to compete at the college level. The ceremonies will take place at 4 p.m. June 8 in the High School Auditorium. Signing will be:
- Shawn Bickham, who will attend Utica University and will wrestle and complete on the track and field team
- Brooke Bull, who will attend the University of Lynchburg and will compete in the track and field team.
- Justin Simon, who will attend Western Connecticut State University and play baseball
- Isabella Wagner, who will attend Eastern University and will wrestle
- Angie Wheeler, who will attend SUNY Delhi and play softball
Later that week will be the “Block L Athletic Awards,” the annual varsity sports recognition event. It will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 11, in the high school auditorium. Family and friends are welcome to attend the ceremony.
“Being a varsity athlete is more than just playing a sport—it is a commitment to excellence in all aspects of student life that deserves to be recognized,” Athletic Director Thomas Zehner said. “We look forward to seeing you there to acknowledge our student-athletes.”
Village to flush water system, possibly impacting water at school buildings
The village of Liberty will flush its water mains by opening hydrants throughout the system starting next week. This may cause low water pressure and water throughout the village to become brown. The water will not be contaminated.
The flushing will likely impact the Liberty Elementary, Middle and High Schools and the District Office.
Flushing of the Parksville transmission line will take place June 8-12, with the Village Water System starting June 15 until complete. Flushing will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
If water begins to get brown in a building, water fountains will be temporarily shut down until the water clears. Bottled water will be available if fountains are shut down. All staff and students are encouraged to limit water use.
Updates will be available on the village website.
LMS celebrates cultural diversity
Liberty Middle School continued its tradition of celebrating the diverse cultures that can be found in our school community. In the 2026 edition of the Cross Cultural Celebration, held in the LMS gym, 19 countries were represented by 128 students. Students visited the tables holding presentations created by the students, and were encouraged to ask questions to learn more about their classmates’ cultural displays. Students were greeted at the entrance by a series of banner displays explaining immigration throughout history in the U.S. There was also a table featuring dolls and projects set up by the entrance to the middle school gym. There were also corresponding classroom activities leading up to the event. The celebration culminated with a performance by Youth Tecuanes Dance Mixteco Pride.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of June 1-7, 2026
We are in the homestretch of the 2025-26 athletics season. This week, we only have Track and Field state qualifiers.
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-Tuesday, June 1-2
No events scheduled..
Wednesday, June 3
2:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field State Qualifiers vs. Multiple Schools at Cornwall High School
Thursday, June 4
3:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field State Qualifiers vs. Multiple Schools at Goshen High School
Friday-Sunday, June 5-7
No events scheduled