Month: January 2026
Girls Indoor Track and Field team earns Division 3 title, to compete in Sectionals
The Liberty Girls Varsity Indoor Track and Field team competed Friday, Jan. 23, in the Division Championships at West Point, earning the Division 3 title. The Redhawks competed against Beacon, Monticello, Port Jervis, Marlboro, New Paltz, Saugerties and Our Lady of Lourdes.
Captains Brooke Bull, Sydania Foster, Starriah Harris and Audrey Krum contributed for 55 out of 72 total points, with almost everyone on the team responsible for some points earned, and most earning personal best times or marks.
Other members of the team are Quinn Santiago, Alena Tarabichi, Carla Perez Perez, Ayelene Ines Leon, Nazarah Heglar, Sam Bull, Sariah Ocasio, Aleyssia Avelino, Jasmine Garcia Reyes, Sulenny Romero, Victoria Henry, Adriana Ponce Agredano, Sophia Duarte, Ruth Sellers, Bridgette Mateo Cruz, Olivia Corrigan, Gia Matullo, Shirley Cando, Valeria Cruz, Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos and Elizabeth Cruz Cruz, with Managers Aubreigh Green and Grace Fitzgerald.
Division champions were Brooke Bull in the pole vault, Starr Harris in 55m hurdles, Sydania Foster in the 300m, Victoria Henry, Starr Harris, Brooke Bull and Sydania Foster in the 4×200, and Nazarah Heglar, Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos, Sam Bull and Quinn Santiago in the 4×400.
Up next will be Sectionals on Friday, Jan. 30, at West Point.
LHS photographers set record in number of Scholastic Art awards
Liberty photography students won a record breaking 37 Keys and 28 Honorable mentions in this year’s Mid Hudson Regional Scholastic competition.
Allison Vasko led Liberty with seven Gold and five Silver Keys and four Honorable Mentions.
“To me, photography is more than just a camera. It’s about capturing moments that last a lifetime. Turning fleeting experiences into sentimental memories is what I love most,” Allison said. “Being recognized for my photos feels like an important milestone in my photography journey, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.”
The Mid Hudson Regional division reaches far into Poughkeepsie and parts of Westchester as well as Sullivan and Ulster counties.
Works that earn Gold Keys are in the top 5% of works judged. Silver Keys are in the top 10%. Honorable Mentions are in the top 11% or 12%. Gold key winners will be adjudicated again for possible participation in the national competition.
Other Liberty students earning honors:
- Sebastian Yupanqui with two Gold and five Silver Keys and three Honorable Mentions
- Lucio Ponce Vazquez with one Gold and four Silver Keys and three Honorable Mentions
- Carlos Cruz Garzon with one Gold and two Silver Keys and one Honorable Mention
- Misael Juarez Perez with one Gold and one Silver Key and four Honorable Mentions
- Kourtney Perry with one Gold and one Silver Key.
- Cassandra Porter with one Gold Key.
- Giuliana Wagner with three Silver Keys and two Honorable Mentions
- Emma Stonick with one Silver Key and five Honorable Mentions
- Evelyn Molina Ax with one Silver Key and two Honorable Mentions
- Kelsey Hopkins with three Honorable Mentions
- Valeria Cruz with one Honorable Mention
The ceremony for the Key winners, open to all, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at SUNY New Paltz followed by the opening of the show with refreshments. The exhibit will be open through early March in the Fine Arts Building Rotunda. The snow date will be Feb. 7.
Many of the students earning Scholastic Honors also have work featured in “It’s Time …,” a photography show at the Liberty Library that runs through March.
VIDEO: Programs helping Liberty improve
Since Liberty Central School District’s five-year strategic plan was introduced 3½ years ago, the district has instituted or refined several programs with a goal of meeting its mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential. Progress has been made. Liberty students’ reading scores are improving, thanks in part to the alignment of its reading curriculum through the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Reading and Into Literature programs. The support for all students is growing with the refinement of the district’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Students are showing personal growth and honing their leadership skills through Leading in Me and the related Lighthouse Teams across the district. The emphasis on hands-on learning in STEM (science, technology engineering and math) is preparing Liberty students for future careers. Watch this video to see how these programs are impacting the Liberty Redhawk family.
District offers update on emergency closure days
As of Tuesday, Jan. 27, Liberty Central School District has used five of its eight emergency closure days allotted for the school year.
If the district uses all of its emergency days, the district will transition to remote learning if weather or other situations require the buildings to be closed.
The district will communicate its intention to use remote learning days, if the potential situation arises. The Liberty Central School District remote learning plan is available on the district’s website.
Questions may be emailed to questions@libertyk12.org.
All Things Liberty Winterfest brings community together
The annual All Things Liberty Winterfest drew about 250 people to the Liberty Middle and High School gymnasiums on Jan. 24. While there, they played games and visited booths staffed by 85 student volunteers and more than two dozen LCSD faculty and staff members, as well were able to see what 25 outside vendors had to offer.
Although the extreme cold caused the outside activities to be canceled, the middle and high school gyms were bursting with activity for the annual event.
See more photos on our Facebook page.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2026
Our athletics schedule is quite busy this week, with alpine skiing, basketball, indoor track and field and wrestling scheduled.
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, Jan. 26
All events canceled
Tuesday, Jan. 27
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Wrestling vs. Multiple Schools at C. J. Hooker Middle School in Goshen
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Wrestling vs. Multiple Schools at Liberty High School
5 p.m.: Girls JV Basketball vs. Rockland Central School District at Liberty High School.
6:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Rockland Central School District at Liberty High School
Wednesday, Jan. 28
3:15 p.m.: Boys Varsity Indoor Track and Field Exhibition vs. Multiple Schools at SUNY Sullivan.
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Basketball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Basketball vs. Rondout Valley Central at Liberty High School
5:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Basketball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty Middle School
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Rondout Valley Central at Liberty High School
Thursday, Jan. 29
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Basketball vs. Rockland Central School District at Liberty Middle School
4:45 p.m.: Boys and Girls Alpine Skiing: Slalom vs Multiple Schools at Holiday Mountain in Monticello.
5 p.m.: Boys JV Basketball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School
5 p.m.: Boys Varsity Wrestling vs. Highland at Highland High School
5:30 p.m.: Boys Modified Basketball vs. Rockland Central School District at Liberty Middle School
6 p.m.: Boys Varsity Wrestling vs. Multiple Schools at Highland High School
6:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School
Friday, Jan. 30
5 p.m.: Girls JV Basketball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School
6 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track & Field Sectionals vs. Multiple School at West Point – United States Military Academy
6:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Port Jervis at Liberty High School.
Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1
No events scheduled.
LES taking part in Heart Smart Challenge
Students and staff at Liberty Elementary School are participating in the Heart Smart Challenge. The challenge has invited Sullivan County Schools to join the movement for healthier hearts. This friendly competition encourages schools to raise awareness and create activities that promote cardiovascular health and support the annual 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon.
Several activities have already taken place with several more planned in the coming month.
This month, students and teachers are taking part in the January Heart Healthy Morning Challenge, where short exercises or activities are completed each day.
Next week, Jan. 26-Jan. 30, will be Heart Healthy Red Out Days.
- Monday, Jan. 26: will be Fuel Your Heart: Wear red for the red fruits and vegetables that fuel our bodies
- Tuesday, Jan. 27, will be Head-to Heart: Wear a red hat, headband, ribbon or bow on your head
- Wednesday, Jan. 28, will be Get your Heart Pumping: Wear red sneakers/athletic wear
- Thursday, Jan 29, will be Superheart Hero: Wear your best superhero outfit
Friday, Jan. 30, is Rest your Heart: Wear school appropriate pajamas.
The LES Redhawks have also created Hallway Heart Tips, along with artwork, which is displayed in the first floor-rear hallway, with several other events planned in the coming weeks.
LES will also take part in National Wear Red Day on Feb. 6.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Jan. 19-25, 2026
Our athletics schedule is a bit lighter this week, with basketball, indoor track and field and wrestling scheduled.
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, Jan. 19
No events scheduled.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
4:30 p.m.: Boys Modified Wrestling vs. Multiple Schools at Washingtonville High School.
Wednesday, Jan. 21
3:15 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track and Field Exhibition vs. Multiple Schools at SUNY Sullivan.
Thursday, Jan. 22
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Wrestling vs. Monticello at Liberty Middle School
Friday, Jan. 23
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Basketball vs. Monticello at Liberty High School
5 p.m.: Boys JV Basketball vs. Eldred at Eldred High School
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Monticello at Liberty High School
6 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track & Field vs. Multiple Schools at West Point – United States Military Academy
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Wrestling vs. Multiple Schools at Liberty Middle School
6:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Eldred at Eldred High School.
Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25
No events scheduled.
READBowl expands schoolwide at LMS
Liberty Middle School is again participating in the READBowl competition, but this year it has expanded schoolwide.
READBowl is a global reading competition created by former NFL player and children’s book author Malcolm Mitchell to encourage students to build strong reading habits while fostering school spirit and collaboration.
Last year, the competition was just for sixth-graders at LMS, but it has expanded to all grades for 2026.
The local competition again features a “Harry Potter” theme. The middle school students were sorted into the four Hogwarts houses, by grade. Each grade was assigned to a house via a random drawing during a school assembly on Jan. 9. Teachers were dressed as Harry Potter characters as the sorting was done and announced.
The format creates an engaging, in-school reading competition where students earn minutes for their house through reading, sixth grade ELA teacher and READBowl organizer Melissa Murphy said. “All reading counts,” she added, “books, magazines, audiobooks, read-aloud, instructions, etc.”
The students say the format makes it fun and educational..
“It pushes me to read more and that we can compete as a grade against the other grades,” said seventh-grader Denali Owens, who also participated last year. “I also like the Harry Potter theme and we are the best team: Gryffindor!”
The competition officially kicked off Monday, Jan. 12, and will run through Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8. Fifth graders will compete in the elementary conference, with sixth, seventh and eighth grade students competing in the middle school conference.
Reading minutes will contribute to the school’s overall READ Bowl totals and house points.
Weekly house standings will be shared to build excitement, motivation and friendly competition, Mrs. Murphy said.
For more information on READ Bowl, visit https://readwithmalcolm.com/readbowl/
LMS student qualifies for Regional Elks Hoop Shoot to be held at LHS
A Liberty Middle Schooler has qualified to participate in the Regional Elks Hoop Shoot on Jan. 31 at Liberty High School.
Fifth-grader Camden Lake won his category, boys 10-11, by scoring 19 out 25 hoops, and was the only Liberty student to advance from the District Hoop Shoot, also held at Liberty High School, on Saturday, Jan. 10.
The district event included five Liberty students in the field of 33 from Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties.
The Regional event will include students from Long Island, Westchester, Hudson Valley and the local counties.
The Elks Hoop Shoot is a free-throw program for youth ages 8-13 throughout the United States since 1972. This year’s national finals will be in Chicago.