Month: March 2026
Teacher brings childhood Winter Olympics learning tradition to LMS
History, mathematics and global learning were brought to life for fifth and sixth grade students at Liberty Middle School by continuing a meaningful classroom tradition introduced nearly three decades ago during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
When LMS math teacher Miss Danielle Cummins was a fifth-grade student at Duggan Elementary School in the Monticello Central School District, her teacher, Mr. Michael Cordisco, created an engaging, project-based learning experience centered on the Winter Olympics. Each day, students predicted which countries would medal in upcoming events by placing a clip labeled with their chosen country onto a coffee can. The following day, the class tracked actual medal counts on a large bar graph and analyzed the results together.
The project not only strengthened students’ understanding of data, graphing and probability, but also deepened their knowledge of countries around the world — a key component of the social studies curriculum. The combination of real-world events, friendly competition, and hands-on learning left a lasting impression on LMS math teacher Miss Cummins.
This year, Miss Cummins and social studies teacher Ms. Nicole Gabay re-created that same excitement in their classrooms during the 2026 Winter Olympic games in Italy.
“This project was incredibly meaningful to me because it allowed me to share a lesson I loved as a fifth-grader with my own fifth- and sixth-grade students,” Miss Cummins said.
During social studies, students researched participating countries and learned about Olympic events before making their medal predictions. In math, students independently tracked medal counts on their own bar graphs, applying grade-level skills in data collection, representation, and analysis.
“I enjoyed our Olympic project because I liked graphing the medal count,” fifth-grader Avianna Gibbs said.
The highlight of the experience was the opportunity for students to earn authentic Olympic pins for correct predictions, the students said.
Mr. Cordisco mailed a package containing more than 100 pins he had collected over many Winter Olympic years. Students selected pins, celebrated their successes, and even traded pins with classmates — fostering collaboration, sportsmanship, and a strong sense of classroom community.
“It was cool that we got to learn the history of the Olympics in a fun way,” fifth-grader Brantley Olivo said. “Thank you, Mr. Cordisco!”
The cross-curricular project exemplifies the power of project-based learning. Ms. Gabay and Miss Cummins, with their teacher assistants Mrs. Lorraine Kelder and Mrs. Jaqueline Gieger, respectively, said they are proud to continue a tradition that not only enhances academic learning but also connects generations of students through shared experiences.
“It’s a reminder of the lasting impact a great teacher can have—not just on academic growth, but on the future paths of their students,” Miss Cummins said. “I offer a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Cordisco for instilling a love of learning in his students and for continuing to share his generosity and passion with future generations.”
Board of Education to meet March 10
The next Liberty Central School District Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, March 10, in the HS Media Center, 125 Buckley St., Liberty at 5 p.m. The Board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) immediately.
The regular portion of the meeting, open to the public, is expected to resume at 6 p.m.
The agenda will be available on Monday, March 9, at Board Docs.
Liberty to host All County Music Festival
The Liberty Central School District Music Department will host the Sullivan County All County Music Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7.
Students will rehearse with their ensembles on Friday evening as well as Saturday morning in preparation for their concerts Saturday afternoon.
Concerts will be held in the Liberty High School Auditorium as follows:
- 1:30 p.m.: Elementary Chorus and Middle School Band
- 3:30 p.m.: Senior High Orchestra, Treble Chorus, Junior High Jazz Band
- 5:30 p.m.: Junior High Chorus and Senior High Band.
The public is invited to attend. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door at $8 a ticket on a first-come, first-served basis.
The snow date for the concerts is March 8 at the same times and location.
More than 200 named to LHS honor rolls
The following students were named to the second-marking period honor rolls 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: Maliea Agapito, Sheyla Anguisaca-Llanos, Cristian Argenal, Brooke Bull, Carmela Burgio, Runxian Chen, Jake Cross, Marcus Curry, Genna DeFrank, Giada DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, Allisson Diaz Lopez, Christopher DiBartolo, Lia Guillerme, Jacob Kelly, Kaley Klein, Kimberlin Mejia Alvarado, Sarai Miranda, Serenity Moore, Makayla Morales, William Pennell, Brooke Porter, Cassandra Porter, Ryan Romero-Bello, Phillo Romero, Joshua Ross, Joseph Sarney, Tayler Schwartz, Jaidon Simmons, Justin Simon, Elijah Warren, Tatianna Warren, Angela Wheeler, Haven Wright and Isaiah Young.
Honor: Naiara Alvarado Piedy, Teodulo Banegas Jr., Addison Bury, Kamorez Connell, Valeria Cruz, Joshua Decker Jr., Cameron Degroat, Joseph DiBartolo, Adrian Estrada Ruiz, Sydania Foster, Kristjana Geirsdottir, Cheyenne Graham, Maria Guambi Aules, Miguel Guzman, Kelsey Hopkins, Jenifer Jadan Panama, Lincoln Klein, Belen Leon Martinez, Gusto Leon, James Letohic III, DaShaun Loyce, Arwyn Lucero-Bonilla, Angelina Magie, Yuritzy Martinez Ramirez, Nevaeh McCoy, Quelin Molina Gavilan, Brandon Palacios Medrano Ortiz-Vega, Maria Quintanialla Bonilla, Sara Quiroz Gomez, Jensen Rivera, Jose Rivera, Randy Romero-Bello, Emma Stonick, Olivia Tyler and Pheobe Wilson.
11th grade
High Honor: Zackary Alvord, Jill Baumander, Jeffery Cobbs Jr., Lilana Crespo, Peyton Hadjstylianos, Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo, Phoenix Johnson, Misael Juarez Perez, Bartlomiej Klys, Audrey Krum, Roger Lynker III, Gia Matullo, Jeremiah McLeod, Mariely Medina Orellana, Lucio Ponce Vazquez, Amy Szuba, Allison Vasko, Lige Young, Sebastian Yupanqui.
Honor: Derick Aliers Amparo, Gianino Amendola, Mathias Atkins, Tyleal Aubain, Olivia Corrigan, Alan Cruz, Hudson Danzilo, Colin Dole, Dung Duong, Austin Frunzi, Breanna Fuller, Yamilet Garcia Gonzalez, Mayrelis Gonzalez Ramirez, Nester Leon Aldana, Juan Lucero Morales, Marvin Lucero Ramirez, Lucas McCarthy, Jose Moreno Reyes, Angele Osorio Ramirez, Savannah Pagan Van Wagner, Katherine Panama Guaillazaca, Giselle Perez Sanchez, Katterin Reyes Guardado, Riley Santiago, Jordan Smith, Jeronimo Velez Osoria and Giuliana Wagner.
10th grade
High Honor: Colten Jay Allen, Stephanie Amaya Bonilla, Lillianna Black, Samuel Blandon Cardona, Emily Cardenas Reyes, Keven Cordero Lima, Sophia Duarte, Belle Gandulla, Stephanie Gomez Nivelo, Tyler Juron, Jacob Klein, Dillon Kreiter, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen, Justin Lima Cedeno, Danna Lopez Ojeda, Evelyn Molina Ax, Analeah Ocasio, John Penaranda, Anai Perez Sanchez, Kourtney Perry, Adriana Ponce Agredano, Peyton Anthony Rivera, Anthony Salazar Gomez and Baileigh Steinberg.
Honor: Irwin Barragan Rojas, Jared Briggs, Ted Caycho Jr., Hope Corbett, Yarel Diaz Lopez, Carlos Erazo Palma, Timothy Eronimous, Michael Feijo, Jade Guaillazaca Lopez, Patrika Hamal, Starriah Harris, Hunter Kavleski, Christian Lachanski, Christian Lachanski, Patrick McNamara, Raul Rios, Alyvia Samson-Payne, Kenzye Valencia Garcia, Samantha Vidalis, Mason Williams, Cody Winters and Alonso Yupanqui.
Ninth grade
High Honor: Luca Burgio, Phillip Burrous Jr., Amelia Cole, Casity DiBartolo, Joshua DiBartolo, Thomas Etess, Grace Fitzgerald, Jasmine Garcia-Reyes, Anthony Gavidia Reyes, Nazarah Heglar, Victoria Henry, Mariana Joya-Reyes, Damien Keating, Alexandra Kelly, Sara Liddle, Paola Lopez Perez, Elizabeth MacNamara, Tristan Maloney, Olivia Matuszak, Alex Olivares-Reyes, Jacob Pennell, Aaron Ponce Flores, Rudis Reyes Lazo, Kimberly Rodriguez, Scarlett Saltos Zapatanga, Jace Snowden, Alena Tarabichi and Sophia Vasko.
Honor: Nathan Alvord, Mikaella Assiotou, Gabriel Bossert, Samantha Bull, Alexander Caiza Chango, Bentley Clarke, Yoreleny DeJesus Padillo, Alexandra Galeas Osorio, Neil Heimowitz, Wilton Mata, Selkir Molina Gonzalez, Mia Molina, Gabriela Mosso, Sariah Ocasio, Javier Ortiz Paz, Carla Perez Perez, Quinn Santiago, Everett Schwartz and Steven Velasquez Romualdo.
Seniors take Color Wars 2026 title
The senior class emerged victorious in the 2026 edition of the Color Wars, earning the most points through a series of events including Liberty Pride Fridays, snack wars, winter spirit week, Halloween door decorating and the Color Wars hallway decorating and spirit week contests last week.
The seniors, in purple, earned 275 points, including winning the hallway decorating contest of the theme Coraline.
The juniors, in orange, took second overall with 200 points, placing third with their Space Jam decorated hallway.
The freshmen with their blue Avatar hallway took second in hallway decorating and were third overall with165 points.
The sophomore class, in green, placed fourth overall with 145 points and in hallway decorating with their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme.
The annual event, sponsored by the Student Council, showcases student talent, school pride and teamwork while having some fun as well.
Two events to benefit LMS students
Two dine-and-giveback events this month will benefit students at Liberty Middle School.
The Liberty Central School Class of 2030 will be the beneficiary of Brew Rock Hill’s Community Give Back Mondays on March 9. Brew Rock Hill, at 280 Rock Hill Drive in Rock Hill, will donate 15% of the check total when customers mention they are there to support the Liberty Class of 2030. The offer is valid for eat-in or to-go orders.
On March 20, 10% of all sales of the Spirit Night at the Tango Cafe at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center will be donated to support the Liberty Middle School FFA. Students will be on hand helping serve and welcome guests to the cafe at HPAC, which is at 219 Main St. in Hurleyville.
Girls qualify for states in 4×200 relay and pole vault
Members of the Liberty High School indoor track and field team competed at the State Qualifiers on Saturday, Feb. 28. They set new personal records, school records and had a few people make it to the State Championship Meet coming up on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.
- Boys 4×200 relay of Joe Sarney, Dylan Romero, Colten Allen and Samuel Blandon took fourth place and set a school record.
- Boys 4×400 relay of Joe Sarney, Dylan Romero, Colten Allen and Alan Cruz took third overall also setting a school record
- Girls Sprint Medley Relay of Adriana Ponce Agredano, Audrey Krum, Quinn Santiago and Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos took sixth place overall
- Starriah Harris took eighth place overall in the 55m hurdles
Sydania Foster set a school record and placed seventh overall in the 300m.- Brooke Bull also set a school record and took first place in pole vault and will be going to states
- Also going to states is the girls 4×200 relay team of Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull, Sydania Foster, which set a school record and took first place. Alternates are Quinn Santiago and Audrey Krum.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of March 2-8, 2026
The final event of the winter athletics season will be this weekend with the indoor indoor track and field state championships.
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-Thursday, March 2-5
No events scheduled.
Friday and Saturday, March 6-7
State Championship Meet at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. Liberty Athletes competing are Brooke Bull in pole vault and the girls 4×200 relay team of Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull, Sydania Foster with alternates of Quinn Santiago and Audrey Krum. The full schedule is available by clicking here.
Sunday, March 8
No events scheduled.