Author: Denielle.Cazzolla
LMS honors students as leaders
Liberty Middle School hosts regular leadership celebrations to highlight the ways students demonstrate leadership and live out the Leader in Me seven habits:
Leader of the Month is generally awarded to two students per grade level per month. Recipients consistently demonstrate the seven habits, work hard and be persistent to the best of their ability, be proactive and display initiative, honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion and optimism, set a positive example for their peers, maintain good attendance, and have no referrals. At the end of the year, Leaders of the Month are invited to a special dinner celebrating their leadership.
Good News Notes can be given to any student, at any time, and there is no limit to how many a student can receive. Good News Notes are a way to recognize both big and small acts of leadership—whether it’s holding the door, helping a classmate, or going above and beyond in class.
The honorees for November and December are as follows:
Leader of the Month
November
- Eighth grade: Americus Newhall and Brycen Smith
- Seventh grade: Paul Odior 2nd
- Sixth grade: Isabella Puente
- Fifth grade: Romina Morales Romerol and Jayden Thomas
December
- Eighth grade: Montgomery Allen and Valeria Ponce Vazquez
- Seventh grade: Scarlett Ratner and Subhan Zeeshan
- Sixth grade: Ana Hernandez and Axel Malaga Lopez
- Fifth grade: Amelia Gerwer and Elizabeth Klein
Good News Notes
November
Eighth grade: Montgomery Allen, Mya Davis, Claire Ferguson, Randall Guncay Encalada, Luna Hulse, Corrine Lake, Harper Matuszak, Pricilla Matute, Zalaina Nash, Valeria Ponce Vazquez, Greyson Torres and Meily Valencia Bamac
Seventh grade: Elisa Barragan, Owen Brust, Genesis Harrison, Savannah Kandic, Robert MacGhee, Lorelai McCarthy, Denali Owens, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin, Sophie Zayas and Raegan Wagner
Sixth grade: Chase Blume, Joseph Geoghan, Parker Gissentaner, Savannah Jones, Caleb McNett, Anthony Philippe, Camila Reyes Cortez and Henry Vogler
Fifth grade: Mac Alvarez, Christiana Allen, Brody Beach, Blake Beseth, Avi Bustillo, Eduardo Caiza Chango, Yahir Cortes, Michael (MJ) Davis Jr., Viviana Fraiser, Amelia Gerwer, Jailyn Greaves, Amelia Greeno, Rylin Henry, Alex Ines Leon, Elizabeth Klein, Camden Lake, Lennox Lyons, Romina Morales Romero, Aarit Patel, Aarohi Patel, Eliab Torres Garcia and Lisa Vanwagner
December
Eighth grade: Hailey Conkling, Khloe Erceg, Oakley Kelder, Adrianna Lassends, Noel Leonardo Valerio, Adner Mejia Aguilar, Americus Newhall and Aaliyah Walker
Seventh grade: Dylan Reyes Garcia
Sixth grade: Annabella Buryiak, Ailani Chavis, Parker Gissentaner, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Savannah Jones, Anastasia Kelly and Jackson Tramontano
Fifth grade: Armend Ala, Zaynab Benadim, Jewelacie Castro, Riley Edwards, Henry Krum, Abigail McDermott, Aarohi Patel and Joshua Tejaga Servellon
Liberty earns two sectional indoor track and field titles
The boys and girls varsity indoor track and field competed at the Section 9 Sectional meet at West Point on Friday, Jan. 30.
Two Liberty Redhawks are Section 9 champions.
Sydania Foster placed first in the 300m and Brooke Bull was first in the pole vault.
Other girls who placed in their events were Starriah Harris who was fourth overall in the 55m hurdles, Sydania Foster who came in fourth overall in the 55m, and the 4x200m relay team of Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull and Sydania Foster took third place overall. The girls team placed seventh overall out of 21 teams.
On the boys’ side, Dylan Romero was third overall in the 600m, Colten Allen was fourth overall in the 600m, and the 4x200m relay team of Samuel Blandón, Colten Allen, Dylan Romero and Joe Sarney placed fourth overall.
Next up is the County Championships at SUNY Sullivan at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 4. The public is welcome to attend and cheer on our Redhawks!
Walkway to be closed during construction
Work is expected to begin on the maintenance building in early March. Contracts were approved in December, with the work expected to go into the fall.
Once construction begins, the walkway behind the district office from Winthrop Avenue to the high school will be closed.
The softball field will not be impacted by the work. However, the Winthrop Avenue parking lot will also be closed during construction. Spectators should park in the parking lot between the high school and district office.
More details will be provided once the date for the start of construction is set.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Feb. 2-8, 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, Feb. 2
10 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Skiing: Giant Slalom vs. multiple schools at Belleayre Mountain Ski Area
3:15 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track and Field Exhibition vs. multiple schools at SUNY Sullivan
5 p.m.: Girls JV Basketball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School at Tri-Valley Central School
5 p.m.: Boys JV Basketball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty High School
5 p.m.: Girls Varsity Wrestling multi-matches vs. multiple schools at Onteora High School
6:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Tri-Valley at Tri-Valley Central School at Tri-Valley Central School
6:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty High School
Tuesday, Feb. 3
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Basketball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg Junior/Senior High School
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Wrestling vs. multiple schools at Port Jervis Middle School
4:45 p.m.: Boys Varsity Alpine Skiing: Slalom vs. multiple schools at Mt. Peter Ski Resort
5 p.m.: Boys JV Basketball vs. Eldred at Liberty High School
5:30 p.m.: Boys Modified Basketball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg Junior/Senior High School
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Wrestling Multi-Matches vs. multiple schools at Saugerties High School
6:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Eldred at Liberty High School
Wednesday, Feb. 4
3:15 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Indoor Track and Field Invitational vs. multiple schools at SUNY Sullivan
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Basketball vs. Rockland Central School District at Rockland MS/HS
4:45 p.m.: Girls Varsity Alpine Skiing vs. multiple schools at Holiday Mountain
5:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Basketball vs. Rockland Central School District at Rockland MS/HS
6 p.m.: Boys Varsity Wrestling vs. Rondout Valley Central at Rondout Valley Central School
Thursday, Feb. 5
4:15 p.m.: Boys Modified Wrestling vs. multiple schools at Warwick Valley
4:30 p.m.: Boys JV Basketball vs. Monticello at Monticello High School Main Gym
4:45 p.m.: Boys Varsity Alpine Skiing: Slalom vs. multiple schools at Holiday Mountain
4:45 p.m.: Girls Varsity Alpine Skiing: Giant Slalom and Slalom vs. multiple schools at Holiday Mountain
5 p.m.: Girls JV Basketball vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School
6:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School
Friday, Feb. 6
All events postponed or canceled.
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8
No events scheduled.
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.