Category: High School News
Library to host showing of ‘Karate Kid Legends’
Liberty Public Library will host a Teen Movie Afternoon featuring “Karate Kid Legends” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1.
Liberty Middle and High School students are invited to attend. Free popcorn will be provided.
The movie is rated PG-13, and those 12 and younger who wish to attend must be accompanied by an adult 21 or younger.
Liberty Public Library is at 189 N. Main St. in Liberty.
For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2025
Our student-athletes will be in action this week with football, soccer and volleyball.
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, Oct. 27
2 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. New Paltz, Section IX semifinals at New Paltz
Result: New Paltz 1, Liberty 0. The Redhawks’ best opportunity came shortly after New Paltz went up one goal but unfortunately the ball hit the post and bounced out. The rest of the game was back and forth but Liberty couldn’t break through. The boys played their hearts out and fought until the final whistle.
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Fallsburg at Liberty Elementary Field
Tuesday, Oct. 28
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs Rockland at Rockland MS/HS New Gym.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Sullivan West at Sullivan West Lake Huntington Campus Main Field
4:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Beacon City at Rombout Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Modified Football vs. Valley Central at Valley Central High School Field
Thursday, Oct. 30
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Sullivan West at Sullivan West Lake Huntington Campus.
Friday, Oct. 31
6 p.m.: Varsity Football vs. Spackenkill High School at Spackenkill High School Field.
Saturday, Nov. 1
No events scheduled
Sunday, Nov. 2
No events scheduled
Anti-vaping program to be offered Nov. 5
The Coalition for a Vape-Free Sullivan, a collective of community organizations committed to ending the youth vaping epidemic locally, will welcome a national organization PAVe (Parents Against Vaping e-Cigarettes), to at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the CVI Building in Liberty.
Parents Against Vaping is a grassroots community of passionate parents and individuals committed to protecting children from the dangers of vaping and other flavored tobacco use.
The program will:
- give an overview of the scope of the youth vaping epidemic, supported by national and state-specific data
- showcase research-based alternatives to exclusionary practices,
- talk about the root causes, impacts and scope of student vaping; and
- offer a restorative, student-centered framework for addressing vaping.
This presentation is appropriate for anyone looking to learn more about the issue and the solutions, but will be particularly impactful for parents, teachers, principals, school administrators, school resource officers, school nurses, as well as public health and youth development professionals. PAVe leaders will present “Reducing Youth Vaping: School Strategies and the Power of Restorative Practices and Policies.” Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits for this presentation will be available thanks to Sullivan BOCES.
The program is made possible with opioid settlement funding administered through Sullivan County.
Those who wish to attend may register via a short Google form, by visiting Sullivan180.org or emailing trainings@sullivan180.org.
BOE to meet Oct. 28
The next Board of Education meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the HS Media Center, at 125 Buckley St. in 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, Oct. 27, at Board Docs.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of Oct. 20-26, 2025
Our student-athletes will be in action this week with cross country, football, soccer and volleyball.
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 Arbiter website for the latest.
Monday, Oct. 20
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Tri-Valley Secondary School at the Iatauro Sporks Complex, Main Field, Grahamsville
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Volleyball vs. Sullivan West High School at Liberty High School
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Sullivan West High School at Liberty High School
Tuesday, Oct. 21
4 p.m.: Boys Modified Soccer vs. Tri-Valley Secondary School at the Iatauro Sporks Complex, Main Field, Grahamsville
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Cross Country vs. Multiple Schools at Thomas Bull Memorial Park, 211 State Highway 416, Montgomery
4:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School
4:30 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Soccer vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School Turf Field.
5 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Sullivan West High School at Liberty High School
Result: Liberty 4, Sullivan West 0. Congratulations to the boys varsity soccer team for their 4-0 win on its pink out/senior night against Sullivan West. Goals were scored by Jose, Columbia, Ryan and Raul, with assists by Dylan and Michael Reyes. Great team effort all around as they did not allow a shot on goal either.
Wednesday, Oct. 22
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Soccer vs. Eldred at Liberty Elementary School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Football vs. Ellenville Central at Ellenville High School Field
4:30 p.m.: Girls JV Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg High School gym
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Monticello at Somerville Filed in Monticello
6 p.m.: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg High School gym
Thursday, Oct. 23
4 p.m.: Girls Modified Volleyball vs. Fallsburg at Fallsburg High School gym.
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country vs. Sullivan West and Fallsburg at Sullivan West High School Lake Huntington Campus XC Track.
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Cross Country vs. Sullivan West at Sullivan West High School Lake Huntington Campus XC Track.
Friday, Oct. 24
No events scheduled.
Saturday, Oct. 25
10 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country vs. Multiple Schools at Sanfordville Elementary School XC Cross in Warwick
1 p.m.: Varsity Football vs. Marlboro at Marlboro Central High School Field.
2 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Saugerties opening round of Section IX Class A sectional playoffs, 2 p.m., Liberty High School.
Results: Liberty 2, Saugerties, 1. The Redhawks their unbeaten streak to nine games now. Man of the match was Brayan Hernandez Ballen who scored both goals.
Sunday, Oct. 26
No events scheduled
Alum shares information on Science Research Program coming to LCSD
Liberty alumnus Michael Blueglass returned to his alma mater Thursday, Oct. 16, to share more information about the Science Research Program, which will be introduced to the district next school year.
The three-year program provides high school students the chance to conduct STEM research at a college or graduate level.
The course goes beyond core STEM classes, with significant work also conducted during the summer. Successful completion could earn students up to 12 college credits through SUNY Albany.
Mr. Blueglass, who is the founder of the Advancing STEM Research Teaching group, highlighted many benefits of the program, including improving academic and technical skills, growth in professional and personal skills as well as being a major advantage in college admissions.
The program will begin during a student’s sophomore year, but interested ninth-graders must complete a series of prerequisite steps to be accepted. Students are paired with mentors in the field in their area of research to give them direct field work and research opportunities Some students may also work as partners or in groups, as some fields such as environmental, engineering, and behavioral projects are often better suited for teams. However, many lab-based mentors in biological or medical fields are not willing to take on a team of students.
Students who participate don’t necessarily need to be planning to pursue a STEM-based career. “What matters is being 100% dedicated to the project,” Mr. Blueglass said.
First year
During the first year, sophomores will narrow down the focus of their project, with help from the teacher, often choosing a topic based on their interests, knowledge and opportunities.
Research areas include animal science, astronomy, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry and cellular biology, chemistry, computer science and systems software, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, medicine and health, neuroscience and robotics and intelligent machines.
The initial year will focus on gaining knowledge, including how to use professional scientific databases and research tools, studying on their desired topic and presenting information to the class. Once students gain enough knowledge on their chosen topic, they will find a mentor in their field.
Second and third years
The second and third years of the program is when the work will kick into high gear, with most of the hands-on research taking place during the summers before the junior and senior years, in the mentor’s lab or at home or school with the mentor’s help. During the school year, the teacher will meet with the class daily and with each student to check progress and set goals.
Each student will present their work by creating a poster and slide presentation as well as writing a formal research paper.
That work will prepare the students to enter prestigious science competitions as a requirement of the program, such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Junior Science & Humanities Symposium, and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Some major senior-level competitions, like the Regeneron STS, do not allow team projects.
Time and travel
The program requires a significant commitment of time and work ethic, especially during the summer when most of the research is conducted. Depending on the project, it may also require extensive travel.
Medical or lab-based projects often require a five-day-a-week commitment for seven or eight weeks at locations throughout the region.
Environmental projects will typically require a five-day-a-week commitment for four or five weeks, followed by several more weeks of half-days, often at locations throughout the region.
Engineering, physics or psychology projects may offer more flexibility, allowing students to work from home and meet with a mentor one or two days per week.
Students who cannot travel can consider home-based projects (e.g., math, computer science or survey-based psychology), but these still require the same overall time investment.
For more information about the project, see Mr. Blueglass’ presentation, or call the high school office at 845-292-5400, ext. 2000.
Elks Lodge to be trick-or-treating stop
The Liberty Elks Lodge 1545 will be open for trick or treating starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
Children are welcome to the club for fun and treats at 21 John St. in Liberty until candy is gone.
A follow-up message from the superintendent on a faculty member’s death
Dear Liberty families,
As a follow up to my earlier message: Middle School Counselor Michelle Behrman, a dedicated member of the Liberty faculty for 24 years, lost her courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, Oct. 14. She made a profound impact on countless students, faculty, staff and families. Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to her family and friends.
During this time, as the school community processes the sad news and copes with grief, the school district is offering counseling and bereavement support services to all of our students and staff. We have spoken to students in groups. Counseling spaces and therapy dogs are available in each building for students and staff. The countywide crisis team is available throughout the buildings for additional support.
For many of our students, Mrs. Behrman was someone they turned to in times of difficulty. Losing a trusted adult is a difficult and challenging situation that can generate a high level of anxiety and distress. If your children are having difficulty coping with this news, we encourage you to talk with them about their thoughts and feelings to help them work through their grief or concerns. For tips, see the Helping Children Cope with Grief Guide by the Child Mind Institute. Please also consider monitoring and discussing your student’s communications (social media, phone, emails, text messages) to further assess their potential needs.
If you feel that your student needs to speak to a counselor or other caring adult, please do not hesitate to call our schools and let us know. Other resources include a 24-Hour Mobile Mental Health line at 845-790-0911 or 800-710-7083, the Sullivan County Department of Community Service at 845-292-8770, and grief support from Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties at 845-561-6111 or 800-294-0157.
More information about the grieving process, courtesy of the Countywide School Critical Incident Stress Management, can be found on our website: https://www.libertyk12.org/department-services/guidance-departments/the-sullivan-county-cism-response-team/
This is a difficult time for everyone, but I know our students and staff will lean on each other as they remember Mrs. Behrman. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me, your building principal or your child’s counselling department.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent
Liberty Performing Arts to present ‘All Shook Up’
Liberty Performing Arts will present its fall musical “All Shook Up” next month in the David E. Panebaker High School Auditorium.
The musical comedy is set in a conservative 1950s American town where a guitar-playing greaser named Chad (Jacob Kelly) arrives, disrupting the residents’ repressed lives and sparking various love affairs, often involving Shakespearean-inspired mistaken identity and secret desires. As the town’s restrictive Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act tries to suppress the new spirit of music and romance, Chad finds himself in a love triangle with the local mechanic, Natalie (Shea-Leigh Kristiansen), while also falling for the sophisticated museum owner, Sandra (Lia Guillerme) The musical uses Elvis Presley hits to explore themes of love, freedom and self-discovery, loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”
The actors include students from the middle and high school. Featured in the performance are Eli Desrochers as Jim Haller, Cassandra Porter as Sylvia, Gabriella Sheridan as Lorraine, Sebastian Yupanqui as Dennis, Kelsey Hopkins as Mayor Matilda Hyde, Tyler Juron as Dean Hyde, Christopher DiBartolo as Sheriff Earl, James Letohic as Deputy Jasper and Riley Santiago as Henrietta. In the ensemble are Liliana Crespo, Lena Lagattuta, Brooke Golzak, McKinzie Paterson, Sarai Miranda, Riley Santiago, Luna Hulse, Lilly Kehrley, Denali Owens, Raegan Wagner, Riley Church-Bradley, Dia D’Agata, Sophie Zayes, Katarina Card, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Mikaella Assiotou, Lya Camille, Aryiah Cottman, Kristjana Geirsdottir, Victoria Henry and Ryan Perry.
The show will be performed at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Tickets, at $10 each, are on sale now at https://www.ticketsource.com/liberty-performing-arts.
For more information, email director Emily McConnell at emcconnell@libertyk12.org.
Redhawks winter sports signups to open Oct. 17
Signups for the Redhawks’ winter sports season will open Oct. 17 for varsity and junior varsity sports, and Oct. 27 for modified sports.
All student-athletes who are interested in participating in winter athletics must be registered and approved on Arbiter Sports before they can participate.
Those who wish to sign up for Varsity or JV sports must do so at https://students.arbitersports.com/liberty-central-school-district-athletics/2025-2026-jv-varsity-winter-sports-registration.
Modified sports sign ups must be completed at https://students.arbitersports.com/liberty-central-school-district-athletics/2025-2026-modified-winter-sports-registration-7th-and-8th-grade.
Practice/Tryouts for fall Varsity and JV sports will begin Nov. 17, with modified starting Dec. 1.
Varsity sports offered this year are girls and boys basketball, girls and boys wrestling, girls and boys indoor track, alpine ski and cheer.
JV sports will be girls and boys basketball.
Modified sports offered this fall are girls and boys basketball, wrestling and girls and boys indoor track.
For more information, please contact Thomas Zehner, Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Health, at 845-292-5400, ext. 2012, or tzehner@libertyk12.org.