Recent Immaculate Heart Graduates Honored as Top Athletes at Italian-American Civic Association Event

     WATERTOWN — Two members of the Immaculate Heart Central Class of 2023 were honored Wednesday evening as the top graduating athletes and recipients of the Clarence B. “Boots” Gaffney Award. Emily L. Bombard was selected as the women’s recipient and Robert T. O’Connor was named as the men’s honoree this year.

     The Italian-American Civic Association established the Gaffney Award in 1980 following his retirement as athletic director to honor his commitment to Immaculate Heart Academy and IHC students. That same year, the Gaffney Award was first presented to the top graduating male and female athletes at Immaculate Heart.

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$30,000 Grant Award Will Help Replace Failing HVAC System

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation, in partnership with the Jane E. Deline Foundation, is pleased to announce a $30,000 grant to help the Salvation Army Watertown Corps replace its central HVAC unit at its State Street facility.

     The Community Foundation and the Jane E. Deline Foundation will each provide $15,000 to support the replacement of a nearly 50-year-old unit that is close to failing. The Jane E. Deline Foundation is a Watertown- based private foundation that stewards the charitable work and legacy of its namesake. 

     Miss Deline was a Carthage native and longtime Watertown resident and teacher who passed away in 2014 at the age of 91. Throughout her lifetime, she was an active volunteer for the Salvation Army and deeply believed in the mission and impact of the organization.

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Accomplished lacrosse player to continue play at Division 1 level in Massachusetts

WATERTOWN — Watertown High School senior Joseph J. Girardi was named the 2023 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Coach Matthew J. Branski Award.

A standout Cyclones lacrosse player, Joseph will attend the University of Massachusetts-Lowell this fall where he has committed to continue his playing career on the Division I squad. He is the son of Joseph and Kristin Girardi, Watertown.

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Trio of Seniors Honored as Top Graduating Athletes at WHS Awards Event

     WATERTOWN — Three Watertown High School seniors were honored Tuesday evening as the top graduating athletes and recipients of the William I. Graf Award. Kylie L. Cushman and Adelaide R. “Addie” Weir were selected as the women’s recipients, and Patrick Duah was named as the men’s honoree this year.

    The William I. Graf Award was created in 1954 by the Italian American Civic Association to honor Mr. Graf’s leadership and civic engagement in the community. The Northern New York Community Foundation was selected to help continue the Graf family legacy by administering the fund in perpetuity and raising awareness of the award for students who strive to earn the prestigious honor.

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Pair of  Sackets Harbor High School Class Leaders Embody Late Guidance Counselor’s Commitment to Community Engagement, Citizenship

     SACKETS HARBOR — Two leading members of the Sackets Harbor Class of 2023 have been named the first recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award.

     Adelyne Jareo, this year’s Sackets Harbor Central School class valedictorian, and Eric Gayne, an academic leader who ranks fourth in his class, were each awarded a $500 scholarship during Monday’s High School Awards night.

     Given by Gabriel Renzi and Dr. Eugene and Joyce Renzi and family, the Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award was established at the Community Foundation in 2022 in Laurie’s memory to honor her life and perpetuate her legacy of kindness and positivity. Laurie passed away in August 2021 at the age of 57.

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