Fredonia Superintendent Dr. Bradley Zilliox has frequently discussed Fredonia Central School’s Wall of Honor year, with a desire to put more emphasis into it. In late March, Zilliox announced the two additions to the Wall of Honor would be Thomas Baressi, who was instrumental in the opening of the school’s elementary school on the main campus, and Lenny Vento, who served in the district for 37 years.
With those nominations in hand, a date for their addition to the Wall is now set. Baressi and Vento will be placed on the school’s Wall of Honor in a ceremony that will be prior to Fredonia’s next school board meeting on Tuesday, June 21. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m., with the board meeting following at 6.
The Wall of Honor is located in the school’s auditorium/gymnasium hallway, and the ceremony will be held in the auditorium lobby. “We’re going to have a lot of family and friends on hand and we’ll have their plaques up joining a couple other former employees on the Wall of Honor,” Zilliox said. “We’ll say a few words and have a chance to share refreshments and mingle and it should be a very enjoyable evening.”
Fredonia High School Principal Darrin Paschke also gave an update on Fredonia’s year-end events, including Friday’s Senior Banquet at the Fredonia Beaver Club, which will be free for the students. Class Night is also that day at 7:45. The Class Clap Out parade will be on the last Friday before graduation, June 24, which will lead into graduation rehearsal, with graduation itself being Sunday, June 26, at the SUNY Fredonia King Concert Hall.
The district additionally accepted the retirements of teacher aides Sharon Krzal, who served the district for 28 years, JoAnne Ryan, who served for 15 years, and Virginia Harper, who was there for six years. The board also accepted John Elliot’s retirement, who was in the district for 13 years.
Fredonia then welcomed Michelle Dawley, who was in person at Tuesday’s meeting, and was introduced as a business teacher. She’s approved to teach several Jamestown Community College courses, which Zilliox noted as difficult to find. Dawley, who lives in Silver Creek, said that she’s excited to bring her 16 years of experience to the school.
“This will be a very easy transition for me to come here,” said Dawley. “I’m really excited to be here.”
