"I Love New York Agriculture" Winners Honored
Date: May 23, 2012
Written by: Mr. Coriale

Three HCS students have something to share with their families and friends over the upcoming holiday weekend. Among 40 prize-winning paintings, stories, poems, and posters submitted by students across New York State in the annual New York Agriculture in the Classroom "I Love New York Agriculture" Art and Writing Contest were THREE HCS elementary students. This is a monumental honor as there were over 1,000 entries submitted from county-level contests, schools, after school programs, and other educational settings. These and other winning entries will be displayed at the Empire Farm Days and the New York State Fair. A warm HCS congratulations to our three winning students, pictured below with Mrs. O'Connor and Mrs. Bossard.

HCS Students Tour the Big Apple
Event Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Post Date: May 22, 2012
Written by: Mr. Rossi and Mr. Coriale

Awakening before the sun on a Saturday morning for most students would be unheard of, but not for a group of band, chorus, orchestra, jazz band, and masquers students, who traveled to the Big Apple this past weekend. Along with Mrs. Moren, Mr. Shenkel, Mrs. Haskins, and Mr. Rossi, this group toured the New York and visited hot spots around the city. Along their travels, they spent time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Belvedere Castle, City Hall, Wall Street, The World Trade Center Memorial, Battery Park, St. Paul's Chapel, and Trinity Church. Before heading to see the Blue Man Group, students headed to Little Italy where they were dined on authentic Italian cuisine. Although students piled off the bus in the HCS parking lot at 3:30am Sunday morning, they certainly built memories that will last a lifetime. Check out the pictures below from this exciting adventure.

Hamilton Shines Across the Country
Date: May 21, 2012
Written by: Mr. Coriale

To all of us who live in this area, it is no secret that HCS is filled with vibrant, innovative, and authentic learning opportunities for our future leaders. This year, Newsweek calculated the top 1,000 schools across the country, and HCS jumped from 496 to 417! We attribute this recognition to all of the adults, young adults, and children who do their part to make this a wonderful place to learn and grow. It truly takes a village to make a difference. Check out the entire story by clicking on the link below:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/2012/americas-best-high-schools.html

Annual FFA Banquet Honors HCS Students
Event Date: May 18, 2012
Post Date: May 21, 2012
Written by: Mr. Coriale and Mrs. Bossard

Hamilton FFA wrapped-up the year with their annual FFA banquet last Friday evening. Mrs. Bossard and the students worked hard planning the event, which showcases and recognizes students' achievements throughout the past year. Parents, families, and community members were treated to dinner and dessert before the award ceremony. The entire HCS community congratulates our students for all of their hard work and success. We are proud to have you represent our learning community!

Students, teachers, and parents were recognized with awards, including:

The Discover Degree

William Philhower
Kelly Bassett
Chelsea Regan
Shelby Blake
Olivia Dow
Cydney Craven

Star Discovery Degree
Kalley Jaquay
Halley Smith

Greenhand Degree
Max Michelson
Breanna Randall
Lindsey Havener
Allie Shore
Kristi Wratten
Ethan Holcomb

Star Greenhand Degree
Allie Shore

Chapter Degree
Tyler Curtis
Greg Palmer
Lauren Jaquay

Star Chapter Degree
Lauren Jaquay

The Scott Mills Camp Oswegatchie Scholarship
Hayley Smith

Affiliated Conservation Club (Camp Oswegatchie Scholarship)
Shelby Blake
Jack Ballard
Cheyenne Marland
Josephine Conley
William Philhower
Shelby Curtis
Ella Skinner

Ms. Drape Jacket Scholarship
Breanna Randall

Fruit Sale Top Sellers
Chelsea Reagan (Jr. High FFA)
Karch Manley (Sr. High FFA)

The DEKALB Agriculture Accomplishment Award
Karch Manley

Outstanding Parent Appreciation Award
Jeff and Gwen Manley

Appreciation Awards
Mr. Coriale
Jim Taylor
Marty Bonsie

Honorary Degree
Ms. West

Knights Knook Goes Green
May 21, 2012
Written by: Noah

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, the Knight’s Knook has restocked their clothing as you might expect. Not only did they bring in two new shirt designs, the shirts are also organic! Even though the shirts are better for the environment, they will have the same affect on your wallet as the prices remain the same! Not only did the Knook restock their clothing, they have also restocked all their snacks and it will absolutely remain a fantastic place at the school.

Mardi Gras Festival Collaboration
Date: May 18, 2012
Written by: Mr. Day

About 2 weeks ago, Mr. Poznar's 3rd graders (in collaboration with Mrs. Houze) came to Mr. Day's French III class and brought their awesome Mardi Gras masks!  Mr. Day's class was very impressed!  The French III students taught the students different words in French related Mardi Gras and everyone was given a brief history of the festival.  The 3rd students really showed their skills and their knowledge of language to the other kids.  It was a great learning experience for everyone.  Thank you so much French III students, 3rd graders, Mr. Poznar, and Mrs. Houze!  

Physics Class Gears up for Darien Lake
Event Date: May 21, 2012
Post Date: May 17, 2012
Written by: Barney

On May 21st, every student that is enrolled in physics this year will be treated to a trip to the Darien Lake theme park. Of course the physics students will be required to run tests while they are at the park then after they will do several labs on the data that was gathered.  They will be riding the rollercoasters and other rides and then measuring the angles and the velocity of which the rides operate. The students will also be treated to lunch at Subway at the park.There will be other schools attending the park on this date as well. This trip will wrap-up the labs for the physics students this year. Students must have all of their past lab work in to be able to attend the trip. Check back for a post from our trip!

Courtesy of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort

Hamilton Brings Home Gold from Latinalia 2012
Event Date: May 14, 2012
Post Date: May 16, 2012
Written by: Mr. Rains
Pictures by: Mrs. Lemal-Brown

Latinalia is a day of games and competitions held at Syracuse University for Latin students from all around Syracuse (including Baldwinsville, Liverpool, New Hartford, Hamilton, and more).  Games include vinco, a Latin form of bingo; mola, a Roman board game; certamen, a Latin language and mythology contest; and a Latin wheel of fortune game.  Students can also participate in contests, such as a video contest, a make-a-model contest, a question-based scavenger hunt, a catapult contest, and a chariot race.  Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to contest and game winners.  

This year, Hamilton took home gold medals in both scavenger hunt competitions, the catapult contest, vinco, and certamen; we earned silver medals in mola, Latin wheel of fortune, the catapult contest, the build-a-model competition, and coin-making; and we earned bronze medals in the video contest and the chariot race.  

This year, YNN came and the clip about Latinalia can be found at: 

http://ithaca-cortland.ynn.com/content/top_stories/584201/students-pay-tribute-to-latin-culture/?ap=1&MP4 

Teacher Appreciation Week
Date: Week of May 7, 2012
Written by: Zach

This week, schools all over the nation are celebrating teacher appreciation week. HCS will be doing numerous things around the school to show our support and teacher appreciation. On Tuesday, the teachers will be getting cake in the main office and, on Friday, they will be getting ice cream sundaes. What will you be doing this week to show your teacher appreciation? You do not have to do much at all just tell a teacher you are glad to have them and you are glad they are here. I’m pretty sure they will be happy to hear this.

Travelogue Exhibit
Event Date: May 4, 2012
Post Date: May 9, 2012
Written by: Patrick

The Freshman class each year begins work on their travelogue narratives in January. The Travelogue Narratives are stories, that are written by each student. Throughout these stories they have to show how an object, or a person travels around the world using methods of travel that were actually used many years ago. Now they have completed their stories, and have created some sort of visual representation, by either making a movie, song, a piece of artwork, or another representation of their story. Some of the freshman class displayed their final projects before the high school band concert on Thursday May 4th. Check out these pictures below highlighting the artwork. Great work students!!

Annual Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Event Date: May 3, 2012
Written by: Sam

Last week, HCS opened its doors to our community, a crowd that may not get to visit our school often. Thursday the 3rd of May was the annual Senior Citizen Breakfast. To help welcome the gorgeous group was High School Jazz Band and a few NYSSMA soloists. Along with their eggs and toast, came a special newscast from the digital broadcasting class. As always, the breakfast was a great success, and many students are very excited for the next one as well. The school would also like to give a special thank you to Mr. Jones for preparing such a delicious breakfast.

Greenhouse Sale at HCS
Date: May 8, 2012
Written by: Annie

Yesterday the Ag room’s greenhouse was declared "Open for Business." Many beautiful plants are available for purchase such as broccoli, cantaloupe, beautiful hanging baskets, potted flowers, and more. Those who would like to buy themselves a plant are allowed throughout the day, but preferably after school, to look around and claim plants for themselves. If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. Bossard at jbossard@hamiltoncentral.org or call (315) 824-6386.

Second Annual Farm Days
Post Date: May 8, 2012
Event Date: May 1, 2012
Written by: Brandon

May 1st was Hamilton’s second annual farm days! This year, farm days, organized by Mrs. Bossard, was held in the Hamilton Central School bus garage because conflicts with weather at last years event. There were many different kinds of farm animals on display. There were also many other activities including wagon rides, a beanbag toss, tractor pulls, and the opportunity to look inside horse and cattle trailers. Also, a past Madison County Dairy Princess was there to teach kids about her role. Chobani Yogurt also donated 780 cups of assorted flavors of yogurt to be given out at the event. The Hamilton FFA is already planning more things for next year! The event has expanded in crowd since last year. There was an estimated 700 kids and adults that attended farm days. The Hamilton FFA thanks everyone that attended and/or helped with farm days. The event was a huge success! Hope to see you there next year! Pictures coming soon!

Mosaic Mural Update
Date: May 8, 2012
Written by: Lauren

The art department at Hamilton has been working countless hours on a beautiful mosaic mural located outside the elementary art room. This is a collaborative partnership between Mrs. Houze and students across many grade levels. So far, one out of the four circles on the mural have been completed and another circle will be completed this year. The rest of the mural will be finished next year. The designs for the project were done by HCS art students, and Denise Leone, a visiting glass artist has done the mosaic tiling. The art department would like to thank the Emerald Foundation for making this project possible.  Pictures coming soon!

A Small Note Goes a Long Way
Date: May 2, 2012
Written by: Mr. Coriale

Mom was right when she said that small acts of kindness go a long way. As part of the seventh grade leadership class, students will write thank you notes to individuals who have impacted their lives. Before beginning their own notes, they were surprised with notes from past and current teachers and administrators from HCS. You could hear a pin drop as students opened their notes, and soon after, excitement filled the room as students shared their notes with one another. It was a great way for students to learn first-hand how it feels to have someone drop you a "small note". Students were amazed to know that their teachers from long ago still had such wonderful memories of their time together. During our conversation, students also expressed their genuine appreciation to be the member of a learning community where the adults care enough to write them a note. It was a learning experience that was second to none!

HCS Announces 2012 Salutatorian and Valedictorian!
Date: May 1, 2012
Written by: Jacob

The Class of 2012 had the wonderful opportunity to find out who their valedictorian and salutatorian would be this past thursday! It gives me great pleasure to announce to the public that Andrew Thompson is our valedictorian and Katherine Weeks as our salutatorian! Both of these young adults are all-star athletes, belong to a number of clubs, and are the leaders of tomorrow. Andrew plans to attend Colgate University in the fall to play Division 1 soccer and study sciences and Katherine plans to attend Lafayette University and is undecided at this point. Congratulations to the both of our seniors and also a special thanks to the parents of these students!