The 2012 Champions of Character


The 9th Annual Champions of Character Awards Banquet was held at the Franklin Plaza, 4th and Grand Streets, in Troy, NY on Tuesday April 3, 2012. At this gala event Character Education Leadership throughout New York State was celebrated.

We are proud to announce the 2012 Educator, New York State Schools of Character and Business and Community and Sage Colleges honorees.

2012 Champions of Character 

The Sage Colleges Champions of Character
Administrators Robert Grebert and Lori Maki
Faculty Member Deborah Lawrence
Students Sharon Domine, Joshua Hewitt and Jane Spear
Staff Member Carolyn Van De Mark

Academy Volunteer Award
Bonnie Misch, Central Square CSD, retired; Academy Leadership Board Co-Secretary

Business Leader Award
E. Stewart Jones, Jr.,  Esquire, Attorney & Civic Benefactor

Business Organization Award
KeyBank, NA

Civic Leader Award
Tina Marie Smith, President, Griswold Heights Tenant Association

Civic Organization Award
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County

Student Leadership Award
Sarah Risko, New Lebanon Jr-Sr. High School CSD

Student Organization Award
Mike Feurstein- Director, How to Unmake a Bully, Glendaal ES, Scotia Glenville CSD

Community Organization Award
Pride Center of the Capital Region- Nora Yates, Executive Director

Teacher/Educator Leadership Award
Jeanine Zaccara, One World Club, Edison School, Port Chester Public Schools

JoAnn Hyde, K-6 School Counselor, Wolcott St. School, LeRoy CSD

Patrick Morris, Greenwich Jr-Sr HS Counselor, Greenwich CSD

Sean Peterson, 11-12th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Wallkill Sr. HS, Wallkill CSD

Heather Larkin, Assistant Professor, University at Albany

University Organization Award
NYS American Association of University Women, Eileen Hartmann, President

Community Volunteer Award
Aaron Johnson, Cohoes Community Center at Van Schiack Grade School, Cohoes CSD

School Administrator Leadership Award
Joe Palmer, Principal, Harrison Ave ES, So. Glens Falls CSD          
Michael Effie, Principal, Cleveland ES, Central Square School District

New York State Schools of Character
Wolcott Street ES; LeRoy CSD
Allen Creek ES; Pittsford CSD
California Avenue ES; Uniondale UFSD

Honorable Mention New York State Schools of Character
Cleveland Elementary; Central Square  School District
Malta Avenue ES; Ballston Spa CSD

Emerging Schools of Character
Harrison Ave ES; S. Glens Falls CSD
Spring UFSD
Central Square, CSD
Smith Street ES; Uniondale UFSD
Grand Avenue ES; Uniondale UFSD
Lawrence Road M.S.;Uniondale UFSD
Turtle Hook M.S.; Uniondale UFSD
Dundee Elementary; Dundee UFSD
Northern Pkwy ES; Uniondale UFSD
Number 4 School ES;Lawrence UFSD