A new group of students will arrive shortly to walk the “Hallowed Halls of Ivy” at Dana L. West High School.

Notwithstanding, as the myriad of chapters in the high school's book of 2007- 2008 activities become fond memories, it is fitting and proper that our “learning community” takes the time to pause, reflect and to thank those individuals who have given freely of their time to provide our students with extraordinary learning opportunities.

I wish to extend a sincere thank you and appreciation to Assemblyman Robert C. Oaks for serving as the featured speaker at the Port Byron High School Constitution Day celebration. Oaks' keen insights and personal delivery about the meaning and historical dichotomy of our national and New York state Constitutional heritage was exceptional. His presentation was especially meaningful for my global studies students learning about the symbolism found in our New York state flag.

Assemblymen Oaks and Gary Finch and Sen. Michael Nozzolio also deserve a thank you for assisting my students in their quest to have sweet corn designated as the official New York state vegetable. This ongoing legislative advocacy project allows the students to appreciate the intricacies, intellectual demands and rules of our state legislative process. Hopefully within the next two years the students will see the fruits of their labors reach fruition.

I also wish to thank the Newspaper in Education (NIE) Programs sponsored by our local newspapers: The Citizen through the efforts of Bud Unger and Lee Publishing. The Syracuse Newspapers through the efforts of Miss Vicki Krisak. Thank you also to Paula Anessi and The USA Today Program and The Wall Street Journal Newspapers. The Cayuga Community College Alumni Association also deserves a special thank you for its support of the program.

The NIE programs are a vital part of promoting reading allowing student to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to read the newspaper and to obtain media and cultural literacy from a local to a global perspective. The newspapers are utilized daily for class assignments and projects, our school-wide “Monday: Drop Everything and Read Program,” reading and writing assignments, catching up on sports and cultural activities and helping our students learn how to become members of an informed citizenry by reading the newspaper.

Special thanks are reserved for the “unsung heroes” of the NIE program - the many businesses and private individuals who provide funding through sponsorships and donations.

On behalf of my Criminal Justice and Street Law students I wish to thank the Cayuga Community College Advantage Program, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Gummerson, Jackie Debagio and Professor Abu Badruddin from the Global Information Systems (GIS) Program and his staff for allowing my students the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences working with technologies across the curriculums.

A special thanks to Lloyd Hoskins, director of the Cayuga County Youth Bureau, and Lee Brew, retired legislative clerk, for providing my students with “on the job training” as students directed county government operations during the Cayuga County Legislature's Student Government Day activities.

Thank you to the Cayuga County Bar Association for its scholarship assistance for two of our students, Erica Podolak and Tyler Quanbeck. By way of background Dana L. West was the only New York state school selected for the exceptional experience of traveling to Washington D.C. to study and debate Constitutional issues selected by the Supreme Court Justices. The students got to meet and be a part of a live DVD taping with Supreme Court Justices Kennedy, Breyer and retired Justice O'Connor. The DVDs will be distributed nationwide to all school districts and will be televised as a part of the national news networks observance of Constitution Day Celebrations during September. This opportunity for our students was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Special thanks to Sheriff David Gould and his professional law enforcement staff: Lt. John Mack and Deputy Nicole Stewart. Mack allowed my CCC Criminal Justice students to “walk the red line” at the Cayuga County jail. Mack's personal delivery of information, statistics and insights into human relations were an outstanding learning experience for my students. This intrinsic experience provided invaluable insights for my students as to how our county provides for punishment and promotes rehabilitation for offenders of the law.

Stewart took the time to meet with students and provide real life accounts of the dangers that she faces as she completes her duties “to serve, protect and educate” the citizens she meets daily.

Kudos also go to the Dana L. West students who personally wrote more than 800 cards that were distributed to the nursing homes and the hospital to spread our Panther cheer to others during the holiday season.

This year also was a first time experience for cooperative learning between my students and students in the Auburn High School History Club. Through the vision and foresight of Gerard Martin a small band of “PB Panther Pioneers” with the approval of the Port Byron School Administration and the school board were able to venture beyond New York state and experience first hand the sights, sounds and educational opportunities attained when visiting the historical sites and museums of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

My “Panther Pioneers” wish to extend our sincere appreciation to native Auburnians' Federal Magistrate Tim Rice for allowing us into his District Court in Philadelphia. Justice Rice's model program for the rehabilitation of federal felons is a new approach for the Federal District Courts. I trust that his Model Program will soon be adopted by other Federal Magistrates. We would also like to thank Brian McKeon, Esquire and Brian McKeon (son of Honorable Michael McKeon) for their willingness to tell the behind the scenes story of the demands in working for the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and working in the hub of our nation's political arena.

Thank you to Martin for resurrecting the Seward Model Congress. This was the first year for Dana L. West's participation. The academic challenges presented to all student participants from county schools provided a unique opportunity to test critical thinking, elocution, debating and writing skills.

Thank you to the village of Port Byron mayor, Hon. Ronald Wilson, for his delivery of information tour to our honors students regarding his duties and responsibilities as a local elected official. We are also grateful to Staff Sergeant Richard Jorolemon for sharing with our students his peacetime and combat experiences.

Lastly, a huge thank you to the members of the Port Byron school community support staff and the members of the volunteer fire departments and law enforcement agencies that respond to the our needs throughout the year. Your hours of heartfelt work are indeed appreciated.

Our school district is enriched by the “seeds sown” when members of our community make the investment of time and expertise to help our students.

Townsend, J.D., is a social studies instructor at the Dana L. West

Jr.-Sr. High School, Port Byron Central School District