Pictured from left: Tara DeVay, Sutton Sanders, and Luci Borrello.
It's not at every middle school awards assembly that a civics award is presented. This year was special for Albion eighth graders Sutton Sanders and Luci Borrello who received the Olie Olson & Clara Barton Award from the Genesee Valley BOCES for their execution of a multifaceted Revolutionary War research project within their community.
This award recognizes students that informed and took action to assist and enhance the lives or work of those in the community who serve or have served others. Their work exemplified a dedication to identify those in their community whose purpose is to assist others, and to augment their work to benefit their community as a whole.
Tara DeVay, Albion High School assistant principal and former social studies teacher, presented the award on behalf of the Genesee Valley BOCES School Improvement Team.
"We are committed to enhancing civic education which will preserve and ultimately strengthen our societal institutions for generations," said DaVay. "These awards honor the exemplary work of students throughout our region and call attention to their civic actions."
Sutton and Luci were nominated by an educator who supervised their work throughout the school year. Nominations were reviewed by a panel consisting of various community stakeholders from around the Genesee Valley BOCES region. Student projects were evaluated on the basis of award criteria, informed citizenship, informed action, and community impact.
There are a total of seven categories students can be nominated for, and each award holds a specific name dedicated to individuals from the region past and present who themselves engaged in civic work to enhance their communities and beyond.
The Olie Olson & Clara Barton Award recognizes students who worked towards supporting organizations and individuals who serve our communities and embodied Olie and Clara's legacies. Olie Olson served as Metal Trades Instructor at Genesee Valley BOCES in Mount Morris for over decades and engaged in a variety of work supporting veterans. Clara Barton, a part-time resident of Dansville in the late 19th century, founded the American Red Cross.
In 2021, New York State unveiled the Seal of Civic Readiness as a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge and skills. All regional districts in Genesee Valley BOCES are approved to award this distinction, and Genesee Valley BOCES has supported this with the Civi Awards since 2024. Award winners are eligible to build upon their work, and earn their Seal prior to graduation.
About the Revolutionary War Research Project
Students researched Revolutionary War veterans buried in Orleans County and worked to preserve and promote local history. Partnering with the Orleans County Historian, they conducted extensive primary source research, secured state historical roadside markers, helped replace a damaged Revolutionary War veteran’s headstone, and identified previously unmarked veterans' graves. They coordinated a successful community event to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States and present their research findings. Their efforts not only honored those who served our nation but also increased community awareness of local history and demonstrated the power of civic engagement, historical inquiry, and collaboration with community organizations.
Read: "AMS students help preserve local history through Revolutionary War research project"