Only two weeks until Shaker High graduation, and our seniors are feeling the excitement! Today, June 12, a group of Shaker seniors returned to St. Pius X, a place where many of them spent their K–8 years, for a nostalgic walk through the halls that helped shape their journey. Current students and teachers lined the hallways to cheer them on as they took a walk down memory lane. This is just the first of many elementary school walkthroughs as we countdown the days until our grads take the stage. Get ready for more celebrations, memories, and graduation moments! Congratulations class of 2026!
The soapbox is yours! Thursday, June 11, Shaker Middle School Civic Engagement and Leadership Club students took the stage to share their voices, ideas, and calls to action through Project Soapbox and with help from SMS Social Studies Teacher, Ms. Carla Ackerly. After months of research, writing, revision, and practice, these young leaders spoke passionately on issues that matter, from mental health and technology to climate change, equity, and community growth. We are proud to celebrate their courage, curiosity, and commitment to creating a better world.
She did it! With your help, Shaker junior Shreya Sharath reached her fundraising goal to support the donation of 240 GleeBoxxes to students throughout the North Colonie Central School District. On Wednesday, June 10, Shreya and more than a dozen employees at Sunmark Credit Union helped assemble the boxes, which were delivered to Central Office. 40 boxes will then go to each elementary school, where they will be distributed to students before school is out. A GleeBoxx can have school supplies, treats, fun trinkets or even a kind note to help brighten the day of the recipient.
Thank you, Shreya, for your dedication to making the lives of those around you better. Thank you, Sunmark, for your support of Shreya and the rest of our students.
Thank you, Shreya, for your dedication to making the lives of those around you better. Thank you, Sunmark, for your support of Shreya and the rest of our students.
"Von Berlin bis nach New York - From Berlin to New York" is the chorus of a rap song that German students grade 10-12 produced in a workshop with the German rapper and "incluencer," Graf Fidi. The event was hosted by the Goethe Institute, located in NYC. In his lyrics, the German artist from Berlin explores the situation of people with disabilities and promotes inclusion. Participating students wrote their own lyrics about the topic of inclusion and disability support. They presented their raps and recorded lines from the chorus like in a music studio. Grad Fidi will use their ideas and recordings to produce the last song of his new album, which will be released on Spotify soon. All participants were thrilled about this wonderful opportunity. The trip was chaperoned by Frau Connor, Frau Brandt and Frau Reeves, the German teachers at North Colonie.
It was a big day for Shaker Middle School on Wednesday, June 10!
The day began with Career Day, where students had the opportunity to hear from dozens of professionals representing a wide range of careers and industries. From orthodontists, lawyers, insurance specialists, firefighters, government officials, restaurateurs, and EMTs to representatives from sports organizations and media professionals, there was truly something for everyone. Students engaged with speakers, took notes, asked thoughtful questions, and gained valuable insight into the many career paths available to them. Thank you to all of our guest speakers for generously sharing their time, experiences, and expertise with our students!
In the afternoon, eighth grade students traveled to Shaker High School for orientation. Guided by members of the Student Leadership Council, students toured the building, learned about the school’s layout, explored the block scheduling system, received information about Yondr pouches, and discovered the many electives and special programs available to them. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion, where they could ask questions and gain a better understanding of the school they will call home for the next four years.
After a day filled with learning and exploration, it was time for some fun! Students returned to Shaker Middle School and enjoyed a spirited kickball game alongside their peers and gym teachers, a perfect way to wrap up an exciting day!
Monday night, June 8, the Shaker Athletics Department and Shaker All Sports Booster Club celebrated over twenty seniors at the annual College Recognition Night. These students have committed to continuing their athletic careers at D1, D2, and D3 colleges. Congratulations seniors, we can’t wait to cheer you on at the next level! Check out the full list of names, colleges and sports below!
Caroline Merolle - Volleyball - Lasell University
Teagan Martinovich - Lacrosse - Western New England University
Drew Waldorf - Lacrosse - Western New England University
Ruby Szemplinski - Softball - Rowan University
Olivia Lutz - Swimming - SUNY Oneonta
Tanner Donovan - Lacrosse - Florida Atlantic University
Lily Maynard - Field Hockey - Skidmore College
Talyn Chernosky - Softball - Caldwell University
Madeline Fazziola - Soccer - SUNY Potsdam
Eleanor Keough - Soccer, Flag Football - Marymount University
Arianna Castracani - Soccer - Westfield State University
Nicholas Mirabile - Lacrosse - Western New England University
Peyton Hoblock - Basketball - Dartmouth College
Briella Fiacco - Lacrosse - Connecticut College
Tessa Carroll - Lacrosse - Iona University
Emma Davis - Lacrosse - Newberry College
Mya Endres - Lacrosse - Lynn University
Peyton Cerrone - Lacrosse - Saint Anselm College
Brayden McElroy - Lacrosse - SUNY Oneonta
Gannon King - Soccer - Ithaca College
Jake Gaudette - Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, Cross Country - SUNY Geneseo
Quinn Roberts - Lacrosse - Western New England University
Madeline Fazziola - Soccer and Flag Football - Russell Sage College
Ava Boncordo - Tennis - Union College
Congratulations to SHS seniors Harika Byraju and Everitt Li, for receiving a state honorable mention from Population Education for their video submission in the World of 8 Billion video contest. Harika and Everitt created a video about the importance of wetlands for their Civic Engagement and Leadership course at SHS. Learn more about the contest here: https://www.worldof8billion.org/winners-2026/state-and-international-honors-2026/
Shaker Robotics Team 2791 takes home the win! The team competed at the BattleCry Competition at WPI, creating a winning alliance with three other teams. Competition was fierce at the event, with 45 teams competing in total. Congratulations Shaker Robotics Team 2791!
Friday, June 5, marked an exciting day at Shaker High School! The Art Foundations Micro Show transformed the walls of the art gallery with an incredible display of student creativity and talent. Our Foundations students have worked incredibly hard on these pieces, and the show gave them the opportunity to share their artwork with friends, families, classmates, and teachers. Amazing job everyone!
Congratulations to Shaker High School senior Elena Hymes! Hymes has been named Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association Outstanding Student of the Year at the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus. Hymes is a senior in the Criminal Justice program and was presented the award on June 4 at the senior awards ceremony on the campus. Read more about this accomplishment on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2969384
Shaker High School senior Harika Byraju recently celebrated her Civic Engagement and Leadership capstone project by hosting "The Creative Collective” art show, which focused on educating the community about the overall benefits of art and art education. The exhibition showcased the works of Shaker High School students and gave Harika a chance to discuss the benefits of art. Community members expressed delight in seeing the work on display. Thank you to everyone who took part in and attended this art show.
A special thank you goes out to:
SHS Faculty Members: Genevieve Chornyak, Andrew Krakat, Carrie Lue, Anne Manzella, Lynn Marie Paris, Marcus Puccioni
SHS Students: Anvi Adikoppula, Summer Artis, Jillian Carrothers, Alessandra Conti, Julia Cowan, Andrew Iannacone, Hana Kim, Lauren Lee-Chung, Meiqi Liang, Kayra Etirnne Maitre, Faitha Naj, Madeline Simson, Alina Song, Caroline Stark. Shanjana Vasanthakumar, Anya Vedhathiri
A special thank you goes out to:
SHS Faculty Members: Genevieve Chornyak, Andrew Krakat, Carrie Lue, Anne Manzella, Lynn Marie Paris, Marcus Puccioni
SHS Students: Anvi Adikoppula, Summer Artis, Jillian Carrothers, Alessandra Conti, Julia Cowan, Andrew Iannacone, Hana Kim, Lauren Lee-Chung, Meiqi Liang, Kayra Etirnne Maitre, Faitha Naj, Madeline Simson, Alina Song, Caroline Stark. Shanjana Vasanthakumar, Anya Vedhathiri
North Colonie is happy to announce that for the 2026-2027 school year we will be partnering, once again, with Colonie Youth Center, Catholic Central School, and Tiny Town of Latham to offer Universal Pre-Kindergarten to our North Colonie community. This year, for the first time, we will also house one class of UPK at Southgate Elementary.
Important Dates:
June 9, 2026 - UPK Lottery - Notification goes out to all registered families, letting families know if they have been selected for a seat or placed on our wait list.
June 12, 2026 - Families who are selected in the lottery must inform our registrar by 12 p.m. if they are accepting or declining their seat.
Read more about the program on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2967027
Shaker High School’s Microsoft Office class has done it again! Students from Mrs. Jachym’s class achieved an impressive milestones in both Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint at the New York State level. This competition challenges students to demonstrate their mastery of Microsoft Office applications, with participants competing against both high school and college students across New York State.
Notably, Aiden Brady placed first in both Excel and PowerPoint, demonstrating exceptional skill across multiple platforms. Please see the list below for the full placement results from Shaker High School in New York State.
1st Place - Aiden Brady - Microsoft Excel
2nd Place - Shwe Zin Than - Microsoft Excel
3rd Place - Boshra Benantar - Microsoft Excel
6th Place - Amra Mohammed - Microsoft Excel
8th Place - Alex Mahan - Microsoft Excel
1st Place - Aiden Brady - Microsoft PowerPoint
2nd Place - Adrien Wirfel - Microsoft PowerPoint
3rd Place - Boshra Benantar - Microsoft PowerPoint
5th Place - Caleb Lopez Ruiz - Microsoft PowerPoint
6th Place - Laiba Awan - Microsoft PowerPoint
Congratulations to all of our students on this remarkable accomplishment—great work!
Notably, Aiden Brady placed first in both Excel and PowerPoint, demonstrating exceptional skill across multiple platforms. Please see the list below for the full placement results from Shaker High School in New York State.
1st Place - Aiden Brady - Microsoft Excel
2nd Place - Shwe Zin Than - Microsoft Excel
3rd Place - Boshra Benantar - Microsoft Excel
6th Place - Amra Mohammed - Microsoft Excel
8th Place - Alex Mahan - Microsoft Excel
1st Place - Aiden Brady - Microsoft PowerPoint
2nd Place - Adrien Wirfel - Microsoft PowerPoint
3rd Place - Boshra Benantar - Microsoft PowerPoint
5th Place - Caleb Lopez Ruiz - Microsoft PowerPoint
6th Place - Laiba Awan - Microsoft PowerPoint
Congratulations to all of our students on this remarkable accomplishment—great work!
On June 4, Latham Ridge Elementary School welcomed families, students, staff, and alumni for its fifth annual Gala, themed Light the Way. The evening brought the school community together to celebrate the creativity, talents, and unique qualities that help each Panther shine!
Families explored hallways filled with more than 2,000 pieces of student artwork, enjoyed musical performances by current students and alumni, and participated in hands on activities including light painting, lantern making, drum circles, puppet making, and more! Guests also had the chance to visit Crusoe, the beloved water horse inspired by this year's One School, One Book selection, "The Water Horse."
The Gala was a joyful celebration of the connections that make Latham Ridge such a special place for students and families alike!
Families explored hallways filled with more than 2,000 pieces of student artwork, enjoyed musical performances by current students and alumni, and participated in hands on activities including light painting, lantern making, drum circles, puppet making, and more! Guests also had the chance to visit Crusoe, the beloved water horse inspired by this year's One School, One Book selection, "The Water Horse."
The Gala was a joyful celebration of the connections that make Latham Ridge such a special place for students and families alike!
Tuesday night was an exciting one for our Civic Engagement and Leadership students, as they presented their yearlong capstone projects at the gallery walk symposium. To earn their Seal of Civic Readiness, students identified and investigated issues, developed methods to address the issues, and took informed civic action to address their findings. During the symposion, students shared their presentations with those in attendance, focusing on topics such as mental health, the power of mentors, the importance of art classes, the court system, and more. It was an afternoon filled with thought provoking discussions!
Shaker High School and the North Colonie Central School District are proud to announce the names of our 2026 Honor Graduates. The following students will graduate in the top five percent of their class on Friday, June 26, 2026. In alphabetical order, they are:
Charles Adelstein
Akshaya Annam
Nathaniel Antifaiff
Surya Bommasani
Varun Chaganti
Sofia Conti
Anabel Corniel
Emma Freed
Peize (Peter) Gong
Renat Gosmanov
Ryan Isernia
Nawaf Kassem
Ryan Keegan
Deepak Kilaparty
Hana Kim
Jay Lee
Angela Li
Everitt Li
Jonathan Lindhurst
Cristiano Logrippo
Shayla Mieu
Daniella Morgan
Mya Sanchez
Anya Vedhathiri
Emily Yang
Eva Zheng
Rui Zheng
Have you heard about GleeBoxx? Founded by Shaker High School junior Shreya Sharath, GleeBoxx is a youth-led nonprofit initiative, grounded in the belief that small acts of kindness can create powerful change. GleeBoxx creates thoughtfully curated care packages that combine essential items with personalized touches such as handwritten notes and small, joyful additions - and you can help! Shreya is currently organizing a large-scale drive to distribute 240 GleeBoxx care packages to elementary school children here in North Colonie. Scan a QR code to learn more and donate to this great cause!
Latham Ridge second graders traveled back in time on Thursday, May 21, thanks to a visit from a dedicated group of Civil War reenactors. As a follow up to the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) unit on the Civil War, students were presented with a “first person” narrative from both the Confederate (Crenshaw’s Battery) and Union (NYS Third Light Artillery) sides.
Students visited six stations, learning information about railroads, artillery, and provosts (military police) among other things. Actors portrayed Harriet Tubman and Clara Barton, telling their stories and about the important roles they played in the war. It was a wonderful way to bring history to life for our students.
Students visited six stations, learning information about railroads, artillery, and provosts (military police) among other things. Actors portrayed Harriet Tubman and Clara Barton, telling their stories and about the important roles they played in the war. It was a wonderful way to bring history to life for our students.
On Wednesday, May 27, 40 students in grades 10-12 were inducted into the Shaker High School chapter of the English National Honor Society. Over the course of this year, NEHS’s inaugural year, members fostered a love of the English language and literature and completed a combined 1,000 hours of volunteer literacy service in the North Colonie community.
The Principal’s Challenge has officially been fulfilled! Blue Creek students and the community rallied together during the annual Fun Run Fundraiser and not only met the $17,000 goal, but surpassed it by raising an impressive $19,760. As promised, Principal Mr. Turcio held up his end of the bargain with a student selected rainbow buzzcut and colorful mutton chops. On June 2, Alex Cook, owner of Alexandria Beauty in Latham, brought the winning style to life alongside her children, Eloise and Henry, and three randomly selected Blue Creek students, all of whom had the opportunity to help shave Mr. Turcio’s hair before Mrs. Cook completed the transformation. Taking it one step further, she even added color to his eyebrows and mutton chops. Mr. Turcio will proudly sport his colorful new look for the remainder of the day, celebrating the students’ incredible fundraising achievement and outstanding school spirit!
