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ONEONTA
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
summer Fun and entertainment, pages 8 & 9 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, June 20, 2024
Volume 16, No. 34
COMPLIMENTARY
OHS Graduating Senior Zakala Headed for West Point in July By MONICA CALZOLARI
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ONEONTA ayden Zakala is graduating from Oneonta High School on June 29, and will be heading to the United States Military Academy, better known as West Point, on July 1. He will begin a five-week Officer Basic Training before his college classes begin. Barbara Kulp, a representative from West Point’s Admission Field Force, officially congratulated Zakala on his appointment to the Academy on June 11 at American Legion Post 259 in Oneonta. Kulp read, “By appointing Jayden as a cadet at West Point, the president
of the United States recognizes that Jayden has the character, intelligence, drive, and leadership potential needed to succeed at West Point and in the Army.” She said, “West Point receives tens of thousands of applications each year from…qualified applicants. Only 1,200 applicants receive appointments.” Kulp valued the scholarship that Zakala will receive at $400,000.00 over the next four years of college. Kevin Stevens, OHS principal, estimated that the last OHS graduate to attend West Point was more than 60 years ago. Photo courtesy Cooperstown Sports Booster Club He said, “Jayden is a competent Charlie Lambert and Margaret Raffo were recipients of the John Terry McGovern Sportsmanship Trophy and the Ann I. Pink Memorial Sportsmanship Award, respectively. Both young man who has been selected to Continued on page 12 also received the nod by their peers for Students Choice Athlete of the Year.
CCS Honors Student Athletes at All Sports Award Ceremony
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Photo by Monica Calzolari
Jayden Zakala (center) is joined by his family: from left are sister Hailey, mom Sarah, brother Tyler, dad Nathan, and grandparents Dorothy and Larry Shultis.
INSIDE ► raku pottery workshop planned, page 2 ► Jaydon Dietz is golf all-american, page 3 ► dr. amy grace offers hot weather tips, page 4 ► what is manliness? page 4 ► oneonta renaissance explained, page 5 ► henry michaels wins gold, page 6 ► new subscriptions benefit nfps, page 12 ► things to do, page 14 Follow Breaking News On
AllOTSEGO.com
Awards to Springfield Nonprofits Announced
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SPRINGFIELD he Community Foundation of Otsego County, which administers the Advocates for Springfield Fund, recently approved awards to two Springfield charitable organizations that support the health and well-being of the Town of Springfield. The Springfield 4th of July Committee and the Springfield Historical Society will each receive $500.00 toward upcoming events. The 4th of July Parade and Celebration have been making Springfield the “place to be on the 4th of July” since 1914, celebrating the nation’s birth and ongoing freedom and justice for all, the ideals upon which America was founded. The parade of 70 -100 entries lasts more than an hour, then continues with festivities at the Community Center. This includes a concert by the Cooperstown Community Band, Brooks’ BBQ, a quilt show, games and entertainment. Continued on page 12
COOPERSTOWN argaret Raffo and Charlie Lambert won the top school awards and the student-given awards, and Sophia Hotaling and Kalen Dempsey won the Red Bursey Awards at Cooperstown’s 65th annual All Sports Award Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12 in the N.J. Sterling Auditorium at Cooperstown Central School. Hosted by the Cooperstown Sports Booster Club, the ceremony featured the presentation of end-of-school-year awards, as chosen by the booster club, school officials, athletic coaches and students. Three coaches paid tribute to CCS legend Don Howard, who died June 9 from complications from liver cancer. Howard spent more than 40 years at CCS, and was responsible for getting the school’s track built. The school’s annual track invitational and boys track post-season awards are named for Howard, who attended this year’s Don Howard Invitational on May 6. Connie Herzig, Frank Miosek and current boys track coach Mike Croft all spoke about Howard’s impact on their lives and the lives of thousands of CCS students. All three coaches broke down during their tributes. The 2023-2024 CCS Athletic Awards were given to: Lester G. “Red” Bursey Outstanding Senior Athlete Award: Kalen Dempsey and Sophia Hotaling won the Booster Club’s top award, which celebrates athletes who best exemplify versatility, passion, intense competitive drive and superior athletic ability. Dempsey played football and baseball and was named an MVP for both squads. Despite setting school records as a wide receiver, he took over at quarterback his senior year after his younger brother got hurt, and he held his team together through adversity Photo courtesy Cooperstown Sports Booster Club and injuries. In baseball, he was the top SOPHIA HOTALING AND KALEN DEMPSEY pitcher, and also one of the team’s top hitters. He was praised by his coaches as a tactician, a student of his games and as an athlete who is as gifted mentally as he is physically. Dempsey has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Allegany College of Maryland. Hotaling excelled at four sports during her CCS career, switching from softball to track during her senior spring season. She won a Section III title in softball her junior year and four Section III Class C-2 titles in track this season (100, 200, two relays). She was named an MVP of all three of her sports. She also was a Continued on page 13
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890