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TABLE OF CONTENTS
august PUBLISHER'S WORD................................................................................6 KINDNESS It's not 'goodbye,' it's SEA(ttle) you later............................. 8
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FASHION Back to school 2021 style ....................................................... 10
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OUT & ABOUT The NYS Fair is back!................................................................. 12 EYE ON FINANCE Special needs planning: Navigating the continuum.....................................................
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WBOC LEADING LADY Michelle Rochkind...................................................................... 16
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ON THE COVER Latrina Brumfield Inspiring Syracuse's next generation............................. 19 HEALTH Midlife: Changing with grace! Part 2................................ 24
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SPECIAL FEATURE Donna DeSiato, ESM Superintendent Preparing to excel in a 'complex, interconnected, changing world.'................................. 28 In Memoriam Jessica Summers................................................................... 37 INSPIRE Heather Maloney-Stassen .................................................. 32 Stevi WIlson .............................................................................. 34
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UPCOMING EVENTS.............................................................................. 37 MOVERS & SHAKERS.......................................................................... 38
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PUBLISHER'S WORD
Above and beyond
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ou’d be hard pressed to find a single educator, administrator, parent or student who wants a replay of the 2020-21 school year. With anxieties about the COVID pandemic swirling, every aspect of our education system was tossed upside down. In some districts, students went months without seeing their classmates. Parents had to juggle their jobs with their children’s new hybrid or remote school schedules. Teachers had to double up their lesson plans to ensure they were providing a valuable educational experience both for those in the classroom and for those watching from home. And administrators were responsible for leaving no one behind, in a year when many students didn’t even darken the door of a school building. In this most difficult year, administrators like Frazer Middle School Principal Latrina Brumfield had to completely re-envision what the classroom experience would be in a remote and hybrid education model. And it wasn’t only the teaching experience that worried Syracuse City Schools administrators. It was also the health and wellbeing of their students. In addition to classroom teaching, for many Frazer students, school is where they can be assured that they will receive nutritious meals and positive activities. “COVID was the unknown,” said Brumfield, the subject of our August cover story. “We were all learning about it at the same time. But overall, I feel like our teachers and staff were super flexible. They were resilient and able to take the changes and do what’s best for our students.” A lot of the challenge of maintaining a close relationship with students during the pandemic rested on the shoulders of teachers like Stevi Wilson, a Spanish teacher in the East Syracuse-Minoa district, who saw first-hand the difficulties many students faced being walled off from their classmates for an extended period of time. “I’ve learned over the years that I’m so much more than a Spanish teacher,” Wilson told Syracuse Woman Magazine. “My classroom is always open for kids. I truly believe you can make a difference in a kid’s life by witnessing them and hearing them and supporting them through a difficult time, especially last year with COVID. These kids need more than just two-plus-two is four and ‘Hola, cómo estás?’” Everyone can agree that this past school year was far from perfect, but in Central New York we are blessed with thousands of dedicated and caring educators who went above and beyond to ensure their students had a valuable educational experience despite the many challenges the pandemic created. Several of their stories are told in this edition. And now, with renewed hope, we look forward to the 2021-22 school year – a year in which schools are expected to open to full capacity and activities will resemble pre-pandemic norms. Where last year, we entered the school year with trepidation, we now arrive at the fall with anticipation. What a difference a year makes.
David Tyler AUGUST 2021
SyracuseWomanMag.com contact@syracusewomanmag.com
PUBLISHER
David Tyler dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com
DESIGN
Andrea Reeves
PHOTOGRAPHERS Farah Jadran Alice G. Patterson Sophie Proe David Tyler
CONTRIBUTORS
Iris Buczkowski Alyssa Dearborn Chiara Giannuzzi Farah Jadran
Jason Klaiber Heather Shannon Emma Vallelunga
Cover photo by Alice G. Patterson
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KINDNESS
It's not 'goodbye,’ it's SEA(ttle) you later Farah Jadran
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've lived in the city of Syracuse for more than 13 years. That length of time definitely surpassed the time I thought I would spend here. The welcoming feeling I received and kindness from many were blessings. I first arrived in the Salt City to attend graduate school for journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. I finished the one-year program on time and started working as a local newspaper editor before I even walked the commencement stage. Making the decision to take new opportunities in Seattle was one of the hardest decisions Niko and I have ever made. Our closest friends and colleagues know Seattle and the Pacific Northwest are places we have visited many times over the years. We enjoyed every moment on those trips. There have been times when we asked ourselves, "what if?" I must say, we left any question, concern or thought about the future in God's hands. Niko and I are both of strong faith and we know things happen for a reason. While we look to the future birth of our first child this fall and now a cross-country move before that time, we also reflect on the beautiful blessings we have because of Central New York. First off, it's where we met. It's also Niko's hometown and a place that has become a second home to me. Both of us have been blessed with incredible opportunities, both professionally and personally. Our extended family of community members is incredible. I don't have to tell you how lucky everyone is to have such dedicated non-profit leaders, workers and volunteers to help champion numerous worthy causes. Both Niko and I have had the honor to work with many charities to help others.
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Professionally, I would have never imagined how many amazing opportunities would be presented to me while living in Syracuse. Since moving here in spring 2008, I have worked with several CNY journalists in newsrooms including Eagle Newspapers, The Cortland Standard, Syracuse Woman Magazine, WCNY-TV, Spectrum News, WSYR-TV and finally, my current newsroom home - CNY Central (CBS 5, NBC 3 and CW 6). As I reflect on the journey - my heart feels full and forever grateful. I also taught as an adjunct journalism and communications professor at SUNY Oswego, Cazenovia College, Syracuse University and SUNY Onondaga Community College. During my past two years at CNY Central as anchor of "CBS 5 This Morning" and "CBS 5 News at Noon" - I have had the comforting feeling of knowing I could come into work expecting a positive outcome. Whether it was a tough news day or not, I knew my news team would be ready to tackle the day. We've handled breaking news and reported on some of the most heartfelt stories in our community. No matter what the day brings, my team is always professional, thoughtful, positive and supportive. Many of them made me laugh and smile daily as well! I must thank my co-workers, our newsroom leaders, news director and general manager for creating such a positive place to work. I will miss my CNY Central family and several other professional colleagues here, but I take great solace in knowing I have life-long friends.
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To the wonderful readers of CNY publications I have worked for and the viewers of local TV news that tuned in over the years I thank you dearly. You are the reasons I love what I do. I will continue my journey as a local broadcast news journalist in Seattle. With that, I encourage everyone to continue making CNY great and continue being kind to one another. We will be back to visit loved ones regularly. So, I say this is SEA(ttle) you later, Central New York! You have a piece of my heart forever. You can continue to see what's new by following @FarahJadran on Twitter, Instagram and Twitter. SWM Photos by Farah Jadran
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FASHION
Back to school 2021 style Chiara Giannuzzi syracuseny.clothesmentor.com
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ugust is always full of Back to School signs every which way you turn. And as an added bonus, we are headed back into the classroom this fall, woo hoo! That was a long year of virtual learning. What is this year’s famous back to school going to look like? Well it’s safe to say it’s still comfy and casual – a look that is going to hang around for a while. It’s always the question we ask ourselves, “What’s the first day of school outfit going to be?” After all, running those high-school hallways is a fashion runway these days. High-waist jeans have been around for some time now among all age groups but most important to the younger high school generation. They pair nicely with crop tops for that the ’90s vibe or the boyfriend style sweatshirt. For footwear the Nike Air Force ones are a staple sneaker shoe in every young girl’s wardrobe and match about anything you choose to pair them with. You can grab a pair of calf high socks to go with these sneakers and perhaps a biker short with an oversized tie-dye T-shirt as well.
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Lounge wear to school is always fun and cute. It’s something for every season and repetitive but as we head into cooler fall weather the matching sweatsuit combos are back for the stylish comfy look, especially as a quick and easy outfit for a college student running from dorm to the classroom! Also don’t forget your extra-large favorite college team crew new with leggings! Leggings won’t ever go away. They are a must when headed into back school! Back to school is always a time for fun and learning, making new friends, and meeting new teachers or professors. It’s like anything we go through in life - when we look good, we feel good. So dress up in your comfort, focus and get ready to learn in your trendiest 2021 outfit! Everyone has a different style so dress for your own unique personality! SWM Chiara Giannuzzi is the store manager for Clothes Mentor Syracuse.
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OUT & ABOUT
The NYS Fair is back! Emma Vallelunga
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ne of the biggest questions on the minds of Central New Yorkers was answered recently when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in June that the 2021 New York State Fair will be open at 100 percent capacity. "The State Fair is New York's signature end-of-summer fest, and thanks to our ongoing efforts to follow safety guidelines and get more people vaccinated, the 2021 New York State Fair will be even bigger and better," Governor Cuomo said. "This is a testament to our remarkable progress against COVID, making it possible for thousands more visitors from across the country and all over the world to enjoy the Fair's unique attractions and experience the best of what New York has to offer.” Under the expanded State Fair model, New Yorkers will have 18 days to enjoy 25-cent New York, wine slushies and Pizze Fritte. There is also a packed schedule of live music and entertainment throughout the duration of the Fair, which will last from Aug. 20 to Sept. 6. In accordance with the State's evolving health guidelines, indoor spaces will be subject to capacity limits to allow attendees to be socially distanced within each building. “I congratulate New Yorkers for having made this possible, and I encourage everyone to make the trip to Central New York this summer and support our New York vendors as we continue to reopen our economy and bring back beloved big events across the state," Cuomo said. St. Joseph’s Health Women’s Day at the Fair will be on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Women will be admitted entry to the fair free of charge on that day and the annual Women’s Day Luncheon will return after a hiatus in 2020. Other special days include the Fidelis Care Youth Student Day on Saturday, Aug. 21, when youths 18 and younger will be admitted for free, and Armed Forces Day on Thursday, Sept. 2. This year, for the first time, seniors age 65 and older are admitted free throughout the duration of the fair, as are children 12 and younger. SWM
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DATE AUGUST 20 AUGUST 21 AUGUST 22 AUGUST 23 AUGUST 24 AUGUST 25 AUGUST 26 AUGUST 27 AUGUST 28 AUGUST 29
CHEVY PARK 2 PM BOBBY BONES & THE RAGING IDIOTS
CHEVY PARK 8 PM NAS
CHEVY COURT 2 PM
CHEVY COURT 7 PM LOCASH
98 DEGREES
RATT
BROTHERS OSBORNE FOREIGNER
TRAIN
JAMESON RODGERS
REO SPEEDWAGON BELL BIV DEVOE MELISSA ETHERIDGE THE BEACH BOYS DROPKICK MURPHYS
JIMMY STURR & HIS ORCHESTRA THE SPINNERS
BISHOP BRIGGS DIRE STRAITS LEGACY RUSSELL DICKERSON THREE DOG NIGHT
NOAH CYRUS
AUGUST 30
JUSTIN MOORE
AUGUST 31 SEPT 1 SEPT 2 SEPT 3 SEPT 4 SEPT 5 SEPT 6
CORY MARKS
HALESTORM
THIRD EYE BLIND AJR
COLD WAR KIDS JESSE McCARTNEY JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS (1PM)
NELLY
CHEAP TRICK (6PM)
HERMAN’S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE OAK RIDGE BOYS SHEENA EASTON
GREAT WHITE/ VIXEN SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES GRANDSON
UNCLE KRACKER
JAMEY JOHNSON BLUE OYSTER CULT STARSHIP W/ MICKEY THOMAS BLUES TRAVELER
THE MAVERICKS EN ESPAÑOL
THE MAVERICKS RESURRECTION
As of July 19. Subject to change.
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EYE ON FINANCE
Special needs planning: NAVIGATING THE CONTINUUM Iris Buczkowski
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ost financial plans have common components, such as wealth accumulation planning, and others do not apply to every situation. Not every family has children so maybe college education planning does not apply. One aspect of planning that most people do not automatically anticipate is the area of special needs planning. It is a unique and complex area of wealth management to navigate because, unlike other parts of practice, special need planning presents a continuum that is fluid and often changes throughout the course of a lifetime. If you have a loved one with special needs, whether it is a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability, often people are not prepared to be facing the challenges that they have found thrust upon them. In some cases, families are aware of a prenatal diagnosis, such as Down Syndrome, and can give thoughts to the needs of their child ahead of their arrival. Other disabilities are invisible, such as autism, and a diagnosis presents sometime after birth. In either scenario of being prepared or not, there are hard realities that families much face when caring for and planning for a person with special needs, and that goes beyond the everyday tasks and medical considerations that present immediately. Consider this – if a financial advisor told you that navigating the continuum of special needs planning is much like driving and following traffic lights, what would you think? I use this analogy often since as a family, you have to keep moving forward, but there are certain things that you must consider (red). There are some planning items that will come into play along the road and give you cause to slow down (yellow). Then there are planning items you may need to consider down the road, but for now you just keep on driving because they may not come into play at all (green). Although it is a complex topic and area of practice, it is much simpler to compartmentalize when we look at it in those three categories. Think of the stop light in terms of life stages. Red would be as soon as you learn of your special needs circumstance, yellow as you are raising your child or loved one throughout their growing years, and green for post-secondary education and adulthood. Today this is how many agencies are providing support and services to those with special needs. Life Centered Planning has become a popular term in recent years as the needs of people change depending on their stage of life. Special needs planning from a wealth management perspective can be approached the same way. So, where do you start? With the must-do’s, and the major topic here for consideration is with your estate plan. It doesn’t matter if you think you have a sizable estate or not, it is critically important for you to have your legal documents in place to protect your disabled loved one. Many younger couples have some savings, maybe a house or some level of insurance coverage in place to protect their families. If you have a child with a disability and do not have the proper estate planning mechanisms in place, it could be catastrophic to that child. Children who have disabilities are
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only allowed to have limited resources in their name or they can become disqualified for public benefits that they are entitled to or may be at some point in the future. It is critical to work with an estate planning attorney who is well versed in supplemental needs trust planning to make sure your child is protected. For families with school-age children education planning has also become a must-do during the COVID crisis. The pandemic has presented tremendous difficulties as many students have not been able to receive therapeutic and interventive services they are entitled to. Having an extensive knowledge of your children's rights under education law is necessary, and you may need to partner with an advocate or attorney who specializes in this area of law. This would be to help ensure that your child's education planning remains on track with their individualized education plan based on the goals tailored to their unique situation. Along the course of the roadmap there are other planning items that may come into play besides estate or education planning that you will likely hear about or encounter. It is important to note that not all children who have a disability are automatically entitled to public assistance or benefits, and without these benefits it can become a costly proposition to any family who may have to pay out of pocket for care or services. Proper planning can position you for long-term success and partnering with experts to guide you through these life stages, or the traffic light, can help ensure all of your goals are met. SWM Iris Buczkowski is the founder of Birch Wealth Management (birchwealth.com). She is also a parent of a child with a developmental disability and has personal experience with many components of special needs planning. Original content provided by Iris is for education purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice.
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WBOC LEADING LADY
MICHELLE ROCHKIND
Cooking up a restaurant from scratch Alyssa Dearborn
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f there is one thing that the Heritage Café on South Crouse Avenue in Syracuse is known for, it is their variety of paninis. With flavors ranging from roasted vegetable to chicken bacon ranch, there is a flavour to satisfy most taste buds. “As far as our customers’ favorites, chipotle chicken hands down. I’ve never had a day where I haven’t sold at least five of them.” Michele Rochkind, the owner of the Heritage Café, said when asked about her most popular menu options. “Ice coffee.” she continued, “You’ll never have a day without selling iced coffee. And our number one specialty drink, it’s a tie every day between caramel macchiato and caramel turtle. But the number one thing that seems to bring people through the door is the paninis.” But the Heritage Café has more than just the typical café fair. It is also a place customers can enjoy a nutritious lunch that is also delicious. The balance between flavor and health is even reflected in the owner’s own favourite menu items. “I absolutely love our Greek salad.” she replied, “I just love vegetables, all vegetables, especially the briny ones like olives and roasted red peppers. I also love our roasted vegetable panini. That has tons of cheese— which, I love cheese, all the cheese—eggplant, spinach, and roasted red peppers again.” Although the Heritage Café is now open and serving the community, Michele Rochkind’s café did not have an easy start. Rochkind’s café journey included a move, some construction, a lot of research, and a large dose of learning. “My husband got pretty ill and we were living in Baltimore at the time.” Rochkind said, “And it was pretty hard juggling work and life with him being in the hospital. So, when I got the opportunity to move back and open a café in one of my family’s buildings, I jumped on it right away because being around family again, having help in that situation, was something I wish I had had.” Moving back to the Central New York area, as well as having her café’s location situated near University Hill, had a great influence on everything from the menu to the type of restaurant she would open. She saw a unique need in the community and filled it by providing something that the Syracuse restaurant scene did not already have. “When I moved back and was walking around Marshall Street, I was looking at everybody else and what my competition was going to be. I obviously wasn’t going to want to open a pizza joint or a wing joint or even a full-service place because Fagan’s already is there. So, the only place that—at the time—was open and doing anything like us was Bruegger’s, and they didn’t have anything like us. Sure, they had the coffee and they had the breakfast sandwiches, but they didn’t really go into lunch.” But even after conducting market research, before she could begin bringing chef-crafted food to the area, she had to teach herself how to be the businesswoman she is today. “I kind of walked into it blindly as a chef.” she said about building her business, “I didn’t know any of the business side, so it’s definitely been a journey and I’ve learned quite a bit. I’ve never had any issue from the food side, but learning about the business side, construction, hiring, firing people, customers, it’s been kind of crazy. So, what came to me as ‘oh, it’s going to be a cute, little café’ was not as simple as a cute, little, small café.”
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When asked about what she had to learn outside of being a chef, she replied, “I had to learn pretty much everything. We learn food costing in school, but that’s not our number one side of things. We don’t learn the business. We learn how to make the food. So, I had to teach myself food cost. I had to teach myself ordering. I also had to teach myself employee relationships - how to handle employees, how to hire them, how to fire them, how to handle them when they’re in your care essentially. Also payroll, tips, insurance. It goes on and on. It was definitely a lot of work, a lot of research. And from start to finish, it did take me two and a half to three years to build up Heritage through the construction and to teach myself enough to get the doors open. It’s definitely a lot harder than I think a lot of people think it’s going to be. But it’s doable.” Even with all of the usual issues that come along with opening a restaurant, there are even more obstacles for women in the culinary industry. As Rochkind explained, she was no exception. “I had an amazing chef that was my mentor in culinary school in Soho. Chef Ann was amazing. She taught me a lot of the employee side of things. I didn’t have a lot of great employers before that. It’s a very maledominated industry and, as such, you have to get used to that bit of sexism here and there. Learning from her, I found that she had seen both sides of it. And it’s definitely different between high-end kitchens and a café for sure. So, she taught me a lot on the employee side.” Even out of culinary school, Rochkind is still able to find support in a community of fellow businesswomen. Being a part of the WBOC allows her to find the business support she needs, but it also allows her to be an influence to other women looking to make their way in competitive industries. But what Michele Rochkind want her fellow businesswomen to know is to not let any industry intimidate you. “Just don’t be intimidated.” she said, “In the restaurant industry, a lot of women I find really are intimidated by this industry because it is so male dominant. And it’s very obvious that it is male dominated. Nobody is going to hold your hand and they can, at times, be a little rude. But at the end of the day, there are great resources for women out there. You just have to look and find them. And WBOC, for me, has been an amazing resource actually because I’m from Skaneateles, but I didn’t start my career here. And moving here—not really knowing anybody as an adult and as a business owner—they really, really helped me out with that.” Encouraging fellow businesswomen and making excellent food is only part of what Rochkind wants to do in her community. By combining her profession with that encouragement, she also wishes to use the café as a place for girls to learn valuable skills. “We were starting a program with the Girl Scouts of America before Covid hit. It was really fun and it was called ‘A Day at Heritage Café.’ [The scouts] would come in the morning and they would get their baking badge. They’d learn how to make our scones, which they had the basic scone that they did and then they added whatever mix-ins they wanted. Then they came upstairs and I taught them a whole marketing lesson. So, at the end of the day, they went home with three badges.” “I was actually a Girl Scout and I just remember Girl Scouts being boring.” she continued, “So I wanted to do something a little different TH E EDU C ATION EDITION
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Photos by Sophie Proe
and I hope that we can bring the program back. I hope that things will start coming back normal. We’re slowly seeing it now. I’d like to bring that back on and do it at least every other month like we were starting to do.” But what she wants to tell all women—both professionals making their way through their fields and young girls trying to learn valuable skills— is to not be afraid to reach out. “I would love to see more women doing this and reaching out and asking for help because I think there’s a lot of times—I know I do it—as women when we don’t want to ask for help. Like I said, I’ve been guilty of that too. I just want more people to come out and do their thing, own their own place.” SWM
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COVER STORY
LATRINA BRUMFIELD Inspiring Syracuse's next generation Emma Vallelunga
“School is not just where students come every day to learn, but it’s [where] the entire community should be a part of it. We all are a part of raising the best child possible.” —Latrina Brumfield
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COVER STORY
Inspiring Syracuse's next generation Emma Vallelunga
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good educator knows it takes more than one person and more than one day to teach a student something valuable in their life. From growing up in Syracuse to graduating from Syracuse schools and seeking degrees to better the education of future generations in Syracuse, Frazer School K-8 Principal Latrina Brumfield has focused her career on the success of students despite the overwhelming obstacles COVID-19 brought to the world of education. Attending HW Smith Pre-K-8 School, Levy Middle School and Nottingham High School, Brumfield said becoming a principal within the Syracuse City School District where she grew up and graduated was very humbling. While many things have changed since then, Brumfield said the need to continue serving the students both in and out of the classroom has remained. “We as the leaders of the district have to find creative and innovative ways to entice the students to want to be in school and be involved in school activities but also making sure we’re involving families,” Brumfield said.
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“School is not just where students come every day to learn, but it’s [where] the entire community should be a part of it. We all are a part of raising the best child possible.” Brumfield received a bachelor’s in psychology with an education minor and a master’s in special education from LeMoyne College. While she was teaching special education at McCarthy at Beard School within SCSD, she realized she enjoyed reaching out and helping more students outside of her own. “I quickly took on a liking of helping everyone, not just the students that were in my class, but helping all the students and teachers and just being there for anybody who needed help and always coming up with different ideas to help make sure that the students were getting everything that they needed,” she said. When the McCarthy principal at the time, who had asked Brumfield in the past if she was interested in going into administration, was injured for an extended period of time, Brumfield became a teacher on special assignment for McCarthy. Being that primary resource for students, teachers and families on a broader scale inspired her to go back to LeMoyne for her Certificate of Advanced Study in 2013. After that, Brumfield joined the Frazer faculty as principal at the beginning of the 2019 school year. But the COVID-19 pandemic changed the face of education forever. Schools were shut down, learning from home was a new and confusing challenge and most students in the Syracuse schools didn’t have all the resources they needed to succeed in an online-only, at-home environment. Under her administration at Frazer, Brumfield said the school made a consistent effort to communicate with families through phone calls, texts, in-person visits and open conversations to seek out their needs when they knew times were tough. “We were definitely a school that I felt like we made that one of our top priorities,” she said. “And when we weren’t able to contact the family, we made sure we had support staff that was able to go out and check in on the family, make sure they were doing OK and see whether they needed any supplies. I think that definitely helped the families just stay connected to the school.”
“People have to realize that children are in school longer than they are at home each day, so when you think about that, you can inspire children to be whatever they want to be, to see the world differently through school.”—Latrina Brumfeld
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COVER STORY
Inspiring Syracuse's next generation from page 21 When the SCSD announced its fall 2020 reopening plan, Brumfield said she was nervous at times for the students’ safety but knew there were good procedures put in place by the district. Those included organized meal pick-ups at Frazer every day of the week, a service many students relied on for meals they wouldn’t normally be able to get at home during the week.
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“It was nerve wracking to think about whether or not all of the students were going to be safe or even have enough food,” she said. “Those [meal pick-ups] helped ease the tension and anxiety of knowing whether students were going to be OK.” Brumfield said the school year at Frazer went well despite COVID-19 and the changes, challenges and anxieties it brought. “COVID was the unknown,” she said. “We were all learning about it at the same time. But overall, I feel like our teachers and staff were super flexible. They were resilient and able to take the changes and do what’s best for our students.” One approach that proved effective and essential to student success, especially during the pandemic as schools reopened in the fall, was for teachers and administrators to show compassion and create a safe space for them to talk about their concerns. “People have to realize that children are in school longer than they are at home each day, so when you think about that, you can inspire children to be whatever they want to be, to see the world differently through school,” she said. “Bringing empathy into the classroom is going to be crucial when you look at a year coming off of COVID, and coming back into the classroom, you don’t know what people have gone through in their homes.” Brumfield also knew showing empathy and compassion was necessary in her own home life. Her second-oldest son and daughter were also students at West Genesee High School this year, trying to navigate the struggles of online learning, passing classes, managing time and even graduating. “The same struggles I felt like everyone was having were [everywhere],” she said. “It wasn’t just pinpointed to one population of students or families. Everyone had trouble. [I was] watching my own children struggle with virtual learning and not wanting to sit through a virtual class one more day. With students being virtual, you have to be a part of their time management, making sure they’re up on-time for class, making sure their homework is being submitted, making sure they’re reaching out for help if they need it. Children are social beings, and having to take classes through a computer screen was hard for them.” In her role as Frazer’s principal, she said she hopes more parents and families can collaborate and communicate with teachers and administrators on ways to better the school, especially after learning from the pandemic. And when it comes to finding success in Syracuse and its students, Brumfield said she’s made so many life-long connections with past students, present students, parents of students who graduated and others within the SCSD that their success is what tells her that she's succeeded too. “When you think about the students you come in contact with each and every day, the success comes from them knowing that you care about them and want to see them succeed,” she said. “It’s always a blessing to have them call you once they’ve graduated, to tell you what they’re doing with their lives. Knowing that I’m the principal at Frazer School [now], so many of my students that I had previous years call the school just to check in. So the success is knowing that they know you are always going to be there for them no matter what, and they can always reach out to you whenever or however they need to. That’s always showing me that I’ve done my job.” SWM
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HEALTH
Midlife. Changing with grace! PART 2
Heather Shannon
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ast month we learned about perimenopause, menopause and post menopause and how it affects some women. So, what can we do about it? Should you take hormones or over the counter treatments? How do you know what is safe and going to give you the best results? What should you do? The answer is: talk to your health care provider. Your provider will know your health history best and the best and safest course for you. Let’s face it, treating menopausal symptoms are not cookie cutter care, but personalized based on your health and symptoms. Let us talk about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are two types of HRT. Commercially prepared and compounded or bioidentical. Both are beneficial in treating symptoms of menopause but are different in preparation and Food Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The good news is HRT is proven helpful in treating the uncomfortable menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal symptoms, mood swings and even insomnia. Fortunately, there are many FDA approved HRT options available. There is a pill, patch, vaginal insert, troche (lozenge), pellet or topical to name a few. In addition, there are different types of hormones available. There are two primary synthetic estrogens; conjugated estrogen (some are sourced from pregnant mare urine) or estradiol, which is a synthetic steroid estrogen. There are two types of progesterone’s; progestin, which is synthetic or micronized progesterone and is structurally identical to the progesterone produced by the ovary. The differences are in the production and sources of hormone. So many options. How do you choose? Think about what you are looking for in outcomes. For example, are hot flashes more bothersome than insomnia or do vaginal
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symptoms top it all? When you meet with your provider, be prepared to talk about this. Now that you know what you are looking to treat, you need to decide what and how to take HRT. For example, taking oral or topical estrogen, with or without progesterone, will help with hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes or worsening bone loss (osteoporosis). Maybe you are looking for vaginal or topical estrogen cream to treat your vaginal dryness, vulvar irritation or urinary symptoms. Topical works better than oral estrogen for these symptoms. I would be remised if I did not discuss risks associated with HRT. Yes, there is a small risk of breast cancer within the first three to five years of use, especially combined estrogen and progesterone and long-term use of HRT over the age of 65. However, HRT is still considered safe when you have a breastmonitoring plan in place, i.e. you perform monthly breast exams and complete annual breast cancer screenings (mammograms). When deciding to start HRT age, medical conditions and timing of HRT are considered for the type of HRT that will be the safest and most effective. If a woman is in her 70’s taking HRT, she will be at a higher risk than a woman will in her 50’s for a stroke, heart attack, clot (deep vein thrombosis) or breast cancer. Recommendations that reduce your risk include taking the lowest dose of HRT for the shortest amount of time at the earliest age possible. If you are not a candidate to take HRT or you decide it is not for you, there are alternatives available. Certain antidepressants (SSRI) have been shown to improve your hot flashes, improve sleep and moods. Gabapentin (Neurontin), used to treat seizures and pain, has been shown to reduce hot flashes in some women. TH E EDU C ATION EDITION
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Plant based therapies like soy (isoflavin) act like a weak form of estrogen, which can help reduce hot flashes and may prevent bone loss. Black Cohosh is a North American plant that can improve hot flashes, sleep disruption and depression. There are “Mother Nature” treatments for hot flashes like Red Clover, Dong Quai, Ginseng, Kava or Evening Primrose Oil are possible options.
PERIMENOPAUSE
OCCURS OVER 7-10 YEARS
MENOPAUSE:
NO MENSES FOR ONE YEAR
There is little evidence that show symptom relief of hot flashes with these supplements and can have other health risks. It is very important to learn about the alternative options and possible ill effects before using them. As a reminder, it is important to talk with your health care provider to determine whether it is safe for you to consider these herbals. Lastly, bioidentical hormones are plant-based hormones compounded by a specialty pharmacy. Your health care provider prescribes it like the other HRT, but a compounding pharmacy actually makes it for you. Since some of the hormones used in these preparations are not FDA approved, it may be harder to find a health care provider who will prescribe this for you. Micronized progesterone and estradiol are natural hormones approved by FDA and are common in bioidentical preparations. Of course, the risks are the same as commercially prepared HRT noted above. The process of going through menopause is part of being a woman. Each of us goes through it in different ways, some with minimal symptoms and some with extreme symptoms. Whatever your situation is, know your health history, research your options and weigh potential risks. The good thing is you have options available to you and talking to your health care provider will guide to the safest and best plan for you. SWM Heather Shannon is a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner at Oswego County Opportunities. She has a master of science and a master of public health degree.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
ESM SUPERINTENDENT
DONNA DeSIATO
Dr. Donna DeSiato has served as East Syracuse Minoa’s superintendent since 2005. She largely ascribes her work ethic to the support of her parents, who ran the Syracuse restaurant Gilberti’s Corner House back in the day.
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Preparing to excel in a ‘complex, interconnected, changing world.’ Jason Klaiber
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ong before wearing the title of superintendent, Dr. Donna DeSiato developed a keen awareness of the impact an educational support system can have on the life of a child. From an early age, her parents made sure to present her and her younger siblings with the space to solve day-to-day problems while still allowing for bonding time over the dinner table. There was also the cherished book read often around the house, “The Little Engine That Could,” which instilled in her the confidence to succeed with its signature phrase, “I think I can.” Natural curiosity and a love of learning took hold from there, never to diminish, and in time DeSiato became the first person in her family to attend college. Her continuing quest for higher learning brought her from Onondaga Community College to the University of Miami, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She then pursued a master’s from SUNY Cortland and obtained a certificate of advanced study in instructional leadership from SUNY Oswego before completing her doctoral work at Syracuse University. DeSiato’s first two years of teaching were spent in Fairfield, Iowa, in the early 1970s, but after deciding she wanted to move back to her family’s home state of New York, she set her sights on the Syracuse City School District. She worked as a teacher and instructional specialist at Elmwood Elementary on South Avenue prior to assuming the role of principal, a position she held from 1984 to 1994. DeSiato eventually served
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in the capacity of assistant super-intendent for curriculum and instruction while working within the district. “Those were absolutely tremendous and very rewarding years educationally and professionally,” said DeSiato, who gave the city schools three decades of her life. Eventually she would warm up just the same to the East Syracuse Minoa (ESM) Central School District, where she’s been superintendent since July 2005. Under her watch, the district implemented its own strategic plan, a roadmap of sorts that has garnered far-and-wide recognition since it launched in 2008. This plan, which is revisited every five years, is designed to fulfill the district’s vision to build and nurture “an exemplary 21st century learning community whose graduates are prepared to excel in a complex, interconnected, changing world.” According to DeSiato, the strategic plan has guided ESM’s development in providing for a healthy and safe environment while laying out the framework for capital improvements and fostering the growth of its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs. The New York State School Board Association and the SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s college of nanotechnology bestowed the Be the Change for Kids Innovation Award upon the district for
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Donna DeSiato from page 27 these STEM programs in 2013, the same year its high school was recognized by Newsweek as one of the best in America. DeSiato also credits the strategic plan as an underlying instrument that has helped to stabilize the district’s graduation rate at around 92 percent, a figure that leaves out the students who have stayed in school until the age of 21 as a result of individualized special education plans. At this point, ESM tries not to be a “one-size-fits-all” school district, said DeSiato. In other words, niches are purposely carved out for everyone, if possible. “Students have the opportunity at ESM to really select their career pathway based on their interests, their aptitudes and their success in learning in certain areas that they want to continue to focus on,” she said. The comprehensive district contains a culinary arts curriculum and a financial literacy program with a fully operating studentled credit union. It also boasts a vocational class focusing on cosmetology, an automotive technology program called Spartan Garage wherein students rebuild classic cars, and a media and communications area with a “state-of-the-art” television studio built into the mainframe of the high school. In this studio, ESM students cover weather, news and sports for a morning show produced five days a week. This past winter, DeSiato managed to set herself apart and attract attention to the district for her use of whimsical video messages when announcing snow days. One such video featured a spin on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” specially tailored to reflect an impending blizzard, while another parodied the “Frosty the Snowman” jingle. The superintendent upholds the notion that these messages were meant to bring some wonderment to the equation during a period of remote learning. “Taking the liberty of making things more fun and appealing to youth makes a difference for our students,” DeSiato said. “You can never lose sight of our ability to have playfulness in our lives.” Before starting her current appointment, DeSiato was looking for a district she felt she could suit perfectly: one that met “all of the ingredients,” like the enjoyment of a caring school board, a highly helpful executive cabinet and a “tremendous” team of teachers. Now, with nearly 50 years in the field of education, she believes her match has been found. “I’m very grateful for my family and for the ESM community, and I’m grateful that I’m able to serve in the role of superintendent during these years,” DeSiato said. During her time as the East Syracuse Minoa superintendent, Dr. Donna DeSiato has received multiple honors, including the 2015 Margaret Ashida STEM Leadership Award, the 2016 STEM Woman of the Year Award granted by the CNY Stem Hub, and the STEM Outreach Individual of the Year 2020 Award presented by Technology Alliance of Central New York. With respect to future goals, DeSiato aims to restore previous levels of connectivity among students and staff members by way of orientations and the like once her district fully returns to in-person learning. SWM
All photos taken by Marcia Kelley
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On Friday, June 25, the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College held this year’s ESM graduation. DeSiato referred to the ceremony as a “Spartan spectacular.” TH E EDU C ATION EDITION
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INSPIRE
HEATHER MALONEY-STASSEN Maloney-Stassen said Dr. Benjamin Bates is “one of those dream writing partners.” She considers him fluent in piecing together information, and both share interests in advocacy-related academic research. The theoretical frame Maloney-Stassen has worked with most in her research is the ideograph. Along with Dr. Bates, she has analyzed how definitions of words can be influenced by different public viewpoints, which can change over time. Within her research on marriage, Maloney-Stassen has also addressed polygamy and depictions of it in the news or other media. Examples include the HBO program, "Big Love" and the raid on the Yearning for Zion ranch in Texas.
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How public opinion shapes language Jason Klaiber
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lot can change in a decade, even if it goes by in a flash. Just ask Dr. Heather Maloney-Stassen, whose now-awardwinning research turned its focus toward the shift in the popular definition of the term “marriage” over the past 10 years or so. Presently the director of the communication studies program and the interim program director of English at Cazenovia College, Maloney-Stassen began delving into the subject while only a graduate student at Ohio University. Soon enough, she read through Michael Calvin McGee’s writing on ideographs and became “obsessed” with the concept, particularly as it pertained to language development, public policy and public rhetoric. In collaboration with one of her professors, Dr. Benjamin Bates, and in search of people who would have just started thinking more seriously about marriage and what it means, she collected data through an independent 2008 study conducted at an undisclosed academic institution in the Midwest. The college-aged group of 176 participants—a “hodgepodge” of students from urban and rural environments—had yielded a range of free-written answers, but Maloney-Stassen and Bates were able to cut across these interpretations of marriage and find key themes. Many of those respondents pointed to the importance of love and faithfulness between two people, while others wrote of the ability to stay committed without getting married. The views of a portion drew from the marriages in their families that either crumbled significantly due to abusiveness or ended in divorce. What also arose back in 2008 was contentiousness surrounding whether or not the respondents saw marriage as a religious entity, especially since the same-sex marriage debate was then more prominent in the public sphere according to Maloney-Stassen. “People were explicitly saying ‘between a man and a woman,’ or they were saying ‘between two people, no matter their sex, whomever they love,’” Maloney-Stassen said. “It was reflective of the policy agenda at that time because folks didn’t really know where the same sex marriage legislation was gonna go.” Though they’re seen far and wide as the ritualistic ceremony that cements a marriage, weddings curiously weren’t mentioned as much in this data, she said. By the time that first paper entitled, “Constructing Marriage: Exploring Marriage as an Ideograph,” was published in early 2010, Maloney-Stassen was a visiting assistant professor at Hamilton College. At that point, she didn’t foresee a re-evaluation that would cite dramatic changes in 10 years’ time, mainly because she had low expectations that federal regulation of same-sex marriage would come to fruition. “I thought it would be state-by-state and that we’d still have holdouts,” she said. “I really thought that if we collected data in 10 years, we’d have to, based on geography, do a cluster sample and go to states where it was not legal to figure out what was still going on.” About midway through 2015, however, the Obergefell v. Hodges case—which ended in a 5-4 Supreme Court decision—ruled that
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states were required to legally recognize same-sex marriage. Though there were refusals to comply with the issuance of marriage licenses to such couples afterward, Maloney-Stassen said that the federal government was overall quick to enforce compliance, leading to resistance largely being dispelled, especially in what she calls “more progressive states.” A few years down the line, after noticing the accelerated change in public perception, she and her encouraging mentor Dr. Bates decided to look into collecting a second round of data from the same demographic. The resulting article, “Renewing Vows: A Diachronic Analysis of Marriage as an Ideograph,” ended up seeing the light of day in late 2019 via an online version before being printed in the peer-reviewed journal Qualitative Research Reports in Communication in early 2020. Maloney-Stassen said that same-sex marriage wasn’t argued against as much in the newer data, perhaps owing to the fact that the students this time around were pre-teens or teenagers when such arrangements were legalized, thus lending them a different perspective than the prior group. Additionally, references to civil unions dropped, as did mentions of divorce, possibly due to a declining divorce rate since 2010. More so than in the first batch of data, there were respondents who thought of marriage as less of a necessity, aside from the acquisition of a different health insurance plan. Others shared that they believed marriage could be defined by the legality or “contractual” agreement of it as much as anything. “When somebody says ‘marriage,’ they have a certain expectation of what that’s gonna look like, but for many people, those expectations don’t meet,” Maloney-Stassen said. “Marriage is so abstract that it’s hard to concretize.” As announced in March, this second research assessment earned the “Article of the Year” award from the Eastern Communication Association (ECA), which focused on the previous calendar year for the category. “If people read it, that’s just icing on the cake,” Maloney-Stassen said. “But to know that someone read it and recommended it for ‘Article of the Year’ and that somebody else thought ‘hey, that’s a good idea’ was really neat.” She said that Cazenovia College has been a supportive environment for research as well as an employer that is congratulatory when affiliated work earns accolades. “Research is a collective effort on a college campus,” said MaloneyStassen, who is also an associate professor at the college. “It’s not me just working in my bubble in my office.” At Cazenovia College, located on Sullivan Street, Dr. Heather Maloney-Stassen teaches classes such as “Women’s and Gender Studies,” “Nonverbal Communication” and “Introduction to Public Relations.” SWM Established in 1910, the ECA is the oldest professional communication association in the country. For more information on the organization and its awards/nominations, visit ecasite.org.
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INSPIRE
STEVI WILSON
Supporting kids, both here and abroad Emma Vallelunga
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tevi Wilson believes she’ll never retire from teaching. She continues to educate and give back through charity and non-profit work because education is about more than just the day’s lecture — it’s about learning the life lessons, taking challenges in stride and being the ear to listen or the shoulder to cry on. Even as a Spanish teacher, Wilson has more than 30 years of experience in seeing what the power of education can do for people of all ages. As a Long Island native, Wilson came to the Central New York area after receiving her bachelor’s from SUNY Oswego and master’s from Syracuse University. Her first job out of college, teaching Spanish at East Syracuse Minoa High School, was when she fell in love with teaching, thanks to the school’s principal at the time. “I’ve loved my job from the day I started teaching,” Wilson
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said. “I used to tell my first principal, who was a true leader and an amazing man, that I would [teach] for free. He cared deeply for the kids and the teachers. He was like a second dad to me, and he helped mold me into the educator that I became.” Wilson taught at ESM full-time for many years, serving as advisor to many student clubs and presenting at teacher workshops locally and statewide, but then switched to part-time in 2019, not looking to fully retire. Still searching for ways to stay in the classroom, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, she taught courses throughBOCES, virtually for middle school Spanish classes based in Louisiana and New Jersey and higher-education as an adjunct professor at LeMoyne College. “That’s the piece [of me] I’ll never let go of,” she said. “Every single thing I did that involved teaching was a positive experience. Even if I retire, I will always be teaching. Even if it’s part-time, I don’t ever plan on not teaching.” For the last 15 years of her teaching career, Wilson has fundraised, donated and organized group trips with students, faculty, family and friends to benefit orphanages in the Dominican Republic in order to not only help acommunity in need but also provide a charitable and life-changing experience for others. “When I bring groups to the Dominican Republic to volunteer at orphanages, I feel like I’m teaching other people, sometimes very privileged kids, to be empathetic, to see commonalities in things that look different,” she said. “We bring back more than we ever could bring [to] them. When I bring back people who have served, they want to do it again and again. I’ve had people who have gone on trips with me for 10 years. I don’t know if I could ever stop doing it. It’s such an important part of who I am.” That positive word-of-mouth from past trips spread quickly, and Wilson was eventually able to turn her charity into an official non-profit, Esperanza Dominican Outreach, about five years ago. Today, she continues to fundraise through different school districts in the area and recently organized a small informal trip to the DR last month for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. “I had a trip scheduled for last summer, and I knew [what was happening] just before March, so I canceled the flights and got my money back, but I actually had people going on that trip who were mad at me,” she said. “Thank God I canceled when I did because it all got shut down, but I did manage to ship boxes and Christmas gifts this year once shipping opened back up.” In the classroom back home, Wilson loved Spanish language and culture, so she often used creative, entertaining and out-of-thebox methods to teach her students. Incorporating Spanish music into their vocabulary, celebrating Spanish holidays and even sending out personalized gifts that go along with their lesson plans are just a few of things she does to make kids feel engaged and excited about being in class.
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“I took every lesson that I did and turned it into a life lesson, even though it was a Spanish lesson,” she said. “It really meant a lot to these kids. I’m always thinking of ways to make [lessons] better.” But Wilson also knew some kids had more struggles in their home lives than just their homework. Over the years, she had many students feel comfortable confiding in her about their personal situations, such as domestic violence and sexuality. Continued on page 36
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STEVI WILSON from page 35 Wilson said she was moved by the strength of these students to not only go through those challenges but also be able to come to her in a time of need, especially when her interactions with students could only be done through Zoom. “I’ve learned over the years that I’m so much more than a Spanish teacher,” she said. “My classroom is always open for kids. I truly believe you can make a difference in a kid’s life by witnessing them and hearing them and supporting them through a difficult time, especially last year with COVID. These kids need more than just two-plus-two is four and ‘Hola, cómo estás?’ I just feel like one social worker in a school can’t do all that work, and I think people don’t realize that that’s what we do as teachers.” When COVID-19 was a larger threat to the safety of children nationwide, many teachers struggled to connect with their students. Compared to an in-person teaching environment, Wilson said students wouldn’t complete their assignments, participate in lessons or even turn their cameras on in the virtual classroom. Some failed her classes altogether, but Wilson said she believes in using empathy and understanding to put kids and students first. “I always told them that no matter what I’m there for them,” she said. “Not a lot of my BOCES kids were successful, but at least they knew that I was there every single day. [I always said], ‘If you have any questions,’ ‘If there’s anything you need to talk about,’ ‘It’s never too late to turn it around.’ At least they knew they had someone that cared that would help them through.” No matter what the subject is or the challenge presented, Wilson said she hopes other educators can find common ground with their students, whether it’s in a real classroom or through a computer screen, to help future generations grow into people. “I think the goal as an educator is to build those connections with kids so that they feel supported, because sometimes, they’re not getting [support] at home, and sometimes they just need a second person to hear them,” she said. “Those are the kids that end up being successful and change their behavior and how they see the world because somebody cares, and [educators] can make that difference just by listening.” SWM
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UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, August 1
Saturday, August 14
What: This is a family-friendly live music event featuring multiple bands throughout the day to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Middle Ages Brewing When: 2 to 8 p.m. Where: Leavenworth Park, 120 Wilkinson St., Syracuse 13204 Cost: Free
What: The Rosamond Gifford Zoo will celebrate its Asian elephants and the cultural traditions of their native countries in this day-long event that blends wildlife conservation education with Southeast Asian dance, music and art. Activities include elephant keeper chats, biofacts and demonstrations at the Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve. When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY 13204 Cost: Free with zoo membership or admission Info: rosamondgiffordzoo.org
Middle Ages Brewing’s 26th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, August 7
52nd Annual Canal Day in DeWitt
What: Enjoy food, games, inflatables, pony rides, entertain ment and more! The evening will feature a concert by the Maria DeSantis Orchestra and will end with fireworks. Entertainment includes a birds of prey exhibit, caricatures, and balloon twisting by Jeff the Magic Man. When: 3 to 10 p.m. Where: Ryder Park, Butternut Drive, DeWitt, NY 13057 Cost: Free Info: townofdewitt.com Saturday, August 14
Seneca River Days
What: A two-part event on Paper Mill Island for affordable fun in Baldwinsville. From noon until 5 p.m., families will enjoy kid-centric activities including food, music and magic, with no admission to join. After 6 p.m. there will be a $5 admission charge for the food and music portion of the day. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. No coolers. Proceeds go to Baldwinsville Rotary Club, which puts 100% of it back into the community through donations, sponsorships and programs that support those in need. When: Noon to 10 p.m. Where: Paper Mill Island, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 Cost: Free before 5 p.m., $5 after 6 p.m. Info: SenecaRiverDays.com
Asian Elephant Extravaganza
Monday, August 16 to Sunday, August 22
Madison Bouckville Antique Week
What: When: Where: Cost: Info:
New York’s largest antique and collectibles show, featuring more than 2,000 vendors. Collectors can hunt for antique treasures, collectable gems and vintage memorabilia across several show fields. Food trucks will be on hand. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Rt. 20, Bouckville, NY 13310 Free madison-bouckville.com
Saturday, August 14
Woofstock
What: A family fun event with food, beverages, vendors, crafts, bounce house, dunk tank, and live music from Steve Laureti and Old Clay Stone to benefit Wanderers' Rest.. When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Veterans Memorial Field 360 N. Main St., Oneida, NY 13421 Cost: Free Info: wanderersrest.org
In Memoriam DR. JESSICA SUMMERS
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r. Jessica Summers, 41, passed away unexpectedly on July 4. Summers, of Cicero, was the medical director of the burn center at Upstate University Hospital. She was one of five female trauma doctors at Upstate who were highlighted in the April 2021 edition of Syracuse Woman Magazine. Summers wanted to be a surgeon from the moment she was able to watch a live heart surgery after volunteering at UC Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento. “I love being able to fix things,” Summers said. “We do take people who are broken or have something that we can fix. We get to make people better, and that was always what drew me in.” At Upstate, Summers said being a female surgeon gave her the opportunity to teach other female medical students that surgery is an option for them, too. “Medical schools are 50-50 now,” Summers said. “If I can empower or inspire some female medical students to want to do surgery, I think that’s really something I enjoy and want to strive for.” Summers was passionate about her medical missionary work in Honduras. In honor of her legacy, the Upstate Foundation has established the Jessica Summers, MD, Memorial Scholarship Fund to sponsor an annual mission trip for a young medical professional. To contribute, visit upstatefoundation.org/jessicasummers. SWM
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Named to convenience store hall of fame
The New York Association of Convenience Stores recently announced Marcia Russo of Camillus has been elected to the New York Convenience Store Hall of Fame. The hall of fame honors individual retailers and suppliers for exceptional achieve-ment in, and distinguished service to, New York’s convenience store industry. Russo is a national client development manager for Acosta Sales & Marketing, a full-service sales, marketing and service company, representing leading manufacturers of consumer packaged goods products sold in the convenience store channel as well as all other classes of trade. Based in Syracuse, Russo manages several of Acosta’s leading national clients including Campbell’s, Procter & Gamble, Edgewell Personal Care, and Spectrum Brands. Prior to joining Acosta in 1998, she rose through the retail ranks and into a similar business and key account management capacity for Pezrow Food Brokers, a leading regional broker. Graduating summa cum laude, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Buffalo’s D’Youville College. Russo and her husband Gus reside in Camillus, where she enjoys gardening, boating, volunteering with the Camillus Erie Canal Society, and bowling (she’s in the Central New York Bowling Hall of Fame).
Named VP at Community Bank NA.A.
Alexandra Gorski was recently named a vice president, commercial banking officer at Community Bank, N.A. in DeWitt. In her new role, Gorski will establish and oversee commercial banking client relationships in the Central New York region. She will assist clients with a range of financial services, including lines of credit, commercial mortgages, construction loans, deposits and cash management services. Gorski has 30 years of experience in banking. She joins Community Bank N.A. from M&T Bank, where she most recently served as vice president, senior branch manager for nearly six years. Prior, she served as vice president, commercial loan officer at Solvay Bank. “We’re excited to welcome Alex to our Central New York team,” Community Bank N.A. SVP & Senior Commercial Lending Officer Luke Fagan said. “Alex’s industry experience and in-depth financial knowledge are invaluable assets to businesses seeking value-added banking relationships.” Outside of work, she is a trustee for Vera House Foundation. Previously, she served as a board member and treasurer for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County. Gorski holds a degree in business administration from Le Moyne College.
a co-production among three theatres on the East and West Coasts. This past season, Crespo directed the critically acclaimed two character “I and You,” which was made available to patrons as video on demand. She is scheduled to direct “Yoga Play” in the recently announced 2021/2022 season. In 2019, Crespo directed a reading of a workin-progress play by Larissa FastHorse as part of Stage’s Cold Read Festival. “Syracuse Stage has always felt like an artistic home away from home,” said Crespo. Crespo has also received numerous fellowships and residencies including: Time Warner Fellow (WP Theatre), Usual Suspect (New York Theater Workshop), The Director’s Project (Drama League), Van Lier Directing Fellow (Second Stage Theatre) and the Allen Lee Hughes Directing Fellow (Arena Stage). She holds an M.F.A. in directing from The New School for Drama where she is currently on faculty. She is also the editor of the online journal 3Views on Theater and was featured in the 2020 Broadway Women’s Fund “Women to Watch on Broadway.” As Stage’s associate artistic director, Crespo will be a key partner with Artistic Director Robert Hupp in the selection of the Syracuse Stage season and in the formation of the artistic teams who create the work. She will be central to the programmatic life of the theater and highly visible as a spokesperson for Stage in the community. “Melissa brings an incredible breadth of experience to our organization and I am thrilled to partner with her to chart Stage’s artistic future,” Hupp said. “I feel fortunate that she said yes to our invitation; her work will enrich all aspects of our theater.”
Veteran director joins Syracuse Stage team
Beginning Sept. 1, veteran New York-based director Melissa Crespo will become Syracuse Stage’s associate artistic director. Crespo has directed three times at Syracuse Stage in recent seasons. She directed the popular and successful comedy “Native Gardens” in 2019, which drew recognition from American Theater magazine. The entire creative team was women of color, a rare occurrence in professional regional theater and a first for Syracuse Stage, and it was AUGUST 2021
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