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Mary Biddle VanLeuven is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for her contributions to secular and spiritual education and humanitarianism.
Mary was active in her class of 1966, belonging to several clubs and winning the Latin Award for 3 years, and at graduation. She was also Vice President of Theta Sigma Nu her senior year. She also was chosen to speak at her class’ Senior Sunday. Mary attended Junior College of Albany and transferred to SUNY Albany earning her BA. She received her MS in Reading from SUNY Potsdam, taking night and summer courses while raising her children. She started her teaching career in 1984 in the Potsdam Central School District and taught 3rd and 4th grade throughout her 26 year career. She was active in Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) and assisted with chorus, specializing in transforming books into plays e.g. “Little Red Riding Hood” into “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch”. Mary also directed the yearly Holiday project at school, collecting gifts for needy families. Mary’s special personality endeared her to both students and teachers, becoming the “go to” person for advice when needed. In addition to her career, Mary was an active member of her church in Rensselaer and Potsdam. She currently serves on the vestry of her church, and as warden, usher, is on the altar guild, is an acolyte, and chalice bearer and has taught Sunday school. She volunteered as a supervisor of lay readers and is a reader herself and leads the committee for funeral detail. She belongs to the Renovare Group which fosters Christian spiritual development. Mary helps with church suppers and clerical projects, like updating the church directory. On top of all of this, Mary was past president and still volunteers for the Potsdam Hospital Guild. Under her guidance they have raised $800. Mary lives with her husband, alumnus Richard VanLeuven ’65 in Potsdam, NY where they raised their two sons. She was nominated by her friend, classmate and 2013 Hall of Fame inductee, James Cochran.
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- Category: Hall of Fame
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Michael Storonsky is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his champion athletic accomplishments, career in education and extensive volunteerism.
Mike graduated from Van Rensselaer High School in 1946. He was on the 1946 baseball team that won the Albany Scholastic Championship. He also played on the varsity basketball team in ’45-’46, who were Champions of the International Albany Scholastic League. Mike went on to play semi-pro baseball for the Champlain Valley, Albany and Rensselaer Twilight Leagues. In 1947 he won the Batting Title with a 420 average. Mike graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1950 with a BS degree in Elementary Education. During his undergraduate years he was Vice President of the Footlights Club, he belonged to the Athletic Council, Elementary Club, was Yearbook Sports Editor and Sports Editor of the school newspaper for 2 yrs. He played varsity basketball and baseball in college also, with a
589 batting average, which is the school’s record! All total, he won five varsity letters. He received his MS in Administration and Supervision in 1954 from SUNY Albany with additional credits from SUNY Oneonta from 1953-58 and in Guidance from SUNY Albany in 1983. His teaching career began in the New Lebanon School District teaching Junior High Math and Science from 1950-56. From 1956-63 he taught at Roessleville School in the Colonie District and then for a year was Supervising Principal of the East Nassau School. In 1964 he became Principal at the Elementary School in New Lebanon. From 1977-1984 he was Principal at Fort Crailo and Title I Coordinator for the District for 2 of those years. Mike is also a Certified Official for basketball, baseball, football and soccer. Mike has also held jobs as the Treasurer for the Eastern NY Chapter of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (40 yrs) and as a Travel Agent for Carlson Wagonlit Albany Travel Unlimited (17 yrs). Mike’s service on professional organizations is extensive. Just a partial list of his service includes Director for The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), President of the Albany Chapter of Plattsburgh Alumni Association, Representative to the NYS Elementary Principals on statewide Ethics Commission and served on PTA Executive Committees for each of the schools districts in which he worked, to name a few. Just a partial list of his community volunteerism service includes Secretary-Treasurer of the Colonie Cub and Boy Scouts, Manager of the Colonie Little League, Coach of Babe Ruth, President of the Colonie Senior Babe Ruth League, and President of the Ukrainian Catholic League (13 counties). He also was Chair of the United Way Drive, was awarded a Lifetime Pass from the Section II NYS Public High School Association in 1992, and was inducted into his college Hall of Fame in 2000. Mike lives with his wife Pauline in Watervliet. They raised 4 children and have 6 grandchildren. Mike was nominated by his school-mate and 2014 Hall of Fame inductee, Bob Eckert ’48.
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- Category: Hall of Fame
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Michael Stammel is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his many contributions to the school, his volunteerism, and longtime governmental service to the city and county of Rensselaer. Mike is an alumnus of the class of 1972.
In high school he was a member of the Drama Club and played varsity football and baseball. He has an Associates in Science Degree from Empire State College in Emergency Management and Fire Service. He has worked for Amtrak in Emergency Management and Corporate Security for 39 years. Mike was Alderman for the city’s fifth Ward from 1994-2000, then he was elected to the County Legislature, representing the City and has held that position ever since. This service won him the Pelletier Institute Award from Cornell University for his accomplishments in local government. As county legislator, Mike has served as Chair and Judiciary of the County Public Safety Committee, the Contract Committee, the Capital District Regional Committee, and for the Capital District Transportation Committee. Mike’s volunteerism is considerable. He has served on the ambulance squad as an EMT for 25 years and as a fireman with the Minks-Claxton Engine #2 for 43 years, and was made Fireman of the Year in 1990. The Rensselaer County Sheriff ‘s Office recognized Mike with a Special Award in 2005 and the Rensselaer County Legislature for coming to the aid of an ill person at the R.O.U.S.E. Picnic. This is an event the county holds for seniors every year. He is a board member for the Little League, The Boys and Girls Club, and has coached both Little League baseball and Pop Warner Football. He was also on the Rensselaer Festivities Committee for the Centennial. Mike was very instrumental in securing funding to keep the Senior Center open when it was slated for closure. Mike is a current member of the Kiwanis, Sons of the American Legion and has served as 1st Commander for Rensselaer County and is a member of the Rensselaer Woods Club. Mike has been very supportive to the Alumni Association whenever asked. He lives in Rensselaer and has 2 children and 6 grandchildren. Mike was nominated by Alumni Association Vice President and alumna, Deborah Irving Reimann ’74.