Rev. Dr. Carolyn Bellamy Lester is being inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame for her dedication in obtaining her degree and following her calling into ministering to her community.
Carolyn was an alumna of the class of 1966. In high school she belonged to several clubs: Theta Sigma Nu, Tri-Hi-Y and Psi Kappa Gamma and was in Drama Club for a year and on library staff her junior year. She won both a shorthand and typing award also her junior year.
Carolyn worked for the State of New York for 31 yrs, in the Departments of Parks and Recreation, and in Health.
Carolyn earned her BA degree from RPI and MA in Pastoral Studies from St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. She was ordained in 2006. She earned another Masters in Divinity and a Doctoral in Ministry and Transformational Leadership from Colgate Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY in 2010. While in school she was the President of the Black Student Caucus and recipient of the Martin Luther King Fellows scholarship.
While a minister, she gave the sermon at the 2014 Genesee Baptist Church Pastor Appreciation Sunday service and spoke at the Friendship Day ceremonies at the Penfield United Methodist Church in 2016 to name a few. Her LinkedIn Profile contains so many endorsements they are too many to list.
Carolyn was nominated by Karen Garhartt ’72, with Carolyn’s brother David Bellamy and sister Pearl Haggary. Carolyn passed away last year at the age of 69. She was predeceased by her husband, Lenon, father Oscar Bellamy, Jr., and siblings Melvin and Pamela. She is survived by her mother Carrie Bellamy, two sons, Stefan and Aikee Lester, 3 grandchildren, and siblings Noris Vines, Oscar III, Ronald, Pearl Haggary, Darlene Thomas, Leslie Fiol, Derome and David.
In her yearbook her ambition said “To adjust my life so that I can make the best of my capabilities.” She certainly lived up to that.
Pearl Haggray, her sister Darlene Thomas, and brothers Oscar and David Bellamy accept the award for their sister, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Lester, posthumous. Karen Troxell Garhardtt '72 nominated Carolyn with Pearl and David.
Christopher Leahey is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his achievements and dedication to the youth and city of Rensselaer.
Chris is a 1983 graduate of Rensselaer Jr. Sr. High School where he lettered in Football, Basketball and Baseball, serving as Captain his senior year. Chris excelled at football, being named to the 1983 All-Conference Team for the tight end position and he received notice on the Times Union Honorable Mention list that same year. Chris was also part of the 1982 and 1983 Class C Section 2 basketball championship teams. In addition to athletics, he was class Treasurer, Vice President, and King of the Senior Prom. Chris also served on student council, was a varsity club member and was on yearbook staff.
Chris graduated Hudson Valley Community College, New York State University at Cortland, and Sage College where he earned his Masters of Science in Education. Later, he earned an advanced Certificate in School Administration from the University at Albany.
Chris began his teaching and coaching career at Bishop Maginn High School in Albany. While there, Chris served as the Chairman of the Middle States School Evaluation Committee and Junior Varsity Football Head Coach under the legendary Coach Joe Grasso for seven years. As Junior Varsity Football Head Coach, he led the Griffins to two consecutive undefeated seasons in which the team won the large school Super bowl in 1992 and 1993. At the same time Chris was Executive Director of the Rensselaer City Youth Bureau (1990-1994). As such, he recovered thousands of dollars of unreimbursed funds from the New York State Division for Youth, brought The Great American Circus to Riverfront Park and worked closely with community volunteers on the now defunct "Youth of the Year" program.
After leaving that position, Chris volunteered as Chairman of the Youth Board renovating Coyne Field. This project, estimated at close to one hundred thousand dollars, was completed at no cost to the city of Rensselaer. He also headed up the re-design of the softball field at Riverfront Park. Chris also worked summers at the Boys' and Girls' Club’s Camp Adventure, one year as Camp Director and another as Program Coordinator and Director of Athletics. He also served on the Board of Directors for several years.
Chris left Bishop Maginn in June of 1997 and became a teacher and coach in the South Colonie Central School District. In 2001, Chris began his career as a school administrator, a position he presently holds. His volunteerism continued and in 2013, Chris raised close to $2,000 for the American Cancer Society as part of the Colonie High School Character Education program's annual Raiderfest. Additionally, since 2000, Chris and members of his family and the Nelson Wilkinson family have raised thousands of dollars of scholarship funds for student-athletes at Rensselaer High School in the names of Nelson Wilkinson and his father, J. Donald Leahey. Chris participates annually in a neighborhood charity drive raising thousands for the Children's Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Chris is also a life member of the E.F. Hart Hose and the Knights of Columbus in Rensselaer. These are only the highlights of his career and volunteerism.
Chris was nominated by his classmate and friend, 2017 Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Dunn. Chris and his wife Mina have 2 children and live in Rensselaer.
Chris was nominated by Mike Dunn.