submitted by Brian Bushner
The Hoosick community showed how welcoming it is when so many people and organizations pitched in recently to help guests from California feel welcome and comfortable while staying in Hoosick Falls.[private]
Students from Academia Avance in Los Angeles, California, traveled to Hoosick Falls as part of their senior project about communities impacted by water contamination. While in the region, they traveled to St. Regis Mohawk Nation in Canada and had other educational experiences, including presenting at and attending the inaugural Taconic Mountain Student Water Conference at Bennington College.
Hosting the 47 students and chaperones from Los Angeles took a lot of coordination and volunteers, but the Hoosick community responded with its customary generosity.
After arriving in Hoosick Falls, the visiting students were given a tour of HFCS by Superintendent Facin and then headed to Immaculate Conception Church, which graciously offered their parish hall for sleeping quarters.
Father Tom ensured that every detail was taken care of, from making sure there was heat if needed, to letting the group use the kitchen and St. Joseph room for meals.
Joyce Brewer of HACA organized area churches to provide a fantastic breakfast menu for the kids each morning. She also helped with getting toiletries and needed supplies.
Having a place to sleep and food to eat were just the first two things to arrange – the students still needed bedding, and thanks to Al Bornt, Chief of the North Hoosick Fire Department, that need was met. The NHFD provided 47 cots for the students to sleep on, along with extra blankets to keep them warm. Even though the department was in the middle of setting up for their 70th Anniversary celebration activities, Al took the time to help out our visitors.
HFCS offered the gym for recreation, and also served as a shower facility for the students.
Paul Baker was instrumental in getting the cots set up and returning them to the NHFD. Also, The Hampton Inn in Bennington, Vermont, donated pillows.
Hoosick Falls Jr. / Sr. High School students connected to the Academia Avance students and immediately bonded. As a result, HFCS students invited Avance students to the after-prom activities.
Hoosick Falls CSD Superintendent Kenneth Facin said, “Making these students feel welcome was an excellent effort and showed a genuine sense of community, something Hoosick Falls excels at.”
As a way of saying ‘thank you,’ the students from Academia Avance prepared an authentic, home cooked Mexican meal for many of those who had helped make their stay safe and comfortable.
Academia Avance is an independent charter public school serving 400+ students in grades 6 through 12. Founded in 2005, Avance was the first charter school established in the historic Highland Park community of Northeast Los Angeles. The student body is 98% Latino and over 80% of its students will become first generation college students in their family. [/private]
