Thank you Congressman John Mannion for visiting students at WGHS today! So interesting to learn about how Congress functions and about the day to day responsibilities of a US Congressman! @JohnMannionNY22
West Genesee Principal Inducted into the NYSPC Hall of Fame
On March 30, 2025 West Genesee Intermediate School principal Dan MacCollum was inducted into the NYS Percussion Circuit (NYSPC) Hall of Fame. Congratulations!
It is the intent of this award by the NYSPC, the NYSPC Hall Of Fame Standing Committee, and the NYSPC Membership to recognize and honor appropriate individuals for their lifetime of dedication to pageantry arts, and the NYSPC.
MacCollum spent 22 years with the New York State Percussion Circuit. His involvement encompasses roles as a performer, ensemble director, writer/arranger, and dedicated board member. Also, before he came to West Genesee as an administrator, he worked with the Wildcat Marching band from 2008-2012.
Meet our School Patrol Officers: This Week...Officer Gilchriest
We would like to welcome Officer Peter Gilchriest on a full-time basis to West Genesee High School.
Officer Gilchriest received a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security from SUNY Canton. He also served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps Infantry with 1st Battalion Sixth Marines and 3rd Battalion 8th Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC. In 2017 he began his career with the Town of Manlius Police Department before transferring to the Camillus Police Department in 2022. Officer Gilchriest is a Crisis/ Hostage Negotiator, Honor Guard member, Bike Patrol Officer, Evidence Technician and Drone Pilot for the department.
Officer Gilchriest lives in Cicero with his fiance Amanda and daughters Adelyn and Amelia.
Students are Inducted into the National Technical Honor Society
On April 8, 2025 OCM BOCES inducted fifteen West Genesee students into the National Technical Honor Society. Inductees represent the “best of the best” of students enrolled in career and technical education programs.
Students who qualify must have an 85 average or higher, 12 or fewer absences from their program for the year, and a teacher endorsement. Students must also demonstrate respect, honesty, skill, responsibility, leadership, service and citizenship.
Congratulations to the following students:
Justyna Apps, Early Childhood Education
Christopher Bakowski, Construction Technology
Tucker Bealer, Welding Technology
Ty Buza, Automotive Technology
Miracle Campbell, Cosmetology
Mason Doran, New Vision Criminal Justice
David Fisher, Jr., Automotive Collision
Charliene Graham, Cosmetology
Emma Holmes, Cosmetology
Braedon Keller, Automotive Collision
Collin MacDonald, New Vision Criminal Justice
Joseph Mazzoni, Automotive Technology
Chelsea Orr, Early Childhood Education
Christopher Watkins, Welding Technology
Isabelle Wissel, Early Childhood Education
National Assistant Principals Week, April 7–11, 2025, celebrates the unsung heroes in our education system! Thank you for all you do!
Congratulations to our JV & V Winter Guards as they compete in the Mid-York Color Guard Circuit Championships at NS- fabulous performance & the culmination of a great season for each! Well done, Wildcats! 💙💛🐾
WGHS Scholars Meets Angie Thomas!
Last week, WGHS had the distinct honor of welcoming acclaimed author Angie Thomas for a virtual session that left everyone inspired. Angie shared her journey, wisdom, and the power of using one’s voice, reminding us of her own words:
"What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?"
Her heartfelt message resonated deeply with both students and staff, serving as a powerful call to action to speak up, create change, and embrace one's individuality. Thank you, Angie, for sharing your gifts and talents with our community, it was truly an inspiring and motivational experience for us all!
Congratulations to our very own Sam Gervaise for being honored by the Mid York Colorguard Circuit!! This weekend, he will be inducted into their Hall Of Fame for all of his great work and accomplishments!! Congratulations Sam!! 🎉🎉
Musicians are Selected for All-County Jazz Ensembles
Nine musicians from West Genesee High School and Camillus Middle School have been selected to perform in the Senior High/Junior High All-County Jazz Festival being held at Christian Brothers Academy on March 28-29, 2025. They are listed below along with the instrument that they play.
Junior High All-County Jazz:
Alexander Carkey-Tenor Saxophone
Parley Millar-Trumpet
Evelyn Dimmel-Trumpet
Senior High All-County Jazz:
Benjamin Korzeniewski-Baritone Saxophone
Max Nolan-Trumpet
Harrison Card-Trumpet
Ethan Gage-Trumpet
Oliver Rufa-Drum Set
Will Rufa-Vibraphone
Come support the WG ice hockey team as they compete for the NYS Championship tomorrow in Buffalo at 2:00 pm. Let’s pack the rink in Blue and Gold!! 💙💛🐾🏒🥅
Good luck to the WG hockey team as they play in the NYS Semi-Final vs Pittsford at 2:00 pm today in Buffalo!
You are invited to the 2025 West Genesee Wildcat Drumline, Cadet & Varsity Winterguard Community Performance Night on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm in the WGHS Upper Gym. (No charge for admission; donations accepted.)
Congratulations to the WG boys Basketball team as they win the Section 3 Championship 54-38 over Nottingham! 💙💛🐾🏀
Update: Congratulations to Mike Gomes for placing 4th at the NY State Championships today in the 1000m run with a time of 2:30.32
Good luck to our WG indoor track athletes competing at the NYS championships today! Mikey Gomes will run the 1000m run. Logan Scott, Dylan Frost, Will Fettig and Rhison Williams compete in the 4x200m relay! 💙💛🐾
Update: WG hockey wins the NYS Regional vs OP 6-4 and is now headed to the NYS Frozen Four next weekend in Buffalo!
Good luck today to the Wildcat Boys Hockey team as they travel to Buffalo to play Section VI Champion Orchard Park at noon! 💙💛🐾🐾🏒🥅 The game will be streamed on the NFHS Network: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/nysphsaa/gamdcb088cf31
Honoring a Sports Boosters Legend
Congratulations to Beth Stewart who was honored as the Citizen of the Year by the Camillus Chamber of Commerce for all the time she volunteers for the West Genesee Booster Club.
She has been a die-hard Wildcat her whole life. She went to West Genesee, raised her four children in the District and enjoys watching her grandchildren wear blue and gold. She also worked in the District for 35 years as a Teaching Assistant.
When the topic of the West Genesee Sports Boosters comes up, it is not uncommon to hear her name because she has been a part of this integral sports club for a very long time. More recently as the leader of the boosters in later years.
Her daughter shared, "She has been a Booster Club member nonstop since my siblings went to the high school in the late 80s and early 90s. She never misses a game or meeting. She lives and breathes West Genesee."
WG Boys Hockey team wins Section 3 Championship over RFA 2-0! Congratulations! 💙💛🐾🏒🥅
Starting this evening at sundown, February 28-March 29, many of our students and community members will be celebrating Ramadan.
West Genesee CSD wishes all of those who celebrate a month filled with the joys of family, community, peace, & understanding. Ramadan Mubarek and Ramadan Kareem.
Ramadan is a quiet, reflective time of worship, prayer, helping others, and spending time with loved ones.
Muslims that are 12 or older fast during Ramadan, not eating or drinking anything between sunrise and sunset. Fasting reminds Muslims to appreciate their blessings and to help those in need.
Families get up for an early meal before the sun rises called suhoor, and the fast is broken with an evening meal after the sun sets called iftar. #RamadanMubarek #RamadanKareem #Suhoor #Iftar
Join the West Genesee Culture Celebration TOMORROW!
The Annual Culture Celebration will be held at West Genesee High School TOMORROW, Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 12:00-3:00 p.m in the upper gymnasium.
The annual West Genesee Culture Celebration is an exciting opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of the West Genesee Central School District and the broader Camillus community.
This special event highlights the many cultures that make up our community through performances and table displays by students, families, and community groups.
Some of the participants this year include a Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Tearney's Martial Arts, Irish Dancers, and a Russian folk singer. Additionally, the event will showcase cultural displays from around the world, featuring South Africa, Bulgaria, Germany, Palestine, Mexico, and more!
Attendees are encouraged to bring an item to benefit two deserving organizations. AccessCNY is opening a new respite center for children facing mental health crises and is looking to collect children's books, art supplies, fidget spinners, playdough, and puzzles. The West Genesee Power Pack Program will be collecting Easy Mac, packaged fruit cups, granola bars, soup, Chef Boyardee, and Pop-Tarts to help combat food insecurity in the Camillus area.
For more information or to sign up, contact: Meghan Leonardis, West Genesee High School Administrative Intern, mleonardis@westgenesee.org, 315-487-4673.
Let’s make this celebration a true reflection of our multicultural community and foster a culture of inclusion in our schools. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Wildcats Hockey win 5-0! Advance to the Section 3 Championship. Goals by Michael Vetter, Jacob Pensabene (2), Jonah Vormwald (2).
That’s 100 Career Points for Jonah! Luke Beck earned the shutout. Thank You Wildcat Nation! #MadeItToMonday
