Suny Niagara Liberty Partnerships Program

Miss Jess from our North Tonawanda and Gaskill Sites had the pleasure of attending the WYFY kickoff party this past weekend. This event was planned by the WYFY students and mentors. It was a wonderful night. The entire time I thought of our students and how they would rock this opportunity to be a WYFY Ambassador. Take a look!

Congratulations to the North Tonawanda Middle School Students on their hard work fundraising for ! The grand total in funds raised was $355.11!
We are so proud of them for their committment and creativity.

About this Nonprofit:

Sweet Buffalo’s mission is to help children, families, nonprofits and animals. Started in 2016 by former journalist and marketing expert Kimberly LaRussa, Sweet Buffalo was dreamed up as a digital media company that would make a difference in the world. For the past nine years, Sweet Buffalo has been a force of awareness and support for those battling hardships, nonprofits in need of publicity and fundraising, animals in need of homes, children who need a smile, and so much more!

You can find Sweet Buffalo at many charitable events across Western New York! Just look for our big pink tent! You can also watch Sweet Buffalo on News 4 at 7 (CW23) every Monday night. And watch Sweet Buffalo on Daytime Buffalo every Thursday at 3 p.m.

We are excited to introduce Ms. Morgan (again!!) to Lockport High School, where she leads the Liberty Partnership Program site with passion, dedication, and care for students.

Ms. Morgan is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where students can grow, succeed, and feel encouraged every step of the way. Her positive energy and leadership make a meaningful impact on the school community.

Fun fact: Ms. Morgan enjoys playing Animal Crossing! We are so excited to have her at Lockport High School and look forward to all the great things ahead. 💙

What a fun day a couple weeks ago at Aaron Mossell in Lockport ✨💜

Ms. Morgan and Ms. Shatel brought the magic today with a hands-on galaxy jar activity that had students creating their own little universe in a jar 🌌

Glitter, colors, creativity, and big smiles all around as students explored space-inspired imagination and science in the most fun way!

Moments like these are what learning is all about—curiosity, connection, and a little bit of sparkle ✨

So grateful for such an engaging day with these amazing students at Aaron Mossell 💫

NT Middle School students have been working incredibly hard to support Sweet Buffalo, a nonprofit that provides meaningful services to families fighting critical illnesses like cancer, while also supporting animal adoption and service animal fundraising.

This cause is especially close to home for our school community. Students chose to organize this fundraiser after seeing firsthand the impact Sweet Buffalo had in supporting one of our own students, Andrew O’Sullivan, during a deeply challenging time when his mother was fighting cancer. The support they received left a lasting impression, and inspired action.

A huge shoutout goes to Ms. Jess and Ms. Katie for guiding and supporting this initiative, and to students Gemma Yohe, Mackenzie Bush, Amelia “Mia” Fiumefreddo, Phoebe Linville, and Lilliana Aiken, who truly took the lead in gathering items and pushing this project forward.

These students have been working on this event since December, showing dedication, teamwork, and heart every step of the way.

What started as a school project has turned into something much bigger; an effort rooted in compassion, community, and making a real difference!

🌟 **22nd Annual Statewide Empire Promise Youth Summit** 🌟
**Theme: “Rise of the Hero: The Power Within”**

This year’s Empire Promise Youth Summit brought together inspiring students from across New York State in Albany, NY for a powerful multi-day experience centered on leadership, identity, growth, and the power of student voice.

Hosted as a statewide gathering for the Liberty Partnerships Program, the summit created space for young leaders to connect, reflect, and step into their full potential through workshops, keynote experiences, and community-building moments designed to strengthen both confidence and purpose.

Over the course of two overnight stays in a hotel, students were immersed in an environment that encouraged independence, collaboration, and leadership development, while building lasting memories and meaningful connections with peers from across the state.

We are especially proud of four outstanding students from Niagara County who were selected to attend:

✨ Marian Rundle – Lockport
✨ Madeline Gulla – Niagara Falls
✨ Allison Burrow – North Tonawanda
✨ Jordan Jaehnig – Lockport

These young women are participants in the Liberty Partnerships Program, and were chosen for this incredible opportunity because of their demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, commitment to personal growth, and their ability to positively influence those around them.

Their presence at the summit is a reflection of who they are becoming, young leaders who are not only rising in their own lives, but also learning how to uplift their schools and communities along the way.

“Rise of the Hero: The Power Within” is a reminder that the strength, courage, and leadership they’re stepping into has already been within them all along.

We are so proud of you girls, keep rising. 🌟

🌟 Heroes on the Move 🌟
Presented by Say Yes Academy

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly community event the whole family will love!

📅 May 16th
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Harry F. Abate Elementary School
1625 Lockport Rd, North Tonawanda, NY 14305

Bring your family and enjoy a morning packed with excitement, connection, and community joy:

🍳 Free breakfast & lunch for all families
🧠 Hands-on interactive activities for kids
🎁 Giveaways and surprises throughout the morning
🚒 Tour a real fire truck & ambulance
📚 Comic books & fun reads
…and so much more!

✨ Come dressed as your favorite hero for a chance to win a sports jersey! ✨

This is more than an event—it’s a celebration of the everyday heroes in our community. Bring your energy, your creativity, and your superhero spirit. We can’t wait to see you there! 💙

A few weeks ago, our students from Edward Town Middle School and Tuscarora Middle School had the opportunity to attend an amazing event at SUNY Niagara.

Students toured the different educational wings, explored future career and academic pathways, and experienced campus life firsthand. They also had the chance to watch an incredible performance of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Story presented by the talented SUNY Niagara students.

Experiences like these inspire our students to dream bigger, think about their future, and see all the opportunities available to them. Thank you to SUNY Niagara for such a memorable day! 💙

Our NT students had a wonderful time creating craft owls and bringing their own unique style to each one.

From colorful designs to creative details, every owl was a reflection of their individuality, imagination, and personality. It was so much fun watching each student express themselves and make their project one of a kind.

We love seeing creativity shine and students enjoying hands-on activities that let them be themselves. Great job, NT students! 🦉💙