Urban-Suburban 26 Summer Newsletter

Greetings, families and friends!

We are excited to share program highlights and upcoming family engagement opportunities in this summer edition of our newsletter.

Reflecting on the 2025-26 school year, we extend heartfelt congratulations to the 2026 Urban-Suburban graduating class, 61 remarkable students! We are so proud of all you have achieved and are confident you will make meaningful contributions wherever your journey leads. Whether you pursue higher education, skilled trades, public or private sector roles, government, healthcare, the military, or beyond, you carry the spirit of our community with you. It has truly been an honor for our districts and Program to be a part of your story as you go on to shape communities near and far.

The smiles in our celebration photos offer just a glimpse of the many magical moments we've shared this year. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter as much as our team enjoys creating it!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year such a success. Your partnership and support are deeply appreciated by the entire Urban-Suburban community.

Sincerely,

Felicia A. Smith
Program Director

Guests enjoyed dinner, a connection activity, and an alumni panel featuring Sidney Taylor, Qianna Reeves-Campbell, Demetrius Scott, and Kyle Taylor, who shared their experiences and insights.

The evening offered students a chance to connect, build relationships, and leave with encouragement as they prepared for the next chapter.

The Senior Celebration was made possible by Canandaigua National Bank and The Community Foundation's charitable donations to the Urban-Suburban Program.

Photography courtesy of Spurgeon Bowen.

Stay connected with our participating districts through the latest news, highlights, and stories from their school communities.

- Brighton

- Brockport

- East Irondequoit

- East Rochester

- Fairport

- Hilton

- Honeoye Falls-Lima

- Penfield

- Pittsford

- Rochester

- Rush-Henrietta

- Spencerport

- Webster

- West Irondequoit

- Wheatland-Chili

Congratulations to the 2026 Academic Excellence, Academic Achievement, Core 4, and Special Service Award winners. The evening celebrated our graduates, the achievements of our students in grades 6 – 12, and those who have made an impact on the program. The many recognitions presented this year are a testament to the hard work, focus, and dedication found across the Urban-Suburban community.

Photography courtesy of Spurgeon Bowen.

- Nicholas DiMartino, Rogers Middle School Principal, West Irondequoit CSD

- Milledge Griffin, Monroe Community College

- Betzaida Hernandez, Office of Student Registration, RCSD

- Kelly Hubbard, Monroe One BOCES Communications Department

- Greta Johnston, Monroe One BOCES Coordinator of Behavioral Health

- Stephanie Miner, Fairport High School Assistant Principal, Fairport CSD

- Maycanitza Perez, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, Penfield CSD

- Melissa Perkowski, Northwood Elementary School Principal, Hilton CSD

- Brooke Taylor, First Student Transportation Dispatcher, RCSD - Bickford

During Recognition Night, we premiered a new video celebrating the people and experiences that make the Urban-Suburban Program so meaningful. In I Am Urban-Suburban, students and alumni reflect on what the program has meant to them, the opportunities it has provided, and the paths they plan to pursue after graduation.

Ahnasti Tate, Brighton High School

Jacky Chi, Eastridge High School

Jamyla Lewis, Brighton High School

- Alyssa Bain, Fairport High School

- Lundyn Blackman, Fairport High School

- Shakiela Blake, Penfield High School

- Zanya Bruce, Fairport High School

- Taylor Cates, Pittsford Mendon High School

- Jacky Chi, Eastridge High School

- Imani Christensen, Fairport High School

- Carlasia Clark, Pittsford Sutherland High School

- Isaiah Collins, Fairport High School

- Zion Dukes, Penfield High School

- Tyler Harris, Brockport High School

- Kingston Henry, Rush-Henrietta High School

- Avery Jenkins, Pittsford Sutherland High School

- Abigail Kingsley, Brockport High School

- Nia Lewis, Fairport High School

- Josiah Martin, Pittsford Mendon High School

- Aniyah Matthews, Pittsford Mendon High School

- Mahogany McCauley, Wheatland-Chili High School

- Jahzara McGee-Burgess, Wheatland-Chili High School

- Preston Richards, Fairport High School

- Ahnasti Tate, Brighton High School

- James Tolleson Jr., Spencerport High School

- Michayella Touloute, Pittsford Mendon High School

- Ja'nyla Washington, Webster Schroeder High School

- Aaron White, Pittsford Mendon High School

Alecia Zipp McLaughlin, Irondequoit High School Principal

Anna Rivera, Pittsford Parent

Ashley Hampton, Webster Parent

Janice Kpor, Brockport Parent

Carla Rivera, Penfield Parent

Latasha Lewis, East Rochester Parent

Justin Gastel, Brighton Parent

Members of our Urban-Suburban Scholarship Committee volunteer their time each year to review all criteria for the scholarship awards and allocate funds raised.

Contact urban_suburban@boces.monroe.edu if you're interested in serving next year.

The Urban League of Rochester’s Black Scholars Program recognized 32 outstanding Urban-Suburban students for their academic achievement and dedication. These graduates earned a B average or higher throughout high school, a key requirement for the prestigious honor.

Now in its 47th year, the Black Scholars Program celebrates the academic excellence of Black students across the Greater Rochester area. The program not only recognizes students but also provides college preparation support, scholarship opportunities, and continued assistance after graduation as they become leaders in their communities.

We are proud to congratulate the following 2026 Urban-Suburban Black Scholars:

Brighton High School

Jamyla Lewis

Brockport High School

Tyler Harris

Abigail Kingsley

East Rochester MLA/Sr. High School

O’Neil Harris-Lopez

Fairport High School

Alyssa Bain

Lundyn Blackman

Zanya Bruce

Isaiah Collins

Nia Lewis

D’Avionne Palmer

Preston Richards

Penfield High School

Shakiela Blake

Naomi Cliff

Cordell Good

Kamiyah Randle

Lundon Whipset

Pittsford Mendon High School

Taylor Cates

Josiah Martin

Michayella Touloute

Aaron White

Pittsford Sutherland High School

Carlasia Clark

Avery Jenkins

Aniyah Matthews

Rush-Henrietta High School

Myracle Gordon

Spencerport High School

Kahlil Titus

Webster Schroeder High School

Ja’nyla Washington

K’Loni Jackson

Wheatland-Chili High School

Da’Money Dixon

Destinee Lofton

Jahzara McGee-Burgess

Janeira Marshall

Mahogany McCauley

These students were recognized during the Urban League of Rochester’s Black Scholars Recognition & Scholarship Presentation Ceremony in June.

Mark your calendars! The Parent Advisory Council's Back to School BBQ is on Saturday, August 29.

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Saturday, August 29

Dogwood Shelter at Genesee Valley Park

It's our annual opportunity to connect with one another and kick off the school year. Bring your family for great food, conversation, raffles, and more.

Please RSVP to USPACTEAM@gmail.com and let us know if you're able to bring a side dish, drink, or dessert, or if you'd like to volunteer.

We’re looking for parent representatives with students in the Honeoye Falls-Lima and Hilton Central School Districts to join the Urban-Suburban Parent Advisory Council (PAC).

The PAC is made up of parent volunteers from participating districts who support the Urban-Suburban Program by advocating for students and families. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month from 6:00–7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted).

Email USPACteam@gmail.com and urban_suburban@boces.monroe.edu to get involved.