Fallsburg honors future problem solvers

FALLSBURG, NY — Fallsburg High School supports achievement in the classroom and extracurricular activities as well as on the athletic field. This year the senior and junior Future Problem Solvers (FPS) teams won the New York State Championships and earned the right to compete with teams from throughout the United States, Canada, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

In early June at the International Competition in Lexington, Kentucky, the junior team came in 13th and the senior team came in 15th. The junior team was comprised of Arya Mazanek, Christian Fountain, Morgan Vegliante and Brody Wiles. Ashley Baldwin-Hunter, Gavin Gandulla, Zachary Gold and Lisa Scheinman made up the senior team. Alternates Annie Moore and Jenna Leventoff were partnered with alternates from other teams and they both took third place in their respective divisions.

On June 15, coaches Julia and Joe Levner presented plaques and certificates from the board of education to every student who had taken part in the competitions throughout the year. There were two junior teams, one intermediate and one senior team altogether. Mr. Levner had been a member of the Fallsburg Senior Problem Solvers when he was a student in the late 1980s. His coach, and the founder of the first FPS teams, was Bill Duncan, a retired business education teacher who was also present at the ceremony to receive thanks from everyone. As a special surprise to the Levners, Superintendent Walter Milton Jr. presented them with plaques for their great service to the young people in the school district. After the awards ceremony proud parents, children and guests enjoyed fruits and cakes at the dessert table.