Fourth graders Aiden Olejarczyk and Miles Rhymestine won the Erie Canal 200 Years from Now Contest for Herkimer Central School District by creating a brochure imagining a future where robots run the Erie Canal.
The Herkimer students were recognized – along with students from Central Valley and Frankfort-Schuyler – during the Herkimer Marina Festival – Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal on Friday, Oct. 10.
During the ceremony, Herkimer Central School District Superintendent Kathleen Carney thanked Herkimer Elementary Principal Kathleen Carney, Central Valley Superintendent Jeremy Rich and Frankfort-Schuyler Superintendent Joseph Palmer for working with her to make the celebration unique among canal events for including students.
“It’s so important because you are the future,” Carney said to the student award winners. “We’re extremely proud of your creativity and the work that you’ve done.”
There were 158 students who participated in the Erie Canal 200 Years from Now Contest sponsored by GEMS Along the Mohawk & Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort. Students were asked to imagine what the Erie Canal will be like 200 years from now through anything from a poster to a poem. A winning group was selected from each of Herkimer, Central Valley and Frankfort-Schuyler.
Speakers at the ceremony included the school superintendents, the students, Renee Scialdo Shevat of Gems Along the Mohawk, state Assemblyman Robert Smullen, Herkimer Mayor Dana Sherry, Herkimer College President Terri Grates Day. A full-size replica of the original Seneca Chief boat also stopped by the Herkimer Marina for the event. Students and event attendees were able to tour the boat, and there was a tribute to the boat and a “Gathering of the Waters” led by Brian Trzeciak and John Costanzo.
The Herkimer student winners were joined from the school by Carney, Vogt and their fourth-grade teachers Jenna Becker and Brittany Caiola.
“We’re just very proud of their hard work,” Becker said. “They did a great job.”
Miles and Aiden said they developed their brochure after thinking about how building robots is becoming more common and imagining that robots could operate the canal in the future.
“We just think they’re going to run it,” Miles said.
The students said they enjoyed trying to think about what the future of the canal would look like.
“It’s fun,” Miles said.
They also were happy to be able to participate in the canal event.
“We’re excited,” Aiden said.
Vogt also said she appreciated that the students had the opportunity to be involved.
“I think the program was a great idea, and I’m glad our students were able to participate in it since it’s right in their backyard,” Vogt said.
Herkimer fourth graders Aiden Olejarczyk and Miles Rhymestine won the Erie Canal 200 Years from Now Contest for Herkimer Central School District during the Herkimer Marina Festival – Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal on Friday, Oct. 10. Pictured, from left, in front: Aiden and Miles. In back: Herkimer fourth-grade teacher Jenna Becker, Herkimer Elementary Principal Renee Vogt and Herkimer fourth-grade teacher Brittany Caiola. View more photos on our Facebook page.
Herkimer fourth graders Aiden Olejarczyk and Miles Rhymestine won the Erie Canal 200 Years from Now Contest for Herkimer Central School District during the Herkimer Marina Festival – Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal on Friday, Oct. 10. Pictured, Miles (front, left) and Aiden (front, right) present about their winning brochure during the event, as Herkimer Superintendent Kathleen Carney (back, left) and Herkimer Elementary Principal Renee Vogt (back, right) look on. View more photos on our Facebook page.
Herkimer fourth graders Aiden Olejarczyk and Miles Rhymestine won the Erie Canal 200 Years from Now Contest for Herkimer Central School District during the Herkimer Marina Festival – Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal on Friday, Oct. 10. Pictured, Miles (left) and Aiden (right) present about their winning brochure during the event. View more photos on our Facebook page.