Todd Crandall, executive director, welcomed the honored students, their families and friends, administrators, staff and school board members from each of the Chautauqua County school districts and the Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.

“It is a night that parents, school board members and school administrators come together to be proud of the students from all the school districts in Chautauqua County. We are here to pay honor to Chautauqua County’s best. It is a night of reward not only for the students but for the hard work that school board members, superintendents, administrators, teachers and support staff members put into the many meetings and events that make our schools so great in our county,” Crandall said at the end of the evening.

The Far West Council of School Superintendents and CCSBA collaborated to offer $500 scholarships to two honor students from each school district, including the two BOCES centers. The scholarship funds were donated from the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

Students were recognized by Crandall, assisted by Sylvester Cleary, board president; Wendy Dyment, Chautauqua County School Boards Association first vice president; and Beth Olson, (E2CCB), CCSBA 1st Vice President Wendy Dyment (Westfield), and Beth Olson, president of the Far West Council of School Superintendents and superintendent of Clymer Central School. The students gave a brief statement about their accomplishments and future plans. Each received a certificate, memento and their scholarship check.

From left are Kurt Gustafson, Southwestern Central School board president and Board Member of the Year Award, and Todd Crandall, executive director of the Chautauqua County Schools Board Association.

“Their achievements, hard work and character make all of us proud. We are in good hands as each of you starts your next journey after high school,” Crandall said.

Kurt Gustafson was the recipient of the Board Member of the Year Award. Gustafson has served the Southwestern Central School District Board of Education since July 1, 2011, including terms as vice president from 2017-2023 and board president since July 2023. Beyond Southwestern, Gustafson has represented the district on the Chautauqua County School Boards Association Legislative Board since 2012, serving five terms and helping advance educational advocacy at the regional and state levels. Gustafson was also a New York State School Boards Association Ambassador and former Awards and Recognition Committee member for Area 3.

The annual Friend of Education Award was presented to Daniel Demarte, Jamestown Community College president since August 2018. DeMarte brings more than three decades of experience in community colleges, with a career spanning academic administration, student affairs, and institutional leadership. Before becoming JCC’s ninth president, he held senior leadership roles at several institutions, including executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Tidewater Community College in Virginia, vice provost at Macomb Community College in Michigan, and vice president for learning at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. He began his

career in higher education at Genesee Community College in New York. He holds a doctorate in higher education administration with a specialization in community colleges from North Carolina State University, along with master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the State University of New York system. His educational journey began while serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, during which he attended the Community College of the Air Force.

As president of JCC, DeMarte has focused on strategies such as stabilizing enrollment, expanding workforce development programs, and increasing access for diverse student populations, including adult and international learners. His leadership has also emphasized affordability initiatives, innovation in academic programming, and alignment with regional economic needs.

“We thank both Kurt and Dan for the tireless efforts and service to the youth in our schools and community colleges,” Crandall said. “Their work has been, and continues to be, inspirational to others. We are grateful for individuals like Dan and Kurt who are tremendous role models to the youth and others in our communities.”