SODUS, NY - October 25,2008 – Looks of astonishment, gasps, tears, hugs and applause were the order of the day as once again Senator Mike Nozzolio helped bring the dreams of another small Wayne County not for profit organization one giant step closer to coming true. Saturday’s raw winds and steady downpour weren’t about to dampen anyone’s spirits as dozens of people streamed on to the large, welcoming porch of the Mangan family’s home at Alasa Farms. Only a couple of days before, word had been received that Senator Nozzolio wanted to meet with organizers of ALASA Academy and members of the community who have participated in the Academy’s programs over the past four years. The Academy, whose acronym is named for Alasa Farms where they hold their overwhelmingly successful summer programs, stands for Alternative Learning Academy for Student Achievement. Their summer workshops for children were expanded to three, one-week sessions this year and offer a completely new and fresh approach to a summer day-camp experience. Awareness of and concern for the environment, interpersonal skills, team building, importance of community service, and personal pride are only a sampling of the values that ALASA Academy reinforces while providing a real-world opportunity to make math, science, journaling, and other areas of academia a part of each child’s life that they can relate to day to day.

ALASA Academy is a registered 501(c)3 not for profit organization, and Founder and President Sharon Maher has tenaciously sought to grow the program since its inception. A primary goal has been to purchase 10 acres of property at Alasa Farms, where the Academy could erect its own building and enable them to conduct programs for children all year. Senator Nozzolio beamed as he lauded the efforts of ALASA Academy and their dedication to the children of Wayne County. “You are helping kids to engage in the right activities, to get a good start in life, to do the right thing,” Nozzolio said, and shared his thoughts on the importance of providing the children of Wayne County with such a unique learning opportunity. One of the facets of the Academy’s program that is of particular significance to Senator Nozzolio is that of their partnership with Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven, which also resides at Alasa Farms. An integral part of the Academy’s curriculum is daily hands-on experience with the animals at the haven, many of which have been rescued from cruelty, abuse, and neglect. Senator Nozzolio couldn’t have provided a more heartfelt, appropriate paraphrase of the words of the late Mahatma Ghandi, as the Senator echoed the beliefs, “A great nation is judged not only by how it treats its people but how it treats its animals.” He commended the partnership between the two organizations and the value that, together, they provide to the community.

A hush came over the crowd as Senator Nozzolio addressed Sharon Maher and the other Alasa Academy volunteers and thanked them for their dedication and commitment to the children of Wayne County, and a look of total disbelief came over everyone’s faces as he presented Sharon with a grant for $30,000 – the amount necessary to purchase the land and begin building their school. He also extended his thanks to Sodus Town Supervisor Steve LeRoy and the Sodus Town Board for their support of the Academy’s efforts, and the show of faith that all have exhibited toward the value of the Academy’s programs.

After giving Senator Nozzolio a huge hug, a stunned Maher expressed her gratitude to the Senator and to all who have been so supportive of the Academy over the past few years, saying “We’re launched! We promise you that we won’t fail you, the children, or the county.” Expanding the dream of enriching the lives of Wayne County’s youth is well on its way to becoming reality; exciting plans are being put in place and the future looks very bright for ALASA Academy and what it will bring to area children.

Alice Irwin - Contributing Writer & Reporter, The Sun & Record