An Education Organization Who Cares
About Us
Auburn Education Foundation is a non-profit organization in Auburn, NY, aiming to enhance and enrich learning environments for students throughout the community. We work with Auburn Enlarged City School District to provide awards, grants, scholarships, and more.
As an education foundation, we believe that enrichment programs are critical for children’s intellectual development. We award Educator Grants and manage the Alumni Hall of Distinction.
Elevating Education Experiences
Who We Are
By integrating new technologies, exploring creative new teaching methods, and supporting innovative curricular projects, we could provide programs that the school district’s budget could not otherwise support.
Board of Directors
N/A
Janie Hutchinson, President
Occupation: Retired teacher (Auburn Enlarged City School District)
Reason for joining AEF: As a retired educator, I recognize that all children deserve the best possible educational experiences. As a primary grades teacher (1st, 2nd), I am passionate about literacy and the role it plays as the main building block in education. AEF supports the efforts of Auburn schools to provide innovative programs for all students and the organization is a means for me to continue to be involved in and supportive of public education.
Bonny Blair, Vice President
Occupation: Retired teacher (Southern Cayuga School District)
Reason for joining AEF: An educator at heart, I am passionate about making a difference for children and our future by working with the Auburn Education Foundation.
Andrew Tehan, Vice President
Occupation: President, RG Wright Agency
Reason for joining AEF: To assist in enriching the educational experience for students in the Auburn School District.
Miguelina Cuevas-Post (Mickie), Immediate Past President
Occupation: Retired administrator (Auburn Enlarged City School District)
Reason for joining AEF: Very simply: I’m committed to the success of teaching and the learning experiences of our students and believe that AEF is a strong advocate and supporter of the same. My philosophy and beliefs align with those of AEF. Furthermore, as a principal, I saw the benefit derived from teachers who were the beneficiaries of AEF grants. Scholarships given to students directly impact our AHS students’ ability to pursue higher education. The board members are among the most committed individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
Marianne O’Connor, Treasurer
Name: Marianne O’Connor, Treasurer
Occupation: Retired Business Administrator (Auburn Enlarged City School District)
Reason for joining AEF: I was instrumental in forming AEF while serving as school business administrator for the Auburn School District.
Denise Pellegrino, Secretary
Name: Denise Pellegrino, Secretary
Occupation: Retired from Bank of America as Regional Operations Manager
Reason for joining AEF: The Mission Statement for AEF aligns with my interest in all communities providing quality public education.
Bill Tenity
Occupation: Retired teacher (Auburn Enlarged City School District)
Reason for joining AEF: I joined this organization because of my interest in and my desire to help the teachers of the Auburn district provide special activities and instruction that enhance the classroom experiences for their students. As a retired educator, who still has contact with our schools through substitute teaching, I have seen first-hand what the Foundation has provided in the past. I jumped at the chance to be a part of what this group can do for kids.
Carmela Barbagallo
Name: Carmela Barbagallo
Occupation: Director of Wholesale Sale, Buttonwood Grove Winery
Reason for joining AEF: I am passionate about learning and expanding opportunities for access to education. My Master’s Thesis work focused on college access. Working with AEF allows me to stay engaged in the education community after working in a university setting for many years. I also now have a son in the school district.
Patti Festa
Information Coming Soon!
Kelley Gridley
Name: Kelley Gridley
Occupation: Commercial Loan Officer, Tompkins Trust Company
Reason for joining AEF: To help the many talented students in the Auburn School District realize their full potential.
Kathy Rhodes
Name: Kathy Rhodes
Occupation: Retired Assistant Director of Special Education for the Auburn Enlarged City School District and past School Board Member for the Auburn School District.
Reason for joining AEF: Education has been my career for over 35 years. The mission of AEF is to provide experiences that enhance children’s learning, and I am excited to be a part of this mission.
Jessica Wrench
Name: Jessica Wrench
Occupation: Education and Resource Coordinator, Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce
Reason for joining AEF: I am excited to be supporting teachers and bringing new and innovative opportunities to Auburn students.
Terry Mahoney
Name: Terry Mahoney
Occupation: Retired Special Education Teacher for the Auburn Enlarged City School District.
Reason for joining AEF: I joined the board of AEF to help enrich the educational experience of students and teachers of AECSD. Enhances learning opportunities benefit all involved. I also want to help recognize the accomplishments of our alumni who work tirelessly to improve our world. Our students are our future!
M. Benjamin Susman
Name: M. Benjamin Susman
Occupation: Attorney
Reason for joining AEF: I represent a lot of children and families in the community. AEF is a great organization, working to enrich our students’ lives. I enjoy working with children and the schools to better the lives of these children and that aligns with the core values of the AEF.
Allyssa DelPiano
Name: Allyssa DelPiano
Occupation: Marketing and Communications Specialist and former PTO President
Reason for joining AEF: As a Mom and former Auburn public school graduate, I’m excited to help create innovation, positive change and opportunities for our teachers, ultimately propelling our youth to the highest levels of achievement.
Mark A DiVietro
Name: Mark A DiVietro
Occupation: Optician at Silbert Optical
Reason for joining AEF: Reason for joining the AEF is realizing what an asset our School District and the special programs that directly influence the current students are to our community. Also seeing the current board being primarily made up of dedicated and energetic retired Educators and Administrators make me feel refreshed that education is still very important to them and makes me want to be a part of that positive group.
Lisa Green
Ex-Officio Board Members
- Jeffrey Pirozzolo, Superintendent of Schools
- Misty Slavic, Superintendent of Schools
- Tessa Crawford, District Business Manager
- Amy Mahunik, District Administrator
Community Partners
- Paul DelPiano
- Jessica Kline
Scholarships
THE NICHOLAS J. DESOCIO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2021 Recipient Sophie Lesch
2019 Recipient: Samantha Lesch
2017 Recipient: Ryan Chalupnicki
2016 Recipient: Maggie Lesch
The Nicholas J. DeSocio Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by his loving parents, Mr. James and Mrs. Cheryl DeSocio, and sister Christine, to preserve the memory of their beloved son and brother, Nicholas (1989-2010). Nick was a kind and generous spirit who enjoyed motorsports, golfing, and fishing, and working with his hands. He was deeply loved and will be missed by a wide circle of family and close friends.
Amount: $500 (minimum)
Number Awarded: one student
Due Date: May 1, 2022
Criteria: This scholarship will be awarded to an Auburn High School student who demonstrates a strong work ethic and the values Nicholas believed in.
– First preference will be given to a student who played on the Auburn High School golf team and who
– Intends to play on the golf team at Cayuga Community College.
OR
– If no golf student meets these requirements, the award may be given to any student pursuing an AAS (Associate of Applied Sciences) Degree at Cayuga Community College and intends to work in any technical or skilled trade-related field.
THE DEAN LADUE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Colleen Reilly
2021 Recipients: Abby Franchina, Allyson Tracy
2020 Recipients: Alexis Calkins, Claire Brundage, Emma Nolan, Claire Alexander, Ana Quispe Yeren, Andrew Bishuk
2019 Recipients: Baylee Kennedy, Ashley Reilly
2018 Recipients: James Bennink, Hunter Dugar, Karleigh Harris, Kennedy Wilson
2017 Recipients: Owen Baker, Nicholas Gavras, Carmen Liberatore, Salence Nguyen
2016 Recipients: Meghan Dann, Austin Dugar, Ellisyn Lupo, Tyler Mason
The Dean and Margaret LaDue Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by his loving wife, Mrs. Margaret LaDue, in 2009 to preserve the memory of her beloved husband, Mr. Dean LaDue. Dean was a respected science teacher at Auburn High School.
Amount: $500 – $2,000
Number Awarded: up to four students
Due Date: May 1, 2022 — return to AHS Guidance Office
Criteria: This scholarship will be awarded to an Auburn High School senior(s) who have:
– Maintained an academic average of 85% or greater in MATH and SCIENCE, and
– Intends to pursue a career in TEACHING MATH or SCIENCE.
OR
– If no candidate is found meeting the above criteria, this scholarship may be awarded to a student pursuing any career related to the subjects of Math, Science, or Nursing.
Annual Reports
To learn more about our scholarships and grants, please contact us today!
PO Box 592
Auburn, NY 13021
Email: AEF@aecsd.education