On Tuesday, June 27th, The New York State Supreme Court, County of Saratoga ruled in favor of the Town of Moreau Planning Board, Raymond Apy, and Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC., regarding an article 78 petition. In the article 78 petition, the Clean Air Action Network challenged the site plan approval for Saratoga Biochar’s $80 million Carbon Fertilizer manufacturing facility in Moreau, NY.
According to the legal rendering by NYS Supreme Court Justice Richard A. Kupferman, “Upon reviewing the record, the Court finds that the planning board conducted a thorough investigation of the problems involved. As set forth at length above, the planning board spent significant time analyzing the potential environmental impacts associated with this project…”
Company officials attribute the victory to the Saratoga County Supreme Court’s thorough review of the extensive site plan application record compiled and reviewed by the Moreau Town Planning Board over the course of the one-year application review period.
After a nine-month delay at substantial cost to taxpayers, Saratoga Biochar Solutions can now move forward with their plans to help NYS meet its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. “We are beyond pleased to see justice prevail. The claims made against the Moreau Town Planning Board and Saratoga Biochar were completely wrong, as the record has proven and the NYS Supreme Court has fully acknowledged,” CEO Ray Apy said.
As Saratoga Biochar Solutions awaits permits from the state DEC, the company will focus on financing. “The debt market has degraded substantially under the current US administration, also due to various external factors. We had hoped to leverage reasonable cost venture debt when we started developing the Saratoga Biochar project. Today, debt terms have grown unattractive with high interest rates so we have pivoted to attracting private equity to help us fund the project. To date, we have a number of very interested parties, both individual and institutional. We have invested over $1.6MM to date in project and technology development and are fully committed to complete our plans in the Moreau Industrial Park.” said Apy.
The plant, which will be located in the Moreau Industrial Park, will be constructed in three phases over five years. At full capacity, the facility will convert 225,000 tons of treated biosolids into 25,000 tons of dry carbon fertilizer per year. The 243-acre industrial park is zoned heavy industrial and manufacturing, while the Saratoga Biochar project would qualify as light industrial use. Thus far the town has invested $2 million into the park to provide high voltage electricity, high pressure natural gas, and sewer and water infrastructure.
The current site plan, filed in 2021 with the Moreau Planning Board, entails an $83MM million-dollar state-of-the-art facility aimed toward far better than current disposal methods to address a dirty problem – treated human bio-waste (“biosolids”). The site plan was filed by Saratoga Biochar Solutions, a carbon fertilizer manufacturing company with ambitious aspirations to recycle biosolids waste into a clean and safe fertilizer product, and was conditionally approved by the Moreau Planning Board in August of 2022.
How It Works
Municipalities treat their raw sewage in wastewater treatment plants which results in the generation of biosolids, the treated and settled solids from the wastewater.
The municipalities pay waste removal companies to haul away their biosolids to dispose of the material in landfills or incinerators, or to compost the material and use as agricultural fertilizer. Biosolids are known to contain trace amounts of contaminants, some of which have been demonstrated to pose a risk to human health, especially if certain compounds (such as PFAS) enter the human food chain or drinking water sources.
The waste removal companies will deliver the biosolids to Saratoga Biochar Solutions, rather than to landfills, incinerators or direct land application.
Saratoga Biochar Solutions will use thermal treatment technologies (rotary driers and pyrolysis kilns) to dehydrate the biosolid waste, remove the contaminants from the waste and convert it into biochar – carbon fertilizer, an affordable, carbon rich granular fertilizer. (Russia has been a global leader in fertilizer production, and experts anticipate possible shortages and price hikes due to the ongoing Ukraine situation.)
According to company CEO, Raymond Apy, “Saratoga Biochar is committed to human and environmental health through the remediation of all potentially harmful pollutants in biosolids. That, in addition to building a successful business, is the driving reason for our technology and plans. We seek to address all the problems associated with biosolids waste management.”
As of October 16th, 2024, Glens Falls – along with every municipal water utility across the country – has to comply with a federal EPA mandate to compile a 100% inventory of the water and sewer lines. This waterline inventory will be used to identify and replace both public and private lead pipes. Homeowners and property owners can perform the check themselves; however, those who do not perform the check will be contacted by their water system operators, to notify them of the requirements of the federal program and arrange for an inspection if needed.
Bill Norton is the superintendent of the Water and Sewer Division for the City of Glens Falls, which is located at 2 Shermantown Road. Norton oversees the drinking water, sanitary sewer system, and storm system for the City of Glens Falls. The water and sewer systems operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. The Water and Sewer Division complies with regulations from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
The City of Glens Falls has the capacity for 8.5 million gallons of water a day, but only uses about 2 million gallons of water a day for the roughly 5,000 customers. There are four reservoirs that supply the drinking water for the City of Glens Falls.
“The water goes through the distribution system, which is all of the valves and pipes and different sized mains… The smallest is about four inches, and the largest is about 20 inches. The water goes through the distribution system and into each home. It’s not as easy as just turning on your faucet… There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into bringing you your water,” Norton said.
Nationwide, 10-million American households connect to water through lead pipes and service lines… Exposure to lead can lower IQ, cause impairment of neurological development, and damage the cardiovascular system, reproductive system, brain, liver, and kidneys.
Every municipal water provider must comply with this federal mandate and provide a comprehensive inventory by October 16th, 2024. The City of Glens Falls does have records regarding the pipes, but needs public assistance in identifying the pipes that go from the curb to the house: “We are asking people to participate in identifying their pipes so that we can comply with the EPA regulations. The EPA requires 100% of the information, and we have a long way to go… Right now, we are doing the inventory and if we find any lead we notify the EPA. We have about 85% of the information on the city side, and about 40-45% on the homeowners side,” Norton said.
Residents of Glens Falls will receive information in the mail regarding the water service line inventory and steps to take to submit the information to the city. For more information about the service line inventory, please visit warrencountyny.gov
GLENS FALLS, NY – Local restaurant New Way Lunch will be hosting a visit from America’s Best Restaurants (ABR) in mid-June 2023.
America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently-owned restaurants, will bring its ABR Roadshow to the Glens Falls location of the restaurant on July 12th. Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with the Gazetos family about the restaurant’s special place in the community. The episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date.
Open since 1919, New Way Lunch has expanded to three locations in the area, building their success on the humble hot dog topped with a homemade secret recipe meat sauce. The restaurant started as a quick, inexpensive (5 cent dogs) option for the nearby mill workers needing a hot lunch during the workday. Now the iconic eateries are run by the third and fourth generation of the family who started it all at the original Glens Falls location.
Although the menu has expanded to include hamburgers, salads and other items, New Way Lunch continues to be a popular dining destination for locals and travelers alike. The hot dog remains a custom-made pork and beef dog, served with mustard, onions, and the special ‘dirt dog’ meat sauce on a steamed bun.
After being closed for two years during the pandemic, the Glens Falls location underwent a major renovation and also began selling the meat sauce in jars – without the full ingredient list, as it’s a secret – for retail sale.
America’s Best Restaurants will be filming on location on Wednesday July 12th from 2 pm to 5 pm EST. The press is invited to attend. The restaurant’s finished episode premiere date will be announced on their Facebook page and will be featured on America’s Best Restaurants’ website at https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/new-york/new-way-lunch.
Restaurants featured on the ABR Roadshow are found through customer nominations or by a restaurant applying to be featured at www.americasbestrestaurants.com.
About New Way Lunch:
Open Tuesday through Saturday, New Way Lunch is located at 21 South St, Glens Falls NY 12801. Other locations include Queensbury and Warrensburg. Telephone is (518) 792-9803. For more information visit www.newwaylunch.com.
About ABR:
America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and restaurant marketing company based in Florence, KY, travels the country telling the stories and highlighting the unique food of locally owned independent restaurants as part of their ABR Roadshow. Restaurants are featured not only on ABR’s Restaurant Network of social media channels and website, but also each individual establishment’s Facebook page. With over 800 episodes filmed, America’s Best Restaurants is the premier marketing agency for restaurant owners and operators to have their story broadcast coast-to-coast. Visit AmericasBestRestaurants.com to learn more and to view the episodes and profiles of hundreds of America’s Best Restaurants!
Herzog Law Firm PC is pleased to welcome Phillip K. Vacchio, Esq. to the firm as a Senior Associate.
Phillip will provide comprehensive legal counsel to existing and new clients in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Estate Administration and Guardianships and will work out of Herzog’s Albany, Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs offices.
Phillip was formerly a partner of a Long Island-based law firm handling the same areas of law and brings his extensive experience to the Capital Region and the North Country. Phillip is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences in 2009 and Hofstra University School of Law where he graduated cum laude.
Phillip has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Star list for the last three years, and he will be an incredible addition to our team.
On Sunday, July 2nd, 2023, from 6:30PM to 8:00 PM, a baroque chamber music concert will be held in The Helen Froehlich Auditorium at The Hyde Museum. This is a collaboration with The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls Symphony, and the De Blasiis Chamber Music Series led by Music Director Charles Peltz. This concert features a gallery of brilliant musical miniatures, written by the giants of the European Baroque: Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and George Frideric Handel.
The Hyde Collection is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary by featuring Songs of the Horizon: David Smith Music and Dance. This exhibit opened on June 24th and will be on exhibit through September 17th, 2023. This exhibit – curated by Dr. Jennifer Field, Executive Director of the Estate of David Smith – is the first museum exhibit to focus on the indelible influence of music and dance on Smith’s work in painting, drawing, and sculpture. David Smith was Hyde’s first guest curator, a trustee on the board, and Charlotte Pruyn’s friend… He died in a car accident in 1965, leaving behind nearly 100 large sculptures in the grass outside of his studio in Bolton Landing.
This Baroque performance honors the great friendship between David Smith and Hugh Allen Wilson – a driving force behind the creation of the Glens Falls Symphony. Baroque – which is derived from the Portuguese “barroco” or “oddly shaped peal” – is a term that has been widely used to describe European art music, and has come to encompass one of the richest and most diverse periods in music history.
Tickets are $35 for general admission, $25 for museum members, and $10 for students or children. For more information, please visit hydecollection.org
The Glens Falls Area Youth Center (GFAYC) has been a haven for underprivileged area kids for 55 years… To celebrate this milestone, the GFAYC hosted a 80’s Party fundraiser on Friday June 23rd, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Lake George! This was their first in-person fundraiser since 2019. This fundraiser also honored the GFAYC’s former Executive Director, Matt Congdon – he is the inspiration behind the work that his daughter Molly Congdon-Hunsdon carries on today. Matt believed in one simple truth: “One person can truly make a difference in this world.”
Matt’s work at the Youth Center spanned three decades and influenced the lives of countless underprivileged kids. Matt’s difficult childhood influenced the work that he would pursue throughout his life, as he set two goals for himself – to make an impact on the lives of children, and to always have a full fridge.
The Youth Center began in facilities that were not ideal for their mission… The facilities were cold and damp in the winter and sweltering in the summer. In 1982, Matt Congdon joined the Youth Center and changed the course of its future. Matt raised one-million dollars in 8 months to make the current location at 60 Montcalm Street a reality. Thanks to contributions like these, the GFAYC has helped over 100,000 underprivileged kids, served 750,000 meals, and tutored over 31,000 students.
The Back to the 80’s Fundraiser had support from top-tier sponsors, including Berkshire Bank and Romeo Toyota. Moving forward, the GFAYC will carry on the mission to serve the underprivileged youth in the community with educational, recreational and life skills programs.
The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and the French & Indian War Society at Lake George will be hosting a joint program entitled “A History of the Lake George Area & the Nations Who Called It Home”. This event will be presented by Heather Bruegl, a nationally recognized historian and citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. This free event will take place on July 5th, 2023, at 7:00 PM, and will be held at the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center. Attendees will learn about the early Native peoples who lived and sustained themselves in this area, and the policies that removed Indigenous Nations from their homes and ultimately pushed them onto reservations.
This program is the latest in a series being co-sponsored by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and the French and Indian War Society at Lake George. Their goal is to increase awareness of the region’s early history. Heather Bruegl will share her expertise in the field of history and indigenous people. Heather graduated from Madonna University, with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in U.S. History. Her research includes numerous topics related to American history, legacies of colonization, and Indigeneity. Heather is currently a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she is studying First Nations Education, with a focus on creating inclusive historical narratives for teaching.
Kathryn Flacke-Muncil is a founder of the French & Indian War Society at Lake George, and CEO of the Fort William Henry Corporation: “Fort William Henry has partnered with Heather Bruegl to elevate the interpretation of Indigenous history. Heather’s personal background and extensive knowledge have provided an opportunity to enhance the representation of Indigenous allies’ pivotal roles during 18th Century battles at and around Lake George. It has also expanded the educational narrative surrounding pre-European contact,” Ms. Flacke-Muncil said. “This collaborative program with the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance signifies a significant milestone for Fort William Henry in its commitment to present a more comprehensive and accurate account of Indigenous history. By harnessing Heather Brugel’s expertise, the museum aims to deliver an enriched understanding of the area’s historical context to the public. Heather’s presentation offers the opportunity to the public to hear from this expert ahead of a new exhibit Fort William Henry will soon be opening.”
Jay Levenson is a Trustee of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance, and a Native American living historian: “The history of Native Americans in the Lake George region is a complex story of intertribal and European relations during both peace times and war. It is a story that needs to be told,” he said.
Space is limited for this event. Please register in advance at the following email address: info@lakegeorgebattlefield.org.
Jessica Ann Knight DOB: 08/22/74 was arrested for Aggravated DWI:Per Se-BAC.18 or more-1 Prior Conv-10 yrs DWI: Previous Conviction Designated Offense within 10 years
Jesse James Mackenzie DOB: 10/05/88 was arrested for Bail Jumping 3rd Degree
Tyrell Jordan Fitzgerald DOB: 11/22/93 was arrested for Burglary-2nd
Christopher M. Laware DOB: 01/12/95 was arrested for Burglary-2nd
Vincent Anthony Laware DOB: 04/27/97 was arrested for Burglary-2nd
Heidi Ellen Shearer DOB:12/01/87 was arrested for Aggravated DWI; Per Se-BAC .18 or more-No Priors Driving While Intoxicated-1st offense
Erik Charles Shepard DOB: 06/14/91 was arrested for failure to appear
Julianne M. Fraser DOB: 05/31/79 was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of Motor Vehicle-3rd
May 28th, 2023
Lora Lynette Maxwell DOB: 05/21/73 was arrested for harassment 2nd-Physical Contact
Ricky Neil Eggleston DOB: 04/06/61 was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated-1st offense
Christopher Allen Cary DOB: 06/15/87 was arrested for Petit Larceny
Joelle Lynn McCullough DOB: 09/29/87 was arrested for Petit Larceny
Kelly Marie O’Keefe DOB: 05/27/86 was arrested for Petit Larceny
May 29th, 2023
Devin James Brown DOB: 11/29/98 was arrested for Petit Larceny
Wayne Harold Allen DOB: 11/18/74 was arrested for Petit Larceny
Lora Lyneet Maxwell DOB: 05/21/73 was arrested for Criminal Trespass 2nd- Enter/Remain Unlawfully in Dwelling Disobey Mandate Exc. JL753A-2
Eve Alexandra Deima DOB: 06/13/89 was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated-1st Offense
May 30th.2023
John Charles Becker DOB: 10/07/81 was arrested for criminal possession of weapon 3-previous convictions obstruct government admin 2nd
Bradford Keith Flewelling DOB: 08/15/74 was arrested for FUJ/Justice
May 31st, 2023
Maria Lynne Dulisse DOB: 07/01/97 was arrested for Crim Poss Contrl Subst Crim Poss Contrl Subst 2nd: Methamphetamines Crim Poss Controlled substance 3: Meth-Intent To Sell Crim Poss Narco Drug
Eric Joseph Buell DOB: 01/11/84 was arrested for Agg Unlic Oper-2nd:3/ More Open Suspensions on 3/More Dates
Channing T. Ningtullis-Koonce DOB: 06/30/87 was arrested for Aggravated unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle-3rd
Joshua Jesse Tracy DOB: 10/26/83 was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation-2nd Degree-Previous Conviction
June 1st, 2023
Barry Harvey Grubert DOB: 11/02/52 was arrested for Sex Offender Fail Report Change Addr/Status in 10 Day-1st Offense
Eve Alexandra Deima DOB: 06/13/89 was arrested for Gr Lar- value property greater than $1,000 offer file false instrument-1st Welfare Fraud-4th Degree
Beaudry Cody B DOB:08/03/95 was arrested for Disorderly Conduct
Sexton Robert John DOB: 03/20/89 was arrested for Aggravated unlicensed Operation-2nd Degree
June 2nd, 2023
Lewis Roth Keiffer DOB: 02/28/63 was arrested for Viol Prob Viol
David Scott Decker DOB: 11/10/90 was arrested for Failure to Appear & Bail Jumping 1st Degree
Boland Tammy L DOB: 09/04/75 was arrested for Viol Town Law
June 3rd, 2023
Samuel Barrett Cady DOB: 03/29/96was arrested for Aggravated DWI: Per Se-BAC .18 or More- No Prior Driving While Intoxicated-1st Offense
Mason Patrick Winchell DOB: 03/11/93 was arrested for Act in Manner Injur Child Less than 17 Crim Poss Contrl Sub Cocaine Crim Poss Contrl SubCriminal Possession of a Weapon 3-Previous Conviction
Rafferty Dillon John DOB 09/04/92Driving While Intoxicated 1st offense
Sullivan Lyndsea Keyth DOB: 03/20/85 was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle-3rd Degree
Templeton Michael DOb 05/21/61 was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed operation of a Motor Vehicle -3rd Degree
June 4th, 2023
Goddard Aaron Michael DOB 11/23/93 was arrested for Aggravated unlicensed operation of Motor Vehicle: 3rd Degree
Lorensen Jason Roy DOB: 08/19/78 was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated-1st offense
Watson Joshua M DOB: 07/14/86 was arrested for Failure to Appear
Jones Amanda Rae DOB 02/27/88 was arrested for Crim Trespass 3rd- Enclosed Property
Joshua M. Watson DOB; 07/14/86 was arrested for Failure To Appear
June 5th, 2023
Angela Maria Bullard DOB 02/03/81 was arrested for Police Officer executed Warrant of Arrest
Lovell Troy Lee DOB 06/06/86 was arrested for Harassment 2nd-Physical Contact
June 6th,2023
Wanamaker Joseph D DOB: 03/16/89 was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle -3rd
Lovelass Katie Lynn DOB: 03/04/02 was arrested for Aggravated DWI:Per se-BAC .18 or more No Prior Driving While Intoxicated 1st offense
June 8th, 2023
Fox Richard Edwards DOB: 09/17/74 was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle -3rd
June 9th, 2023
Larmon Daniel Ralph DOB:01/29/90 was arrested for Aggravated Family Offense – more than one offense within five years burg dwelling Causing Injury Crm Mis Intent Damage Property
Odell Terry Dale DOB: 06/27/57 was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle -3rd
Tousignant Kerry Ann DOB: 05/01/72 was arrested for Petit Larceny Resisting Arrest
June 10th, 2023
Hardy Christiane E DOB: 05/07/52 was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated -1st offense
June 11th, 2023
Jabot Fantasia Lynn DOB 05/06/95 was arrested for Failure to Appear
Brodell Richard Evans DOB: 02/06/42 was arrested for Crim Poss Weapon w/ Intent to use menacing – 2nd
Washington County 5/27/23-5/30/23
05/27/2023
Shawn C Johnson Age 37, was arrested for Crim Contempt-2nd: Disobey CRT
05/27/2023
Joseph A Orender Age, 38, was arrested for Menacing- 2nd: Weapon Reckless Endangerment-2nd CPW -2nd: Loaded Firearm Criminal Possession Firearm
05/28/2023
Seth L Joy Age 34, was arrested for Aslt 3-w/ Int cause Phys Injury
05/28/2023
Jessica M Abeu Age 28 was arrested for Robbery -3rd Act In Manner Injur Child<17 Crim Mis: Intent Damage Property Harassment – 2nd Phyical Cntact Aggrevated Family Offense
05/30/2023
Tre F Tucker Age 19, was arrested for Crim obstruc breath/ aply press Unlawful imprisonment 2nd.
06/01/23
Graham Brittne I Age 38, was arrested for 3rd degree narc drug/int sell
Cruz Manuel Age 45, was arrested for 3rd degree narc drug/int sell
Marciano Debra L Age 56, was arrested for 3rd degree narc drug/int sell
Groesbeck Zebulon S Age 39, was arrested for Harassment 1st
06/03/23
Stewart LaShawn N Age 25, was arrested for unlawful imprisonment -2nd
Gimmler Brittney E Age 32, was arrested for crim mis intent damage property
06/04/23
Elithrope Jessica L Age 32, was arrested for crim mis intent damage property harassment 2nd, physical contact ASLT 3rd w/ intent to cause phys injury
06/05/23
Mcmorland Eric B Age 31, was arrested for menacing police / peace officer
06/06/23
Hafner Nicholas M Age 36, was arrested for 3rd-narcotic drug 3rd-narcotic drug intent/sell crim use drug para crim poss contrl substance -7th torture injure not feed animals
06/07/23
Sheldon Michael A Age 37 was arrested for agg harrass 2- communicate threat
Dufore Thomas B Age 49 was arrested for stalking 4th cause fear crim contempt -2nd disobey crt
06/08/23
Iuliucci Matthew L Age 41 was arrested for petit larceny
Although Saturday morning was filled with gray clouds and drizzling rain, that did not dampen the graduation festivities for the Class of 2023 at Glens Falls High School! The Class of 2023 celebrated their successes and challenges, having traversed their high school career while navigating the COVID Pandemic.
Clara Avery, in her Valedictorian address, highlighted the challenges faced by the class of 2023 when school was shuttered for COVID pandemic… She began her speech with the simple advice given to freshmen when they started high school: “Always walk on the right side of the hallway. It seemed simple to follow the established traffic patterns, a linear path to sophomore year,” Clara said. However, the events of the COVID pandemic erased all of the established norms and rules… Her speech highlighted how her class, along with so many others, faced their fears during the pandemic, and adapted to unpredictability and unprecedented change.
Clara highlighted the adaptability of the students, faculty, and staff throughout the pandemic. She thanked the custodial staff – and especially Ms. Mary – for their efforts in keeping the students, staff, and community safe. Ms. Mary, as she is fondly known, can often be found supervising the lunch rooms or along the sideline at sporting events, keeping an eye on all of the students at Glens Falls High School.
This year, Glens Falls High School added more student speakers to the Commencement Ceremony… For the first time, the administration held a commencement speaker contest! Aiden Gormley – one of the two winners of this contest – will be attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in the fall. Aiden’s speech began with childhood lessons, and how his own mistakes had taught him these lessons… The first lesson was never stop being a kid, which was advice from his father; followed by never losing your curiosity or excitement for life.
Aiden highlighted getting the mundane right – the importance of time with friends, family dinners, and the beautiful chaos of life as one long journey. He ended his speech with importance of leaving the world a better place.
Aiden Gormley (Center) with members of the Class of 2023
Aiden’s commencement speech added depth and humor to the ceremony… The commencement speaker contest added an opportunity to hear unique voices from the class of 2023. As the tassels were turned and the graduation ceremony came to a close, cheers rang out in the auditorium, and the members of the class of 2023 took their first steps towards their future.
