William H. Barton Intermediate School Principal Gwynne Cosh received the Excelsior Award from the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) during a breakfast Monday morning at The Vista at Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park.
Twelve Queensbury students were also honored as Region 6 Leadership Award Winners. Those students include: Masen Angell, Chase Baker, Ryan Greenstein, Shauna Mower, Jillian Frenyea, Luke Huffaker, Christopher Smith, Sophie VanHatten, Khloe Banner, Nathan Bogucki, Olivia Miller and Jaden Telesco.
“They’re leaders in clubs, athletics and the arts,” said Jim Conway, the Region 6 chairperson. “We have sports teams captains, class officers, Student Council members, Key Club, National Honor Society and so much more.”
Each year, the SAANYS Region 6 Board holds its annual Leadership Breakfast to recognize leadership in all of its forms in local schools. The event recognizes student leaders in grades 5-12, senior scholarship winners and leaders in administration.
Queensbury Elementary School Principal Jessica Rossetti, the vice chair of Region 6 SAANYS, introduced Cosh, who won the Excelsior Award, which is given to individuals whose dedication and exceptional contributions throughout their career have made a difference for children and their school community.
Cosh has been principal at WHBI for four years and served as assistant principal before that.
“Gwynne stepped into these roles full of positive energy and eager to make a difference and her mark on the students that she serves,” Rossetti said. “Gwynne is a determined leader who will not let students give up.”
Under Cosh’s stewardship, WHBI was named a New York State School of Character in January by character.org, a national advocate and leader for character.
“Alongside her student leaders, Gwynne has spread Character Education throughout our community with her Spartatude initiative. She has led by example, showing students and staff the importance of demonstrating good character.”
Cosh said she was proud and honored to be recognized.
“I’m just a small piece of the puzzle of the great work that is done at the
WHBI at Queensbury and in the community,” Cosh said. “My lens has grown so wide that I really appreciate the platform that I’ve been given to really spread that positive relations are what’s really important. Really, we need to grow good human beings.”