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GST BOCES congratulates William Locke The Superintendent of the Arkport Central School District and Fine Arts Liaison for the GST BOCES Superintendent's Advisory Council is honored as the recipient of an ARTS Partnership Award through The ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY, on May 21st.
Most people who labor in the service of the arts do so, not for the money, but because they believe that the images we create, the music we make, the words we speak or write and the very movements our bodies make have POWER. They believe in this power because they know how deeply and profoundly the arts have affected their own lives and they understand the manifold ways in which the arts can shape - and shake - the very foundations of our culture. We honor Mr. William Locke, Superintendent for the Arkport Central School District and the Fine Arts Liaison for the GST BOCES Superintendent’s Advisory Council because he is one of these people. He truly understands the myriad ways the arts can provide profound, even life-altering experiences for people as few other things can. He is part of the thin blue (period) line standing between the arts on one side and a cultural vacuum on the other. He has advocated, defended and fought for arts programming at administrators’ meetings, not only for his own school district, but for school districts throughout a 2,144 square mile region!. Outside the realm of education, Mr. Locke is no less active in the communities in his region as a volunteer and community organizer. Mr. Locke’s many achievements (too numerous to inventory here) extend beyond even his administrative roles. He believes in the power of the arts because he has felt it, not only as a perceiver, but as an artist himself. Indeed, many of the hours spent in service to his school and community have been as a performer, director and producer of plays – over 30 productions to be exact! He has directed and produced plays for the Hornell Rotary Club and the Olean Community Theatre, as well as his own school district. He founded the Hornell Rotary Club Summer Musical program in which he also performed - and he currently serves as an adjudicator for the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. As a performer, he has acted and starred in various productions of plays on the region’s stages extending from Arkport to Rochester and beyond. He has been Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha; Billy Bigelow in Carousel; Hucklebee in The Fantasticks; Will Parker in Oklahoma; Captain Hook in Peter Pan; Billy Bigelow in Carousel; Jeff in Brigadoon; Trotter in The Mousetrap; Alan in Picnic; Starkeeper in Carousel; Merlyn in Camelot; and a member of the ensemble in Company, Murder in the Cathedral, Annie, Wait Until Dark, My Fair Lady and Musical Chairs. Additionally, he volunteers in nursing homes as an entertainer, performing for senior citizens and others on a regular basis. In sum, Mr. Locke was honored for all he has given his school and his community and the communities beyond his own. We at BOCES have come to know him as a most unusual and gifted superintendent who participates in the arts with whole heart and generosity of spirit and who advocates for arts programming with elegance and eloquence. The many letters colleagues and community members, teachers, and students submitted in order to nominate Mr. Locke for this award tonight reveal new dimensions to this extraordinary and most beloved man. Self-deprecatingly, Mr. Locke has likened himself to Don Quixote, the hapless hero of Cervante’s epic novel, jousting at windmills. But I would submit that it is not Quixote’s delusions or folly which Mr. Locke shares with the protagonist of this great work of literature, but his quixotic wisdom. Indeed as the leading character in Man of La Mancha, Mr. Locke himself has declared from the stage, Sanity may be madness but the maddest of all is to see life as it is and not as it should be. On behalf of his students, his colleagues, the citizens of all the communities in which he has served, and artists everywhere - Thank you William Locke - for seeing that life as it should be is life replete with the arts in all its manifestations! Nobody deserves this award more than you!
William Locke
accepts his award from a platform at the International Motor
In addition to his ARTS Partnership award, supporters from Arkport present Mr. Locke with yet another plaque.
Mr. Locke
stands with his wife, Kathryn and son, Charles, as he holds the plaque
Mr. Locke with Ginnie Lupi, Director of The ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes in Corning, NY.
Mr. Locke is flanked by his supporters from Arkport including from left, Glenn Niles, Sandy Karns, Kathryn Locke, Natalie Churchman, Charles Locke, Dan Racalto, William Locke, Meghann Khork, Stephen Hoyt, Marianne Matacale Press Release from ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes: THE ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS ARTS PARTNERSHIP AWARDS The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes is proud to recognize this year's recipients of The ARTS' Annual ARTS Partnership Awards, which recognize individuals, artists, volunteers, schools, organizations and businesses that significantly contribute to the region's arts and cultural life. "This year's ARTS Partnership Award recipients are forces of nature in the region's arts and culture scene," said Ginnie Lupi, The ARTS' director, "their passion is inspirational and we're indebted to them for all they do." This year's recipients are: William Locke, Superintendent, Arkport Central School District, for creating stellar arts programming for the schools in his district and for being an invincible advocate for the arts in the Arkport/Hornell region in Steuben County. Locke is an actor and vocalist who has performed in many plays and musical events. He was instrumental in the creation of the Hornell Rotary Club Summer Musical Program and serves as an adjudicator for the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. Lynne Rusinsko
Although she is not one who works within the GST BOCES system, the amazing Lynne Rusinsko is one who is equally deserving of this year's ARTS Partnership Award. She won as an Arts Advocate, from Elmira, NY and "for her tireless commitment, outstanding contribution and dedication to artists and organizations in her community. Ms. Rusinko's enthusiasm, creativity, passion and skills have helped the arts thrive throughout the region. She has volunteered countless hours to the Elmira Open Studio Tour, Steele Memorial Library's Poetry Festival, Community Arts of Elmira, Festival of Women in the Arts, and the Elmira Street Painting Festival." "Lynne does all of this volunteer work - graciously and quietly - behind the scenes. Lynne Rusinko is a friend to the arts and works for the greater good of all the groups with which she is involved - ensuring the success of each project." - - Kathleen Huddle, Nominator The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes presented this year's awards at its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 21, at 5:30 pm at the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 South Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY. The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes is the leading arts services and development agency in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties.
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