OGDENSBURG -- The Ogdensburg Free Academy Key Club won top honors at the New York State Leadership Training Conference in Albany over the March 30-31 weekend with 15 awards for community service and leadership.

The Ogdensburg high school service club was awarded for having one of the top student community service programs in New York State, with its Read and Lead project at the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club. The Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club was awarded the Steven R. Scharoff Single Service Award for the best service project of any club of any size.

Attended by more than 750 students from over 200 Key Clubs across the state, the annual conference provides leadership training workshops to develop student-led community service and awards.

Faculty Advisor Christina Frank was honored for her 14 years of service to the club and its students. "Christina Frank has been a tireless worker for our young people since she joined the faculty at OFA," said Ogdensburg Kiwanis Advisor James E. Reagen. "We have been extraordinarily lucky to have her donating her time to help our children. Our state organization wanted to add its thanks because she will be moving to Madill Elementary School in September where she will assume new duties as its building principal. I was pleased many of our students and past alumni spoke up about how her efforts had an impact on their lives."

The club was awarded the following accolades for their work during the 2018-2019 service year:

• Diamond Level Distinguished Club for top community service program in New York State. Only one percent of clubs in the nation earn the distinction

• First Place Bronze Division Single Service Award for the club’s Read and Lead program at the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club with the Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club

• Steven R. Scharoff Single Service Award, recognizing Read and Lead as the best community service project among clubs of all sizes

• First Place Kiwanis Family Relations for the club's extensive efforts with its sponsoring Kiwanis Club

• Second Place Major Emphasis Award for the club’s semiannual Regional Talent Show programs and other efforts to aid children and youth

• Outstanding Club President Noelle Dutch, a junior at OFA, who earned top honors for leading the student organization.

• Distinguished Club Secretary Nick LaCombe, who was honored as one of the top club officers in the state, after serving for two years in the post

• Distinguished Freshman Member Rheana Cameron, who was named one of the top freshman members in the state

• Distinguished Junior Member Alex Pinkerton, who was named one of the top junior members in the state

• Third Place Oratorical Contest, Anton Skamperle

• Second Place Club Video Contest for video created by Olivia Berghaus

• Perfect Paperwork Award for Secretary Nick LaCombe

• Early Bird Dues recognition for Treasurer Rosie Jeaneault

• Special service awards were also presented to Noelle Dutch, Rheana Cameron, and Nick LaCombe.

OFA Junior Hailley Webber was installed as the new Lt. Governor, representing St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

The OFA Key Club is sponsored by the Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club which is hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday April 6 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army at the corner of Green and Franklin Streets. Tickets are $8. Children under five eat free.