The Ogdensburg Free Academy Key Club took first place for the top service project for a club its size and 12 other awards at its annual New York State Leadership Training Conference for its outstanding student leadership program.

Competing against over 200 clubs across the state, the Ogdensburg Club faced competition from some of the top high schools in New York City, Long Island, Westchester County and around the state.

“I am very proud of the hard work and outstanding service of our Ogdensburg young people who were awarded with many top honors by their peers,” said Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club Advisor James E. Reagen. “These awards are a real tribute to the students, their parents and Ogdensburg Free Academy’s teachers and staff which regularly produce some of the top student leaders in New York State.”

“I also want to thank the Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club and its members for their support which made it possible to bring so many young people to what will be a life-changing experience for many of our young people,” he said. “Our students saw this weekend that a small group of students from a small town in upstate New York could compete with some of New York State’s largest and some of its most elite prep schools.”

The 13 awards included:

•   First Place Single Service Project for cleaning up Ogdensburg’s shoreline
•   Distinguished Club for overall community service program
•   First Place Outstanding Club Vice President Audrey Harradine
•   First Place Outstanding Sophomore Gracyn Barkley
•   Second Place Kiwanis Family Relations
•   Third Place Digital Scrapbook Treasurer Lois Blewett
•   Third Place T-Shirt Design Caitlyn Beyette
•   Distinguished Treasurer Lois Blewett
•   Distinguished Senior Caitlyn Beyette
•   Distinguished President Kaitlyn Reed
•   Distinguished Freshman Cayne Trimm
•   Membership Growth Treasurer Lois Blewett
•   Early Bird Dues Treasurer Lois Blewett 

Faculty Advisor Ruth Anne Barkley thanked Superintendent Kevin Kendall, OFA Principal Cindy Tuttle and the Ogdensburg City School Board for their support to the club throughout the year.

“We have outstanding support from our school and from the Ogdensburg community which makes it possible for us to have such an outstanding student service and leadership program,” she said.