June 15: Leslie Ferriter, Angelo Collazo & Mark Pringle receive PTA Honorary Life awards
Congratulations to Mrs. Leslie Ferriter, Mr. Angelo Collazo and Mr. Mark Pringle! They were honored Tuesday night during the West Irondequoit Central PTSA’s annual Honorary Life Award ceremony at Brookview elementary. Honorary Life is the highest honor a Parent Teacher Association can bestow to honor people in their school and community. Here is more on these three deserving honorees!
Link: PAST WEST IRONDEQUOIT HONOREES
Leslie Ferriter, District Office
Transporation/Benefits
Leslie was known fondly as the “bus lady" because she handled transportation/bus routes and schedules, she also assisted as Benefits Clerk during her 32-plus years of service. As a lifelong resident, she is extremely passionate about her West Irondequoit roots and up until her retirement in 2018 she was also President of the Alumni Association for 25 years. She was instrumental helping the Public Information Office connect with IHS graduates nationwide.
Along with her colleague and partner in crime, Benefits Clerk Anne Sick, they befriended many retirees whom they cared for deeply, taking time with them and making sure they understood their benefits.
Before bus routes were created and shared electronically, Leslie devised them by hand and supported the bus drivers, ensuring that students were able to access safe and reliable transportation. That included making hundreds of bus passes by hand every summer and color coding them so students knew where to be.
Leslie has been active in the community in many ways and when her sons were active in various sports she could be seen supporting her children and their teams. She continues to volunteer at events. Leslie Ferriter is one of those people who worked quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes, serving our families, students, colleagues and the district without much fanfare or accolade. Congratulations to this most deserving honoree.
Mark Pringle
Kindergarten teacher
As a kindergarten teacher at Brookview elementary, Mark Pringle makes a difference every day in a child’s life – and he has done that for 11 years. He is an incredible asset to the district and is a skilled and compassionate teacher who is fun, creative, kind and organized. He is also beloved by Brookview students, families and co-workers alike. Mark puts forth a tremendous amount of thought, preparation and care into his lessons and he uses them in the most seamless and masterful ways. He creates a learning environment in which students thrive academically, socially and emotionally. The K-3 Vice President of the West Irondequoit Teachers Association since 2019, he is committed to his own continual growth as a lifelong learner, modeling a trait he so expertly teaches. Congratulations, Mr. Pringle!
Angelo Collazo
Network Technician
As a district-wide network technician, Angelo’s job includes diagnosing and fixing computer problems and other technical issues across the district. He has done that with attention to detail and patience for 13 years. Nothing can ever fix the hole in Angelo and his wife Kim’s heart after they lost their daughter, Alle Shea, to a rare bone disease just five weeks after she was born on April 14, 2009. But that has spurred his family to help others afflicted with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) type II. Shortly after her passing, they started the Alle Shea Project, a charity that has now raised more than $80,000 to help others with OI. The self-funded initiative honors and keeps alive Alle Shea’s name and spirit. The family, including another daughter Ella (Alle spelled backward), sends care packages all over the world to people fighting OI. So far, 197 have gone out to 41 different states and 10 different countries. Angelo also shares knowledge about OI with the community and students in health and science classes. His selflessness and generosity has not gone unnoticed. Congratulations, Angelo! (To learn more or contribute to the Alle Shea Project, click here).