The 2024-2025 Award Winners
Kirsten Burke Smith (left)
Sarah Kozarowicz-Noah (right)
Sarah Kozarowicz-Noah (right)
The winner for the NFRC Service to Reading Award is Kirsten Burke Smith. She is a champion of literacy and powerhouse of professionalism, optimism, and creative approaches.
Kirsten has served both the NFRC and NYSRA over many years, and in the past year as president of NFRC, she has exhibited strong leadership, enthusiasm, and unfailing support. She has heightened involvement among board members and stepped up in countless ways to further the initiatives of our chapter. In addition to this, she is co-chair of the NYSRA statewide conference being held in Buffalo in November.
The NFRC Certificate of Recognition Award winner is Sarah Kozarowicz-Noah. She has coordinated the Community Literacy Night for more than a decade in Lockport. She brings together educators, local businesses, community organizations, college education students, etc.
Each of her events has hosted hundreds of attendees, with families learning what they can do to support literacy learning at different developmental stages. Make-and-take bags allow families to create and bring home many different manipulatives to practice literacy skills at home.
Congratulations to the winners!
Kirsten has served both the NFRC and NYSRA over many years, and in the past year as president of NFRC, she has exhibited strong leadership, enthusiasm, and unfailing support. She has heightened involvement among board members and stepped up in countless ways to further the initiatives of our chapter. In addition to this, she is co-chair of the NYSRA statewide conference being held in Buffalo in November.
The NFRC Certificate of Recognition Award winner is Sarah Kozarowicz-Noah. She has coordinated the Community Literacy Night for more than a decade in Lockport. She brings together educators, local businesses, community organizations, college education students, etc.
Each of her events has hosted hundreds of attendees, with families learning what they can do to support literacy learning at different developmental stages. Make-and-take bags allow families to create and bring home many different manipulatives to practice literacy skills at home.
Congratulations to the winners!
The 2025-2026 Awards Search is On!
Nominations
Every year the Niagara Frontier Reading Council presents two prestigious local awards, the Service to Reading Award and the Certificate of Appreciation Award. We would love to hear who you think deserves the awards.
Nominations are due annually by April 1. 2026. Please send nominations with rationale to [email protected].
Nominations are due annually by April 1. 2026. Please send nominations with rationale to [email protected].
Download and Submit the Completed Form(s) to:
Niagara Frontier Reading Council @ [email protected]
Please state “NFRC Awards” in the subject line.
Niagara Frontier Reading Council @ [email protected]
Please state “NFRC Awards” in the subject line.
The Service to Reading Award |
Certificate of Recognition Award |
2023-2024 Winner: Mary Beth Scumaci
Mary Beth Scumaci has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Niagara Frontier Reading Council (NFRC) Service to Reading Award. Ashlee Campbell nominated her and here is her nomination submission:
I am nominating Mary Beth Scumaci for the NFRC Service to Reading Award for her continued vital and active service to NFRC. She has been an NFRC and NYSRA member since 2011. For many years now (and as long as I have served on the NFRC Board), Mary Beth has served NFRC as a board member and by maintaining the NFRC website. Mary Beth’s role as the website coordinator is a heavy workload. For every event that NFRC holds, Mary Beth is responsible for creating the event page on the website. She is also responsible for creating the registration for the event through NYSRA. In addition to this, Mary Beth is responsible for responding to and handling registration inquiries and registration difficulties. Throughout the year, Mary Beth updates the website with pictures from past events, new event information, board member information, and awards. Mary Beth has always done this promptly and professionally. The NFRC website is a pivotal part of our organization by keeping NFRC visible to the public. Without our website, we would not be able to communicate and showcase our community efforts. Mary Beth is also a board member who actively participates throughout the year by attending meetings and events. It is evident by her actions as an active board member that she is committed to promoting NFRC’s mission. 2022-2023 Winner: Dr. John Strong
The NFRC Service to Reading Award for 2023 goes to Dr. John Strong. He is the current NFRC Treasurer since fall of 2020. He joined NFRC in January 2020. He was involved in the fall of 2022 with the organization of a successful NFRC Book Discussion Group. Also during the fall of 2022, he represented the NFRC at a table event at a WNY Fall literacy conference He actively supports the NFRC through his commitment to offer high quality programming and his commitment to promote the mission of the NFRC. Congratulations, Dr. John Strong! 2021-2022 Winner: Ashlee Campbell
The Service to Reading Award is given to an outstanding person who has made a significant contribution to promoting literacy. This year's recipient is Ashlee Campbell.
Ashlee was nominated for her excellent leadership and moving the NFRC forward during the COVID pandemic. She is a strong leader, moved the NFRC organization forward with creative ideas in professional literacy development. Ashlee brought new life to the NFRC with the involvement of the University of Buffalo as well as friendly faces to the organization. Please join the NFRC in celebrating Ashlee's influential contributions to literacy! |
2023-2024 Winner: Dawnavyn James
Dawnavyn James has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Niagara Frontier Reading Council (NFRC) Certificate of Recognition! This award is in recognition for service to or promotion of the council’s mission, which is to promote literacy education, encourage professional development, and provide community services that foster literacy within Western New York. Here is the nomination submission by Blythe Anderson and Christina King:
As author of Beyond February: Teaching Black History Any Day, Every Day, and All Year Long, K-3, Ms. James has participated in several local events throughout the 2023-2024 academic year promoting the teaching of Black history to young children in meaningful ways, particularly through/with culturally relevant and sustaining picture books. These events include a book workshop at UB, a presentation at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. branch of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, an educator night at Alice, Ever After Books, meeting with the UB Teacher Residence Program residents, meeting with the Michigan Street African American Corridor during Black History Month, and a presentation to the Elmwood Franklin Black History Assembly. The joy Dawnavyn brings to this work is evident in the way teachers, librarians, and community members have received her work and learned with and from her. 2022-2023 Winner: Meg Howe
The NFRC Certificate of Recognition for 2023 goes to Meg Howe. She is the owner of Alice,Ever After Bookstore on 295 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214. She is an independent bookstore owner and is dynamic and enthusiastic plus extremely energetic and supports the community through books and reading. Congratulations, Meg Howe!
2021-2022 Winner: Rachel D'Nunzio
The Certificate of Appreciation Award is given to individuals making significant contributions to NFRC activities and programs. The NFRC is pleased to announce three winners of this award: Rachel DiNunzio
Rachel is a local children's author, illustrator and artist as well as a friend to the NFRC. She has been active in many local literacy initiatives including the Western New York Children's Book Expo. Rachel is passionate about her artistry and children's literature. You can find her sharing her passion for literacy throughout the community. Please join the NFRC in celebrating Rachel's influential contributions to literacy! | ||||