OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Damien Sullivan, a sixth grade student at Silver Creek, won the 2025 National Creativity Award for Young Writers for his short story, “Alligators Eat Flesh.” Sullivan is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston, right.

SILVER CREEK — An eventful Board of Education meeting just before spring break gave Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston a chance to celebrate plenty of exciting things to have happened at the district over the past few weeks.

“I always feel very fortunate to be working here and leading here, but there are some weeks that you look around and it’s just really unbelievable – all that’s happening in our community and all that’s happening within our district,” Ralston said. “That’s what the last few weeks have been here.”

To begin the meeting, Ralston and the Board of Education recognized Damien Sullivan, a sixth grade student at Silver Creek, who won the 2025 National Creativity Award for Young Writers. Sullivan’s short story, “Alligators Eat Flesh”, was part of a 100-word horror prompt during Halloween season. Using exactly the right amount of words, Sullivan depicted alligators eating the flesh of victims as cover for a crime.

Sullivan posed for photos in the lobby with Ralston and his family after being commended at the Board meeting. Before re-entering the meeting, Ralston said to Sullivan, “I hope you keep writing.”

Moments later, Ralston recognized Marc Bridon, Band Teacher, for the role he played in the pit for the district’s presentation of “Mamma Mia!” Ralston also highlighted Bridon’s role in coordinating and leading the district’s Masterworks Concert. She recalled exclaiming, “That was incredible,” after one of the performances.

“Mr. Bridon has put so much into the Music Department, and it really shows when you see how much fun he has when he’s doing what he does,” Ralston said. “Because he has so much fun doing that, our students are having so much fun up on the stage.”

Ralston then addressed Bridon, saying, “It’s because you have a love for music, that you very clearly share with them, that has developed into a really amazing program that we have here. We’re thrilled to have you and lucky to have you.”

Next on the agenda for recognition at the recent meeting was Paula Michalak, School Librarian. Ralston made a point to highlight Michalak following National School Librarian Day on April 4.

“I just feel like we are blessed with the best,” Ralston said.

Ralston commended Michalak’s love for reading, which she said has unleashed a love for learning throughout the district. “She makes the library come to life,” Ralston said.

From the various concerts and productions from the Music Department, to the Scholastic Book Fair in the library, to the “Knock Down Hunger” Cereal Box Domino Drive led by the Silver Creek Parent Teacher Student Association to combat food insecurity, Ralston felt grateful to have such a long list of highlights to share with the Board.

“That’s why it makes Board meetings like tonight so exciting, because there is so much to recognize. That’s in our students; it’s in our staff; it’s in our administration,” Ralston said. “We’re really fortunate for what we have happening here.”

Also at the recent meeting, the Board of Education accepted the resignation of accountant Alyssa Abbott, effective June 2. In her letter of resignation, Abbott stated, “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been provided and will continue to speak highly of my time here and my colleagues.”

The District also accepted Albert VanDette’s resignation from an extracurricular role with the Foreign Language Club and as the chairperson of the World Languages department. Savannah Delmonte was appointed by the Board as a substitute cleaner. The Board also held the second reading of 25 policies within the District.

The next meeting of the Silver Creek Board of Education is Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.