East Aurora Union Free School District

It’s a great day to be a Blue Devil! 💙💛

The Spring 2026 edition of The Challenger is here! 🗞️

This issue celebrates the vibrant spirit of our students, including:
🌊 Parkdale’s "Ocean of Learning" author visit.
🎼 World Premieres: EAMS bands performing original works by Brian Balmages.
🏆 Athletic Excellence: Celebrating our State and Section champions.
🎨 Superintendent’s Art Collection: Meet the 2026 inductees.
You’ll also find vital information regarding the May 19th Budget Vote and Board Election.
🗳️ 🔗 Read the full issue here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_tUCccePPA22FKAmvjZCyqtS26MyCezA/view

🎡 A Whole New Look for Post Prom! 🎡

Our East Aurora High School PTO is shaking things up for this year’s Post Prom party on Friday, May 15th! Students will be traveling to three different EA locations for a night filled with Trivia, Tournaments, and a full Carnival—complete with aerialists and an obstacle course!

To make this a night our students will never forget, THEY NEED YOUR HELP! 🤝

We are looking for:
🔹 Volunteers: To help man the snack station (11 PM – 2 AM).
🔹 Gift Cards: For student prizes.
🔹 Donations: To help cover the costs of this safe, high-energy event.

Let’s come together as a community to celebrate our Blue Devils!
📧 Email: EAHS PTO at eahspto@gmail.com to volunteer.
📸 Scan the QR code in the attached image to donate via Venmo!

#oneEA #GoBlueDevils

Let's give it up for the Athletes of the week! Your commitment and talent are truly impressive. Way to go!
#oneEA

A day of fun for Adventure club! A field trip to Chestnut Ridge where the students completed a hike to the eternal flame, went fishing, played pickle ball, and enjoyed hot dogs for lunch!🔥🏓

#oneEA

What is the economic relationship between a strong school district and local property values? 🏡📈

In our latest EA Blue Devil Podcast, we’re diving into the community ecosystem of East Aurora. Join our Website & Social Media Manager, Roxanne Perry, as she talks with local real estate professional Erica Giallella about how school reputation, neighborhood walkability, and civic pride all intersect to support stable home equity—even for residents without children in our schools.

Education and community strength go hand in hand! Tune in for an informative look at the numbers and trends shaping our beautiful town.

🎧 Watch or listen here: https://youtu.be/BKhYf0KBUuw

At East Aurora Union Free School District, our teachers don’t just teach lessons—they shape futures. 💙💛

This #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we are reflecting deeply on our "Why." Why do our educators show up every single day with relentless dedication, energy, and care? It’s for the spark of discovery in a student's eyes, the breakthroughs, the community we build together, and the Excellence & Achievement that defines our Blue Devils.

Our teachers are the heart of everything we do. We asked them to share what drives their passion, and their answers remind us why we are so incredibly proud to be #oneEA.

Take a moment to watch our "Why" video, catch a glimpse of the magic happening in our classrooms, and help us say a massive THANK YOU to our incredible faculty! 🎬👇

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/FtkTSHqA36o

#TeacherAppreciationWeek #oneEA #BlueDevils #OurWhy #ExcellenceAndAchievement #ThankATeacher

EA Middle Schoolers Take the Court at NYSO Basketball Showcase! 🏀

Our student-athletes hit the road to the Ken-Ton YMCA for the first annual NYSO Basketball Showcase at the middle school level!

It was a day filled with growth and collaboration as our students worked alongside peers from other districts. A highlight of the trip was the professional instruction from the Cavs Academy (the Cleveland Cavaliers youth program), who led our students through elite basketball skill sessions. We are so proud of how our Blue Devils represented East Aurora through their teamwork and dedication!

#oneEA#EastAurora #EAPride #NYSOBasketball #CavsAcademy #StudentAthletes #KenTonYMCA

Excellence is a team sport!
🔵⚪🟡Our Board of Education meeting on April 21st was a powerful reminder of what makes East Aurora special.

It wasn't just about numbers and votes; it was about the passion and dedication shown by every person in the room.

Our Community & Staff: We heard heartfelt advocacy from groups like the EAFA, PTO, and SEPTSA regarding class sizes, special education, and the Family Support Center. Their voices are the heartbeat of our district.

Our Administration: Mr. Russ and Ms. George provided the transparent data and operational updates needed to guide our vision.

Our Board: By facilitating open dialogue and listening intently to community feedback, the Board moved us forward by adopting the $48,768,722 General Fund Budget.

When we work together, our students win. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to the mic and sat at the table! Find meeting highlights here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fRYUd7XiiNjwQGNoW-rVPAEdl5mxN5pZ/view?usp=sharing

🎨 East Aurora Art Takes Center Stage at the New Stadium! 🏈

We are bursting with pride to announce that two of our very own have been selected for the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program at the new Highmark Stadium! 🛡️✨

Congratulations to Thomas Kegler, our internationally recognized art educator and realist painter, and Carl Cordes, a talented former student, for being chosen among 45 artists to have their work permanently displayed in the new venue.

This program received over 400 applications, and seeing our "East Aurora Excellence" represented in this historic cultural investment is a true honor. We can’t wait to see your work under the stadium lights! 💙💛

Read more about the program here: https://www.buffalobills.com/news/buffalo-bills-unveil-selected-artists-at-highmark-stadium

#EAStrong #southtownscarl #oneEA #highmarkstadium

This past Saturday forty East Aurora Middle and High School students attended the NYSJCL State Spring Convention held in Skaneateles. Schools as far away as New York City competed, including Stuyvenscant, New Hartford, Pittsford Sutherland and Mendon, Orchard Park, and others. The following EA students won individual and team awards:

7th Grade:
Lucas Calkins won 3rd place on the Latin Derivatives Exam, and 2nd place on the Roman Civilization Exam, and 3rd place in Latin Oratory
Daniel Whitehead won 1st place on the Roman Civilization Exam

8th Grade:
Molly Hannon won 2nd place on the Latin Derivatives Exam, 1st place on the Latin Vocabulary Exam, and 1st place on the Roman Civilization Exam
Raja Vitous won 3rd place on the Roman Civilization Exam
Penny Rausch won 2nd place in the Classically Themed Poster Contest
Addison Fava won 3rd place in the Classically Themed Poster Contest

9th Grade:
Kelsey Trzeciak tied for 2nd place on the Latin Derivatives Exam; she won 1st place on the Mythology Exam; she tied for 1st place on the Pentathlon Exam; she won 3rd place on the Latin Vocabulary Exam, 2nd place on the Roman Civilization Exam, and 1st place in Latin Oratory
Emma Speilman tied for 2nd place on the Latin Derivatives Exam; she won 3rd place on the Pentathlon Exam, and 3rd place on the Roman Civilization Exam
Cameron Gregoire won 2nd place on the Mythology Exam; she tied for 1st Place on the Pentathlon Exam
Thatcher Belka won 3rd place on the Mythology Exam
Felicity Everhart won 2nd place on the Pentathlon Exam

10th Grade:
Olivia Flynn won 3rd place on the Latin Derivatives Exam
Audrey Holtz won 3rd place on the Mythology Exam and 3rd place in Latin Oratory

11th and 12th Grade:
Jonas Trzeciak won 2nd place on the Latin Derivatives Exam, and 2nd place on the Pentathlon Exam, 3rd place on the Roman Civilization Exam, and 1st place in Latin Oratory

In the main event:
Our 7th Grade Certamen Team consisting of River Sendziak, Dan Whitehead, John Roach, and Michael Baker won 3rd place
Our 8th Grade Certamen Team consisting of Penny Rausch, Molly Hannon, Lilly Aungst, Marielle Idland, and Lucy Improta won 1st place
Our Level II Certamen Team consisting of Kelsey Trzeciak, Cameron Gregoire, Emma Spielman, and Serene Tunkey won 1st place
Our Level III Certamen Team consisting of Audrey Holtz, Olivia Flynn, and Benjamin McGarry won 3rd place

Thank you so much to Latin teacher Kate Hannon for helping students prepare for competition, to First Student for providing transportation, and to Administration for their support.

East Aurora Union Free School District is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team as Substitute Teachers!
🎓 Whether you are a retired educator, a current undergrad in a teacher prep program, or a professional looking to give back, you can make a real difference in the lives of our students. Why sub with EA?
Flexibility: You pick the days, grades, and buildings that work for you.
Support: We provide help with teaching and technology.
Competitive Pay: Rates range from $125 to $160 per day based on certification.
No Bachelor’s Degree? No problem!
We are also hiring substitute aides and cleaners.
Ready to apply?
Visit our portal here: https://eastauroraschools.schoolspring.com/ Questions? Contact Mark Mambretti at 716-687-2306 or MMambretti@eak12.org

The pickleball unit has begun in gym class! This has become a fan favorite among students, some even bring in their own paddles for class tournaments!🏓 #oneEA

What are yearbook students up to? After recently finalizing the yearbook students are now working on their very own personal yearbooks! Each individual picks a theme and can tailor each page to their different interests and activities!📚📸 #oneEA