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Our Lady of the Valley parish in Middleburgh is proud of nine-year old JAKE RINGUETTE: The young parishioner donated the money he received for his birthday -- more than $100 -- to the Joshua Foundation's summer lunch program for kids in need in Middleburgh....

Maria College in Albany now offers a bachelor's degree in liberal arts -- the college's first such program, complementing its existing associate's degree in liberal arts. Maria also offers four bachelor of science degrees: psychology, healthcare management, health and occupational sciences and a nursing degree completion program. See www.mariacollege.edu....

Siena College in Loudonville and Albany Medical College co-sponsor a program that combines humanities, ethics and social service with medicine. Students in the program earn a B.A. from Siena after four years and an M.D. from Albany Medical College upon completion of the medical curriculum. Students must engage in two service projects: one during their years at Siena and another as a first-year medical student. This summer, five students in this program traveled to Fontaine, Haiti, to teach English and serve students of St. Gabriel's School and the community: GREGORY ALTMAN, KATHRYN FORTUNE, NICOLE ROMANZO, JENNA SCHLEFMAN and CASEY HLADIK.

They wrote: "We taught students in grades seven through 11, enforcing basic vocabulary and conversation skills. Each night was spent planning lessons. After classes ended for the day, the students returned for reading and conversation practice in an intimate setting in order to enhance their English proficiency. Our free time was spent playing in the schoolyard or on the soccer field.

"In addition to teaching at St. Gabriel's, we had the opportunity to teach children in grades five and six at two local primary schools. We were grateful that we could leave behind various donations, such as laptops, school supplies, books, clothing and shoes. We are looking forward to spreading the word about the Friends of Fontaine Foundation." See www.friendsoffontaine.com to learn more.[[In-content Ad]]

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