Have you heard?

St. Clement’s School in Saratoga Springs has been sponsoring a host of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities of late. Two of the most interesting events were St. Clement’s first science fair, presenting close to 100 student projects; and a visit from a St. Clement’s alumnus, fisheries biologist and Ph.D. student RYAN KNOTEK of the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life. He spoke to fifth-graders on sharks of the Northeast and helped them dissect spiny dogfish sharks and skate in the school’s STEM lab. They also took a “virtual reality trip” to see research on the oceanic whitetip shark in the Bahamas....

St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls has been accepting monetary gifts for its eighth-grade graduating class of 2018 (mail to SMA, 4 Parsons Ave. Hoosick Falls 12090, attn. Mary Beth Smith). Immaculate Conception parish in Hoosick Falls is planning its annual canoe trip on the Battenkill for high school graduates from the parish, plus a “college reunion flotilla” of returning students who also paddle on the Battenkill....

Holy Trinity in Johnstown and Holy Spirit in Gloversville announced two $250 college scholarships for students graduating from Johnstown and Glovers­ville High Schools, given by the Twin City Council of Churches. Applicants must have done community service and written an essay (contact Pamela Miller, 518-844-4534). Also announced was the PERCY AND PAULINE BURDA scholar award, for which applicants must have sent in their spring 2018 school transcript....

St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delmar is accepting donations of used smartphones for a virtual reality program used in middle school classes. (Phones do not need to be activated or have a phone plan, but must be able to connect to the internet and have at least 1 GB of RAM; 2-4 GB is preferred. Phones also need to be Android 4.4 or later or iOS 8.0 or later. See https://vr.google.com/
cardboard for information and call MRS. HEILSBERG at 518-439-5573)....

St. Cecilia’s in Warrensburg is cheering for parishioner NICK PUTNEY, salutatorian of the class of 2018 at his high school. He also does work for the parish....

At a parish strawberry festival June 16, Our Lady of Victory parish in Troy and its mission, Our Lady of the Snow in Grafton, will celebrate both newly-ordained DEACON AL CENSULLO and seminarian ADAM FEISTHAMEL. Mr. Feisthamel is completing his pastoral year placement at OLV this summer, as well as a clinical pastoral education program at Albany Medical Center, as part of his studies for the priesthood. Parishioners will make both men “spiritual bouquets,” promising prayers on their behalf, and will present them at Mass the day of the festival....

CHRISTOPHER OXAAL, an altar server at St. Mary’s parish in Albany for the past decade, is a National Merit Scholar designee. He is one of approximately 7,500 students nationwide who earned this distinction in 2018. A new graduate of Augustine Classical Academy in Mechanicville, he is also an alum of the Empire State Youth Jazz Ensemble, playing the trumpet. With his $200,000 scholarship, he’ll attend the University of Alabama....

Head coaches and select student athletes from men’s and women’s Siena College basketball teams hosted a meet-and-greet, skill session and scrimmage for the Saratoga Wildcats June 6. The Wildcats are competing in the New York Special Olympics summer games this week at Siena. This is the Loudonville college’s second year of hosting the Special Olympics, in which athletes with intellectual disabilities compete....

Sacred Heart School in Troy had its Race for Education at Kinloch Park, with participants running a mile and tackling obstacle courses; some parents and teachers even ran the course. Principal DEVON CAMENGA braved the water-filled dunk booth while everyone took turns at dunking him. The event raises funds for next year’s STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math) program....

As the faith formation program at All Saints on the Hudson parish in Mechanicville/Stillwater concluded, REV. PATRICK RICE, pastor, was presented with posters, letters and drawings in appreciation for service. “I hope you are having a fun time being a priest,” wrote one student; “I want to be a saint like you!” another declared. A third was direct: “Dear Father, thank you for taking this job here. We are all happy for that!” The parish reported that his reaction to the surprise gifts was “priceless”....

St. Paul the Apostle parish in Hancock plans a “dads and grads” Mass and reception June 17 to honor both new graduates and, for Father’s Day, the fathers in the congregation.