by Dawn Kane | Nov 4, 2022
Amanda first picked up a lacrosse stick at the age of 10 while at her neighbor’s house. Since Hamburg did not yet have a youth girls lacrosse program, she first played in a boys summer league for her neighbor, Marty Derby.
She played high school soccer and basketball with her classmates through her junior year but made the jump to the varsity lacrosse team as an eighth grader. While her season had some ups and downs, the team won Section VI Class B championship with Amanda starting on attack.
As a 9th grader Amanda led the varsity team in assists and as a 10th grader, she led Hamburg in scoring. In 2011, Coach Ryan took over the program, Amanda again led the team with 64 goals and 34 helpers, leading the Bulldogs back to the Sectional VI Class B championship game, where they loss a heartbreaker to Lake Shore despite Amanda scoring 8 goals. That summer, Amanda was named to the Western Region Empire State games, where her team won the Silver Medal.
In her senior year, Amanda led Section VI in scoring, tallying 58 goals and 59 assists for 117 points, culminating with Hamburg winning the Section VI Class B championship which started a run by Coach Ryan of 6 consecutive Section VI championships. After the season was over, Amanda was named a 1st team U.S. Lacrosse All-American. 1st team All- WNY, and the inaugural winner of the Buffalo News “Ox” award, which is awarded to the individual who possesses talent, versatility, hard work, dedication and toughness. Amanda went on to play at the University of Albany, where she was part of a team that made 2 NCCA playoff appearances.
Amanda’s favorite high school memory was beating archrival Frontier under the lights at Howe Field after both schools raised money for Alex’s Lemonade stand. Amanda got married in September 2021 to Rob Koshinski and welcomed her 1st child, a son, Carter this past July. Amanda is an account manager at Hamburg Brewery.
by Dawn Kane | Nov 4, 2022
Katie Medina may have graduated from Hamburg 14 years ago, but this past spring her name was again in the spotlight at the end of the high school basketball season. That’s because Katie’s Hamburg career points record of 1,114 for a female basketball player had just been broken. She is one of only 4 girls who are in the prestigious 1,000-point club at Hamburg. Yet when she had to choose which sport she would play in college, Katie chose to play softball.
During her sports career at Hamburg, Katie played soccer, basketball and softball. In soccer she was named All-ECIC; on the court, she was named All-ECIC, All-WNY and All-ECIC player of the year 2 years in a row, topping it off with a Section VI title. On the diamond, Katie was named to the All-ECIC team 3 years in a row, player of the year, and All-WNY. Despite her personal accolades, one of Katie’s favorite memories from her high school career, was the softball team making the first ever sectionals in school history. Katie was an All-WNY Scholar Athlete as well.
At the end of her high school career, she had to make the difficult decision of choosing what sport she would play in college. She had many Division 1 offers to play basketball or softball, and one school, George Mason, wanted Katie to play both basketball and softball. However, she never got to make the decision herself! Diagnosed with sports induced acid reflux during her Senior year, doctors told her that she should not continue playing basketball. So, the decision to play softball was made for her due to health concerns. Once it was determined that softball was the choice, she decided to play at the Division I level with Canisius College, where she was a four-year starter and part of a MAAC championship. Katie graduated with a bachelor’s in English and a master’s degree in Sports Administration.
Katie is in mortgage operations with Haus Capital Corporation. This past July she got married to Jenna Yates, and they make their home in West Seneca with their two dogs.
by Dawn Kane | Nov 4, 2022
Dale was raised in North Boston and attended Hamburg High school where he was an accomplished athlete, excelling in football, basketball and track. He was a 3-year starter on both the football and basketball teams.
Dale was an imposing figure, standing 6’5’, which made him a perfect offensive tackle to clear a path for the running backs and a towering, intimidating center on the basketball court. He received 1st team Division I All-ECIC honors for two consecutive years in football and second team in basketball his senior year. Dale was also a three-year participant in track, competing in shot put, high jump, and the 880 relay.
Dale was awarded the Hamburg Purple Key (today referred to as the Directors Key) for outstanding athletic achievement. His two favorite high school memories are football related – destroying Frontier 54-0 during the 1966 season and defeating East Aurora on the last play of the game, ending their undefeated season. Dale also noted that during his senior year, his was the last class to wear leather helmets. Ouch!
Upon graduating in 1966, Dale left for a two-year stint in the Army. He was stationed in South Korea as a Colonel’s driver and played football for the 8th Army Conference. After returning home, Dale freelanced as a certified welder and fabricator. He eventually became a member of the Ironworkers-Local 6-Buffalo, where he held the elected position of Sergeant at Arms for 12 years. Dale retired in 2010 with 30 years of service and resides on seven hilltop acres overlooking Kissing Bridge and the beautiful Glenwood Valley. Retirement has given him the time to enjoy his love for motorcycles and spend time with his partner Jeannie Burke.
by Dawn Kane | Nov 4, 2022
Mrs. Morgan started at Hamburg High in the 1958-59 school year. When she started in ’58, science was just coming to the forefront of education with the launch of the Russian Sputnik Satellite the year previous. Up until her arrival, science curriculum sequence at HHS was for the 4-year college-bound science majors. Morgan introduced Micro Biology, which became a very popular course. Micro Biology offered a much wider scope of preparation for higher education after HHS.
Mrs. Morgan also developed the Microbiology course and wrote both the textbook used and lab workbook. These were purchased by the students, but in draft form / unpublished. It was a lab intensive course, much more than biology ever was. The course drew in a lot of female students when the sciences normally would have been reserved for those going into engineering or sciences in college. Morgan opened up the vision of professional possibilities beyond HHS for a many more females.
She also took charge of the Science Club. Given her likeability with students, membership in the club grew under her leadership. She was a teacher who made a difference. She was special and worthy of recognition.
Mrs. Morgan came from a family of science and medical achievers (9 siblings). Her one brother founded the Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He was a renowned Cancer researcher who is credited with pioneering chemotherapy treatment.
Morgan distinguished herself from the traditional teacher. She made new inroads and incentivized her students to greater achievement. She made friends with every one of her students and made them feel special. She retired in 1971 and passed away in March 2002. The Class of 1971 chose her to acknowledge in their ECHOES Yearbook dedication. A very heart felt dedication.
by Dawn Kane | Nov 4, 2022
“Momma Meis” lived to age 95. She passed Nov 1, 2004. She retired from HHS in 1972. She started as Miss Birdsey 1937. She was a tall stature, striking woman with white hair and strong directive voice. She was front and center of many activities. She was the Senior High English teacher and much more to all of us.
The yearbook was her leadership. The theatrical performances were at her helm, as was the Make Up Club and National Honor Society. Social activities such as dances all were with her involvement. She was the one to have influence on us in our last steps of transitioning to adult hood.
She was active in the community and professional organizations, long into her retirement years. She had those qualities as a teacher that could inspire, stick with you, and help unlock your potential.
She was active in:
- AARP – National Chairwomen of committee looking to protect the rights of elderly
- Traveled to Washington DC to lobby lawmakers
- Business and Professional Women’s Club – Named Woman of the Year
- NYSERTA – NY State Retired Teachers Association (35,000 member Organization)
- Served as President (1st Woman) 1985-1988
- In 1995 received highest award of “1995 Certificate of Recognition Award”
- Inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma, International Society for Women Educators
- World Who’s Who of Women 10th edition: listed in / awarded certificate of merit
- Chairman of 14 member NY State Legislative Committee
- In later days of career, spearheaded program to provide remedial reading improvements to Hamburg 2nd and 3rd graders
- Hamburg Garden Club, Hamburg Women’s Club, and Hamburg Antiques Society
- Active member and leader
- Presenter of Programs for Organization Mtgs across the country
