SUNY Potsdam Teacher Education Students Donate toward Memorial for Garrett J. Phillips

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The SUNY Potsdam Teacher Education Student Association gathers after their bake sale to support the family of Garrett J. Phillips. For a full caption, see the news release below.

POTSDAM, NY (11/23/2011)(readMedia)-- Members of the SUNY Potsdam Teacher Education Student Association recently hosted a bake sale at local businesses to raise money for a local family. Students and faculty members donated baked goods to be sold, which raised a total of $820.

The Teacher Education Student Association donated the funds to the family of Garrett J. Phillips, a young Potsdam boy whose life was tragically taken on Oct. 24. Garrett's mother, Tandy Cyrus, has studied at SUNY Potsdam. He was a sixth-grader at Potsdam Central School's A. A. Kingston Middle School.

The funds will go toward a memorial that the family is planning in Garrett's honor for Potsdam Central School.

"I am extremely proud of the education students for taking a simple bake sale and turning it into something that will forever touch the Phillips family. From baking hundreds of cookies, to having long conversations with the Potsdam community, these students portrayed the caring attitude that teachers should have, which will allow them to reach well beyond the classroom limits," said Nicole Feml, TESA faculty adviser.

"The people of Potsdam, including SUNY Potsdam students, were all touched by this tragic event, and for the people who did not know the family of Garrett Phillips directly, we were able to join together and make a difference," said TESA President Paul Gordon.

The TESA students gathered for a photo after their successful bake sale.

Pictured above, they are (clockwise, from top left): Nicole Feml, Teanna Smith, Cherish Labombard, Paul Gordon, Ryan Denner, Ben Schermerhorn, Katelynd Schmidt, AJ Ferris, Maggie Kramer, Ashley Walbroehl, Laura Purdy, Carrie Laurenzo, Jerika Burkum and Emily Lindberg.

"It was really amazing to see the change in people's faces once they found out what the bake sale was for. People were eager to donate to the cause, even if they didn't take any baked goods. It was so uplifting to see that the people of this community are so compassionate and willing to help," said group member AJ Ferris.

"It's wonderful to see the SUNY Potsdam education students using their Sunday to do something nice for Garrett's family. It renews my faith that people in this community come together when needed," said Potsdam resident Leona Ghostlaw.

The SUNY Potsdam Teacher Education Student Association is a motivated group of students interested in education. TESA is dedicated to providing opportunities for professional development outside the classroom, establishing professional relationships and peer interaction and providing information about education to majors at The School of Education and Professional Studies.

For more information about education at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

-www.potsdam.edu-