Annual Awards
It is time to take a look at some people you would like to recognize for making contributions to the service to blind and visually impaired people in New York State. You can make a nomination now. Nominate a fellow worker!
Each fall at the annual state conference special recognition is given to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated high standards of professionalism and service to people who are visually impaired. NOW is the time to take a look at those you may know who deserve this honor. Nominate some deserving person/s for the following awards. Each nomination should be signed by at least one (1) current NYSAER member. Include a letter indicating why that person is deserving of the award. Letters to support the nomination are very important and can be written by colleagues, supervisors/administrators, clients, students, parents, etc. The more letters the better, since the recipient will receive all the letters written on their behalf.
VERONICA GILLIGAN/ANNE YEADON MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award is given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution in the work with persons in New York State who are visually impaired.
Meritorious Award Recipients
2024 - Jaydan Mitchell
2023 - Ronald Ritter
2022 - Gus Chalkias
2022 - Eric Levy
2021 - Not Awarded
2020 - Not Awarded
2019 - Lindsay Orcutt
2018 - Chris Russell
2017 -
2016 - Mitchel Hansen
2015 -
2014 -
2013 - Elga Joffee
2012 - Not Awarded
2011 - Deb Silberberg
2010 - Becky Barnes
2009 - Chuck Cohen
2008 - Mary Fleming
2007 - Sharyl Courter
2006 - Judi Piscitello
2005 -
2004 - Dawn Werner
2003 -
2002 -
2001 - Nancy Lee
2000 - Julie Misegades
2000 - Joe Polansky
1999 - Charlotte Rudd-Derby
1998 -
1997 - Jill Pariso
1996 - Elaine Powers
1996 - Judith Fleischner
1995 - Chuck Canterbury
1995 - Dan McLaughlin
1994 - Dorothy Green
1993 - Mary Ann Lange
1992 - Andrea Mondo
1992 - Josephine Stratton
1991 - Nancy Paskin
1990 - Kevin Meegan
1990 - Lyle Lehman
1989 - Carolyn Gebhardt
1989 - Nancy D. Weber Miller
1988 - Veronica Gilligan
1988 - Gene McMahon
1987 -
1986 - Gerald Miller
1985 - Josephine Blaine
1985 - Ann Range
GEORGE E. KEANE AWARD
This award is given to someone who has worked with people who are visually impaired for a minimum of 20 years at the time of the presentation. Through the years this award has been given to men and women whose work has been of benefit to New York State and has influenced the national scene.
Keane Award Recipients
2024 - Annalyn Courtney
2023 - MaryAnn Oyer
2022 - Dr. Lauren Lieberman
2022 - Mark Brady
2021 - Not Awarded
2020 - Not Awarded
2019 - Not Awarded
2018 - Not Awarded
2017 - Joan Dulitz
2016 - Kathy Beaver
2015 -
2014 -
2013 - John Kelly
2012 - Joanne Rusotti
2011 - Donna Karlson
2010 - Joe Catavero
2009 - Grace Ambrose
2008 - Dan McLaughlin
2007 - Nancy D. Miller
2006 - Dr. Eugene McMahon
2005 - Carl Augusto
2004 -
2003 - Dr. Rona Shaw
2002 - Dr. Rosanne K. Silberman
2001 - Dr. Emily Leyenberger
2000 - Lynne Luxton
1999 - Susan Spungin
1998 -
1997 - Corinne Kirchner
1996 - Jonathan Schrauer
1995 - Paul Sauerland
1994 -
1993 - Ann Yeadon
1992 -
1991 - Gerald Miller
1990 - M. Conrad Range
1989 - Ted Zubrycki
1988 - Arlene Gordon
1987 - Edith Pratt
1986 -
1985 - Virginia DeMarinis
NAT SEAMAN RECOGNITION AWARD
This award is given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution in work with people with visual impairments in New York State. This contribution may have been made at any level of service and has included volunteers, legislators, eye care professionals and support staff.
Recognition Award Recipients
2024 - Jill Fraticelli
2023 - Pamela Fallon-Demeo
2022 - Dr. Pamela Beach
2022 - Mike O’Brien
2021 - Not Awarded
2020 - Not Awarded
2019 - Paul Geraci
2018 - Gregory Santamoor
2017 -
2016 - Stephen A. Malito, Esq.
2015 -
2014 -
2013 - Judy Strauss-Schwartz
2012 - Karen Gourgey
2011 - Rochelle Homsy
2010 - Mike Desposito
2009 - Dr. Lauren Lieberman
2008 - Dr. Ellen Trief
2007 - Barbara Carson
2007 - Michael Harasimowicz
2006 -
2005 - Shirley Lapp
2004 - Len Hanel
2003 -
2002 - Laurie Munro
2001 - Dr. Craig Werner
2000 - Barbara Martin
1999 - Andy Cook
1998 - Khogendra N. Das
1997 - Edward & Lautie Hersh
1996 -
1995 - Mary Alice Ross
1994 - Dr Norman Weiss
1993 - Charles Mondello
1993 - Charles Mondello
1992 - Dr. Albert Morier
1992 - Margaret Spittler
1991 - City Volunteer Group
1991 - Isabel Belotti
1991 - Joe Nye
1990 - Stanley Wainapel
1989 - Irma Shore
1988 - Linda Stillman
1987 - Iris Torres Gardner
1986 - Sue Herman Lederer
1985 - Doug Inkster
ANN RANGE CHILDREN'S AWARD
This award is given to a person who has demonstrated dedication and commitment to teaching and advocating for the needs of children who are blind and visually impaired in New York State.
Children's Award Recipients
2024 - Amanda Dias
2023 - Malka Slotkin
2022 - Theresa Brousseau
2021 - Not Awarded
2020 - Not Awarded
2019 - Not Awarded
2018 - Jonathan Hooper
2017 -
2016 - Chelsea Hale
2015 -
2014 -
2013 - Linda Ciero
2012 - Merrie Balka
2011 - Michelle Campbell
2010 - Julie Misegades
2009 - Joanne Rusotti
2008 - Ronald Ritter
2008 - Carolynn Longuil
2007 - Diane McMillan
2006 - Jeanne Anderson
2005 -
2004 -
2003 -
2002 - Paula Friedman
2001 -
2000 - Amy Edgerton
2000 - MaryAnn Mroczka-Oyer
1999 -
1998 - Carol Hile
Other NYS AER Award Recipients
2004 - Sharon Schwalm - CVRT of the Year
1998 - Anne Hersee - Past President Award
1994 - Jim Bednez
1993 - Carolyn Gebhardt - Secretary Emeritus
1986 - Josephine Larkin - received Special Award posthumously
NYSAWB Awarded Recipients
George Keane Award, est. 1969 (GK)
Meritorious Achievement Award (M)
Nat Seaman Recognition Award, est. 1982 (NS)
(formerly NYSAWB Recognition Award) (R)
Ann Range Children’s Award, est. 1998 (AR)
1984
Frank Romano (GK)
Jack Ryan (M)
Vern Getman (NS)
1983
Saul Freedman (GK)
Janet Kennard (M)
Senator John Flynn (NS)
Assemblyman Alan Hevesi (NS)
1982
Leon Klein (GK)
Joseph Nocca (NS)
1981
Joseph Larkin (GK)
Wesley Sprague (M)
M. Conrad Range (R)
1976
Elizabeth Maloney (GK)
Jesse Stornelli (R)
Nat Seaman (R)
Jim Jones (Special Award)
1974
Don LoGuidice (M)
1971
Joe Pike
Alma Steinbacker
Thelma Ulrey
Ruth Williams
1970
Morton Kleinman
Marian Held
Harold Richterman
Irving Selis
1969
Bob Smithdas
1968
Helen McBride
George Keane
Virginia McDonough (certificate)