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

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

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

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

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)