Collaboration brings success message to Hamilton Central students
Hamilton Central School is racing to the finish of another school year in partnership with Matt Janczuk
Racing and the Hamilton Area Community Coalition. Janczuk is a five-time champion dirt track race car
driver at the Utica Rome Speedway in Vernon, with more than 40 wins across the state. He’s also a police sergeant with the Hamilton Police Department, and the only state-certified juvenile officer in Madison County.
“We thought it would be a cool way to bring safety messages to the kids to combine my work as a police sergeant with my passion for racing,” said Janczuk. “Partnering with community organizations such as the Hamilton Coalition is important and provides a way to give back and reach out to the kids.”
The program is called “Finish Strong – with Sgt. Janczuk,” and includes tips for beating end of school year stress, staying safe, and keeping away from drugs & alcohol. Posters around school feature a unique photo of Janczuk in both of his uniforms, half policeman, and half racing champion. The goal is to help kids build a positive relationship with their police department, build resiliency, and give them the encouragement they need to finish the school year with excellence.
Janczuk brought his race car out in front of the school and spoke to students in grades 6-12.
“Winning a championship takes courage and strength. You have to believe you can win,” he said. “What we believe about ourselves determines how we live our lives. I want to encourage everyone to keep your head up and always give your best effort moving forward.”
Students from HCS Students Against Destructive Decisions also issued a challenge and encouraged their peers to build their own “Pit Crew” by finding positive people who would encourage them to do their best through the rest of the school year.
“When we surround ourselves with people who will inspire and motivate us we are more likely to find happiness and success,” he said.
Also, as part of the campaign, tire-shaped stress balls will be handed out before state testing, reminding students taking their Regents to “Think Like A Champion.”
The Hamilton community has rallied behind the project with support from HCS Middle and High School
Principal Bill Dowsland, Hamilton Police Chief Shawn Stassi and Mayor Ruthann Loveless. Vantine Imaging spearheaded Janczuk’s photo shoot and donated printing, and Hamilton’s Department of Public Works brought their newest traffic cones to help decorate the school.
“This project has illustrated once again Hamilton’s strong community spirit,” says Melissa Cassulis, program coordinator of the Hamilton Coalition. “The HACC is proud to partner with Matt Janczuk Racing to bring these safety messages to the kids in a fresh and fun way. Sgt. Janczuk’s eagerness to invest in the lives of our young people goes above and beyond his job description. It’s this type of community support which builds that safe and healthy environment in which our children can thrive.”
Photos of the event can be found at www.hamiltoncoalition.com or on Facebook/hamiltonareacommunitycoalition.