Clockwise, from top left, Deb McEvilly (winner of most creative mask), Lois Musgrove (winner of best kids mask), Natalie Pere (winner of most beautiful mask) and Mcnail Scott (winner of most effective mask). Photos by John Nowak
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Hana’ Maaiah, who has always been “entranced by bees,” will lead a workshop.
Maya Hector
Prior to her work at Soul Fire Farm, she was the assistant farm manager at a small urban farm in Birmingham, Alabama, called Jones Valley Teaching Farm where she was paid to take a master beekeeping class.
“I’ve always been entranced by bees,” she shared. “I think they’re fascinating, and we know their power within the food system. They prop us up, right? More than half of our food system wouldn’t even exist without bees.”
The class was comprised almost entirely of older, white men, despite Birmingham’s majority black population, highlighting systemic barriers faced by BIPOC individuals in accessing agricultural resources and knowledge. She reflected, “I kept telling myself ‘You’re here for the bees, you’re here for the bees.’”
Pep talk aside, Maaiah eventually left the class but the experience has informed her teaching style. She shared, “You have to be in a space where you can feel supported, you can learn, you can ask questions, and that the information feels like it’s something you want to continue to pass forward.”
Maaiah found a new class, a bee mentor, and after four years of beekeeping at Jones Valley, she kept bees in her own backyard “because they’re just so hypnotic,” she mused.
Maaiah’s perseverance and commitment to beekeeping not only speak to her passion for the craft but also underscore the importance of creating inclusive spaces within agriculture where diverse voices are valued and supported. She is also thrilled to share that bees will be arriving at Soul Fire farm next month.
Maaiah met Brittany Levers at a mushroom workshop in Troy, New York. When Ainhoa Woodley, a farmer and Farm Education Manager at Rock Steady put out a call for skill sharing in the community, Maaiah and Levers decided to pair up and share their knowledge.
Brittany Levers will also facilitate the April 26 workshop.Noelia Salinetti of Woven Roots Farm
“We’re really trying not to do a crash course in a business sense. It’s not going to be a ‘How to Harvest Honey’ class or something,” Maaiah laughed. “But if you’ve ever been curious to kind of just test the waters, then let’s explore.” Levers added, “Even if they don’t decide to beekeep themselves, they serve a pertinent purpose in our ecosystem. I’m looking forward to spreading the joy and wonder that bees give me.”
In this beginner’s workshop, simplicity is key. “We want it to feel as possible as possible to be a beekeeper,” said Maaiah. She also posed the important question, “How can we reshape our practices to align with the needs of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities and future generations of farmers?” She went on to describe that part of the work is to center the decolonization of language around the practice of beekeeping. “What would it look like to rename colony, worker bee, drone bee, and queen bee?” as examples, Maaiah asked.
So, this workshop will be a far cry from the first class Maaiah experienced back in Birmingham.
There will instead be an emphasis on letting people know that they belong, and that beekeeping is ancient wisdom BIPOC people have been practicing for centuries. “We’re gonna just have a lot of fun,” she continued. “We actually have a surplus of information; we just need to share it. And the bees will do the rest.”
For more information and to sign up for the workshop, visit www.rocksteadyfarm.com
Riley ThirlwallProvided
Riley Thirlwall
Valedictorian
Having earned the honor of being named Valedictorian for the Webutuck High School Class of 2024, Riley Thirlwall is well prepared to move on to her college years.
In addition to being accomplished in her studies, Riley represents herself with confidence and strong communication skills. Additional talents include achievements in studies, sports and music, all areas where she has won recognition.
Riley began her schooling in the Webutuck School system in First Grade. She paused for an interview with The Millerton News on Thursday, April 18. Without hesitating, she said that she most enjoyed science and math courses, singling out Physics class for special mention.
“Gravity interests me,” Riley said, “It’s relative to time.”
“The Math Department is really good here, but I’m also good at it,” she said. The study of jet propulsion is a strong interest. She hopes one day to work with the NASA program. To the next logical question about whether she would ever participate in a flight into space, the reply was an enthusiastic affirmative.
“I would love to go to space,” Riley said.
Riley’s advice to all students, but particularly those beginning their Freshman class in the fall, was clear.
“As soon as you get an assignment, get it done as soon as you can. Better sooner than later,” Riley advised.
“Take advantage of extra help. If you don’t understand something you heard in class, work on it until you understand it,” she said, urging students to work more closely with their teachers. Students who feel comfortable with their teachers will be more comfortable with asking for the additional help.
“I try to get all my homework done while I’m in school, or if not, as soon as I get home,” Riley said.
Athletics have been an ongoing interest for Riley and she has been invited to the All-State program on her instrument, the clarinet, multiple times. Riley has also excelled in varsity soccer and girls’ basketball, helping her team to win the 2022-23 Class D sectional championship, the first such honor for the school in 25 years.
Riley has served as co-president of the Senior class, co-president of the Student Council and president of the National Honor Society.
During the summer, Riley plans to work at Candy O’s in Millerton, scooping ice cream, and she expects to continue her volunteer work in the food pantry program at North East Community Center (NECC) that she began recently. That she speaks Spanish, she feels, will help her with assisting NECC pantry visitors.
Daughter of Brandy Thirlwall and younger sister of Jordan Thirlwall, Riley plans to study aerospace engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida with her forward gaze fixed on NASA.
Amanda IntrieriProvided
Amanda Intrieri
Salutatorian
Having attended the Webutuck school system since her enrollment in pre-K, Amanda Intrieri excelled in her studies from the start, setting a strong example for others and culminating in being named Salutatorian of the Webutuck High School Class of 2024.
During an interview with The Millerton News on Thursday, April 18, Amanda noted that she and Valedictorian Riley Thirlwall have been friends from the start of their elementary school days. They are now serving as co-presidents of their Senior class and co-presidents of the Student Council.
Intrieri is also vice-president of the National Honor Society.
Beyond her academics and self-confidence exhibited in her innate communication skills, Amanda has well-rounded interests and achievements, including in athletics, most notably cross-country and outdoor track. She said that she began running in the Seventh Grade.
Indicative of her sense of commitment to her sport, Amanda would train through the winter even though the school had no indoor track and field program. Her winter regimen could include running through the interior halls of the school to remain in tiptop shape.
Amanda has twice qualified for state-wide cross country competitions and once for an state-wide outdoor track meet. One of her favorite events, she said, is the 800-meter run.
Offering experienced advice to younger students, Amanda advised them to always stay motivated.
“Always stay on task. It’s hard,” Amanda said, adding that it is necessary to keep one’s grades up.
“I get extra help after school,” Amanda said. “Always ask questions.”
“I try to get most studying done at school, rather than waiting until later. It’s less stressful,” she advised.
When not studying, Amanda enjoys helping the community, participating most recently in her school’s observance of Earth Day and also Webutuck’s Community Day.
In the fall, Amanda will enroll at SUNY-Delhi, intending to pursue a career as a veterinarian’s technician or perhaps a veterinarian at an animal hospital. While in college, she also plans to continue with track and outdoor field.
“I love animals,” Amanda said of her chosen field of study.
The daughter of David Intrieri and Tina Breen, Amanda has one brother. Matthew Intrieri.
