York's Interim Superintendent and Golden Knight, David DeLoria, and Elementary Principal Marygrace Ferrando, lead an assembly for elementary students that kicks off York's character program.
Interim Superintendent David DeLoria at York Central School is using a 16-foot tall Golden Knight, the school’s mascot, to lead the students and staff in a character themed resurgence of the knight’s code of honor.
Joe and Elaine Bucci of York presented the Golden Knight statuette to the school as part of a significant donation from them that also included support for the remedial reading program and athletic equipment. York graduate Dan Gall created the golden knight sign, which now hangs outside the auxiliary gymnasium.
The Buccis were present at the Sept. 4 Valley Bowl dedication of the golden knight statue and spoke of their love for the community and their commitment to York Central School. At the ceremony, DeLoria promised the Buccis that the knight will be the catalyst for resurgence in character and honor for both students and staff.
“The symbolic statue will motivate the students and staff to re-think what it means to be a Golden Knight,” DeLoria said at the dedication ceremony.
“The knights of old were beacons of light in the dark times. Knights were not only to have strength and skills to face combat, but they were also expected to temper this aggressive side with a chivalrous side to their nature. The Code of Chivalry or the Code of the Knights, included a pledge to be truthful, honest, and to reach out and help people in need,” he explained.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. A committee of York High School students researched codes of honor and other knightly codes to establish the school’s core values.
The way of the golden knight extends to the Elementary School as Principal Marygrace Ferrando is working with staff for ways to apply the theme to her building. “Perhaps we could be the elementary knights or squires in training,” she commented.
Today, athletes are scrutinized for their conduct and York’s Athletic Director Martha Martin called the knight’s athletic code of honor, “A 21st century application of the knight’s code of honor; the best I’ve seen for athletes.”
On October 2, DeLoria, dressed as the York Golden Knight and led an assembly for elementary school students where character traits and the code of honor were emphasized.
See complete story in our Oct.8 print edition.