School News
We’re thrilled to celebrate and support the Gorillabots, a robotics team made up largely of ASMS alumni, who have officially qualified for the FIRST World Championship in Houston this April! This is an incredible honor—only 3% of over 8,400 FTC teams around the world reach this level of competition.
Over the past two years, the Gorillabots have been an invaluable source of mentorship and inspiration for our 7th and 8th grade LEGO robotics teams. Their guidance has helped shape our students’ experience, not only in building and coding, but also in teamwork, problem-solving, and passion for STEM. It’s especially meaningful that 8 of the 14 current team members are ASMS graduates who credit their love of learning and innovation to their time at our school. Their dedication to mentoring younger students is a full-circle moment that speaks volumes about their character and commitment to giving back.
This season alone, the Gorillabots have dedicated 3,500+ hours to their engineering work and over 850 hours to community outreach—including the time they've spent with our students. We’re proud of their hard work, grateful for their support, and excited to cheer them on as they represent the Corning area and NY Excelsior region on a global stage.
If you’d like to support their journey to Worlds, please consider donating and sharing their GoFundMe page:
Thank you, Gorillabots, for all you’ve done for our school community—and best of luck in Houston!
We are thrilled to recognize the incredible accomplishments of our talented student musicians who recently participated in the Steuben County Music Festivals, representing our school with excellence and enthusiasm!
These festivals bring together top-performing students from music programs across the county. Participation is a tremendous honor—students are either selected by audition (band) or nominated and chosen based on vocal range and school program size (chorus). Once selected, students prepare an entire concert program independently, then come together for two intensive days of rehearsal. They rehearse Friday afternoon, return early Saturday, and perform a full concert that same afternoon—an inspiring display of teamwork, dedication, and musical growth.
We are so proud of our student musicians for their hard work, courage, and commitment to their learning. Congratulations on a job well done—you represented our school beautifully!
Festival B @ CPP High School (Feb 28 – Mar 1)
Featuring 6th Grade Band & 7/8th Grade Chorus
Total Students: 19
6th Grade Band
Seoyeon Choi, Ibaad Chowdhry, Isla Durfee, Allyson Galinski, Emmaline Nickerson, Chinny Okoro, Henry Schaut, Quinley Terry, Levon Willette, Leo Yuan
7/8th Grade Chorus
Kai Bronfenbrenner, Ava McGroarty, Rua Chahal, Bella Vazquez, Cecilia He, Lizzie Squires, Maura Wing, Savannah Elliott, Zak Chornyy
Festival A @ Arkport Central School (March 7–8)
Featuring 6th Grade Chorus & 7/8th Grade Band
Total Students: 33
6th Grade Chorus
Luke Robinson, Kaeden Merchant, Jessie Stanke, Adam Zhou, Clara Harris, Chinny Okoro, Henry Schaut, Annabelle Sun, Jenny Liu, Emmaline Nickerson
7/8th Grade Band
Ava McGroarty, Joie Li, Kai Bronfenbrenner, Cecilia He, Beth Magaziner, Rua Chahal, Piper Brown, Daniel Han, Jessica Fu, Trevor Thomas, Luke Chung, Hazel Fuchs, Oskar Sauer, Michael Jin, Charlotte Anderson, Remy Seymour, Lia Kunigonis, Johanna Yu, Lyla Terry, Savannah Elliott, Jackson Kosik Williams, Sebastian Hartley, Maura Wing
On Saturday, March 8, ASMS students Evelyn Bocage and Robbie Seymour stepped onto the mat to compete in the 19th USTMF New York Open Taekwondo Championships, an event designed to give athletes valuable competition experience in a friendly yet intense setting.
The competition featured fast-paced action, with kicks and punches flying as students tested their skills and mental toughness. The event brought together dedicated martial artists from across the region, emphasizing both technical skill and sportsmanship.
Evelyn and Robbie represented Crystal City Martial Arts with determination and skill, embracing the challenge and demonstrating the discipline that comes with years of training. Their participation in this event highlights the commitment of ASMS students to pushing their limits, building resilience, and growing through competition.
The ASMS community is proud of Evelyn and Robbie for their hard work and dedication! Whether in the classroom or in competition, ASMS students continue to strive for excellence in all they do.
Congratulations to Evelyn and Robbie for an amazing performance! 🥋👏
ASMS is celebrating an incredible achievement in this year’s Corning Rotary Spelling Bee! Eighth-grader Sharon Hwang took first place in the regional competition on March 8 at Campbell-Savona Junior/Senior High School, earning a coveted spot at the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., this May.
This year's bee was a true test of endurance and skill, with 29 schools represented by 55 competing students from across five neighboring counties in Upstate New York. The rounds unfolded in dramatic fashion:
🔹 Round 1 – 37 spellers remained as 21 were eliminated.
🔹 Round 2 – 18 students continued, while 19 exited.
🔹 Round 3 – The field narrowed to 10, as 8 more fell.
🔹 Round 4 – 6 remained, with 4 eliminated.
🔹 Round 5 – The tension mounted as 1 more speller was out, leaving 5 in the race.
🔹 Round 6 – The final 3 competitors stood strong.
🔹 Rounds 7-9 – The battle for third place was decided.
🔹 Rounds 10-34 – A head-to-head showdown between the last two spellers!
Through sheer determination, Sharon triumphed in the 34th round, clinching the victory with the word “espial.”
"I'm just really happy. I can't stop smiling," Sharon shared after her win.
Her journey to the top has been years in the making. Last year, she placed second against fellow ASMS student Reed Fuchs in the 2024 competition. This year, her hard work, practice, and determination helped her claim a well-deserved victory.
ASMS had another standout performer in this year’s bee—seventh-grader Adrian Salgado, who finished in third place.
"I thought it was really fun. I got third place. Next year I hope I get first, but it is what it is," Adrian shared with determination.
Beyond spelling, Sharon enjoys science and swimming, and she aspires to become a neurosurgeon. With her resilience and dedication, there's no doubt she will make ASMS proud on the national stage.
The entire ASMS community celebrates Sharon’s and Adrian’s achievements and wishes Sharon the best of luck in Washington, D.C.!
Go, Sharon! We’ll be cheering you on! 🎉🐝
This past weekend, ASMS students showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills at the local FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) competition. FLL challenges students to design, build, and program LEGO robots to complete themed challenges while also developing an Innovation Project to solve a real-world problem. Our teams demonstrated remarkable growth, significantly improving their robot performance scores from the ASMS mock competition. Though they did not advance to the next stage in Buffalo, their dedication and teamwork were truly commendable.
In addition to their robotics achievements, students worked hard to refine their Innovation Project and Robot Design presentations, impressing the judges with their final materials. We also celebrate the success of Children of Apollo and Rio Supernova, two teams with ASMS students who qualified for the next round in Buffalo. Be sure to congratulate all participants for their outstanding efforts when you see them!
ASMS students were inspired by a visit from Tony Weaver Jr., author of the graphic novel Weirdo. During his presentation, Weaver shared how his personal experiences shaped the book, describing it as a "nerdy kid's instruction manual for self-love and confidence." Through his stories, he encouraged students to celebrate their individuality, reminding them that what makes them different also makes them powerful.
The event, made possible by a collaboration between Corning Incorporated and the Southeast Steuben County Library, provided each ASMS student and middle school students in the Southern Tier with a copy of Weirdo, totaling about 1300 copies. Weaver also led a creative workshop, where he encouraged 6th-grade students to see themselves as storytellers and embrace their creative potential. Sixth-grade students got to create their own character for the book, complete with a superpower and uniform accessory.
ASMS alum and current teacher Nia Walton, who helped organize the visit, praised the book’s impact. “It’s the kind of story I wish I had as a kid,” she said, noting how it helps students feel seen and supported. The book’s narrative serves as both a mirror, reflecting the experiences and identities of many students, and a window, offering insights into diverse perspectives. Weaver’s empowering message of self-acceptance resonated throughout the day, leaving students and staff alike inspired to celebrate their unique identities.
Local News Coverage:
Big Fox: ASMS students get inspired by author Tony Weaver
WENY: Author Tony Weaver Jr., Inspires Students in Corning to Embrace Their 'Weird"
Star Gazette:'Weirdo' author Tony Weaver Jr. leaves students 'inspired', 'empowered' after local tour
Embark on a fascinating journey through the wonders of ancient Mesopotamia with our sixth-grade Social Studies students. They stepped into the shoes of ancient builders and explored ziggurats, towering structures at the heart of Mesopotamian cities. Ziggurats, more than just architectural marvels, were sacred structures dedicated to the principal gods of each city, constructed in a stepped pyramid style with 2 to 7 levels.
These structures were symbolic and impressive feats of engineering, serving as temples that symbolized Mesopotamians' devotion to their city's primary deity. The towering height was intentional, believed to bring the shrine closer to the heavens. While many ziggurats have vanished, a few stand partially rebuilt.
Students excitedly recreated their own paper ziggurats, gaining a deeper appreciation for Mesopotamian craftsmanship and the symbolism embedded in each tier. This hands-on activity made learning about ancient Mesopotamia engaging and memorable, immersing students in a captivating historical experience.
ASMS proudly participated in the 4th Annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive in collaboration with the Islamic Association of the Finger Lakes, the Medical Muslim Student Association at LECOM, and the American Medical Women’s Association. This heartwarming event, organized in part by Rubina Qadeer (mother of ASMS student Ibaad Chowdhry and a teacher at LECOM), brought together approximately 150-200 people in the Weis parking lot in Elmira on Saturday Nov 2, 2024.
Thanks to the collective efforts of our community, we distributed around 300 coats—along with countless hats, gloves, and scarves. This small but meaningful act of generosity has the power to transform lives, one warm coat at a time.
Want to help share the warmth? Donations of winter items such as new or gently used coats, gloves, scarves, and hats are accepted year-round. You can send items to ASMS to ensure that more families stay warm each winter season. Together, we can make a difference!
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), which means “Our Little Brothers and Sisters” in Spanish, is an international organization dedicated to helping vulnerable children and families in Latin America and the Caribbean break free from poverty. Since 1954, NPH has provided essentials like nutritious food, education, healthcare, and job training to empower those in need.
ASMS is proud to have partnered with NPH for over a decade, working together to make a meaningful impact. Each year, our school community raises funds to sponsor two children, Jamesley and Marie, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive.
Last Thursday, eighth-grade student Zach Brink took the lead in organizing a flag football fundraiser to support this mission. Students formed teams and competed in a spirited event that brought the ASMS community together for a great cause.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to participate in fundraising efforts throughout the school year. Together, we’re making a difference!
Last week, ASMS 6th graders learned about the significance of Veterans Day and reflected on the service and sacrifices of veterans within our community. During advisory time, students explored the meaning behind this holiday, discussing the importance of honoring those who have served and protected our country.
As a special project, students handcrafted tissue paper poppies—the symbolic flower of remembrance. These poppies were shared with veterans, including parents, relatives, and other community members, as a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for their dedication.
Thank you to all who have served!
Nineteen talented ASMS students proudly represented our school at the Junior High Area All-State Festival on November 1-2, performing alongside outstanding musicians from across NYSSMA Zone 15. This festival, held at Genesee Valley Central School, brought together the region's best young musicians, showcasing their dedication and skill. Our students’ journey began with impressive NYSSMA solo performances in April, earning them this prestigious honor. Congratulations to all participants for sharing their passion and talent with the community!
Band:
Nayul Lee
Joie Li
Sharon Hwang
Ava McGroarty
Daniel Han
Jessica Fu
Trevor Thomas
Hazel Fuchs
Michael Jin
Remy Seymour
Johanna Yu
Chorus:
Cecilia He
Bella Vazquez
Nick Basu
Mercy Biribuze
Kai Bronenbrenner
Savannah Elliott
Lizzie Squires
Orchestra:
Coraline Ashton
7th graders at ASMS spent the start of the year learning computer-assisted design (CAD) and engineering process by designing and 3D printing rubber band-driven cars. The goal was to create a car that would:
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fit in a 180cm x 120cm x120cm sizing box
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travel 3 meters using stored energy from a rubber band
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be aesthetically appealing
Student engineers went the distance for doughnuts as they rallied and raced their cars with their science teacher, Mrs. Killian. Students performed experiments and evaluated their prototypes to maximize the success of their final designs.
At The Alternative School for Math and Science (ASMS), we are committed to teaching our students the value of active citizenship and giving back to the community. Through strong partnerships with local organizations in Corning and the greater Southern Tier, our students participate in meaningful volunteer work that builds trust, addresses local challenges, and fosters positive change. Each month, 6th-8th graders dedicate time to service projects that benefit the community. The photos above capture our students in action, helping to make a difference while learning the importance of community connection.
The first week at The Alternative School for Math & Science set a positive tone for the year ahead, blending excitement with the usual first-day jitters as students, teachers, and parents adjusted to the rhythm of the new academic year. Classrooms buzzed with activity as students reconnected with friends and eagerly dove into lessons, while teachers introduced innovative curricula and established expectations. For many, the week was about finding their footing—whether through navigating new schedules, meeting classmates, or adapting to fresh routines. This strong start laid the foundation for students to grow as lifelong learners and responsible community members, in alignment with the school’s core values.