by Daniel Manou

Oswego, NY- As underage drinking and drug use grows around the country, Oswego County is trying to find ways to not only control this epidemic but turn it into a positive trend.

On a daily basis alcohol is in the public’s eyes whether from advertisements, stores or people using it around them regardless of the viewers age. According to a multi-year study by Farnham Family Services alcohol is the most used drug among minors in Oswego County. However, compared to the last survey, this year’s results are showing progress. Prevention Services Director Penny Morley believes the results of this year’s survey is heading in the right direction.

“We did a youth development survey in 2013 and another one in 2016, and our numbers are going down, youth that are reporting underage drinking,” she said.

Although Morley acknowledges the comparison of surveys shows only a small drop in underage drinking, she is still pleased with the numbers.

“Just a few percentage points, but even just a few percentage points is better than having an increase”, said Morley.

According to the survey nearly 70 percent of high school seniors have used alcohol. Most minors reported the easiest access is from their own home.

In an effort lead by Oswego County Undersheriff Gene Sullivan, police have attempted to stop underage parties. Sullivan has been working to shut down these parties and educate minors about the dangers of underage drinking since 2011. However, he has directly seen what consequences arise.

“By the end of the night we would have fights, vandalism would occur and in the worst case scenario people driving away from that party, getting into crashes some of them were fatalities,” Undersheriff Sullivan said.

In 2014, Farnham instituted the Oswego County Prevention Coalition in response to the 2013 survey and has worked alongside schools to educate the youth. According to the 2016 results, ninth grade, the same age period when alcohol is most dangerous to children, was where the usage jumped the highest.

“Anyone that uses before the age of 15 has a much higher likelihood of addiction as an adult, their brains are not fully formed at that point”, said Morley.

With the tactics that have been put in place and continue to be worked on, there have been signs that they have made an impact.

“I think there’s been tremendous progress, but it’s been painfully slow. It’s a difficult message to deliver”, said Undersheriff Sullivan.

Even with the long awaited results showing optimism, both Morley and Sullivan know their job isn’t done.

by Jessica Kisluk

Oswego, NY –

Oswego State has a new Women’s Club Basketball team. The team got its start when Brianna Muncy met girls who showed interest in this type of club that did not exist on campus. She soon found a Vice President and Coach.

The club’s Vice President Raven Coffiel says, “I really have to give her all the credit though; it was really all her own.” Coach Chelsea Flores went to school for coaching at Oswego State and thought coaching women’s club basketball would be a great step toward her athletic coaching career.

The team started out small but is looking to improve and have some home games. They have had games in Binghamton and Hamilton so far, and are looking to play against schools such as Cortland and LeMoyne.

The club team gives the players a chance to play on a less competitive level. They are always looking for new players and  for people to cheer them on.

For more information about the team, you can follow them on Twitter @OswegoClubBBall.

OSWEGO, N.Y. – Students and faculty gathered Monday to hear about the professional journalism experiences of Oswego State alumnus Quindell Williams (‘11) in the Marano Campus Center Auditorium.

Williams works for Syracuse based TV station CNYCentral as a photojournalist and video editor. During his five years at the station, he was part of the team that won a regional Emmy award for best Daytime Newscast. Williams also holds other awards from the Syracuse Press Club and New York State Associated Press.

“I love what I do, I love my job,” he said.

His motivation in life comes from his child. “Every time I look at my son I have to do better, doesn’t matter what it is,” he said.

Williams began his career in broadcasting at CNYCentral as a master control operator for one year, a job he got right out of college. A career fair at Oswego State presented him with the opportunity. He did work to get himself to the point of getting hired as master control.

“Things I did (in college) helped mold and shape me to what I am now,” Williams said.

He spoke to the audience about his time in college, at both Oswego State and Onondaga County Community College. He was involved with several clubs on campus at Oswego State such as the Black Student Union, African Latino Asian and Native Americans (ALANA), WNYO 88.9 FM, and WTOP-TV.

His advice for students, was simple. “Be prepared to seize the moment,” Williams said. “Try to surround yourself with people trying to reach the next level.”
The program was put on by Voices of Diversity, currently in their sixth year of holding events like this one to encourage diversity.