POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team won the New York State Championship in their division on March 16th, bringing a renewed sense of excitement to Poughkeepsie and city hall has chosen to honor the team.
By a resolution sponsored by Councilmember Natasha Cherry, an employee of the Poughkeepsie City School District, and Chairwoman Ann Finney, the common council Monday night declared March 16 as “Pioneer Day” in Poughkeepsie.
By defeating Pittsford-Mendon in Binghamton Saturday by a score of 69-59, the team brought home the first championship in more than twenty years. The last time Poughkeepsie held the title was in 1995.
Councilmember Cherry’s resolution calls for the mayor and the city administrator to organize annual city-wide observations “of a suitable character” to commemorate the city’s commitment to the school community while recognizing the accomplishments of the Poughkeepsie City students. According to Cherry’s resolution, the first observation will be held no later than May 30th of this year and future “Pioneer Day” celebrations will be held annually on or near March 16th.
Councilmember Lorraine Johnson noted that she had the pleasure of having members of the championship team in her class when they were in the fourth and fifth grades.
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