The first curtain revealed a 1951 Ford farm tractor, Pictured with Tara Berescik are John Jarbine and Kevin Stanly from Johnson’s Toyota, along with superintendent Thomas W. Palmer.
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
GRAHAMSVILLE – Talk about a switcheroo! Instead of getting a new 2010 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, it looked like that – in these tough economic times – Ag teacher Tara “Ms. B” Berescik was going to wind up with a down-scaled 1951 Ford farm tractor.
This is not my new truck! Tara Berescik on the vintage tractor.
On November 18, 2009 Berescik was selected by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) as one of six individuals in the country to be a recipient of the organization’s annual Outstanding Teacher Award. Along with a dinner, a plaque, a free trip to the NAAE convention in Nashville, each winner got a two-year no-strings attached lease on a pickup.
“Ms. Berescik leads the way in providing opportunities for her students outside of the classroom,” said Thomas W. Palmer, superintendent of Tri-Valley Central School.“She embraces the opportunity for change and makes it her personal responsibility to provide an environment that produces productive and competent future leaders for our society…she’s a super student-oriented teacher.”
On February 12, a special assembly of 800-some 5th through 12th graders watched as Berescik was called up onstage. After a few words by Palmer, who said that since times were tough, Toyota had to cut back a bit on the award, and instead of a 2010 truck she would be getting something a little different, the curtain rose to reveal a rusty old farm tractor owned by her Co-Ag teacher and FFA advisor Robert Hayes. Berescik’s heart dropped, but she rose to the occasion and sat down on the tractor.
Berescik and Stanley stand by the 2010 Toyota Tundra.
Then curtain number two was hauled up, and in the best tradition of game show hosts, Palmer said it was all just a prank, and yes, the new truck was hers.
John Jarbine, owner of Johnson’s Toyota of Monticello was on hand with his sales manager Kevin Stanley to hand over the keys to Berescik. “This is really neat to see the kids appreciate their teacher,” said Jarbine.
Berescik’s daily ride is a 1994 Honda Accord, with tons of miles on the clock, a window that doesn’t roll down and a muffler with a hole in it, so the 2010 truck was a welcome sight.
“Hauling sod in my Honda is not a good thing, and it’s older than a lot of my students. Right now, it’s an entertaining car.”
The 1951 ford farm tractor and Berescik’s new Toyota.
“I love the new truck, and I’ve been excited about it ever since I heard I was getting it…life is good.”
Berescik went on record to say that when the lease runs out in a couple of years on the new pickup, she plans to buy it, and hopes to trade in the old Honda, “Even though by then it will only be worth three dollars.”
Snapshots from the Cabaret
Prior to the unveiling, on Friday morning, about 800 5th through 12th graders at Tri-Valley Central School got a treat before witnessing Ag teacher Tara Berescik react to thinking she got a rusty old tractor instead of the new
truck she was promised.
Taking to the stage before the curtains revealed the 1951 Ford farm tractor and then the brand new pickup, several students performed selections from Cabaret 2010 “The Wonderful World of Disney” to be held later that evening featuring the middle school jazz band, high school jazz band, and soloists from the mixed chorus & women’s ensemble.
Ashley Exner sang “Someday,” Matt Bogorad and Patty Singh teamed up to perform “A Whole New World,” Teah Sisti sang “Reflection,” Christina Neist sang “God Help the Outcasts,” Kathryn Schneyer performed “When She Loved Me,” and Matt Cavenaugh and Maria TerBush joined forces to sing “Written in the Stars.”
*Captions for above photos – left to right.
Patty Singh and Matt Bogorad sang “A Whole New World.”
Kathryn Schneyer performed “When She Loved Me.”
Maria TerBush teamed up with Matt Cavenaugh to sing “Written in the Stars.”
To view more photos or to purchase prints from Tara’s Truck visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
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The Catskill Chronicle 
Tara’s Truck
February 17, 2010 by The Catskill Chronicle
The first curtain revealed a 1951 Ford farm tractor, Pictured with Tara Berescik are John Jarbine and Kevin Stanly from Johnson’s Toyota, along with superintendent Thomas W. Palmer.
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
GRAHAMSVILLE – Talk about a switcheroo! Instead of getting a new 2010 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, it looked like that – in these tough economic times – Ag teacher Tara “Ms. B” Berescik was going to wind up with a down-scaled 1951 Ford farm tractor.
This is not my new truck! Tara Berescik on the vintage tractor.
On November 18, 2009 Berescik was selected by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) as one of six individuals in the country to be a recipient of the organization’s annual Outstanding Teacher Award. Along with a dinner, a plaque, a free trip to the NAAE convention in Nashville, each winner got a two-year no-strings attached lease on a pickup.
“Ms. Berescik leads the way in providing opportunities for her students outside of the classroom,” said Thomas W. Palmer, superintendent of Tri-Valley Central School.“She embraces the opportunity for change and makes it her personal responsibility to provide an environment that produces productive and competent future leaders for our society…she’s a super student-oriented teacher.”
On February 12, a special assembly of 800-some 5th through 12th graders watched as Berescik was called up onstage. After a few words by Palmer, who said that since times were tough, Toyota had to cut back a bit on the award, and instead of a 2010 truck she would be getting something a little different, the curtain rose to reveal a rusty old farm tractor owned by her Co-Ag teacher and FFA advisor Robert Hayes. Berescik’s heart dropped, but she rose to the occasion and sat down on the tractor.
Berescik and Stanley stand by the 2010 Toyota Tundra.
Then curtain number two was hauled up, and in the best tradition of game show hosts, Palmer said it was all just a prank, and yes, the new truck was hers.
John Jarbine, owner of Johnson’s Toyota of Monticello was on hand with his sales manager Kevin Stanley to hand over the keys to Berescik. “This is really neat to see the kids appreciate their teacher,” said Jarbine.
Berescik’s daily ride is a 1994 Honda Accord, with tons of miles on the clock, a window that doesn’t roll down and a muffler with a hole in it, so the 2010 truck was a welcome sight.
“Hauling sod in my Honda is not a good thing, and it’s older than a lot of my students. Right now, it’s an entertaining car.”
The 1951 ford farm tractor and Berescik’s new Toyota.
“I love the new truck, and I’ve been excited about it ever since I heard I was getting it…life is good.”
Berescik went on record to say that when the lease runs out in a couple of years on the new pickup, she plans to buy it, and hopes to trade in the old Honda, “Even though by then it will only be worth three dollars.”
Snapshots from the Cabaret
Prior to the unveiling, on Friday morning, about 800 5th through 12th graders at Tri-Valley Central School got a treat before witnessing Ag teacher Tara Berescik react to thinking she got a rusty old tractor instead of the new
truck she was promised.
Taking to the stage before the curtains revealed the 1951 Ford farm tractor and then the brand new pickup, several students performed selections from Cabaret 2010 “The Wonderful World of Disney” to be held later that evening featuring the middle school jazz band, high school jazz band, and soloists from the mixed chorus & women’s ensemble.
Ashley Exner sang “Someday,” Matt Bogorad and Patty Singh teamed up to perform “A Whole New World,” Teah Sisti sang “Reflection,” Christina Neist sang “God Help the Outcasts,” Kathryn Schneyer performed “When She Loved Me,” and Matt Cavenaugh and Maria TerBush joined forces to sing “Written in the Stars.”
*Captions for above photos – left to right.
Patty Singh and Matt Bogorad sang “A Whole New World.”
Kathryn Schneyer performed “When She Loved Me.”
Maria TerBush teamed up with Matt Cavenaugh to sing “Written in the Stars.”
To view more photos or to purchase prints from Tara’s Truck visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
Click any service in this box to share this post with your friends!
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