The Randolph Academy, a public school which supports, empowers and educates children with various emotional issues and mental disabilities, officially dedicated two new outdoor basketball courts this afternoon.  These new play spaces not only enhance the exercise options for this 90-student, K-12 campus, but they also are open to the public outside of school hours, improving the physical activity options available to children and families in their neighborhood.
 
The new full- and half-court spaces will be known as “Mr. K’s Courts,” in honor of recently retired principal John Kwietniewski, who promoted the importance of play and physical activity during his tenure with Randolph Academy.  To mark the occasion, students, faculty, administrators and local dignitaries “cut down the nets,” just as champions do following a major basketball tournament.
 
“It’s wonderful to be able to add something so special to our Hamburg campus,” said Superintendent Lori DeCarlo, who also oversees the academy’s original Randolph campus in addition to the facilities on Logans Lane in Hamburg. “We are thrilled to be able to honor Mr. K. and have him join us here today. These new courts will give the gifts of fitness and fun to generations of students and neighbors.”
 
The courts were designed by Young and Wright Architects and constructed by Louis Del Prince and Sons.  They were made possible by a gift from David Burke, owner of Burke Homes and DATO Development, who donated the adjacent land on which the courts are built.  In all close to 150 students, faculty, administrators, board members, elected officials and community members participated in the event.
 
“When you become an educator, you do so hoping to change the lives of young people for the better,” Kwietniewski said. “You always hope you can make a difference, that maybe some of them will remember you as successful adults – but you don’t really expect something like this.  I’m honored and humbled by this experience.”