Four OFA graduates join Board of Bassett Youth Foundation

The Charles H. Bassett (CHB) Youth Foundation, Inc. in Owego, N.Y. is pleased to announce the appointment of four Owego Free Academy (OFA) graduates to its Board of Directors.

Christian Freyli, Kathryn Curatolo, Michael Motell, and Sarah Hammer have been involved with the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation since early in their high school days and have received volunteer service training, activities, recognition and scholarships through the Foundation’s programs. They are now entering their adult professional lives and are choosing to give back to the Owego community through their leadership on the Bassett Youth Foundation Board. 

A brief description of each is included below. The Bassett Youth Foundation is starting its 23rd year of positive youth development through community volunteer activities, student scholarships, youth volunteer grants, and local history and heritage outreach at the Bassett-Ah-Wa-Ga Center located at 34 1/2 Lake St. in Owego.

Christian Freyli graduated from Owego Free Academy in 2010. He proceeded to get his Bachelors in Civil Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology in 2014. Christian has a long history in community service. He served with the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation in high school and went on to be a Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute graduate. 

While in college, Christian was the Service Leader in the Delta Alpha Chapter of the Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity. He also helped jump start a campus diner food collection and food shelter delivery service called Recover Rochester to which he served as Volunteer Coordinator. Christian works as an Assistant BIM/VDC Manager in Rochester, N.Y. where he lives with his wife and their cat and dog. 

Kathryn (Kat) Curatolo is thrilled to be a member of the CHB Youth Foundation. She is an OFA graduate currently studying nursing at Binghamton University. Kat is truly excited to give back to an organization that has taught and supported her through the years.

Michael Motell’s ties to the CHB Youth Foundation extend back to his youth when as a freshman at Owego Free Academy he was selected to serve on the foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee. Working with the foundation sparked Michael’s lifelong passion for community service and volunteerism, and he is honored to join the Board of Directors. 

Michael graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a concentration in Global Culture. He has over ten years of experience working within the credit union industry in the areas of branch management, electronic payments, community outreach, and financial literacy education. Michael recently relocated to Ithaca, N.Y. where he has joined the CFCU Community Credit Union as Support Services Manager.  

Sarah Hammer an Apalachin, N.Y. native, graduated from Owego Free Academy in 2009. She continued her studies at Elmira College where in 2013 she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology and Business Administration and in 2015 earned her Master’s of Science degree in Management. 

Throughout her College experience, Sarah continued her passion for service as an active member of Circle K supporting various organizations in the Southern Tier. Today, Sarah proudly serves as a member of the Elmira Kiwanis Chapter and co-advisor to the Elmira College Circle K organization. Sarah currently works at Elmira College as the Employer Relations Specialist in the Office of Career Services. In addition, she is the Social Media Coordinator to the Economic Opportunity Program of Chemung and Schuyler Counties. Sarah and her husband live happily in Elmira, N.Y. with their two feline fur babies.