Honoring Leadership: Bryce Stone, recent JHS graduate, receives NYSSBA honor

A recent Jamestown High School graduate has received special recognition from the New York State School Boards Association.

Bryce Stone, a 2026 graduate, was recognized with NYSSBA's “Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Award," which honors students who independently use their time, talents, and determination to address a need, solve a problem, or make a meaningful difference in their school or community. JPS Board President Paul Abbott made the presentation on behalf of the district.

The recognition followed a profile of Stone published shortly after his June graduation. The story highlighted his commitment to supporting others, including his volunteer work in adaptive physical education classes at JHS and his plans to pursue a career helping people with disabilities.

Stone, who is visually impaired, is currently pursuing an associate's degree in Human Services at Jamestown Community College before continuing his education in social work. His career aspirations were shaped in part by his experiences attending programs for children and teenagers who are blind or visually impaired.

"I like to help people with disabilities go through the mental aspect," Stone said in the profile. "I feel like talking to somebody who goes through something that's similar can be very helpful."

While at JHS, Stone regularly volunteered in Macey Lundmark's adaptive physical education classes -- even when he was not scheduled to be there.

"Bryce was an outstanding student who went above and beyond in our Adaptive PE class," said JHS physical education teacher Macey Lundmark. "Even on days when he did not have gym, he regularly showed up to help, organize stations, create groups and encourage students to participate. His positive attitude, kindness and willingness to help allowed him to build meaningful connections with students, and they always looked forward to seeing him."

Stone has also attended Camp Abilities at SUNY Brockport for several years and returned to the program this summer as a counselor. His former teachers said his leadership was rooted in his perseverance, compassion and ability to build meaningful relationships with others.

"Bryce Stone is a wonderful human being, not just a student," said JHS social studies teacher Christopher Roberts. "He was respectful, eager to learn and shared his personal experiences in a way that made it easy to build a relationship with him. It was an honor having him as a student, and I have no doubt that he will find success in whatever endeavors he pursues."

JHS social studies teacher Brad Peterson worked with Stone in his Audio and Sound Design class and on Stone's Seal of Civic Readiness project. In class, Stone combined his interest in NASCAR with audio production, creating podcasts and interviewing a prominent NASCAR social media influencer.

"Bryce is one of the most motivated, responsible and compassionate students I've ever worked with at JHS," Peterson said. "He has used his vision loss to fuel his passions and has repeatedly chosen to give back by helping other children with disabilities at JHS and at summer camps. I'll always consider myself the lucky one to have worked with Bryce, and I can't wait to follow his journey."

Alycia Johnson, Stone's counselor from his time at JHS, agreed.

"I simply can not think of a more deserving individual for recognition; Bryce is as kind-hearted, gentle, respectful, hard-working as one could hope for in a young man," she said. "I have been absolutely blessed to work with Bryce for the years that I have known him and the world is a much better place with his compassion and dedication towards others. He will do amazing things. He will touch so many lives and shine a light of hope, learning, and progress for everyone that he is connected to."