Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy recruit Yvette Perez was awarded the Dan Feather Memorial Scholarship. Perez is pictured with Sgt. Raechel Waid, Sheriff’s Academy director, left, and Verna Feather, widow of Dan Feather.

A Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy recruit Yvette Perez has been honored with the Dan Feather Memorial Scholarship.

The $1,200 scholarship was created by Verna Feather, the widow of Dan Feather, who was an 18-year veteran of the Jamestown Police Department. The recipient must be a Chautauqua County resident attending the Sheriff’s Academy and possess qualities that reflect the professionalism and character that Feather demonstrated during his service as a police officer.

Perez is the 25th recipient of the scholarship. She graduated from Dunkirk High School in 2018 and from JCC with an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice with high honors in December 2021.

For Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua residents interested in applying to the Sheriff’s Academy, visit sunyjcc.edu/SheriffsAcademy. The prescreen application will be accepted January 1 through April 15.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, Ron Graham, Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Randy Anderson

Co-founder of Chautauqua Striders and the Infinity Performing Arts Program, Ron Graham, was recognized at the Robert H. Jackson Center Wednesday.

Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Randy Anderson said Graham has become an advocate and mentor for Chautauqua County youth, “Today we are recognizing a man who has devoted nearly 50 years of his life to the design, development, and implementation of youth initiatives; emphasizing athletics, academics, delinquency prevention, and the performing arts.”

He said Graham co-founded Striders with the late Dan Feather, “The idea behind the 1979 formation of the Chautauqua Striders was to help young people reach their potential both on the track and in the classroom with the slogan being ‘Champions On and Off the Field.'”

Anderson said during Graham’s tenure as executive director and coach between 1979 and 1990, he had several athletes who earned NCAA division 1 scholarships and also had students who competed in NCAA Division 2 and 3.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist also presented Graham with a certificate of recognition.

Graham was diagnosed earlier this year with stage-four gastroesophageal cancer.

Dan Feather 5K Run/Walk participants

The 2022 Dan Feather Memorial 5K Run and Walk is set for the morning of Sunday, September 4.

The annual event, which benefits Chautauqua Striders, is named in honor of former Jamestown Police Officer Daniel Feather.

He helped co-found Chautauqua Striders in 1979 and served as a volunteer coach for several years.

The run/walk route traverses through the Bergman Park area and surrounding neighborhoods, ending back at the park.

To register for the run/walk, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/NY/Jamestown/DanielFeatherMemorial5KRun

Late registration and check-in will start at 8:00 a.m. Sunday with the run beginning at 9:30 a.m.