Congratulations to Colonie Mayor Frank Leak (Honorary Inductee) and The Honorable Christina L. Ryba (Class of 1994), the latest inductees into the Colonie Central High School Hall of Fame for 2019. Since 1994, more than 65 graduates have been honored in the CCHS Hall of Fame, with their plaques on display in the school. The inductees represent a variety of high school classes and accomplishments.
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to identify role models for CCHS students and to illustrate to them that South Colonie Schools provide the educational foundation necessary to build a successful life.
Colonie Mayor Frank Leak – Honorable Inductee
Colonie Mayor Frank Leak – an Honorary Hall of Fame inductee – is a life-long resident of the Capital District and a 50-year resident of the Village of Colonie. He is well known for his involvement in local community, religious and civic organizations.
A Navy Veteran of World War II, Leak built an unshakable reputation for quality and honesty as a building contractor and then as a municipal government official. As a Village Trustee for 17 years and Mayor since 1995, Mayor Leak has been a driving force in the expansion of services to our senior citizens. He has devoted countless hours and energy in improving the facilities and delivery of service of our Colonie Fire Company, including provision of the newest fire equipment. Mayor Leak is a well-known for his willingness to help anyone he can. He has supported the Colonie Little League, T-Ball, Babe Ruth, Soccer and Girls Softball teams as well as the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the BPOE #2192, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3394 and Carpenters Union Local #146.
Mayor Leak was a leading force in the construction of the Frank A. Leak Amphitheater and complete renovation of the Village Outreach Building. He had partnership oversight with South Colonie Schools assisting in running the highly successful alternative education program in two village locations over the years.
Mayor Leak and his wife, Mae, are devoted members of the Village of Colonie. Frank enjoys spending time with his three daughters Joanne, Diane and Roxanne, his three grandchildren RJ, Mellissa and Scot, and his two great-grandchildren Jaden and Olivia. When asked about his term as Mayor, Leak said, “I have been proud to serve the citizens of our Village. Working together, we have helped make this community a prosperous and safe place in which we live and raise our families. I look forward to accomplishing even more in the future.”
Mayor Leak is proud to be the recipient of many community awards including many recognitions from the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), the Living Resources Community Enrichment Award, the Frank C. Moore Award from Albany County, the Friends of Education Award from the South Colonie Central School District and Capital Area School District Association (CASDA), and the Mary E. Brizzell Building a Senior Community Award.
The Honorable Christina L. Ryba – Class of 1994
The Honorable Christina L. Ryba – Class of 1994 – was elected by the people in the third judicial district to serve as Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York in 2015. Prior to beginning her term in 2016, she held various positions in the court system for the Office of Court Administration (OCA) and in the NYS Supreme Court Third Department Appellate Division including Special Projects Counsel to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Courts Outside New York City and Special Projects Counsel to the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Before working with the judiciary, Judge Ryba was an associate at Nixon Peabody where she practiced Labor/Employment Law and Commercial Litigation. She also served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York Litigation Bureau.
Judge Ryba’s additional public service includes appointments first as General Counsel and then as Deputy Director for the City of Albany Community Development Agency. She originally began her career in public service with the City of Albany Corporation Counsel’s office.
Judge Ryba is a member of the Albany Law School Board of Trustees, the Albany County Access to Justice Committee and is a Past-President of the Albany County Bar Association.
She has also served multiple terms on the New York State Bar Association’s House of Delegates. She graduated Cum Laude from Skidmore College in 1998 with a degree in Economics and continued her education at Albany Law School where she received her Juris Doctor in 2001. During her senior year at Skidmore, Christina was selected as the 1997 Tulip Queen of Albany, serving as an ambassador for the Mayor’s literacy program.
Judge Ryba, then known as “Chrissy Roberts,” has many fond memories of Colonie Central High School which include being inducted into the National Honor Society, participating in Orchestra, Drama Club, Varsity Tennis and Student Government. Most importantly she cherishes her continued friendships with fellow classmates Brooke (LaRosa) Bardack and Nicole (Sfara) Casey.