Canton, Ogdensburg and Hammond schools will receive $10,000 and Hermon-DeKalb will receive $15,000 from the state for their athletic programs.

Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, who announced the funding, said it will help offset the costs of new equipment for student athletes in Northern New York.

“When students are given opportunities to be part of a team, they are able to build important life skills that not only benefit them today, but will help them to succeed later in life as well,” Timothy Vernsey, superintendent of the Ogdensburg City School District, said in a prepared statement from Ritchie's office. “One behalf of the entire district, thank you Senator Ritchie for your tireless support of our students.”

“Sports programs not only help students get active, they also help instill leadership skills and teach our young people about the importance of teamwork,” Ritchie said in a prepared statement. “I am pleased to have secured this funding, which will help improve athletic programming in schools throughout the North Country and provide students with new opportunities for building the skills that will help them to excel in the future.”