Celebration
GRADUATION 2022 AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL
JUNE 15 – 21, 2022
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Top Graduates NYU graduates first class of doctors DECA honors for Plainview grad
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!
(Photo credit Julia McNeill)
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Let the #1 real estate brokerage guide you home on Long Island.*
Congratulations to the class of 2022! Compass wishes you all the best in your future endeavors.
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Manhasset | Huntington | Garden City Locust Valley | Roslyn | Syosset | Oceanside Woodbury | Rockville Centre | Sea Cliff Carle Place | Smithtown | Southold
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2C | GRADUATION CELEBRATION • JUNE 15 - 21, 2022
NYU School Of Medicine’s Inaugural Graduation
New class of 2022 doctors will help alleviate primary care physician shortage
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YU Long Island School of Medicine celebrated its first graduating class of physicians this week, marking three years since the new medical school opened its doors, launching the nation’s first accelerated program devoted exclusively to training primary care physicians. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the US is expected to be short of primary care physicians by upwards of 21,000 within a decade, and the school’s graduating students will contribute to alleviating that deficit. More than half of the physician graduates will remain in the greater New York and Long Island regions. NYU Long Island School is one of the first medical schools in the nation to be tuition-free—and the first on Long Island—following the tuition-free model of NYU Grossman School of Medicine in Manhattan, both under the auspices of NYU Langone Health. “NYU Long Island School of Medicine’s inaugural Class of 2022 is the realization of a bold vision to make medical school financially attainable and attract exceptional students into the field of primary care,” said Robert I. Grossman, MD, Dean and CEO of NYU Langone Health. “We hope that many of the graduating physicians will choose to practice on Long Island, keeping our communities healthy and helping NYU Langone Health expand upon our network of quality physicians across Long Island.” The physician graduates, totaling 20 in the Class of 2022, will practice in four primary care areas: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and OB/ GYN, along with general surgery. They will first fulfill their medical residencies, including those attending NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, Johns Hopkins, Mass General, and other prestigious institutions to which they were accepted. By graduating from an accelerated three-year program, they begin these residencies a year earlier than those who graduated from a traditional fouryear medical school where students typically focus their final year on other specialties. Founding Dean Steven Shelov, MD, MS, gave the keynote at the ceremonies, commending the graduates: “All of you are empathic, patient, powerful listeners,
NYU Long Island School of Medicine Class of 2022 celebrates with Founding Dean Steven Shelov, MD and caring, kind, and humble, eager to bring out the best in yourselves. We in the leadership of NYU Long Island School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health are committed to you, our charter class, as you become exemplary physicians.” Also addressing the graduates at this year’s inaugural commencement were Gladys Ayala, MD, vice dean of NYU Long Island School of Medicine; Steven Carsons, MD, senior associate dean of Research at NYU Long Island School of Medicine; and Joseph Greco, MD, senior vice president and chief of Hospital Operations at NYU Langone Hospital— Long Island. NYU Long Island School of Medicine, which is located in Mineola on the campus of NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, celebrated its Class of 2022 graduation at nearby Molloy College in Rockville Center. The graduates continued from there to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, to join a collective graduation ceremony honoring all NYU 2022 graduates. To sustain its full-tuition scholarship initiative, NYU Long Island School of Medicine is supported by philanthropy as well as receiving support from NYU Langone Health. —NYU Long Island School of Medicine
Prestigious DECA Recognition Awarded Plainview-Old Bethpage John scholarship have expressed interest F. Kennedy High School senior in pursuing a career in business, esGabrielle Sorgie has been awarded pecially in the hospitality and tourism the prestigious Marriott Scholarship industry. Sorgie will be honored at through DECA Inc. This $2,000 the International DECA Competition scholarship is given in Atlanta, GA, to only five seniors during a ceremony among the myriad at the Grand Awards applicants from across session. the country. DECA’s scholDECA is a long-runarship program ning, nonprofit provides more organization that than $200,000 in provides career scholarships to high readiness resources in school and college the fields of marketing, DECA members at finance, hospitality the International and management for Gabrielle Sorgie Career Development students across the Conference (ICDC) globe. The Marriott Scholarship is each year. Many corporate partners awarded to DECA seniors who have of DECA provide scholarships exhibited an extraordinary amount through the DECA scholarship of leadership, both in and out of the program. DECA Inc. administers the classroom, and who have a penchant program based on guidelines set by for giving back to their community. the donor. DECA scholarships are In addition, students who receive the strictly merit-based. JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 • GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 3C
Twin Sisters Named Valedictorian, Salutatorian
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ethpage High School seniors and twin sisters Suchitha Channapatna and Ruchitha Channapatna were named as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the Class of 2022. Suchitha finished with a grade point average of 110.9, while Ruchitha earned a grade point average of 110.5. “I feel very grateful and very lucky, because I know our grade is very intelligent and talented in their own ways,” Suchitha said. “It was a pleasant surprise and I’m grateful to be a part of this district and for all of the opportunities that they provide for us.” Growing up together, the Channapatnas have been best friends to each other and pushed themselves to excel in everything. Both agreed that their personalities are different, which complements each other. “It was nice for us to have this honor together and it was really nice for us to see all of the hard work we put in starting to pay off,” Ruchitha said. Both scholars take part in many of the same clubs and organizations that includes the high school’s Regal Eagles Robotics team, science research and
There’s No Limit To The Places You’ll Go The Locust Valley Office would like to say
music, among other activities. Ruchitha said that those programs expanded their horizons and showed them that the possibilities are endless. “I think it’s been more fulfilling than challenging to participate in so many clubs and groups, because we enjoy everything that we do,” Ruchitha said. Suchitha agreed and added that each activity gives them something to look forward to. “Even though we spend a lot of hours on things like our science research project, it’s that goal of going to a competition and competing with the best that makes it all worthwhile,” Suchitha said. “We always keep a goal in sight so that it’s not a difficult task.” The twins thanked their friends, family, teachers and high school Principal Nicholas Jantz, District Director of Science Chris Pollatos, Director of Technology Andrew Choi and Robotics Club team adviser Leon LaSpina. They both plan to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall. Suchitha plans on studying mechanical or aerospace engineering. Ruchitha plans on studying biomedical engineering. —Bethpage School District
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 on their impressive accomplishments. Stay true to yourself and never stop learning.
Locust Valley Office 1 Buckram Road, Locust Valley, NY | 516.759.4800 | danielgale.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
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4C | GRADUATION CELEBRATION • JUNE 15 - 21, 2022
Bethpage High School seniors and twin sisters Suchitha Channapatna, right, and Ruchitha Channapatna were named as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the class of 2022. Bethpage Union Free School District
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JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 • GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 5C
Nassau County Holds Police Graduation Ceremony
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ocal officals, friends, families and county agencies gathered recently at Nassau County’s David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Uniondale to celebrate the graduation of 158 new Nassau County Police Department officers and three Nassau County Police Medics. Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton joined her colleagues in government to honor graduates from her district. Among those hailing from the 11th Legislative District are: Andrew F. Brendel, Stephanie Ferrante, Mike Mandarino and Kevin Martinez. “This was an especially emotional ceremony because I have known some of the graduates since they were children and grown close to their families over the years,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “We are all so proud of your commitment to public service and what you have accomplished, and I will be praying for the success and safety of each of these young officers as they embark upon this new chapter in their lives.” —Nassau County Legislative offices
New Nassau County Police Department graduates Photo by Peter M. Budraitis
SAINT ANNE’S SCHOOL
Congratulates the Class of 2022 We are very proud to announce that our 8th grade students have been awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in academic awards and have been accepted to the following Catholic High Schools: Archbishop Molloy Chaminade High School* Dominican Academy Holy Trinity Diocesan High School* Kellenberg Memorial High School*
The Mary Louis Academy* Our Lady of Mercy Academy* Regis High School* Sacred Heart Academy* Xavier High School
Saint Anthony’s High School Saint Dominic High School* Saint Francis Prep High School* Saint Mary’s High School*
*Denotes full and/or partial scholarships awarded by these schools to some of our students.
Would You Like to Join the Saint Anne’s Family? Visit us at stannesgcschool.org or Call Us at 516-352-1205
6C | GRADUATION CELEBRATION • JUNE 15 - 21, 2022
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The Saint Anne’s Parish Family wishes the Graduating Class of 2022 all the best as they begin their high school education! ~ God Bless and God Speed
Congratulations Class o/2022!
The Saint Dominic Community is proud of the accomplishments of the Class of 2022 in Academics, Arts, Athletics and Community Service. The class received over $18 million dollars in scholarships!
Thomas James Waller Valedictorian Dalyn James Annunziata Jaden Carl Baldwin Jessica Anne Salvante Barayuga William Rocco Barrese Connor Berlinghoff John Connor Blyman Ryan Walter Bowden Jonathan Vincent Buffa Emma Burke Jackson Scott Burkhardt John Joseph Byrne Jr. James Franklyn Camacho Quinn Louis Campbell Enzo James Carpentiere Carmine Anthony Caruso Christopher Andrew Chelius Jeffrey Evan Cordero Danielle Frankey Correia Patrick Flynn Crawley Angelina D’Agostino Katrina Rose Diano Madison Sophia Donnelly
Kenneth Justin Dow Matthew K. Driscoll John Brennan Eberle Katelyn Rose Entenmann Jessica Marie Ferraro Alexandra Figliuzzi Christian J. Finnegan Gabrielle Paige Flanagan Thomas Joseph Flanagan Corina Maria Flores Kallie Lena Friedrich Julie Dorothy Gallo Andrew James Geissler Luca Jaden Lopetrone Goldflam Benjamin Higgins Casey David James Johnson James Nicholas Kamerer Ava Lynn Kelly Lauren Elizabeth Krupa Francene Gabrielle Linton Sandhya Scarlet LoGalbo Elena Victoria Loughlin
Jessica Anne Salvante Barayuga
Salutatorian Annabel Grace Maher Aldo Joseph Mancini Kyle Shawn Marshall Matthew James McGovem Patrick James McGovem Liam Joseph McGroarty Sean Reilly McGroarty William Michael Morales Mary Grace Napolitano Timothy Michael Nigro Christopher Gerard O’Brien Michael Callen O’Sullivan Sean Anthony Peavy Katelyn Janine Pecoraro Sophia Marie Peduto Michael Louis Petrucelly Ryan Cornelius Petrucelly Jamie Marie Pierce Albert T. Ramos Daytona Anne Ranieri Gianna Nicole Repole Ciaran Burke Reynolds
Christian William Ripp Anthony Romance Megan Bridget Ruff Harkirat Sahansra Christopher Andrew Sars Emma Jane Santivasci Taryn Rae Schroeder Marissa M. Seneci Jashandeep Singh Michael Skoros-Espinal Alexandros Spanos Thomas John Spillane Delia Katherine Tarasco Holly Toomey Derek Andrew Torres Thomas James Waller Grace Ann Webb William George White Arianna Mae Whitton
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JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 • GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 7C
Commencement Speech Highlights 2022 Following two years of cancellations and virtual ceremonies, traditional commencements have returned to college campuses nationwide. As always, this year’s roster of speakers includes entertainers, politicians, athletes, CEOs, entrepreneurs, writers and other notable A-listers.
Here’s a sampling of famous speakers and their words of wisdom for the class of 2022
Kamala Harris, Tennessee State University
The vice president challenged fellow HBCU graduates to discover solutions for an “unsettled” world. Favorite Quote: “Here in the United States, we are once again forced to defend fundamental principles that we hoped were long settled—principles like the freedom to vote, the rights of women to make decisions about their own body, even what constitutes the truth.”
Billie Jean King, Springfield College
A tennis legend and pioneering champion for social change, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights, King spoke about the significance of 50 years of Title IX and encouraged graduates to be a “problem-solver and an innovator.” Favorite Quote: “As a gay woman, I was not comfortable in my own skin until I was 51 years old. You never really understand inclusion until you’ve been excluded. So don’t let others define you. You define yourself in your life.”
Taylor Swift, New York University
self-sabotage, create a reality where only your experience exists, The internet blew up when NYU ruin perfectly good moments for yourself and others, deny any announced Swift would be this wrongdoing, not take the steps year’s commencement speaker to make it right, feel very guilty, and receive an honorary degree. Telling stories about her triumphs let the guilt eat at you, hit rock bottom, finally address the pain and travails, Swift told graduates you caused, try to do better next to learn from mistakes and stay time, rinse, repeat.” resilient because “life can be .................... heavy, especially if you try to carry Tim Cook, it all at once.” Favorite Quote: “In your life, Gallaudet University you will inevitably misspeak, trust A leading institution for the deaf the wrong and signing person, community, underreact, Gallaudet overreact, has a longhurt the standing people relationship who didn’t with Apple, deserve it, whose prodoverthink, ucts have not think signature at all, benefits
Congratulations to the 2022 Class of Gold Award Girl Scouts Girl Scouts are making meaningful, sustainable changes in their communities and around the world through the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. These 53 young women are courageous leaders and visionary changemakers. They are our future, and it looks bright! Baldwin Daniella McCoy Sterling Young-Wells Bay Kate Blundin Joan Olivero Bellmore Brigid Lamaze Morgan Schaefer Central Park Giuliana Feijoo
Shannon Graham Samantha LaSalla Paige Matarazzo Catherine Rovelli Great Neck Farah Daredia Nicole Kam Hardscrabble Sara Hughes Michaela Johnson Emma Grace Schneider
ELLM Amelia Doyle Colette Doyle
Herricks Aveena Desai Katerina Gounaris Emma Joseph
Floral Park/Bellerose Tulah Chatterton Emerson Lucatorto
Jericho/Syosset Ayesha Chandnani
Garden City Avery Davis Sofia Gargiulo
Manhasset Justine Cuomo Claire D’Ambrosio Samantha Palmadessa
Sophia Stefanakis Emily Theodosopoulos
Rockville Centre Alison McManus
Massapequa Ava Fiorello Eden Price
Seaford/Wantagh Emma Alexander Rachael Brite Danielle Galardi Amanda Ham Katie Moulder Melanie Zylberberg
Merrick Skylynn Kilfoil Greaves Oceanside Allison Christel Gabriella Prendergast Park Amanda Joa Plainedge Brianna Kassatly Julianna McCarthy Port Washington Sasha Hyde
The Plains Priya Dubey Rhythm Osan WARM Sarah Faley Alexandra Mora Meghan O’Sullivan Deanna Polosino
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8C | GRADUATION CELEBRATION • JUNE 15 - 21, 2022
for deaf students. Apple’s CEO urged graduates to “lead with your values.” Favorite Quote: “What I mean is that you should make decisions, big and small, each and every day based on a deep understanding of who you are and what you believe. These are not static things, and you wouldn’t want them to be. You will learn more and grow more with each passing year as all of us do, but there are foundational values that are core to your personality and your character and these are the things you should choose to live by.” ....................
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A Turkish immigrant, Ulukaya used an abandoned factory in upstate New York to launch the Chobani yogurt empire.
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Lead with Heart.™
100%
will be attending 4 year institutions
$65+
was earned in scholarships for academics, athletics and the Arts
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an annoying overactor. I persisted in annoying the world for decades, and the world relented, yo. I’m just me.” ....................
Ken Burns, University of Pennsylvania
Allyson Felix, University of Southern California
Fresh off his new series on Benjamin Franklin, Penn’s Joe Biden, founder, the award-winning University of Delaware documentary filmmaker urged Returning to his alma mater, graduates not to focus on Biden told students it’s “no time to amassing “Benjamins.” be on the sidelines” during what Favorite Quote: “We’ve nearly can “feel like a very dark moment broken this Republic of ours, Ken Jeong, in America,” referencing the mass but somehow you’ve got to Tulane University shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde. fix it. You’re going to have to The actor and doctor, whose Favorite Quote: “Your generinitiate a new movement, a comedy and medical careers ation is the most generous, the new Union Army, that must be began in New Orleans, ruminated most tolerant, the least prejudiced, dedicated above all else — inon the difficulties of pursuing the best-educated generation this cluding your career and personal challenging paths and told gradnation has ever known. And that’s advancement—to the preservauates to “find your toughness, cul- a simple fact. And it’s your genertion of this country’s civic tivate your love for what you do, ation, more than anyone else, who ideals. You’ll have to learn, and and never will have to then regive up.” answer the teach the Favorite question, rest of us Quote: “I ‘Who are that equaldon’t define we?’ ‘What ity—real myself by my do we equality— job. I’m not stand for?’ is the halljust a doctor. ‘What do mark and I’m not just we believe?’ birthright a comedian. ‘Who will of all I’m not just we be?’” Americans.”
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Hamdi Ulukaya, Northeastern University
Favorite Quote: “As we started to grow, we hired everyone that we could. I realized an hour away there was a community of refugees who were having a hard time finding jobs. I said, ‘Let’s hire them.’ I promise you that there is nothing more rewarding than showing up in the world for other people, no matter how hard it may be.” ....................
The most decorated track and field Olympian in history, Felix famously called out Nike for refusing to protect the salaries of sponsored athletes who are pregnant. Nike, along with several other athletic brands, reversed its policy. Favorite Quote: “Remember: Your voice has power. You have to use your voice, even if it shakes. There are times when you will ask for change, and there are times when you’ll create it. It’s important to live a life of purpose.” —BestColleges.com
The board of trustees and administration of sacred heart academy proudly recognize the accomplishments of the
class of 2022
seniors will attend Ivy League schools students representing 7 sports which is 12% of the class
230
graduates will be attending 111 different colleges
1
senior will be attending the US Coast Guard Academy
Welcome to the SHA alumnae community of over 12,000 women leaders! Learn how we educate and empower young women to Lead with Heart in an atmosphere of courage, compassion, and commitment at our Open House on Saturday, October 1, 2022. (516) 483-7383 | www.sacredheartacademyLI.org 47 Cathedral Avenue, Hempstead, New York 11550
CONNECT WITH SHA
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JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 • GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 9C
Congratulations To This Year’s Valedictorians And Salutatorians MEET THE VALS AND SALS OF THE CLASS OF 2022 Bethpage High School Valedictorian: Suchitha Channapatna Salutatorian: Ruchitha Channapatna
and David Zeng
Carle Place High School Valedictorian: Katerina Barilla Salutatorian: Harleigh Buck
Great Neck South High Valedictorian: Jansen Wong Salutatorian: Ross Williams
Chaminade High School Valedictorian: Charles Ambach Salutatorian: Nicholas Bifone
H. Frank Carey High School Valedictorian: Devin Casano Salutatorian: Emily Lavin
Division Avenue High School Valedictorian: Simar Parmar Salutatorian: Grace Lim
Henry Viscardi School Valedictorian: Nicole Carbone Salutatorian: Hunter Tobias
Elmont Memorial High School Valedictorian: Vivian Zhu Salutatorian: Malik Hyman
Herricks High School Valedictorian: Keneil Soni Salutatorian: Chloe Chang
Farmingdale High School Valedictorian: Kevin Piraino Salutatorian: Amanda Treulich
Hicksville High School Valedictorian: Sam Zhen Salutatorian: Sean Zhen
Floral Park Memorial High School Valedictorian: Gagandeep Kaur Salutatorian: Meaghan Kilcarr
Holy Trinity High School Valedictorian: not received Salutatorian: not received
Friends Academy Headmaster’s Commendation Award winners: Lucy Schoeffel and David Cooper-Boyce
Island Trees High School Valedictorian: Enayah Khan Salutatorian: Dylann Ries
Garden City High School Valedictorian: Emma Nagler Salutatorian: Aidan Wu
Jericho High School
General Douglas MacArthur High School Valedictorian: Summer Looney Salutatorian: Anna Conway Glen Cove High School Valedictorian: Teresa Melfi Salutatorian: Doris Serrano Great Neck North High Valedictorian: Sahar Tartak Salutatorians: Kevin Khadavi
10C | GRADUATION CELEBRATION • JUNE 15 - 21, 2022
Valedictorians: Rebecca Cho, Pranav Dendukuri, Matthew Ingber, Calire Ma, Janice Rateshwar, Mackenzie Setton,
see VAL/SAL on page 12C
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JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 • GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 11C
MEET THE VALS AND SALS OF THE CLASS OF 2022
Congratulations To This Year’s
VAL/SAL from page 10C Jericho High School Cont’d Ethan Zhang , Evelyn Zhu Kellenberg High School Valedictorian: Megan Monaghan and Ryan Gerhart
New Hyde Park Memorial High School Valedictorian: Laurence Lai Salutatorian: Emma Ouyang North Shore Hebrew Academy High School Valedictorians: Ella Shusterman and Rachel Hanan Speaker: Jasmine Edalati
Locust Valley High School Valedictorian: Elizabeth Gresalfi Salutatorian: Nicole Berritto
North Shore High School Valedictorian: Kate Gilliam Salutatorian: Emma Nelson
Long Island Lutheran High School Valedictorian: not received Salutatorian: not received
Our Lady of Mercy Academy Valedictorian: Joelle de Poto Salutatorian: Molly Fitzgerald
Manhasset Senior High School Valedictorian: Dylan Wu Salutatorian: Evan Ginsburg
Oyster Bay High School Valedictorian: Kevin Biggiani Salutatorian: Bridget Zahradnik
Massapequa High School Valedictorian: Matt McAuley Salutatorian: Erin Goldrick
Paul D. Schreiber High School Valedictorian: Hannah Brooks Salutatorian: Brooke Garmisa and Kevin Taylor
Mineola High School Valedictorian: Alvin Tsai Salutatorian: Katherine Ahn
Plainedge High School Valedictorian: Alyssa Rosen Salutatorian: Belle Zheng
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ANTON MEDIA GROUP WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE
GRADUATES OF
YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED!
View Our Full Catering Menu Online!
516-731-5500 zornsofbethpage.com 4321 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage, NY Open Everyday 11:00am - 7:30pm
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Valedictorians And Salutatorians Plainview-Old Bethpage High School Valedictorian: Olivia Schmidt Salutatorian: Justine Choi
Syosset High School Valedictorian: Sabrina Chen Salutatorian: David Wang
Roslyn High School Valedictorian: Daniel Liu Salutatorian: Lindsay Fabricant
Waldorf School of Garden City Valedictorian: Yiren Zhang Salutatorian: Colin Li
Sacred Heart Academy Valedictorian: Angela Dattoma Salutatorian: Olivia Christel
Wantagh High School Valedictorian: Julianna Rose Salutatorian: Skyla Marchesi
Seaford High School Valedictorian: Jack Pidherney Salutatorian: Rayann Ramoutar
Westbury High School Valedictorian: Laiba Shahid Salutatorian: Debora Sorto
Sewanhaka High School Valedictorian: Farhaan Khan Salutatorian: Kira Sethi
Wheatley School Honor students: Winston Lee and Emme Resnick
St. Dominic High School Valedictorian: Thomas Waller Salutatorian: Jessica Anne Salvante Barayuga
W.T. Clarke Senior High School Valedictorian: Nicholas Espinosa Salutatorian: Katherene Qi
St. Mary’s High School Valedictorian: Alessandra Barlas Salutatorian: Matthew Warner
Editor’s note: Schools which are missing names or images were not received by press time. Efforts to print those will be made in a following local edition.
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JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 • GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 13C
Founding Dean Receives Honorary Degree
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he Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell celebrated its eighth commencement ceremony on May 9. The event took place at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University. Taking the next giant step in realizing their dreams, 98 graduates from the Class of 2022 became the nation’s newest doctors and scientists to join the field of medicine; however, they were not the only ones with degrees in hand. To his surprise and delight, founding dean Lawrence G. Smith, MD, MACP, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the institution he helped establish. The distinct honor was presented by Hofstra University Board of Trustees Chair Donald M. Schaeffer and conferred by Hofstra University President Susan Poser. “Dr. Smith has brought creativity, insight and humanity to the practice of medicine and to medical education,” said Poser. “He has always believed medicine must be practiced with a deep understanding of the patients and community being served. These values define the Zucker School and its ground-breaking curriculum.” Launched in 2008 through a unique partnership between Hofstra University and Northwell Health (then known as North Shore-LIJ Health System), the Zucker School of Medicine was the first new allopathic medical school in New York in more than 35 years. “When we were asked to build a new medical school, we said it would not be like the older medical schools; it will be all about learning, not teaching,” recalled Smith, noting the school’s unique learning environment and patient-centered approach to medical education. “We integrated physiology, anatomy, basic science, and clinical medicine. Our students see real patients and have gained their confidence because you can’t be a doctor if patients don’t trust you.” In addition to his role as dean, Smith served as Northwell Health’s chief medical officer from 2006 to 2011 before assuming the role of physician-in-chief until December 2021. During his tenure, the founding dean led the institution through significant milestones and achievements, including full accreditation from the Liaison Commission on Medical Education (LCME) in 2015. Under Smith’s leadership, the Zucker School also focused on diversity and community service. A student-run clinic in Queens provides quality healthcare in one of the most
Ashley Barlev, MD, PhD, from New Hyde Park is conferred.
diverse urban areas in the nation, and the school’s Medical Scholars Pipeline Program provides an educational pathway for students from underrepresented groups to pursue health care careers. Smith will become dean emeritus upon his retirement at the end of this year. He will be succeeded by Dr. David Battinelli, MD, who is vice dean of the Zucker School of Medicine. The commencement ceremony was presided by Poser, Smith and Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. With newly conferred degrees in hand, the emboldened graduates from the Class of 2022 are up to fulfilling the school’s mission to lead and transform medicine for the betterment of humanity.
Eight additional students from the Class of 2022 were conferred with dual degrees. Six graduates received their MD/ PhD, including New Hyde Park resident Ashley Barlev, MD, PhD. Barlev, who will begin her residency in pathology and laboratory medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania this summer, is proudly following in her family’s footsteps. “My father and sister are physicians. They were part of my inspiration for pursuing medicine.” An ambitious and diverse group, the Class of 2022 consists of 46 women, 52 men, 10 first-generation individuals and 19 students who are underrepresented in medicine (URM). —Hofstra University
Plaza College School Of Nursing Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Plaza College introduced its School of Nursing to the Queens community with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 6, a day also nationally celebrated as “Nurses Day”. Elected leaders and school officials gathered with the college’s first cohort of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for tours of the Center for Healthcare Simulation and presentations by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Helen Arteaga Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst. “It is not every day that we cut the ribbon on a new initiative, one as significant as this, and it began in 1916 with our founders with a vision for bringing career preparation to communities, particularly to women, during the onset of American involvement in World War I and 106 years later, we have become quite a bit more complicated and sophisticated,” Plaza College Provost Charles Callahan IV said. “I think our founders would agree that we’re on the right track.” Nursing is Plaza’s fourth baccalaureate degree program. The 16-month program is designed as an upper-division program whereby students will apply 60 previously earned credits to 60 core nursing credits to complete the degree. It’s the first nursing program of its kind to be introduced in Queens in decades. “It’s great that students in Queens no
14C | GRADUATION CELEBRATION • JUNE 15 - 21, 2022
Plaza Nursing longer have to travel to other boroughs for a program like this. It is now in our backyard. This is more than just about simply a ribbon-cutting; it’s about upward mobility, you know, the jobs of the future, giving our communities, communities of color and an opportunity a pathway into the middle class,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “And that’s what you’re preparing. That’s what Plaza College is doing today.” Richards also touted the diversity of the cohort of students as a true representation of the borough, which is the most diverse county in the world. As the students complete their studies and prepare to enter the workforce, this is especially significant for the local
healthcare organizations with which Plaza partners for clinical rotations and future workforce placement for graduates. Those partners include a number of specialized children’s and psychiatric hospitals, long term care and nursing organizations and major medical centers, including Elmhurst Hospital. “These individuals sitting right next to me, they decided to be courageous and give their time and passion and tears and sweat because those nursing books are hard and they decided I’m going to be courageous and I’m going to give back and have an impact,” Helen Arteaga Landaverde, MPH, CEO of NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst said. —Plaza College
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JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 • GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 15C
Always perservere, always FAmily.
FRIENDS ACADEMY CLASS OF 2022
Best of luck in your next adventure!
The Friends Academy Class of 2022 is headed to...
The American School of Paris American University of Rome Babson College Belmont University Binghamton University Boston College Boston University University of British Columbia California Institute of Technology University of California Santa Cruz University of Chicago Clemson University University of Colorado Boulder Cornell University
Dartmouth College Davidson College University of Delaware Denison University Elon University Emory University Florida Atlantic University Fordham University The George Washington University Hamilton College Howard University Lehigh University, Marquette University University of Miami
Michigan State University University of Michigan The New School New York University Northeastern University in London Northwestern University University of Notre Dame Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania Purdue University The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama University of Southern California Southern Methodist University University of St. Andrews
Stonybrook University SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry SUNY at Plattsburgh University of Richmond Syracuse University Tulane University Villanova University University of Virginia Virginia Institute of Technology Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University Williams College Yale University
Outstanding faculty, small class sizes, time-honored Quaker values – find out how the #1 Private K-12 School in Nassau County could be the right fit for your family. Please, ask about financial aid. Call our Admissions Team at 516.676.0393 or visit admissions.fa.org today! 233353 S
GRADUATION CELEBRATION • JUNE 15 - 21, 2022