From the Heart Summer 2016 by Mount Pleasant CSD

SUMMER 2016

From the Heart Mount Pleasant — The Heart of Westchester County

The Mount Pleasant Central School District Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 5

Bond vote scheduled for fall Project scope to be determined over summer

Ryan Stasolla earns bronze at ISWEEEP Second-year science research student Ryan Stasolla took home a bronze medal at the International Sustainable World Energy Engineering Environment Project Olympiad in Houston, Texas. The competition was held April 27 to May 1 and included 564 students from 62 countries whose projects focused specifically on sustainability. The Westlake junior placed third in the Health and Disease Prevention category for his research on the cost effectiveness of granite grit in chicken feed. He has been conducting research at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills and his research was published in the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association Magazine Grit. Ryan was a Grand Prize winner at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair in March and is the second Westlake researcher in as many years to medal at ISWEEEP.

It’s been more than a year since two separate bond propositions to upgrade infrastructure and add classroom space at the Westlake campus failed. Since then, the school board and the administration completed the required New York State 2015 building condition survey and retained a new architect, H2M, to work on a new bond proposition that can be supported by the community. Board president Eric Schulze said at the last vote, residents voiced their support for “infrastructure only” upgrades and he was clear that any bond the school board puts forth would do that. The amount of infrastructure work identified in the newest building condition survey however, remains substantial and addressing all the work in one bond will not be considered. “The total amount of infrastructure upgrades is estimated between $46 and $50 million,” Mr. Schulze said. “We just can’t do it all at once.” What the board, administrators and architects will be doing over the summer is analyzing the building needs and identifying projects that are highest priority. Roofs and boilers at the Westlake campus are among the top needs. The entire list of identified infrastructure is pages long and Mr. Schulze said the board will be looking at

the best way to group projects so that the district can get the most state aid possible. “Some things are not aidable on their own but can be done in conjunction with more critical needs to increase our state aid and reduce the total cost of the projects,” he explained. He said the board is looking at two ballpark amounts — upper 20s and upper 30s and will ask the architects to determine the list of projects the district can do for each of those figures. According to Mr. Schulze, the lower amount would almost certainly necessitate a second bond within five years in order to complete the work. H2M architects met with the board June 29 to discuss project groupings. In July, a timeline and bond amount is expected to be set and will be announced at the July 13 monthly board meeting. The board is considering Oct. 18 as a tentative bond vote date. Information sessions and meetings will be held throughout the month of September and Mr. Schulze hopes all residents will come and hear the what, why and how. “All we’re trying to do with this bond is get our buildings up to code,” he explained. “That’s what the community said the last time they voted.”

Inside the grad issue…

Who’s my teacher? Placement letters and school schedules will be available on each school’s Parent Portal in late August. Reminder emails will be sent out to parents.

Strategic Plan .......................2 Retirements ..........................4 Underclassmen Awards .......6

School calendars 2016-17 school calendars will be sent home with the youngest child in each family on the first day of school. Printed calendars also will be available at the branch library, town hall and the recreation center as well as the main offices of all schools and the district office. The calendar is also available online on each school’s home page.

Senior Awards ......................7 Class of 2016 ................... 8-9 WHS News .........................10 WMS News .........................11 CES News ..........................12 HES News ..........................13 Anthony Guarnieri bids Westlake farewell.

Kudos ........................... 14-15 Alumni Corner ....................15

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Strategic planning will guide our district to the future Who are we? The collective we. The we who live in Mount Pleasant and go to school in Mount Pleasant and teach in Mount Pleasant. As the district develops its next strategic plan, the question of who we are will be at the core of the discussion. Superintendent Dr. Susan Guiney said the answer to who we are will determine how the district will evolve over the next five years. “It’s about community and what the community wants to have happen,” she explained. “Because kids have to be educated not only within these walls, but as a part of the entire community.” The process to draft the next strategic plan began last summer, with two weekend retreats for administrators and school board members led by international educational consultant Lynn Sawyer. They focused on self-reflection, asking the questions who are we? and where do we want to go? They also began to strategize the path to that vision to include voices from all segments of the community. “One of the things [the administrators and school board trustees] spoke about was that it was important everyone feels his or her fingerprint was somewhere on the strategic plan,” said Dr. Guiney. Faculty meetings and classroom visits initiated the school-based conversation and provided a voice for both teachers and students. The next step was to invite the larger community to share their thoughts. In January, the district held a listening session where those in attendance voiced what they felt was important for a Mount Pleasant education. Eye opener

Then came April and a thought-provoking video that the entire community was invited to view. Most Likely to Succeed, an award-winning documentary, questioned why the age-old methods of educating children are still the norm in this country. The film, which contended that

THINKERS: Eighth graders JohnPaul LaSalle and Joshua Joseph, top, create and test their own experiment. RESEARCHERS: John Wright, left, with his fifth-grade science project. EXPLAINERS: second grader Isabelle Chacko, below left, presents at a school board meeting. BUILDERS: Sophomores Danielle Porco and Isabelle Joseph, below, design a bridge for science olympiad.

the current system was based on a society that is no longer relevant, highlighted a high school that is creating a buzz with its progressive methods of education. “So why do we continue with [an educational] system that’s not going to prepare our children for a future that they’re going to hold?” school board trustee Thomas McCabe asked movie viewers at a discussion session following the viewing. The ensuing conversation was a combination of looking at what Mount Pleasant is currently doing and what future possibilities held. “Parents said they do see [progressive educational methods] happening in our own district,” Mr. McCabe said. “That was eye opening to me.” He heard voices concerned with instituting major change as depicted at the high school in the film, but there were also people who were anxious for change; who could see their child excelling in a progressive system.

Next steps

With almost a year of discovery, inquiry and analysis gathered over the past year, the questions of who we are and where are we going are getting clearer. A committee of community leaders, board trustees, parents, teachers and administrators has been formed to do the formal work to help complete the strategic plan. Community events will be scheduled in the fall to focus on current research in education and important skills for student success. “We will continue the conversation with all parties as we draft a vision statement of what our school is going to look like in five years,” said Dr. Guiney, adding that the new plan will contain a list of specific, measurable goals. “Mount Pleasant is a very traditional school district with traditional values, but wants the very best in terms of learning,” she said. “We want our district to evolve, but without changing our culture.” The district looks forward to everyone’s participation.

Eric Schulze President Board of Education

The end of another successful school year is upon us and the Board of Education would like to thank the entire Mount Pleasant school community for its support. We are proud of the graduates, the Class of 2016, and wish them much success in their future. By the time this newsletter reaches your mailbox, students have moved up from the elementary schools as well as the middle school and we wish them continued success. I hope you had the opportunity this year to attend the concerts, plays, science competitions, athletic games that our students take part in. We wish to celebrate each and every one of them. The Board acknowledges and thanks the community for supporting the 2016-17 budget. Congratulations to Vincent Graci on his election to the Board of Education and to Christopher Pinchiaroli for being reelected. The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Theresa Fowler for her dedication and commitment during her years of board service. In my opinion, there has not been another member of the Board of Education that has been as passionate about the community as a whole. She worked hard to make sure all students received the best education possible while being cognizant of her fiscal

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Congrats to students, thanks to volunteers

President Eric Schulze with outgoing school board trustee Theresa Fowler. Mr. Schulze extended the district’s appreciation to Ms. Fowler for her dedicated service. She served as both president and vice president in her tenure on the board.

responsibility to the community. Terry’s presence on the Board of Education will be missed. Best wishes for an enjoyable, safe summer. See you in September!

Organizations gift $150K in donations, grants, scholarships School organizations have been amazingly generous throughout the years in their support of our students and this year was no different. Technology, learning materials, trips, equipment and scholarships are just some of the ways these organizations have helped to broaden our children’s education. Education Foundation

The Mount Pleasant Education Foundation awarded $46,371 including: • $3,900 for social play materials for kindergarten • $2,000 for non-fiction kits for first grade • $2,500 for Osmo Genius Kits for the iPad for second grade • $10,000 for 30 Chromebooks for the fourth grade. • $1,013 for social/emotional learning materials for elementary guidance • $3,449 for a digital piano for the middle school music department • $1,060 for a new technology smartboard for the middle school social studies team • $4,970 grant to purchase a 3D laser printer to benefit middle school STEM classes • $10,000 for 30 Chromebooks for the

high school English department • $600 for science fair display cases • $600 for 2D display boards for the art department • $7,400 for Vernier data collection technology for middle and high school math and science departments • $2,640 for a cyclorama theatrical backdrop for the Westlake theater/ auditorium Elementary PTA

The Elementary PTA was able to provide over $70,000 in equipment, technology and cultural events for Hawthorne and Columbus students. • $20,000 for iPads at HES • $1,500 outdoor equipment at HES • $10,000 Chrome Books at CES • $6,000 for fifth grade Broadway trip • $5,000 for risers at CES • $1,000 Accelerated Reader prizes at CES • $2,500 water fountain at CES • $900 for new books at both schools • Cultural art programs in grades 1-4 • Day planners for grades 2-5 • T-shirts at HES • After-school programs at CES • Boo Hoo Breakfast • Teacher appreciation and hospitality

Westlake Middle School

Materials and programs funded by the WMS PTA included: • Bulletin board for IB materials • Science Olympiad team • Curriculum programs • Eighth grade dance • Class bus for trout release High School PTA

WHS PTA monies raised went to deserving seniors and teacher grants. • $4,500 in scholarships for seniors • $3,000 for purified water fountains • $600 for art bulletin boards • $265 for tablets and accessories for reading digital magazines through the Mount Pleasant Public Library WAC

This year the Westlake Athletic Club provided over $35,000 of support to the athletes and teams for training and to make the experience at athletic events enjoyable. • Team title banners for gym walls • Lights and fireworks for homecoming • Softball batting cage • Music and DJs for special home games and playoff games and senior tribute nights.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Retirements Bruce Ferguson, WHS

Mary Cunningham, WMS

Roseann DiCarmine, CES

Students and staff will feel the loss of assistant principal Bruce Ferguson as he leaves the halls of Westlake High School. Mr. Ferguson developed a strong bond with every grade in his 14 years and is proud to have been a part of a progressive educational climate at Westlake. A dedicated administrator who volunteered on numerous committees, Mr. Ferguson rose to the challenge when he served as interim principal for the 2009-10 year. He is proud to have worked with a “top-class faculty” and next plans to travel the eastern seaboard as a licensed commercial captain in the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Being lucky enough to love my job, even after 40 years” is what Mary Cunningham is thankful for. She taught special education at the middle school for just about all of her tenure in the district. Ms. Cunningham served as vice president of the MPTA and is its current secretary. She is grateful for having the opportunity to positively impact students with learning differences and was honored in April by County Executive Rob Astorino for her long-time service.

Fourth grade teacher Roseann DiCarmine will be retiring after more than 15 years in elementary classrooms. Ms. Di Carmine has been the adviser of numerous clubs over the years including junior designers, summer camp and book club and shared her love of cooking by heading the baking club and creative cakes activities. She served on the executive council, building council and the academic senate. Her fondest memories she says are of the children in her classes. “We worked hard together but had lots of fun too.”

Janet Matthews, WHS/WMS

Awe is what Janet Matthew’s colleagues feel in her presence. Awesome is how students feel about her English classes. The two-time nationallycertified teacher with an indefatigable lust for learning, habitually used her summers to visit exotic locales rich in culture and literature for the purpose of enriching her lessons. An innovator in every sense of the word, Ms. Matthews helped to develop a visual literacy curriculum with the Jacob Burns Film Center last year and is the recipient of numerous state and national teaching awards. After 32 years, she leaves Westlake and its students in the best possible place. Adriana Aloia, WHS

A teacher of both Spanish and Italian, Adriana Aloia has fostered a love of language in her middle and high school students for 27 years. The adviser of Westlake’s Spanish Honor Society and the Spanish Club, Ms. Aloia is also president of the national Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica after previously serving as its vice president, regional director and state director. She has received awards for leadership and contributions to Hispanic studies from the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. She says she will take with her wonderful lifetime friendships with her foreign language department colleagues.

Eva Martino, WMS

Eva Martino has taught Italian, Spanish and ESL at Westlake for 26 years and during her tenure, she received recognition as an outstanding teacher of Italian. Ms. Martino participated on the Middle States steering committee as well as the secondary school redesign, building council and IB steering committees and was a past adviser of the WMS ski club, WHS junior class adviser and cheerleading coach. She will miss her colleagues and calls them “the kindest, most caring and supportive friends.” Chuck Zeuren, WMS

Music teacher Chuck Zeuren has been conducting middle school band and jazz band students for 11 years, transferring his enthusiasm and love of music to all his students. A drummer who toured with many jazz greats, Mr. Zeuren brought his vast experience into the classroom for the benefit of Westlake’s music program. His talent will be missed. Annette Crepeau, HES/CES

For 19 years, Annette Crepeau brought a love of learning to elementary students as the library/media specialist and CES computer teacher, inspiring the next wave of readers and thinkers. Her retirement will be filled with traveling, gardening and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Linda Schwartz, HES

Reading teacher Linda Schwartz has helped hundreds of students become avid readers in her 16 years at Hawthorne. Certified in reading recovery, Ms. Schwartz was an integral part of the team responsible for Hawthorne’s 2003 Exemplary Reading Program Award from the International Reading Association. She was a featured presenter at Teachers College Columbia University on kindergarten assessments. “I will remember my colleagues for their friendship, their support and all I have learned from them,” she said. “Hawthorne is a special place to be.”

Sally Marriott CES

Carolyn Lucchese CES

Felicia Sgueglia WMS

Hugh Andrews Maintenance

Judy Prieston WMS

Susan Guiney Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools

Congratulations to the Class of 2016, their families, and all who contributed to the students’ success. A warm congratulations, also, to the second, fifth, and eighth graders who are “moving up.” June is filled with a great sense of Wildcat pride as we celebrate the learning and achievements of our students. Each award ceremony, concert, and senior presentation among so many events showcased exemplary performances by our students. Over the past several years, the district has incrementally increased opportunities for students and importantly, students have raised personal expectations for what they believe they can accomplish themselves. This year’s graduating class will be attending colleges and universities across the country, including Princeton University. During the 2015-16 school year, Westlake High School was ranked as a NYS Department of Education Reward School for outstanding achievement. This year’s graduation rate is 99 percent; increasing numbers of students take Advanced Placement exams and achieve honors recognition on them. Eighth grade students at Westlake Middle School are sharing their Wildcat pride as 70 percent of Regents Earth Science students in grade 8 achieved Mastery by scoring over an 85 percent on the assessment. Similarly, students in grade 8 scored as well on the Living Environment Regents and the Algebra Regents. Almost all eighth graders chose to participate in these more challenging courses and almost every student passed, many with flying colors. Thanks are in order

At this time of year, filled with reflection and gratitude, it is the perfect opportunity to thank the many individuals and groups who volunteered and contributed time, funding and effort throughout the course of the year in so many ways. A very special thank you is extended to the PTA’s, the Westlake Athletic Association, and the Mount Pleasant Education Foundation for their support. Thank you, too, to the many parents and volunteers who served on committees or who participated in school events.

Tenure Recipients The following teachers have been awarded tenure after successfully completing their probationary terms: Tenure Date

Name

School

Position

1/30/16

Ethel Anastasiou

WMS

ESL

2/1/16

Ilana Cohen

CES

Psychologist

8/26/16

Christine Parrottino

WMS

Administrator

9/1/16

Francesca Bellomusto WHS

Foreign Language

Philip Cutrone

WHS

Media Specialist

Donna Gelard

WHS

Special Education

Joanne Massi

WHS

Science

Jill-Marie Pirrotta

HES

Special Education

Your collaboration and feedback added to our district’s ongoing growth and success. As a district, we wish to recognize the members of the faculty and staff who are retiring this school year. Their dedication over the course of many years inspired our students to pursue careers and passions in a variety of fields and supported the efforts of the district. I also wish to recognize board of education member, Theresa Fowler, who is leaving the board at end of this year. Terry’s passion for board service and dedication to the students and families of Mount Pleasant is tops! Unbelievable as it seems, the cycle has begun again and all eyes are already on September. During the next school year, the work of crafting the next strategic plan, addressing the deteriorating building infrastructure and aging facades, welcoming new and returning staff, and importantly, awaiting the arrival of our students back to school again has begun. While this work is ongoing through July and August, I wish you a restful, healthy and happy summer! Thank you again for all that you do for the children and families in Mount Pleasant. As always, it is an honor to be your superintendent and I look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Teacher

ing state and private entities, such as the College Board, to change policy. Mr. DiPaolo also serves as a councilman on the Mount Pleasant town board.

Westlake High School guidance leader Nick DiPaolo was selected this spring as the chairperson for the Directors of Counseling for the Westchester Putnam Rockland Counselors’ Association. He will hold this position throughout his career as a school guidance counselor. As chairperson, Mr. DiPaolo will help guide the organization’s yearly mission that includes professional training programs, support and advocacy such as encourag-

High school English teacher Michael Laterza completed the requirements for NYS teacher certification in Gifted Education. The program focused on developing curriculum for gifted learners and methods of identifying and assessing students with gifts and talents. Mr. Laterza plans to use his certification to inform instruction and assessment in Honors and AP-level classes to help these students reach their full

NEWS

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

A year to remember ends; another begins

potential through strategies such as curriculum compacting, acceleration, and independent learning contracts. The certificate is issued by the NYS Education Department. Hawthorne Elementary School music teacher Claudia Grispin wrote and composed a school song for HES this year. She said the lyrics were inspired by the teachers, who listed important aspects of the school: learning through work and play, trying hard and being good citizens. The school song, performed by second grade students, is on the Hawthorne website at hes.mtplcsd.org.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Columbia University Book Award went to Peter Psaltakis and the Harvard-Radcliffe Book Award went to Ryan Stasolla.

Meenu Mundackal and David DeLoughry won the R.I.T. Computing Award.

Blerina Verzivolli and Aidan Glendon were winners of the Saint Michael’s College Book Award.

Underclassmen awards celebrate achievement On May 31, parents, teachers and administrators gathered to celebrate members of the freshmen, sophomore and junior classes for academic accomplishment and dedication to their school and community at Westlake High School’s Underclassmen Awards Night. In his welcoming address, Principal Keith Schenker told the students they possess the grit needed to work toward long range goals and to persevere through the setbacks. “In many ways this is what has defined you thus far and must be what defines you going forward,” he told them. “The awards are deserved recognition for your hard work, but secondary to your inner drive to continue to succeed.” The evening followed with the recognition of students from each grade level who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and outstanding effort in each of the subject areas and for service to their school. Special awards and scholarships were presented to juniors who demonstrated stellar academics in various fields of study and/or have demonstrated a commitment to service. Many of these awards included full or partial tuition scholarships. College awards

The R.I.T. Innovation Award was presented to Brian Bennett and Deanna Forella.

The Columbia University Book Award for outstanding academic achievement with an inclination toward research was awarded to Peter Psaltakis. The Harvard-Radcliffe Book Award for “excellence in scholarship and commitment to high moral character” went to Ryan Stasolla. Rochester Institute of Technology granted four scholarships of $24,000 each. The RIT Award in Computing for distinguishing academics, being active members of their school and commu-

Summa Honors Summa honor roll recognition was given to students in each grade who had a 95 average or better for each quarter They are:

Junior Angela Mangione was awarded a four-year $40,000 Wells College scholarship for her school leadership.

nity and demonstrating interest and ability in computing went to Meenu Mundackal and David DeLoughry. The RIT Innovation & Creativity Medal and Scholarship carries the same criteria and went to students who demonstrate an interest and ability in creativity. Brian Bennett and Deanna Forella were the recipients. Saint Michael’s College Book Award is given to a junior who embodies their vision of serving others and acting with a social conscience. The recipients are eligible for a potential full-tuition scholarship if they choose to apply and attend. Awardees were Blerina Verzivolli and Aidan Glendon. The Wellesley Book Award honors young women who have been top scholars in high school and engaged in extracurricular areas. Julia O’Connell received this award. Wells College Award honors a junior for “commitment to academic achievement” while acting as a leader among his or her peers. Leadership, whether in the classroom, in clubs or on the athletic fields is a trait that the college looks for in its applicants. This year’s recipient, Angela Mangione, will receive $40,000 over four years if she chooses to apply

Grade 11 Jetmir Asllani John Bastone Chloe Burns Caleigh Carr David DeLoughry Alexandra Falkenberg Deanna Forella Aidan Glendon Angela Mangione Kelly Martin Meenu Mundackal Peter Psaltakis Lauren Unger Grade 10 Talin Bedonian Allison Brunetto Keira Donnelly Joelle El Hamouche Michael Farina Luciano Giannini Angela Guarnieri Isabella Joseph Brian Kelly Zachary Lubart Kerrianne Maloney

Christina Mangione Philip Markuszewski Erin Mc Morrow Maeve McArdle Divya Mundackal Katelyn Murphy Caroline Murray Terence O’Brien Arianna Palmiero Charles Panzarella Christopher Panzarella Nicholas Papaleo Kelly Pierce Christine Sharabun Megi Syku Grade 9 Christopher Bauco Stephen Donato George Doulos Gianni Garritano Rebecca Lovett Bryan Mesquita Lauren Sala Faith Summers Kaylee Zheng

and attend Wells College. Each year the Thornwood American Legion sponsors service oriented and civic minded young men and women in the 11th grade to attend the annual Boys and Girls State Conference. Aidan Glendon and Peter Vogel were selected to attend Boys State and Jessica Kaplan will attend Girls State. Subject area awards

Finally, the summa honor roll was read of those students who have been on the high honor roll all three semesters. (See box above.)

FROM THE HEART â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2016

Rose Hill Shopping Center Awards presented by Vincent Castaldo, Sr. and Vincent Castaldo, Jr., left, and Linda Meyers and Joseph LoCascio, right, were awarded to Adriana Pereira, Maria Ciraco, Stephanie Rizzo and Christopher Donnelly.

Senior Awards Night

Ryann Howard was given the Educational Achievement Award by Principal Keith Schenker.

At the annual Senior Awards Night, held June 6 at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains, deserving graduates were celebrated for their academic and athletic accomplishments as well as service to the community. Those pictured here are among the many in the Class of 2016 who received recognition and thanks from their school and community.

George Anastasiou received the David Gray, Jr. Memorial Scholarship from Bennie Gray.

Kate Pinchiaroli and Robert Soderquist were selected to receive the John Barresi Memorial Award for Track and Field. Presenting the award was Sky Smith.

Mark Zulli was the recipient of the Felix Cutrone Memorial Award presented by Phil Cutrone.

Liz Melito presented the Mount Pleasant Teachers Association Award to Erika Bonanno, Brianna DiLiberti and Kali Oswald.

Louis Milone, center, awarded the Louis Milone Scholarship for Perseverance to Liam Healy and Justin Woods.

Analisa Caso received the Mario Manfredi III Memorial Award presented by Tina Matuziak.

WHS Class of 1985 donated two scholarships for performing and visual arts students. Alex Pasieka and Katie Sanders won the awards.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

2016 CLASS OF

Graduates

Ariela Abreu G Justin Adams Nicolas Agosto Graziella Alaio Jonathan Alania GV Gregory Alfieri GV George Anastasiou F V Joseph Andrews F V Jenna Arkontaky Ilir Asllani GV Emily Au Bastiyaan Baniya Michelle Barbero F Nicholas Barbero Brendan Birkelbach F V Erika Bonanno F Jesse Boyce F Mario Bravo Steven Brunetto F V Elizabeth Bruni Annisa Camacho Elaine Carey GV

Michael Love

Michael Carpenter Marissa Carpentieri F Adrianna Carpentieri F Erica Casarella Analisa Caso GV Dylan Casoria Eleanor Caston F V Thomas Castro GV Vincent Cioppa Maria Ciraco GV Vito Ciraco GV Alexandra Clemente GV Fernando Contreras-Lopez F Thomas Cosentino

Spencer Knowles and Mary Ann Murray

Dominic DelDuca Brianna Di Liberti F V Danielle Diaz G V Samantha DiMaio F Michael DiNardo F V Angelina DiNota Christopher Donato F Christopher Donnelly F V Ryan Duﬀy Elyssa Eliseo Kyle Empey Sophie Epstein GV Kathryn Facelle GV Heather Ferrante F Melissa Fierro F Sean Flynn Deanna Frustaglio Emma Garan Megan George GV Peter Giannini F V William Giuseﬃ F Hewson Gomez Aguilar Jessica Grassi F Nicole Grossman F Anthony Guarnieri Jonathan Guzman Asim Hanif Ryann Harold F Liam Healy Michael Hernandez F Brandon Hill Lauren Holzer GV Lauren Hutnik F V

College and University Acceptances

Elizabeth Bruni flashes a smile as the graduates listen to speakers du

Greg Alfieri

George Ittan F V Kathy Juarez Jason Kalle Drew Kapica Sean Kelly GV Spencer Knowles F Victoria LaGrippo F V Gabriel Lara Anthony Laricchia GV Mark Lariosa Matthew Latino GV Avery Lessing

Ryan Lewis F Michael Love Liam Maguire Natalia Marques G Giuseppe Mastandrea Brian Mc Morrow Connor McArdle F Ciara McGivney GV Oscar Mellado Escobar Brianna Milo GV Alea Morales F Ava Moran Martin Mundackal F Mary Ann Murray GV Enzo Nardone Jessica Nguyen GV Megan O’Connor F V Kali Oswald GV Christopher Gregorio Carina Papa GV Alex Pasieka F V

John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the CUNY Johnson & Wales University The Class of 2016 has been accepted into 180 colleges, universities vocational and technical schools. Kean University Castleton University Adelphi University East Stroudsburg University of King’s College Catholic University of America, The Pennsylvania Albright College Le Moyne College Clark University American University Elmira College Lesley University Clemson University Arcadia University Emerson College Laboratory Institute of Merchandising Colgate University Arizona State University Emmanuel College Long Island University, Post College of Mount Saint Vincent Assumption College Fairfield University Louisiana State University College of New Rochelle Auburn University Fashion Institute of Technology Loyola University - Maryland College of the Holy Cross Bennington College Florida Atlantic University Loyola University - New Orleans Concordia College - New York Bentley University Fordham University Lycoming College CUNY-Macaulay Honors College Berkeley College of White Plains Framingham State University Lyndon State College Curry College Binghamton University George Mason University Make Up For Ever Academy N.Y. Dean College Boston College George Washington University, The Manhattan College DeSales University Boston University Hartwick College Manhattanville College Drexel University Bryant University Iona College Marist College Duquesne University Buffalo State College of SUNY Ithaca College Marquette University Dutchess Community College Butler University James Madison University Marywood University

Ariana Passiatore Adriana Pereira F V Owen Peterson F Rachel Pezzulo F V Kate Pinchiaroli F V Loredana Pizzuti GV Nicole Pomatico F Cailee Pondiccio Rebecca Poole GV Ryan Power Alyssa Prauda GV Kevin Regan Jessica Resciniti GV Briana Ricci F Stephanie Rizzo F V Brianna Rodemeyer F V Julia Rodgers F Thomas Roell III F Peter Romandetto Dominic Rufo Ariella Ruggiero G

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Mercy College Mercyhurst University Merrimack College Misericordia University Monmouth University Mount Ida College Mount Saint Mary College Nazareth College New England College New Jersey Institute of Technology New York Institute of Technology New York University North Carolina State University Northeastern University

uring commencement exercises.

Megan O’Connor

Paul Sacchetti Michael Sala GV Katherine Sanders F Noelle Santos F V Anthony Sardo Daniella Scampone F Emma Sheehan GV Nicolette Shkreli F Nicholas Sica F V Nicholas Sirena Jessica Sirico F Erica Smith

William Snyder GV Robert Soderquist F John Sore Alyssa Spampinato GV Christopher Spedaliere William Sweeny F V Victoria Tinelli F Kiera Torpie F V Briana Tradito F Austin Tucker F Amanda Valencia Danielle Walpole F V Alexander Warne Justin Woods F Daisy Yunga F V Victoria Zefi Mark Zulli GV F Summa Cum Laude G Magna Cum Laude F Cum Laude V National Honor Society

Pace University Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Plymouth State University Princeton University Providence College Purchase College SUNY Queens College of the CUNY Quinnipiac University Ramapo College of New Jersey Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rider University Rochester Institute of Technology Rockland Community College Roger Williams University Rutgers University-New Brunswick Rutgers University-Newark Sacred Heart University Saint Anselm College Saint Joseph’s University

Saint Michael’s College Salisbury University Savannah College of Art & Design School of Visual Arts Seton Hall University Siena College Springfield College St. Bonaventure University St. John Fisher College St. John’s College St. John’s University St. Thomas Aquinas College St. Thomas University State University of New York at Plattsburgh at Albany at New Paltz Stonehill College Stony Brook University SUNY Alfred State College

Salutatorian Michael DiNardo

If anyone has ever been destined for the honor of class valedictorian it is Will Sweeny. As a seventh grader, Will entered the West Point Bridge Design Contest open to students ages 13 though high school. He placed 28th out of 3,600 entrants. He turned 13 just days before the competition. Will’s academic talent and thirst for knowledge led him to accelerate through classes. He opted to take algebra in seventh grade and joined the science research team as a high school freshman, taking third place in the engineering category at the second Westlake Science Fair. As a sophomore, Will placed first in the school in the National Language Arts League contest. His list of school academic honors is lengthy, earning outstanding achievement honors in just about every course he completed. As a junior, Will earned AP Scholar with Distinction honor and won the Columbia University Book Award. He is a National Honor Society member and has also been inducted to the math, English and Spanish honor societies. This year he was named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program this year. Will is most fascinated by computer programming which he refers to as the “union of math and English: the poetry of logic.” This fall, he will join the freshman class at Princeton University.

A soft-spoken honor student with a huge heart, Michael DiNardo has already learned how to balance the triad of life: learning, working and volunteering. He is dedicated to his studies and has been on the high honor roll every semester in high school. Over his four years, Michael earned outstanding achievement honors in nine courses as well as the distinction of AP Scholar with Honor last year. His work ethic spills over from the classroom to life. During the year you can find Michael working at his father’s restaurant, bussing tables, delivering orders and filling in wherever needed within the business. Though his studies and his job keep him busy throughout the year, Michael is also a consummate volunteer. Not only has he dedicated his four years to school service, serving as this year’s president of student council, Students Against Destructive Decisions and PALS peer leadership clubs; vice president of the service club and secretary of the Spanish club and social studies honor society, he is also the manager of the girls varsity basketball and volleyball teams and a member of the Principal’s Advisory team. Michael will take his strengths to Syracuse University this September where he will study finance and business management.

SUNY College at Brockport SUNY College at Cobleskill SUNY College at Cortland SUNY College at Geneseo SUNY College at Old Westbury SUNY College at Oneonta SUNY College at Potsdam SUNY College of Tech. at Canton SUNY Fredonia SUNY Morrisville State College SUNY Oswego SUNY Polytechnic Institute Susquehanna University Syracuse University Temple University The College of New Jersey The College of Saint Rose The College of Westchester The New School - All Divisions The Ohio State University

The University of Scranton The University of Tampa Towson University Tulane University University at Buffalo The SUNY University of Alabama, The University of Connecticut University of Delaware University of Hartford University of Maryland University of Massachusetts Amherst campus University of Miami University of Nevada - Las Vegas University of New England University of New Hampshire University of New Haven University of North Carolina at Charlotte Wilmington

University of Pennsylvania University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of South Carolina University of Tennessee University of Vermont Utica College Villanova University Virginia Commonwealth University Wentworth Institute of Technology Wesley College West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Virginia University Westchester Community College Western Connecticut State University Western New England University Widener University William Paterson University of N.J.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Valedictorian William Sweeny

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016 Nick Colabatistto shares ideas to cut off terrorist funding at the Model UN capstone project on May 25. Below, Thomas Spedaliere and Zauriel Lara note their questions.

WHS

Model UN capstone project launched at high school Protecting rights of refugees. Ending child marriage. Combatting terrorist financing. These and other significant issues that currently plague world leaders were among the topics addressed by Westlake’s sophomore class this May during their year-end capstone project. Principal Keith Schenker describes the sophomore capstone experience as a “culminating demonstration of student learning.” He and the social studies department designed the tenth grade capstone project around the Model UN concept where students choose a country and become its diplomat. They then select a current world issue to research and understand from the historical perspective of their chosen country. Diplomats must present solutions for their world issue to an audience of student ambassadors representing other countries, with the goal of getting their resolution passed. According to social studies teacher Tricia Oliveras, the project forces students to “think outside of the American perspective” and pushes them to research a world issue more in-depth. As for their presentation, Ms. Oliveras says students have to think about their solution, pro10 mote it and get people to agree with it.”

Envisions and more

While the capstone project is new to the tenth grade, the critical research piece is not. As freshmen, this grade was the first to experience the Envisions class that specifically honed their research and analytical skills. The capstone project is designed an extension of Envisions. “We wanted to continue with the research aspect, but focus on a different subject area,” said Ms. Oliveras. “Using the skills they learned in Envisions, we related that to research within the world history curriculum.” For the entire second half of the year, all tenth graders worked on their own or in pairs to develop both a presentation and a research essay on their world issue. The students had to include background information on the issue, the country’s

history of addressing it and solutions from that country’s perspective. “We started working on it early and it made us educated on the topic,” said Danielle Porco who along with Isabelle Joseph were diplomats from Haiti addressing the issue of building resilient cities. Their research was aided by the Internet and their presentation included video clips, photos and data. Oh, and they practiced a lot. On Model UN Day, classrooms became mini UN assemblies where each student or team issue was presented in front of the other student diplomats who took notes and identified key points in the presentation that caused them to vote one way or the other. Grading for the project was based on a rubric of skills and content. Positive results

For a first-time project, the Model UN Day was well received by teachers and students. “I learned a lot about China that I never knew before,” said Amelia Caston who represented the communist country along with Erin Mc Morrow. She said their topic, “Advancing Children’s Rights in the Digital Age” educated her on differences between children’s rights in both the U.S. and China. “Children’s rights here in the U.S. are so different to China. It is interesting to find out about policies in other countries,” she said. Both Erin and Amelia were confident in their knowledge of the issue they chose and felt positive after presenting. Teacher Chris Moreno said the project is a “full-on experience,”promoting the development of time management, research, presentation, and computer skills. “It will benefit them when they get to college,” he said. Mr. Schenker sees additional benefits to the Model UN project. With Common Core standards asking schools to build better global contexts for students, he said the project will help expand that context beyond what a typical global history course would do. Additionally, Mr. Schenker said that New York State is currently weighing cutting out one of its two social studies Regents exams and is looking for alternative assessments that are just as aggressive, rigorous and challenging. He noted that Westlake’s capstone project is all that. “I really think that this project can be a more powerful alternative to the traditional Regents and a model for performance-based assessment.” — with Analisa Caso WHS ’16

WMS Art students’ work will travel the country

Art teacher Dr. Susan Cowles says she tries to do a yearly project that centers around the theme of social justice. So when she heard about a call for student art for an exhibit celebrating equality and human rights she was all in. Since the exhibit will take place this summer at the Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, New York, Ms. Cowles and art teacher Laura Anecharico had their sixth grade students choose a prominent woman or women’s rights issue as their subject. Each team of students researched their person or issue and created a painting or collage that illustrated the particular contribution for the quest for equality. “This was a competition of sorts, as we

could only send up a certain number of pieces,” said Ms. Cowles. Sixteen works of art created by about 40 students were selected and sent up to be displayed at the park from July 1 through August 31. The artwork will then become part of the Dream Rocket Project that has been collecting 8,000 works of art to be wrapped around a 385-foot replica of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and will be exhibited in locations around the U.S. The Dream Rocket Project highlights NASA’s quest to land the SLS rocket on Mars and the artwork celebrates individuals past and present who collaborate to meet challenges. To follow the project, visit thedreamrocket.com.

Moving Up Moments Daring to be yourself was the message Dr. Adam Bronstein, right, delivered to the 2016 graduates eliciting a reaction from graduates Elizabeth Snyder, Emily Specht and Christopher Stivaletti, below. Christopher Dimovski, left, waves his diploma for all to see.

IB home stretch We’re almost there. By this time next year, the middle school will have submitted its application to become a designated International Baccalaureate Middle Years School. Submitting an application is the final step in the preparation process and signifies that all requirements for the implementation of the Middle Years Program have been met. The coming year will see full integration of the Middle Years Program and according to the principal, Dr. Adam Bronstein, the 2016-17 year will be “where the rubber meets the road.” He said students will continue their immersion into Learner Profile attributes and the eighth grade community project will be launched as a scheduled class in the students’ six-day cycle. Teachers will be working on integrating and developing the MYP with scheduled planning time built into next year’s schedule and more teachers will be sent for formal IB training. In the fall, the middle school will undergo an informal audit to provide recommendations that will help the school satisfy the requirements for the IB application. Once the application is submitted in the spring of 2017, a formal IB team will conduct a visit the following fall. “At that point there is a six-month turnaround time to sanction the school,” said Dr. Bronstein, who forsees the IB designation to be awarded in the spring of 2018. “We anticipate being a fully functioning IB school in the 2018-19 school year,” he said.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Left, Gary Ederer, Nick Napolitano, Tommy Giaccone and Kyle Eddington with their artwork highlighting Title 9 legislation. Below, Julie Lyden and Elisabeth Lilly’s poster on teen Malalah Yousafzai.

Joe Ragusa, left, is high school bound. Below, graduates Taylor Wright, Kyra Earley and Arianna Edwards perform “For Good” from the Broadway play Wicked.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

CES Columbus students have big hearts

Twenty years ago, now retired physical education teacher Jane Robinson brought the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program to Columbus Elementary. With a family member affected by heart disease, the cause was near and dear to her. The support from students and their families was overwhelming and Columbus raised $10,325 that first year. The school has jumped every year since and has averaged $14,500 a year, with total donations raised of more than $290,000. According to the AHA, that puts Columbus in the top 10 of school fundraisers in the county. “It’s great,” physical education teacher Sean Mayer said of the staggering amount raised from an elementary school with just three grades. He credits the behind-the-scenes work with the AHA that includes a yearly educational Jump Rope for Heart kickoff assembly in April, for Columbus’ success. Carissa Duro, youth market director for the Westchester AHA chapter, has worked with Mr. Mayer and Principal Michael Cunzio on these assemblies for the past two years. She finds it amazing that despite their young age, the children have embraced learning about staying healthy and about helping others. “The Columbus’ community truly understands the mission of Jump Rope

Jump ropers Gabriella Borello, Caroline McKeon and Ryan Fudale have healthy fun while below, Carissa Duro presents Alexandra Ferrari with a top-fundraiser certificate.

for Heart, which includes keeping one’s own heart healthy as well as supporting research for heart disease,” Ms. Duro said. Following the April assembly, students were sent home with instructions for setting up an online donation site and asked to solicit from friends and family up until the jumping event in June. Fifth grader Ryan Fudale said he raised $250 with the help of his mom’s

coworkers. He felt good to be able to help people in need. “It costs a lot to get the operations,” he said with concern. “Kids don’t have money to get the problems fixed.” This year’s three-day jump event raised $15,975, of which 80 percent stays in the local area for hospital and university research. The other 20 percent goes to national AHA efforts according to Ms. Duro, who returned to the school during the June jumpfest. While there, she thanked the students for their generosity and recognized the top fundraising students in the school. Third graders Peter Romano and Alexandra Ferrari shared the top spot with $1,125 in donations each. They received certificates, a bright T-shirt, lots of swag and AHA’s heartfelt thanks. And, for another year at Columbus, the ropes turned, ponytails flew, sneakers pounded up and down and many thankful hearts smiled.

Moving Up Moments

Samantha Schwan leads the Pledge of Allegiance.

A happy Moving Up day for Samantha DeLouise.

Damian Gramajo accepts congratulations from Dr. Susan Guiney.

Dean Williams gets a thumbs up for moving up.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Brady McTigue tries to feed their class hermit crab, Flame, some peas. Second grader Julia Menichino watches as school board trustee Colleen Scaglione Neglia tries to break an egg.

HES

Learning comes alive (literally) What can you learn from crabs? Or butterflies? Or ducks? How about habitats. And life cycles. And engineering. Yes. Engineering. But we’ll get to that later. Hawthorne classrooms came alive this spring as took on the roles of biologist, researcher and caretaker of some small but interesting creatures. With support and funding from the Elementary PTA, each kindergarten classroom became temporary parents of hermit crabs, while first graders watched as caterpillars morphed into butterflies right before their eyes. Observing living animals gave way to multidisciplinary classroom projects that included authoring books and making artwork based on watching and caring for their charges. Tara Albaum’s kindergarten class experimented with different shells for their crabs Ginger and Flame

and made charts of foods they would and would not eat. On the other end of the school, caterpillars were living in translucent mesh cylinder homes in the first grade classrooms where students could monitor their metamorphosis. They learned the difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon, read books and created journals too. When their caterpillars transformed into butterflies the classes delighted in setting them free. Super learners

If you attended or watched the June 15 Board of Education meeting, you saw just how important ducks were to the second grade. Seven- and eight-year-olds from Gina Carmody, Kim Newman and Melissa Soto’s class gave a multi-media presentation to a packed Westlake library,

describing all that they learned from their duckling adventure. From setting up incubators and monitoring the eggs, to art projects, experiments and reflections, the students took to the microphone and smartboard with equal confidence to explain the process — in detail — to a rapt audience. They brought experiments too. Learning that eggs can withstand amazing pressure due to their arched shape (here’s the engineering part) they brought a few dozen unfertilized ones and challenged board members and administrators to break the shell by squeezing the top and bottom. Let’s just say that no one who did it properly got egged. All of their learning was chronicled on a Google site set up by the teachers but populated entirely by the students. Ms. Carmody said the site gave the students many ways to reflect on their learning — through their own writing, photos and flip cam videos. “It makes a difference when you give them a voice,” she said of the students’ incredible accomplishment. And that voice was loud, clear and amazing.

Moving Up Moments

Hailey McCloskey and Jaya Ferraro are giddy with anticipation.

Carlos Sanguino is in the groove.

Daniela DiMarino and Giulianna Vella strike a pose.

GianMarco DelDuca is happily heading to Columbus.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

And kudos to… Lauren Unger Junior Lauren Unger has been awarded the Henry B. Funking Youth Award by the Westchester Recreation and Park Society’s Awards and Scholarship Committee. The Youth Award is given to an outstanding Westchester County high Lauren school or college student Unger who has displayed a keen interest and participation in the field of recreation. Lauren works at the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department and was nominated by her supervisor. An honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and English Honor Society, Lauren received a certificate and $500 award. Metro Award nominees The Westlake Players record breaking sold-out production of “Grease” received five nominations for the Metro High School Theater Awards. Nominated were: Carina Papa — Supporting Actress; Michael Anderson — Dance Performance Male; Anthony Minda – Vocal Performance Male; Aidan Healy (lighting design) – Technical Merit; Westlake Stage Crew (Best Crew). Language arts winners Westlake High School participated in the National Language Arts Olympiad that tests students’ knowledge of spelling, vocabulary, reading comprehension, analogies and grammar. Grade level medals and certificates were awarded to the highest scoring students. Congratulations to the following top winners: Grade 11: Chloe Burns (1st), Brian Bennett (2nd); Grade 10: Joelle El Hamouche and Brian Kelly (1st), Zach

Phys Ed Awards It’s not all fitness that counts. New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is the sponsor of the annual Elementary/Middle School Physical Education Awards that recognize students for citizenship and sportsmanship, in addition to being physically fit. Awardees are those who posses tolerance, compassion, cooperation, respect for self, teammates and opponents, fair play and proper conduct as a player and fan. They are chosen by their physical education teachers. Recipients were honored at a ceremony on May 14 and were presented with a certificate, NYSAHPERD winners patch and a commemorative gift from the association. Winners are: top left, HES Grace Lubart (2nd), Phil Markuszewski and Christine Sharabun (3rd); Grade 9: Freyja Varga (1st), Bryan Mesquita, Faith Summers and Kylie Gottlieb (2nd); Kaylee Zheng (3rd).

Juniors Adrianna Elias and Michael Fischer’s video S.L.E.E.P. won the award for “Best Use of Character” at the national high school 10 Day Film Challenge, NY finals. The challenge invites high school filmmakers to use their creative and

Mooney, Frank Vessa and Natalie Partridge. Collin Lyden and Brooke Pfeiffer are not pictured. Top right, CES: Francesca DeMartino, Christina Kelly, Luca Mulhare and Matthew Pipcinski Bottom right, WMS: Jason Ausiello, Stacie Kinlen and Lea Bonsignore. Zach Barnes is not pictured. technical expertise to make a 3-4 minute film from start to finish in just 10 days, using only class time or the school day. Competitions are held in each state and students must make a film using a supplied character, backstory, prop and a line of dialogue that had to show up somewhere in their films. Twenty-eight videos were selected as finalists and were screened May 25 at the UA Kaufman Astoria Cinemas in Astoria, NY. Westlake video club members Dean Perkins, Marc Villucci and Xavier Varga’s film “Repetition” also made the finals.

Rotary Students of the Month ‘Service above self’ is the motto of the Mount Pleasant Rotary Club. Each month the club recognizes a WHS senior who personifies this motto. Rotary student profiles can be viewed at westlakehighschoolnews.blogspot.com.

Adriana Pereira

Emma Sheehan

Lauren Hutnik

Michael DiNardo

Elaine Carey

George Ittan

Jonathan Alania

Kali Oswald

Peter Giannini

PHOTO COURTESY MARGARET BENNETT

PSA challenge winners Broadcasting student teams of Emma Schulze and Danielle Walpole and Taylor Garritano and Kevin Julian were winners in the Digital ID 21st Century PSA Challenge Competition this spring. Students were challenged to create a 90-second newsworthy PSA on either cyberbullying, intellectual property, digital footprint or protecting privacy. Emma and Danielle’s PSA on digital citizenship and Taylor and Kevin’s PSA on geotagging safety took top honors with classmates Nicholas Colabatistto and Spencer Knowles receiving honorable mention for their PSA on intellectual property.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

And kudos to…

WHS poets read works The Emelin Theater in Mamaroneck was the venue for the fifteenth annual “Poetry Live!,” a celebration of young poets and national poets laureate. Westlake students joined their peers from area schools to read their original poems on stage April 24 during National Poetry Month. Pictured top row: Julia Remo, Keira Donnelly, English teacher Janet Matthews, Christina Mangione, Brian Bennett. Bottom row: Allison Brunetto, Ariana Rich, Emily Rubino. Not pictured: Daniella Maric.

ALUMNI CORNER

Reservoir stockers This spring, students in Erika O’Byrne and Virginia Campbell’s classes raised trout as part of the New York Trout in the Classroom initiative and released the young fish into Whippoorwill Creek at the head of the Kensico Reservoir. Trout in the Classroom has been part of learning at WMS since 2001.

One of the best at EMS Senior Julia Rodgers received second place for her EMT skills at the April Health Occupations Education Conference in Syracuse. Julia completed the New Julia York State Emergency Rodgers Medical Services class

1962 It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of former Westlake principal and Mount Pleasant schools superintendent John S. Whearty on May 12. Mr. Whearty was the first principal of Westlake High School in 1962. He later became Mount Pleasant schools superintendent and served the district for 34 years until his retirement in 1996. His legacy can be felt throughout our schools and with thousands of Westlake alumni. His love and support for the high school theater program was recognized with the dedication of the high school auditorium as the John S. Whearty Theater. The community

will be forever grateful for the indelible mark Mr. Whearty left on Mount Pleasant. 2013 Maria Minafra completed her junior year at Pace University studying math and adolescent education/ education technology specialist. The five-year dual-degree program includes a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and two teaching certificates. Maria has been named to the dean’s list every semester and has an overall GPA of 3.64. A member of the Pforzheimer Honors College, Maria studied in Rome and Florence, Italy last spring. This spring she completed

through Southern Westchester BOCES and passed the NYS EMT test this June and received her EMT license. An honor roll student, Julia is a captain for the Westlake cheerleading squad and is a volunteer firefighter for the Thornwood Fire Department. She will be attending Dutchess Community College for fire and health occupation safety. her student teaching in the Pleasantville School District. Sienna College junior Frank Chietro was inducted into the National Honor Society for physics this spring. A math and physics major, Frank spent the semester abroad in the engineering program at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. He will graduate in 2017 with a dual degree in physics and math and begin a graduate program in energy systems in engineering at Union College. In his sophomore year, Frank was part of a team of students that used 3D printing technology to build a prosthetic hand for a five-year-old 15 boy.

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Mount Pleasant Central School District

Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid White Plains, NY Permit No. 9415

West Lake Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594 Board of Education Eric Schulze, President Laurie Donato, Vice President Theresa Fowler Thomas McCabe Colleen Scaglione Neglia John Piazza Christopher Pinchiaroli

New look! Over the summer, our website and class pages will have a new look … and more functionality. Visit our sites and let us know what you think!

Superintendent Dr. Susan Guiney

* * * ECRWSS * * * POSTAL CUSTOMER THORNWOOD, NY 10594

Correspondence Phone: 769-5500 • Fax 769-3733 Web: www.mtplcsd.org Email submissions newsLINK@mtplcsd.org

Wildcat News—2016 Spring Sports Recap BASEBALL

(11-11)

Scholar Athlete Team quarterfinal win vs. Putnam Valley John Consorti A Michael Trainor A Thomas Cosentino, Drew Kapica A H Nico Agosto A Matthew Latino Thomas Cosentino (Ithaca), Justin Adams (Plattsburg), Enzo Nardone (Pace)

(5-5)

GOLF A

Sean P. Mayer Anthony Guarnieri

BOYS LACROSSE

(11-7)

quarterfinal loss to Putnam Valley Hunter Burnard A Jake Resnick A Anthony Sardo (Con Edison Player of the Week) A H Robert DiNota, Owen Peterson A Achille Abate, Brendan Birkelbach, James Gorman Anthony Sardo (Monmouth University), Owen Peterson (Assumption College) GIRLS LACROSSE

(9-7)

Scholar Athlete Team League Champions (8-0) quarterfinal loss to Irvington Dan Smith A Nicole Dacchille A Lauren Holzer A H Emily Sardo A Brianna Rodemeyer, Alexandra Falkenberg, Jesi

Lacrosse standouts hit milestones Senior Anthony Sardo committed to D1 Monmouth University’s lacrosse program last year, but that didn’t stop him from continuing to impress. The attackman was relentless on offense, netting his 200th career goal in May. Anthony finished with 229 goals and 101 assists. His 330 total points rank him 5th all-time in Section 1 lacrosse. Anthony was selected as the Journal News Con Edison Athlete of the Week in April and also received All-Section honors.

Oswald, Ariella Ruggiero, Katie Sanders, Daisy Yunga SOFTBALL

(14-5)

Scholar Athlete Team League Champions (5-3) Quarterfinal win vs. Blind Brook; semifinal loss to Albertus Magnus Claudio Barbieri A Vanessa Nastri, Mike D’Angelo All-Section Honorable Daniella Mulvey A Allison Brunetto,

Girls lacrosse had two 100-goal players this year. Senior Lauren Holzer, a three-year varsity player marked her 100th goal in the second game of the year and ended her lax career with 158 goals and 51 assists. Lauren has been an All-Section pick for the past two seasons. Emily Sardo is just a freshman, but is already in her second varsity season. She amassed 119 goals and 41 assists and has been named All-Section honorable mention both years.

Jamie Perfito, Antonia Perino, Kelly Pierce, Laine Peterson BOYS TENNIS

(7-4)

Scholar Athlete Team Award Frank Chiera A Justin Angeles, Philip Markuszewski BOYS TRACK

(100m); Ryan Lewis, Kane Lyons, Oscar Mellado Escobar, Robert Soderquist (400m relay); Peter Vogel (high jump); George Anastasiou (pole vault); Peter Giannini (discus) GIRLS TRACK

(6-1)

Scholar Athlete Team Award Second place Sky Smith, Devin White A Kane Lyons

(5-2)

Scholar Athlete Team Award Third place Betsy Groat A Eleni Doulos A Arianna Edwards (high jump)

FROM THE HEART • Summer 2016

Mount Pleasant Central School District

Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid White Plains, NY Permit No. 9415

West Lake Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594 Board of Education Eric Schulze, President Laurie Donato, Vice President Theresa Fowler Thomas McCabe Colleen Scaglione Neglia John Piazza Christopher Pinchiaroli

New look! Over the summer, our website and class pages will have a new look … and more functionality. Visit our sites and let us know what you think!

Superintendent Dr. Susan Guiney

* * * ECRWSS * * * POSTAL CUSTOMER HAWTHORNE, NY 10532

Correspondence Phone: 769-5500 • Fax 769-3733 Web: www.mtplcsd.org Email submissions newsLINK@mtplcsd.org

Wildcat News—2016 Spring Sports Recap BASEBALL

(11-11)

(5-5)

GOLF A

Sean P. Mayer Anthony Guarnieri

BOYS LACROSSE

(11-7)

(9-7)

Scholar Athlete Team League Champions (8-0) quarterfinal loss to Irvington Dan Smith A Nicole Dacchille A Lauren Holzer A H Emily Sardo A Brianna Rodemeyer, Alexandra Falkenberg, Jesi

Oswald, Ariella Ruggiero, Katie Sanders, Daisy Yunga SOFTBALL

(14-5)

Jamie Perfito, Antonia Perino, Kelly Pierce, Lanie Peterson BOYS TENNIS

(7-4)

Scholar Athlete Team Award Frank Chiera A Justin Angeles, Philip Markuszewski BOYS TRACK

(100m); Ryan Lewis, Kane Lyons, Oscar Mellado Escobar, Robert Soderquist (400m relay); Peter Vogel (high jump); George Anastasiou (pole vault); Peter Giannini (discus) GIRLS TRACK

(6-1)

Scholar Athlete Team Award Second place Sky Smith, Devin White A Kane Lyons

(5-2)

Scholar Athlete Team Award Third place Betsy Groat A Eleni Doulos A Arianna Edwards (high jump)