REcord-Review Graduation 2015

CLASS OF

2015 A Special Section of THE RECORD-REVIEW

John Jay graduate Eilish Newcomb enjoys the commencement ceremony.

SCOTT MULLIN PHOTO

July 3, 2015

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GRADUATION

Above &

Beyond

The Class of 2015

Ryan Michael Adams • Kyle James Andersen • Christian Arita • Avery Katherine Bachman • Augustus Bruce Barringer • Perry Falconer Barringer • Jasper James Bibb • Jerry Lee Boggs Jr. • Jacob Burwick Brandt • Tyler Walsh Brandt • Lauren Michele Britt • Emma Louise Citron • Clay Michael D’Alessandro • Noah Storrs Daniel • Khushwant Kaur Dhaliwal • Megan Emily Evershed • Camille Jehanne Faucheux • Kevin Christopher Florio • David Lawrence Fox • Jensina Kate Froland • Monika Clare Gabriele • Nicolas John Gault • Christopher Jürgen Goersch • Elizabeth Guillen • Annabel Van Buren Holland • Ryan Gates Holzberger • Grace Ann Jones • Malcolm Andrew Joung • Maria Theano Juran • Alexandra Asia Kelley • Christian William Kennedy • Grayson Elizabeth Kennedy • Tyler Maxwell Klein • Brian Thomas Kollar • Clay Firestone Kontulis • Elizabeth Carrie Kremer • Andrew Paget Langalis • Andrew Johnston Laub • Alexander Storm Libman • Phoebe Rose Long • Morgan Hope Macey • Celia Day Marion • Emily Catherine Murphy • Anna Baker Newman • Bennett Woodruff Newman • Haley Sarah Overlander • Briggs Loeb Polikoff • Jessica Mary Quindlen • Benjamin Elliott Rappaport • Charlotte Lloyd Robinson • Marissa Christina Ruschil • Edward John Salamone • Fiona Cabot Scanlon-Black • Connor Gray Schiff • Gregory Robert Shindel • Thomas Jonathan Simpson • Sanchali Singh • Hannah Marie Aulelei Smock • Juliana Corinne Soltys • Eloise Mary Somerby • James Hays Tekin • Alexander Michael Tierney • Teresa Reardon Tregellas • William Ladd Twomey • James Robert Van Elslander • Abigail Laurie Washer • Josie Vanessa Williams • Peter McGovern Zamsky • Emily Scott Zech • Jane Monroe Zech • Casey Justin Zhu • Sally Rose Zuckert

Congratulations

Class of 2015 Representing...

Darien • Katonah • New Canaan • North Salem • Norwalk • Pound Ridge • Purdys • Redding • Ridgefield • Riverside • Rowayton • South Salem • Stamford • Wesport • Weston • Wilton

Attending...

American University • Bates College • Baylor University • Boston College (2) • Bowdoin College • BrighamYoung University • Bucknell University (5) • Chapman University (2) • Colby College (2) • Colgate University • University of Colorado • Colorado College • Cornell University • Dartmouth College (3) • Denison University • DePaul University • Dickinson College (2) • Elon University • Furman University • Gettysburg College • Hampshire College (2) • Johns Hopkins University • Lafayette College (2) • Lehigh University (2) • Loyola Marymount University • University of Maryland • Miami University • University of Miami • University of Michigan • NewYork University (2) • Occidental College • University of Pennsylvania • Pitzer College • Princeton University • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • University of Richmond • Salve Regina University • Sarah Lawrence College • Sciences Po–Columbia University Dual BA Program • Scripps College • Smith College • Southern Methodist University (2) • Stevens Institute of Technology • Texas Christian University • Tufts University • Tulane University (3) • Vanderbilt University • Villanova University (2) • Washington and Lee University (2) • Washington University in St. Louis • Yale University (2)

(203) 801- 4833 | info@stlukesct.org | www.stlukesct.org/learn 377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840 St. Luke’s is a secular, college-preparatory day school for grades 5-12.

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GRADUATION

JULY 3, 2015 — PAGE 3A

John Jay High School

CLASS OF 2015 A bright day for John Jay Class of 2015 BY don HePPneR

W

ith the traditional passing of the key of knowledge at the commencement ceremony June 23, John Jay High School’s class of 2015 stepped into the spotlight.

As the graduating class of 280 students was called to receive diplomas, one by one, shouts of support from proud relatives and friends in the audience punctuated the early evening air.

Despite the threat of severe storms, the program proceeded smoothly. A few speakers shortened their remarks to keep the proceedings moving quickly under ominous skies. A few of the planned musical interludes were cancelled. But fortunately for the hundreds of students and family members who proudly gathered, the rain held off.

Following the traditional opening procession of graduates, the student a cappella groups, the Rolling Tones and the Noteables, sang the national anthem. John A. Goetz, interim superintendent, made the welcoming remarks.

Karen Beaty and Emma Jansen, co-presidents of the Class of 2015, passed the “key of knowledge” to the class of 2016, represented by Gabby Dowd and Kelly McDonald, class copresidents .

Briana Tang delivered the salutatory address. “Forget about the heat and humidity, but instead look around, and gather in all that is seen and remember this time,” she said. She said she was honored to be the first person on the program to congratulate the Class of 2015!

“Woohoo! We made it,” she said.

She asked students not to get too caught up planning for the future, because right now “won’t feel the same when we retrieve it later.”

She added, “We have had to make choices that are beyond our years; we have been sometimes forced into a mindset that is older than we actually are. But we made it, so let’s take a breath, and keep in perspective that it’s a long road, and that we are still so young and to feel liberated by that.”

She closed by saying: “Salutatory, or salutation, comes from the Latin salutare, meaning ‘to pay one’s respects,’ so to everyone who has helped us through high school, with a special shout out to the two wonderful women at the attendance and front desks, to the teachers that sometimes went easy on us, and to the families for their care — thank you, because ‘non omnia possumus omnes — we are not able to do everything ourselves,” quoting the ancient Roman poet, Virgil.

Ryan Monasch, who gave the Valedictorian speech, talked about the newfound freedom that comes with graduating, along with a heightened sense of responsibility to change the world. “Instead of shifting towards chaos as we get older, I like to think of the world just becoming more complex,” he said. “We are naturally pushed forward to break away from the bonds that have held us as we graduate from high school. What we lose in structure, we do not gain in disorder, but rather in fresh, new opportunities to make a difference in the world.”

It is easy to change the world, he said. The difficult part is to change it for the better. “Why don’t we go out into the world and make it a

SCOTT MULLIN PHOTOS

Amanda Flayhan and Vincent Foti

Christopher Devins getting his diploma

“A special shout out to the two wonderful women at the attendance and front desks.”

– BRIANA TANG, SALUTATORIAN

better place?” he asked. “Why not us?”

To describe the path toward adulthood, Ryan quoted the lyrics from a song, sang by the marionette Pinocchio: “I had strings, but now I’m free, there are no strings on me.” He ended by saying, “I am Ryan Monasch, John Jay High School Class of 2015, and there are no strings on me.”

Karen Zlotnick, who teaches Modern American Culture and English, didn’t have time to deliver her speech as a the weather threatened.

Telling students she’d share her remarks by email she simply said, “but now I just want to say that I love you.”

In her prepared speech, Ms. Zlotnick opened by saying, “Often in writing, it’s important to establish a personal connection to your topic.

Class of 2015, I want to talk about my connection to you.” She went on to recall, “Almost six years ago, after fourteen years at the high school, I joined the faculty of John Jay Middle School. Just as you were entering seventh grade, I was entering seventh grade, too.”

She wrote about the prevalence of testing, from birth through all schooling years. “In college and beyond, there will be more tests, more numbers. No doubt, you’ll sprinkle them into your cover letters, throughout your resumes.

No doubt, those numbers will get you noticed.

But they cannot get you known.

No one can know you for sure until you appear in person where you can speak, make eye contact, shake someone’s hand, engage, connect. Your numbers cannot say anything about your ability to make someone laugh (you have made me laugh), your ability to tell a story (I have loved your stories), the warmth with which you greet one another or extend yourself in friendship, the way you walk through a door and pause just to hold it for the teacher lumbering behind you.”

“I won’t remember your numbers, your scores, your grades,” she concluded. “I will remember you.”

Principal Jessica Godin was the final speaker before the presentation of diplomas. She said, “Every student that sits here before you does so because he or she has spent the past thirteen years learning how to tie shoes, develop friendships, respect authority, stand up for social justice, explore passions, evolve, decompose numbers, read a text with rigorous complexity, soundly defend points of view and most importantly has, credit by credit, earned one of the most respectable rites of passage available to them.”

Acknowledging that students “have lived through some of the world’s most landscape altering events,” Ms. Godin said, “If I can offer only one piece of advice in addition to the words you have heard today, it would be to take the time to truly find your new self.”

She suggested that each student learn what they valued most about the friends made, and the passions that attracted you.

“The pressure will come, but don’t rush it,” she said. “Although you’ve each taken a different path to this same stage, you each deserve the gift of time and moments of peace and pride.”

“You are ready to move onto the next step of your journey,” she concluded. “In whatever direction you chose to step, do so knowing you will always find a way to land on your feet. The class of 2015 would have it no other way.” 

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JOHN JAY PRINCIPAL’S SPEECH

JOHN JAY VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS

Enjoy your accomplishments

Let’s all change the world

Jessica Godin John Jay High School Principal

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onored guests, thank you for joining us on this day meant to celebrate the culmination of the life-altering journey of the past thirteen years. Every student that sits here before you does so because he or she has spent the past thirteen years learning how to tie shoes, develop friendships, respect authority, stand up for social justice, explore passions, evolve, decompose numbers, read a text with rigorous complexity, soundly defend points of view and most importantly has, credit by credit, earned one of the most respectable rites of passage available to them. Graduating from high school.

As a family member, educator or friend sitting in the audience, the slideshow of memories you must be picturing today is overwhelming; a combination of joy, grief, laughter, tears, accomplishments, hard conversations and support. Knowing this particular class for only one year has provided me with a brief glimpse into the spectacular adults these teenagers will grow to become and I applaud you for all the love, support and care you have shown and for all the emotional fortitude you will provide that will continue to shape these young adults and add to the on-going reel of memories that will pass before you at the next momentous milestone; whatever that milestone may be.

To the class of 2015, you have heard a great deal of pressure to change the world; after all

you have lived through some of the world’s most landscape altering events. If I can offer only one piece of advice in addition to the words you have heard today, it would be to take the time to truly find your new self. On Friday night as the sun set over the piers, I watched most of you revel in the safety and glow of friendships built over time. I watched you recount memories and what you’d be miss most about John Jay. Take the time to internalize what you want to remember about your time in high school. Figure out what you valued most about the friends you made and the passions that attracted you.

The reality of leaving high school can be difficult at times and the lessons and memories you take the time to reflect upon will become the bedrock from which you launch into the next phase of your life. Like grains of sand falling through an hourglass, another goal to accomplish with be placed before you shortly. Now is the time to enjoy your accomplishments and the little moments where can truly be yourself.

The pressure will come, but don’t rush it. Although you’ve each taken a different path to this same stage, you each deserve the gift of time and moments of peace and pride.

The harder work is ahead, but so is the more intense reward. As for today... Know you’ll always have purple in your blood and the knowledge you have gained, but most importantly, with trepidation or without, you are ready to move onto the next step of your journey. In whatever direction you chose to step, do so knowing you will always find a way to land on your feet. The class of 2015 would have it no other way. Congratulations to all. 

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few weeks ago, I was talking to Ms. Godin about my speech. I asked her how long it should be and she told me however long I wanted it to be. I asked her “no, really, is there a time limit on how long it should be”? and I was met with the same response that it was my time to tell people whatever I wanted to tell them. I thought about asking a third time in a slightly different manner, but I thought the better of it. I was so taken aback and surprised by her answer. For all of high school we’re told to write about this specific topic, no more than three and a half pages one and a half spaced, no less than two and a half pages one and a half spaced, and don’t try to make it double spaced because I’ll definitely know. But now, for seemingly the first time in forever, I was given free reign. Not to say that the structure of high school is necessarily bad; it’s quite necessary for us to grow and learn and figure out how we should go about tasks.

In fact, it’s just like parenting. We start with lots of rules and consequences for breaking those rules and, slowly but surely, these rules help us learn an acceptable and successful way of going about our lives and we earn more and more freedom from these rules. And then, suddenly, we’re seemingly let loose. Suddenly, I’m given the freedom to talk about what I want to talk about for however long I want to talk about it. All of us have felt the confines of high school and, as much as it comforts and coddles us, we yearn to be free and explore the wide open world, all the while knowing just how scary it can be. The fact that we have this apprehension yet still desire to embrace the

SCOTT MULLIN PHOTO

Ryan Monasch, Valedictorian

unknown shows just how natural this process is. Out there lies the rest of the world, so what are we supposed to do once we are finally released from the strings of high school? What are we supposed to do when we are finally set loose into the world from the comforts of home? Simply put, we have to change it. It is all of our duties to change the world.

There is a lot wrong with the world today, you don’t need me standing up here to tell you that, so being told to change the world may seem like a daunting task. However, it is not nearly as tremendous as you might think. If one person moves a single grain of sand in the Sahara desert, they have forever changed Continued on the next page

Congratulations Graduates!

260 Jay Street • Katonah, NY 10536 • 914.232.3161 • admissions@harveyschool.org • www.harveyschool.org A coeducational college preparatory school enrolling students in grades 6–12 for day and in grades 9–12 for five-day boarding.

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the world. It is not the same as if they had never been alive. So, in fact, it is quite easy to change the world. Once we go forth from our places of comfort, where our options are limited and our restrictions relatively maximized, we have more opportunity to make meaningful change, to make an impact, to move an entire hill or mountain or valley of sand instead of single grains. It’s simply the second law of thermodynamics, the idea of entropy driving us forward. In this theory, the world and every particle tends to shift towards disorder instead of order. Our science teachers have loved to use the analogy that our rooms naturally get messy on their own, not cleaner. But instead of shifting towards chaos as we get older, I like to think of the world just becoming more complex. We are naturally pushed forward to break away from the bonds that have held us as we graduate from high school. What we lose in structure, we do not gain in disorder but rather in fresh new opportunities to make a difference in the world. It becomes easier and easier to change the world as entropy naturally drives us forward. So, it is quite easy to change the world. The more difficult part is to change it for the better. Why not us? Why don’t we go out into the world and make it a better place?

Why not us?

Through my years in John Jay, it is clear to see that we are a community that is ready to make our mark on the world. I’ve met some of the most inspirational, enthusiastic, motivated, friendly, artistic, funny, musical, athletic, smart, and unique people, as well as all around just good people. Everyone has their own unique interests, their own backstory, personality, and their own wants and desires. But what everyone shares in common is where we come from. We come from John

GRADUATION

Jay and that is something we can all be proud of and something we can all take with us as we move forward with our lives. Whether you hated high school and are glad it’s finally over, or you loved every minute of it, or anything in between, our time in high school together taught us more than just what we learned in the classroom. It made us feel emotion, some intense emotion at one time or another, whether frustration or jubilation, a feeling of connection or wanting to be free, or even love. And for that our time at John Jay has uniquely impacted and shaped us all, with the constant being that it has made us ready to go out and face the world.

Now, just like changing the world, making the world a better place isn’t nearly as hard as it seems. Simply being someone’s friend can change the world for the better. There is an old saying that to save the life of another is to save the world. So why not better the life of another to better the entire world as well? As I said, we’re all uniquely shaped by our high school experience and we all have our own motivations, but what remains the same is how we are ready to improve the world. Thus, everyone will go about this in their own way.

My grandmother helped raise me from when I was only three years old. She lived with me from a young age and, when my parents went off to work, took me to preschool, snuck me cookies, and showered me with her love and affection. I can without a doubt say that she played a significant role in making me the person I am today. Today, my grandmother can’t be with me to see me graduate from high school. She suffers from dementia, has since I’ve been in elementary school. The knowledge of how to do some of the simplest of tasks has left her, and she continually asks the same questions over and over and over and over again without ever being able to retain the answer. So she can’t be here. She

can’t be here and smile that beaming smile full of admiration to see me graduate that I know she would give if only she were here.

Why does the world have to be this way?

Why does the connection between a boy and someone who loves and cares about him have to be strained by the biology of the human body failing to function properly? This is my personal motivation to go and make the world a better place. This is why the study of memory fascinates me and why someday I hope to be able to learn as much and work as hard as I can and use my education to make a difference in this field. Everyone has their own hidden struggles, their own passions, and their own motivations, however big or small, with none being any more significant than another. With our graduation from high school, we are given the opportunity to begin acting on these motivations and shape the world as our generation desires.

We all have virtually limitless potential.

Pinocchio once sang “I had strings/ but now I’m free/ there are no strings on me”. From his evolution from a puppet to a real boy, he recognized how barriers had been broken for him and he had the ability to go and do what he wanted in the world. However, nowadays some people might more readily associate these lines from James Spader’s Ultron in the latest Avengers movie, where the intention of the words are twisted to display his desire for destruction. Both sides are possibilities, more freedom gives the individual opportunity, for both good and bad. It is up to us to decide. As we graduate, this decision is pressed firmly into our hands. Now, with all that high school has prepared us for, we all must recognize the immense potential that each and every one of us have. Now, I can say, I am Ryan Monasch, John Jay High School Class of 2015, and there are no strings on me. Thank you. 

JULY 3, 2015 — PAGE 5A

COLLEGE GRADS Marist College announces three local graduates earn degrees Three local students have graduated from Marist College with the class of 2015. Samantha Prato of Katonah received a B.A. degree in psychology; Mark Swertfager of Katonah received a B.S. degree in business administration; and Danielle Asaro received a B.S. degree in digital media.

Bedford Hills resident graduates with B.A. from Bowdoin College Peter Niemczyk of Bedford Hills graduated from Bowdoin College with the class of 2015. Mr. Niemczyk received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in history and a minor in English.

Bedford residents graduate from Lehigh University Adam Kurzer and Gregory Owen of Bedford have graduated with the class of 2015 from Lehigh University. Mr. Kurzer received a B.S. degree in business and economics, and Mr. Owen received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering.

Lucinda Collins earns SUNY Oswego degree Lucinda Collins of Bedford Hills completed her studies at SUNY Oswego, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design.

Commencement took place in May.

Katonah resident graduates with B.A. from Colby College Katonah resident, Natalie Thompson, has graduated Colby College with the class of 2015, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology.

WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2015

Bedford/Pound Ridge Brokerage 914.234.9099 | Katonah Brokerage 914.232.5007

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John Jay High School

CLASS OF 2015 Dakota J. Adamec Aidan Andrews Michael A. Antonelle IV Douglas G. Argueta Alissa Lynn Augustensen Erika Baron Julia Rose Barone Thierno Alhassane Barry Laura Michelle Bart David Batten Amber Bauer Zakary Bauer Paul John Bauts Karen Elisabeth Beaty Michael T. Begley Jr. Christopher Scott Bickham Ramona Bleasdale Samuel Blum Jane Marie Boera Ella Boker Ashley Bove John T. Bowensmith Emily Megan Bowler Gunnar McAndrews Brown Kate M. Butcher Claire Jacqueline Cahill Romain Pierre Cannone Bjorn Alexander Carlson Tara Cynthia Carroll Ashley Cavanagh Megan Cawley Elias Chaiken Olivia Mae Chandler Grace Chen Marielle Eva Christie Julia Samantha Ciaccio Avery Clark

Gregory Adam Cogut John Cola Lauren E. Connolly Max Copeland Ashley Corbin Ronald Corelli Thalia Lyonesse Cronin Griffin Cummings Eliza Joan Cunniffe Danielle Camille DeLaMothe Brandon De Raffele Amanda Decaminada Shanelle A. Deidrick Christopher Devins Charles F. Doany Adrian Doherty Kimberlee Dolhon Matthew Dressler Halpaa Maydee Duarte Luisyi Abilio Duarte Jack Russell Durkin Cairo Dye Jason Arnold Egeler Sarah Ellis Nicole Rose Erlach Emily Kathryn Fagan Eva Malene Fait Hannah Farr Mia Fasano Ari Wells Fay Reed Feldman Emily Rachel Ferman Amanda Eileen Ferrara Hayley Feuchs Daniel Figler Jedediah Fink Sawyer Fischer

Leandra Fischman Kristina Flake Amanda Lee Flayhan Casey Darling Foster Vincent Foti Miles Harrison Frank Jacob Furic Abigail Gabor Antonia Gabriele Tessa Belle Gallagher Sofia Gilary Victoria Ann Giordano Brooke Samantha Glassman Chloe Ilyse Glenn Dylan Buzz Gold Grant Goldman Gabriela Rocio González Ariel Goodstein Zoe Edith Gordin David Gordon Emma Gorman Shane Sophia Gorman William Greene Jacques A. Grenier Tyler Griffith Emily N. Guerra Anna Natasha Gusman Lisa Tatiana Gusman Liam Robert Hackett Liam Michael Hafter Emma Rose Hager Cody Harris Mark James Hassett Emily Nicole Healy Benjamin J. Heath Maggie Helmes Carter William Henry

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Adam Hirsch Samantha Horton Mia B Innocenti Ken Gerard Itoh Megan Jackson Emma Marie-Lys Jansen Daniel Christopher Jenkins Eric Richard Jurmain Eric S. Jurman Alison Nicole Kamerman Elana Devon Kaplan Sean Kaplan Talia Rose Kaufman Ryan Joseph Kelleher Connor Kenealy Ashley Grace Keno Brian William Kershner Maxwell King Robert Samuel King John Robert Kingston Adam Brendan Kirker Miles Kirsch Leigh Konak Ruby Korpics Miranda Jay Kronfeld Stefanie Hannah Kushner Zachary Kushner Michael Labriola IV Robert Joseph Labriola Jr. Lauren Anne Lamothe Theodore Laquidara Lauren Latham Ryan Matthew Lee Tess Ann Leiboff Alexis Samantha Leiderman Tiago C. Leonardo Cameron Maxwell Leska-Kent Jared Levey Mitchell Lew Katherine Amber Lewis Madalena C. Lewis Alexandra Lin Aria Linz Mica Linz

THE RECORD-REVIEW Matthew William LoBosco Isabel Beatrice Maher Anthony Andrew Mamo Kayla Johanna Mance Gillian Indira Mangla David Robert Marcoux Isabella Simone Marinucci Megan Amanda Matera Dylan Mattson Molly Bell Mayhew Thomas Mc Cormick Charlotte Estelle McCune Rose McMichael Mark McMullen Jessica Meaney Lauren Valerie Meltz Addison Violet Migden Daniel Lawrence Ascher Minnock Morgan Julia Ascher Minnock Ryan Ross Monasch Peter C. Monteleone Meghan Elizabeth Moran Olivia Patricia Moran Alexandra Moreo Brayan Moscoso Cameron D. Moss Hannah Murphy Rebecca Lynn Nathan Kimberly Naus Eli Nesson Éilish T. Newcomb Grace Newman Harrison Oliver Nir Bridget Elizabeth Nobiletti Emma Nolan Christopher Robert Noonan Alexander Novak Anthony C. O’Donnell Johanna O’Reilly Alan Oltman Isabelle Boadicea Page Matthew Palacio Michael A. Palmesi Giulia Panetta

Marzia Panetta Marissa Noelle Papaccio William John Pappas William Christian Patti Justin Taylor Pavesi Joey Pelazza Michaela Dillon Petigrow Erica Jane Pickup Henry Nathaniel Lang Pierce Dana Pious John Pisera Ethan L Pollak Tyler Posadas Trevor Quinland John Raiford Owen Raman Maxim Rappy Lauren Reddy Jonathan Reich Ryan Reinke Jacqueline Marie Ricca Ryan Ricci Cal Ritterhoff Eliza Rosen Endrit Rraci Enis Rraci Alexander Rukaniec Kathryn Wilshire Russell Lillian Simmert Sandlund Randall S. J. Sant Jr. Elena Savenko Brooke Emily Schaeffer Sydney Schaus Alex Schechter Jillian Schell Matthew Schenfeld Daniel Schwartz Hannah Seidlitz Hannah Pauline Shaw Abigail Burros Silverstein Noah Sims Daniel Benjamin Skluth Jackson Cota Small Benjamin Smith

David Smith Julia Rose Smith Jeffrey Sorkin Peter Sourbis Emma Claire Spellacy Zachary Jon Spink Derek Jessy Stanley Jeffrey Marc Steckler Nicholas Stelluti Jordan Stepaniuk William Stewart Joshua Strongin Jason Styles Danielle Renée Sullivan Theresa Anne Swertfager Briana Marie Tang Ryan Tassone Sienna May Tedesco Sarah Rose Teich Sarah Thomann Charlotte Ann Thompson Hayden Everett Ticehurst Tess Tobin Brooke Caroline Torre Matthew Trapasso Christina Treyz Hayley Paige Verbeke Alexander R Wagner Henry Benjamin Waill Sarah Katherine Wallace Victoria Mae Walsh John Samuel Wedge Katherine Wedin Jack Bryant Weiller Benjamin Ryan Weinstein Lindsey Tyler Weiss Navi Hudson Weiss Daniel Weitsman Kate Phillips Wickersham Donald Louis Wicks James Robert Woodward Nadya Yablonski Katherine J Ziegler Sarah Zuk

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COLLEGE GRADUATES Jussel graduates from McPherson College David Jussel of Cross River has graduated from McPherson College, class of 2015, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology.

Pound Ridger graduates from University of Tampa Sarah Reiner of Pound Ridge graduated this spring from the University of Tampa. Ms. Reiner graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.

Local students graduate from Bucknell University Bucknell University has announced that three local students have graduated with the class of 2015. Courtney Marin of Bedford has graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. degree in business administration in markets, innovation and design; Tomoyuki Okamoto of Pound Ridge has graduated with a B.A. degree in physics; and Andrew Step of Mount Kisco has graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. degree in psychology.

Three students graduated from the Wooster School Three local students gradu-

ated this spring from the Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut: Melanie Hodor, Julia Smith and Amelia Williams, all of Katonah.

Melanie will be attending the University of Delaware; Julia will be attending Smith College; and Amelia will be attending Lafayette College.

Grippi earns degree from Springfield College

elor of Arts in economics and environmental studies from the Taft School, with magna cum laude honors.

Katonah’s Smith appointed to Naval Academy Benjamin Smith from Katonah is one of 14 area students who have accepted offers of appointment to

one of the nation’s service academies. He will attend the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

The service appointments were announced by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who has the ability to nominate students for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant

Marine Academy at Kings Point.

To assist with the nomination process, Rep. Maloney established a committee of military and civic leaders that interviewed potential nominees, reviewed their applications and made recommendations. The Academies make the final decision on who receives an appointment of admission.

Peter Grippi of Bedford Hills has earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Springfield College.

Wake Forest University announces local graduates Four local students have graduated from Wake Forest University with the class of 2015. Katherine Prentis of Bedford Hills, Reema Doany of Katonah, Brittany Corso of Mount Kisco and Taylor Peretz of Pound Ridge, were among the 1,861 graduates at the 2015 spring commencement ceremony held in North Carolina.

Bedford resident graduates from St. Lawrence Alex Cote of Bedford was one of the graduates from St. Lawrence University at the spring 2015 ceremony. Mr. Cote received a Bach-

SCOTT MULLIN PHOTO

Fox Lane Chamber Choir and Senior Choir perform at the graduation ceremony.

Congratulations CLASS

OF 2015!

Secondary school destinations: Berkshire School, Brien McMahon High School, BMHS—Center For Global Studies, Deerfield Academy, Greens Farms Academy,

The Class of 2015: Nate Aliapoulios, Anna Bean, Gabriel Byan, Seve Calderini, Phoebe Casey, Claire Collins, Matt Dormer, Kricket Drewes, Nick English, Spencer Epps, Nick Fellows, Ari Fleuriot, Katharine Foster, Connor Galante, Chase Glover, Lucy Hudson, Zach Liston, Kathryn McCaughey, George McGlade, Dana Mills, Ian Murphy, Ryan Neafsey, Scout O'Donnell, Clayton Prawl, Alexandra Schwartz, P.J. Sensbach,

Greenwich Academy, King Low Heywood Thomas, Loomis Chaffee School, Middlesex School, Millbrook School,

Tucker Seth, Ben Sosnow, Sabrina Sotirhos, Walker Stevens, James Tait, Emma Tapscott, Kate Tapscott, Carson Teitler, Christina Toldalagi, Nick Toldalagi, Alexandra Truwit, Ryan Ventura, Finn Walker, Grant Wang,

Milton Academy, Miss Porter's School, New Canaan High School, Phillips Academy Andover, Phillips Academy Exeter, Rye Country Day School, Salisbury School, St. Andrew's School, St. Luke's School, St. Paul's School,

Ezra White, C.J. Woodberry, Avery York, Leigh Young-Lawler, Brian Zaffino, Christopher Ziac and Maia Zonis.

Suffield Academy, The Taft School, The Masters School, Westminster School and Wilton High School.

635 Frogtown Road • New Canaan, CT 06840 203-972-0771 • admissioninfo@countryschool.net www.countryschool.net An independent day school for Beginners (age 3) through Grade 9

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CONGRATULATIONS! Ridgefield Academy is pleased to announce the secondary schools where our students were accepted: Avon Old Farms Berkshire School Forman School Groton School Hackley School Hingham High School Hopkins School (3)

Hotchkiss School (2) Immaculate High School (2) Joel Barlow High School John Jay High School King School (2) Lauralton Hall Millbrook School

Pacific Ridge School Ridgefield High School (3) St. Luke's School Taft School Westover School

RIDGEFIELD ACADEMY Empowering Every Student

223 West Mountain Rd., Ridgefield, CT 06877 www.ridgefieldacademy.org | www.landmarkpreschool.org Located only 20 minutes from Bedford Center and Pound Ridge

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JULY 3, 2015 — PAGE 9A

Fox Lane High School

CLASS OF 2015 Seniors say farewell to Fox Lane BY cHeLsea FinGeR

T

h e Fox Lane High School class of 2015 said their farewells at commencement ceremonies June 23.

Guests looked on and clapped while the 300 graduates took their seats under Caramoor’s large white tents.

The traditional sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” accompanied them. Master of Ceremonies, Maria Abrams, welcomed the guests and introduced the afternoon’s first speaker, Salutatorian Lauren Prisco. Mimicking David Letterman’s famous “Late Night” countdown, Lauren went through her own “Top Ten” list of people to thank for getting the senior class to graduation. Her list included parents, administration, aides and others, finishing with the graduates themselves at number one.

“Every single one of you should give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far,” she said. “Whether you’re off to college, entering the workforce or joining our military, you have your own self-discipline and ambition to thank.”

In his remarks, Principal Joel Adelberg also asked students to recognize those who helped them achieve this rite of passage. Before delivering his speech he asked the students to stand, look around and give their families a standing ovation. Quoting the author Anthony Brandt, he said, “Other things may change, but we start and end with family.”

After acknowledging departing school board members and retiring staff, Dr. Adelberg announced a new tradition starting at this year’s graduation. He asked students and audience members to join him in honoring representatives from each of the schools in the district, to remind students of their whole journey over the past thirteen years.

Dr. Adelberg’s speech began with his own tradition of bragging about the senior class.

Achievements included 89 graduates in the National Honors Society, 3 National Merit Semi-Finalists, 59 National Art Honors Society members, 3 All-League Championship athletic teams and Academic Challenge, Science Olympiad and Model Congress teams who won the gold this year. Dr. Adelberg also recognized the 65 students in the class of 2015 who came to this country not speaking English as their first language.

Valedictorian Laura Quinn encouraged her classmates to hold tight to the magic and wonder of childhood, even as they move out of the familiar comforts of home and family. “As we too reach a milestone, we don’t have to leave our sneakers and playthings behind to enjoy what’s to come,” she said. “Yes, growing up can be sad and scary sometimes, but there isn’t an age limit on happiness, no 18-and-under sign to keep us off of our playground. We don’t have to leave our past behind as we grow up.”

Board of Education Superintendent Jere Hochman spoke of the importance of civil liberties that each graduate, diploma in hand, has the right to enjoy under the country’s Constitution. “My advice?” Dr. Hochman asked the Class of 2015. “Never forget that insuring your freedom and your rights requires thinking — taking responsibility, learning, listening, figuring things out and working things out

SCOTT MULLIN PHOTOS

Before the ceremony

Fox Lane High School’s graduation ceremony took place at Caramoor.

Salutatorian Lauren Prisco

Student speaker Stanley Figueroa

respectfully — and showing up. Just as your talents were nurtured and your curiosities piqued for the past thirteen years, just as you leave the nest of your families, the daily embrace of Fox Lane and your towns and villages — as you enter a world of opportunities and a future of unknowns, no matter what road you travel — hold onto this insurance policy while you continue to define yourself, to find your voice and to create our future.”

As the speaker chosen by popular vote to address the senior class, English teacher Ted Keating took a less conventional approach to the graduation speech.

Departing from his prepared remarks, he had the audience members laughing as he led them through a seemingly stream of consciousness analysis of his speech writing process. He described an “orange glow” that came to him when he first thought about addressing the class of 2015, because of their incredible enthusiasm and positivity. He then explained how the color orange showed up throughout his daily life, from someone’s clothing at the grocery store or the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, as he pondered his speech throughout the week.

Mr. Keating ended his funny and surprising address with words of advice: “Follow your heart, and when the world speaks back to what your heart is saying, that is a miracle.”

He then referenced another color, this one of literary note: “Like Alice Walker said, who are we not to be amazed by the color purple?”

To close the ceremony, the 300 graduating seniors each crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, cheering each other on and smiling out into the audience to mark their last day as Fox Lane High School students. 

PAGE 10A — JULY 3, 2015

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GRADUATION

JULY 3, 2015 — PAGE 11A

FOX LANE PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS

Keep looking, keep exploring, keep an open mind

BY DR. JOEL ADELBERG

C

o ngratulations, Class of 2015. As your principal, I want you know how very proud I am of each and every one of you. A number of years ago, I started my own new tradition of beginning my remarks by taking the opportunity to brag a little about the accomplishments and successes represented by the graduating class. I thank you, Class of 2015, for allowing me to feel such great pride and for the honor of having been able to get to know you and watch your growth and development over these last four years.

We’ve had so many opportunities in the last few weeks to celebrate some of your many successes. If any of you are wondering if you’ve left a mark on our school and our community, rest assured that you have. For those who don’t know you as I do, allow me to share some stats. Earlier this week, 102 of you shared your experiences over the last two months in some amazing internships through our ASPIRE program. Eighty-nine members of this class are members of the National Honor Society. Fifty-nine members of your class also hold membership in our National Art Honor Society. Among you are five students who have received National Merit Commendations, and three among you were recognized as National Merit Semi-Finalists.

Two-thirds of the students of the Class of 2015 have participated in our Advanced Placement

program, taking college level courses while attending high school. One third of this class is graduating this afternoon with honors. One hundred and thirty-two of you were celebrated last week as senior athletes, making us proud of your athletic skill, your commitment to the team, and the sportsmanship and goodwill for which Fox Lane is known throughout the league. Three of our teams were named All League Championship Teams. We had four scholar athlete teams, and one of you made us proud as you were named a Con Ed winner.

In music, some of you earned All-State Honors, Area All-State Honors and AllCounty Honors. One member of your class was just awarded the very prestigious 2015 BOCES Student of Distinction Award.

Among you are students who won recognition in regional and state science research competitions. Our Academic Challenge, Science Olympiad and Model Congress teams brought home the gold this year under your leadership and on your watch. And, among you graduating today are 65 students who came to our country not speaking English as their first language. Also, we have eight students from our OPT program walking across the stage this afternoon, one student from SAIL IV, and 13 students with us from our Hillside Alternative School. And so many of you have taken on leadership roles in our more than 80 school clubs and organizations; some responsible for building homes in Nicaragua; one just a few weeks ago raising over $35,000 for the American Cancer Society through our very first Relay for Life. Now you

can see why I stand here with such pride in the Class of 2015.

The statistics represent some individual and group achievements, but it’s only when I read them together, as I just have, that one begins to see who you are and who you’ve become as a whole. I have confidence in you, Class of 2015, as you are now ready to leave us as our students, and emerge quicker than you know as our next generation of leaders through the tremendous experiences on which you’re about to embark whether at college, in the military or as you enter the world of work. We count on each of you to take the lessons you’ve learned here at Fox Lane with you wherever you go. First, however, I offer a few words of advice: Be good listeners, always have courage, and follow your hearts.

I’ll start with the easy one. Be good listeners. One of the first lessons you learned in kindergarten was how to be a good listener.

I’m sure your parents had that same talk with you, maybe even recently when they gave you advice for how to stay safe on prom night. Of course, I want you to listen to your college professors, to get to class on time when you no longer have mom, dad or the high school attendance office available to call you, and to listen to your next boss at work or professor at college, who might not accept late assignments because your printer ran out of ink.

When I talk about being good listeners, however, I mean something different. I’m talking about not just hearing, but really listening. As future leaders, I hope you leave us with compassion and empathy, and the abil-

ity to sometimes hear what others might not be ready, willing or able to accept. Listen for suffering, because there is plenty of it in the world you’re about to enter and hopefully lead. Listen for those who are victims of racism, prejudice, hate, injustice and violence, who might not be able to speak for themselves, but are counting on people of goodwill to hear their cries. At our school, you have listened. When you entered as freshmen, you joined us in commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and committed to acts of good for a better world, you stood up against bullying, you raised funds for those in faraway countries suffering from poverty, and you’ve answered the call for those suffering life-threatening illnesses. Take what you’ve learned, and promise that you’ll listen to those who need to be heard.

Next, have courage. I know you know how to argue, as many of you have pleaded your cases over these last four years. You’ve challenged grades, you’ve made your case for parking, and you’ve advocated for new school practices and policies. When clubs were cut, you asked that they be brought back. When we started to look at a new schedule, you asked for a role in creating what it would look like and found the courage to share your concerns. Courage means speaking up and taking action, even when it’s unpopular.

John Wayne said it well: “Courage is being scared to death... and standing up anyway.”

You know what’s right, and so my advice is to Continued on page 14A

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PAGE 12A — JULY 3, 2015

Fox Lane High School

CLASS OF 2015 Maria E. Abrams Zoe C. Abrams Edvin S. Agustin Figueroa Corey B. Albright Andres Alvarez Chloe I. Amdur Eduardo Amoretti Michelle D. Anderson Leandrew J. Aponte Kirk Atkinson Jonah B. Avidon David Avila Owen Patrick Azrak Farrah N. Barker Clifford Adams Bartlett, IV Ethan D. Barton William Matthew Bassett Eileen Becerra Zoe J. Belasco Sophie A. Bell Lucas S. Beni Caitlyn A. Best Dylan J. Besteiro Harry Phillip Bittker Samuel H. Blakeway-Webb Dominique N. Boccanfuso Michaela M. Bonforte Jack William Bowman Hannah L. Bradsell Kyle D. Brodsky Matthew R. Bronico Giuseppe Bueti Katherine Pamela Cabrera Duarte Laura Cacovic Paige D. Calian Ian M. Campbell Michael Patrick Cerutti Carla Michelle Chacon Jocelyn Chacon

Travis C. Chaikin Peter Chaiko Scott R. Chamberlain Ivy Chingay Taylor L. Chiola Leah Chowenhill Caroline M. Christie Izabella C. Cisneros Melissa Cocomello Jenna M. Colon Keely F. Connors Lisdy N. Contreras Giron Julia I. L. Conway William R. Conway Sarah Elizabeth Corcoran James Patrick L. Cornelio Michael Joseph Corry Avery Cotter Sarah Elizabeth Cunniff John Cunningham Victoria L. Darling Benjamin K. Davis-Lorton Emily De Palma Julia M. Decea Nicholas W. Delfico Matthew Delgado Arianna Delli-Carpini Cayley S. DeLucia James D. Denlea Prashanth DeSilva Daniela Isabel DiCapua Kenneth A. Duffy Casey L. Dunn Matthew V. Egener Lindsay Jordan Eichhorn Jacob D. Elman Brooke J. Ernst Hermelinda Janet Escobar Lopez Gabriel S. Evans

Isabel W. Faintych Rhussia Daniela Marie Fermin Grimaldo Fernandini Anastasia Ferraro Francesco Figliuzzi Giuseppina Figliuzzi Katherine Rose Fink Christian M. FisicaroRodriguez Kristian Flores Danilo Flores Jr. Joseph V. Fraioli Dametreuss G. Francois Krista V. Gaffney Emmet Gallagher Kathryn J. Gallagher Maureen Anne Galvin Martin M. Gamer Emily Gannon Angel A. Garcia Gonzalez Arben Gecaj Jason H. Gerold Zenia Ghrewati Anthony Giron Marco A. Gokey Lia E. Golden Meeghan P. Goldstein Summer A. Goldwater Natalie Gonzalez Christopher William Gourd Devon G. Grimes Myles E. Grimes Victoria R. Groner Claire F. Grummon Diana Michelle Guerra Madelyn T. Guerra Garza Spencer Gutierrez Samantha Haddad Morgan J. Halperin

GRADUATION

Thomas J. Halpin Kevin Jonathan Hansan Danielle Lindsay-Rose Harris Maya E. Hartleben Justine Jonquil Hecker Terrence W. Heinz II Jenice D. Henley-Barr Ricardo Hernandez Albert Miguel Hernandez Gonzalez Harrison Hipolito Samantha L. Hockler Nicholas M. Holohan Sarah A. Horne Robert D. Horvath Casey E. Hunter Carla Iannici Chris Jimenez Sophia L. Jobe Lennon N. Jobin Victoria N. Johnson Savanna M. Jordan Anthony A. Jurado Mohan S. Kamta Alyssa Kaplan Katherine E. Karle Marina Y. Karr Sara E. Katritos Julia B. Katz Angus Kelleher-Ferguson Ethan J. Kenney Jonathan P. Kirby Charles Kleinsmith Kaitlyn N. Koehler David M. Krauskopf-Greene Cole A. Krensky Kesang C. Lama Albert Adrian Lara Andrew Lara Katarina S. Lehner Jonathan Kwan Kit Leong John F. Levesque Francesca Levethan Emma Claire Ruth Levy Wilmer S. Linares Noguera Jillian Kate Lombardi Andres F. Londono-Figueroa

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Andreia A. Lopes Nunes Javier Jose Lopez Cristy L. Lopez Duarte Taylor Ludl Maggie A. Marino Axer N. Martinez Zachary M. Master Brendan J. McCree Jacquelyn R. Melinek Antonio Mendez Victoria M. Michelotti Johnathan Jak Milicaj Christopher Miranda Emily N. Moccia Gerlin Gemali Moratalla Hernandez Kayla G. More Allison Taylor Muccioli Hannah Lane Mulligan Niles Taylor Munsch Catherine Shao Napoli Anthony Joseph Nappi Karen Naranjo Lisseth Naranjo Ana Neira Theodore A. Nevrodis Vasquez Taylor Lenore Norfleet Vanessa S. Notaro Taina Padilla Marc Linares Palucci Monica Linares Palucci Samantha J. Paschkes Michael V. Pasquale Joseph M. Paul Grace E. Peck Michelle A. Perez Caeley K. Perrine Sophie L. Peterfreund Erik T. Picone Taylor M. Pittelli Emily L. Politi Chelsea A. Ponce Coryn E. Porter Merryn Isabel Post Lorenzo Preston Amanda C. Priestley-Milianta

Lauren C. Prisco Steven J. Purugganan Robert J. Purvis Laura K. Quinn Evelyn Ramirez Mishel B. Ramirez Cecyl G. Ramirez Marcos Juan Jose Ramos Oscar A. Ramos Jacob Rauch Timothy John Raxworthy Colin P. Reed Natalie A. Reus Jahaira L. Reyes Alexandra R. Rinaldi Juan Ignacio Rivera Julieta R. Robinowitz Eden M. Romeo Erick Romero Emily R. Romski Cameron R. L. Rosen Claire H. Rosenkilde Thaddeus Stanley Rosner Joseph A. Ruggiero Venesa Rugova Michael R. Sabia Isaiah V. Safranek Jacqueline Salazar Michael Salera Isaac V. Sanabria Jackson D. Sanguily Kaitlin Renee Sartorius Steffi R. Sastera Meredith R. Saucci Paige E. Scanlan Kerry Schwartz Jonathan Michael Sclafani Dodge Sgaglio Samuel Sheen Olivia R. Singer Megan Sinnott Alison K. Small Meghan M. Smith Perry Spiro Richard J. Spolzino Joseph Stankovic Oliver W. Stein

John Suarez Frank J. Surace Taylor R. Sutton Cooper Gale Talty Michael Terlizzi Aaliyah Che’Rell Thompson Adam M. Tidmus Benjamin E. Toder Daniel J. Topolski Peighton A. Toro Jared C. Torres Lauren E. Tosto Sarah A. Tosto Daniel Tracy Laura V. Valencia Gomez Nicole E. Valinote Dominick Valvano Pia Vandervelden Hannah VanTilburg Enmer A. Vasquez Sagastume Halle P. Vernon Luke E. Verrochi Jaime H. Villeda Villeda Sarah M. Violante Karina H. Virgilio Cole F. Visconti Anthony A. Wachnik Eric J. Wang Brittany Ellen Wayda Matthew G. Weeks Dayna F. Weintraub Emily E. Weiss Zachary J. Wekstein Sarah E. Werner Hannah Whitehead Anna Rose Whitelaw Janai I. Williams Julia Wojciechowska Zaria D. Woodley Corey Bryan Woodruff Andrew M. T. Workman William Wortmann Jenny Yang Joseph P. Zaino Noreen S. Zaniewski Carlie E. Zucker

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GRADUATION

JULY 3, 2015 — PAGE 13A

Congratula�ons to our Class of 2015!

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This is just the beginning . We wish you all the best !

Here is where they are headed: UNITED STATES Amherst College Barnard College Binghamton University Boston University Bowdoin College Columbia University Dickinson College Duke University Eckerd College Elon University Georgetown University Harvard University Oberlin College

Rice University State University of New York at New Paltz SUNY Maritime College The University of Georgia University of California, San Diego Wake Forest University Yale University

CANADA Concordia University McGill University University of British Columbia University of Toronto

EUROPE Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne ‐ Switzerland ESILV Courbevoie ‐ France Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam ‐ Holland IESEG Ecole de Commerce Management et Gestion ‐ France Sciences Po Paris ‐ Campus de Reims ‐ France Sciences Po Paris ‐ Collège Universitaire du Havre ‐ France University of Edinburgh ‐ Scotland University of St. Andrews ‐ Scotland University of Lausanne ‐ Switzerland

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PAGE 14A — JULY 3, 2015

GRADUATION

FOX LANE VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS

‘We carry all the power we need’

BY LaURa QUinn

B

efore I start, I’d like to just extend a huge thank you on behalf of the Class of 2015 to all the friends, family and teachers here today who have made all of this possible for us. But I’m especially thrilled to welcome the graduating class of 2015 — I am almost equally honored and terrified to be speaking to you all today.

We’ve had a turbulent and exciting few years, what with new administrators, shocking current events and block scheduling. But we’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend those years with such a diversely talented, opinionated group of students — our class has phenomenal artists, gifted athletes, talented musicians. We’re lucky to belong to a class where no two people have the same story, where everyone makes their own unique contribution to the community. It reminds me, at times, of an exercise that we sometimes do in theater classes, where you say one word as many different ways as you can, to explore a full range of emotions. I think that concept is especially relevant today. Because when we all say “I’m graduating today,” no two people will say it in exactly the same way. Everyone feels differently about it — some are excited, some nervous, some just impatient to go somewhere with AC. However, despite these varying reactions, the one common thread in all of this is that graduating forces us all to reflect: on our past, on our future and on everything in between. Our whole senior year, really, has been an opportunity for reflection, and in that spirit, I’d like to share some words that I’ve been reflecting on these past

few weeks as I procrastinated writing this speech.

They’re from Billy Collins’ poem “On Turning Ten,” and while I won’t read the whole thing, it concludes: This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself, as I walk through the universe in my sneakers.

It is time to say goodbye to my imaginary friends, time to turn the first big number.

It seems only yesterday I used to believe, there was nothing under my skin but light.

If you cut me, I would shine. But now when I fall on the sidewalks of life, I skin my knees.

I bleed.

I first came across this poem in the seventh grade, and I won’t lie, 12- year-old Laura would have recommended it to you because the last stanza reminded her of the ending of the second Harry Potter movie. But I come back to it today for two reasons.

First, this poem reminded me that failure is inevitable. We all skin our knees, we all bleed. And this is hard for us to accept. During the past few years of our lives, it feels like our failures can irrevocably change them, like our future happiness rides on what happens on one test, in one year, as a result of one mistake. But we will all fail, and not every failure is going to be a grand opportunity to learn a lesson like the ones we hear about at assemblies. Messing up won’t always reveal our lives’ purpose to us — sometimes, our stumbles will just be stumbles, and the only thing to do is to patch ourselves up and keep moving.

But that lesson is relevant at any time.

The second reason that I wanted to share this

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COLLEGE GRADS Local students graduate from Tulane University

poem at graduation is that as I looked back on it, I found that apart from the last part about failure, I completely disagree with it. The words that had been so meaningful to me as a seventhgrader just don’t sit quite right with me today. As we reach a milestone, we don’t have to leave our sneakers and playthings behind to enjoy what’s to come. Yes, growing up can be sad and scary sometimes, but there isn’t an age limit on happiness, no 18-and-under sign to keep us off of our playground. We don’t have to leave our past behind as we grow up — we can still see the world with wonder, even though we know a little more about how it works now. We can look back at the things that mattered to us when we were kids, and find new, deeper meaning in them. Watch the movies we loved when we were little, and find the jokes the writers put in there to amuse our parents. Re-examine our old opinions, and form new ones. Childhood isn’t barred to us now that we’ll be receiving diplomas, and we’re allowed to look back on the past, and use it to explore the world in a whole new way.

Today, we’re walking into a world where we’re sure to fall. But that shouldn’t make us fear moving on. Despite its stumbling blocks, the world can be just as awe-inspiring as the one we played in as kids. Now, the challenge becomes making sure we keep it that way. In the words of J.K. Rowling, “We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.” Our past and our future aren’t irreconcilably different: enjoying one doesn’t mean we have to forfeit the other. We can find wonder, and maybe even a little bit of magic, in both.

Good luck, class of 2015, and thank you.

The following students have graduated from Tulane University with the class of 2015: Jacob Dunnigan of Bedford, with a B.S. degree in management; Elizabeth Sarlitto of Cross River, with a B.S. degree in management; Daniel Newman of Katonah, with a Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law, Hunter Camps of Katonah, with a B.S. degree in management, Patrick McMenemon of Katonah, with a B.S. degree in management; Cliona Roberts of Katonah, with a B.S. degree from the School of Science and Engineering; Alexandra Oricchio of Pound Ridge, with a B.S. degree from the School of Science and Engineering; and Gavin Higbie of Pound Ridge, with a B.A. degree from the School of Liberal Arts.

PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS

you previously thought, at least consider it.

And, when looking for that ultimate job, the one that will make your life complete, don’t just settle. Keep looking, keep exploring and keep an open mind. We’re all more successful when we get to do what we love, so keep searching until you’re able to fill your heart.

I end with a quote from Steve Jobs. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

As your principal, I could not be prouder of each of you, and I have so much hope and confidence in the good you’ll produce with the tools you have, to meet success. Shoot for the stars and keep making us proud.

Congratulations, Class of 2015.

Continued from page 11A

honor that. We taught you to become critical thinkers; now I challenge you to think for yourselves.

Finally, follow your hearts. Life provides so many opportunities. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Have aspirations and dream big.

Don’t take the easy road. You’ll miss what might be coming up ahead and in the least expected places. Your head and other voices might tell you to do otherwise, but be trailblazers and pave your own path. You leave today with the promise of success and the tools you need to get you there. Be open to new ideas.

If in college, take courses you never expected to be taking. When you have the opportunity to make new friends, go for it, and when challenged to think a little differently than what

Lovitz graduates with B.A. degree from Boston College Jake Lovitz, of Katonah, was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in history and secondary education at the 139th commencement at Boston College in May. Mr. Lovitz is a graduate of John Jay High School, and participated in many extracurricular activities at Boston College, such as marching band and Phi Alpha Theta, the national history society for which he served as vice president.

Mr. Lovitz has been hired for a position in quality assurance at Epic Software, in Wisconsin.

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GRADUATION

JULY 3, 2015 — PAGE 15A

Congratulations to the Class of 2015!

W

e have always taken immense pride in surrounding ourselves with a team of exceptional, bright, and promising individuals. They’re the face of the store to our customers, and with every helpful deed and word of advice, they reinforce what sets DeCicco & Sons apart from every other food market.

Even though we are always sad to see members of our ranks move on, we wish all of our graduates the best of luck in all of their future endeavors! We are certain that with ambition, hard work and dedication, success will easily be within their grasp.

Sara Reiner

Michael Tavolacci

Sean Bacon

Dillion Selvaggi

Byram Hills High School Byram Hills High School Attending: Attending: Binghamton University SUNY Oswego

Byram Hills High School Attending: Boston University

Westlake High School Attending: SUNY Oneonta

Tyler Batalla

Byram Hills High School Attending: Scranton University

Zachary Frieden

Byram Hills High School Attending: Binghamton University

Ian Singer

Peter McBride

Westlake High School Attending: Keane College

Stephen Bona

The Montfort Academy Attending: SUNY Oswego

Brett Zimmerman Megan Martucci

Graduated: Pace University

Byram Hills High School Attending: American University

Joseph Venuti

Byram Hills High School Attending: Pace University

Attending: Quinnipiac University

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from all of us at DeCicco & Sons!

Alyssa Zavaglia

Westlake High School Attending: Providence College

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Good luck to the Rippowam Cisqua School

Class of 2015 as they continue their journey

Congratulations to this year’s ninth graders and departing eighth graders!

The following is a list of schools that our graduating ninth graders and departing eighth graders will be attending in the fall: Brunswick School Calhoun School (NYC) Choate Rosemary Hall Deerfield Academy (2) Fordham Prep Fox Lane High School (5) Greens Farms Academy (3) Greenwich Academy (2) Groton School The Gunnery Hackley School

Harvey School (2) Iona Prep John Jay High School Key School (MD) (2) King School Lawrenceville School Mamaroneck High School Millbrook School Miss Porter’s School North Salem High School Rye Country Day School

Sacred Heart St. George’s School (2) St. Paul’s School Tabor Academy Taft School (3) Thacher School (CA) Westminster School Wilton High School Yorktown High School

Rippowam Cisqua School Lower Campus (Grades PreK-4): 325 West Patent Road, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 Upper Campus (Grades 5-9): 439 Cantitoe Street, Bedford, NY 10506 www.rcsny.org