Rivertowns Enterprise Graduation 2016 by The Rivertowns Enterprise

The Class of 2016

GRADUATION JU LY 1, 2016

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE |

PAGE 2A — JULY 1, 2016

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GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2016

Irvington Brokerage 914.591.2700 | Ardsley Brokerage 914.674.4144

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GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 3A

ARDSLEY HIGH SCHOOL School celebrates milestone with 100th graduating class By K ris DiLorenzo

hotos of Ardsley High School seniors lined the fence enclosing the athletic field where the school held its graduation on Wednesday, June 22. The class of 2016 is the school’s 100th graduating class: 160 students compared to the first class of three boys and three girls. As the graduates filed by, wearing blue robes and mortarboards, led by faculty and administrators in academic robes, about 600 onlookers applauded. Many students had adorned their flat-topped headgear with logos, designs and messages such as “Love,” “100 years,” and a drawing of an Ardsley Panthers helmet. Accompanying the procession was Edward Elgar’s well-known composition “Pomp and Circumstance,” played by the combined school band and orchestra, under the leadership of conductors Alan Goi del and Adam Hyman. The class was officially greeted by senior class president Lorenzo Bergomi, who amused the audience with his memory of spending freshman year “trying to understand how the halls were laid out.” Bergomi urged classmates not to rush into their new lives, but to remain grateful for what they have. He reminded them that they all had to rely on others for help, and thanked the teachers and principal Rudy Arietta for the students’ growth. “We did it,” Bergomi said, “but let’s give a round of applause for the people who made it possible.” He also praised Ardsley Middle School science teacher Martha Snegroff, who passed away on June 6, as “one of the central people in our lives,” calling her “the best of the best.” Bergomi, who will attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. this fall, told his classmates, “Take your time to find your passion, and when you do, keep following it,” and again reminded them, “While you’re on this journey, show your gratitude.” Following Bergomi, the school’s Select Chorus performed “7 Years,” by singer/ songwriter Lukas Graham. Senior class vice president Michael Abbate, who is heading for Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., was next to offer his remarks. He drew laughter by describing his first day at kindergarten as “the scariest day of my life.” He also moved the crowd with his statement that being in the halls of Concord Road Elementary School and Ardsley Middle School for a Senior Walk on June 20 gave him “the biggest shock” as he greeted the children and realized how far he’d come. He generated applause by commenting, “I find teachers to be very unappreciated these days,” and “Teachers and role models give us purpose.” Abbate also expressed appreciation for Ardsley. “Although the village is small, it is filled with great people who only want the best for us. We’ve had

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Miranda Randone receives her diploma.

the right people to prepare us for everything life throws at us.” The highlight of the evening’s program was Deirdre O’Callaghan’s valedictorian address, guiding listeners on a tour of four years of memories through the lens of music, which she called “a crucial aspect of my high school career.” Between quoting lyrics from popular artists One Direction, David Guetta, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, Lorde, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Aloe Blacc, Pharrell Williams, OneRepublic, 5 Seconds of Summer, Adele, Charlie Puth, Ed Sheeran, James Bay, and Lukas Graham, O’Callaghan referred to the presidential election, the Orlando mass shooting, human rights abuses in Uganda, and the U.S. government shutdown. She encouraged her classmates to think of themselves as invincible, not to let others define who they are or should be, and not to give up. “Embrace difficulties and challenges; use them to improve yourself,” she said. O’Callaghan, who will enter the University of Chicago this fall, acknowledged that though dreams change, some may still come true. “We are young and we don’t know what path we will end up following in life, whether or not we’ll become princesses, astronauts, superheroes, and pop singers like we wanted to be as children,” she said. “I cannot wait to see who will make it big on Broadway, who’s going to find a cure for some awful disease, and who’s going to become a high school teacher and help other students succeed.” She also defined education: “It’s about

debating what is held to be true and fighting what is unjust. It’s about developing your own opinions. Don’t let anyone else decide what you believe.” O’Callaghan advised her peers, “Some people may not believe in or support you. Work hard and prove them wrong with your success. Don’t let their negativity get you down; create your own path to achieving your dreams.” She stressed that though the world is big, each individual is important. “Your voice does matter in this world and you should use it.” Like Bergomi, O’Callaghan recommended gratitude, especially to family, and elicited laughter with her question, “Who else drove you to soccer practice every week and sat through every painful concert?” She wrapped up her speech with a rallying cry. “Don’t wait for life to happen to you — live it. Be kind. Be honest. Be brave. Work hard. Be yourself, but be your best self. Make mistakes. Make your own happiness. And dream big.” Lauren Allen, superintendent of the Ardsley Union Free School District, then delivered congratulatory remarks, distinguishing between business virtues on a résumé and “virtues that will ultimately determine who you are,” particularly kindness. “You will have the opportunity to make decisions independently of your parents’ and friends’ influence,” she stated. “I hope kindness will help determine your choices.” Allen cautioned against self-absorption: “Stop taking selfies and observe the world around you.” Her parting wish was for the

students to have “wings to fly and roots to ground you… the wings of a giant eagle and the roots of a giant oak.” Board of Education president Joanne Sold also promoted kindness. “In the larger community, whether at work or in school, bring your passions, beliefs, and opinions, but also bring kindness.” She thanked the administration, faculty, and parents, finishing her address by paraphrasing perhaps the most famous line from “Star Wars” — “May the goodness always be with you.” In his speech to the graduates, principal Rudy Arietta commended his teachers’ commitment to excellence, and asked the faculty to stand and be acknowledged; they received cheers and applause. He also honored three educators who are retiring, awarding them honorary AHS diplomas: special education teacher Paula Wood, social studies teacher Nedda Schoenfeld, and athletics director Hank Roth. Arietta noted that the graduating students were ninth graders when he started as assistant principal in 2012, and thanked them for “four great years,” stating, “This class engaged me in positive ways.” He urged them to “set high expectations for yourself and then work to exceed those expectations,” terming them “a very talented and spirited bunch.” He then asked Sold to award the diplomas to the students. “Upon his recommendation,” Sold announced, “I declare them to be graduates of Ardsley High School.” 

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GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Ardsley High School

CLASS OF 2016 Michael Abbate Giulian Abrigo Amer Alkhazaleh Jenna Ansell Alexa Arceri Jesus Ballinas Ralph Balsamo Rachel Barnard Tavon Barnhill

Tess Bedingfield Rachel Beldoch Chelsea Bell Robert Felice Berg Erika Berger Lorenzo Bergomi Olivia Bottari Miles Bradshaw Kathryn Brennan

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Evan Macedo receives his diploma.

Anduela Brektushi Isabelle Brinas Jessica Cannizzo Alexa Carbone Jad Chaar Alison Chafitz Derick Chan Kristen Chan Nicolina Chenard Dean Cochrane Elana Confino-Pinzon Max Corrales Kaitlyn Cramer Halimeda Cronin Isabella D’Alto Daniel Demopoulos Emily DeVivo Margaret Diaz Niko Dos Santos Marlena Esposito Jonathan Epstein Brian Evans David Falcone Donte Farquharson Jessica Faulstich Jacob Feld Valarie Figueroa Theodore Flattmann Grant Fodiman Sydney Fodiman Olivia Garcia Chrysoula Georgioudakis Jonathan Getz Emily Gikas Laura Gikas Erica Paige Glick

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Melanie Katz snaps a selfie with assistant principal Jon Hirsch.

Ariane Gottlieb Riley Greenspan Abigail Gross Molly Grossman Jared Gruenberger Michael Guerrero Shemaiah King Vivek Hariharan Jonathan Harris Daniel Heavey Anthony Hernandez Vanessa Hernandez Daniel Hirth Gianna Hittmann Kendall Hurwitz Samantha Hutchinson Alexandra Irizarry Carly Isaacs Max Isaacs Brent Ito Karen Jan Ricardo Jimenez Jr.

Kezia Jose Julia Kach Melanie Katz Jonathan Khym Hyun Jung Kim Peter Knights Peter Korshun Michael Kulsha Benjamin Kurtz Emily Lakic Samantha Lang Eric Larson Alexander Lawton Derick Sanchez Philip Lee Andrew Levine Zachary Lewis Carly Loverro Evan Macedo Lakshmi Mahajan Gustavo Mahana Michael Manzi

Justin Maron Matthew Mastrangelo Samantha Mastrangelo Therese McGinty Gary Merer Barbara Meyer Devon Millhouse Matthew Monkovic Zachary Montague Kyle Morales Danielle Morano Katharine Morse Baneesha Mukherjee Anirudh Murthy Thomas Napolitano Amanda Nobel Deirdre O’Callaghan Jordan Oglesby Triston Olmo Felix Mayrl William Palladino Elana Patrick

Christopher Petrella Ruhi Pitre Alessandra Ponzini Anna Potischman Casey Rabito Miranda Randone Abigail Ripin Tiffany Romano Cara Rosado Andrew Rosenfeld Jason Rosenfeld Zachary Saklad Nicole Savino Emma Schneider Acacia Sharma Caroline Sheridan Ioanna Skubas Keiana Smith Amanda Sommers Brenda Son Allison Stein Marni Stempler Daniel Strick Ryan Strick Elijah Stroessner Anton Syku Lindsey Thurston Rebekah Tiedemann Gaurav Uppal Chiara Valle Chinmayi Venkatram Bradley Walz Ethan Wang Cenaya Ward-Johns Louis Waxman David Weiss Chad Wilson Juliet Wishner Ross Wolosky Robert Wootten May Yang Peter Zeiger

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GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 5A

Ardsley High School

AWARDS & HONORS Valedictorian & Salutatorian Awards

Deirdre O’Callaghan, Jessica Cannizzo Jostens Medals

Jessica Cannizzo, David Falcone Shirley Madonick Memorial

Panther Association Tom Lindgren Memorial

Senior Leadership Drama Award

Jonathan Khym

Flori C. Doyle Theatre Arts Award

Stephen O’Connell Panther Association Award

Barbara Meyer

Halimeda Cronin

Ardsley Little League Award

Edwin and Thelma Zimmer Memorial

Max Isaacs

Matthew Mastrangelo Anthony Hernandez Senior Leadership Band Award

Ioanna Skubas, Allison Stein Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

Ariane Gottlieb, Vivek Hariharan, Casey Rabito

Erika Berger, Ruhi Pitre, Chinmayi Venkatram, Peter Zeiger

The Children’s Village Service Award

Roderick Baird Memorial Scholarship

Excellence in Mathematics

Deirdre O’Callaghan

Peter Zeiger

Claudette Monaco Memorial

Grace Hooper Award for Excellence in Computer Science

Senior Leadership Orchestra Award

May Yang

Senior Leadership Chorus Award

Danielle Morano Lorraine Lombardi Drake Memorial

Gaurav Uppal Lisa Marie Fellis Memorial Scholarship

Riley Greenspan, Michael Manzi, Amanda Sommers

Halimeda Cronin, Kyle Morales

Laura Gikas, Evan Macedo, Elijah Stroessner

Alan Turing Award for Excellence in Computer Science

Jad Chaar Excellence in French Language

Abigail Ripin

Coaches Award

Woody Herman Jazz Band

Chinmayi Venkatram Anthony Hernandez, Hyun Jung (Lisa) Kim, Matthew Mastrangelo Achievement in Art

Abigail Gross, Emma Schneider Excellence in Art

Nicolina Chenard, Jonathan Khym

Excellence in Spanish Language

McCartney “Good Call” Sportsmanship Award

Ryan Strick

Tess Bedingfield

Elana Confino-Pinzon

Fred J. Maier Rotary Award

Panther Scholar Athlete of the Year

Outstanding Achievement in Italian

Alexa Carbone

Michael Abbate, Alessandra Ponzini

Riley Greenspan

JFK Memorial Citizenship Award

Panther Association Award

NYS Theatre Education Association Awards

Gaurav Uppal

Anthony Hernandez, Matthew Mastrangelo, Katharine Morse

Deirdre O’Callaghan

Lorenzo Bergomi, Nicolina Chenard, Cenaya Ward-Johns, Robert Wootten

Samantha Hutchinson RiverArts Award

Excellence in Latin

Samantha Hutchinson

Excellence in Social Studies CONTINUED ON PAGE 6A

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Casey Rabito wears special glasses in honor of the milestone.

Congratulations to our 2016 ardsley HigH sCHool graduates Michael Abbate Giulian Arnold Beltran Abrigo Amer Alkhazaleh Jenna Ansell Alexa Brittany Arceri Jesus Ballinas Ralph Balsamo Rachel Barnard Tavon Barnhill Tess Bedingfield Rachel Beldoch Chelsea Bell Robert Felice Berg Erika Berger Lorenzo Bergomi Olivia Bottari Miles Bradshaw Kathryn Brennan Anduela Brektushi Isabelle Brinas Jessica Cannizzo Alexa Carbone Jad Chaar Alison Chafitz Derick Chan Kristen Chan Nicolina Chenard Dean Harrison Cochrane Elana Confino-Pinzon Max Corrales Kaitlyn Cramer

Halimeda Beth Cronin Isabella D’Alto Daniel Demopoulos Emily DeVivo Margaret Diaz Niko Alexander Dos Santos Marlena Alise Esposito Jonathan Epstein Brian Evans David Falcone Donte B. Farquharson Jessica Faulstich Jacob Feld Valarie Figueroa Theodore Flattmann Grant Fodiman Sydney Fodiman Olivia Garcia Chrysoula Georgioudakis Jonathan Getz Emily Gikas Laura Gikas Erica Paige Glick Ariane Gottlieb Riley Greenspan Abigail Gross Molly Grossman Jared Gruenberger Michael Guerrero Shemaiah Hanasai King Vivek Hariharan

Jonathan Harris Daniel Michael Heavey Anthony Hernandez Vanessa Hernandez Daniel Hirth Gianna Hittmann Kendall Hurwitz Samantha Hutchinson Alexandra Irizarry Carly Isaacs Max Isaacs Brent Ito Karen Jan Ricardo Jimenez Jr. Kezia Jose Julia Kach Melanie Katz Jonathan Khym Hyun Jung Kim Peter G. Knights

Peter Korshun Michael Kulsha Benjamin Kurtz Emily Lakic Samantha Gabrielle Lang Eric Larson Alexander Tawes Lawton Derick Leal Sanchez Philip Lee Andrew Tyler Levine Zachary Lewis Carly Ann Loverro Evan Macedo Lakshmi Mahajan Gustavo Mahana Michael George Manzi Justin Samuel Maron Matthew Mastrangelo Samantha Mastrangelo

Therese McGinty Gary Merer Barbara A. Meyer Devon Millhouse Matthew Monkovic Zachary Ross Montague Kyle Morales Danielle Morano Katharine Morse Baneesha Mukherjee Anirudh Murthy Thomas Anthony Napolitano Amanda Nobel Deirdre Anne O’Callaghan Jordan Oglesby Triston Olmo Felix Palau Mayrl William Palladino Elana Patrick Christopher Petrella Ruhi Pitre Alessandra Ponzini Anna Potischman Casey Rabito Miranda Randone Abigail Ruth Ripin Tiffany Marie Romano Cara Marie Rosado Andrew Rosenfeld Jason Rosenfeld Zachary Saklad

Nicole Savino Emma Schneider Acacia Sharma Caroline Sheridan Ioanna Skubas Keiana Smith Amanda Mae Sommers Brenda Son Allison Stein Marni Stempler Daniel Strick Ryan Strick Elijah Stroessner Anton Syku Lindsey Thurston Rebekah Tiedemann Gaurav Uppal Chiara Valle Chinmayi Venkatram Matthew Castor Vinluan Bradley Walz Ethan Wang Cenaya Myesha Ward-Johns Louis Matan Waxman David Weiss Chad Paul Wilson Juliet Wishner Ross Karlton Wolosky Robert Wootten May Yang Peter Zeiger

PAGE 6A — JULY 1, 2016

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GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

AHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5A

Excellence in History

Ariane Gottlieb, Peter Zeiger Achievement in Social Studies

Chrysoula Georgioudakis, Kendall Hurwitz JFK Physical Education Achievement

Donte Farquharson, Carly Loverro Excellence in Academic Challenge

Andrew Rosenfeld Outstanding Achievement in English

Philip Lee, Abigail Ripin, Gaurav Uppal

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Olivia Bottari, Rachel Beldoch, Halimeda Cronin, Kyle Morales and Jenna Ansell

AAUW Outstanding Student Award

Ariane Gottlieb AAUW Excellence in Writing Award

Elana Confino-Pinzon Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Slam

Carly Isaacs Mildred L. Schlachter Writer’s Award

Max Corrales Ardsley Congress of Teachers (ACT) Award

Andrew Levine, Ioanna Skubas Mildred Zimmerman Scholarship

Melanie Katz Louis & Elaine Schwartz Memorial Scholarship

Kristen Chan AHS Class of ’59 Spirit Award

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

The class of 2016 files onto the field.

Kyle Morales tosses his mortarboard.

Kyle Morales Rensselaer Medal

Jonathan Harris Bausch & Lomb Award

Deirdre O’Callaghan Distinction in Science Jad Chaar Devi Nampiaparampil Award Alexa Carbone Ardsley School Staff Award Jenna Ansell, Elana ConfinoPinzon, Jonathan Harris, Kezia Jose, Lakshmi Mahajan, Matthew Mastrangelo

New York Blood Center Scholarship Award Cenaya Ward-Johns

Ardsley Education Foundation (AEF) Award

PTA Teaching Kendall Hurwitz

PTA Tenacity

Abigail Ripin, Andrew Rosenfeld

Ardsley Youth Council Jenna Ansell, Rachel Barnard, Andrew Levine, Kyle Morales, Ruhi Pitre, Cenaya Ward-Johns, May Yang

PTA Art Zachary Montague

PTA “Renaissance Student”

Marie Stimpfl Memorial Award (Volunteer Ambulance)

PTA Fine Art Samantha Hutchinson

PTA Computer Science/Math

Rivertown Lions Past Presidents’ Award for Best Community Service

Allison Stein Robert J. Bernstein Award

Baneesha Mukherjee

Therese McGinty, Daniel Strick Reina Greenwald Memorial Award (Volunteer Ambulance)

Jonathan Harris, Ryan Strick, David Weiss James T. Noone Memorial Award (Ardsley Fire Department) Zachary Montague, Peter Zeiger

PTA Music Hyun Jung (Lisa) Kim PTA Drama Evan Macedo

Margaret Diaz Vivek Hariharan Jad Chaar PTA Elaine Taweel Memorial

Carly Isaacs PTA Athlete

Tiffany Romano, Ryan Strick

PTA Community Service

National Merit Scholarship Winner

Deirdre O’Callaghan, Daniel Strick

Peter Zeiger

CLASS OF 2016 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES American University Bentley University Boston University Brown University Bryn Mawr College Case Western Reserve University Cazenovia College Colgate University College of New Jersey College of New Rochelle Cornell University Delaware State University DePaul University Dominican College Drew University Duke University Dutchess Community College Florida Gulf Coast University

Fordham University Franklin and Marshall University Gallaudet University Georgia Institute of Technology Goucher College Hofstra University Hunter College Indiana University at Bloomington Iona College Ithaca College Keene State College Loyola University Maryland Manhattan College Manhattanville College Mount Holyoke College Mount Saint Mary College Muhlenberg College

New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Pace University Pennsylvania State University Quinnipiac University Sacred Heart University Salisbury University Siena College Skidmore College St. John’s University Stonehill College SUNY Albany SUNY Binghamton SUNY Buffalo SUNY College at Cobleskill SUNY College at Cortland SUNY College at Geneseo

SUNY Delhi SUNY New Paltz SUNY Oswego SUNY Plattsburgh SUNY Stony Brook Syracuse University Towson University Tufts University Tulane University University of Alabama University of Arizona University of the Arts University of Central Florida University of Chicago University of Delaware University of Florida University of Maryland University of Massachusetts

University of Michigan University of New Haven University of Pittsburgh University of Rochester University of South Caroline University of Southern California Vassar College Villanova University West Virginia University Westchester Community College Worcester Polytechnic Institute York College of the CUNY

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

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GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 7A

DOBBS FERRY HIGH SCHOOL

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Gabriel Wiersma, Jibril Kapadia, Miles Bettinelli, Celeste Thurn and Lucas Saur run into the Hudson River.

Graduates receive lesson about ‘good’ versus ‘great’ By Julian Caldwell

t was a gorgeous, sunny evening on June 18 as the Dobbs Ferry High School Class of 2016 became the first class to hold their commencement at the renovated Waterfront Park, which reopened last year. The 107 students, along with administrators and faculty members, marched toward a crowd of hundreds of family and friends to the sounds of “Pomp & Circumstance” playing over loudspeakers. After a welcome address in which Principal John Falino thanked parents, teachers, and all else who made graduation possible, school board president Michael Goldman addressed the seniors. During his nine years on the board, from which he retired last month, Goldman had watched his two children, Sam and Emma, graduate from the high school. In addition to the date of the graduation, June 18 was his birthday. “My intent today is not to suggest that you avoid risks at all costs,” Goldman told the graduating class. “Quite the contrary, rarely do you reach great heights by taking the safest routes. But carefully weigh the risks of your actions against the potential rewards. If you take the time to honestly weigh the risks and rewards of the forks in your road, you too will be amazed at how capable you are of making excellent decisions.” He ended by gushing about one of his best decisions, which was moving to Dobbs Ferry with his wife 27 years ago, before they had children. “We’ve always considered ourselves so fortunate to have made the decision to live and

raise our family in Dobbs Ferry,” he said. “I hope everybody here appreciates what a wonderful and special place this is.” Falino returned to the podium and right off the bat had high praise for the seniors. “In terms of legacy, the class of 2016 is certainly well on its way to leaving one that could possibly be the best in our school’s history,” he raved. “But graduates, what’s most important for you all to realize is that your legacy, both individually and that of your entire class, will actually be defined by what you do from here.” Falino reminisced about being an undergraduate student at Boston University, struggling to figure out his passion. He found peace at a bench he frequented when he wanted to clear his head, which is where he envisioned the future he’s living today. Falino encouraged the class to “find your own bench” or any other place to relax and think. “Take the necessary time to rest, reflect, and live a life — a good, long, healthy, and happy life that encourages pride in yourself, your community, and your family.” Superintendent of Schools Lisa Brady and 12th-grade adviser Megan Sardinia had similar messages, urging the class to get involved and be proactive in the future. “Our world needs people who step up and take their turn, and it is indeed always your turn to do something that matters,” Brady said. “Do something that makes a difference.” Sardinia played into teens’ affinity for the Internet and social media as she lent her advice. “You can Google an answer, you can swipe to find love, and you can rack up likes on Instagram, but you can’t use the Internet to find

what’s in your heart,” Sardania said. “To do that you must be an active participant in the world around you.” Salutatorian Josephine Weidner began her speech by letting the crowd know that she was inspired to begin planning her address after watching a graduation-themed episode of the TV series “Gilmore Girls.” She jokingly commended the class on being comparable to the cast from one of her favorite shows. As salutatorian, Weidner excelled in the classroom during her four years at Dobbs Ferry High School, but the few minutes in the hallways between each class were her favorite times. “I love these moments because we found ourselves interacting in a way that was inclusive of all,” said Weidner, who will attend Tufts University in the fall. “No, we don’t all have the same interests, sense of humor, or even values, but over and over again, eight or nine times a day, we engaged in a kind and familial interaction that is the result of 13 years of growing up side by side.” Valedictorian Sofia Checa looked more toward the future. She spoke to the fact that while some things will stay the same, such as their character and the family that supports them, the graduates’ challenges will evolve and their support systems will get further and further away. As their independence and responsibilities grow, Checa wished her classmates the best in being able to adapt. “I hope each and every one of us will seek out our passions and work hard for them,” said Checa, a rising freshman at Yale University. “I hope that we will meet new and exciting people and continue to develop meaningful relationships throughout our lives.”

Assistant Superintendent Doug Berry was a fitting person to give the final farewell to the class of 2016 since he had also seen many of the students off from Springhurst, where he was their elementary school principal. He urged them to not only do great in their respective careers, but to do good for the world in general. “Great is often what we do for ourselves, but good is always what we do for others,” Berry explained. “It’s by doing good that you will make a lasting impact on the world. By doing good you will be able to effect change and impact the lives of the less fortunate. By doing good you get the opportunity to not simply walk through the landscape of life, but instead leave footprints that mark your journey and serve as proof to others that you were here.” The high school’s select octet, led by 2009 DFHS graduate Mark Oleszko, rounded out the ceremony with an a cappella performance of “Kaleidoscope Heart” by Sara Bareilles. Then the class prepared for the long-anticipated moment of receiving their diplomas. Families and friends cheered as their loved ones were called to the stage, but it was the students who erupted as the last name, Santiago Wills Barco, was called. It spoke to the support the classmates had for each other and the relief that this stage of their lives was complete. “One of the biggest challenges for all of us is going to be staying true to ourselves while being unafraid to become a new and a better person,” Checa said in her earlier address. “As we turn over this new chapter in our lives, now is our opportunity to reset, to become the people that we’ve always wanted to be.” 

PAGE 8A — JULY 1, 2016

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GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Dobbs Ferry High School

CLASS OF 2016 Kiera Allen Matthew Amendola Nadine Amer Theodore Annunziato Michael Archer Damen Baglieri Nathan Barnett Kaila Basile

Miles Bettinelli Emily Bohl Maxwell Braimon Elena Pass Brown Alexander Capuano Eduardo Carvalho John Cattabiani Arjun Chattoraj

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Cyrus Hadavi sits on the shoulders of Ryan Kersten.

Sofia Checa Christopher Cipriano Kyle Coache Rebecca Cruz Kathleen Daly Hadi Darvish Noelle Charlotte Day Emily Dea-Jue Alexis Demitrovic Daniel DiRusso Noah Dorfman Jacob Eisner Rachel Eisner Beth Feldberg Christian Flynn Alison Fry Jordi Aragon Andrew Gandy Morgan Gelfand Caitlyn Gibson Michael Grant Mmalik Grant Nikolas Greenwald Sasha Greenwald Leanna Guarascio Cyrus Hadavi Sophia Harris Alyssa Heiss Nicholas Hidalgo Sean Horsfield Dessaniel Jaquez Caitlin Johnston Jibril Kapadia Ryan Katz Caleb Katzenstein Hudson Kendall

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

The graduates toss their mortarboards.

Ryan Kersten Skyy King SeaMon Lam Gabriel Lane Simon Lawless Emily Legath Bryanna Lopez Brianna Lyman Lilian Manongi Elizabeth Martinez Gabriel Martinez Kevin Matelsky Matthew McCormick Hannah McDade

Congratulations!

Knowing so many of the Seniors in the Rivertowns makes this graduating class even more special. Congratulations and good luck to the Class of 2016. Love, The Tarricones and Everyone at Equalize Fitness

equalizefitness.com • 914-751-6655 • One Odell Plaza • Yonkers, NY 10701 (off of Executive Blvd, at the Hastings/Yonkers Border)

Jenna McDonnell Ethan Scott Monte Gareth Moores Vinay Nair Daiana Naydenova Masataka Nishiyama Alexa Nyemchek Michael John Pangerl Nathan Perry Lisbet Person Federico Pollevick Haydn Pope-Carney Giovanni Prendi Natalie Quintero

Chloe Reandelar Mariella Reich Jaime Rockafellow Christopher Romano Ella Rosenkranz Gabriella De Viteri Nicholas Saraceni David Saravia Akimi Sasaki Lucas Saur Jeremy Segall Ethan Sipe Jeremy Sipe Julia Smith

Dominic Stone Chakshu Tandon Celeste Thurn Louis Tobacco Angel Felix Torres Hudson Trader Lindsey Trezza Victoria Valentin Gabrielle Venditto Josephine Weidner Markell Whitley Gabriel Wiersma Santiago Wills Barco

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GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 9A

Dobbs Ferry High School

AWARDS & HONORS Valedictorian

Sofia Checa Salutatorian

Josephine Weidner Dobbs Ferry High School Scholastic Honors Medals

Nathan Barnett, Elena Brown, John Cattabiani, Arjun Chattoraj, Sofia Checa, Jacob Eisner, Cyrus Hadavi, Natalie quintero, Akimi Sasaki, Josephine Weidner Martha Corey-Ochoa Memorial Scholarship

Sofia Checa Bradley and Katherine C. Bolke Humor Award

Eduardo Carvalho, Matthew McCormick SPRING Community Partners Award

SeaMon Lam, Daiana Naydenova, Masataka Nishiyama, Akimi Sasaki SPRINGboard Award

Christopher Cipriano, Rebecca Cruz, Nicholas Hidalgo, Skyy King, Akimi Sasaki Dobbs Ferry PTSA Community Service Award

Elena Brown Dobbs Ferry PTSA Good Citizen Scholarship Award

Caleb Katzenstein, Emily Legath, Kevin Matelsky, Matthew McCormick

Judy Blackwell Konowitch Personal Achievement Award

Kiera Allen, Emily Bohl, Leanna Guarscio, Caleb Katzenstein, Gabriella Saenz De Viteri, Santiago Wills Barco Lions Club – Lions Past President Award

Gabriel Wiersma The Vincent Petrucelli Scholarship Award

The State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence

John Cattabiani, Arjun Chattoraj, Sofia Checa, Josephine Weidner National Merit Scholarship Competition Winner

Sofia Checa National Merit Scholarship Competition Finalist

Gabriel Lane

Jenna McDonnell

National Merit Scholarship Competition Hispanic Scholars

PTSA Zatkovich Incentive Award

New York Blood Drive Scholarship

Kevin Matelsky, Santiago Wills Barco Ilissa Schoenberg Memorial Scholarship

Beth Feldberg Congressional Certificate of Merit (Nita Lowey – Congresswoman)

Natalie Quintero Thomas P. DiNapoli

Sofia Checa, Ella Rosenkranz

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Michael Grant celebrates with Ryan Kersten.

Sophia Harris, Jenna McDonnell

Erik J. Legath Memorial Scholarship Award

Dobbs Ferry High School Most Improved in Mathematics Award

The Class of 1964 School Fund

Mariella Reich

Jacob Eisner

Jenna McDonnell Children’s Village Service Award

Rachel Posner Memorial Scholarship Award

Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee Public Policy Award

Gabriel Lane

Sasha Greenwald

Jaime Rockafellow

Dobbs Ferry Office Personnel Association Josephine Anderson Memorial Award for Best High School Attendance

George A. Delmerico Art Scholarship

United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete

Lisbet Person RiverArts Senior Art Award

Jibril Kapadia, Natalie Quintero United States Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence

Mariella Reich

Jibril Kapadia, Lisbet Person

Dobbs Ferry High School Excellence in Art

Dobbs Ferry High School Excellence in Mathematics Award

Sofia Checa, Caleb Katzenstein, Josephine Weidner

3 Point Club Award

Alison Fry

Lisbet Person, Mariella Reich, Ella Rosenkranz

Thomas C. Hennessey Memorial Award

Dobbs Ferry High School Outstanding Achievement in Art

Dobbs Ferry High School Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics Award

The Diamond Club

Sasha Greenwald, Akimi Sasaki

Arjun Chattoraj, Akimi Sasaki

(New York State Comptroller)

Hannah McDade Victor Ridder Memorial Scholarship Award

Sophia Harris

Michael Grant Emily Bohl Theodore Annunziato, Lindsey Trezza CONTINUED ON PAGE 10A

The Dobbs Ferry PTSA congratulates the class of 2010; The Dobbs Ferry PTSA congratulates the class of 2016 and a bright bright and and soaring soaring future. future. andwishes wishesyou youall allthe the best best for for a Nicolette Addorisio Laura Michelle Kiera Allen Allen Sergio Cruz Matthew Alves Amendola Paul AraujoAmer Nadine Zachary Avalos Theodore Annunziato Robin Bailey Michael Archer Ana Cristina Baizan Damen Baglieri Daniel Balsam Nathan Barnett Alexander Louis Battistin Kaila Basile Ruhi Behal Miles Bettinelli Hayley Cruz Bingham Emily Bohl Paul Robert Blank Maxwell Dana AngelaBraimon Boggiano ElenaBrailsford Brown DeVonté Alexander Anthony PhilipCapuano Brunetto Eduardo Jesmin IvetteCarvalho Burgos JohnDenise Cattabiani Christa Cappelli Arjun Chattoraj Brendan Casey SoﬁMarie a Checa Nicole Cialini Christopher Hildeline Ciriaco Cipriano Kyle Emmett CoacheConnett Samuel RebeccaKim Cruz Jacqueline Crews Ali Kathleen Darvish Daly Michael Hadi Andrew DarvishDeCicco Craig Degener Noelle Day Rebecca Emily Montgomery Dea-Jue Delphin Yerusalem Lockhart Derry Alexis Demitrovic Casey Jean Devlin Daniel DiRusso Anthony William DiBisceglie Noah Dorfman Elena DiRusso Ashton P. Ditta

Maria Donaj ThomasEisner Raymond Eckes Jacob Samuel Louis Rachel EisnerEpstein GreteFeldberg Falck-Pedersen Beth Michael ChristianJoseph Flynn Fata Sofie B. Feinstein Alison Fry Gregory Ethan Feldberg Jordi Fuentes Eddie Fuentes Andrew Gandy Nanaka Fukuju Morgan Gelfand Mary Elizabeth Garten Caitlyn Gibson Nina Angela Gecosala Michael Grant Ethan Daniel Geron Malik Grant Chadwick Gibbons Nikolas Greenwald Jaclyn Leigh Giuliano Sasha SamuelGreenwald Evan Goldman Leanna Guarascio Jillian Mary Grant Cyrus Hadavi Annalee Groner Sophia Frank B.Harris Guido Alyssa HeissHanley Lauren Anne Nicholas Hidalgo Mehak Hashmi Sean Horsﬁ eld Edward J. Heiss Hudson Miranda Irving-Trader A. Howard Rachel AnnJaquez Kagan Dessaniel Julie Kahng Caitlin Johnston CherylKapadia Alyssa Karpel Jibril Gregory August Klassen Ryan Katz Margo Anne Konowitch Caleb Katzenstein Maureen Kelly Lauer Hudson Kendall Melissa Christine Ryan Kersten Lavery Daniel Dong-Hwa Lee Joshua Aaron Lieberman

Yu Lin Domenico Skyy King Gino Lodolo Lorraine SeaMon LamStephanie Lopez FrankLane Christopher Lopez Gabriel Nicholas David Lowe Simon Lawless Jacob Alexander Lowy Emily Legath Henry Tobias Lurio Bryanna Lopez Katherine Elizabeth Martin Brianna Lyman Karimah Olivia McCarthy Lilian Sifael Manongi Deepak J. McCleary Elizabeth Martinez Derrell McLeod Gabriel Martinez Ariana S. Melchor Kevin Matelsky Amanda Hope Meurlin Matthew McCormick Joseph Mitaro Hannah McDade Jeremy Adam Monte Jenna McDonnell Robert Monteleone Ethan MonteMoriarty Michael Gareth Ron Moores Scott Nagor Vinay NairAugust Nieman James Daiana Naydenova Eli Adams Nissman Masataka Megan Nishiyama Leigh O’Brien Alexa Nyemchek Kimberly Marie O’Connell Erich Pangerl O’Mara Michael Nadejda Fredericka Orlowski Nathan Perry Brandon G. Piacentino Lisbet Person Caroline Elisabeth Federico Pollevick Putz Ramson Andre Ragin Haydn Pope-Carney Sarah Katelyn Giovanni Prendi Ray Madeleine Bonnie Reiser Natalie Quintero Shontay LaShay Richardson Evan Matthew Rochman

Jennifer Ann Sanseverino Thomas Paul Sheils Jr. Chloe Ann Reandelar Allison Elizabeth Sheridan Mariella Reich Taylor Rose Sherman Jaime Rockafellow Dylan J. Silberfein Christopher Romano Khalid Waleed Simreen Ella Rosenkranz Gregory O. Smith Gabriella Saenz De Viteri Jessica Ann Soave Nicholas Saraceni Daniel J. Solazzo David Saravia Michael Soumbasakis Akimi Sasaki Krystina Joyce Steck Lucas Saur Vera Stiefler Johnson JeremyAmanda Segall Jean Sullivan Lisa Michelle Tessitore Ethan Sipe JeremyElizabeth Sipe Tzortzidis Lillian Engelmann Ulfers Julia Smith Gabrielle Dominic Stone Varanelli Idowu Wallace-Shortt Chakshu Tandon John Anthony Walsh Celeste Thurn Chelsea Elizabeth Wergen Louis Tobacco Tara M. Whitty Angel Torres Chloe Wilde Lindsey Trezza Chloe Elizabeth Witter VictoriaPatrick Valentin Joseph Wortner Gabrielle Venditto Quinn Conal Wright Josephine Weidner Jessica Yau MarkellIsabella Whitley Chloe Young GabrielMatthew Wiersma Zaino

Santiago Wills Barco

The Dobbs Ferry PTSA Supports the 2015-16 School Budget Key budget facts:

PAGE 10A — JULY 1, 2016

DFHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A

Dobbs Ferry Touchdown Club Award



GRADUATION

Dobbs Ferry High School Outstanding Athlete Award

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Dobbs Ferry High School Outstanding Achievement in Social Studies Award

Christopher Cipriano, Gabrielle Venditto

Kaila Basile, Federico Pollevick

Theodore Annunziato, Leanna Guarscio, Jibril Kapadia, Michael Pangerl

Ward K. Jones Memorial Award

Dobbs Ferry High School Most Improved in Social Studies Award

Antoinette L. Tisi Memorial Award

Brianna Lyman

Dobbs Ferry Youth Baseball League

Jenna McDonnell

Michael Archer, Lindsey Trezza Dobbs Ferry Soccer Booster Club

Jenna McDonnell, Federico Pollevick Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete

Alison Fry, Cyrus Hadavi Dobbs Ferry High School Scholar Athlete Award

Jenna McDonnell, Gabriel Wiersma Dobbs Ferry High School Award in Physical Education

Masataka Nishiyama, Lisbet Person

Nathan Perry

Dobbs Ferry High School Excellence in Science Award

John Yozzo Memorial Scholarship

Christopher Cipriano, Leanna Guarscio Rivertowns Rotary Club Fred J. Maier Memorial Scholarship

Alexis Demitrovic

American Legion Post No. 1048 Award for Excellence in American History Dobbs Ferry High School Excellence in Social Studies Award

Sofia Checa, Chakshu Tandon, Josephine Weidner

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Intel Semi-Finalist

Nikolas Greenwald Dobbs Ferry Youth Service Council Award

Lindsey Trezza, Gabrielle Venditto

Dobbs Ferry High School Outstanding Achievement in Science Award

Chief Edward J. Doyle Memorial Scholarship

Mariella Reich, Akimi Sasaki, Chakshu Tandon

Nicholas Saraceni

Caleb Katzenstein

Kathleen Daly and her mortarboard.

Elena Brown

Arjun Chattoraj, Sofia Checa

Dobbs Ferry High School Most Improved in Science Award

Federico Pollevick

Dobbs Ferry High School Most Improved in Science Research Award

Dobbs Ferry High School Excellence in Science Research Award

Josephine Weidner

Lieutenant Raymond Malara Memorial Scholarship

Victoria Valentin Police Officer “Ricky” White Memorial Scholarship

Lisbet Person CONTINUED ON PAGE 20A

CLASS OF 2016 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES Case Western Reserve University City College of New York Coastal Carolina University Colgate University College of Mount Saint Vincent College of William and Mary Columbia University Concordia College Cornell University Daytona State College Dickinson College Five Towns College Fordham University

George Mason University George Washington University Hamilton College High Point University Iona College Ithaca College James Madison University Johnson & Wales University Liberty University Lynchburg College Macaulay Honors College Manhattanville College Middlebury College

Muhlenberg College Northeastern University Orange County Community College Pace University Quinnipiac University Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University Skidmore College SUNY Albany SUNY Binghamton SUNY Brockport SUNY Buffalo SUNY Cortland

SUNY Fredonia SUNY Geneseo SUNY Morrisville SUNY Plattsburgh SUNY Purchase Susquehanna University Syracuse University Temple University The New School Tufts University Union College University of the Arts University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Los Angeles University of Connecticut University of Delaware University of Maryland University of Michigan University of Rochester University of San Francisco University of Wisconsin Utica College Washington University in St. Louis West Virginia University Westchester Community College Whitman College Yale University

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MASTERS SCHOOL CLASS OF 2016

BEST WISHES TO OUR GRADUATES— A STELLAR CLASS THAT COMES FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 10 STATES AND 13 COUNTRIES! 49 Clinton Ave | Dobbs Ferry, NY | mastersny.org | 914-479-6420

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

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GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 11A

HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

The graduates toss their mortarboards.

Class revels in accolades as they set off on 141 paths By Jackie Lupo

he clouds parted and the sun appeared on cue as the 141 members of the Hastings High School class of 2016 marched across lower Burke Field on Thursday, June 24. Hastings’ 108th commencement was an occasion for celebrating the diverse accomplishments of a class full of writers and actors, scientists and musicians, athletes and activists. “Keep your ideals and the expectations will always fall into place,” urged HHS principal Louis Adipietro. “Be brave. Try something new every day of your life.” Senior class president Sally Butin said, “We are a remarkable class and community. As a team we are pretty powerful.” Butin told her classmates to hold onto that can-do attitude, quoting the late musician and social activist Pete Seeger: “It is participation that is going to save the human race.” The HHS graduates, the majority of whom are headed to four-year colleges (although a handful are taking gap years, some to pursue interests in the arts), had run the gauntlet of competitive classes, grueling schedules and college admissions — and emerged forever changed by their years at HHS. Commencement speaker Jeremiah Quinlan, 35, a 1997 alumnus of HHS, contemplated the experience of high school and the years that follow. His perspective was unique. He was a “lifer,” having grown up on Hillside Avenue and attended Hastings schools before going off to Yale University. He made his career in higher education and is now Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale. “Now’s the time to reflect on the past four years and think about what you want to bring to your college,” he said. “Reflect on the values of this community and how these values translate to the community you’re gong to. It’s a time to consider a different path, a time of exploration,” he said, noting that his 18-year-old self never imagined what he would end up doing.

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Will Berritt hugs two of his classmates.

The musical interlude by class member Sam Nordlinger, with instrumental accompaniment by Anna Guterman and Jacob Wood, had many graduates wiping a tear or two from their eyes with the hems of their green commencement robes. Nordlinger wrote his song, “I Say Farewell,” as his senior alternative project. Jordana Solomon, the salutatorian, took a somewhat mystical approach in her address to the class. With sensitivity and humor, she talked about her lifelong obsession with the number 17 and how it had served as a marker for many life experiences. “Find your 17,” she said. “Find your supernatural.” Mothers pulled out handkerchiefs as the HHS Chorus, including many gowned graduates, sang a haunting rendition of the classic “I’ll Be Seeing You,” conducted by choir director Jonathan Riss. As was evident during this performance, the school boasts many gifted singers (and, in fact, the chorus of its recent production of “Les Miserables”

won the regional high school equivalent of a Tony at last month’s Metro Awards ceremony). Katharine Berman, who is an aspiring scientist, Intel Award and National Merit finalist, varsity tennis player and steel drum musician, delivered the valedictory address. Berman discussed the diverse opportunities she and her classmates had been offered at Hastings, and talked about the “Hastings mindset,” which she described as being receptive to a nuanced view of issues. “Hastings has taught me to have an open mind,” she concluded. Roy Montesano, Hastings’ superintendent of schools, called graduation “a day of mixed emotions.” Regarding his own high school commencement, he recalled the feeling that “the real journey of my life was about to begin, as are yours.” In what has been an annual HHS custom, Montesano awarded honorary diplomas to members of the staff who are retiring this year. The honorees were music teacher Robert Hartshorne, retiring after 23 years at Hillside Elementary School; special education teacher (and Hastings alum) Joan Goodwin of Farragut Middle School, retiring after 30 years; Hilda McGivney, the middle school’s assistant principal, who has been at the school for 26 years, originally as a language arts teacher; Marilyn DeRubeis, chair of the HHS World Language department, on staff for 26 years; and Michael Mahony, HHS English department chair, at the school for 24 years. Eileen Baecher, president of the Hastings Board of Education, prepared the students to receive their diplomas with this parting advice: “You’ve had a lot of opportunities here in Hastings and you’ve made the most of them. That’s all a board of education member can ask for.” She urged the graduates to make volunteering part of their lives and to get out and vote. In addition to diplomas, the graduates received voter registration forms that night, a sure sign that they were, indeed, stepping off into the adult world. 

PAGE 12A — JULY 1, 2016



GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Hastings High School

CLASS OF 2016 Andie Abrams Maya Adair Brenda Aguilar Peter Alicea Jacob Amster Muhammad Bah Justin Bajan Rachel Bass Katharine Berman Giovanni Bernisi William Berritt Michael Bindler Nathan Blum Gregory Boyer Austen Brauer Sally Butin Danielle Caruso John Ceballos Owen Chun Daniel Civitano Ian Cooper-Smith Marco Coronado-Lynn Jeremy Cortijo Matthew Cortijo Eleanor Culpepper Clara Curbera Genevieve David Julia Dayan Oscar de Medeiros David Degady Emily Deutsch Julia Dietz Bryant Dominguez

David Dorsky Christopher Dosin Mira Ebert Eduard Fay Christina Feng Corey Ferguson Isabel Fernandez Daniel Flynn Jack Fogarty Joel Francisco Alexa Fuerst Sydney Gabay Ana Gadze Filip Gadze Adam Gardner Leonidas Georgiou Connor Gibbons Sharon Goiz Leah Goldberg Caleb Goldstick Michael Goodrich Kate Gouran Anna Guterman Ariel Gutman-Gates Emanuel Gutman-Gates Eunice Han Jordan Harding Hannah Hatch Jordan Heinlein Grant Hevia Maya Heyman Ava Holl

Hannah Jenney Adriana Kane Lucille Kelemen Lara Kennedy Alicia Kim Jordan Kolbert Henry Kornfeld John Kornfeld Nicholas Krupitsky William Kuhn Julia Kunze Madeline Kushner Gina Lindner Teja LoBreglio Melanie Logan Maya Lopez Gregory Maier Ethan Makulec Lorna Martel Samuel Mayer Elena McNally Alison McWalters Araxie Mehrotra Jordin Moore Destiny Morales Rosalie Moss Daniel Nam Samuel Nordlinger Casey Odesser Madison Osborne Muriel Ossip Kimberly Paquette Jinwoo Park

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

John Kornfeld, Melanie Logan, Joseph Rogers and Ethan Makulec before the ceremony.

Zachary Pearson Liza Pennington Amy Perry Lauren Perry Alyssa Pistorino Ellie Plotkin-Kaye Jesse Pohl Amelia Pollard Christina Proia Fiona Quinn Hannah Rauhut

CONGRATULATIONS

CLASS OF

2016!

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THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

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GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 13A

Hastings High School

AWARDS & HONORS Valedictorian

Anthropology Department Certificate

Katharine Berman

Gina Lindner, Isabelle Fernandez, Keira Rosner

Salutatorian

AP European History Department Certificate

Jordana Solomon Book Awards

Nathan Blum, Julia Dayan, Grant Hevia, Ava Holl, Lucille Kelemen, Casey Odesser, Hannah Rauhut, Jordana Solomon, Kavi Subramanian Excellence in Dramatic Performance

Zachary Pearson Excellence in Student Publications

David Dorsky

Model UN Department Certificate

Amelia Pollard Karen Ural Plaque

Nathan Blum, Amelia Pollard

Rosalie Moss

Esther Liberman Plaque

College Learning Strategies Department Certificate

Department Plaque

Liana Sameth Economics Department Certificate

Ethan Blum, Ellie Plotkin-Kaye AP Psychology Department Certificate

Jordana Solomon, Ellie Plotkin-Kaye

Natalie Schlosberg Samuel Mayer Mathematics Certificate of Recognition

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Gina Lindner flashes a peace sign.

William Weitzman Mathematics Medallions

Outstanding Achievement in Science Research

French Medallion

Katharine Berman Outstanding Achievement in Science

French Academic Certificate of Excellence

Mathematics Plaque

Nathan Blum, Casey Odesser

Ava Holl, Rosalie Moss

Melanie Logan

Science Department Plaque

Latin Plaque

Katharine Berman

Spanish Plaque

Latin Medallion

Liza Pennington

Madeline Kushner

Spanish Medallion

Latin Academic Certificate of Excellence

Katharine Berman, William Berritt, Gregory Boyer, Grant Hevia, Maya Lopez

Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry

William Weitzman Outstanding Achievement in Physics

Grant Hevia

Isabel Fernandez, Georgia Simchick

Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Science

Amelia Pollard Outstanding Achievement in Biology

Leah Goldberg TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Nathan Blue, Austen Brauer and Sally Butin

Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Geology

Jordana Solomon

Katharine Berman

Henry Kornfeld, Jacob Tashoff

Spanish Academic Certificate of Excellence

Chorus Medallion

Nathan Blum, Hannah Hatch, Destiny Morales, William Weitzman

Band Medallion

French Plaque

Maya Lopez Liza Pennington Orchestra Medallion

Anna Guterman

Christine Feng

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14A

30 MAIN STREET • HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON • NY 10706

Congratulations and best wishes to the class of

2016

From the HASTINGS PTSA

Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means you should follow that. −Ellen DeGeneres

478-1400

CONGRATULATIONS and

BEST WISHES to

THE CLASS OF 2016

PAGE 14A — JULY 1, 2016

HHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13A

Jazz Ensemble Medallion



GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Excellence in Studio Award

Baseball Award

Spring Track & Field Award

Clara Curbera, Julia Kunze

Jordan Harding

Ava Holl

Excellence in Photography Award

Cross Country Awards

Tennis Award

Michael Rotiroti

Nathan Blum

Jack Fogarty, Adriana Kane

Excellence in Media Arts Award

Steel Drum Medallion

Field Hockey Award

Maya Heyman

Katharine Berman

Lorna Martel

Excellence in Ceramics Award

Madrigal Medallion

Football Award

Alexa Fuerst

Rachel Bass, Gina Lindner Plocharski Award

Lucille Wijnands Creative Vision in Studio Award

Gina Lindner, Madison Osborne

Scholastic Art & Writing Award Silver Medalist

Golf Award

Clay Tercek

Indoor Track Awards

Clay Tercek Creative Vision in Ceramics Award

Basketball Awards

Danielle Caruso

Brenda Aguilar, Grant Hevia

Joseph Rogers Creative Vision in Media Arts Award

Ethan Saperstein

Physical Education Medallions

Peter Alicea, Jake Amster, Katharine Berman, John Ceballos, Emanuel Gutman-Gates, Ethan Makulec, Lorna Martel, Jason Schoen, Joya Syed, Sanne Wijnands

Creative Vision in Photography Award

Gregory Boyer

Michael Rotiroti, Sanne Wijnands Lacrosse Awards

Joel Francisco, Hannah Jenney Soccer Awards

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Leonidas Georgiou adjusts his tassel.

Katharine Berman Volleyball Awards

Danielle Caruso, Araxie Mehrotra Wrestling Award

Ian Cooper-Smith HHS Coaches’ Athlete of the Year Award

John Ceballos, Lorna Martel Mary Lou Dickinson Academic Achievement & Athletic Ability Award

Katrina Simchick, William Weitzman

Francesco Russo, Jordana Solomon

Grace Harlow Athletic Achievement & Sportsmanship Award

Softball Award

Brenda Aguilar, Anthony Rotiroti

Danielle Caruso

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16A

CLASS OF 2016 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES Adelphi University Bard College Barnard College Baruch College Bates College Bennington College Boston University Bowdoin College Brooklyn College of the CUNY Brown University Bucknell University City College of New York Colgate University College of Mount Saint Vincent Colorado College Colorado State University

Cornell University Dominican College Drexel University Emory University Endicott College Fashion Institute of Technology Grinnell College Hofstra University IE University Iona College Ithaca College James Madison University Kenyon College Louisiana State University Macalester College Manhattanville College

Marist College Maryland Institute College of Art Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts McGill University Mercy College Messiah College Middlebury College New York University Oberlin College Ohio State University Pace University Rochester Institute of Technology San Diego State University Skidmore College St. Edward’s University

Stony Brook University SUNY Albany SUNY Alfred State College SUNY Binghamton SUNY Brockport SUNY Buffalo SUNY Geneseo SUNY New Paltz SUNY Potsdam SUNY Purchase College SUNY Oswego Susquehanna University Syracuse University Tufts University Tulane University University of the Arts

University of California, Berkeley University of Delaware University of Kentucky University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami University of Michigan University of New Haven University of Wisconsin, Madison Vassar College Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University Westchester Community College Whitman College Yale University

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THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE



GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 15A

IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Daniel Chushko waves during the ceremony.

Graduates hailed for their diversity and leadership By A ndres Picon

rvington High School held its 2016 commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 18, at the waterfront’s Matthiessen Park. The event began at 11 a.m., when the high school band played “Pomp & Circumstance” as the senior class filed in from the park entrance on Bridge Street toward the stage, which had been set up near the river. The estimated 1,500 family members and friends in attendance watched as couplets consisting of one boy and one girl, in alphabetical order, marched down the path among members of the audience. The boys wore dark-green caps and gowns, while the girls shone in white. The band played the traditional commencement song on loop until the 161 members of the class of 2016 had settled into their seats. IHS Band Director Debra McCumber then led the ensemble in a performance of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Third-year IHS Principal David Cohen followed the performance with his own welcoming remarks. In his speech, Cohen reminded the audience that the class of 2016 was the first to spend the majority of their time in high

school under his leadership, and as a result he felt a special attachment with the class that fostered a greater sense of community throughout the school. He also acknowledged the students’ accepting and proactive nature. “I am looking at a group of students who have already demonstrated the strength to take risks and stand up for individuals in need, to advocate for groups under-represented, to seek solutions to find ways to make our community stronger and who will serve as the leaders of tomorrow,” he said. Cohen cited certain students’ efforts to make their community and the world a better place, including the times they participated in board of education meetings, one senior’s organization of the first Westchester Youth Gender Equality Conference, and the countless e-mails that he received from students advocating for new programs, clubs, and ideas that could make Irvington High School a better community. Cohen also urged the students to take risks in the future, to accomplish plenty, and to thank their parents. Schools Superintendent Kristopher Harrison spoke next. He discussed the fact that many students seem to already have their lives planned out in front of them. But he urged the students to “not ignore those unique experiences that will present them-

selves when we are not expecting them… [and] not to be blinded by your plan.” He reminded the audience and the students that it is important to adapt to change and to be accepting of it. Harrison also encouraged the students to become pioneers in their fields, to take risks, and lead others. Later in the ceremony, after a speech by school board president Phil Whitney, Cohen introduced Nicholas Ovetsky, the senior class president. He gave a short speech about the class and the possibilities for the future that are in store for them. He then turned the microphone over to the class salutatorian, Swati Narayan. Narayan discussed the diverse nature and composition of the class of 2016 and how it has contributed to the students’ success. “Our diversity is what makes us memorable, legendary even,” she said. “And I know that, in the future, each and every one of us will have the courage to create our own paths to success.” Swati then left the podium, only to be replaced by her twin sister and class valedictorian, Sweta Narayan. The twins received a round of applause, as Cohen acknowledged their historic feat of becoming the first twins in IHS history to be named valedictorian and salutatorian. Sweta Narayan thanked the teachers, the guidance counselors, Cohen, and the par-

ents for constantly supporting the students and their efforts to learn and grow. She also took time to acknowledge the senior class’s diverse accomplishments and to remind the class that “it is not about the destination, it is about the journey.” After more applause, the senior class adviser, Carleen Julian, began announcing the names of the graduates. Each student walked to the front of the stage upon being called and received a symbolic diploma from Cohen, while smiling for a photo that would have the Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge in the background. Once each student received his or her diploma and shaken the hands of Cohen, Harrison, Assistant Principal Steve Corbett, and Whitney, Cohen made closing remarks and excitedly told the graduates, “Remove your caps and throw them up high!” For the last time, the class of 2016 followed the leadership of their principal and threw their green-and-white caps and watched them flutter over their heads. The students then dispersed, as they hurried to their families and friends, finally being able to call themselves high school graduates and looking to what lies ahead. 

PAGE 16A — JULY 1, 2016

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GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

HHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14A

Student Union Award

Sydney Gabay, Ava Holl, Madeline Kushner Austen Brauer Quest Plaque

Vinod Dabral Memorial Award

Student Union Plaques President: Sydney Gabay Vice President: William Kuhn Secretary: Jacob Wood Treasurer: Grant Hevia

American Legion & Auxiliary Scholarship

Grant Hevia, Lara Kennedy

Stuart Cohen Memorial Scholarship

Grant Hevia, Christina Proia

Carter Preston Smith Memorial Award

Clay Tercek

Hastings Southside Club Memorial Scholarship

National Merit Scholarship Competition

Katharine Berman

Lara Kennedy

National Merit Scholarship Competition Finalist

Jordana Solomon

National Merit Scholarship Competition Commended Students

Julia Dayan, Christina Feng, Leah Goldberg, Hannah Hatch, Daniel Nam, Casey Odesser, Keira Rosner, Scott Sherman Principal’s Award

Muhammad Bah, Mira Ebert Mary Young Award

Nell Tercek

Congressman Eliot Engel Achievement Award

Lauren Perry

State of NY Office of the Attorney General Triple “C” Award

Page 1

William Berritt, Hannah Jenney

Danielle Caruso, Anthony Rotiroti, Michael Rotiroti

Award Winner

2:42 PM

Hastings Fire Department Walter DeSouza – Robert J. Schnibbe Scholarship

Maya Adair, Danielle Caruso, Christopher Dosin, Daniel Flynn, Connor Gibbons, Lara Kennedy, Kimberly Paquette, Scott Sherman

Senior Class Officers Service Award Plaques President: Sally Butin Vice President: Ava Holl Secretary: Lucille Kelemen

5/31/16

Christopher Dosin

HASP Leadership and Character Award

Ian Cooper-Smith, Ana Gadze

Hastings Police Benevolent Scholarship

Daniel Civitano

State of NY Office of the Comptroller Student Achievement Award

Hastings Mothers Club Scholarship Alumni Association Edmund S. Phelps Scholarship for Excellence

William Weitzman

Alumni Association Richard M. Thomas Family Music Scholarship

Lucille Wijnands

Alumni Association Dr. Raymond E. Smith Scholarship for Excellence in Social Studies

Araxie Mehrotra

Alumni Association Class of 1965 “All-In” Scholarship

Hannah Jenney

Alumni Association Philip S. Klipp Scholarship

William Berritt

Alumni Association Tribute to HHS Music Teachers Scholarship

Scott Sherman CONTINUED ON PAGE 22A

Andie Abrams

(NAPS)—Since 2004, the Dell Scholars Program has awarded over $60 million in college scholarships and services to students who have demonstrated the drive to succeed despite personal obstacles. More than half of those students were selected from the Advancement Via Individual Determination program. Learn more at www.avid.org/scholars.ashx. Penske Truck Rental offers AAA members a discount. That can be handy to new graduates. For further moving tips, go to www.PenskeTruckRental.com or call (800) GO-PENSKE. A 2015 Private College 529 Plan survey found that about three-quarters of parents of teens 13 to 17 knew what a 529 plan is; however, only about one-third are using one. Colorado Technical University awards 50 Wounded Warrior Scholarships a year to veterans, their spouses and caregivers to help them rebuild their lives. Students at CTU can study online, on campus or both to suit their lifestyle. Learn more at www.coloradotech.edu/military. Starting a business in the franchise industry is possible for new graduates. For information about starting a Coverall franchised business, visit www.coverall.com/franchise-opportunities. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness program that provides teachers with specific academic strategies and tools for students who are often underrepresented in college. Learn more at www.avid.org. Streaming entertainment can be viewed using a wide variety of streaming players and smart TVs from companies such as Roku, Inc., so college stu-

Congratulations to all the Graduates of 2016, from Kindergarten to University! From

Scarsdale Family Doctors dents can reward themselves with a TV break whatever time they finish studying, day or night. Learn more at www.roku.com. A feature called Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus is available on the Chrysler 200. A Chrysler Group first, this provides autonomous braking that can slow the vehicle or, at low speeds, bring it to a stop when a frontal collision appears imminent. To learn more, visit www.chrysler.com. Whatever career you’re in, taking your expertise and experience into the classroom can make a difference in the lives of the students—and your own. For information about teacher preparation, continuing teacher education and professional development opportunities at University of Phoenix, visit www.phoenix.edu/education. Team America Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest student rocket contest, is sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry. To learn more, go to www.rocketcontest.org and www.aiaaerospace.org or call (703) 358-1000.

Marilyn Sutton MD Ira Sutton MD

Best wishes for a bright future! To subscribe: www.rivertownsenterprise.net

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE



GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 17A

Irvington High School

CLASS OF 2016 Samuel Abramowitz Kayla Acevedo George Adams Brandon Asadi Ashley Baez Alexander Belchou Carly Bernstein Weston Bishop

Amanda Blass Stephanie Bloomfield Marcus Boykin Sarah Boyle Elizabeth Brantl Zachary Brown Max Buchen Darius Burgh

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Principal David Cohen and Avery Schaefer

Nora Burkardt Mark Caldropoli Madison Carelli Lindsay Chafizadeh David Chu Daniel Chushko Raven Clivilles Ryan Collette Jared Conwisar Julia Crespo Lindsey Cummings Patrick Daly Rohan Dave Ana Delgado Edem Demanya Bryce Deziel Mikhail Dorokhov Scott Duarte William Dwyer Peter Eccles Jared Egloff Christian Enax Ashley Espinal Gabriella Feder Courtney Ferraro Kyle Fogerty Masaya Funakoshi Zachary Gallin Thomas Gambardella Lucas Garcia Jessica Geller Christopher Giampaolo Daniel Gilbert

Miles Gilbert Caleigh Gizzi Joshua Goldberg Robert Goldberg Benjamin Goldberg Jack Goldman Rebecca Goldman Isabelle Gonzalez Naomi Gordon Taryn Grande Henry Green Dana Grotenstein Hayley Hall Luke Hargraves Rebecca Harless Steven Hartog Joelle Herbert Thomas Heying Brandon Hirsh Richard Hollis Emily Horowitz Dean Jarrett Yeesoon Jeon Maxwell Johnson Owen Jones Hannah Kibel Yoonsung Kim Simon Knowler Logan Kornfeld Emily Lapine Kate Leahey Justin Levin Diana Lozina

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Dana Grotenstein adjusts her mortarboard.

Louis Lustenberger Lucas Maciel Isabella Mattei Kumani McLean Matthew McLoughlin Lesly Mendoza Benjamin Milan-Polisar Leah Monack Matthew Montaruli Dillon Morley Kody Morris Matina Mountroukas Alison Nakajima-Inglis Sweta Narayan Swati Narayan Tess Nienaltow

Elizabeth Nutig Julia O’Quinn Emma Oros Nicholas Ovetsky Dylan Owen Nicholas Panjwani Nicholas Parke Daniel Pastarnack Sierra Petro Andres Picon Corina Picon Kyle Picone John Pike Tyler Pollack Dean Radlauer Ajay Ramnarine

Andie Regan Barbara Robertson Dennis Rodriguez Olivia Rosner Brian Ross Jeremy Rothman Taylor Ruffler-Carbone James Russin Michael Sagan Avery Schaefer Grace Schelp Nathaniel Schochet Joshua Schultz Jake Scott Adam Segreti Lucas Selenow Dara Semerad Zachary Seymour Soon Hee Shimizu Soon Young Shimizu John Staropoli Sarina Stein Mallory Toolan Justin Tunis Nina Valdes Andreas Vatakis Isabella Vendramin Elizabeth Wang Stephanie Ware Rachel Weg Ethan Weinstein Nicholas Weiss Jacqueline Wexler Connor Winton Dylan Woods Qi Rui Yang Myung Seo Yoon Ileana Zinger

PAGE 18A — JULY 1, 2016



GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Irvington High School

AWARDS & HONORS Academic/Personal Growth

Robert Goldberg The Triumph Award

Taryn Grande, Michael Sagan Southern Westchester BOCES Bob Newman Award

Nicholas Weiss Bridges Program Special Recognition

Lindsey Cummings

Liberty Green Memorial Award (French)

George Adams, Amanda Blass, Andres Picon, Zachary Seymour Spanish 5 Honors Award

Benjamin Goldberg, Diana Lozina, Adam Segreti, Nina Valdes French 5 Honors Award

Max Buchen

Architecture Award

Mikhail Dorokhov, Matthew McLoughlin, Soon Young Shimizu Design Award

Max Buchen, Sarina Stein, Myung Seo Yoon Art Award

Simon Knowler, Julia O’Quinn Photo Award

AP Spanish Award

William Dwyer, Zachary Gallin Latin AP Award

Nora Burkhardt, Sweta Narayan, Nicholas Panjwani Latin 4 Honors Award

Tess Nienaltow, Soon Hee Shimizu Latin Gold Medal Award

Emily Lapine

Nora Burkhardt, Rebecca Harless, Swati Narayan, Sweta Narayan, Nick Panjwani, Justin Tunis, Ethan Weinstein

Phil Friedman Award

Latin Silver Medal Awards

Matthew McLoughlin The Paw Print Award

George Adams, Swati Narayan

Gabriella Feder, Tess Nienaltow

Senior English Award

Latin Magna Cum Laude

Giselle Maronilla, Nicholas Panjwani, Tyler Pollack

Amanda Blass, Hayley Hall, Soon Young Shimizu

Margot Weiss SUPA Award

Latin Cum Laude

Olivia Rosner

Sarina Stein

Special Recognition English Awards

James Maddaloni World Language Award

Miles Gilbert, Ethan Weinstein

Rebecca Harless

Spanish Special Recognition Award

Carly Bernstein, Avery Schaefer School Counseling Special Recognition Award

Jared Egloff, Hannah Kibel Counseling Award

Jacqueline Wexler JP Ludington Math Award

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Alexander Belchou

Lucas Maciel flashes a peace sign.

Senior Computer Programming Award

Excellence in Physical Education Award

Student Council Award

Raven Clivilles, Thomas Heying, Andres Picon, Corina Picon, Grace Schelp, Rachel Weg

Dana Grotenstein

Mark Caldropoli Don Robert Award

Yearbook Award

Matthew McLoughlin

Yoonsung Kim

James Power Award

John Phillip Sousa Award

Jack Goldman, Brandon Hirsh, Alison Nakajima-Inglis

WYGEC Award

Science Achievement Award

Prom Committee Award

George Adams, Sarah Boyle, Bryce Deziel, Tyler Pollack Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

Brandon Asadi, Miles Gilbert The Natalie Luzzi Determination and Dedication Award

Thomas Gambardella, Tess Nienaltow The Director’s Award for Musical Achievement

Rebecca Harless, Sweta Narayan, Andres Picon, Ajay Ramnarine, Ethan Weinstein, Myung Seo Yoon

Daniel Chushko, Soon-Hee Shimizu, Sarina Stein Science Award

Nora Burkhardt Social Studies Department Award

Sarah Boyle, Robert Goldberg, Naomi Gordon Local Historian Award

Nicholas Parke Economics Award

Emily Lapine, Tyler Pollack, Qi Rui Yang

Zachary Gallin Taryn Grande, Bryce Deziel, Joelle Herbert, Courtney Ferraro, Madison Carelli Mock Trial Award

Miles Gilbert, Jared Conwisar Cross Country, Winter Track, Spring Track Award

Sarah Boyle Student Council Award

Dana Grotenstein, Nora Burkhardt, Nickolas Ovetsky CONTINUED ON PAGE 19A

Congratulates the Class of 2016

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.

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE



GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 19A

CLASS OF 2016 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES George Washington University Georgetown University Harvard University High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hofstra University Hunter College Iona College Le Moyne College Macaulay Honors College Manhattan School of Music Maryland Institute College of Art McGill University Mercy College Middlebury College Mitchell College Muhlenberg College New York University Northeastern University Oberlin College Occidental College Pace University

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Max Buchen tosses his mortarboard.

IHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18A

Senior Class Officers and Representative Award

Dylan Owen, Jacqueline Wexler, Bryce Deziel, Nickolas Ovetsky Film Club Award

Pennsylvania State University Rochester Institute of Technology Siena College St. Thomas Aquinas College SUNY Albany SUNY Binghamton SUNY Broome Community College SUNY Buffalo SUNY Geneseo SUNY Delhi SUNY Oswego SUNY Purchase Syracuse University The New School Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University Union College University of Alabama University of British Columbia University of Chicago University of Colorado at Boulder

University of Delaware University of Hartford University of South Carolina University of St. Andrews University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland, College Park University of Michigan University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Pennsylvania University of Richmond University of Rochester University of Tampa University of Vermont Vassar College Villanova University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wesleyan University Westchester Community College Western New England University

Swati Narayan, Sweta Narayan, Tess Nienaltow, Nicholas Panjwani, Andres Picon, Tyler Pollack, Barbara Robertson, Adam Segreti, Soon Hee Shimizu, Soon Young Shimizu, Sarina Stein, Justin Tunis, Isabella Vendramin, Ethan Weinstein, Myung Seo Yoon

Nannina Rasulo Memorial Award

Andrew Huzinec Award

Leah Monack

Amanda Blass, Barbara Robertson

Academic Challenge Award

Soravilla Award

Connor Winton

Mark Caldropoli

Drumline Award

Frank McShane Award

Andres Picon, Ajay Ramnarine, Bryce Deziel

Yoonsung Kim Paul Cocozza II Award

Ocean Club Award

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

William Iaconetti

Salutatorian Swati Narayan and valedictorian Sweta Narayan

Cartoon Club Award

Richard Philips Award

Francis Iaconetti American Association of the University of Women Award for Excellence in Writing

Environmental Club Award

Rebecca Harless QSA Club Award

Sarah Boyle

Elizabeth Nutig

American Association of the University of Women Award for Outstanding Student

Latin Club Award

Nicholas Panjwani

New York State Comptroller’s Achievement Award

Maxwell Johnson, Nicholas Panjwani Fred Maier Rotary Scholarship

Barbara Robertson Humanitarian Award

Madison Carelli

Rivertowns Lions Club Award

Madison Carelli, Jake Scott

Eileen Fisher Foundation PTSA Scholarship

Thomas Gambardella

Cum Laude Inductees

Attorney General Triple C Award

Sarah Boyle, Nora Burkhardt, William Dwyer, Gabriella Feder, Zachary Gallin, Dana Grotenstein, Hayley Hall, Luke Hargraves, Max Johnson, Diana Lozina, Ben MilanPolisar, Matina Mountroukas,

Barbara Robertson

Bryce Deziel, Avery Schaefer

Michele Buell Memorial PTSA Scholarship

Award of Special Congressional Recognition

Jacqueline Wexler

Connor Winton

CONGRATULATIONS to all the GRADUATES

INDIGO

546 Warburton Ave Hastings-on-Hudson 478-1888 indigohastings@gmail.com

Swati Narayan Vladimir Cale Memorial Award

Kody Morris Tamawa Y oshida Award

Miles Gilbert Chris Massa Memorial Award

Joelle Herbert

Madison Carelli

iASK/Community Advisory Board Award

Edem Demanya

Hajek Award

Ethan Weinstein Westchester Community Foundation Scholarship

Kayla Acevedo, Yoonsung Kim The Zachary Kamin Memorial Art Scholarship

Simon Knowler

Jacqueline Wexler

O’Hara Foundation Scholarship

Ashley Baez, Marcus Boykin Frances Herms Award

Swati Narayan, Sweta Narayan RiverArts Award

Matthew McLoughlin Billy Starr Memorial Award

Zachary Brown, Elizabeth Nutig Irvington Faculty Association

Amanda Blass, Robert Goldberg Retirees of the Irvington Faculty Association Scholarship

Ashley Baez Lawrence Corio Scholarship

Kody Morris, Ethan Weinstein Dr. Scott Mosenthal Scholarship

Bryce Deziel PTSA Scholarship Award

Mark Caldropoli, Rebecca Harless, Joelle Herbert, Elizabeth Nutig, Myung Seo Yoon Class of 2016 Community Service Award Recipients

Amanda Blass, Elizabeth Brantl, Mark Caldropoli, William Dwyer, Gabriella Feder, Thomas Gambardella, Lucas Garcia, Joshua Goldberg, Robert Goldberg, CONTINUED ON PAGE 21A

Frank Campo 914-478-4959

572 Warburton Avenue Hastings-on-Hudson frankcampo@allstate.com

137630

Amherst College Bard College Baruch College Bates College Boston University Brown University Carnegie Mellon University Clark University Colgate University Columbia University Columbia-Greene Community College Concordia College Cornell University Dartmouth College Duke University Elon University Emerson College Emmanuel College Emory University Fordham University Full Sail University

PAGE 20A — JULY 1, 2016



GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES Andrew Barbato of Ardsley gradu-

Kevin Degnan of Irvington gradu-

Richelle S. Grogg of Dobbs Ferry

Jacob Liebersohn of Ardsley gradu-

ated summa cum laude from Western New England University on May 21 with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.

ated from Western New England University on May 21 with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.

graduated magna cum laude from James Madison University on May 6 with a degree in justice studies. Brooke Harty of Irvington graduated

Gavriele Berger of Hastings gradu-

Corey Devlin of Irvington gradu-

ated from Loyola University on May 21 with Bachelor of Arts in communication.

magna cum laude from the University of Richmond on May 8 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

ated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business with a Bachelor of Arts on accounting. He was honored with a membership to Beta Alpha Psi.

Ronan Devlin of Irvington gradu-

Hannah F. Heyman of Hastings

ated magna cum laude from Bucknell University on May 22 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and psychology. Samuel Broda of Dobbs Ferry

graduated magna cum laude from Union College with a Bachelor of Arts. He majored in political science and Spanish and Hispanic studies. Ariana Bulgarelli of Ardsley gradu-

ated from the University of Vermont on May 22 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Carl Ceraolo of Hastings graduated

from Boston University on May 15 with a Master of Science in medical science. Katherine Cohen of Dobbs Ferry

was awarded a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on June 5. She is the daughter of Robert and Renae Cohen of New York City, formerly of Dobbs Ferry, and the sister of Lauren Coughlin of Dobbs Ferry. She graduated from the Masters School in 2001 and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University in 2005. She then completed her postbaccalaureate pre-medical science certificate from New York University in 2007. She is continuing her medical training in psychiatry.

ated from Loyola University on May 21 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

graduated from Colby College on May 22 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and French studies.

Denise Elliot of Irvington graduated from Colgate University on May 15 with a degree in peace and conflict studies history.

Maija Honig of Hastings graduated from New York University on May 19. She received the Founders Award.

Lauren Fleming of Dobbs Ferry

graduated cum laude from Colgate University on May 15 with a degree in computer science and political science. Pavlina Guergova of Irvington

graduated from the University of Vermont on May 22 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Danielle Golds of Hastings gradu-

ated from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland on June 21 with a Scottish Master of Arts (Honours) in medieval history and English literature. She will continue her studies at the University of St. Andrews in September, pursuing a Master of Letters (Honours) in modern and contemporary literature and culture.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10A

Melissa Malara Memorial Scholarship Award

Dobbs Ferry High School Periauger Yearbook Award

Kaila Basile

Caleb Katzenstein

Leanna Guarscio, Hannah McDade

Embassy Club Robert A. Collin Memorial Award

Dobbs Ferry High School IB Film Award

Lindsey Trezza Dobbs Ferry High School Excellence in English Award

Sofia Checa, Caleb Katzenstein, Josephine Weidner Dobbs Ferry High School Outstanding Achievement in English Award

Kaila Basile, Lucas Saur Dobbs Ferry High School Most Improved in English Award

Daiana Naydenova Dobbs Ferry High School IB Writing Award

of Hartsdale graduated from Roger Williams University on May 14 with a Bachelor of Science in

Nicholas Friedman of Hastings

AAUW-Westchester Branch Excellence in Writing Award

DFHS AWARDS

Blake T. Hudson

graduated from the University of Vermont on May 22 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Hudson Kendall The Matthew S. Hisiger Film Foundation Grant

Miles Bettinelli Dobbs Ferry High School Award for Excellence in Foreign Language

civil engineering. Sylvie Kalikoff of Hastings graduated

from Union College with a Bachelor of Science in bioengineering. Chloe Larson of Dobbs Ferry graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors from Skidmore College on May 21 with a Bachelor of Arts in neuroscience and a minor in studio art. She was named to the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society.

graduated with honors from Princeton University on May 31 with a Bachelor of Arts in geosciences. She was awarded the T.A. Barron Prize for Environmental Leadership by the Princeton Environmental Institute. Jessica Malise of Hastings graduated with honors from Berkeley College on April 29 with an Associate in Applied Science in marketing communications. Kenneth Marshall of Dobbs Ferry

graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Alexis Martins of Irvington graduated from Lehigh University on May 23 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Nicholas Micallef of Irvington

graduated from Champlain College on May 14 with a degree in computer and digital forensics. Anna C. Peverly

of Ardsley graduated from Pennsylvania State University on May 7 with a Bachelor of Arts in international

Vitale & James Ricciardi Memorial Scholarship Award for Excellence in Spanish

Dobbs Ferry High School United Teachers’ Luke Colasuonno Memorial Scholarship Award

Akimi Sasaki

Federico Pollevick

Vitale & James Ricciardi Memorial Scholarship Award for Excellence in Italian

DFUT Scholarship Award

Federico Pollevick Joan Epstein Memorial Award in Theater Arts

Matthew McCormick Dobbs Ferry High School Award for Excellence in Performing Arts

Arjun Chattoraj, Sofia Checa, Federico Pollevick

Beth Feldberg, Gabriel Martinez, Jaime Rockafellow, Lucas Saur, Jeremy Sipe

Dobbs Ferry High School Award for Outstanding Achievement in Foreign Language

Dobbs Ferry High School Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performing Arts

Ella Rosenkranz, Elizabeth Martinez, Gabriel Wiersma

John Cattabiani, Nikolas Greenwald

Dobbs Ferry High School Most Improved in Foreign Language Award

Dobbs Ferry United Teachers’ Michael Wood Memorial Award

Maxwell Braimon, Jeremy Sipe

Josephine Weidner

AAUW-Westchester Branch Outstanding Student Award

Vitale & James Ricciardi Memorial Scholarship Award for Excellence in French

Dobbs Ferry United Teachers’ George Blaha Memorial Award for Excellence in Music

Elena Brown

Chloe Ann Reandelar

Ethan Sipe

Kiera Allen

Rebecca A. Lowy of Dobbs Ferry

Kiera Allen President’s Award for Academic Excellence

Nathan Barnett, Elena Brown, John Cattabiani, Arjun Chattoraj, Sofia Checa, Jacob Eisner, Cyrus Hadavi, Natalie Quintero, Akimi Sasaki, Chakshu Tandon, Josephine Weidner President’s Award for Educational Achievement

Kiera Allen, Theodore Annunziato, Kaila Basile, Rachel Eisner, Alison Fry, Morgan Gelfand, Nikolas Greenwald, Sasha Greenwald, Sophia Harris, Gabriel Lane, Jenna McDonnell, Federico Pollevick, Ella Rosenkrantz, Gabriel Wiersma President’s Award for Educational Achievement for Growth

Alex Capuano, Michael Grant, Caitlin Johnston, Caleb Katzenstein, Chloe Ann Reandelar

relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She will attend graduate school abroad, where she will study international educational development or human rights policy. Edwina Picon of Irvington gradu-

ated with honors from Johns Hopkins University on May 18 with a double major in psychology and philosophy. She will spend the summer conducting research at the University of British Columbia and then return to Johns Hopkins to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Julia Pilzer of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Bucknell University on May 22 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics. Reid Pollack of Hastings graduated from the University of Vermont on May 22 with a Bachelor of Science in community entrepreneurship. Ben Polsky of Ardsley graduated

from Marist College on May 20 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication. Joseph Potischman of

Ardsley graduated from SUNY Geneseo on May 14 with a degree in communications. He will attend Georgetown University in the fall, where he will study communication, culture and technology. CONTINUED ON PAGE 21A

IB Diploma Candidates

Matthew Amendola, Theodore Annunziato, Nathan Barnett, Elena Brown, Arjun Chattoraj, Sofia Checa, Jacob Eisner, Rachel Eisner, Alison Fry, Michael Grant, Nikolas Greenwald, Sasha Greenwald, Cyrus Hadavi, Gabriel Lane, Masataka Nishiyama, Nathan Perry, Federico Pollevick, Natalie Quintero, Chloe Ann Reandelar, Ella Rosenkranz, Akimi Sasaki, Josephine Weidner, Gabriel Wiersma IB Certificate Candidate Award for Achievement and Effort

John Cattabiani IB Diploma Recipient

Sofia Checa

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20A

Edward Ritch of Dobbs Ferry gradu-

ated from American International College with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Angelica Rosamilia of Dobbs Ferry graduated with honors from Berkeley College on April 29 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Caroline E. Rudd of Hastings

graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College on May 22 with a degree in art. She also earned departmental honors in art. Laura G. Sloofman of Ardsley gradu-

ated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on May 14 with a Master of Science in biophysics and computational biology. She recently accepted a bioinformatics position in the Division of Psychiatric Genomics, in the Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. Stephanie Spagnuolo of Dobbs Ferry graduated from the University of Vermont on May 22 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Emma Stein of Ardsley graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University on May 15 with a degree in computer science.

 Amy Stiefel of

Dobbs Ferry graduated from Ithaca College on May 22 with a Bachelor of Science in television and media production. She co-produced “Hold That Thought,” a weekly TV show that won first place in the Unscripted Series category at the 2016 College Television Awards. Emma K. Sweeting

of Hastings graduated from Mount Holyoke College on May 15 with a degree in statistics and a minor in sociology. Ames Tardio of Irvington graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University on May 15 with a degree in mathematics and economics. Kara Torrisi of Ardsley graduated

GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 21A

nic Institute on May 12 with a Master of Science in robotics engineering. Avi Wershba of Hastings received

an Associate of Arts from Bard College at Simon’s Rock on May 21. Wershba began attending the Early College at Bard after 10th grade. Joseph Woll of Irvington gradu-

ated from Bucknell University on May 22 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and Spanish. Harrison D. Zhu of Hastings gradu-

ated from Colby College on May 22. He majored in economics with a concentration in financial markets.

Good Luck! Class of 2016

from Lehigh University on May 23 with a Bachelor of Science in marketing. Seiichiro Ueda of Irvington graduated from Worcester Polytech-

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Zach Brown flashes a thumbs-up.

IHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19A

Class of 2016 Community Service Award Recipients (continued)

Hayley Hall, Luke Hargraves, Francis Iaconetti, William Iaconetti, Owen Jones, Yoonsung Kim, Kumani McLean, Lesly Mendoza, Leah Monack, Kody Morris, Swati Narayan, Sweta Narayan, Tess Nienaltow, Elizabeth Nutig, Corina Picon, Barbara Robertson, Michael Sagan, Grace Schelp, Zachary Seymour, John Staropoli, Isabella Vendramin, Jacqueline Wexler, Elizabeth Wang, Ethan Weinstein, Rachel Weg, Myung Seo Yoon

Senior Marra Award Winners

Kayla Acevedo, George Adams, Amanda Blass, Stephanie Bloomfield, Nora Burkhardt, David Chu, Jared Conwisar, Patrick Daly, Bryce Deziel, Peter Eccles, Masaya Funakoshi, Isabelle Gonzalez, Naomi Gordon, Taryn Grande, Hayley Hall, Rebecca Harless, Dean Jarrett, Yeesoon Jeon, Lucas Maciel, Matthew McLoughlin, Ben Milan-Polisar, Sweta Narayan, Elizabeth Nutig, Emma Oros, Andres Picon, Corina Picon, Ajay Ramnarine, Zachary Seymour, Sarina Stein, Justin Tunis, Rachel Weg, Ethan Weinstein

CLASSES START August 1 & September 6

It Is An Honor To Study AT WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE You may know that we are the largest and most affordable college in the county. You may also know our award-winning professors teach classes in more than 60 different academic programs. But did you know that more than ninety percent of our Honors Program students go on to their first choice for a four-year college or university?

914-606-6735 ▪ sunywcc.edu

PAGE 22A — JULY 1, 2016



RiverArts Award

HHS AWARDS Alumni Association James V. Harmon Community Scholarship

Austen Brauer Alumni Association Ronald Wilson Lindemann Athletic Scholarship

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

CLASS OF 2016

Gina Lindner, Madison Osborne

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16A

GRADUATION

Dawn Taylor Memorial Art Award

Michael Rotiroti Richard Royster Helping Hand Scholarship

Christopher Dosin

Joel Francisco, Lucy Sedky Alumni Association Gulish Family Art Scholarship

Michael Rotiroti

Project Share Thomas J. Fazio Scholarship for Social Activism and Community Service

Sydney Gabay Yellow Jacket Booster Club Scholarship

Alumni Association Michael & Eric Kantor STEM Scholarship

Grant Hevia, Sanne Wijnands

Grant Hevia

Fred J. Maier Quad-Village Rotary Scholarship

Alumni Association The Julius R. Chemka Community Scholarship

Sydney Gabay

Anthony Rotiroti Alumni Association Ronald J. Feaster Memorial Art Scholarship

Gina Lindner, Michael Rotiroti Alumni Association Bernard J. O’Brien Leadership Scholarship

Hastings Teachers Association Scholarship

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Stephanie Bloomfield is all smiles at the Irvington HS graduation ceremony.

JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Allison Stein receives her diploma at the Ardsley HS commencement.

Matthew Cortijo, Christina Proia, William Weitzman

GRADUATION

Dr. Cy Guberg Scholarship

A special section of

The Rivertowns Enterprise

Jake Amster, William Weitzman

Christopher Dosin

95 Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

YEM Club Award

PTSA Scholarship for Academic Achievement and Service

(914) 478-2787 www.rivertownsenterprise.net

Justin Bajan, Jeremy Cortijo

Destiny Morales, Catherine Ross

Peter Reut Award

PTSA William Hildebrand Memorial Scholarship

Ruth E. Barton Award

Brenda Aguilar

PTSA Service Award

Theodore Myers Award

Muriel Ossip, Hannah Rauhut

Alyssa Pistorino

So-Yin Hui Chan Foundation Classical Musician Scholarship

Thomas J. Brown Memorial Labor & Social Justice Scholarship

Samuel Nordlinger

PUBLISHER.............................. Deborah G. White SECTION EDITOR....................... Timothy Lamorte EDITORIAL ASSISTANT................... Andres Picon ART DIRECTOR.......................... Ann Marie Rezen AD DESIGN................................. Suzanne Brown AD SALES..........Marilyn Petrosa, Thomas O’Halloran, Barbara Yeaker, Francesca Lynch

Leah Goldberg

Gina Lindner, Fiona Quinn

COVER PHOTO: TIM LAMORTE Dobbs Ferry High School graduate Gabriel Wiersma exits the Hudson River at Waterfront Park on June 18.

Christina Proia

Skylar Sonn Tancredi Memorial Award

Austen Brauer, Joel Francisco

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Dobbs Ferry’s Leanna Guarascio waves during the processional.

TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE

Hastings’ Jordan Heinlein receives his diploma from principal Lou Adipietro

Fall in Love with Music

It’s never to early to register for Fall!

Seeing and Hearing Never Congratulations to Like the class of Before 2016 Visit Our Showroom to Experience andNew our very own graduate. you much 4K Wishing Ultra HDTV and success Hi-Resand Audio happiness in your future endeavors!

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Congratulations Graduates!

Wishing the very best to the Class of 2016

Value Electronics 35 Popham Rd Scarsdale 914-723-3344

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE



GRADUATION

JULY 1, 2016— PAGE 23A

Congratulations to our Class of 2016! French-American School of New York

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

Here is where they are headed: UNITED STATES Berklee College of Music Brown University Clark Univesity Cornell University Georgia Institute of Technology New York University Purdue University The New School Tufts University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis

University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Barbara University of Chicago University of Southern California CANADA Concordia University McGill University

EUROPE Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne - Switzerland Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Val de Seine, France ESCP Europe, Germany LaSalle Beauvais Institut Polytechnique, France Lycée Hoche—Classes Préparatoires, France Sciences Po - Columbia University Dual BA Program, France University of Kent, England University of Oxford, England

PAGE 24A — JULY 3, 2016



GRADUATION

THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE