A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE • JULY 3, 2014
Field. before heading to Reynolds
p with his classmates outside Hastings, wearing 2012 sun-
Class Of
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
2014
PAGE 2A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 3A
ARDSLEY HIGH SCHOOL
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
The graduates toss their mortarboards.
Graduates urged to focus on selflessness, not selfies BY JIMMY CHIN
T
he Ardsley High School Class of 2014 celebrated the school’s 98th commencement on Wednesday, June 25, on the campus football field, with a cool evening breeze. Worries that the ceremony would be marred by rain and thunderstorms were erased by the mild weather — a pleasant surprise that prevented an unwanted indoor graduation. After the seniors marched to their seats to the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” by the school band and orchestra, student council co-presidents Gabriella Bulgarelli and Jensyn Marquesano led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by a performance of the National Anthem by the select chorus. Senior class president Stephanie DeCicco then took to the podium. She began to talk about family, including the strength of the bond among the senior class. “Through every tragedy, heartbreak and success, we have been there for each other,” she said. “While our grade has had our proud moments such as this one, we’ve had a fair share of some not-so-proud moments,
but we have stood together regardless of the situation.” DeCicco continued by reminiscing about a few of the many memorable experiences shared by the class, including an eighth grade food fight and dance performances by some of the senior boys to “It’s Raining Men.” She then left off with a few humorous pieces of college advice, which incited laughter from the audience. “Wear flip-flops in the shower,” she said, “That’s the greatest decision you will ever make for yourself!” Next, nine seniors who belong to the AHS Select Chorus’ a cappella group, Lucky 13, performed “Run to You” by Pentatonix, a song they considered most fitting for the event. Salutatorian Kelsey Wong urged the class to embrace the future and the challenges that will come ahead. “Don’t listen when they tell you — that Ardsley is nothing like the ‘real’ world,” she said. “We might lead somewhat charmed lives… but who’s to say that our town is any less valuable because of that? What we’ve learned are timeless lessons that will last far into the future. We will learn that things don’t always turn out according to our desires, but sometimes that’s a good thing. No one wants a predictable plotline.”
Emily Jiang similarly addressed the uncertainty and difficulties of the future in her valedictory address. “You have to go after what you want… If you don’t ask for something, you can’t just expect it to happen,” she said. “Never give up, because no matter what you’re going through, no matter how much you’re hurting, it will always get better… Make sure to define happiness on your own terms. We all have to go through the rough stuff to get to the place we want to be.” Superintendent Lauren Allan advised the students simply to be kind — to open up and be “the most loving, generous and least self-absorbed version of you there is.” She also expressed hope that the graduates will not be afraid to fail, that they will take chances, but at the same time be grounded in the community that raised them. AHS principal Jim Haubner’s speech will be most remembered for his remarks on the phenomenon of the “selfie.” While this year seemed to him to be the year of the selfie, he urged the class to take a step back and look at the big picture. “I’m not here to rain on your Instagram parade, but I am just a little worried,” he said. “This selfie thing is a little too selfserving for my taste and while I concede that tonight is all about you, which is great…
after tonight… not so much… While you should focus on your own growth and success and happiness, a lot will also depend on the people you meet and the relationships you build with others. You can’t do this with the focus directed towards you.” “Take care of yourself,” Haubner advised, “but also take care of others and learn from them. You’ll be amazed at the return.” Haubner completed his address by calling upon Board of Education President George Holt. Upon announcing that the class had finished all their academic requirements, Holt declared the class graduated to the delight of the crowd. It was now time for the seniors to receive their diplomas. One by one students walked up to the podium to cheers and applause, each receiving his or her 30 seconds of fame. The ceremony concluded when Haubner prompted the class to throw up their mortarboards in celebration. The field was then flooded with people from the stands as families, friends and graduates took pictures and exchanged congratulations. People embraced, kissed, smiled, laughed and cried, as everyone knew this was the end of the beginning, but also the beginning of an exciting future for the graduates.
PAGE 4A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Ardsley High School
CLASS OF 2014 Rebecca Berg Matthew Bergenfeld Deniz Bingul Aaron Blaufox Sarah Bobson Brian Bounos Grant Buckland Gabriella Bulgarelli James Byrne
Justin Abadi Marisa Agugliaro Rebeka Almasi Joe Asprea Jorge Ayala Daniel Bach Guy Backlund Jieen Bae Sophia Bavaro
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Daniel Ostrower and Jenna Montag
Jessie Caldwell Connor Cassara Allison Chan Erica Cheung Natalie Cheung Natalie Chevalier Jimmy Chin Carolyn Chu Carlos Chuchuca Vincent Cobblah Justin Cochrane Sara Cronin Jon-Ellyn Cullen Shannon Curran Stephanie DeCicco Lisarel Delgado George DiFiore Jeffrey Diones Megan Donoghue Joseph Dorfler Dana Doyle Stefanie Falcone Carly Ferguson Joseph Ferreiras April Fiore Mark Florkowski Samuel Frankle Matthew Friedman Kristina Gallina Brianna Gallo Joseph Gallo Helena Garcia Kaitlyn Gikas Shaya Ginsberg Christopher Giordano Courtney Glick Eric Goetz
proudly announces the recipients of the
2014 Senior Arts Awards SARAH SEILER ARDSLEY
JIHYUN KIM DOBBS FERRY
BEN TORDA HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON
ILSOON JEON IRVINGTON
These graduating seniors have demonstrated a serious commitment and exceptional ability in the arts. We congratulate each of them and wish them success.
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Stephanie DeCicco
Megan Gonzalez Tara Gordon Andrew Green Rachel Greenwald Mitchell Gross Martin Gross-Leczycki Samantha Heras Rebecca Hershman Brenna Hewitt Hayley Hoffman Hannah Jacobson David Jaffin Christopher Japinga Emily Jiang Justin-Anthony Joco Kennita Jose Nina Joung Casey Kapklein Jessica Katz
Shoshana Kelly Grace Kim Allison Krumper Jeffrey Larson Kristen Lee Molly Leibel Tara Levy Rachel Malkin Jensyn Marquesano William Matzoros Jenna Mauriello Francesca McKenney Alexandros Michaelides Jenna Montag Matthew Moody Brandon Napolitano Ross O’Hagan Daniel Ostrower Chaeson Parkinson
Daniel Peter Nikolet Petras Patrick Polintan Sabrina Ponzini Hannah Prince Sabrina Queralt Matthew Rabito Maalya Ramachandra Erik Reilly Amanda Resnick Madeline Rich Ryan Richards Sean Robbins Natasha Roberts John Roche Nolan Rooney Julia Rosenblatt Jenna Salomon Anju Sanchala
Devin Saraiva Frank Savino Samuel Schiappacasse Alexander Schneiderman Emma Schorr John Scrofani Seyr Sefcovic Pamela Segall Kyle Seidenberg Sarah Seiler Zarah Shabir Deirdre Shahar Matthew Shear Jamie Silver Alexandra Simon Marina Sneider Brendan Son Brittney Strazza Franklin Streiter Elijah Swift Nikki Tarricone Marina Timmins Emily Trias Jessica Tyler Jaya Uppal Sarah Uy Kevin Vella Jacob Walters Elisa Wang Justin Weber Alana Weisberg Andrew Weiss Lianne Wendrow Melissa Wishner Samuel Wolosky Kelsey Wong Cassidy Wootten Lloyd Xiao Kristofer Yee Adriatik Zerka Emily Zhu Rachel Zive Minas Zoulis
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 2014. Love, The Tarricones and Everyone at Equalize Fitness
For more information about RiverArts riverarts.org 914.412.5120
equalizefitness.com • 914-751-6655 • One Odell Plaza • Yonkers, NY 10701 (off of Executive Blvd, at the Hastings/Yonkers Border)
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 5A
Ardsley High School
AWARDS & HONORS Valedictorian and Salutatorian Awards Emily Jiang, Kelsey Wong Coaches Award Mitchell Gross, Cassidy Wootten McCartney “Good Call” Sportsmanship Daniel Ostrower Lorraine Lombardi Darake Memorial Carolyn Chu Lisa Marie Fellis Memorial Scholarship Nina Joung, Casey Kapklein, Shaw Schiappacasse Roderick Baird Memorial Scholarship Jimmy Chin Jostens Medals Matthew Friedman, Brianna Gallo Shirley Madonick Memorial Deniz Bingul Edwin and Thelma Zimmer Memorial Stefanie Falcone, Joseph Gallo, Rachel Zive Ardsley Little League Brenna Hewitt, Frank Savino Ardsley Youth Council Jensyn Marquesano Excellence in French Language Hannah Jacobson Excellence in Spanish Language Carolyn Chu, Shaya Ginsberg Excellence in Latin Sara Cronin Outstanding Achievement in Italian Madeline Rich, Pamela Segall
NYS Theatre Education Association Awards Matthew Moody, Emily Trias Senior Leadership Drama Emily Trias
Woody Herman Jazz Band Sophia Bavaro, Natalie Cheung, Daniel Peter, Brendan Son, Justin Weber Louis Armstrong Jazz Award Joe Asprea, Tara Gordon, Melissa Wishner
Senior Leadership Chorus Matthew Moody, Pamela Segall, Emily Trias
2014 RiverArts Annual Art Award Sarah Seiler Fred J. Maier (Rotary) Rachel Greenwald JFK Memorial Citizenship Jenna Montag Excellence in Social Studies Deniz Bingul, Natalie Cheung Excellence in History Madeline Rich, Elisa Wang
Excellence in Academic Challenge Martin Gross-Leczycki Excellence in English Matthew Rabito Outstanding Achievement in English Deniz Bingul, Madeline Rich, Matthew Shear
Senior Leadership Orchestra Aaron Blaufox, Madeline Rich
Excellence in Art Jessica Tyler
JFK Physical Education Achievement Matthew Shear, Rachel Zive Excellence in Mathematics Emily Zhu
Senior Leadership Band Sophia Bavaro, Natalie Cheung
Achievement in Art Helena Garcia
Achievement in Social Studies Joe Asprea, Adriatik Zerka
Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Slam Kaitlyn Gikas, Shaw Schiappacasse Student Leadership Award Gabriella Bulgarelli Girl Scouts Sarah Bobson, Stephanie DeCicco, Megan Donoghue, Megan Gonzalez, Hayley Hoffman, Natasha Roberts Ardsley Congress of Teachers (ACT) Stephanie DeCicco Claudette Monaco Memorial Matthew Moody AHS Class of ’59 Spirit Award Brittney Strazza Rensselaer Medal Alexander Schneiderman Bausch & Lomb Madeline Rich
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6A
John Scrofani and his classmates walk to their seats.
Congratulations and Much Success to the Ardsley Graduating Class of 2014 from the Ardsley PTA Justin Abadi Marisa Agugliaro Rebeka Almasi Joe Asprea Jorge Ayala Daniel Bach Guy Robert Backlund Jieen Bae Sophia Bavaro Rebecca Cailin Berg Matthew Bergenfeld Deniz Bingul Aaron Charles Blaufox Sarah Rose Bobson Brian Bounos Grant Buckland Gabriella Elena Bulgarelli James Patrick Byrne Jessie Caldwell Connor Cassara Allison Chan Erica Cheung Natalie Hiu-Chi Cheung Natalie Chevalier Jimmy Chin Carolyn Chu Carlos Chuchuca Vincent Cobblah Justin Lee Cochrane Sara Cronin Jon-Ellyn Cullen Shannon L. Curran Stephanie Marie DeCicco Lisarel Delgado George Franklin DiFiore Jeffrey A. Diones Megan Donoghue
Joseph Dorfler Dana Doyle Stefanie Marie Falcone Carly Brianna Ferguson Joseph Ferreiras April Fiore Mark Florkowski Samuel Frankle Matthew Laurence Friedman Kristina Gallina Brianna Catherine Gallo Joseph Gerard Gallo Helena Garcia Kaitlyn Gikas Shaya Eve Ginsberg Christopher Giordano Courtney Glick Eric Goetz Megan Elizabeth Gonzalez Tara Bryn Gordon Andrew M. Green Rachel D. Greenwald Mitchell Gross Martin Gross-Leczycki Samantha Heras Rebecca Hershman Brenna Ann Hewitt Hayley Hoffman Hannah Jacobson David Jaffin Christopher Japinga Emily S. Jiang Justin-Anthony Ampil Joco Kennita Jose Nina Joung Casey Kapklein Jessica Katz
Shoshana Kelly Grace Kim Allison Krumper Jeffrey Larson Molly Rose Leibel Tara Jade Levy Rachel Anne Malkin Jensyn Marquesano William Alexander Matzoros Jenna Mauriello Francesca McKenney Alexandros Michaelides Jenna Sarah Montag Matthew Evan Moody Brandon Napolitano Ross William O’Hagan Daniel Ostrower Chaeson Parkinson Daniel I. Peter Nikolet Petras
Patrick Polintan Sabrina Diana Ponzini Hannah Prince Sabrina Queralt Matthew Rabito Maalya Ramachandra Erik Quinn Reilly Amanda Resnick Madeline Rich Ryan Richards Sean Robbins Natasha Roberts John M. Roche Nolan Rooney Julia Rosenblatt Jenna Morgan Salomon Anju Sanchala Devin Saraiva Frank Savino Samuel Shaw Schiappacasse
Alexander Schneiderman Emma Perel Schorr John Robert Scrofani Seyr Sefcovic Pamela Segall Kyle Seidenberg Sarah Seiler Zarah Shabir Deirdre Shahar Matthew Shear Jamie Silver Alexandra Simon Marina Elise Sneider Brendan Son Brittney Strazza Franklin Streiter Elijah Swift Nikki Tarricone Marina Timmins Emily Rose Trias
Jessica Tyler Jaya Uppal Sarah Uy Kevin Andrew Vella Jacob Walters Elisa Wang Justin Weber Alana Weisberg Andrew Weiss Lianne Wendrow Melissa Wishner Samuel Wolosky Kelsey Nicolette Wong Cassidy Wootten Lloyd Xiao Kristofer Yee Adriatik Justin Zerka Emily Zhu Rachel Zive Minas Zoulis
PAGE 6A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
AHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5A
Distinction in Science Rebecca Hershman Devi Nampiaparampil Award Jeffrey Larson Michael Carey Scholarship Fund Joseph Dorfler Ardsley School Staff Sara Cronin, Tara Gordon, Hannah Jacobson, Ross O’Hagan, Daniel Peter, Jaya Uppal New York Blood Center Scholarship Award Molly Leibel Rivertown Lions Past Presidents’ Award for Best Community Service David Jaffin Buddy Awards: Challenger Teams Joseph Gallo, Jenna Montag, Emma Schorr, Melissa Wishner
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Daniel Bach
Ardsley Education Foundation (AEF) Jensyn Marquesano, Jenna Salomon Marie Stimpfl Memorial Awards (Volunteer Ambulance) Guy Backlund, Jimmy Chin, Jeffrey Larson, Ross O’Hagan, Andrew Weiss, Rachel Zive
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Melissa Wisher snaps a selfie with Principal Jim Haubner and Superintendent Lauren Allan.
James T. Noone Memorial (Ardsley Fire Department) Mark Florkowski, Marina Timmins Panther Scholar Athlete of the Year Emily Jiang, Matthew Shear Panther Association Award Daniel Bach, George DiFiore, Helena Garcia, Nikki Tarricone Panther Association Tom Lindgren Memorial Natasha Roberts Stephen O’Connell Panther Association Award Carly Ferguson PTA Teaching Dana Doyle PTA Art Sarah Seiler PTA Fine Art Joseph Dorfler PTA Music Pamela Segall PTA Drama Emily Trias
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Gabby Bulgarelli hugs Hayley Hoffman.
PTA Community Service Jieen Bae, Erica Cheung PTA Tenacity Grace Kim PTA “Renaissance Student” Alexander Schneiderman PTA Computer Science/Math Kelsey Wong PTA Elaine Taweel Memorial Martin Gross-Leczycki PTA Athlete Sophia Bavaro, Jimmy Chin National Merit Scholarship Winner Emily Zhu
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Brianna Gallo, Allison Krumper and Hannah Jacobson
CLASS OF 2014 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES Adelphi University Adirondack Community College Amherst College Bates College Binghamton University Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Canisius College Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University College of Mount Saint Vincent College of William and Mary Connecticut College CUNY-Macaulay Honors College Dartmouth College Dominican College of Blauvelt East Carolina University Elon University Fairfield University Fashion Institute of Technology Fordham University Indiana University at Bloomington Iona College Ithaca College James Madison University
Johns Hopkins University Johnson & Wales University Keene State College King’s College London Lasell College Lehman College of the CUNY London School of Economics Manhattan College Manhattanville College Maria College of Albany Marymount Manhattan College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mercy College Middlebury College Muhlenberg College New York University Oberlin Conservatory of Music Pace University, New York City Pace University, Westchester Campus Pennsylvania State University, University Park Quinnipiac University Regis University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rider University Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick Sacred Heart University Salisbury University Shenandoah University State University of New York – Plattsburgh Stevens Institute of Technology Stony Brook University SUNY College at Cobleskill SUNY College at Cortland SUNY College at Geneseo SUNY College at Oneonta SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry SUNY Oswego Syracuse University Temple University The Hartford Conservatory The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Towson University Tufts University Tulane University University of Colorado at Denver University of Delaware University of Florida University of Hartford
University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami University of New Hampshire University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of South Carolina University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts University of St. Andrews University of Toronto, St. George University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin, Madison Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Commonwealth University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College West Chester University of Pennsylvania Westchester Community College Wood Tobe-Coburn School
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 7A
DOBBS FERRY HIGH SCHOOL Graduates encouraged to embrace uncertainty in futures BY JULIAN CALDWELL
T
here was a notable change in scenery for the 113th Dobbs Ferry High School commencement, which took place on Mercy College’s athletic field on Saturday, June 21. In fair weather, the graduation is typically held at the village’s Waterfront Park, alongside the Hudson River, but park construction required a change of venue, and the college welcomed the students, faculty, family and friends. The sun beamed down on the 116 seniors as they marched between a standing crowd of supporters, the traditional melody of “Pomp & Circumstance” playing over the loudspeaker. Students led the assembled through the Pledge of Allegiance and renditions of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” before school board president Tracy Baron delivered to the Class of 2014 its first words of advice. “Try to remember that though you are incredibly accomplished, you should know your brains are only partially developed,” said Baron, drawing laughs from the crowd. She went on to joke about how unfinished brain development could explain the roller-coaster ride of emotions teenagers put their parents through. Baron ended by saying that a part of becoming mature is caring about others as much as oneself, if not more so, and encouraged the seniors to embrace that thinking going forward. “Stop and think just for a few seconds before you act,” she said. “Think about how what you do and say affects those around you.” When Dobbs Ferry High School Principal John Falino started in his post, in 2011, this year’s graduates had a year of high school under their belts. Since then, the students impressed him in various ways. “In thinking of the Class of 2014, words like scholarship, togetherness, friendship, athleticism and tenacity come to mind,” Falino said. “Without question, our students excel in all areas and all corners.” He listed class accomplishments from students in the classroom, student athletes, actors and even a comedian with a sizeable online following. The principal warned the class that while the feats they achieved were not easy, the cost of success will only increase as they move on. “The risks are greater and the sure bets are fewer and far between,” said Falino, adding that “boundless hope” links the Class of 2014 to the previous 112 graduating classes that faced the same challenges. “Today it is your turn to harness that hope.” Senior class adviser Maria Addona followed, letting the students know the transition would be difficult for them and also for the faculty. “The better we get to know you, the more difficult it is to say goodbye,” Addona said. “There’s no need to reach for the stars. I believe they’re already with you — you just need to reach inside yourselves.” Then it was time for some members of the Class of 2014 to take the podium, reflect on their school memories, and speculate on their
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
The graduates toss their mortarboards.
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
David Cohen
futures. Salutatorian Rachel Birnbaum was unsure about her future beyond the fact that she will attend the University of Virginia in the fall. Still, she told the crowd that her uncertainty did not mean she had to worry, and suggested that her peers feel the same way. “Whether we know what we want to do next or whether we don’t know, we all share the confidence in ourselves,” Birnbaum said. “We are all united by the fact that we all have the ability to fly.” Like some of her classmates, Birnbaum began her academic career in the Dobbs Ferry schools at Springhurst Elementary. She went on to middle and high school with some of the same friends she met at Springhurst, and spoke of a camaraderie in the schools that mirrors the community as a whole.
“We aren’t just leaving our physical home, but a broader home,” said Birnbaum, who moved to Dobbs Ferry when she was in the third grade. “We’re leaving the familiarity of honking to at least half the people we see in the streets.” Valedictorian Daniel Lilling also expressed an uncertainty, saying that despite having the highest grade-point average in the class, he is no better at answering questions about the future than his peers. “We’re all going off to bigger places and I think we’re all feeling the same thing,” said Lilling who will attend Washington University in St. Louis in the fall. “We’re a little nervous, a little scared and also a little excited.” He stressed a desire to see his classmates do well in the next stage of their lives, and more
importantly be themselves, instead of trying to fit someone else’s definition of success. “College will give us the opportunity to find out who we really are and what we truly have to offer,” Lilling said. “I can’t wait do what we love and talk about what we love with people who share our passion.” Schools Superintendent Lisa Brady and Assistant Superintendent Douglas Berry were the last two administrators to address the students before they made the transition from seniors to alumni. Berry encouraged the class to appreciate their high school accomplishments, while realizing there is a lot more work to do in their lives, and Brady urged them to not only focus on personal success in the future, but show generosity toward others. “I hope that in your lives you will be that kind person, that thoughtful person, that caring person,” said Brady highlighting a willingness to not only help friends, but strangers as well. “That is what people will remember most about you.” With the sun setting on the gathering that had braved high heat through most of the ceremony, it finally came time for the main event. Proud family and friends jockeyed for position to take pictures as their loved ones took their last steps out of high school and into their new endeavors. Falino then said his final words, and, as countless Dobbs Ferry graduates have done before, the class joyously launched their caps into the air. The action put a stamp on their high school careers, but as Berry said in his speech, it was far from the finish line for the fresh batch of graduates. “Today is just the beginning,” Berry said. “It’s a marker on a longer journey yet to be determined. Your best days lie ahead and your journey starts today.”
PAGE 8A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Dobbs Ferry High School
CLASS OF 2014 Christopher Addorisio Joli Assumma Margaux Baumann Christopher Benben Roy Benjamin Sadie Biale Rachel Birnbaum Matthew Bohl Jaclyn Broccoli William Brosnahan
Mancie Broughton Anthony Casamo Gabriel Cassorla Alyssa Chipelo Nicholas Cipriano Dylan Clay-Devlin David Cohen Jamie Corradina Matthew Crawford Marisa Cuva
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Christopher Addorisio
Christopher Deane Maya DeBellis Ashley DeLeon Conor Driscoll Spencer Dunnings Janine Eckes Gabriel Erwin Lieve Falck-Pedersen Emily Faro Nathan Flaks William Fontana Hannah Forte Maxwell Freiman Simon Frroku Henry Gandy Kelvin Garcia Jesse Garten Theresa Giglio Austin Glickstern Hannah Goldman Zakiya Grant Hanako Greensmith Sean Grogg Michael Guashpa Kaylan Haralambides Benjamin Hord Cara Horsfield Frederick Jones Danielle Kagan Yusuf Kapadia Emma Kaplan Keren Kedem Ryan Keys Kanae Kihara Antonia Kildare Jihyun Kim Isabelle Knezevic
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Nia Ulfers, Margaux Baumann and Chrissy Whitty
Allison Latainer Benjamin Lau Nayoung Lee Ian Leeds David Leone Daniel Lilling Brendan Lindsay Kyle Lindsay Alana Lyman Ian Maddox Victoria Maggi Wilda Marroquin Robert Marshall Steven Marshall Jillian McDonnell
Riley McKeown Courtney Millin Paul Monaghan Paige Monte Fabiana Monteleone Ryan Moynihan Thomas Newman Yuuji Nishiyama Emily Nolasco Megan O’Brien Ian O’Connor Isaac Orkin Maria-Ray Ossino Lauren Owen Luc Pergolotti
Marius Polakoski Will Raderman Mac Josh Reandelar Alexandra Reiser Anabel Reynolds Emily Richardson Daniel Riefenhauser Janine Rodriguez Kristen Ruff Michael Russo Dorrie Sacks Michael Selin Kiran Shabbir Faariah Shakil Kyle Smith-Bryant
Timothy Soave David Solazzo Dale Storti Matthew Stout Terence Taylor Antonia Ulfers Andrea VillavicencioHayward Michael Wallace Kristin Wazen Christine Whitty Taylor Wilde Ryan Williams Nicole Yarnold
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 9A
Dobbs Ferry High School
AWARDS & HONORS Valedictorian Daniel Lilling Salutatorian Rachel Birnbaum Dobbs Ferry High School Scholastic Honor Plaque Daniel Lilling The Gloria Firsty Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarship Book Endowment Award Daniel Lilling, Rachel Birnbaum Martha Corey-Ochoa Memorial Scholarship Daniel Lilling Dobbs Ferry High School Scholastic Honor Medals Daniel Lilling, Rachel Birnbaum, Maya DeBellis, Gabriel Cassorla, Michael Selin, Benjamin Hord, Ian Leeds, Will Raderman, Emily Faro, Mac Josh Reandelar National Merit Commendation Sean Grogg, Daniel Lilling, Michael Selin Bradley and Katherine C. Bolke Humor Award Matthew Stout Westchester Film Program Yusuf Kapadia Dobbs Ferry United Teachers’ Michael Wood Memorial Award Maya DeBellis Chief Edward J. Doyle Memorial Scholarship Will Fontana
Lieutenant Raymond Malara Memorial Scholarship Wilda Marroquin Police Officer “Ricky” White Memorial Scholarship Cara Horsfield Thomas C. Hennessey Memorial Award Antonia Ulfers Youth Service Council Award Maya DeBellis, Emily Faro John Andrew Romano Award Kyle Lindsay Congressional Certificate of Merit Maya DeBellis Fred J. Maier Memorial Scholarship Megan O’Brien PTSA Zatkovich Incentive Award Maria Ray Ossino Congressman Eliot L. Engel Congressional Trophy Benjamin Hord New York Blood Drive Scholarship Sadie Biale, Dylan Clay-Devlin Lions Club – Lions Past President Award Ryan Moynihan Ilissa Schoenberg Memorial Scholarship Kristen Ruff SPRING Community Partners Award Christopher Benben, David Cohen, Jihyun Kim
SPRINGboard Award Megan O’Brien, Kristen Ruff Dobbs Ferry Youth Baseball League Award Matthew Bohl, Jamie Corradina Sacred Heart Terriers CYO Basketball Program Cara Horsfield American Legion Post No. 1048 Award Emily Faro Dobbs Ferry High School Social Studies Award Rachel Birnbaum Dobbs Ferry High School Advanced History Award Rachel Birnbaum Dobbs Ferry Youth Lacrosse Program Cara Horsfield, Ryan Moynihan Dobbs Ferry High School Gov’t/ Economics Award Keren Kedem Distinguished Effort Award in Social Studies Jaclyn Broccoli, Alyssa Chipelo, Megan O’Brien, Alexandra Reiser, Anabel Reynolds, Michael Selin Highest Average Over Four Years in English Benjamin Hord Most Improved in English Marius Polakoski The Matthew S. Hisiger Film
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
(Front row) Ian Leeds and Ian O’Connor. (Back row) Paul Monaghan, Max Freiman, Ben Hord, Gabe Cassorla and Mike Selin.
Foundation Award Yusuf Kapadia
Ward K. Jones Memorial Award Sean Grogg, Antonia Ulfers
John Yozzo Memorial Scholarship Christopher Addorisio, Matthew Bohl, Nicholas Cipriano, Daniel Riefenhauser, Timothy Soave
Dobbs Ferry United Teachers’ George Blaha Memorial Award William Brosnahan
Embassy Club Robert A. Collins Memorial Award Alyssa Chipelo, Daniel Lilling Antoinette L. Tisi Memorial Award Christine Whitty Dobbs Ferry Touchdown Club Award Christopher Addorisio, Sadie Biale, Alexandra Reiser, Timothy Soave
Joan Epstein Memorial Award in Theatre Arts Isabelle Knezevic Dobbs Ferry Woman’s Club Award for Performing Arts Ryan Williams DFUT Scholarship Award Alexandra Reiser CONTINUED ON PAGE 10A
PAGE 10A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
DFHS AWARDS
Excellence in Art Yuuji Nishiyama
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9A
Josephine Anderson Memorial Award Yuuji Nishiyama
RiverArts Senior Art Award Jihyun Kim
Outstanding Athletes Kanae Kihara, Daniel Riefenhauser
George A. Delmerico Art Scholarship Riley McKeown
United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Alyssa Chipelo, Sean Grogg
The Diamond Club Matthew Bohl, Emily Faro Excellence in Mathematics Rachel Birnbaum, Daniel Lilling Most Improved in Mathematics Nathan Flaks, Alana Lyman Dobbs Ferry High School Periauger Award (Yearbook) Isabelle Knezevic, Maria Ray Ossino Excellence in a Foreign Language Spanish: Michael Selin; French: Faariah Shakil; Italian: Alyssa Chipelo, Megan O’Brien Vitale & James Ricciardi Memorial Scholarship Award Spanish: Kaylan Haralambides; French: Mac Josh Reandelar; Italian: Maya DeBellis, Antonia Ulfers
Dobbs Ferry High School Award in Physical Education Allison Latainer, Marius Polakoski
Army Reserve National Scholar /Athlete Jamie Corradina, Sean Grogg
Excellence in Science Faariah Shakil
The State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence Gabriel Cassorla, Sean Grogg, Benjamin Hord, Megan O’Brien
Outstanding Achievement in Science Christopher Benben, Rachel Birnbaum, Benjamin Hord, Paige Monte, Taylor Wilde
CSEA Scholarship Award Mark Helgesen, Ryan Keys, David Solazzo
Outstanding Effort in Science Alyssa Chipelo, Marisa Cuva, Maya DeBellis, Anabel Reynolds, David Solazzo Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award Taylor Wilde
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Antonia Kildare and her classmates walk to their seats.
Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee Public Policy Award Paul Monaghan CONTINUED ON PAGE 20A
CLASS OF 2014 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES Berklee College of Music Binghamton University Boston University Brandeis University Bucknell University Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Champlain College Chapman University Clinton Community College Coastal Carolina University College of Mount Saint Vincent Columbia University Cornell University CUNY-Macaulay Honors College Fashion Institute of Technology
Fisher College Fordham University Hunter College of the CUNY Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Lackawanna College Manhattan College Manhattanville College Massachusetts College of Art and Design McGill University Mercy College Millersville University of Pennsylvania New York Film Academy New York University
Northeastern University Northwood University, Florida Oberlin College Pace University, New York City Pace University, Westchester Campus Pennsylvania State University, University Park Purchase College, State University of New York Rochester Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Sacred Heart University State University of New York at Albany Stevens Institute of Technology Stony Brook University SUNY College at Cortland
Congratulations to our son,
Christopher John Benben and the Class of DFHS 2014!
Your hard work, determination and willingness to learn and your encouragement for your fellow students, has been both admirable and respectful. Throughout your younger years and up to Graduation, your eagerness to challenge your educational abilities has been impressive and will continue to grow. You will always be your Mother’s “love to infinity” and you’re Dad’s “B.B.B.G”. With all our heartfelt love and pride,
Mom and Dad
SUNY College at Geneseo SUNY College at Oneonta SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry SUNY Delhi SUNY Oswego Temple University The Culinary Institute of America The George Washington University The Ohio State University The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tufts University University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom University of California at Los Angeles
University of Chicago University of Colorado at Boulder University of Connecticut University of Delaware University of Hartford University of Maryland, College Park University of Michigan University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia Washington University in St. Louis Westchester Community College Western New England University
To our one and only grandson
Christopher John Benben and the DFHS class of 2014! You have been our pride and joy throughout the years and we cannot be more proud of you. We wish you only the best in your future endeavors and know you will be successful in whatever you choose to do. With all our heartfelt love and pride,
Poppy (DFHS class of 1955) and Nanny Joe and Sue Ruotolo
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 11A
HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL Commencement celebrates camaraderie among classmates BY JULIAN CALDWELL
I
nstead of scores and times, the scoreboard at Reynolds Field displayed “2014” on Thursday, June 26, in honor of the 139 seniors who bade farewell to Hastings High School. For 60 percent of the class, the graduation was the culmination of a journey that started in kindergarten at Hillside Elementary School. In his opening speech, HHS Principal Louis Adipietro reminded the students that when they were in kindergarten everything was chosen for them and high school graduation was far from their minds. He told the seniors that their futures would teach them a lot about themselves, and that they should be as eager to learn about their weaknesses as their talents. “In recognizing these weaknesses you will face a challenge,” he said. “That is to work those weaknesses into strengths.” He praised the students for the strengths they had already shown, with accomplished scientists, dancers and athletes emerging from the class of 2014 over the years. “This is a thrilling moment to celebrate the range and diversity of this class,” Adipietro said. “You have a chance of making a great success of your life.” Senior class president Jamie Katz followed the principal’s advice for an uncertain future by reminiscing about the familiar past. In the previous weeks she had polled her classmates for their favorite school memories and shared a few with the audience. Most were stories of students being picked up by classmates when they were down, such as a new student whose peers invited her to lunch when she knew no one at school, and an athlete being cheered up by teammates after a loss. “It’s not the circumstances that made these memories special, it’s the people beside us,” Katz said. “It’s not our talents that make us special, it’s our unmatched close-knit nature.” She told her classmates that she hoped their relationships would stay the same, as new environments and pursuits test them even more. “Chances are, at some point you will fail,” she predicted. “Just because we helped make your high school memories, we’re not just figures from the past.” The commencement speaker for the evening was a member of Hastings High School’s past: 2004 graduate Taylor Downs. In 2008, Downs co-founded Vera Solutions, which uses technology to help nonprofit organizations collect, organize and analyze data. In 2012, his efforts earned him a spot on Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30” list of influential people under 30 years old. Downs, who earned a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies from Amherst College, originally thought he wanted to be a doctor. He studied abroad and worked with an HIV-prevention organization in South Africa. Then, with most of his medical school application complete, he could not bring himself to write the short essay explaining why he wanted to attend. “This path that I thought was mine was no longer for me,” Downs said. “If you bite
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Emily Dyke
sional training in computer technology. “It’s so important to be open, to love an idea or a person,” Downs said. “If I wasn’t stupid enough to try this stuff it wouldn’t have happened. As long as you keep your eyes open, you will learn and succeed.” Downs urged the seniors to live in the moment and not take for granted what they could do now. “The only choices I regretted are those I didn’t really make,” he said. “You’re not waiting to do something in some abstract future. What you’re doing right now is valid.” Salutatorian Miles Lewis was so busy living in the moment that he missed his graduation. Adipietro informed the crowd that Lewis, who will attend Columbia University in the fall, is in Turkey studying the TurkTIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE ish language and culture on Samantha Aibinder hugs Allison Alonso a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. The your lip and close your eyes you may miss audience applauded his noble excuse for the something big.” absence. Helping the HIV-prevention group to orValedictorian Richard Berman spoke of ganize their information by creating an applithe tug-of-war between nostalgia for the past cation inspired Downs and his colleagues to and excitement for the future pulling on his start Vera Solutions, which now has clients in heart. Berman, who is going on to Dartmouth 40 different countries. That accomplishment, College in New Hampshire in the fall, recoghe emphasized, happened despite the fact that nized the school and the Village of Hastings as he and his two co-founders lacked profesplaces he would miss. He acknowledged that
the small village and school might lack the attractions of larger towns, but their small size has its advantages. “We receive an attention from our teachers that is personalized and genuine,” Berman said. “The true beauty and charm of Hastings is to have known everybody so well and to have been known.” Superintendent Roy Montesano, whose son graduated from high school the previous week, spoke to the class from the perspective of an administrator and parent. “Have fun and enjoy these years because, as you will see, they will fly by faster than you will believe,” Montesano said. “Seek out new voices, strange sights and ideas different from your own.” With the last words for the students before they received their diplomas, Board of Education president Eileen Baecher read a 1997 speech, laced with humor, once rumored to have been delivered by writer Kurt Vonnegut to a graduating class at MIT. “You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded,” Baecher recited. “But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.” “Don’t worry about the future,” Baecher read later on. “Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.” With a few laughs shared, the seniors enjoyed the spotlight as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Adipietro then deemed the student high school graduates, and a barrage of green caps soared into the air.
PAGE 12A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Hastings High School
CLASS OF 2014 Rosendo Aguilar Samantha Aibinder Michael Akopian Allison Alonso Benjamin Amaral Nicole Antonic Natalie Araya Gabriella Arce Aidan Barry Alexandra Bazigos Marie Ariadne Bazigos Richard Berman Elizabeth Bernard Jonathan Berritt Gretchen Bogan Maximillien Bourgeois Simone BrandfordAltsher Kevin Cajas Perry Ann Callahan Tyler Caraballo John Cazzoli Peter Clark-Deutsch Shannon Comerford Camila Coronado-Lynn James Crowley Rita Culpepper Andriana Cunningham Julia Dailey Paul DeVito Emma Dietz Lea Marie Distelhurst Meleick Dixon Alexandra Dominguez Richard Dosin
Ada Dovell Kenneth Driscoll Emily Dyke Jeremy Edwards Eliana Epstein Veronica Erdman Matthew Erickson Andreas Fell Jocelyn Fine Joel Fuentes Padric Gallagher Michael Ganjehlou Mikhail Garcia Thomas Gelfars Juliet Gelfman-Randazzo Mo Godin Jonathan Goiz Margaret Gorman Molly Gross Armando Gutierrez Rosalie Harpur-Reid Marc Hershman Loren Heubert-Aubry Robert Hevia David Heyman Emmanuelle Heyman Nina Holl Edouardo Honig Matthew Hopkins John Huembes Alexander Jaeger Robert Janeway Mya Jason Emily Johnson Jamie Katz
Zev Kaufman Spencer Kolbert Zachary Kuhn Elena LeFevre Rose Leiva Nathaniel Levy Miles Lewis Daniel Limitone Emily Linn Zachary Linn Jesse Litvin Gregory Macchi Kevin Machado Nicholas Mayer Arjun Mehrotra Melanie Mercurio Juliet Mitchell Miranda Mitchell Celia Murray Nicole Neto Melissa Noboa Devin Nunez Rachel Oaks-Leaf David Osband Lee Owen Nikko Padilla Nicole Paquette Jordyn Pena Peter Perenyi Christopher Perez Moira Peterson Roseann Puthiyamadam Johanna Ramm Carmine Raucci Gabrielle Rawls
Gailyn Rawls Isaiah Riesman-Tremonte Quran Robinson Con Roche Emily Rogers Lena Rubin Christopher Saunderson Hattie Schapiro Adam Scharf Tessa Schneider Francesco Scioscia Justine Sedky Ari Selzer Maya Silverstein Reanna Singh Logan Slater Emma Solomon Timothy Spenser Holden Squibb Emily Standiford Quentin Street Siena Tancredi Anthony Tarricone Paula Telyczka Andriana Theodoropoulos Benjamin Torda Marianne Tymocz Alicia Walrath Clio Walton Clara Weinstein Matthew Wiecha John Wilt Kasey Wood Teah Wyman Sofia Zordan
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Jesse Litvin climbs the bleachers in the gym.
GREENLEAF PHARMACY We would like to congratulate the following graduates: MERCY COLLEGE Suzanne DiNapoli, Mercy College with a BA in History and Education HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL Nicole Antonic Perry Callahan Melissa Noboa Maya Silverstein And ALL the Rivertowns 2014 Graduates!
544 Warburton Avenue Hastings-on-Hudson
478-0004
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 13A
Hastings High School
AWARDS & HONORS Valedictorian Richard Berman Salutatorian Miles Lewis High Honor Roll Samantha Aibinder, Allison Alonso, Natalie Araya, Richard Berman, Elizabeth Bernard, Gretchen Bogan, Simone Brandford-Altsher, James Crowley, Julia Dailey, Paul DeVito, Emma Dietz, Ada Dovell, Emily Dyke, Jocelyn Fine, Padric Gallagher, Juliet Gelfman-Randazzo, Mo Godin, Loren Heubert-Aubry, Emmanuelle Heyman, Nina Holl, Edouardo Honig, Matthew Hopkins, Robert Janeway, Emily Johnson, Jamie
Katz, Zev Kaufman, Elena LeFevre, Miles Lewis, Daniel Limitone, Emily Linn, Zachary Linn, Jesse Litvin, Arjun Mehrotra, Nicole Neto, Rachel OaksLeaf, David Osband, Lee Owen, Moira Peterson, Con Roche, Emily Rogers, Lena Rubin, Hattie Schapiro, Adam Scharf, Tessa Schneider, Francesco Scioscia, Ari Selzer, Logan Slater, Emma Solomon, Emily Standiford, Quentin Street, Benjamin Torda, Marianne Tymocz, Clio Walton, Clara Weinstein, Matthew Wiecha, John Wilt, Kasey Wood, Teah Wyman, Sofia Zordan Honor Roll Jonathan Berritt, Perry Ann Callahan, Eliana Epstein, Roseann Puthiyamadam
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Clio Walton, Simone Brandford-Altsher and Emily Standiford
English Book Awards Samantha Aibinder, Richard Berman, Simone Brandford-Altsher, Juliet Gelfman-Randazzo, Loren HeubertAubry, Emily Rogers, Lena Rubin, Hattie Schapiro, Benjamin Torda, Clara Weinstein English Special Recognition for Effort & Achievement Armando Gutierrez Social Studies Department Plaque Perry Ann Callahan, Francesco Scioscia Certificate in Anthropology Simone Brandford-Altsher Certificate in AP European History Miles Lewis Certificate in College Learning Studies Emily Johnson Certificate in Criminal Justice Carmine Raucci Certificate in Economics Robert Janeway Certificate in AP Psychology Nina Holl Certificate in Power of Protest Juliet Mitchell Certificate in Sociology Tessa Schneider Certificate in WestMUNC Julia Dailey, Miles Lewis, Moira Peterson Esther Liberman Plaque Hattie Schapiro Karen Ural Plaque Samantha Aibinder, Jesse Litvin Donald P. Gregg Award Natalie Araya
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Eliana Epstein and her classmates walk to their seats.
Mathematics Medallions James Crowley, Paul DeVito, Alexander Jaeger, Jesse Litvin Certificate of Recognition in Mathematics Edouardo Honig, Rachel Oaks-Leaf, Hattie Schapiro, Ari Selzer, Marianne Tymocz Math Team Medallion Richard Berman Math Team Certificates Paul DeVito, Alexander Jaeger, Marianne Tymocz Achievement in Chemistry Matthew Hopkins Achievement in Physics John Wilt Achievement in Environmental Science Emma Dietz Achievement in Biology Rachel Oaks-Leaf Achievement in Advanced Geology Kasey Wood
Achievement in Science Research Ari Selzer Achievement in Science Robert Janeway, Roseann Puthiyamadam Science Department Plaque Hattie Schapiro Spanish Plaque Richard Berman Spanish Medallion Simone Brandford-Altsher Academic Certificate of Excellence in Spanish Jamie Katz, Marianne Tymocz, Teah Wyman French Plaque Miles Lewis French Medallion Rachel Oaks-Leaf Academic Certificate of Excellence in French Nina Holl, David Osband, Sofia Zordan CONTINUED ON PAGE 14A
30 MAIN STREET • HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON • NY 10706
478-1400
CONGRATULATIONS and
BEST WISHES to
THE CLASS OF 2014
PAGE 14A — JULY 3, 2014
HHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13A
Latin Plaque Richard Berman
Madrigal Medallion Simone Brandford-Altsher, Emma Dietz Certificate in Exemplary Personal Vision Adrianna Cunningham Certificate in Range of High
Latin Medallion Nina Holl
Quality Work Julia Dailey, Sofia Zordan
Academic Certificate of Excellence in Latin Miles Lewis, David Osband
Certificate in Exemplary Personal Vision and Range of High Quality Work Jocelyn Fine, Emily Rogers
Maureen O’Donnell Oxford Classical Dictionary Award Veronica Erdman
Physical Education Medallions Maximillien Bourgeois, Emma Dietz, Jonathan Getz, Armando Gutierrez, Daniel Limitone, Emily Linn, Kevin Machado, Juliet Mitchell, Francesco Scioscia, John Wilt
Chorus Medallion Emily Dyke, Emmanuelle Heyman Band Medallion David Osband, Paul DeVito Orchestra Medallion Isaiah Riesman-Tremonte, Edouardo Honig
Student Union Award Jamie Katz, Roseann Puthiyamadam, Hattie Schapiro, Clio Walton
Jazz Band Medallion Richard Berman, Thomas Gelfars
H.A.S.P. Community Service Plaque Joel Fuentes
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Quest Plaque Nicole Paquette, Andriana Theodoropoulos
Ramm, Lena Rubin, Hattie Schapiro, Adam Scharf, Benjamin Torda, Clara Weinstein, Matthew Wiecha, John Wilt, Teah Wyman
Senior Class Officers Service Award President: Jamie Katz; Vice President: Moira Peterson; Secretary: Eliana Epstein; Treasurer: Emily Linn
National Achievement Scholarship Finalist Simone Brandford-Altsher
Plaques for Student Union President: Jesse Litvin; Vice President: Natalie Araya; Secretary: Allison Alonso; Treasurer: Julia Dailey National Merit Scholarship Finalists Julia Dailey, David Heyman, Matthew Hopkins, Jesse Litvin
College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar: David Osband; Honorable Mention: Matthew Erickson Principal’s Award Gregory Macchi, Logan Slater Principal’s Leadership Award Zachary Kuhn, Rose Leiva Knights of Pythias Tyler Caraballo, Margaret Gorman
National Merit Scholarship Letters of Commendation Marie Ariadne Bazigos, Richard Berman, Simone Brandford-Altsher, James Crowley, Emma Dietz, Veronica Erdman, Alexander Jaeger, Jamie Katz, Rachel Oaks-Leaf, Lee Owen, Johanna
Mary Young Award Mya Jason State of NY Office of the Attorney General Triple “C” Award Rita Culpepper
John Kennedy Award Siena Tancredi John Hopkins Award Devin Nunez Hastings PBA John Cazzoli Hastings Fire Department Scholarship Richard Dosin, Padric Gallagher, Nicole Paquette, Carmine Raucci, John Wilt YEM Club Matthew Erickson Stuart Cohen Memorial Scholarship Jonathan Goiz, Robert Hevia Vinod Dabral Memorial Award Elena LeFevre, Lee Owen Yellow Jackets Booster Club Scholarship Jamie Katz, Robert Hevia Hastings Mothers Club Simone Brandford-Altsher, Christopher Saunderson CONTINUED ON PAGE 20A
CLASS OF 2014 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES Adelphi University American University Amherst College Bard College Barnard College Bates College Berklee College of Music Binghamton University Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University Bridgeton Academy Bucknell University Catholic University Colby College Colorado College Columbia University
Concordia University Cooper Union Cornell University Culinary Institute of America Dartmouth College Dutchess Community College Eckerd College Emory University Fairleigh Dickinson University LaGuardia Community College Full Sail University Goucher College Hamilton College Harvard University Hebrew University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hofstra University
Iona College Lesley University Manhattan College Marist College McGill University Miami University Mount Allison University Muhlenberg College Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Occidental College Pace University Penn State University Queens College Queensborough Community College Quinnipiac University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Sacred Heart University Salisbury University Skidmore College Smith College St. Thomas Aquinas College SUNY Albany SUNY Buffalo SUNY Cobleskill SUNY Genesco SUNY Oneonta SUNY Purchase Susquehanna University Syracuse University The George Washington University Tufts University
Tulane University University of California at Los Angeles University of Chicago University of Southern California University of Delaware University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Puget Sound University of Texas, Austin University of Pittsburgh University of Virginia Vassar College Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University Westchester Community College
HASTINGS CENTER
Restaurant
Specializing in...FRESH SEAFOOD • STEAKS CHOPS • GOURMET DINNERS
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THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 15A
PAGE 16A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL Theme of community punctuates commencement BY GILLIAN MORLEY
H
undreds of families and friends gathered at Matthiessen Park on Saturday, June 21, to watch the Irvington High School Cass of 2014 graduate. The weather was sunny and warm for the graduation, which took place beside the Hudson River, with the Tappan Zee Bridge in the background. The students, all in green and white caps and gowns, walked down the aisle accompanied by the high school band playing the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” They took their seats as they waited for Irvington High School Principal David Cohen to deliver his remarks. This past school year was the 45-year-old Cohen’s first at IHS. He succeeded Scott Mosenthal, who had worked at IHS since 1975, first as an English teacher and then as principal. After welcoming the crowd and thanking the PTA, the Irvington Recreation Center, the Irvington Police Department and the custodial crew for helping with the event, Cohen briefly reflected on his inaugural year in the district. He said he quickly was impressed with Irvington’s “warmth and intimacy.” He talked about the different Irvington traditions he was exposed to, such as homecoming, painting the rock on the high school hill, the IHS band trip, and color wars. He also recounted his experience participating in the village-wide spelling bee, where he flubbed every word. “All I kept thinking on my walk back to the balcony was, ‘Oh gosh, everyone is going to be talking about how the new high school principal cannot spell,’” Cohen joked. “At least I know I have a goal for year two.” Cohen said community events like the spelling bee are what make Irvington special. He talked about the great moments and the moments of sadness, which the Irvington community has faced this year. Earlier that week an 11-year-old middle school student was hit by a car on the corner of Broadway and Heritage Hill Road on his way home from a final test. Cohen said the incident has shaken the community, but the outpouring of support has been incredible. “Through it all our community is there for one another and that is what makes me proud to be an educational leader in Irvington,” Cohen said. Cohen’s take-away message in his address was optimistic, telling the students that the “future is ripe” and encouraging them to “see the invisible.” He told the students to envision the future and create opportunities that may not be immediately apparent. “Tomorrow is an opportunity to improve on what we did today,” Cohen said. The next speaker, Schools Superintendent Kristopher Harrison, suggested that the students think about the word “opportunity” and what it means to them. He implored the Class of 2014 to “manufacture your own opportunity.”
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Madison DeRose snaps a photo of herself and her classmates.
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Alaya Martin’s mortarboard
Bob Grados, president of the Irvington Board of Education, spoke on behalf of the board. He urged the seniors to critique all the adults who helped them along the way and see what they could do better for their future. “Not only am I challenging each of you to do better than we have, I am counting on it,” Grados said. The senior addresses were given by class president Madison DeRose, salutatorian
Tobias Schwed, and valedictorian Emily Friedman. DeRose looked back and recalled highlights from her 13 years in the Irvington schools. Many of the graduates, like DeRose, have been in the district since kindergarten. She underscored two phrases, telling her fellow graduates to “fake it, ‘till you make it,” and that “You is kind, you is smart, you is important,” from Kathryn Stockett’s
2009 novel (and 2011 film) “The Help.” “I like that that line is grammatically incorrect because it reminds me of the steadfast imperfections in all of us,” DeRose said. “We all have potential to be kind, smart and to be important, but even while possessing all of these qualities not one of us will ever achieve perfection.” Schwed told of his first experiences at IHS. He moved to Irvington from London when he was a sophomore and anticipated that he would be treated as an outsider. Revealing the sense of humor that likely saw him through that time, Schwed interjected, “The hardest part of this speech is keeping the tassel out of my mouth.” He recounted his genuine surprise at how kind and welcoming the student body and the teachers were, and used that experience to reassure the graduating class that change is often an opportunity to learn and grow. “Instead of fearing change, I am now excited for it,” Schwed said. The final speaker before the diplomas were given out was Friedman, the valedictorian. Her message to the impending graduates was to look back on their time in high school positively. She thought back to her time in Latin review sessions and at track meets and said she wished she could have appreciated the experiences more as they were happening. Before the diplomas were given out, the tassels transferred, and the caps tossed in the air, Friedman left her classmates with a few final words. She said, “I hope your positive experiences are the ones that stand out the most.”
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 17A
Irvington High School
CLASS OF 2014 Harrison Abrams Nicholas Adams Susana Alfonso Joric Barber Alyssa Baron Steven Batchie-Portnoy Conor Behrens Alexandra Bell Drew Bernstein Emma Rose Bernstein Ruby Bernstein Alec Black Jamie Braid Alexandra Brantl Anna Rose Brennan
Rafelin Brito Johan Buchen Justin Callaghan Anna Canning Lauren Chafi zadeh Tyler Cicero Ashley Cirillo Dylan Clewell Richard Cofre Zachary Cooper Margaux Copp Zoe Cozell Christopher Curran Anika Czander Nicholas D’Arrigo
Terry D’haiti Mia Davey Coleman DeAnda John Degaard Jackson Denahy Madison DeRose Anthony DiNardo Scott Eisland Brett Enax David Erosa Brianna Evans Victoria Fantasia Naomi Feiguine Abigail Felix Marco Forlenza
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Jacob Glantz
Hannah Fowler Sonya Fowler Emily Friedman Justin Gaines Christina Galgano Megan Gallagher Kaitlyn Gardner Laurilyn Gelardi Juliette Gilbert Alyssa Gilroy Jacob Glantz Jonathan Goldreich Alexander Goldsmith Victoria Goldsmith Evan Grande Naomi Greenspan Helene Hall Graham Hansen Daniel Hargraves Elizabeth Harty Monica Hershman Shayna Holden Justin Hoyt Genevieve Hurwitz Ari Hymowitz Kaitlyn Iacopelli Evan Irgang Natalia Ishoo Andrew Jacobson Victoria Jelenek Ilsoon Jeon Reika Kabata Eric Kanchuger Matthew Kaufman Georgia Kerr Seung Kim Samuel Kimak
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Andrew Wassmann
Adrian Knowler Hannah Koenig Connor Kostyra Elena Kusiak Alejandra Lee Joon Lee Christie Leone Gregory Lofaro Arnav Luthra Miranda Ma Michael Macchia Jennie Malina Chelsea Malota Samuel Markowitz Julia Marshall Alaya Martin Talicia Martins Alexander Mattei
Francis Maugeri Dylan McLoone Finn Moore Jado Morris Madeline Motush Patti Mueller Randi Myers Danielle Newbury Jack Nienaltow Antonio Nogalo Benjamin Ovetsky David Pak Samuel Palermo Jesse Pasternack Lance Peterzell Lisa Pomeranz Jacqueline Powell Zachary Reichman
Jorden Rivers Molly Robbins Charles Robertson Max Rosen David Rovello Zoe Rowe Yara Sayegh Tobias Schwed Sara Scott William Shefelman Colin Sherman Trevor Sherman Atsuko Shimizu Ruby Siegel Steven Silvagni Julia Sipos Sophie Smith Youssouf Sonko Ryan Soravilla Arianna Speechley Shannon Spencer Wyatt Steinberg Jun Pei Sugihara Autumn Swann Marlon Thompson Kyle Tunis Adrian Valdes Samantha Vamosy Espen Varrone Tanya Vulfson Amarree Wade Fou Wang Kevin Wang Lindsay Wasserman Andrew Wassmann Maki Watanabe Milo Weathers Tyler Wexler Elise Williams Dillon Yeh Joanna Yuelys John Yurczak Michael Zepp Adrian Zias
PAGE 18A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Irvington High School
AWARDS & HONORS Valedictorian Emily Friedman
Liberty Green Memorial Award Molly Robbins, Kyle Tunis
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award Jacob Glantz, Lance Peterzell
Salutatorian Tobias Schwed
Spanish 5 Honors Award Helene Hall, Charles Robertson
Special Recognition Award Tyler Wexler, John Yurczak
AP Spanish Award Anna Canning, Danielle Newbury
The Natalie Luzzi Determination and Dedication Award Coleman DeAnda, Jorden Rivers, Joanna Yuelys
Triumph Award Alyssa Baron, Victoria Fantasia
Latin AP Award Madison DeRose, Kyle Tunis
Architecture Award Joric Barber, Johan Buchen, Justin Callaghan, Marco Forlenza
Latin 4 Honors Award Jesse Pasternak
Design Award Elena Kusiak, Tobias Schwed Art Award Jackson Denahy, Atsuko Shimizu Photo Award Elena Kusiak, Tanya Vulfson Art History and Theory Award Seung Hee Kim Rivertowns Arts Award Ilsoon Jeon The Paw Print Award Jenna Malina Phil Friedman Achievement Award Elizabeth Harty Senior English Award Brianna Evans Margot Weiss SUPA Award Abigail Felix Special Recognition Awards Christine Leone, Jacqueline Powell
James Maddaloni Scholarship William Shefelman
Band Director’s Award Ruby Bernstein, Alexandra Brantl, Justin Gaines, Georgia Kerr, Max Rosen Flag Team Award Alejandra Lee, Danielle Newbury
Guidance Award Naomi Feiguine
PGC Margot Weiss Memorial Award Coleman DeAnda, Elizabeth Harty, Christie Leone, Francis Maugeri, Randi Myers, Tyler Wexler
JP Ludington Award Zac Cooper, Helene Hall
James Power Award Kaitlyn Gardner, Jacqueline Powell
Donald Robert Award Tyler Cicero
Science Achievement Award Madison DeRose, Emily Friedman, Helene Hall
John Phillip Sousa Award Elizabeth Harty, Andrew Jacobson, Connor Kostyra, Jack Nienaltow, Jesse Pasternack National Choral Award Molly Robbins Orchestra Director’s Award Alexandra Bell, Dylan McLoone, Dillon Yeh Beethoven Award Nick Adams, Molly Robbins, Zoe Rowe Leonard Bernstein Award Fou Wang
Science Award Lance Peterzell Social Studies Award Anna Canning, Emily Friedman Economics Award Madison DeRose, Lance Peterzell Psychology Award Sara Scott Drama Award Jacob Glantz Marra Award Nick Adams, Joric Barber, Alyssa
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Richard Cofre and Lauren Chafizadeh
Baron, Alexandra bell, Anna Rose Brennan, Johan Buchen, Justin Callaghan, Tyler Cicero, Dylan Clewell, Anika Czander, Nicholas D’Arrigo, Justin Gaines, Jacob Glantz, Helene Hall, Elizabeth Harty, Genevieve Hurwitz, Reika Kabata, Georgia Kerr, Elena Kusiak, Christie Leone, Gregory Lofaro, Michael Macchia, Dylan McLoone, Madeline Motush, Randi Myers, Benjamin Ovetsky, Samuel Palermo, Jesse Pasternack, Jorden Rivers, Molly Robbins, Atsuko Shimizu, John Yurczak
Andrew Huzinec Award Christopher Curran, Elizabeth Harty Soravilla Award Ryan Soravilla Schrader Award Benjamin Ovetsky Paul Cocozza II Award Lindsay Wasserman Jessie Ian Nursing Award Patti Mueller CONTINUED ON PAGE 19A
Congratulations to The Masters School Class of 2014!
Best wishes to all our graduates from the Rivertowns and beyond! The Masters School 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-479-6400 • www.mastersny.org
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 19A
CLASS OF 2014 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CHOICES Hofstra University Indiana University Ithaca College John Hopkins University Lafayette College LIU Post Loyola Maryland University Marymount Manhattan College Mass College of Pharmacy McGill University Mercy College Mount Holyoke University Muhlenberg College Northeastern University New York University Pace University Pratt Institute of Technology Providence College Quinnipiac University Rochester Institute of Technology Rockland Community College Rollins College
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Valedictorian Emily Friedman
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Savannah College of Art & Design Skidmore College
IHS AWARDS
Cum Laude Recipients Drew Bernstein, Ruby Bernstein, Alexandra Brantl, Anna Canning, Tyler Cicero, Zachary Cooper, Madison DeRose, Brianna Evans, Emily Friedman, Helene Hall, Elizabeth Harty, Georgia Kerr, Seung Hee Kim, Jennie Malina, Dylan McLoone, Danielle Newbury, Jack Nienaltow, Lance Peterzell, Lisa Pomeranz, Jacqueline Powell, Tobias Schwed, Colin Sherman, Kyle Tunis, Fou Wang
Vladimir Cale Memorial Award Tyler Wexler Tamawa Yoshida Award Christie Leone Chris Massa Memorial Award Jacob Glantz Hajek Award Laurilyn Gelardi O’Hara Family Memorial Award Molly Robbins, Julia Sipos Nannina Rasulo Memorial Award Abigail Felix
Billy Starr Memorial Award Scott Eisland, Danielle Newbury Irvington Faculty Association Alex Brantl, Helene Hall Retirees of the Irvington Faculty Association Scholarship Award Gregory Lofaro Lawrence Corio Scholarship Award Ruby Bernstein
University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Michigan University of New Hampshire University Of Pittsburgh University of Rochester University of Scranton University of Southern California University of St. Andrews University of Tennessee University of Wisconsin, Madison Vanderbilt University Vassar College Villanova University Washington and Lee University Washington University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College West Virginia University Westchester Community College Williams College
National Merit Scholarship Tobias Schwed
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18A
David Scott Altman Memorial Award Laurilyn Gelardi
Skidmore University Springfield College St. Lawrence University St. Thomas Aquinas College SUNY Albany SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry SUNY Geneseo SUNY New Paltz SUNY Plattsburgh Syracuse University Tidewater Community College Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University University of Arizona University of California at Santa Barbara University of Connecticut University of Delhi, India University of Maryland, College Park
JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Seniors pose for a photo.
United States Figure Skating Association Julia Sipos PTSA Scholarship Award Christopher Curran, Molly Robbins, Charles Robertson, Samantha Vamosy Eileen Fisher Foundation PTSA Scholarship Shannon Spencer
Dr. Scott Mosenthal Scholarship Award Shannon Spencer
Michele Buell Memorial PTSA Scholarship Jacqueline Powell
I.K. Benjamin Scholarship Ruby Bernstein, Anna Rose Brennan, Abigail Felix, Joanne Yuelys
American Association of the University of Women: Excellence in Writing Emily Friedman
American Association of the University of Women: Outstanding Student Jado Morris Attorney General Triple C Award Arianna Speechley Award of Special Congressional Recognition Jacqueline Powell Fred Maier Rotary Scholarship Award Molly Robbins Student Council Anna Rose Brennan, Madison DeRose Humanitarian Award Sophie Smith
Community Service Awards Ruby Bernstein, Alexandra Brantl, Anna Rose Brennan, Justin Callaghan, Tyler Cicero, Mia Davey, Madison DeRose, Terry D’haiti, Coleman DeAnda, Abigail Felix, Kaitlyn Gardner, Alexander Goldsmith, Shayna Holden, Seung Hee Kim, Samuel Markowitz, Julia Marshall, Jack Nienaltow, Jesse Pasternack, Lance Peterzell, Jacqueline Powell, Molly Robbins, Yara Sayegh, Sara Scott, William Shefelman, Atsuko Shimizu, Julia Sipos, Sophie Smith, Ryan Soravilla, Shannon Spencer, Fou Wang, Kevin Wang, Joanna Yuelys
A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE • JULY 3, 2014
Class Of
2014 JIM MACLEAN/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Amherst College Bard College Berklee College of Music Binghamton University Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Carnegie Mellon University Colgate University Cornell University CUNY Brooklyn College CUNY-Macaulay Honors College Dartmouth College Dominican College of Blauvelt Emory University Fairfield University Fordham University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Gordon College Hamilton College
Graduation is a special section of The Rivertowns Enterprise 95 Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 (914) 478-2787 www.rivertownsenterprise.net PUBLISHER ............................Deborah G. White SECTION EDITOR .................... Timothy Lamorte EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ................. Jimmy Chin ART DIRECTOR ....................... Ann Marie Rezen AD DESIGN................................Suzanne Brown AD SALES ........Marilyn Petrosa, Thomas O’Halloran, Barbara Yeaker, Francesca Lynch ***
ON THE COVER: Irvington High School graduate Jennie Malina. COVER PHOTO BY JIM MACLEAN
©2014 W.H. WHITE PUBLICATIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS FORBIDDEN WITHOUT THE PUBLISHER’S WRITTEN PERMISSION.
PAGE 20A — JULY 3, 2014
Schechter Westchester
GRADUATION
DFHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10A
3 Point Club Award Alyssa Chipelo, Daniel Riefenhauser Thomas P. DiNapoli NY State Comptroller Christine Whitty Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation Personal Achievement Award Joli Assuma, Jaclyn Broccoli, Sean Grogg, Keren Kedem Melissa Malara Memorial Scholarship Award Joli Assuma Dobbs Ferry United Teachers’ Luke Colasuonno Memorial Scholarship Award Megan O’Brien
Congratulates the Class of 2014 Aviva Ronit Abusch Samuel Ian Baden Mariel Amanda Bader Yael Aviva Berger Talia Borodowski Ilan Philip Brennglass Deborah Chusit Arielle Cohen Liran Cohen Jared David Cohn Arin Renne-Kate Cotel-Altman Ethan G. Cove Erez Davids Natan Davids Jacob Samuel Diamond Talia Ditkoff Rafael-Eduardo K. Dodo Noy Dragushansky Sarah Sophie Dunn Samuel Eilbaum Noam Eitan Jonathan Elmalem Jessie Sara Espinet Danielle Meredith Evans Samantha Feig
Benjamin Moses Fine Ilana Forchheimer Micah Orion Garber Lauren Ellie Gelb Samara Jaclyn Geller Bradley Louis Goldman Scott Graf Aaron Grand Sydney Grant Elizabeth Leigh Greenblatt Samuel Joseph Joffe Arielle Joselson Michal Peninah Kellner Jonah Harrison Kelly Shira King-Berkman Dara Elyse Kotek Rebecca Kruglyakov Jared Ross Kulak Jordana Reid Kulak Benjamin Kuszel Gabriella Kuszel Sara Lev Ethan Gabriel Levy Jesse Lewis Rebecca Lea Malits
Isabel Joy Malmazada Aaron J. Miller Sarah Nechamkin Sydney Ryann Ostrofsky Benjamin Scott Picket Benjamin Max Polinsky Mason Raboy Beth Hannah Reisman Jenna Roth Seri Roth Oren Schechter Gabriella Schiller Julia Kim Schluger Rina Susannah Schulberg Jared Evan Schwartz Ean Seinfeld Ilan Selinger Sarene Eyla Shaked Sarah Naomi Singer Maia Kohava Sirkin Samantha Anne Spitalny Daniel David Stern Rebecca Walker Danielle Ivy Weisfeld Danielle Weiss
Our students have been accepted by the following colleges, universities, and programs in Israel: American University Barnard College Becker College Binghamton University Boston University Brandeis University Buffalo State College of SUNY Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Champlain College Clark University College of Charleston Columbia University Cornell University Dartmouth College Dean College Drexel University Eckerd College Emory University Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison Florida Gulf Coast University Fordham University Hampshire College Hartwick College Harvard College Hofstra University Hunter College of the CUNY Indiana University at Bloomington Ithaca College Jewish Theological Seminary of America Johns Hopkins University Johnson & Wales University (Providence) Lafayette College Lehigh University Lesley University Lynn University McGill University Mitchell College
Montclair State University Muhlenberg College New York University Newbury College Nichols College Northeastern University Northwestern University Pennsylvania State University, University Park Purchase College State University of New York Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada Quinnipiac University Rider University Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at Camden Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick Skidmore College Springfield College State University of New York Plattsburgh State University of New York at Albany State University of New York at New Paltz Stony Brook University SUNY College at Brockport SUNY College at Cortland SUNY College at Geneseo SUNY College at Oneonta SUNY College at Potsdam SUNY Fredonia SUNY Oswego Syracuse University Temple University The George Washington University The University of Arizona Towson University Tufts University
Bold indicates schools our students will be attending.
www.schechterwestchester.org
Tulane University University at Buffalo The State University of New York University of California at Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Colorado at Boulder University of Connecticut University of Delaware University of Denver University of Hartford University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami University of Michigan University of New Haven University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Rochester University of Southern California University of Toronto, St. George University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin, Madison Vanderbilt University Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University Western New England University Widener University Yale University Programs in Israel Aardvark Israel Bar-Ilan University Kivunim (New Directions) Lehava Mechinat Ein Prat Mechinat Lachish Mechinat Nachshon Nativ
Erik J. Legath Memorial Scholarship Award Faariah Shakil President’s Award for Academic Excellence Rachel Birnbaum, Gabriel Cassorla, Alyssa Chipelo, Emily Faro, Benjamin Hord, Ian Leeds, Daniel Lilling, Will Raderman, Mac Josh Reandelar, Michael Selin President’s Award for Educational Achievement Dylan Clay-Devlin, Maxwell Freiman, Theresa Giglio, Sean Grogg, Keren Kedem, Alana Lyman, Ian
HHS AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14A
Thomas J. Fazio Scholarship for Social Activism & Community Padric Gallagher, Zev Kaufman, Melissa Noboa, Moira Peterson Thomas J. Brown Memorial Labor & Social Justice Scholarship Hattie Schapiro Hastings Southside Club Memorial Scholarship Roseann Puthiyamadam, Veronica Erdman Alumni Association Awards Justine Sedky, Marianne Tymocz, Moria Peterson, Elena LeFevre, John Wilt, Paul DeVito, Melissa Noboa, Francesco Scioscia, Alexandra Bazigos, Hattie Schapiro PTSA Awards Simone Brandford-Altsher, Emmanuelle Heyman, Samantha Aibinder, Benjamin Torda, Zev Kaufman Hastings Youth Council Kay Coltoff Scholarship Emmanuelle Heyman So-Yin Hui Chan Foundation Classical Musician Scholarship Justine Sedky Skylar Sonn Tancredi Memorial Scholarship Samantha Aibinder, Jesse Litvin Richard Royster Helping Hand Scholarship Francesco Scioscia RiverArts Award Benjamin Torda
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Maddox, Jillian McDonnell, Riley McKeown, Paul Monaghan, Thomas Newman, Megan O’Brien, Kristen Ruff, Faariah Shakil, Christine Whitty, Taylor Wilde President’s Award for Educational Achivement for Growth Jamie Corradina, Yuuji Nishiyama, Hannah Goldman IB Diploma Candidates Rachel Birnbaum, Gabriel Cassorla, Maya DeBellis, Emily Faro, Maxwell Freiman, Kaylan Haralambides, Benjamin Hord, Cara Horsfield, Frederick Jones, Yusuf Kapadia, Antonia Kildare, Ian Maddox, Paul Monaghan, Thomas Newman, Will Raderman, Mac Josh Reandelar, Kristen Ruff, Michael Selin, Faariah Shakil, Terence Taylor, Taylor Wilde, Nicole Yarnold IB Leaner Award Kiran Shabbir, Dale Storti IB Certificate Candidate Award for Achievement and Effort Daniel Lilling IB Diploma Scholars Award Rachel Birnbaum Dawn Taylor Memorial Art Award Clio Watson Carter Preston Smith Award Benjamin Award Mary Lou Dickinson Academic Achievement & Athletic Ability Award Richard Berman, Ada Dovell Grace Harlow Athletic Achievement & Sportsmanship Award Elena LeFevre, Francesco Scioscia Plocharski Award Justine Sedky Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship David Osband Fred J. Maier/Quad-Village Rotary Scholarship Marie Ariadne Bazigos Hastings Teachers Association Scholarship Rosalie Harpur-Reid, Roseann Puthiyamadam Tracy Rowell Memorial Scholarship Gabriella Arce, Anthony Tarricone Dr. Cy Gruberg Scholarship Jamie Katz, Padric Gallagher Peter Reut Award Arjun Mehrotra Ruth E. Barton Award Emily Standiford Theodore Myers Award Loren Heubert-Aubry
Congratulations to all the Graduates of 2014, from Kindergarten to University! From
Scarsdale Family Doctors Marilyn Sutton MD Ira Sutton MD
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
GRADUATION
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 21A
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES Adam M. Abdulrahman of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Manhattan College on May 17 with a master of science in mechanical engineering. David Anderson, a 2010 graduate of Hastings High School, graduated cum laude from Ithaca College on May 18 with a major in writing and a minor in politics. He was inducted into the National College Athlete Honor Society (Chi Alpha Sigma) on May 15. Evan Austin of Irvington graduated from Rice University on May 17 with a bachelor of arts in political science and philosophy. Louis Ballas of Irvington graduated from Springfield College on May 18 with a bachelor of science in health science. Daniel A. Barsky of Hastings graduated from Clark University on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in philosophy. Patrick R. Bell of Hastings graduated from the Fordham University School of Law on May 19 with a juris doctor. He was
awarded the William E. Marames Memorial Scholarship for demonstrating academic merit and displaying an interest in intellectual property law. Anna C. Bernstein, a 2010 graduate of Hastings High School, graduated magna cum laude from Muhlenberg College on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in English and a minor in Spanish. Hayley Bingham, a 2010 graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, graduated magna cum laude from Bucknell University on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in sociology and Latin American studies. She is the daughter of Mark and Michelle Bingham. Paul R. Blank, a 2010 graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, graduated cum laude from Cornell University on May 25 with a bachelor of arts in communication, with a concentration in media studies. Adam J. Blum of Ardsley graduated from Manhattan College on May 18 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. Katherine Brittenham of Hastings graduated from Skidmore College on May 17 with a bachelor of arts in environmental studies.
Lisa Bucci of Irvington graduated from Salve Regina University on May 18 with a bachelor of science in special education. Nora C. Casper of Hastings, a 2010 graduate of The Masters School, graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania on May 19 with a bachelor of science in nursing.
Economics on April 17. Michelle DeLuca of Irvington graduated from The College of Saint Rose on May 10 with a certificate of advanced study. Julia L. Diamond of Ardsley graduated cum laude from Boston University on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in international relations.
Leonard Curtis of Hastings graduated from the University of Hartford on May 18 with an associate’s degree in liberal studies.
Stephanie Escoto of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Bob Jones University on May 9 with a bachelor of science in communication disorders.
John Luke D’Alessandro, a 2010 graduate of Hastings High School, graduated from Muhlenberg College on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in media and communications.
Christopher Espositio of Hastings graduated from Colgate University on May 19 with a degree in biochemistry.
Morgan T. DeGasperi of Hastings graduated from Boston University on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in psychology. Craig Degener of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Ithaca College on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in economics. He was initiated into the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of the New York International Honor Society in
Jacqueline Eisenberg of Irvington graduated from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications on May 18 with a degree in journalism. Michael Finkelstein of Irvington graduated from the Pratt Institute on May 16 with a bachelor of fine arts in photography. Kevin Flaherty of Hastings graduated from Hartwick College on May 24 with a bachelor of science in business administration. He is the son of Michael and Karen Flaherty. Tara Gabelman of Irvington gradu-
ated from Connecticut College on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in behavioral neuroscience. Julie Ghimenti of Hastings graduated from the Pratt Institute on May 16 with a master of science in communications design. Ariel Glantz graduated from Tufts University on May 18 with a master of arts in child development. She is headed to the Boston College School of Law in the fall. Brian M. Glazewski of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Bowdoin College on May 24 with a bachelor of arts in government and legal studies and a minor in economics. Lauren A. Hanley of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Manhattan College on May 18 with a bachelor of science in allied health studies. Zoe Herwitz of Irvington graduated from the University of Vermont on May 18 with a bachelor of science in animal sciences. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22A
IT IS AN HONOR TO STUDY AT WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ENROLL NOW! CLASSES START AUGUST 4 & SEPTEMBER 2 sunywcc.edu 914-606-6735
You may know that Westchester Community College is 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?
PAGE 22A — JULY 3, 2014
GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21A
Devin Hill, a 2010 graduate of Ardsley High School, graduated from Syracuse University on May 11 with a bachelor of arts in sports management and a minor in marketing. Alexander Holdstein of Hastings graduated magna cum laude from the University of Hartford on May 18 with a bachelor of science in business administration in management. Nora I. Howe, a 2010 graduate of Hastings High School, graduated cum laude from Haverford College on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in sociology. Sarah W. Howe, a 2008 graduate of Hastings High School, graduated from Sarah Lawrence College on May 23 with a bachelor of arts. She received the Lori Hertzberg Prize for Creativity that recognizes “exceptional creativity in writing or the visual arts on the part of a graduating senior.” Brittany Kaiser of Hastings gradu-
ated from SUNY New Paltz on May 18 with a bachelor of science in visual arts education. Rachel B. Kelly of Hastings graduated from Clark University on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in communication and culture. Brendan S. Ko graduated from Boston University on May 18 with a bachelor of science in hospitality administration. Stephanie Lamonica of Ardsley graduated from Morrisville State College on May 17 with an associate of applied science in nursing. Jennifer Laski of Ardsley graduated from Marist College on May 24 with a bachelor of arts in communication. Maureen Lauer, a 2010 graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, graduated from Loyola University Chicago on
May 7 with a bachelor of science in education. She has been accepted into the Academy for Urban School Leadership as a fellow. She will be co-teaching an elementary class in a Chicago public school while working towards a master’s degree in urban teaching from National Louis University Jacob A. Lowy, a 2010 graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, graduated cum laude from Haverford College on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in political science. At commencement, he was awarded the Herman M. Somers Prize in Political Science for “the best senior project that reflects the interest in policy, respect for evidence, and the humane concern for improving society.” His senior thesis is entitled “Good Fences Do not Alone Make for Good Neighbors: A Call for Enlightened Immigration Reform.” He was also student council president his senior year. Lowy plans to spend the next year as a public policy fellow for the New York State Department of Health. He is the son of Julie and Israel Lowy. Daniel Manley of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Hofstra University on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in sociology.
Natalie Mazur of Hastings graduated from SUNY New Paltz on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in Spanish. Deana Monteleon of Ardsley graduated from SUNY Delhi on May 17 with a bachelor of arts in restaurant management. James R. Monteleon of Ardsley graduated cum laude from Touro Law School on May 25 with a juris doctor. Sarah Moore of Irvington graduated from Manhattan College on May 18 with a bachelor of science in exercise science. Jacey Naccarella, a 2010 graduate of Ardsley High School, graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University on May 11 with a bachelor of science in communication and rhetorical studies. Emma Osborn of Irvington graduated from Rider University on May 16 with a bachelor of arts in global studies. Evan Owen of Hastings graduated from Skidmore College on May 17 with a bachelor of arts in Chinese and Spanish. Maria Pawlak of Ardsley graduated from The College of Saint Rose on May 10 with a bachelor of science.
Kaitlyn Pecylak of Hastings graduated cum laude from Coastal Carolina University on May 10 with a bachelor of arts in communication. Gabriel Pitaro of Hastings graduated from SUNY New Paltz on May 18 with a bachelor of science in marketing. Martha Prince of Ardsley graduated magna cum laude from Skidmore College on May 17 with a bachelor of science in education studies. Evan Rochman, a 2010 graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, graduated summa cum laude from New York University with a bachelor of science in finance and business economics and a minor in mathematics. He was warded the NYU Stern Award for academic excellence in economics. Evan will begin working at BlackRock, a multinational investment management corporation, this summer. Laura A. Schenkel of Irvington graduated from the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology on May 3 with a bachelor of science with honors in movement science. CONTINUED ON PAGE 23A
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THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
COLLEGES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22A
Kevin P. Sheerin of Ardsley graduated from Manhattan College on May 18 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. Allison Sheridan of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Fairfield University on May 18 with a bachelor of science. Yaron D. Silberman of Hastings graduated from Binghamton University on May 18 with a bachelor of arts in psychology from the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences. Hannah B. Slater of Hastings graduated from Boston University on May 18 with a bachelor of science in special education. Gregory Smith of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Colgate University on May 19 with a bachelor of arts in international relations. Christopher Spinozzi of Hastings graduated from Hartwick College on May 24 with a bachelor of arts in art. He is the son of Joseph and Silvana Spinozzi. Jordan W. Suchow, a 2005 graduate of Irvington High School and a 2009 graduate of Brandeis University, graduated from Harvard University in April with a Ph.D. in psychology. He received a National Science Foundation grant and will be working as a research scientist at the
GRADUATION
University of California at Berkeley in the field of computational cognitive science.
graduated from Manhattan College on May 17 with a master of arts in counseling.
Daniel Swiecki of Irvington graduated from Colgate University on May 19 with a bachelor of arts in computer science and mathematical economics.
Miya Tsudome of Hastings graduated cum laude from Skidmore College on May 17 with a bachelor of arts in English.
Katherine Talay of Irvington graduated from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications on May 18 with a degree in television-radio. Lisa M. Tessitore, a 2010 graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, graduated from the Stevens Institute of Technology on May 21 with a bachelor of engineering in civil engineering. She is a member of Chi Epsilon, an honor society for engineers. Tessitore was captain of the tennis and basketball teams and named All-American for winning the Division III northeast tennis regionals with her doubles partner. She will return to Stevens in the fall to pursue a graduate degree. Angeliki Thrapsimis of Dobbs Ferry graduated from Manhattan College on May 17 with a master of arts in counseling. Ereni Thrapsimis of Dobbs Ferry
John J. Walsh of Ardsley graduated magna cum laude from the Drexel University School of Law on May 21 with a juris doctor. His concentration was in business and entrepreneurial law. Allison Wetherbee, a 2009 graduate of Ardsley High School, graduated from Syracuse University on May 17 with a bachelor of science in environmental engineering. She received the 2014 Samuel P. Clemence Senior Design Award at graduation for her senior design project: the “Carrier Dome Rainwater Harvest Usage” plan. Wetherbee plans to continue doing independent projects on sustainable agriculture and water usage.
JULY 3, 2014 — PAGE 23A
The Master's School
DOBBS FERRY The following Rivertowns residents graduated from The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry on June 7. Masters is a coed day and boarding school for fifth- through twelfth-graders. Anthony Cao of Ardsley Olivia Cao of Ardsley, who received the Linda Wyatt Chissell Award for Excellence in Art. David DeMatteo of Irvington Jena Goldman of Irvington, who received the Most Improved in Dance Award. Gillian T. Goodman of Irvington, who received the Diane Potter Corbett Poetry Award. Isabel Grieder of Irvington
Emma Zlotowitz of Ardsley graduated from York College of Pennsylvania on May 17 with a bachelor of arts in mass communications.
Olivia L. Lifflander of Dobbs Ferry Edward R. Lilienfield of Irvington Samuel A. Miller of Dobbs Ferry, who graduated with distinction in photography. Theresa Phoenix of Irvington Susanna Plotkin of Dobbs Ferry, who received the Gold Key Award, the Jesse Orr White Award for Excellence in English, the Excellence in Latin Award, and the Gillespie Bowl. Emily M. Rosenthal of Dobbs Ferry Jay B. Saltzman of Dobbs Ferry, who was awarded the Community Cup. Christina D. Schwartz of Irvington Stephanie J. Sherman of Dobbs Ferry
TIM LAMORTE/RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE
Hastings High School graduate C.J. Raucci
We congratulate our Seniors
and wish them the very best as they begin their college careers.
260 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 10536 • 914.232.3161 admissions@harveyschool.org • www.harveyschool.org Harvey is 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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GRADUATION
THE RIVERTOWNS ENTERPRISE