Introduction: Wes Gordon, Class
The Gateway School is a K-8, independent day school that transforms the lives of bright students with language-based learning disabilities and attention deficits. At Gateway, our students become skilled, strategic learners and confident self-advocates. Relying on direct, multisensory instruction and guided by an integrated curriculum, expert faculty teach students the language, literacy, and critical thinking skills that are the foundations for success in mainstream educational settings and beyond. Gateway believes a close relationship between the school and parents provides essential support as students grow and seek to realize their potential. In small classes and as members of a diverse and inclusive community, Gateway students experience academic and social success, recognize their strengths, and are empowered to become independent learners.
2022-2023
Chair JimWilson
Vice-President
CarolineMutter
Treasurer
KieranClaffey
Secretary
JodiSchwartz
RabbiAlanBerkowitz
PollyBrandmeyer
RobertC.Carroll’97
LesliedeOliveira
AlexanderDurst
BensonKutrieb
TraceyLoh
JenniferMitchell
VarinderSingh,MD
LydiaH.Soifer,Ph.D.
JudineSomerville
In your hands is a book of speeches from each member of the 2016-2022 graduating classes, so you can get a sense of how Gateway has impacted each of them.
A little over 10 years ago, I was going through the same process as the 8th-grade graduates. I was terrified to say goodbye to a school that was at the center of my existence, and I didn’t know how to fully put into words what Gateway meant to me. On top of that, I had trouble speaking in front of small groups—not to mention 50 people.
Seeing my nervousness, my history teacher, Mr. Ongaro, helped me create a plan. Every day after school I would spend 20 minutes writing paragraphs of my graduation speech. The next day in his class, I would practice standing up and delivering them. At first, stumbling through my words, I eventually got better as the weeks went on.
I also started writing. My first paragraphs focused on dodgeball games, chess, afterschool sports, school plays, and a clay pig I made in art class. But after a couple of weeks, I realized that I wanted to say something different.
Gateway was the center of my life. Friends gave me my sense of self in a world that did not fully accept kids with learning disabilities. Teachers helped me learn and grow into an intellectually curious and confident student. Coaches taught me how to practice, study, and compete diligently and humbly.
Weeks later, I did the best I could in articulating how grateful I was for my experience. That kind of thanks is never comprehensive. It has taken many years to fully realize what Gateway did for me and still more to fully express it. But as this year’s graduates will soon experience and I felt over 8 years at Gateway, here we are understood.
In the following pages, you will find reflections from the Gateway’s graduating eighth graders on their own experiences. I hope you enjoy them and recognize your own hard work in making this possible.
Warm regards,
Wes Gordon Class of 2011August Jesse Cohen
Christiaan de Groot
Hunter Eisenhardt
Benjamin Farber
James Gray Gaskell Gordon
Alexandre Guira
Ezra Horowitz
Harrison Knox
Noah Leubsdorf
Anastasia Natrella
Anastasya Pingree
Anders Pryor
Harold Rubin
Julian SabellaRosa
Benjamin Wolfer
Margaret Yoon
Jessica Zuckerman
My name is AJ Cohen, and this is my fourth year at Gateway. Before Gateway, I had many issues with language, including reading and speaking. I was also badly bullied by other students at my previous school. I was recommended to Gateway by a friend from group therapy. During my first year at this school, I joined the Gateway newspaper, the “Gateway Gazette,” and in the year it started, I was in the “Gateway T.V.” news show.
Since I came to Gateway, I have made many gains both academically and socially. Gateway has helped me by providing a bully-free environment. Since lower school, my favorite subject has been science because I am very interested in the topic. I am also skilled in math, and I am able to do many difficult problems in my head. My favorite memory of Gateway was building towers with the blocks at recess or community time. Once, I even built a tower that was eight feet tall!
Next year, I will be going to boarding school at Eagle Hill in Greenwich, Massachusetts. I am most looking forward to the Eagle Hill science program. I am also excited about clubs I will be able to join, such as swimming, chess, or cryptology. Next year, I hope the students will be nice. Lastly, I would like to thank my teachers, family, and friends for helping me.
When I first visited this school five years ago, I was hesitant to come here, but as I met the kids and teachers, I changed my mind. Before Gateway, I went to Calhoun. However, I wasn’t getting the help I needed with my learning differences, so I had to change schools. I was also picked on because of my disability. During my time at Gateway, I have met many great people, some of who are the best friends I could ever ask for. With the help of Gateway teachers and strategies, I also started to be able to read a lot better.
Throughout my time at Gateway, I made the best memories and had more fun than I have ever had in school. In the sixth grade, I did a project on Ancient Egypt that took me 22 drafts! I know that was a lot, but now I am better at writing outlines more precisely, so I don’t have a huge amount of edits. In the science atom model project this year, it took my partner and me quite a while to make the atom as accurate as possible. Being able to go out to lunch and socialize with my friends allowed me to find out more about my peers. Another memory I have is Frost Valley, which was our eighth grade trip. One thing I did at Frost Valley was the zipline with all of my friends, and I enjoyed it because I was able to do something that I hadn’t done before.
Even though it is a shame to leave this school, I am excited to attend Winston Prep. I am looking forward to making new friends and meeting new teachers. One thing I like about Winston Prep is the focus group, a program where the student and a teacher sit down and talk about whatever they want or something school related. I am looking forward to a new school that will give me more academic challenges. I would like to thank my family, my teachers, and my friends for making Gateway an experience that I won’t forget. To conclude, I would like to congratulate my fellow classmates and say these three words, “Peace out Gateway!”
Hello, my name is Hunter Eisenhardt, and I’ve attended The Gateway School for four years. Before Gateway, I attended P.S. 100, and I had difficulty focusing. This often held me back from participating in classes, taking tests, and completing projects. I decided to attend Gateway because it was a school that could help me overcome and address my difficulties. I visited Gateway and when I did, the environment there seemed unique out of all the schools I’ve been to. On my first day of Gateway, I initially felt nervous, but after going to my homeroom for the first time and meeting the students and teacher, I no longer felt worried.
Since arriving at Gateway, I have learned so much and created lots of memories. I am a strong art and science student and am able to focus better and be more creative. I have improved in math and in my social skills. Out of all the memories I’ve had here at Gateway, Frost Valley is a special memory because of all the things we did there, such as going to an observatory and sitting around the campfire telling stories. At Gateway, I’ve learned many new skills that I will take with me when I leave.
Next year, I will be attending York Prep, and I have many hopes and dreams to accomplish. Some of my hopes and expectations for next year are to improve and use my current skills and join after-school programs and clubs. I would like to thank all of my teachers and friends for all the experiences they have given me over the years, whether they were academic or social. To me, it didn’t matter what kind of experience it was, all that mattered was that the experiences were transformative. Lastly, out of all my hopes, my main hope is to embrace my creativity and imagination further than it is now. As Albert Einstein once said, “Logic can take you from point A to Point B, while Imagination can take you anywhere.”
Hello, my name is Ben Farber, and I have been at Gateway for seven years Before I came to Gateway, I was extremely shy and had trouble focusing in large groups. I also had problems adjusting to new and unfamiliar social situations. While touring, some of my first impressions of this school were that I thought that the classes were a perfect size and that the teachers and students seemed friendly. However, on my first day of school, I was very scared because it was a new situation, and I could hardly get inside the door without freezing up. Once I got inside and met my teachers and the people who would become my classmates and first friends, I started to calm down. As the day started, I began to feel that this school was a place where I could learn, and with that in mind, my incredible experience at Gateway began.
Since I came to Gateway, I have vastly improved my academic and social skills. Reading books has always been one of my passions, so ELA has always been and will continue to be one of my strengths. I am also a strong humanities student because I love history and making connections between historical figures and historical events. However, one of my weaknesses was and still is math because I lacked confidence while doing it, which made it harder for me to do. Gateway has helped me regain my confidence in math by giving me strategies to use, such as reading a problem carefully and underlining the important information needed to answer the question. In addition to these math strategies, I will definitely take with me the writing strategies I have learned, from creating a good topic sentence to structuring a paragraph and constructing a good thesis statement. Ultimately, my favorite memory while at Gateway was the eighth-grade trip to Frost Valley because it gave me time to bond with my friends while participating in activities that connected to what we have been learning in class. Plus, it was a break from school. Who doesn’t love that?
Moving forward, I feel confident that Gateway has prepared me for what is ahead. Next year, I will be attending Brooklyn Friends. I am most looking forward to the new and challenging curriculum, especially in English and history. I hope to have a smooth transition from middle school to high school, make friends right away, and learn incredible things from my teachers. Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents for all their love and support, all my great teachers for everything you have taught me, and all my amazing friends for just being my friends. Congratulations to my fellow graduates, and thank you, Gateway, for everything these past seven years.
Hello, my name is James Gray Gaskell Gordon, and I have been at Gateway for five years, even though it feels more like 30. I came to Gateway because of the academic challenges I faced at my old school, and I had difficulty paying attention. I was always worried about schoolwork due to my anxiety issues, and very few teachers seemed to care about how that affected my performance in school. These major problems made it nearly impossible for me to catch up with the other kids in my old school, and I did not receive much support. When I first visited Gateway, I remember walking through the elevator doors, and for the first time in three years, I felt happy in school.
Despite my countless difficulties, my time at Gateway has helped me through a majority of those obstacles. Thanks to my experience here, I’ve realized my academic strengths are history and reading. Additionally, Gateway has helped me improve in the subject I’ve always struggled most in, math. One memory of Gateway I will never forget is our eighth-grade trip to Frost Valley. The Frost Valley trip was so memorable because I had never seen my friends cooperating so well together throughout our five years at Gateway.
Overall, Gateway has helped me in many countless ways, but sadly it’s time to move on. Next year, I will be attending Winston Prep, and I am excited to make new friends and see the new learning environment. One skill that I learned from Gateway and will bring to Winston is the ability to empathize with others. Although I’m excited to move on, it’s a bittersweet feeling because without Gateway I would not be the person I am today. I want to thank my teachers and peers for putting up with my shenanigans for five whole years. Most importantly, I want to thank my family for supporting me through my tough times and sending me to this school. Goodbye Gateway, I expect that you will help many more students just like you have helped me.
My name is Alex Guira, and I’ve been at Gateway for three years. Before coming to Gateway, I attended a school called LREI. I was performing poorly in reading and struggling to complete my classwork and homework. My family thought I was just being lazy, which they’re not completely wrong about, but I had a learning disability called auditory processing disorder. My first memory of Gateway was the first day of school. I knew only one person, Elijah Zola, but everyone else knew each other. As the day went on, I was able to continue meeting new members of the Gateway community, many of whom are my best friends today. Initially, I needed help with reading comprehension and behaving in class properly by raising my hand and letting other people talk.
Over the years that I have spent at Gateway, I learned how to embrace my differences and worked to improve them while also continuing to expand on my strengths. This year in math, I’ve learned about the value of failure and persevering through difficult tasks and challenges. I am able to apply appropriate background knowledge to new material, and this is one of my biggest strengths. Some skills I’ve developed are cooperating with peers and working more independently. The most memorable experience I have had at any school was when my friends, teachers, and I were sitting around a campfire in Frost Valley telling scary stories and enjoying life.
Next year, I will be attending the Kent School in Kent, Connecticut. I am so excited to go to Kent next year because the school will present me with many academic and extra-curricular opportunities. For instance, I can participate in crew (rowing), and a variety of programs and clubs, and it will be a place where I can learn new skills and show everyone what I am capable of. I am really excited to study engineering because I excel at math and science, and engineering is a combination of both of these subjects. In addition, I am looking forward to learning in such beautiful academic facilities and exploring the Kent campus. I want to thank my parents for their support and for being with me since day one on this journey to success. I would also like to thank my friends for the great times and memories. Lastly, thank you to all my amazing Gateway teachers for being the coolest teachers I have ever known.
Hi, my name is Ezra Horowitz, and I have been at Gateway for five years. When I first came to Gateway, I was in fourth grade and placed in Ms. Bakee’s classroom. I came to Gateway because I needed to be in small classes like the ones here. Initially, I had a lot of challenges. One of my biggest difficulties was that it was hard for me to do work by myself. I learned to do my work more independently by reading and re-reading directions and underlining keywords and phrases in the question to help me understand the material better.
How has Gateway helped me become who I am today? Thanks to Gateway, I have gotten better at adding relevant details when answering comprehension questions and writing paragraphs. The subject I improved the most in was definitely ELA because now, I can type essays more independently. I will take all the writing strategies for creating topic sentences with me to high school. My favorite memory at Gateway was definitely the Frost Valley trip because I got to try new things and know a little more about my classmates.
Gateway has shown me who I am and who I will become. Next year, I will be going to Winston Prep for high school. I look forward to meeting new people, being in new classrooms, and making new friends. I would like to thank my family for enrolling me at Gateway, my teachers who have taught me so much, and my friends who have made my journey this fun and memorable. In conclusion, I will say goodbye and good luck to my fellow graduates, and thank you to this wonderful school.
Hi, my name is Harrison Knox, and I’ve been at Gateway for eight years Prior to coming to Gateway, I attended P.S. 89. While at P.S. 89, I struggled to focus in a classroom environment, which is when my parents realized I needed to be in a place that helped my learning difference instead of avoiding it. That is when my mum and dad felt Gateway would be a good fit for me. My very first memory of coming to Gateway was on the first day of the school year. I thought my mum dropped me off at the wrong address, as I thought I was still attending P.S. 89. In my first year at Gateway, the most vivid memory I think of is completing hidden picture worksheets, and trying to turn this activity into a competition. During my first year at Gateway, the teachers helped me stay on task by giving me focus strategies to help me succeed. Over time I tried to become more independent in my learning by trying to participate actively in my classes.
Throughout my time at Gateway, I have improved in many different ways. My academic and non-academic strengths are math, investing, basketball, and soccer. Although math has not always been one of my strongest subjects, it now is. With the help of my teachers, I have stayed committed to improving my skills and working my hardest. When I think of the Gateway community, the words that come to mind are warm, supportive, and enthusiastic I say enthusiastically because never has a teacher not been excited to teach me something new. If I were to choose one of my favorite Gateway memories, it would have to be playing with the varsity basketball team as a sixth grader. This was a special opportunity for me, as I met new people and played a higher level of basketball for my age. As I leave Gateway, I think about how independent I have become and how hard I have worked to get here.
Although graduating from Gateway is an emotional experience, I am excited about starting a new journey in high school Next year, I will be attending Brooklyn Friends. In high school, I look forward to playing sports and learning more about the Stock Market. Going into high school, I hope to make good grades, put my best effort and care into my assignments, and keep an open mind. I want to make the most out of my freshman year, meet new people, and have a good relationship with my teachers and peers. Overall, I would like to thank Gateway for molding me into the person I am today and preparing me for the years ahead. I would like to thank my mum, dad, and younger sister for always making me work harder in order to accomplish my dreams. I also would like to thank and congratulate my peers as they have put in a lot of effort to accomplish their goals. Thank you.
Hello, my name is Noah Leubsdorf, and I have been at Gateway for nine years. Before I came to Gateway, I had trouble expressing my thoughts and understanding what other people said. I remember walking into the previous Gateway building for the first time; I began looking around feeling excited but also scared. Gateway helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses. Over time, I began to work with my challenges by asking for help when I was struggling and learning to advocate for myself when needed.
How has Gateway helped me in the past nine years? I have improved most in ELA by trying to use strategies Gateway has taught me such as revising and editing my work, expanding my sentences, and using more sophisticated vocabulary in my writing. Some skills I will take when leaving Gateway will be using sentence starters to structure my sentences and keywords and phrases to take notes. My greatest academic strength is solving math equations using a variety of methods. I also excel at sports, specifically soccer and basketball. My favorite memories are the eighth-grade trip to Frost Valley and going to the SoHo Apple store during the “Hour of Code” to share the game my Center Team made, “Face Drop.”
I am excited about what the future has in store for me. Next year, I will be going to SAR High School, located in Riverdale. I am looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends, especially since there will be more than 120 students in my grade. I hope to learn a lot more strategies in high school and use my current strategies from Gateway. I would like to thank my friends for being great and being there for me, my teachers for helping me learn so much, and my parents for being so lovely and supportive of me. I would like to congratulate my fellow graduates on reaching this huge milestone. Thank you Gateway for turning me into the student I am today.
Hello, everyone, my name is Tasha Natrella, and I have been at Gateway for seven years. I came to Gateway because I had some problems decoding, and also I didn’t really know how to read. Initially, it was hard for me to focus or sit still in my chair for a long period of time. However, Gateway has given me the strategies I need to help me deal with these challenges. For example, now I know to take notes in class or ask for a break when I need one. Now, I don’t really even need to take walks anymore!
Before Gateway, I didn’t really know what my strengths were, and I didn’t really know what to think of my differences, but Gateway has helped me figure out that my disability is a part of me, and I should embrace it. Specifically, I recognized that my strengths are drawing and identifying important information to include in my notes in Humanities, and in science, I am good at problem-solving. I have improved in outlining paragraphs, essay writing, reading more fluently, and decoding words. In addition, I am able to focus for a longer period of time and sit with appropriate student posture in all my classes. Overall, Gateway has been a home to me, a warm and understanding place.
Even though I am leaving Gateway, that doesn’t mean my journey is over. Next year, I will be attending Churchill. I am looking forward to meeting new teachers and making new friends. I am also looking forward to advancing in my education. I would like to thank my mom for supporting me along this fun and difficult journey. I would also like to thank my teachers who have helped me along the way to success in adulthood. Thank you to my friends for being there for me and helping me through the teen drama. Overall, my time at Gateway has been an educational journey, and I look forward to finding my path to success. I will miss you Gateway!!
Hello, my name is Ana, and I came to Gateway in sixth grade. When I first came to Gateway, it felt a little awkward not to know anyone, but that was also the day I met my best friend. Before Gateway, I had a hard time self-advocating and solving word problems in math where you have to determine the operation. However, Gateway helped me be more confident with my work. Now, I learned strategies and asked for help when I needed it.
During my time at Gateway, I learned how to self-advocate. Some of my academic strengths are writing, specifically putting details into sentences and recognizing keywords and phrases. I’ve also improved in math and use strategies from my notebook to help me solve word problems independently. One of my favorite memories is the eighth-grade trip to Frost Valley because I became closer to my grade. Overall, I will take the skills of note-taking and self-advocating with me to my next school.
Next year, I will be going to Oldfields, a boarding school in Baltimore, Maryland. I am looking forward to horseback riding and meeting new people. Although I anticipate having some academic challenges, I will use the strategies Gateway has taught me. I would like to thank my mom, dad, and all my teachers for supporting me. I would also like to thank my friends for being so kind. Thank you Gateway, I will miss you.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” Hello there, my name is Anders Pryor, and I have attended Gateway school for four years. Before becoming a proud member of the community that stands before me, I was attending a different school, where I was struggling socially and had issues with bullies. However, all of that changed when I arrived here at Gateway. I can distinctly remember my first memory of this school. I was walking down the stairs on the first day, and I met a group of people that would eventually become some of my greatest friends, many of whom are here beside me. Gateway helped me discover that I have ADHD and learn to accept it, recognizing that it is something not to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
Being at Gateway has been a very memorable journey. As many of my fellow graduates know, my biggest passion is filmmaking, and I am a student at the New York Film Academy. However, if it were not for the opportunities given to me by the Center Facility and the Arts Department at Gateway, I would not have found the passion and understanding about what I want to do with my life. My favorite Gateway memory was putting my team’s film on display at the Apple Film Festival in SoHo because it made me realize my potential as a creative thinker. Throughout my time at Gateway, both my teachers and my peers have inspired me to look past my differences. This is all thanks to Gateway, a place that is supportive yet still allows me to feel independent.
Even though this chapter of my life is coming to a close, a new chapter in my life awaits me. Next year, I will be attending York Preparatory School, and I anticipate that the curriculum is going to be a lot more rigorous. I feel prepared, though, for the new challenges and environment, and I am excited about my accomplishments to come. I would like to thank Gateway for everything they have done for me because thanks to them, and a little help from my parents, they have made me understand the importance and value of education. I would like to congratulate my fellow graduates for making this Gateway experience so incredible. Goodbye Gateway. Lion Nation for life.
Hello, I am Harold Rubin, and I have been at The Gateway School for two years. Prior to my experience at Gateway, I was struggling to do homework and classwork on my own and my teachers did not offer me enough support. However, the teachers at Gateway were supportive and open toward students, so I was able to get the support I needed. Initially, the Gateway teachers helped me improve my concentration in class and encouraged me to do my homework independently. My very first memory at this school was meeting kids my age who later became my closest friends.
Thankfully, Gateway helped me learn to work with my disabilities and overcome many academic challenges that I had before coming here. Gateway has also helped develop many of my hidden skills. For example, I am now learning math at a deeper level, and I feel like it is much easier to learn new mathematical properties. In addition, I have improved my writing skills, sentence structure, and organization of paragraphs. When I joined the Gateway Lions’ basketball team, I felt welcome, which encouraged me to practice the sport more. Since I have been at Gateway, I feel more comfortable meeting new people because I have more self-confidence.
Next year, I will be attending the Dwight School. I am specifically looking forward to more challenging academics and making new friends. Also, I might discover new talents and potential that I haven’t found yet. Dwight has very good sports programs, and surprisingly, I will be competing against many of my former Gateway classmates in sporting events. In closing, I would like to thank my friends, family, and all Gateway teachers for helping me find who I am. Lastly, I would also like to thank the whole Gateway community for guiding me toward the right path and supporting my learning disabilities.
Hi, my name is Julian SabellaRosa, and I came to The Gateway School in second grade. I came to Gateway because my parents and I thought that Gateway would help me with my academics. When I first came to Gateway, I felt very welcomed by the teachers and students. Gateway generally helped me with reading and writing. More specifically, I was not that good at spelling, but with Gateway’s help, I learned a lot of strategies for spelling accurately.
My time at Gateway has been valuable because I have significantly improved my academic skills. I have mainly improved in English, for which I needed the most help. I have gotten a lot better at answering comprehension questions and writing essays. In comprehension questions, I have improved by reading books more clearly. I have also improved by writing essays with greater independence. Overall, my memories at Gateway have been great. I loved performing piano concerts and sharing music with everyone.
Next year, I will be attending Talent Unlimited High School. Talent Unlimited is a fantastic public performing arts high school, and I am really looking forward to pursuing music there. First, I would like to thank Gateway for all the great opportunities they have given me. Second, I would like to thank my teachers for all the work they have given me. Lastly, I would really like to thank my family. I would like to thank my brother for being a great brother and my parents who can be hard on me but are always lovingly supportive.
Hi, my name is Ben Wolfer, and I have been at Gateway for three years. I came here because I had trouble focusing in class and could not do homework by myself. After visiting Gateway, I knew it was the place for me because everyone was so welcoming and nice, and I knew I wanted to go here. Initially, when I came to Gateway, it was difficult for me to transition since I did not know anyone. However, now I have so many friends, and I plan to always keep in touch with them. The teachers helped me fit right into this new environment I was not used to and made me feel right where I belonged.
Throughout my time at Gateway, I have had the best three years of my life. This school helped me improve my challenges with computation in math and doing my homework by myself. They helped me with these challenges by encouraging me to do computations in my head or on paper rather than using a calculator. Also, I now do my homework independently, and this has made me feel confident knowing that I do not need my parents’ help. In addition, I improved my writing skills by using a multi-paragraph outline to write an essay. Overall, I do not know how I would be ready to transition to high school without Gateway’s help and support.
Next year, I will be attending Solomon Schechter Westchester. I am looking forward to entering a new environment with people I have not met and making new friends. Furthermore, I am excited to be in this new program called E2 , which is an entrepreneurship program. Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents and sister for choosing this school for me and would like to congratulate my classmates. Overall, I would like to say goodbye to Gateway and thank them for helping me become the person I am today.
Hi, my name is Margaret Yoon, but everyone just calls me Maggie, and I have attended Gateway for three years. Before Gateway, I attended the Parkside School until I was in fifth grade. I came to Gateway because I learn better in a small class with teaching that matches my learning style. Since I’m not an auditory learner, I learned to work with this challenge by asking clarifying questions when necessary. My first memory at Gateway was immediately trying to make new friends, as I had to leave behind all of my old friends.
During my time at Gateway, my teachers helped me improve my academic skills. My academic strengths include ELA, specifically writing, but non-academically, I excel in art. Luckily, I have greatly improved my writing, and I have learned how to write essays independently. One of my personal favorite memories of Gateway was the overnight at Frost Valley because it was an opportunity to take a break from learning and bond with my classmates. When I leave this school, which has a very caring and strong community, I will bring along my skill of taking responsibility for myself, as it will be a skill I will need in the future.
Moving on from Gateway is going to be a huge transition for me as I prepare for the next step of life. Next year, I will be going to Summit, a school located in Queens. I look forward to reuniting with my old friends and participating in the part-time job program. Additionally, I expect and hope that I will be able to make new friends, meet incredible teachers, and further improve my academic skills. I would like to say thank you to my family for sending me to Gateway, and my teachers and friends for making my time there great. I would also like to say congratulations to my fellow graduates, good luck to all of you in your new schools. Overall, I have made a lot of awesome friends and worked with amazing teachers while I was at Gateway, and I will be sad when I have to leave them behind. Goodbye, everyone, it’s been a great three years.
Good morning everyone. My name is Jessie Zuckerman, and I have been at Gateway for eight years. My very first Gateway memory was reluctantly going into the classroom because initially, I really did not want to go inside. I remember very clearly that I had to be picked up and dragged into the class before I would enter. Prior to coming to Gateway, I had trouble reading, and thankfully I overcame this challenge with lots of practice. Since learning to read, I read all the time and have really come to enjoy it.
Being at Gateway has profoundly impacted me. Some of my strongest academic subjects are science and humanities. One academic subject that I have most improved upon is math. I learned to have a positive attitude by keeping positive and trying to enjoy it instead of disliking it. One skill I will take with me to high school is the ability to organize my materials and ideas effectively. In addition, I also love art and playing sports. The Gateway environment and community are very warm and welcoming. Even though it is typical for students to like their teachers, I have really developed relationships with my teachers and value how close I am to them.
Although I have enjoyed my time at Gateway, I am looking forward to the future. Next year, I will be attending Bay Ridge Prep in Brooklyn. Some things I am looking forward to are making brand new friends and creating new memories. In addition, my expectations and hopes for next year are that I will do well in school and make the most of everything. Most importantly, I would like to thank my family, teachers, and friends for all the help and support they have given me.
Alexander Andl
Brandon Blair
Andres Cintron
Luca Daly
Gemma Golovner
Madeline Greene
Marie Isle
Katharine Karlen
John LaBruyere
Spencer LaBruyere
Aden Levy
Natalie Mason
Emma Rebarber
Zoe Ringel
Christopher Rupp
Eli Weiss
Leonard Welsh
Hello, my name is Alexander John Andl, and I came to Gateway in seventh grade. My first impression was that there was a lot of commotion and everyone around me was full of energy. On the first day, I was very nervous, but after a few hours, I got to know more people. The aspect of school that I struggled with most was related to reading and writing. However, I was able to manage many of these challenges thanks to my family and my teachers because of the strategies they have given me.
I’ve learned a lot during my time here at Gateway. I have improved in almost every way in ELA. For example, I’ve gotten much better at writing topic sentences and creating outlines for paragraphs and essays. One of my favorite classes was the Graphic Artists Center Team because we had so much fun creating artwork in Photoshop. In addition, I’ve also bonded with my teachers and developed meaningful friendships with students at Gateway. My favorite memory from this year is the eighthgrade trip to Frost Valley. At Frost Valley, I loved it when the eighth grade sat around the campfire telling stories and eating s’mores.
Next year I’m going to Mary McDowell and look forward to new experiences. I am excited about going to high school and moving forward. I will be able to make many new friends but will keep in touch with the old ones as well. I’m hoping to get much better at math by continuing to use the strategies I have learned with new topics. Overall, I thank all of my friends and family for helping me through the difficult times and always supporting me.
Hello, I am Brandon Blair, and I have been at Gateway for six years. Before coming to Gateway, I was struggling with many things, such as staying focused and reading fluently. I remember on my first day of school I was surprised by how kind and welcoming the other kids were to me.
Over the years, I have transitioned from a child to a young man and also made good memories in the process. Specifically, I have gotten better at algebra by learning significant digits, algebraic expressions, and how to think logically. This year, I learned how to write a research paper by learning specific ways to look up information, take and organize notes, and cite my sources. I have also learned how to study properly for tests and quizzes. I joined the Gateway Lions Basketball team this year, and last year, I got to see the play, Hamilton. Moreover, I have also made amazing friends and met many teachers who have supported me over the years. In the end, I believe Gateway has helped me prepare for high school and has given me the life skills I need to achieve great things as I continue my education.
Overall, my time at Gateway has been fulfilling and exciting. Next year, I will be attending The Churchill School. Specifically, I look forward to meeting new people and experiencing new things. Furthermore, at Churchill, I plan to join the basketball team, and I will continue my goal of becoming the valedictorian of my future senior class by getting the best grades I possibly can. Ultimately, I would like to thank my teachers and my family for helping shape me into the young man that I am today.
Hello everyone, my name is Andres Cintron, and I have been at The Gateway School for three years. My first impression of Gateway was that it was a school that seemed warm, friendly, and very welcoming. On the first day of school, I was nervous, then I made friends quickly, and after that everything was so much easier in school. The reason why I came to Gateway is that I have dyslexia and I have a difficult time reading. However, I have learned to overcome it and will continue to use the strategies I have learned to help me be successful in school and life.
Surprisingly, the staff at Gateway has tricked me into actually enjoying school. I have made lots of friends, many of whom I consider family. I have also learned to read more fluently and create multi-paragraph essays. One of my most memorable experiences is going to Frost Valley at the end of this year. As eighth graders, we all had so much fun, and we bonded as a group. Specifically, we loved canoeing on the lake and the teambuilding activities. I was proud that I encouraged many of my classmates to conquer their fears throughout the trip.
Next year, I will be attending The Churchill School. I look forward to meeting new people and experiencing all that it has to offer. Academically, I can’t wait for the science labs and to read new books. Additionally, I am excited that my new school has so many cool extracurricular activities and sports teams. I am planning to join the baseball team because I had so much fun playing with the softball team this year. Finally, I’d like to thank all my teachers, my friends, and my family for guiding me through my middle school years.
Hello, my name is Luca Daly, and I have been at Gateway for four years. Before I came to this school, I was timid and had very few friends. I was not experiencing success in subjects at my old school unless you considered gym a subject. Luckily, my parents found Gateway, a school that has helped me reach my full potential.
Since I have been at Gateway for middle school, I have grown as a student and friend. During eighth grade Humanities, we learned about change agents and completed a research paper. Throughout the research process, it was challenging, but I used strategies from my research class to identify relevant information. One of my favorite memories is building intricate towers in the lounge area with my friends using Keva blocks during recess and community time. This is what inspired my passion for architecture. This year, I also played on both the softball and basketball teams and had a great time with my friends learning how to play. From hanging out with friends on the rocks in Central Park to the Frost Valley trip, this year was one of my best. I have developed meaningful friendships at Gateway and explored many of my interests in the process.
Unfortunately, I will be leaving Gateway, but I am looking forward to attending The Dwight School next year. I am excited to make new friends, even though I am sad to leave the ones I made here. I can’t wait to learn a new language, and I will also need to get used to new classes and a new building. I would like to say thank you to my teachers and friends for being there for me and helping me through this year. Additionally, thank you to my mom and dad for keeping me positive, and to my brother Max. Max, I am grateful for your guidance and help through this year and all the others to come. Congratulations to my fellow graduates and thank you Gateway, I will never forget my time here.
Hello, my name is Gemma Golovner, and I have been at Gateway for seven years. Before I came to Gateway, I had trouble reading, writing, and focusing on assignments because of my dyslexia and ADHD. At first, I was nervous because I thought that the school seemed scary since it was bigger than my old school and had new and different people. But then, I realized that it wasn’t so scary and Gateway has helped me overcome challenges by giving me strategies to understand and distinguish numbers, letters, and words.
Since I have been at Gateway for a long time, I have made many memories here. Some of my favorite Gateway memories were in fifth grade when I would build structures out of blocks with friends during recess. At Gateway, I have improved most in reading. For example, reading used to be hard for me, but now I love to read all the time, even outside of class. I have also improved my communication skills through classes like social development and language. One of the best things about this school is that teachers will even go out of their way to help students at lunch.
Next year, I will be going to Humanities Preparatory Academy. I am excited to meet new people and participate in difficult classes. While I am in high school, I hope to be able to adjust to a new environment, since my school will have larger classes and different people. I would like to thank my friends, family, and teachers for helping me and supporting me over the years. Overall, I am sad to leave Gateway but am excited to be able to go somewhere where I can have new experiences.
Good morning. My name is Maddy Greene, and I have been at Gateway for three years. Before I came to Gateway, I was struggling to understand how to independently complete my assignments. On my first day at Gateway, I felt nervous and didn’t know what to do. My first memory here was playing board games with my friends in Mrs. Nudell’s homeroom. Over these past three years, Gateway has taught me how to take more organized notes, and I now feel more comfortable completing my homework independently.
Learning at Gateway has changed my education and life. One of my strengths is that now I can independently write paragraphs with topic sentences and details. A favorite memory I have of Gateway was going to see the Broadway show, Hamilton and meeting LinManuel Miranda. Another experience I enjoyed was going on the Teamwork Adventure trip this year. I have met cool, awesome friends that helped me to fit in and I love hanging out with them every day. In addition, I have amazing teachers who taught me how to become a more independent student by helping me learn to prepare for assignments and classes.
Next year, I will be attending Mary McDowell Friends School. When I go to high school, I will use the study strategies I learned to prepare for tests. I look forward to taking new classes and learning a new language. Hopefully, I will get to learn Spanish or French. My goal for high school is to continue to put more effort into my work so that I can get good grades. Lastly, I want to join more extra-curricular activities and sports teams because I have enjoyed playing softball at Gateway. Overall, thank you Gateway for helping me learn, and thank you to my parents, my brother, and my sister for supporting me. Congratulations to my fellow classmates!
Hello, my name is Mimi Isle, and I’ve been at The Gateway School for nine years. Prior to Gateway, I went to a small private school, and I remember it having these gigantic slides that went all the way from the ceiling to the floor of the classrooms. My initial impression of Gateway was that I felt comfortable and I was immediately welcomed. On my first day at Gateway, I was excited because of all my new surroundings, new people, and new teachers. When I was younger, I had trouble focusing during class, but my teacher taught me strategies and how to calmly take a break. For example, I sometimes went to the O.T. room to throw a ball around with a friend.
An important skill I have learned and will take with me to high school and even college is note-taking. I have hugely improved in writing, specifically with organization, revising, and editing. My current strength is math because I have learned how to set up problems and solve multi-step equations. Since my time at Gateway, I have made many meaningful memories. Specifically, I remember in third grade, Trip and I were pulled from class by Ms. Childers to bake cookies for everyone.
Next year I will be attending Bay Ridge Preparatory School. I am looking forward to a new learning experience, new friends, and a new environment. In the future, I cannot wait to learn so much more. In closing, thank you to my friends and family for supporting me through everything and pushing me to do better. Thank you to all my teachers who have always worked and tried their hardest. Lastly, thank you to my fellow classmates, and congratulations on making it to the end of the year.
Hello, my name is Katie Karlen, and I have been at Gateway for six years. Prior to arriving at Gateway, I struggled to learn in a large class size with many students. When I walked in the door, I had no idea why I was there. On the first day of school, I was not used to new things in this new place. However, I was surprised by the small classes and how welcoming the teachers and kids were. During my time at Gateway, I worked hard to improve my math concepts and facts, gained independence, and took advantage of the small class sizes.
Since I started Gateway, I have made many memories, had great experiences, and worked hard. Over my time here, I have improved academically and become more confident socially. Some subjects I enjoy are math, ELA, and history because I have learned new strategies in each of the classes that I can take with me to high school. Specifically, using my math strategy notebook has helped me break down steps for math problems. Since I have had smaller class sizes, I can easily ask for help and self-advocate. At Gateway, I have loved playing theater games, doing artwork, and taking field trips. In addition, I was even the polling manager this year for Gateway’s mock election and the art director in Center Team films!
Next year, I will be starting a new chapter. I am attending Winston Preparatory School for high school, and I am looking forward to a fresh start and what my new school has to offer. I am excited to continue exploring my academic interests as well as having music and art during my school day. I hope to get better at each subject and participate in extracurricular clubs. Overall, thank you to Gateway for the memories and to my teachers and family for their support. Also, I would like to give a shout-out to my brother, Jonathan, for helping me take on middle school and for making me laugh. Ultimately, it is bittersweet to leave Gateway, but it is time to start a new chapter. Let the adventure begin!
Hi, my name is John LaBruyere. I have been at Gateway for three years. Before I came to Gateway, learning felt like a challenge for me. For example, it was hard for me to understand the books I was reading in school. When I came to Gateway, I knew this school would impact my life and help me learn in a way that was best for me. However, on the first day of school, I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect from my teachers and peers. As the days went on, school got much easier. In addition, I made a ton of friends.
Being at Gateway has significantly influenced my life. My comprehension improved, and now I can read more fluently. For example, I can better infer the character's feelings. At Gateway I enjoyed learning how to play percussion instruments, specifically the drums. I was able to keep a beat in order to help the group. Additionally, I was taught, in technology class, how to write code in order to make objects move on a robot. This is a skill I will take with me to my new school. My favorite memory was seeing Hamilton because the soundtrack sounded exactly the same as the live show. Also, the show connected to my seventh-grade humanities class and helped me learn more about how our country was founded.
Next year I will be going to York Preparatory School. One thing I am looking forward to at my new school is playing sports. Specifically, I hope to play baseball so I can improve my pitching skills. Since I was captain of the Gateway softball team, I hope I can have a leadership position at my new school as well. In addition, I am excited to make new friends and meet new people. I also can’t wait to choose from many new activities, such as participating in the technology group where I will be able to take apart and rebuild computers. I would like to thank my mom, dad, and Spencer for supporting me through my Gateway experience. Ultimately, Gateway has impacted my life in a positive way.
Hello, my name is Spencer LaBruyere, and I have been at Gateway for three years. When I visited Gateway, I thought it was a perfect school for me because I knew that I worked better in smaller classes. On the first day of school, I was shy, nervous, and scared until I met some students that would later become my friends. My first few months at Gateway were difficult because I did not know what to expect. However, the teachers made me feel more comfortable and helped me adjust to the new environment.
During my time at Gateway, I’ve grown as a student. I will always remember my ELA teachers working with me individually to help me with my reading comprehension and to help me read more fluently. With their support, I began to understand the books we were reading in a different way. When I first came to Gateway in sixth grade, my math teacher showed me a different way to learn math concepts. I used the strategies that she taught me when math became more challenging in seventh and eighth grade. My two favorite subjects at Gateway are math and science. Another class I enjoyed was Money Managers and learning about the New York Stock Exchange. Playing sports at Gateway has taught me how to be a good teammate and how to be a leader. For example, I played for the softball team this year, and this gave me a chance to put my leadership skills to use. Most importantly, I would like to thank Gateway for teaching me to selfadvocate.
Next year, I will be attending York Preparatory School. I will have new classes and friends at York, but I will miss all the teachers and students at Gateway. I would like to thank my parents and my brother, John, for supporting me throughout my time at Gateway and always. Ultimately, I hope that one day I will play in the major leagues in baseball. For now, I have to focus on my schoolwork, though. Thank you to Gateway for giving me the resources to be the most successful student I can be.
Hello, my name is Aden Levy, and I have been at Gateway for four years. Before coming to Gateway, I was struggling in school and getting bad grades because I could not focus. At first, I was extremely anxious since I did not know anyone and it was such a new environment, but everyone was very kind, and I instantly found my “group.” Gateway has much smaller classes and a curriculum that allows students to explore their interests. Being in a smaller class size has helped me focus better, and it has given me more individualized attention.
During my time at Gateway, I have developed into a better student. Thanks to the teachers, I learned many helpful skills to prepare me for my new school. Specifically, I learned how to properly underline, annotate, take notes, and write a research paper. Learning algebra in math has prepared me for the kind of math I am going to learn next year. One of the highlights of my time at Gateway was being a member of the Lions basketball team and scoring over 30 points, as well as having a number of assists in one of my last games as a Lion. Furthermore, Frost Valley was one of the greatest field trips ever. At Gateway I have also made many friends that I want to keep in touch with for years to come.
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Thanks to Gateway, I will be prepared to be in a new environment with new people. Certainly, I will not be afraid to advocate for myself and others. I also look forward to making new friends and playing on the basketball team. Most importantly, I would like to thank my mom, my dad, my sister, and the teachers who have helped me in this journey. Overall, I am very upset to leave Gateway, but I am thrilled and ready for a new chapter in my life.
Hello, my name is Natalie Mason, and I have been at Gateway for seven years. Initially, my impression of Gateway was “this place is so clean compared to my old school!” Even though I already knew two people, my first day of school was nerve-racking. Once Gateway became more familiar to me, I realized it was an inviting community. When I came to Gateway, I was struggling with reading fluently, academic writing, and math.
Over the past seven years, I have had a lot of memorable experiences here at Gateway. Specifically, I have developed close relationships with my teachers, and I am more comfortable selfadvocating. One of my favorite memories while I was at Gateway was playing knock out in the gym with all the boys. Academically, I now read more fluently, take better notes, and solve math word problems with greater ease. When I leave Gateway, I will take a number of strategies with me to high school, especially note-taking and developing a multi-paragraph outline. In addition, I will continue to utilize transition words in my writing to increase the complexity of my essays.
Next year, I will be attending York Preparatory School. Even though I am sad to leave Gateway, I am excited for the new experiences to come. In particular, I am most excited about the sports teams and classes. I hope to use the strategies that Gateway has taught me to get good grades and to make my assignments presentable. Thank you to my family and teachers. In addition, I would like to thank my friends. As Amy Poehler once said – “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” Congratulations fellow graduates and thank you Gateway.
Hello, my name is Emma Rebarber, and I have been at Gateway for three years. Before Gateway, I struggled with solving word problems in math, writing essays, and reading out loud. On my first visit to the school, I had a great ambassador who showed me around and helped me realize that coming to Gateway would help me learn better. Later, my ambassador ended up becoming one of my best friends.
Being at Gateway has been an interesting journey. The areas I have improved in are writing paragraphs and solving word problems. Initially, I couldn’t figure out how to organize a paragraph, but now I know how to use an outline to write essays. I also didn’t know how to figure out the parts of a math word problem, but now I have strategies to break down the language step-by-step. My favorite memory is going to Hamilton in seventh grade because it was really interesting to learn about American history while watching the play. One of the best parts about being an eighth grader has been going out to lunch with my friends.
Next year, I will be attending SAR High School. I am excited to go on the bus to and from school because I haven’t been on a bus in a long time. I can’t wait to try out for after-school clubs, such as track. I am excited to see my friends from camp as I begin a new year. Also, even though I am looking forward to taking classes in Hebrew, I am a little nervous because it has been a long time since I’ve studied it! Thank you to my parents for supporting me in everything I do. Mommy and Daddy, I can’t thank you enough for driving me from New Jersey to school and back again so many times. Congratulations to all my classmates! We made it! Thank you Gateway for supporting me, I will take all that I have learned on to the next chapter of my life.
Good morning. My name is Zoe Ringel, and I have attended The Gateway School for three years. Before I came to Gateway, I struggled greatly with word problems in math and did not know much about writing. I didn’t think that I would ever be able to accomplish writing a thesis statement nor did I have any hope of completing complex algebraic word problems.
During my time at Gateway, teachers have strengthened and increased my knowledge academically. A subject I have massively improved in is ELA. Specifically, my teachers have guided me through generating thesis statements, note-taking, and developing multi-paragraph outlines. Initially, I wasn’t accustomed to typing individual paragraphs. However, my teachers have helped me organize and sort my details by using an outline.
Moving forward, I will be attending The Forman School. I am most looking forward to the countless opportunities and adventures. I am excited about potentially being on the tennis and volleyball teams. I am also looking forward to class trips around the world and doing community service. I would like to thank all my teachers for their help and support throughout the years and for turning me into the person I am today. I would also like to thank my mom for always being there and helping me through the good times and the bad, I love you. Congratulations to the Class of 2017. Thank you Gateway, and goodbye.
Good morning fellow graduates, current students, parents, relatives, faculty, and staff. I’m Christopher Rupp, and I have been at Gateway for two years. When I first walked into Gateway, I thought to myself, holy cow, what a quirky school! On my first day, I was nervous as I wondered how I would integrate myself into a new social environment, but I was also excited about the new opportunities that lay before me. Before I came to Gateway, I was impulsive and had a very short temper, two qualities that caused me trouble at my old school. At first, I wasn’t sure that the setting at Gateway would be right for me. However, the second I stepped into the classroom, I knew that Gateway was the right fit.
Being at Gateway has helped me grow as both a learner and a person. I am now more organized, which makes doing work, especially writing, a more efficient process thanks to the outlines my teachers have introduced to me. The Gateway math curriculum has pushed me to show my work, which I now recognize as a strategy that comes easily to me. Showing my work is helpful because actually showing the steps on paper helps me make fewer mistakes. Socially, I have become able to control my words and actions better, which I know will help me in high school and beyond.
Although I have enjoyed my time at Gateway immensely, I must flip to the next chapter of my life. I will be continuing my education at York Preparatory School. While I look forward to furthering my academics, I am perhaps more excited to discover my passion and what I am going to do later in life. I honestly have no clue what my purpose in this world is, but I hope to find it. Of course, I cannot go without thanking my whole family, especially my parents. I know I wasn’t always easy and still may not be, but to know that I have all of your love and support means so much. Words can’t do justice. I would also like to thank the teachers and faculty who have worked with me throughout my time at Gateway. Finally, I would like to thank my friends; it’s been a good run. Thank you for listening.
Hello, my name is Eli Weiss, and I have attended Gateway for seven years. Before coming to Gateway, I struggled to make friends and had difficulty focusing in class. On my first day, I remember Mrs. Childers and Mrs. Minoff were kind and helpful when I arrived at school. They showed me around and introduced me to new people. One of my first memories was making friends with my classmates in room C, and I am friends with many of them to this day.
Since I have been at Gateway for seven years, I have learned a lot of great strategies and life skills. For example, I improved my writing skills by using question words to expand my sentences to provide more details. In ELA, I have practiced using context clues as I am reading to understand unfamiliar vocabulary. I also developed the ability to make inferences and understand character motivations. One of my favorite memories was learning how to use the movie boom sound system in Center Filmmakers. As a result, I was able to help out with the eighth-grade graduation films the past two years.
Next year, I will be attending Solomon Schechter Westchester Day School. I look forward to meeting new people and making new friends. However, I am expecting the teachers and the academics to be more difficult, but I feel ready to take on the challenges. I would like to thank my friends and my teachers for being very helpful through good times and bad times. Additionally, I would like to thank my parents for being my support system during rough and great times. Congratulations to the Class of 2017!
Hello, my name is Leonard Welsh, and I have been at Gateway for four years. Some of the challenges I had before arriving at Gateway were writing paragraphs and taking notes. When I learned I had to switch schools in third grade, I felt angry because I liked my old school. However, when I first arrived at Gateway, I remember the students were nice and showed me around my classes.
Since I have been at Gateway for a long time, I have learned skills to help me become a better student and feel more confident academically. I’ve recognized my strengths are in math and science. I have also appreciated the kind and caring Gateway community. One of my favorite memories at Gateway is the Photoshop class I took last year because of how fun and interesting it was, especially because we entered tournaments. A project I made for one of the tournaments was an astronaut flying through space. The areas I’ve improved in most are reading and writing because I learned how to use an outline and decode unfamiliar words. I will take my note-taking skills with me to high school and college and even use them later on in life.
Next year, I’ll be going to York Preparatory High School. I am excited about the extracurricular activities and that I can choose some of my classes, such as different art classes. I am also looking forward to a new school and making new friends. I hope to get good grades and have better handwriting. Thank you to my mom and dad for bringing me to this school and for your support all these years.
Alexandra Brandmeyer
Jack Bruni
Isabel Fayad
Leonardo Gerken
Henry Glover
Grace Guiley
Sayre Knauf
Lucas Richman
Cristina Rodriguez
Alexander Smith
Luca Zappi
Good Morning. My name is Alexa Brandmeyer, and I have been at Gateway for four years. Before attending Gateway, I had trouble focusing in class and completing math assignments. At my old school, the teachers were not as attentive and didn’t have the time to help each student. Since I have been here, I have become very independent and social. I used to be very shy, but now I am outgoing.
Throughout my time here, I have improved in many subjects. Even though I struggled in math before, I now have the skills that I need for high school. Eventually, I figured out that faking my own death in math class wasn’t going to cause my teacher to give up on me, and I started trying my best. I’ve learned how to solve algebraic equations and the importance of not skipping ahead during class. This year, I also joined the girls basketball team, and even though we only won one game, it was still a great experience, and I bonded with people I had never hung out with before. In basketball, I learned how to be open-minded and the importance of building new friendships. Most importantly, I would like to thank my teachers for never failing to make me a better person every day. From facilitating mini bootcamp sessions during ELA breaks in sixth grade to wearing a matching onesie with me on pajama day, my teachers always understood me and how to make school fun. I am very happy that I got to establish great relationships with my teachers at Gateway, and although I may be difficult at times, they understand why, unlike many people.
After I leave Gateway, I look forward to new experiences that will shape me as a person. Next year, I will be attending The Grier School, an all-girls boarding school in Pennsylvania, where I will be able to horseback ride and take on more challenging academic material. I am very excited about participating in the extracurriculars and getting to experience new things in my classes. For example, in life science next year, I am looking forward to raising animals, like rabbits. In closing, I would like to thank my parents, who have been so supportive of me, and my whole family for always believing in me. Most of all, thank you again to my teachers. Goodbye Gateway, and congratulations to my fellow classmates.
Good morning! My name is Jack Bruni, and I’ve attended Gateway for two years. Before I came to Gateway, I had trouble interacting socially and struggled academically. Specifically, I was nervous about speaking to my peers and felt like I lagged behind in math. However, through small class sizes and great teachers at Gateway, I have developed skills and strategies that will help me succeed moving forward in life. At Gateway, I have been surprised by how much the teachers help you and want you to be your best self.
Throughout my time here, I have developed my academic and social skills. For instance, during my first couple of weeks at Gateway, I rarely spoke and did not make conversation with my peers. However, I soon became increasingly social with the encouragement of my teachers. Plus, I have learned writing strategies that I will use in my high school classes. Now, I write more fluently and have learned skills like how to independently take notes. In addition, I learned the importance of underlining and annotating, which helped me with my reading comprehension. Looking back, I will remember gathering sources, writing an essay, and creating a PowerPoint about Nellie Bly in my research class. In writing, I enjoyed our independent argument essay because we were able to research and create an essay related to something that we cared about. However, Gateway is not all about hard academic work. At the end of seventh grade, I had a phenomenal time creating a skee-ball machine out of cardboard and sharing it with my fellow classmates.
Next year, I will be attending McCallie, an all-boys boarding school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Transitioning into high school, I am looking forward to the different opportunities the school offers. For example, they have 46 athletic teams, and I hope to play football and baseball. Additionally, McCallie offers multiple languages, such as Italian, Spanish, and French. I'm most interested in learning Italian because most of my dad’s family speaks it and we recently visited Italy. Although we enjoyed meeting our relatives, we often couldn't understand them because they only spoke Italian. Moving forward, I hope to achieve my academic goals and continue to develop strong relationships with my peers. To my family, friends, and teachers, thank you for shaping me into the person I am today.
Good morning. My name is Isabel Fayad, and I have attended Gateway for six years. When I first came to Gateway, I thought the hallways were so colorful, and everyone seemed very kind and happy. I knew this was going to be a great place for me to learn. Gateway is different from my old school because the classes are much smaller and this helps me to do well. During my time at Gateway, I have had amazing experiences that have changed me into the person I am today.
Over the past six years, I have learned many things both inside and outside of the classroom. Since being at this school, I have increased my stamina and can now read for longer periods of time and with more fluency. I’ve learned to be independent and now feel more confident in the classroom. In Humanities, we learned about World War II, and we even had the chance to meet a Holocaust survivor and learn about her experiences. The topics we covered in Humanities also helped me understand how one person and their choices can influence the course of history. Additionally, I even joined the basketball team this year and loved working together as a group and helping out my teammates. Even though we had a losing season, we were optimistic and had a lot of fun in the process. There’s a lot that I will miss about this school, but I’ll definitely miss getting smoothies and walking to Gateway each morning with my friends.
Next year when I’m at Purnell, I will use many skills and strategies that Gateway has taught me. In high school, I am looking forward to taking part in the theater program because ever since participating in drama at Gateway, I’ve really enjoyed understanding character perspectives and working with my peers to learn choreography and lines. One piece of advice I have for the upcoming eighth graders is to enjoy every day at Gateway and to make the most out of your time here. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents and my little brother for supporting me and helping me through the years. Goodbye Gateway and best of luck to my classmates!
Hello, my name is Leo Gerken, and I've attended Gateway for three years. My first impression of Gateway was that it was a kind and supportive learning environment. It felt supportive to me because the teachers cared about what the students had to say. In addition, I felt more comfortable asking questions in class because the class sizes were small. Gateway also taught me differently from my other school. For example, the teachers repeat the information which makes it easier to understand what we are studying. In addition, the teachers at Gateway are nice, trusting, and fun to be around.
As I reflect on my time here, I realize I have learned many skills that will be helpful to me in high school. For example, I’ve improved in writing paragraphs, reading fluently, and collaborating with others. Specifically, I learned to use a variety of word choices when completing paragraphs.
I am most proud of my ability to write paragraphs in ELA because it is interesting for me to express my point of view. It is now easier for me to collaborate with others here because I can concentrate better and focus on what people have to say. At the end of last year, I collaborated with my classmate to make a game out of cardboard boxes, and it was an interesting experience.
Moving forward, I plan to work harder and set high expectations for myself after I leave Gateway. Next year, I will be going to Mary McDowell Friends School. My goal for the future is to make new friends and become successful. Thank you to all my teachers and family for helping me get through middle school. I would also like to thank my friends for being by my side each day. See you later, Gateway.
Hi, my name is Henry Glover, and I have been at Gateway for three years. Before Gateway, I struggled with ELA, especially reading comprehension. It was hard for me to locate the information I needed from a book or article. When I visited Gateway, my first impression of this school was that the classes were small and the teachers really knew their students. One of my first experiences at Gateway was a sixth-grade ELA field trip to the chocolate factory since we were reading a book about Milton Hershey. I remember how interesting it was to see how the machines made chocolate bars and how they connected to what we read.
During my time at Gateway, I have learned how to self-advocate and communicate with my teachers. For example, when I need help with homework, I find time to talk to my teachers about it. One of my academic strengths is math because I find it easier to work with numbers and formulas. Since I started here at Gateway, I’ve improved in ELA. For example, when I first used the outline, I noticed that it really helped me write better essays. I also improved in note-taking when I used the Cornell notes system. What I enjoyed most about Gateway is the small class sizes because I felt like it was okay to make mistakes and learn from them. When I get to my new school, the skill I will take with me is my ability to self-advocate.
Next year, I will be attending Beacon High School and I am hoping to challenge myself academically. One goal I have for myself is to join school clubs like the tennis team and make my first year successful by advocating for myself when I need help. I will miss the small classes at Gateway because the teachers understand their students very well, but I am excited about the new people and the environment in a bigger school. Thank you, mom and dad, for bringing me to this school, and thank you, Gateway, for helping me become a better student.
To quote S. E. Hinton, “No one ever said life was going to be easy.” However, for some reason Gateway has made life easier for me. My name is Grace Guiley, and I have been at Gateway for four years. At my old school, I really struggled with spelling and reading, and it probably did not help that I was in a dual language program. I distinctly remember having to go down to the kindergarten class to get a book on my level when I was in third grade. I think that was a big hint that I needed extra help. When I first came to Gateway, my immediate reaction was that this school was different. Of course, it was different in a good way, though. The community was different, the teachers were different, and I felt different. After being at Gateway for three weeks, I actually wanted to be at school, and I felt truly successful.
As I reflect on my time here, it has become very apparent that, even though I don't want to leave, I am prepared to start the next chapter of my life. After my four years at Gateway, I actually go out of my way to read and learn new things. I’ve learned how to create strong arguments that support my point of view. For example, I’ve loved participating in Round Tables during Humanities class that have prompted me to think in a different way and understand varying perspectives. While at this school, I have formed unexpected friendships that I will be sure to keep forever. I value the deep conversations I have had with my peers that have caused me to become a more reflective person. I have been so lucky and grateful that I have been able to go to a school that has helped me with my learning differences and has taught me how to work with them. I hope that the community at my new school is as great as the one here. If not, I will make sure to make it as good as it is at Gateway.
Next year, I will be attending The Churchill School. I am very sad to leave this wonderful place, my wonderful friends, and my fantastic teachers. However, I know I will have great teachers and make new friends at Churchill. I plan to participate in my high school theater program to continue my passion for drama. Additionally, I hope to join the debate team… so I no longer have to debate with my parents. I really have to thank my mom, dad, Cyd, and Joseph for placing me in a school that has helped me grow as a person. Thank you everyone for shaping me into the person I am today.
Hello, my name is Sayre Knauf, and this is my fifth year at The Gateway School. Before I came to Gateway, I went to a school that was not the right learning environment for me because the classes were large and the lessons moved too fast. However, when I came to this school, the classes felt different. Initially, I was surprised by how great the teachers were and that the classes were taught at an appropriate pace, allowing me to remember a lot of what I had learned. Since there are fewer kids in each class, I am able to understand the material more easily.
As I reflect on my time at Gateway, I realize that I have made a lot of memories here. One thing that I am proud of is how much better I have become at math. I remember when I first learned about multiplication and how to recall the multiples of different numbers during math class. Additionally, one of my favorite classes at Gateway has been Humanities. I studied Greek myths, key figures, and historical wars and battles. Throughout my time here, I've enjoyed meeting new friends, running through obstacle courses in the gym, and being famous for a few seconds after my time on Gateway TV. One thing I'll miss about the Gateway community is how everybody knows each other, so it is easier for people to talk to one another without feeling uncomfortable.
At my new school, I will use what I have learned at Gateway to help me succeed. Next year I will be attending the Forman School, where I’m looking forward to learning about filmmaking. I'd like to thank my teachers, my friends, and my family for making these my favorite years at school so far. In closing, thank you Gateway, congratulations to my fellow graduates, and goodbye.
Good morning. My name is Lucas Richman, and I’ve been at The Gateway School for nine years. When I started here, I was very young and needed help learning how to learn. One of my first experiences at Gateway was doing math problems in the morning and playing games in the first grade. I remember playing “Around the World” and trying to complete as many math problems in a certain amount of time. This experience was memorable for me because the games facilitated by teachers made me interested in learning and motivated me to go to school each morning.
Throughout my time here, I have discovered that I enjoy learning and I have learned how to focus better in class. One of my favorite subjects is math. My love of math comes from my dad. One thing I learned in math class was a slope and how to apply negative numbers, which was challenging for me at first. However, it became more straightforward after I took notes and applied the strategies my teachers taught me. In addition, I’ve learned how to take notes by extracting relevant information from readings and transferring it to notes pages using keywords and phrases. When I am in high school and college, I will use my note-taking skills to become a better and more independent learner. While in ELA class, I enjoyed reading books by Laurie Halse Anderson and Lois Lowry because they wrote great stories which kept me wanting to read more. When I was not in class, I enjoyed playing on the basketball team, a team I was a part of for all my years in middle school. Overall, I had grown as a person and as a friend by being kind and helping out my classmates when they were struggling.
Next year, I will be attending The Browning School. I am looking forward to participating in sports and clubs, such as the math club. The math club will be a great experience because I will be able to use the skills I’ve learned to participate in math competitions against other schools. While at Browning, I will use the skills I have learned in and out of class to succeed and become a better student. I am also excited that my new school will have a larger student body and a variety of classes. Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents and my sister for supporting me during my time at Gateway and helping me in the high school process. Congratulations to my fellow graduates and good luck in the future.
Good morning! My name is Cristina Rodriguez, and this is my fourth year at Gateway. Before coming to Gateway, I had difficulties with reading and reading comprehension. On my first day at Gateway, my teacher made me feel welcome by showing me around and helping me get used to being here. Since then, the teachers at Gateway have given me the attention I need. Gateway has helped me become more confident in who I am. For example, I realized that having a learning disability is okay and I don’t have to try to change that.
Since I started at Gateway, I have improved as a student and have become more comfortable being myself. One thing I have improved in the most is reading comprehension and paragraph writing. A new extra-curricular activity that I tried at Gateway was playing on the Girls’ Basketball Team. Initially, I thought it was going to be hard and stressful, but being part of a team turned out to be a great experience. The strategy that I’ll take with me after leaving Gateway will be creating outlines to help me to write an essay. One thing I will miss about the Gateway community is the support of the teachers who helped me.
In high school, I am looking forward to being part of a new community. Next year, I will be attending an all-girls boarding school called The Purnell School. I am looking forward to making new friends and meeting new supportive teachers. In the future, I hope to continue to be more independent and have more confidence. A piece of advice I have for the students still at Gateway is to try to be positive and to push yourself to keep going even when you feel down. Thank you Gateway for helping me get through middle school and thank you to my parents for supporting me through this journey.
Good Morning everyone. My name is Al Smith, and I have been at Gateway for six years. Before coming to the world of Gateway, I did not have good social skills, and I did not receive the support I needed on assignments when I asked for help. However, all of that changed when I came to The Gateway School. The community was warm, and my teachers immediately treated me like their own children. For instance, when I was upset, they were right by my side providing emotional support and helping me through the problems. Additionally, during breaks in ELA class, I had the chance to form friendships with peers outside of my academic classes.
Throughout my time here, I have learned a lot in all of my subjects, and I have developed a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. I now even consider writing one of my favorite hobbies. Previously, I did not feel proud of the way I wrote, but now when I share school essays with my family, they cannot believe how much I have improved. Ever since I started Research class in seventh grade, my writing has improved tremendously. Additionally, I have learned to love reading and Humanities. In Humanities this past year, we learned about World War II, and I really enjoyed learning about this part of history. I have received so much amazing support from my teachers and peers that I have never felt better about myself and my learning. Sometimes, I could go through a whole day at Gateway smiling while engaging in highquality academics simultaneously. From field trips to the Bronx Zoo in Lower School to shooting free throws at John Jay in eighth grade, I have made so many memories with my friends and teachers.
Even though Gateway is amazing, I know I have to move on. Next year, I will be attending York Preparatory School. At York, I am looking forward to participating in the clubs and activities and maybe even starting my own club related to the R.O.T.C. Eventually, I want to join the Air Force because I love my country and I love helping people. I would like to thank the staff and teachers at Gateway because you have officially made my life easier. As Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “Just remember, you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.” Thank you Gateway and good luck to my fellow eighth graders.
Good morning. My name is Luca Zappi, and this is my third year at Gateway. At first, I was confused as to why I was coming to Gateway because I had never been to a new school before. When I first got here, I remember that everybody in the community was welcoming. Initially, I had difficulty focusing during class and writing was one of my biggest challenges. However, the smaller classes at Gateway helped me focus, and the teachers gave me strategies that helped me improve my writing.
Throughout my time here, I have evolved as a learner. The teachers helped me with my writing by giving me sentence starters and outlines. I am most proud of my writing because I improved so much. In particular, after I wrote my seventh-grade research paper about Frederick Douglass, I felt accomplished and proud of my hard work. Additionally, math is one of my strengths because I excel in computations. Not only have I improved immensely in my academics, but I have also worked with some great teachers and made great friends.
When I leave Gateway, I will take all my helpful strategies and memories with me. Next year, I hope to make more friends. At my new school, I look forward to playing sports, like soccer. When I leave Gateway, I will miss coming into a colorful building every day. Thank you to all the wonderful Gateway staff, my caring family, and my friends. Congratulations to all the graduates!
Yar Arjomand
Audrey Bharuch
Hudson Chris
James Chung
Phillip Costello
Jonah Fraiman
Lucia Kramer
Brooke Madden
Siena Marrero
Hallie Pomerantz
Theodore Seremetis
Arthur Temple
Harrison Vail
Remi Young
Hello everyone! My name is Yar Arjomand, and I have been attending Gateway for two years. Before I got here, I was an awkward little thing. I was very quiet and was so bad at pronouncing words, so I sounded like I just could not read. I also did not have that many friends in school because I was very shy and quiet. I had a hard time answering questions in class because I did not like talking.
When I first came to Gateway, I was very nervous because all the things I just talked about were still going on, and I honestly thought that I would not do so well at this school. But, after a couple of weeks, I slowly but surely came out of my shell. Now all I want to do is talk... just ask my teachers. Every problem I had before Gateway went away because the staff helped me, but more importantly, they wanted to help. Also, I have met a lot of really amazing people whom I feel very lucky to call my friends. I learned a lot about myself. For example, I found out I actually like reading and writing! Even though I have only been here for two years, I have a lot of memories with my friends. My favorite memory is the D.C. trip when we met the unforgettable Susan!
When I move on to high school, I plan on participating in a lot of extra-curricular activities, such as art and other related subjects. I’m definitely going to miss all my classmates who all did so well, except for two of them because we’re going to Forman together. I want to thank my teachers, my friends, and my family for helping me when it came to my education. And one last note to everyone else that is staying at Gateway, I’m just going to say you’re going to be graduating before you know it, so make the most of it. Thank you, everyone.
Good morning! My name is Audrey Bharucha, and I have been at Gateway for nine years. When I first came to Gateway, I had a hard time paying attention and following directions. My first impression of Gateway was that everyone was so welcoming and kind. In my early days at Gateway, I had a hard time following directions, but I adapted by listening to what the teacher said step-by-step. When I realized Gateway was helping me become a better student, I felt more motivated to do my work.
During my time at Gateway, I have accomplished a lot. My strength is reading because I know how to read loudly and clearly. The area I have improved in most is following directions because now I listen and read the directions carefully before starting my work. Additionally, I’ve improved in math because now I can solve most equations on my own. One of my favorite memories of eighth grade at Gateway was going to Washington, D.C. I enjoyed going on the carousel, learning to play a football game, and all of our inside jokes.
In the future, I hope to make new memories at my new school. One thing I will miss about Gateway are my friends, but I hope to still be in touch when I leave. Next year, I will be attending Mary McDowell Friends School. The skills and strategies I’m going to take next year are all of the outlines because they help me write paragraphs and clear note-taking so I have accurate information. I’m excited to make new friends and join clubs such as art and drama. Thank you Gateway, my parents, and congratulations to the Class of 2019.
Winston S. Churchill once said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Good morning everyone! My name is Hudson Chris, and I have been at Gateway for nine years. Before I came to Gateway, I was shy and awkward, but I knew that I could become successful both in school and life. I had trouble with reading, expressing my thoughts, and connecting socially with others. Once I stepped foot in this school, I felt included and cheerful in my new environment. I remember my first day in classroom A when I met my teachers and played with the perceptual. I truly felt like I belonged in the Gateway community; the teachers were always patient, kind, and supportive. In lower school, they supported me with rest time, movement activities, and helping me spell words. Beforehand, I never had teachers who cared for each student as the Gateway teachers did, and this individualized attention helped me blossom throughout my time here
During my time at Gateway, I have learned how to be a thoughtful student and friend and contribute to my community My strongest subject has always been math because I have good number sense, but as the years progressed, I developed into an articulate and sincere writer Using the quick outline and MPO has helped me organize my thoughts and write creatively In addition, I have learned how to find the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary using context clues I have also learned how to self-advocate and work together with other people For example, during Teamwork Adventure, my peers and I had to climb obstacles and zipline. Overall, the strategies I have learned during my time have helped me as a student and individual, and I cannot thank the teachers and staff enough. In addition to my education, being on the Gateway Varsity Basketball Team was special and very memorable. My teammates and coach were supportive and pushed me to do my best. I will never forget the Championship Game because it was filled with emotion and our team was hungry to win. We lost the game in overtime, which was heartbreaking, but having my teammates by my side was the best part. Going to Washington D.C. was another favorite Gateway memory. We saw historical monuments, took a tour of Washington D.C., went on a ghost tour, saw museums, played football, ate ice cream, and hung out at the hotel. Seeing my peers and teachers enjoying themselves was the best part of the trip.
Looking ahead, I hope to implement the skills Gateway has taught me in high school and beyond. The skills are not only helpful in class, but they are also helpful in the modern world. This is what makes Gateway so special To the middle school students, I sincerely recommend you to take advantage of your time here because it is limited I never imagined being on this stage today, graduating in front of all of you and expressing my gratitude toward the Gateway community Fellow graduates, when life becomes difficult, be confident in yourselves knowing that you can overcome anything life throws at you It is not about how you react to challenges in your lives, it is how you grow from those experiences Ask for help when needed and do not be afraid Next year, I will be attending The Harvey School in Katonah, New York because it has a larger campus, friendly people, more challenging academics, and more extracurricular activities However, I would not have been prepared for this jump without Gateway. Everyone in the community, including the teachers, faculty, staff, janitors, maintenance crew, security, friends, parents, and fellow students, has done so much to make Gateway as special and caring as it is. My time here will always be in my heart. Thank you Gateway for everything! It has been a great journey, and I hope to visit next year. It is time to flip the page to the next chapter in my life. Let the adventure begin! Thank you!
Hello, my name is Jamie Chung, and I have been at Gateway for nine years. I was six years old when I came to Gateway, and I remember meeting my teachers who were helpful. When I was in the lower school, I used to visit Ms. Pulanco in her office during lunch, and she would read me stories, and I would have a blast hearing them. One of my favorite memories in the lower school was the arts festival when I played the role of the gingerbread cowboy. Although I could get very silly and goof around with my friends when I was younger, my experience in the lower school was both nurturing and enjoyable.
When I got to middle school, I felt that my behaviors and my learning changed and evolved. I started to take more responsibility for my work and my learning. In addition, I took my academic work more seriously. Throughout my time in middle school, I learned how to take notes more efficiently and how to brainstorm before writing an essay. Furthermore, using an outline helped me organize my ideas and write multi-paragraph essays. While I took academics very seriously, I still had fun, memorable moments with my friends. For example, once during science class, we were doing a lab with an egg, and I accidentally dropped the egg. It splattered all over the floor! My teacher and my classmates and I still joke about that experience. Above all, though, I am very proud of my accomplishment in getting better grades on tests and quizzes.
Next year I will be attending Eagle Hill School in Massachusetts. Even though I’m sad that I am leaving Gateway, I am excited to start a new life at my next school. I’m looking forward to joining some clubs there such as Music Jam or Student Council. In addition, at Eagle Hill I’m especially interested in learning more about the history and science classes; specifically, I want to learn more about politics. I have a strong curiosity about the world, and I’m looking forward to asking numerous questions and participating a lot in my classes next year. Before I leave, I would like to thank my parents for bringing me to Gateway and my teachers for helping me become the person that I am today. Thank you, Gateway, and good luck to my fellow graduates!
I’ve come a long way from my first day at Gateway, and leaving today, I have some fantastic memories. However, I can confidently say performing Cinderella in sixth grade was my favorite Gateway memory because it was my first show. My entire life I refused to do anything related to singing or acting because I was sure I would hate it. Growing up I was a kid who loved sports and nothing else. But that one year, my parents forced me to try something new. My father is a musician so I guess he wanted me to follow in his footsteps. Because my parents forced me to try something I never showed any interest in, I have now found the career I am pursuing. Today I continue to do shows inside and outside of school, and I improve every single day.
Another fantastic memory at Gateway was participating on the basketball team every year since fifth grade. I remember when I was in the lower school, every single day I’d ask Mr. Perez, “When can I play??!!” During each gym session, I would always shoot around, no matter what. I remember in second grade, when I talked to my teachers every day about the Knicks, back when they were considered a real basketball team. When I finally joined the team I was ready to play, maybe a little too much. I was a selfish player and only cared about my individual stats. One game in 5th grade, I was envious of other kids scoring more points than me. Eventually, I developed a game that involved everyone on the court. Once I hit seventh grade I started to pass most possessions when I had the ball, and I’d only shoot if I knew I’d make the shot.
Gateway for many reasons has been such a big part of who I am. To be honest, I initially had no idea why I came to Gateway. At this point, I’ve been here seven years, so it may be an awkward shift to another school. One reason why I am so comfortable here is the small class sizes. Thankfully, my next school will be similar. In my first year at Gateway, I was shyer around new people than I am today. As the first years continued, my ADHD got much worse, my Tourettes became troubling, and I couldn’t listen to any teachers. I even left for a couple of months because of my struggles. In addition, my social skills were non-existent, and I was too wild. But after many years of struggles and work to help me, today I leave confident and ready to take on the world. I am continuing to develop my fun personality, talents, interests, and social skills, and I don’t plan on slowing down. To all my teachers and parents, thank you so much for supporting me through everything. Even though I can be a pain to all of you teachers, it’s part of who I am.
Because of Gateway, I am prepared to attend The Churchill School. My hope for next year is to continue pursuing my performing career, though I will see what path I take in terms of school activities. I eventually want to be a singer. I also want to act in movies and do some directing as well. I have high hopes for my future, I’m confident and ready to get started. I also hope to improve my academic skills in order to get into a good college. Like Tobey Maguire said, “I think the best way to learn is by someone’s example.” Without everyone’s support, I wouldn’t have been on this stage right now, and with gratitude, thank you.
As the great Winston Churchill said, “Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Good morning! My name is Jonah Fraiman, and I have been a Gateway student for seven years. Before I came to Gateway, I was not a fluent reader and had little confidence in my work. Gateway taught me how to embrace my learning disabilities and was different from my other school because of the small classes and the one-to-one support. Something that surprised me about the Gateway staff was how they were understanding and willing to help, and more importantly, they wanted to help me. Their commitment motivated me to be a better student. When I saw my teachers working hard to help, their students made me recognize that I could become a better student. Even though I’ve had to work hard, I am surprised by how much progress I’ve made in a small amount of time.
As I reflect on my time at Gateway, I realize how much the school has helped me achieve success inside and outside the classroom. My academic strengths are humanities and science. When we were learning about the Brown vs. Board of Education and the Plessy vs. Ferguson case, I worked hard to learn the material and therefore was able to show what I learned successfully on the test. Receiving good grades on these tests made me feel proud of my hard work. One of my favorite moments at Gateway was when my ELA class and I threw our teacher a baby shower and got her donuts. I liked seeing the smile on her face and knowing that she would remember that for a while. Another great moment was when we went on our 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C. because I got to see a different side of our teachers and my fellow students. I will really miss all the inside jokes and most importantly, the memories we made with Susan. After everything I’ve learned, I know I am ready to move on.
Next year, I will be attending The Churchill School with my classmate and friend Phillip Rohde Post Costello. Although I’m ready for a new school, I will miss having heated round table arguments with Harrison and talking about T.V., like The Bachelorette, with my friends and teachers. Overall, the most important thing my years at Gateway taught me is that I can achieve more than what I ever thought I could. A special thanks goes to my family for always supporting me. Thank you to my teachers and family for always supporting me, fellow graduates, Gateway, and anyone who has ever helped me.
Hello. My name is Lucy Kramer, and I have been at Gateway for five years. Gateway has helped me so much academically with both math and ELA. I also learned other skills that I would take with me to high school and beyond. For example, advocating for myself and learning how to talk to teachers about homework before I hand it in.
Throughout the years I have made many friends, and I was so excited to go to Washington, D.C. with them this year. The eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. was one of my favorite memories because I got to see my teachers outside of school and I was able to hang out with my friends in a different way. I was also lucky enough to have some of my best friends as my roommates. My teachers have taught me many different skills to help me in my life, such as how to be organized and strategies for when I’m having trouble with math or learning in general. The teachers at Gateway are patient when I have trouble focusing or need guidance.
Next year, I will be attending The Forman School in Connecticut and there are so many memories that I will take with me. For example, I remember laughing in almost every class when someone made a funny joke. I will miss my friends, the teachers, and all the memories and fun times I have had here. I would like to thank all the teachers that have taught me through the years and have just made the school day better or easier for me. My friends have made me laugh countless amounts of times, and thank you to my family for just being my family. I also want to say something about my advisor who has been my advisor for three years. Not only can I rely on her to give me open and honest feedback when I need it, but we have also had so many great laughs together that I can’t even count. Thank you, everyone, and congratulations to my fellow graduates.
Hello, my name is Brooke Madden, and I’ve been at Gateway for four years. A memory that stands out the most for me is being in the play. I joined the play because when I first heard people singing on a stage, I thought, “I want to do this.” That was three years ago, and since then, I have been in the play every year. The plays I have been in are Cinderella, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and this year we performed The Who’s Tommy. I felt excited every year because being on a stage was super fun. I enjoyed being on stage because of the microphones, costumes, props, and lights, and getting to perform with my friends.
Throughout my time here, performing in the play has been my most memorable experience. A couple of things I’m good at are memorizing my lines and following directions. Something I have improved in is singing louder and speaking louder. I’ve gotten louder because every time we get microphones, we’re always told to be really loud because the microphone doesn’t pick up whispering. One of my favorite memories is how well we did during practice and how we are ten times better once there’s an audience. A funny moment during each play was changing into our costumes before the play started because everyone was always screaming a lot and talking about how excited and nervous we are. After being in the play, I realized I wanted to continue performing in front of people.
Although my high school, Marvelwood, will be different from Gateway, I’m still really excited about the new school. Over the next few years, my hopes are to try as many new activities as possible and to meet a lot of people. While I am still going to participate in the school plays, I will miss being in them with all of my friends at Gateway. My goal for high school is to become more independent with my work. I will achieve this goal by using all of the strategies this school has taught me, such as self-advocacy and how and when to email teachers. I want to thank my teachers for helping me improve my work and my friends for making me laugh. I’m also thankful for my amazing mom, dad, and younger brother for always giving me advice before and after my high school tours and interviews, for helping me when I get upset, and for always trying to keep me happy. Overall, I want to say thank you to all of Gateway and congratulations to everyone else who is graduating.
Good morning! My name is Siena Marrero, and I have been at Gateway for two years. Nora Ephron said, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for life, and you’re the lead ” Before coming to Gateway, I had a good experience at my previous school and made many friends. However, I couldn't help but feel that the school was not the best fit for me because it never gave me the skills I needed to be successful in my classes. When I first came to Gateway, the classes felt a little strange because I was not used to being taught in small classes and having teachers support me by helping me process information that I was not understanding. But, I quickly learned to adapt to Gateway and found it helpful and fun.
During my time at Gateway, I learned new strategies and skills to be able to work independently. My teachers taught me how to organize my writing by using outlines and transition words. Some of my favorite parts of Gateway were ELA class because we read books that have exciting twists. For example, the book that stood out to me the most was Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. The main character, Isabel, was fighting for freedom from slavery and said if an entire nation can get freedom, why not a girl? This part of the book was one of my favorites because it taught me that anything is possible. Looking back at my time at Gateway, I know that it is an experience in my life that I will never forget In the two years that I have been here, I have so many memories that I will always treasure One of my favorite parts about Gateway that I will miss is being greeted at the front door when I walk in because that always sets my day off to a great start and makes me smile. In addition, some of my other memories are playing on the girls’ basketball team and winning for the first time at our last game of the season, being on the student advisory council, and being a part of the school musical, The Who’s Tommy.
Next year I will be going to the Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, Massachusetts, where I will take the skills that I learned here and apply them there. Some things that I am looking forward to are trying out for their swim and crew teams and experiencing a new community of friends. But I will miss all of my friends in middle school and playing cards with one of my classmates during breaks. In addition, since I enjoy science, I am looking forward to learning in their new STEM center. However, I will miss the Round Tables in humanities class and the question jar in science class. A piece of advice for the 7th graders that are going to be future 8th graders is to try everything that Gateway has to offer because you don’t know what you’ll like and it goes quickly In the end, I want to thank my mom for bringing me to Gateway, pushing me to try new activities, coming to all my swim meets, and helping me with everything.
Good morning, my name is Hallie Pomerantz, and I have been at Gateway for the past nine years. Before I came to Gateway, I struggled with speech, and it was challenging for people to understand what I was saying. Turns out, like my big sister, Hannah, I too was destined to be a Gateway student. When I came to Gateway, I was welcomed by teachers and students. Maddie, a student in my sister’s grade, toured me around holding my hand because I was only four years old. It is quite challenging for me to narrow down my favorite memory, but if I had to choose, it would be when we made rainbow mousse in Ms. Childer's class for Dr. Seuss's birthday. Another memory was when I was the only girl doing karate, at the age of five, as an after-school sport. I mean I wasn’t good, but I still did it! I have always loved how caring the teachers were at Gateway. Whenever I was around them, I would feel at home and safe.
While being at Gateway, I have learned my strengths and figured out areas I find more challenging. One of my passions is writing. Since I was a kid, I would make up stories and read them to my family thinking I was a famous author. Another strength and passion have always been music. I have always enjoyed listening to music, and if I ever have a bad day, the music automatically calms me down. Although math has always been a struggle for me, Gateway has taught me strategies to break apart each question and understand its parts.
In the future, I know I will never forget Gateway and how it’s helped me. If I could tell my younger trouble-making self some advice, I guess I would say to follow your own path and only do something if you want to do it. Going into high school, I am most excited about English class and humanities. Thank you to my peers for always being kind to me, and thank you to my amazing teachers for not quitting on us even if we are annoying 24/7. Thank you to my amazing friends for always knowing how to make me smile, to my huge family that is always there for me when I need it, to my parents for never giving up on me, and thank you to Hannah and Harry for being the best older siblings any girl could ask for. Gateway has taught me many things, but probably the most important thing it’s taught me is that my learning difference doesn’t define me. I can choose how to define myself. Good luck to my fellow graduates and I hope we stay connected in the future.
Good morning, my name is Theo Seremetis, and I have been at Gateway since I was in fifth grade. When I visited Gateway in the fourth grade, I felt very comfortable, and it seemed like the right place for me. The teachers were nice, the classes were small, and the students were very kind. I remember on my first day of school here, I was shy and nervous about making new friends. However, once I stepped foot into the building, I had the best teachers, advisors, and friends. I felt so great in the community, and it was the first time I ever looked forward to going to school. I actually realized you could have fun while doing work.
Throughout the years, Gateway has helped me become a stronger student and develop into a better human being. Before Gateway I was nervous to talk in big groups, but through all the social development classes and through those long, long language classes, I became more confident in my ability to speak to unfamiliar people. I used to have trouble writing paragraphs or essays, and my vocabulary wasn’t very strong. After working with my teachers, I received strategies I can use for a lifetime. For example, I learned how to organize my writing using a quick outline. As I move on to high school and college, I will use the tools and strategies my teachers gave me. My favorite memory has to be the D.C. trip because we bonded and I learned new things about my classmates and teachers. I also learned that the National Mall isn’t just a place for museums but also an area that can be used for football games.
Even though my time at Gateway has come to an end, I will definitely be in touch with my friends and teachers when I’m in high school. I made unforgettable memories and look forward to making more as I move on to a new school next year. There are a lot of things that I’ll miss about Gateway, especially playing basketball with my friends and arguing with my teammates about who is the better player. Now that it’s the last day of school, everyone can just admit that it’s me. I remember how great I felt checking all the goals off my list and that’s because of my hard work and especially also my teachers who helped me get there. Lastly, I want to say thank you to my mom and dad for supporting me through my years at Gateway and congratulations to my fellow classmates and goodbye to Gateway.
Hello, My name is Arthur Temple, and I have attended Gateway for three years. In the beginning, I felt like I was not smart and never going to do well in school. When I came to Gateway, I was nervous and scared of the changes and all the new people. Since I did not connect with teachers or kids at first, I initially felt isolated and by myself. Over time I became familiar with the kids and teachers around me and started feeling more confident in the school. Compared to my old school I felt like more of a priority to my teachers in all my classes.
Since my arrival at Gateway, I have made friends and become closer to my teachers. At first, I struggled with writing, spelling, and my overall confidence. With supportive and helpful teachers, I have drastically improved my work. Specifically, I have gotten better at reading and writing. I learned how to use a multiple-paragraph outline and other writing strategies to help me develop as a writer. After coming to Gateway, I feel that my work has improved greatly and is of good quality.
Next year, I will go to Mary McDowell High School in Brooklyn. In high school, I hope to make new friends and meet new teachers while maintaining friendships with everyone from Gateway. Furthermore, I will take the strategies and skills I learned to help me succeed and improve as a student. What I will miss most about Gateway are the friendships I have developed and the teachers I have met during my time here. But most importantly, I have to thank all the people who have helped me complete and achieve my goals.
Hello, my name is Harrison Vail, and I've been at Gateway for five years. Before Gateway, I had trouble with reading comprehension. Previously I was in bigger classes ranging from 20 to 30 kids and did not really get the attention I needed. However, at Gateway we have much smaller classes, so I am able to get more attention from my teachers. The first day I came to Gateway, I was nervous because I was going to a new school with new kids and new teachers, but surprisingly, everyone was so welcoming and kind to me. For example, people let me join their basketball and soccer games.
Throughout my time at Gateway, I had a lot of great experiences and learned many skills. Specifically, I loved playing on the basketball team and making it to the finals of our league. Additionally, an annual tradition I enjoyed at Gateway was participating in field day because I loved playing capture the flag or soccer. At Gateway I learned that I needed to work on my ELA skills. Throughout my years at Gateway, I have made a lot of progress by learning how to use multi-paragraph outlines and writing essays by myself.
Next year I’ll be attending York Preparatory School. I am excited to join the soccer team because in the future I hope to become a professional soccer player and play in England. I am also excited about taking Spanish and other classes next year. Even though I am looking forward to meeting new kids and new teachers, I will miss the teachers and students at this school. Some advice I have for the younger students is to take advantage of the help here and pay attention to all the strategies because you will need them for high school. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for supporting me throughout my life.
Good morning! Most of you know me, but if you do not, my name is Remi Young, and I have attended Gateway for three years. Over these three years, I have been involved in the musical because I love performing musical theater. In sixth grade, I was in Cinderella and played the stepmother. It might be hard to believe that I could play such a mean character because my personality is the opposite. Honestly, it was hard for me to play this role-my teacher kept telling me to stop smiling! The next year, I was one of the three narrators in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This year, I was in The Who’s Tommy, and I played a nurse, Sally Simpson, and a friend, who was a mean character too, so I guess I am cast as characters who are the opposite of who I am. Thank you to the staff that worked on the play and for making the play each year a fun experience for me.
Throughout my time at Gateway and musical theater for all three years, I learned valuable lessons. Each year in the play, I met many new people from other grades and connected more with people from my grade. While at Gateway, I became more confident and social because, before coming here, I was very shy. Academically, I have improved in each class. Some of my favorite projects over the years include researching Julius Caesar in sixth grade, studying Joseph Haydn for the classical music presentation, and building a roller coaster out of K’nex in the science lab. Thank you to my teachers for providing fun activities and projects for me to do to make each class interesting.
Moving forward, I will take the strategies and everything I learned to high school and beyond to become the best person I can be. Next year, I am going to York Preparatory School, and I am going to continue drama and musical theater. Since York is known for having many clubs and electives, I hope to have new experiences. Even though I am looking forward to high school next year, I will miss my teachers and friends. I would like to thank my dad, my mom, my brother, and my grandparents for supporting me through my three-year journey at Gateway. Thank you to my teachers for teaching me a lot of new information and my friends for being kind and caring. Overall, thank you to Gateway, and congratulations to my fellow graduates. I will miss this school and hope to keep in touch with everyone. Have a great summer!
Joshua Beinner
Nicholas Brandmeyer
Matthew Brown
Ryan Burke
Susanna Gruhn
Jack Haynes
Michelle Hu
Noa Karchmer
Finn Kennedy
Ava Parker
Zachary Perlman
Andres Ramos
Kyle Rodriguez
Atticus Sambar Lande
Santiago Sanchez-Lara Alonso
Alan Sher
Sophie Smith
Emma Smith-Turrano
Robert Somerville
Thomas Susman
Christopher Travis
My name is Josh Beinner, and I have been at Gateway for three and a half years. My best academic memories include doing well on tests and quizzes, writing essays in ELA about the book Journey to Jo’burg, and completing science projects. Additionally, my favorite sports memories include getting a quadruple play in baseball and making it to the finals in basketball in seventh grade. I learned to become a better teammate because I used to be a little selfish, and I became a better passer and defender in basketball and soccer. In the classroom, I improved by arriving to class on time and paying closer attention, and carefully reading word problems in math. I used to just skip over them, but now I have strategies to work through them.
Although I am leaving Gateway, I am really excited to start the next chapter in my academic career. Next year, I will be attending Eagle Hill, and I can’t wait. At Eagle Hill, there are a lot of extracurricular activities and sports teams. Furthermore, the town and the campus are very spacious, and I can do a lot of things during the weekend in my free time. Lastly, the classes offered at Eagle Hill are really enjoyable and interesting, and touring around the campus was really cool. Overall, I would like to thank my parents for sending me to Gateway and my teachers for giving me strategies and making me a better student.
My name is Nick Brandmeyer, and I have been at The Gateway School for three years, and it has helped me improve as a student in many ways. When I first came to Gateway in sixth grade, I felt very comfortable with my surroundings. The environment at Gateway made me feel calm and focused. In sixth grade, my favorite class was research because I was interested in the topic we researched, and I also loved science because the labs were trial-by-error activities and showed me that everyone could make mistakes and learn from them. In seventh and eighth grade, my favorite class was math because I started to get more interested in math, and my other favorite class was humanities because I loved the Hamilton unit where we got to move our bodies more around the classroom. During eighth grade, I enjoyed going to John Jay twice a week because I could get my energy out during the day.
Even though I am leaving Gateway, I will always have great memories of my time here. One of my favorite memories was going to Club Getaway and getting to rock climb with my friends. In addition, the seventh-grade overnight trip to Frost Valley was an enjoyable experience, especially the bus ride going to Frost Valley! Most importantly, though, I am thankful for my teachers and the staff that engaged with me about topics I was interested in. For example, I especially appreciate my ELA teacher because he is flexible and connected with me about Marvel. I also appreciated the staff when they brought me up in the elevator in the morning because we were able to develop a relationship. Next year, I am going to Trinity-Pawling in Pawling, New York, and I am excited about going into the outdoors to explore and do new activities with new friends. Above all, thank you to my family for supporting my parents and for sending me to Gateway.
My name is Matthew Brown. I have been at Gateway for eight years. I spent four years in Lower School and four years in Middle School. My favorite after-school activity was Drama. I have participated in four plays, one for every year of Middle School, and it has made me a lot more confident than I used to be, and now I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone a lot more. One activity besides Drama that was out of my comfort zone was filming, which was called Gateway TV, and I have done it every year since fourth grade, and it was really fun. Throughout all of my years at Gateway, I have learned new academic techniques that make my work a lot easier and faster. In addition, one field trip that I have really enjoyed that Gateway took was the trip to Frost Valley. Frost Valley was the second overnight trip that I have ever been on throughout my entire life, and unlike the first one I took, to Ashokan Center, which was one night, this one was two nights, it was really fun, and I also developed better relationships with friends. Finally, 8th-grade math was one of my favorite classes this year, and I think it is really going to help me in high school next year. One reason was that it actually felt like a real high school class. For example, we had real textbooks, high school quality tests, notepaper, and partners that we got to actually choose!
Next year, I expect to make new friends, meet new teachers, and have harder work. After I leave Gateway, I will be attending the Winston Preparatory School where there will be new and exciting opportunities. There, I expect to learn new skills and use Gateway skills to help me with my learning. Moving forward, I will miss my friends and teachers. However, I can still keep in touch with them through phone numbers and emails. Because Gateway has done an amazing job of teaching me, I have been inspired to become a teacher when I grow up. Thank you for everything you have done for me Gateway. “Be bold, be courageous, be your best.” I would also like to say thank you to my family, specifically my parents and my younger sister, for helping me throughout all eight of my years here at Gateway. Additionally, I would also like to congratulate all of my fellow graduates and my friends, because they also supported me throughout Gateway. Goodbye Gateway and everyone else; I will miss you all, but I will never forget you.
My name is Ryan Burke, and I've been at The Gateway School for three years. My experiences here have been memorable. I have participated in the basketball team and softball teams. I enjoyed these sports because I was able to spend time with my friends and compete with students at other schools. At Gateway I have improved in reading, writing, and analyzing. One way I improved in reading is by being able to read more fluently. In writing, I’ve been able to add more details and thoughtful comments. I’m also better able to analyze characters in the stories I read, all because the Gateway teachers taught me strategies. At Gateway I have learned to like reading a little more, and a book I enjoyed reading was Of Mice and Men. One of the best memories at Gateway was going to Frost Valley. I enjoyed it because it was in a new setting, an overnight trip, and I got to hang out with my classmates outside of school. I also remember the Giant Swing, which was a little scary at first, but I was able to overcome my fear and do it.
From what I have heard, high school will be a fun experience, especially in making new friends. When I go to high school and beyond, I will remember Gateway with fond memories of middle school, from the friends I made to what I learned in classes and other activities. Some high school activities I will take part in are the basketball team and maybe other clubs like the Weightlifting Club. What I hope for after college is a meaningful job as a doctor and a family with good friends. As I’m leaving Gateway I would like to thank every teacher that has helped me learn something or helped me with problems I had because if it were not for the teachers and other Gateway members, I would not be where I am today.
Hi, my name is Susie Gruhn, and I have been at Gateway for five years. One of my favorite memories is going to Teamwork Adventure in the fall because I love rock climbing and ziplining. I’ll never forget when I got stuck at the end of the zipline because I was too short of putting my feet down and reaching the ground. It was hilarious! While I participated in many after school clubs at Gateway, drama has always been my favorite. I love becoming a different character and getting to act silly on stage. I even named my dog Marcie after the character I played in my first performance at Gateway in the show You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Math has been the class I enjoyed the most.
Through my years at Gateway, my teachers have taught me strategies to solve problems quickly and with more accuracy. When I think about what I’ve learned at Gateway, I have most improved on using vocabulary words, not only in class but outside of school as well. Additionally, I have learned strategies on how to write a paragraph, such as using an outline to organize my thoughts. Going to high school is a whole new adventure! I am excited to be able to take a photography class and learn new techniques on how to take a good picture. Additionally, I am excited to make new friends. I hope to push myself to learn a new language and adapt to a new way of learning in class at my new school. Thank you to my wonderful teachers. You have always been understanding and supportive of my needs both in and outside of the classroom. To my friends, thank you for always being there through good and bad times. Lastly, thank you to my family, especially my mom, for helping me with so many things I can’t even list them all here. Mom, I am excited to see you at Gateway when I come back to visit, which will probably be often! Thank you for everything, Gateway! I will miss everyone. Goodbye.
My name is Jack Haynes, and I have been at Gateway for two years. My favorite classes were Social Development, Language, and ELA. In Social Development and Language, I enjoyed discussing interesting topics such as drugs in Social Development and different social rules in Language. In ELA, I learned how to write topic sentences and better essays. In Math, I learned more skills and learned how to keep numbers in my head without writing it down. My favorite memories at Gateway consist of a few. One was going to Frost Valley. I enjoyed this because it was overnight, and we had plenty of activities to do. One other memory is going out to lunch with my friends instead of staying at school.
Next year I will be attending Mary McDowell. My goal for my new school is to use the strategies I learned at Gateway and apply them to get good grades. In high school, I hope to expand my interests more and possibly join a band and play a new instrument. Even though high school will be great, I will miss some things at Gateway, particularly the teachers and students. I will miss the teachers because they are helpful and understand us, so they help us accordingly. I will also miss my friends because I won’t see them as much next year, but fortunately, some of my friends will be attending the same school as me. Above all, I want to thank my parents for helping me get to where I am and helping me excel. I also want to thank Gateway for helping me in school and teaching me new things. Lastly, I want to congratulate my fellow graduates for making it this far and wish them well in their upcoming years.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen; I am Michelle Hu, an international student from China. As nervous as I am talking to all of you today, I am also proud to be sharing my memories and inspiring moments that sparked my learning throughout my years at Gateway. When I left China seven years ago, I was anxious and unaware of how much my life would be impacted. I still remember the first day I visited Gateway, I did not know what to expect. But the staff and teachers at Gateway were so welcoming and kind that I felt like I knew them as a family. The unforgettable memories and education I had here were transformative; of course, that does not imply that I did not have to face my share of challenges throughout the years. But, I had friends and teachers who were eager to help and guide me through it all. From past experiences starting at a young age, math had been difficult for me, which led me to be uninterested in math. However, Gateway taught me a way of math that made me love it and feel successful in it. I am forever grateful to my teachers for their support and for never giving up on me. It is these challenges that have made me a stronger and more confident learner. Every little encounter and experience gained here at Gateway has been enriching and will remain within my memories for life.
Every end has a new beginning. Even though this is the end of our middle school experience, it will always hold a special place in my heart. Middle school is a time when some kids may feel lost, and then they branch out of their comfort zones. It’s a time when kids can find themselves as they become adolescents. From today onward, we are titled as graduates and former middle schoolers. We are all going to be starting a new chapter in our lives that is rather scary, but exciting. As emotional as a graduate can be leaving Gateway, the future holds promise and challenges that I look forward to facing. With the confidence gained from my teachers and fellow classmates, I will always be strong, try my very best, and never give up. Gateway will always be part of me. Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this journey. Once again, congratulations, graduates; I wish everyone luck in the future ahead. Thank you.
Hi, my name is Noa Karchmer, and I have been at Gateway for six years. When I first visited Gateway, I did not like it because it felt small and different, and I was not ready for a change. However, after my first year, I became more comfortable with my new surroundings. Before coming to Gateway, I struggled with reading and writing. By using the strategies teachers taught me, I got better at reading fluently and became more confident in my writing. For example, I found it helpful to use a Quick Outline and Cornell Notes to organize my ideas. Throughout my time at Gateway, my favorite subject has always been math. I enjoy problem-solving and geometry. Additionally, I have learned to work with my peers and advocate for myself. I also have made many memories with friends and teachers. One memory that stands out to me is canoeing and playing Mafia after dinner at Frost Valley.
Next year, I will be attending The Leffell School. At Leffell, I am excited to play more sports and participate in student-led clubs. The skills I will take with me next year are writing in keywords and phrases because it is quick and efficient and using the story grammar frame because it helps me analyze books and their plot structures. In the future, I hope to build on my skills and become a stronger mathematician so that I can grow as a student. I will miss everyone who has helped me reach my goals and the friendships I have created. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for always supporting my teachers and for preparing me for my future. Best of luck to my fellow graduates.
My name is Finn Kennedy, and I’ve been attending this school, Gateway, for two years. I have really great memories of my time at Gateway. One of my favorite memories is eighth-grade science class where I did a model and presentation on nitrogen. This is a favorite memory because I loved combining arts and crafts with science. I loved participating in an afterschool activity called Gateway TV. I really loved this activity for a number of reasons. Mostly it was extremely fun for me to make my own short movies with friends. For example, I was in a short movie where I was a talk show host interviewing an alien. This was great because we combined nonfiction elements with fictional elements. At high school, I will definitely keep working on short films whether it will be an extracurricular or in school. I also have great memories from social development, and I will miss going to social development every Wednesday. The main thing I will miss about social development is “highs and lows” because I like sharing about my life and learning about other classmates’ lives. Throughout my time here at Gateway my favorite class was math. Most recently in math, I learned how to solve algebraic expressions and how to simplify fractions. Reflecting on my time at Gateway I have improved at math the most, and I appreciate all the teachers who helped me.
My time at Gateway has shaped my future in several ways. What does Finn Kennedy’s future hold? In the future, I want to become a psychologist. I hope to complete this by using the empathy skills I developed during the change unit we studied in humanities. The change unit was where we talked about the struggles of minorities and women. I learned that the Jewish people in Nazi Germany had their synagogues destroyed. I saw people being hurt and discriminated against for their race or religion, and this made me want to help people with whatever they are going through. Thank you to my teachers, specifically Mx. Sanchez, for helping me improve in math. Furthermore, thank you to my parents for helping me with homework and helping me study for the ISEE. In conclusion, I believe my future will be a bright one and be filled with a lot of accomplishments because of the valuable lessons I’ve learned at Gateway.
My name is Ava Parker, and I have attended Gateway for four years. Reflecting on my time, I have learned that everyone is a hybrid poplar tree, one of the fastest-growing trees. I have learned that everyone can improve in some way, whether it is related to their education or not. For instance, I have changed my mindset immensely and have learned to have a more positive one. Let your flowers bloom no matter what environment you are in, for if you let them sprout, an environment becomes slightly less toxic.
Throughout high school, I will continue to play soccer and write vigorously. I have improved on letting others’ opinions roll off my back like a duckling. I hope to one day become a professional soccer player, a writer, or a nutritionist. What I have learned in terms of a growth mindset at Gateway will help tremendously. Thank you to my teachers and friends. As Mia Hamm, a former female USWNT player once said, “True champions aren’t always the ones that win, but those with the most guts.”
Good morning and welcome! My name is Zach Perlman, and I have been at Gateway for six years. I remember Ms. Pulanco telling me during my first interview at Gateway that all 8th graders write and read a graduation speech. I’m excited to be here today because I have been crafting this speech in my mind for the past six years. At my previous school, I struggled with reading, writing, and paying attention. However, when I came to Gateway, everything changed. I was introduced to a community that shaped and molded me into the student I am today. One way I have changed is that my writing has improved greatly. For example, I am able to write paragraphs and essays now. The smaller classes allowed me to ask questions when needed. And teachers really go out of their way for students here. For example, every morning the math teachers did Math Drop In, which helped me understand the math homework better. I have many phenomenal memories of my time at Gateway. I enjoyed the Frost Valley and Ashokan overnight trips because they were a time to bond with my peers, as was going out to lunch with my friends in eighth grade. And I appreciated the fun projects in class, such as doing independent research about Islam in my Research class.
Next year I will be attending The Calhoun School. I look forward to taking the skills I learned and applying them in a new environment, as well as meeting new people. If I could go back and say one thing to my thirdgrade self it would be, mazel tov, you're going to make it kid. Thank you to all the teachers, staff, and my advisor who supported me during the high school application process. I also want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Harrison for leading the social development classes, my favorite class due to the more personal conversations and topics discussed. Thank you, also, to all of my friends for keeping me entertained through it all. Most importantly, I need to thank my mother and my father for keeping me alive, motivating me, and believing in me. I would like to wish Ms. Salzman the best in her future endeavors and would like to wish all of you a great summer. Thank you all!
Hello, my name is Andy Ramos, and I have been at Gateway for four years. My experience at Gateway has helped me become a better student. Since I came to Gateway, I have become much more independent. For instance, I enjoyed my 5th-grade hominids project because it was my first project at Gateway. However, for my 6th-grade project about Julius Caesar, I improved significantly because I did it with more independence. Additionally, an activity that stands out to me the most is playing on the basketball team. Even though we did not have much success, we still had fun.
Over my time at Gateway, I created memories to last a lifetime. Most notably, I loved the Frost Valley seventh-grade trip because as a grade we became closer. Another memory is the whole experience of online learning. As I move on to high school, I will always remember the friends that I created at Gateway. Overall, Gateway has helped me in many different ways. I would like to thank my teachers, my dad, and my mom.
Hi, my name is Kyle Rodriguez, and I have been at Gateway for four years. I want to first say thank you to the Head of School, Mrs. Salzman, my teachers, and the other school staff for an awesome experience at The Gateway School. Gateway has taught me skills that have helped me learn a lot about myself. For example, I have developed the ability to be more confident, social, and a leader. As a result of my time at Gateway, I now have the skills to help me try new things, such as being the 5thgrade class president, an actor in the school play, and the captain of our Gateway Lions basketball team.
Going to high school, the next chapter in my life will be stressful but exciting. I can honestly say I had a tremendous time at Gateway. The great friends I made will never be forgotten. I appreciate all the talks with Dr. Harrison when times got tough and the opportunities to speak up for what I believe in. The memories, the friendships, and the great advice: I will take all of it with me to high school and beyond. Thank you Gateway. I learned a lot from the teachers, but mostly, you were my home away from home. I also want to thank my parents and family for all their patience and guidance throughout my educational journey. And Kyle out.
My name is Atticus Sambar Lande, and I have been at Gateway for four years or for middle school. My experience at Gateway has been amazing in every way, whether it was helping me improve in academic areas or it was making friends. When I came to Gateway, I couldn’t write a paragraph to save my life, and that doesn’t even include an essay. However, with the help of my ELA teachers, I have improved drastically in using more specific language in essays, writing better topic sentences, and getting better at analyzing text work. In addition, with the help of my math teachers, I have learned the strategies to help me show my work, check it, and reflect on what I need to improve, such as using graph paper to organize my work, using the inverse operation to check it and to align my equations to make them easier to solve. While I have many memories regarding my experience with the teachers, I also have many memories with friends. One of my favorite memories was after we would go out to lunch this year, we would sit in Dr. Harrison’s office and talk and laugh before math. Another one of my favorite memories was during the Frost Valley trip in seventh grade when, despite having a broken finger, going canoeing and racing other people.
While I will never forget my experiences at Gateway, it is time for me to move on. Next year I will be attending the Mary McDowell Friends School, a special education school in Brooklyn. While there are many things that I am excited about for the school, I think the thing I am most excited about is having a very short commute. Besides that, Mary McDowell offers much of the support that Gateway gives you but forces you to challenge yourself to achieve your goals. Because of the advocacy skills Gateway taught me, at McDowell, a school where you need to self-advocate, I will have very few problems with my education. Additionally, classes are divided very similarly to how Gateway does it, and it will almost feel as though I had never left the school. I will also be taking all the math strategies, note-taking skills, and writing skills that Gateway taught with me to high school. I would also like to thank Gateway alumni Aden Levy’s family for telling my parents about the school and my parents for sending me. I would also like to thank all of my teachers for the amazing experience at the school. Ultimately, Gateway has been an irreplaceable experience for me that I will never forget.
Hello, my name is Santiago Sanchez-Lara Alonso, and I have spent about four years at Gateway. During my time at this school, I have made friends who have made my experience at Gateway much more exciting. For example, I am in many classes with my friends, so I have an opportunity to talk and work with them. Since coming to Gateway, I have learned various methods and strategies for retaining information. Specifically, my teachers taught me how to use keywords and phrases to take notes and write outlines to organize my thoughts before writing an essay. Through classes such as Social Development and Humanities, I have learned not only to debate my point of view but also to understand where others are coming from. One of my favorite memories was participating in the show The Who’s Tommy because many of my friends were also in the show with me. Although I had been in other performances, the show Tommy is what made me want to pursue acting. I’ll never forget going out to lunch with my friends, running down the hill towards Subway, or stocking up on food at the supermarket.
Although my time at Gateway has been enjoyable, I am looking forward to my future at my new school. I am especially looking forward to being able to learn and discuss new topics and meet good people in my new community. In addition, I hope to work hard and have fun in all my classes. I would like to acknowledge my family and teachers for motivating me to commit to a subject or activity that I did not necessarily always want to do. Thank you to my mentors for always having common sense in areas that I might lack. And finally, as expressed by the values of Lin-Manuel Miranda, “My dear terrified graduates, you are about to enter the most uncertain and thrilling period of your lives.”
Hello, my name is AJ Sher, and I have spent two extraordinary years at Gateway. One of my favorite memories during my first year was when my Humanities class reenacted the Battle of Bunker Hill with Ms Seidel in the Grandstand area It was fun because we were using our imaginations to act out what happened during the battle. Even though we used rolled-up paper as muskets, it felt real to us. Another great memory from seventh grade was our field trip to the Natural History Museum because we had fun exploring the museum with one another and seeing what Earth has to offer. Specifically, we learned what the world is about, and the movie was great because we learned about the circle of life, which included watching frogs have babies. A hilarious memory from 8th grade was on Halloween when Ms. Burkhardt was dressed up as Sadness from the movie “Inside Out.” This was funny because she really played her character with tears and a blue face. Social development with Dr. Harrison was also great and interesting because we talked about our lives, shared funny and strange stories about ourselves, and watched the movie Zootopia. It was fun to share our opinions and hang out together, laughing and hearing other people’s ideas. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed my time at Gateway, spending good times with my friends and teachers; I’ll always remember you and the fun things we did together.
My time at Gateway has taught me many valuable skills and has helped me decide what I want to do in the future The most important thing I learned was how to speak with teachers about my feelings and concerns. I also began to feel comfortable asking them for help with schoolwork and class assignments. Another thing I learned while at Gateway was to be more independent; an example would be going out to lunch with my friends in 8th grade. While outside of school I learned how nice people are when you order the same thing every day at the deli. I also learned to be vigilant for any obstacles that may cross my path when crossing the street or anything in life. In addition, my teachers helped me to understand the system of work and how to do it on my own. I learned how to answer comprehension questions with specific details on my own and recognize what makes the most sense in an answer. Most importantly, my teachers helped me articulate how to write an essay by thinking about other people's knowledge of what you are writing about. Some goals I have for myself next year and beyond are to work more quickly when around others and to do my work at a faster pace so others will not have to wait for me. I am also hoping to understand school assignments better, improve my art skills and drawing skills, and communicate better with teachers and other students Furthermore, I want to thank my teachers and friends for all the support you have given me over the years while I was attending Gateway. Thank you also to my dear and loving family for taking care of me and helping me through some tough times over the years. Thank you Gateway for all that you have done for me.
My name is Sophie Smith, and this is my 9th year at Gateway. Throughout my time here, I have grown into a talkative student. Gateway has taught me good ways to be open with people and excellent ways to make friends. Moreover, I used to be shy, but now I’m not, and now I ask teachers more questions. Also, I even go out to lunch with my friends. While I’ve attended Gateway, I have joined the drama club, the dance club, and even the chorus. My favorite memories in Lower School involved being in the Billy Goats Gruff during the Arts Festival. In Middle School, my favorite memories include being in Cinderella in 5th grade, being on the dance team and working on cool dances, and being Calliope in Xanadu in 8th grade. Although Cinderella was my favorite when I was little, I was cast as a villain in Xanadu, and this experience was more eye-opening to acting than it would’ve been if I had played Cinderella in fifth grade. Another favorite memory was all of the field trips because I like spending time with my friends outside of school Even though it is a learning-based environment, it’s fun to get outside on a school day Lastly, a favorite memory of mine in 8th grade was the first time I went out for lunch I was really nervous, and I had never crossed a street before by myself I was nervous and excited at the same time It was very interesting But I got more comfortable over time
Looking back on my time here, I am very thankful to all my teachers because they helped me become the person I am today Thank you to all my teachers for making my time here enjoyable and helping me learn. I specifically want to thank the drama teachers and extracurricular teachers for helping me realize that I can be anything I want to be. Furthermore, Mrs. Childers was one of the first teachers I had at this school, and therefore I would like to thank her for being supportive of me during my first years at Gateway and throughout the rest of my time here. I had Ms. Childers for a year and helped her out with her classes throughout Lower School and Middle School. When I was in Middle School, I helped out a lot in Mrs. Childers’ classroom with the younger kids. I drew with her students, talked with them about what they liked to eat and what their favorite classes were, and even helped them get around the building. The first time Mrs. Childers met my grandmother, I was very little. However, I still remember how Mrs. Childers asked me, “Oh, is this your grandma?” and I was like “Yeah,” and then they started talking. Meanwhile, I was allowed to go and pick out a book since we were at a book fair. That was a great time. And then every year after that, Mrs. Childers asked me how my grandma was doing. Even though Mrs. Childers isn’t a teacher here anymore, in my mind, she will always be a teacher here because she was such an important part of my experience at Gateway. And that memory wouldn't have happened if she wasn’t teaching me in old Classroom B I’m really thankful to have had her because she taught me in my first few years at Gateway and was really nice to me Additionally, she cares a lot about my family, just like I do
Next year, I will be attending high school at Purnell where they have a wonderful arts program I will continue to pursue dancing, acting, and singing Moving forward, I hope to make a career out of these passions I will achieve this by never giving up and knowing that if I love it, then I should still do it, even if I face challenges In Middle School, I learned that nobody else defines you, and I think that’s an important lesson. My favorite quote that reflects on this is “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” from The Princess Diaries. In closing, I would like to thank my parents for always supporting my teachers and me for getting me through Middle School and always telling me to try new things and to never give up. Congratulations to my fellow graduates! We finally did it!
I want to begin by saying thank you to the teachers, faculty and my friends for making this the best year at Gateway. When I first arrived at Gateway, I was incredibly shy and had a difficult time socializing with my peers and teachers. However, I’ve become more comfortable with my environment and turned over a new leaf. I have made so many memories during my time here. In particular, I loved spending time with my friends at Frost Valley in 7th grade. I really enjoyed being able to make friends that I know I will keep a connection with for a very long time. Even during these tough times, my connections with my friends remained very strong, and I continued to strive in my academics and express my creativity.
When I leave Gateway, I hope everyone I meet stays safe and moves on to thrive in all aspects of life. Moreover, I wish for my classmates to have the best time at their new school and accomplish whatever they set their minds to. For the teachers and faculty, thank you for making the past two years I have spent at Gateway the most memorable and teaching me skills that I will use in the future. Above all, I would like to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to go to Gateway.
Hi, my name is Bobby Somerville, and I have been at Gateway for three years. I’ve truly enjoyed playing basketball on the Gateway Lions team for all three years I have been here. During my final year at Gateway, I played well in the games, and I scored some points for our team! My friends and coaches were supportive of me and excited when I scored a basket. My favorite field trip was our sixth-grade trip to Ashokan because I got to meet new people and get to know my grade better. I will always remember the song we sang around the campfire and playing football and Mafia with my friends. When I think about what I’ve learned, I have improved in math and reading. In math, I got better at adding and multiplying numbers together. My math teachers helped me break down the steps to solving problems so I could be successful. Before I came to Gateway, I couldn’t read very well. My reading teachers helped me learn to read better. My favorite class is Social Development because it is time I get to talk to Dr. Harrison about my feelings. I am going to have to find a new Dr. Harrison to talk to when I get to high school.
Next year I will be going to the Mary McDowell Friends School in Brooklyn. I want to continue to play basketball in high school and hopefully join the Mary McDowell team. My goal for the future is to become an NBA star. In Middle School, I learned not to let my emotions get the best of me so I could work with people and my teammates in the future. I will miss the teachers and kids at Gateway because it was fun talking and playing games with them. Thank you to my family for supporting me through my three years at Gateway. Thank you everyone for being there for me!
Hello, my name is Tommy Susman, and I have been at Gateway for four years. I moved to Gateway in my fifth grade year from the public school near me because the school I was at did not have the support I needed. Gateway has really helped me through the tough spots in my educational journey and has been there through the good and the bad. One of the great memories I made while at Gateway was going on the Ashokan overnight trip and hanging out with my friends while going on hikes there. In addition, I had a great time on the Frost Valley trip. I especially enjoyed hanging out with my bunk mates and playing a huge game of Mafia. The memories I made while attending Gateway will stick with me for a lifetime, and the friends I made here are really amazing.
My time at Gateway has helped me grow as a student, and I am looking forward to next year and what that will bring. Next year I will be going to The High School of Art and Design, and I would never have even thought about pursuing art if it weren't for the friends I made at Gateway. Additionally, the teachers at Gateway are really amazing, and I will always remember their classes. Furthermore, I want to congratulate my fellow 8th graders on making it through Middle School especially because of what is going on in the world. Lastly, I want to thank my parents for spending a huge amount of time and money just for me to get a great education. The time I spent at Gateway has really changed who I am for the better, and I am so excited for what next year will bring.
Hi, my name is Chris Travis, and I have been at Gateway for five years. Throughout my years at Gateway, there have been many ups and downs. When I first came to Gateway in fourth grade, I felt a little uncomfortable since it was a totally different place from my old school. However, over time Gateway has grown to be a place of comfort for me. I know I can always rely on the teachers and small class sizes to support me in learning new skills. Additionally, I have made many good friends over the years. I will always remember playing on the Gateway Lions basketball team and traveling around Manhattan to go to games with my friends. When I look back on my time at Gateway, I’m grateful to my ELA teachers for teaching me how to use an outline to organize my thoughts when I’m writing an essay and to my math teachers for teaching me the importance of showing my work on the paper and not solving the problem in my head.
Looking ahead, high school will be a new and exciting challenge. I would like to say thank you to all the teachers I’ve had for giving me many strategies that I will take with me to high school. For example, in Humanities I learned how to break down a DBQ and use the clues to figure out the context and message of the document. I know I will need this skill in high school. Thank you to my family for the support and for helping me get all my work done. To my friends, thank you for making me have a good time in school. Although I’ll be missing Gateway, I know I am ready for high school.
Henry Chandler
Zola Coppa
Anton Deutschmann
Qeiva Grant
Aviv Herzig
Oliver Krekler
Daniella Martin-Moreno
Bryce Miele
Lexi Milne-Pott
Luke Rosen
Nicholas Scagluiso
Ella Schwartz
Hana Shacket
Alexander Sion
Alice Tiven-Gottesman
Calvin Trimpe
Lily Tully
Kenneth Ward
Good morning! I’m Henry Chandler, and I’ve attended The Gateway School for three years. When I first came to Gateway, I struggled with planning and anything that had to do with organization. Basically, I had lots of difficulty getting things done. My first impression when I looked at the school was, “Wow! This is a weirdly shaped building,” and the very small classes were different from my previous school. Although I was very bad at organization, the planners, schedules, trappers, and computer helped me arrange my work. In addition, the small classes were also valuable because the teacher was able to focus more time on me.
Over the past few years, I've learned a lot while at Gateway and had many memorable moments. My overall favorite class was Humanities. I found the class interesting and enjoyed the hands-on projects. I believe Humanities also made me more educated about the world. My favorite Humanities project was the Greek Gods project in 6th grade since we made our own costumes. I was Dionysus, the God of wine, although I'm not sure if all the teachers liked my chalice of grape juice prop. In Humanities I improved in taking notes, identifying important details, and comprehending lengthy passages. Notably, I have been on the Student Advisory Council all three years and have enjoyed planning the activities for the school, bringing up students' concerns with the council, and keeping things organized. However, I enjoyed the pep rallies and formals the most because I got to choose how these big events were planned and executed.
Moving forward in my life, I hope to be very successful. Once I go to highschool, I want to take the skills I learned in my classes here at Gateway to get good grades. Hopefully I can get into a good college which would lead to me getting a job where I can be successful and be able to buy all the video games. Although when I eventually have to graduate and leave the school, I will miss my friends, teachers, being on the student council, and the nice structure at Gateway that helps me stay organized. I want to thank my parents for allowing me to go to Gateway, my teachers for supporting me, and my friends for making it fun. Goodbye Gateway. I wish all my peers luck in high school!
My name is Zola Coppa, and I have been at The Gateway School for three years. Before Gateway I was less confident academically and overall with myself. I felt that I needed to be someone else for people to like me and to do well. My first impression of Gateway and the community, in general, was that it felt very welcoming. Even just touring the school, people seemed excited to meet me.
Being at Gateway has helped me grow in so many ways. I learned many skills, like how to write a good essay and how to use my voice in my writing and editing so that my writing is stronger. I’ve also learned a lot about myself. I realized that I have strong opinions about politics and that I am good at math and that I like problem-solving. There were many interesting assignments in my classes. My favorite projects would have to be either the roller coaster we did in Science or the Salem witch trials in Humanitieseveryone thought I was the witch, but there was actually no witch! My favorite memories are the sixth grade overnight, Teamwork Adventure, or just hanging out with my friends at school. I also did really enjoy being on the girls' basketball team (even if we did lose every game).
In the future, I look forward to so many things. I am looking forward to new challenges and different experiences. A skill that I am going to take with me is how to advocate for myself and for what is important. I hope to do more art and get involved with social justice issues. Overall I am really going to miss the accepting community at Gateway. Thank you to all my teachers, friends, and family for supporting me throughout my time here.
Hello, my name is Anton Deutschmann. In the second grade, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Unfortunately, the elementary school I was attending at the time was not able to provide me with the assistance I needed to succeed, but that all changed by the 5th grade when I started at The Gateway School. I had concerns about having to wear the school polo shirt every day, and I was nervous and shy since it was a new place. Thankfully that didn’t last long. The teachers and the curriculum seemed beneficial for my learning, particularly because of the smaller classes.
Since starting at Gateway, I've gained more confidence in my work and in myself. When I leave Gateway, I will always ask for help, especially because it's a big skill for high school. Additionally, one of my strengths is math. I love working with numbers, and I hope to improve as I grow older. I’m also grateful to Gateway for helping to push me out of my comfort zone to do things like joining the basketball team. It’s taught me to build strong friendships that I hope to have for years to come.
In the future I look forward to new accomplishments, continuing to challenge myself, and learning more. In the fall I will be attending Mary McDowell Friends School located in Brooklyn. The best advice I can give incoming Gateway students is always to be yourself and focus on getting your work done. Thank you to my parents and teachers for supporting me.
Hello, my name is Qeiva Grant, or as they say in America, “HEY, I'm Qeiva Grant!” and I have been at Gateway for three years. When I started at Gateway, I didn’t really have a clue on how to read properly and was figuring out everything, of course, being in a new country and all. But when I got here, they taught me to sound out things very carefully and went into depth about how to spell. Thankfully, everyone was friendly, and it made me feel hope for the future. Overall, Gateway has made me become more independent in what I do.
Since starting at Gateway, I've improved in taking notes, collecting details about what I’m writing, and becoming more knowledgeable about what I’m talking about. When getting into more carefully written work, it was important for me to analyze deeply, which made me comfortable in writing good essays. Additionally, in certain situations, we absolutely have to know what we’re talking about because it can get very heated in different debates. Throughout the years, I have found that a few of my favorite classes have been Humanities, Research, and Math. I specifically enjoyed Research and Humanities because we talk about important topics which makes them interesting classes. I also participated in the girls' varsity basketball team, which was fun even though we did not win any games.
Moving forward, I hope to continue the joys I have had these past years. Next year, I will be attending the Forman School. The things that I will be excited for in the coming years are meeting new people, finding different interests, and so forth. To all the future Gateway students, know that it's all going to pay off, and it isn’t as hard as you think. As said by Noma Dumezweni, aka my mum, “Whoever we are, we have to carve something out of our lives. I would like to be on my deathbed going, 'I've enjoyed that. I went through the rollercoaster of it, but I've appreciated it.' ” Also, as Damian Grant, aka my dad says, “Know that you are doing well, and keep striving in what you want to do.” Now I see myself achieving more than I had ever thought. I’ll keep striving. Thank you.
Good Morning, my name is Aviv Herzig, and I have been at Gateway for five years. Before I came to Gateway, I was nervous, confused, and did not feel independent. I didn’t know how to write paragraphs or make new friends. I initially thought, “What was I doing here?” However, after the first year, I was used to the system and changed as a person. What has surprised me the most about my time at Gateway is how I have become more independent.
During my time at Gateway, I learned many new skills and strategies. I have grown as a writer by using single and multi-paragraph outlines. I have written many essays in Research, Humanities, and ELA. For instance, after reading Shooting Kabul, I wrote a five-paragraph essay about the current situation in Afghanistan. The writing topics that we’ve completed this year, and in past years, are interesting because they connect to realworld situations. Over the years, I have also become more independent. For example, I now take notes by myself in most of my classes. Playing sports at Gateway has been a fun experience. I participated in the soccer and basketball teams with people across grades. Going undefeated on the JV team is one of my favorite memories on a Gateway sports team. I will never forget when we celebrated as a community by unveiling the banners in the gym and receiving trophies.
Next year, I will be attending York Prep and look forward to setting and achieving new goals. At York, I will apply all of the strategies that I have been taught by my teachers at Gateway when learning the new curriculum. Also, I am excited to meet new people, even though I will miss the friends I made in Middle School. The advice I could give to future graduates is “trust the process” because it’s important not to doubt yourself and trust that what you're doing will work out in the end. Thank you to all of my teachers for giving me the tools I need for high school. Finally, thank you to my parents and brother for supporting me the whole way. Congratulations to my fellow graduates.
Hello, and good morning students, parents, and families. My name is Oliver Krekler and today marks the end of my third and final year here at The Gateway School As I transition into high school, I am here to share my experiences from the last several years and the impact they had on me Toward the beginning of my journey here at The Gateway School, we went on an overnight trip to the Ashokan Reservoir. This was the first time I was able to connect with some of my classmates whom I consider near and dear to my heart today. Not only that, it helped me break out of my comfort zone and experience an overnight trip. As I moved forward with my time here at Gateway, I took a leap into sports and athletics where I joined the basketball team. This allowed me to have new interactions with my fellow peers aside from just everyday life at school. Science labs were also a great team-building activity that allowed me to interact with a different crowd of people whom I don't usually collaborate with.
At first, going into Gateway, I was optimistic as I came here with an open mind and open heart, all of which have ultimately shaped me into who I am today. One thing that I have come to realize is my fluency with mathematical concepts and how it will help me achieve my goals in high school. Ever since I came to Gateway, I have developed my understanding of literature as well as active reading skills and recognizing the meaning of passages Additionally, even on Zoom where it was hard for me to pay attention and not get distracted, I was still able to maintain my focus and sustain good grades Outside of the academic realm, I have also learned to develop a deeper understanding of myself and the freedom I have, and how even during a time of a pandemic, I could push through challenging times. Before I joined the Gateway community, I was finding it very difficult to keep up with the other kids, academically and socially. In fact, I felt smaller than the other kids. Now that I feel confident in my skills, I don’t feel as small; plus I had a growth spurt, and now I’m much taller! I can happily say that when I came to Gateway, everyone was very nice and welcoming, and I found it easy to make friends that I am close with today.
Today, as I close this chapter of my life and set foot towards high school, I look forward to the next four years which will shape me into an even better person than what I have become at Gateway. During my time in high school, I am excited to have a brand new set of experiences. I would love to make new friends, especially those who share common interests with me. Furthermore, I would even like to join the basketball team (GO HAWKS!) Throughout high school, I will strive to do my best academically and continue to push myself to my greatest potential In high school, I will hone the learning strategies that I have obtained and continue to become a stronger scholar As I officially end my time at Gateway, I would like to recognize the fact that I will miss my friends and all the amazing teachers that carried me through these years. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, I would like to thank my family for noticing the unlit spark in me, eventually blossoming into the person I am today.
My name is Daniella Martin-Moreno, and I have been at Gateway for five years My first impressions of Gateway were that the classrooms were much smaller than my old school and my advisors were sweet and welcoming. When I first came to Gateway, I had a hard time fitting in because I was the new kid and I was very shy. After a little time, I found classmates who were inviting, and they started to include me in what they were doing each morning. Looking back, my favorite memories at Gateway were being on the Student Council in fifth grade and the trips I went on throughout Middle School. For example, some of my best experiences were on my first Teamwork Adventure in fifth grade and the sixth grade overnight in upstate New York We got to be outside at night, and during the day we hiked and explored. I loved being able to chit-chat with my teachers and friends in the bunks. I enjoyed these trips because I got to spend time with my friends and I liked the activities.
During my time at Gateway, I have learned many new skills inside and outside of the classroom. Since starting at Gateway, some of my strengths have been writing topic sentences in ELA and other classes, writing outlines on my own, improving my math skills, and doing things more independently. Moreover, I now raise my hand more often to share my ideas than I did when I first started at Gateway During my two years on the Gateway basketball team, I learned how to work with other people and developed my teamwork skills. I also learned how to handle group dynamics.
Next year at my new school, Eagle Hill, in Massachusetts, I will miss my friends and all of my teachers because they made everything so much more fun and made me love to learn. After my experience on the basketball team at Gateway, I want to try out for new sports. Gateway also helped foster my independence. I learned to try something first on my own before asking for help, and I will use this strategy at my new school.
When I grow up I want to open my own bakery, so make sure to come to see my bakery in 2030. Mention this speech and have it printed out for a 50% discount! My advice to Lower and Middle School students is to not take your time at Gateway for granted because time goes by fast. Overall, Gateway has taught me a lot, and I have had many great experiences during my time here. Thank you to all of my teachers, my parents, and the Class of 2021 for always being there for me.
My name is Bryce Miele, and I have been at Gateway for 4 years. My first impression of Gateway was that it was very different from my old school. Specifically, Gateway was a lot smaller, and there were a lot fewer students. During my first few days at Gateway, I realized that Gateway didn’t just give me work to do and leave me alone until the class ended. Instead, they taught me how to do the work and helped me understand what I didn’t know yet. When I first came to Gateway, I struggled with reading and writing. Gateway helped me improve my reading and writing skills because of the small classes and the individual help that the teachers gave to me. My teachers helped me with taking notes, creating outlines, and learning transition words to improve my writing.
After I leave Gateway, I will be attending the Trinity-Pawling School in New York. Gateway has helped me become a better student and given me strategies that will help me at my new school. For example, the multi-paragraph outline technique helps me to organize my writing.
I’m also excited to continue to play basketball and football at my new school. I am looking forward to my new schedule and the basketball and football facilities at Trinity-Pawling. What I will miss the most about Gateway is the time in the mornings when we talk about the recent Knicks game and why Elfrid Payton shouldn’t be the starting point guard. To conclude, I want to thank my teachers for helping my parents and me for allowing me to go to this school.
Good morning, my name is Lexi Milne-Pott, and I have been at Gateway for 7 years. When I first came to Gateway, I wasn’t sure why I was here, but looking back on all my experiences, this school has helped me realize how they made me the person I am today. One way that I have changed is that I am more confident in the way I express myself in the classroom. For example, I ask more questions than I used to ask if I don’t understand something, and I have stopped doubting myself. Another way that I have changed at Gateway is that I am able to produce my work in a more efficient way. For example, I structure my ideas more easily when writing an assignment, can format multiple paragraphs, and have stronger vocabulary skills. I am also not as impatient as I used to be. I have developed a fond interest in my academic learning, and I am more focused in class. Finally, Gateway has taught me how to be more organized. I am better at putting my work in a place where I can find it, and I keep my bookshelf tidier. Even my parents have noticed!
Some Gateway memories that stand out to me were when we went to Teamwork Adventure and when we went to Ashokan in 6th grade. At Teamwork Adventure we went ziplining, rock climbing and played games. Ashokan was our first trip with only our grade. Some things we did when we were there included hiking through the woods, looking for fish in a pond, and building teepees. Doing everything together as a grade made us feel closer as a community and helped me to get to know my friends better. Another memory at Gateway that was very special to me was being on the basketball team because even though we didn’t win any games, we still had fun playing. All of these activities showed me that I could do things that I didn’t think I could do and made me proud of myself.
I will miss all of my friends, the field trips, and the activities when I leave Gateway, but I am excited to go to Eagle Hill. I am looking forward to trying new things and getting back into activities that I used to do. I plan to play tennis, basketball, horseback ride, and participate in the arts. My advice for future Gateway students is to not give up easily and be confident in yourself and what you do. I would like to thank all the teachers for everything they have taught me, and I would like to thank my family for supporting me and helping me feel confident. As Michelle Obama once said, “Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.”
It’s Luke Rosen, and it's my third and last year at Gateway. My first experience at Gateway was playing hoops in the gym and having fun with a bunch of older kids. I was a weird and awkward kid, and during my time at Gateway, I got the nickname “Ya boy,” which means I put the people first.
I have some great memories from Gateway. My favorite memory was the undefeated basketball team during 6th grade. Gateway taught me differently by helping me out more and making sure I understood what we were learning in a better way. During my time here, I have built strong relationships with kids and teachers. I was on the Student Council, and we did a lot of amazing things to make this school great.
I learned a lot from Gateway, but I am very excited for next year. I can’t wait for high school because I am thrilled about something new and looking forward to the future. One thing I would take with me is to advocate for myself. Does anyone want to guess where I'm going next year? Your three options are Summit in Queens, Churchill, or Mary McDowell.
If you guessed Summit, you’re right! I want to thank the best parents, my mom Ivy and my dad Andy. You are the real MVPs. I wish everyone the best next year, you will all miss me and don’t forget me.
Good morning, my name is Nick Scagluiso, and one of the memories that stands out to me the most is the year that we went undefeated in sixth-grade basketball. Winning feels good because you're doing it not just for yourself but for your teammates, and that's why we went undefeated that season. We worked together as a team. We played because we wanted to be there, and that was the reason why we had fun in practices. At practices, we would learn our defensive sets, plays, and rotations which helped us feel connected as a unit and got us to think on the same page. Basketball isn't just about winning but about making friends through the art of the sport. Also, the next year we lost every game.
Although basketball was really fun, I learned a lot of things in school too. In math, I learned how to show my work and put more time into homework. In ELA, I became a better writer and started to put more time and effort into my writing. Do you see the recurring theme there? That skill of slowing down and taking my time is something I learned from being around my grandparents. Science was never my best subject, but I was able to get better in this class because I learned to keep trying even if I get things wrong the first time. Overall, there were a lot of things I learned from Gateway, home, and just from playing sports.
I hope to have a very successful time in high school just like I did at Gateway. One of my hopes is to be the star of the basketball team. I want to average about 50 points a game. Another goal of mine is to get high grades in all of my classes. I also want to make some friends and just have fun. I know I can reach these goals if I take my time, focus on what matters, and learn to be okay with making mistakes and not knowing everything. Thank you to my Mom, Dad, extended family, teachers, and all the friends I made along the way.
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the Eighth Grade Graduation. My name is Ella Schwartz, and I have attended Gateway for 5 years. When I first arrived at Gateway, I was giggly and smiley because I was anxious. I was nervous because I was going to a new school, but before I knew it, I was a happy human being here. Before I came to Gateway, I needed help with language comprehension. Whenever I read a book, I couldn’t remember things very well, and it was hard to understand the material.
During my time at Gateway, I learned how to be confident in myself. First, I learned how to advocate for myself. I now ask teachers for help by raising my hand in class. I remember when I finished writing my first paragraph, I felt relieved and proud because I had advocated for myself and asked for support when I needed it. Additionally, I learned how to be independent with my homework by using strategies taught by my teachers. One memory I had with all of my teachers was when we had hands-on experiences like our sinking and floating activity in Science and when we all giggled in class together. This year I’ve enjoyed being on the Student Advisory Council. I came up with articles about the 1980s for the newsletter and the idea of The Gateway Masked Singer Competition. I came up with this idea because The Masked Singer is one of my favorite television shows to watch with my family. I was really proud of how the competition turned out, and I was excited that I came up with this idea.
After I leave Gateway, I am going to The Summit School in Queens. Even though I will miss all of my time on the Student Advisory Council, I’m looking forward to meeting new teachers and students, and I hope I get to be a dance choreographer. Thank you teachers and friends for making me the happiest person at this school. I also want to thank my family, Judy, John, Olivia, Heather, and Bernie, for bringing me to this school and letting me meet new friends and teachers. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
Hello and good morning! My name is Hana Shacket, and I have been at Gateway for three years. When I first toured the school, I thought that it was going to be scary and that I wasn’t going to make any friends. However, everyone was nice and supportive, and I felt really comfortable on the first day. Two of my least favorite classes used to be ELA and Math, but after a couple of classes, it became easier, and I learned the routine. Now I am much better in both subjects.
During my time at Gateway, I made a lot of great memories, and I have improved in both my academic and athletic skills. Some of my strengths are paying attention and getting my work done on time. One of my favorite memories here at Gateway was when we went to Ashokan, a hiking and outdoor activity place, in the sixth grade. We stayed overnight, did lots of fun activities, and got to know each other while making s’mores. After that, I decided to join the girls' basketball team because all of my new friends were trying out, so I wanted to give it a go. We met once or twice a week for practice and occasionally we had games. Sadly, we didn’t win any of our games, but it was still fun. Basketball has taught me how hard professionals work to play well.
After I leave Gateway, I will attend Churchill and accomplish great things. I hope to get good grades, make new friends, learn new subjects, and maybe play on a sports team. What I will miss most about Gateway is the environment, friends, and teachers. I want to thank all of my teachers that I have had over the years for helping me. You are the best teachers I have ever had. I want to thank my family and friends for being supportive throughout my time at this school. Thank you Gateway for helping me overcome my fear of selfadvocating, teaching me to speak up for myself, and helping me to gain confidence in my abilities. Congrats fellow classmates, and I will miss you all.
Hello everyone! My name is AJ Sion, and I am an 8th-grade graduate. As a person who has been through Gateway since kindergarten, I’ve seen everything and have been through it all. Before my time at Gateway, I was a very shy kid and was mostly introverted. My academic education was not yet developed as I didn’t know the fundamentals of math, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As for my first impressions of the school at the time, I was so happy and relieved that the community received me with open arms and was kind. Everyone was welcoming, and nobody seemed to irritate me. However, it’s not to say that I had no struggles during my first days at school. As I said before, I wasn’t an outgoing guy, so I didn’t speak up that much, which had consequences. For example, I had trouble making friends, and I didn’t speak my mind whenever I was asked a question. I was quiet and reserved. This changed the more I spent time at Gateway. A couple of weeks after entering the school, I made new friends, and I started to fit into the community more. I was expressing myself more than I ever have in my life. It was exhilarating. What made me happier was the work. The biggest anxiety that I had was the excruciating work that I thought was ahead of me. In the end, all that anxiety faded away when I realized that the work was not hard. It wasn’t easy either, but there was a great balance between hard and easy, which is something that every student needs.
Over the years, Gateway gradually developed me into the person I am today. For example, a few weeks after entering Middle School, I started reading more fluently, and my writing was getting more detailed. I was achieving so much more in ELA during my first year than I had expected. In math, I learned addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in my first years at Gateway. Gateway has taught me so many different topics and skills that will be integral to my future. Two skills that I will be taking with me to high school and college are taking notes and thinking critically. Not only has Gateway helped me academically, it has also helped me socially as well. I have so many memories of bonding with my classmates, whether it was on a school trip, like to the Hudson River, or on an overnight trip, like when our class stayed at the Ashokan Reservoir.
After many years in The Gateway School, it is time for me to put the polo down and start a new life in my new high school, Mary McDowell, in Brooklyn. I will definitely miss my awesome teachers, my supportive friends, and the field trips. On a side note, I will also miss the little things that I enjoyed, such as the Spicy Italian Sub that I got at the nearby Subway and the local park that my class always went to. Although I will be leaving many memories behind, I look forward to Mary McDowell. I’m thrilled to meet the community and teachers. Furthermore, I’m excited to learn new subjects and to embark on new field trips. My goals for next year are to expand my reading and writing skills and to make new friends. In conclusion, while I am leaving an important chapter in my life, I will never forget The Gateway School and the importance it had to me. This is AJ and thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Good morning, my name is Alice Tiven-Gottesman, and I have been at Gateway for eight years. I remember being nervous on my first day and knowing just one kid and none of the teachers. I found math to be very hard from the beginning, and it was difficult to understand the routine. However, the teachers were welcoming, and the kids were nice. This made starting at a new school less scary.
My time at Gateway helped me improve in all my subjects and be more confident. One of my strengths that I realized when I got to Middle School was my ability to answer comprehension questions in ELA. I also learned new math concepts. Last year, I did the play for the first time, and it was challenging but also fun. We worked so hard from September to March, and although it didn’t go as planned, I still enjoyed the time working with my friends (even though I wanted to quit every week!). In sixth grade, we went on an overnight trip to Ashokan - it was my first time being away from home, but the teachers made it fun and helped distract me from being nervous. In my time here, I’ve learned that the Gateway community is really kind and helpful.
At my new school, Winston Prep, I am excited about making new friends and keeping in touch with my old friends. I’m also looking forward to being involved with a school play and doing more acting. In my new classes, I will use the writing strategies I’ve learned from Gateway, such as outlining my work and adding details. I hope to become a better writer and more outspoken and confident. I’ll miss coming into the building at Gateway - even encouraging the Lower School students to make it up the stairs! I’ll also miss my teachers, friends, and the small classes. I hope to make friends at my new school, but I will always come to visit Gateway. Lastly, thank you to my parents for always supporting me.
Six years ago, when I first came to Gateway, I was a lot younger, and it was hard to leave my old school. At first, I missed my friends and was worried about how I would feel being at a new school. Over time, I felt and saw how Gateway was right for me and how it really helped me get better at school and feel more comfortable about my learning challenges. I understand more about how I learn best and the ways I can help to support my own growth. Gateway helped me see that I am a visual learner, and I like time to process my thinking to get through my work so I don’t rush and make mistakes.
Gateway has helped me become a better student. I have really improved my writing skills, and even though it is still hard for me, I have more confidence in my work. Learning to take notes and use outlines helped me to develop my writing with more details. I really liked doing the science experiments in 7th grade, and I really liked trying to figure out new ways to add to the experiments. I also loved Humanities and learning about history and the world and the ways the past has influenced the present. I am especially grateful for Dr. Harrison and for all of the advice, support, and laughs he has given me over the years.
Now I am graduating from Gateway. I am moving on to high school, but my family is also moving to California. I will miss Gateway and the people I got to know here over the years. But I am also looking forward to getting to choose some of my classes in high school and explore the subjects I like the most. I know I will make new friends at my new school, but I won’t forget about the good friends I made at Gateway, and I hope to stay in touch with them. Leaving Gateway behind is hard, but I know that I am ready for this step. Thank you to The Gateway School and all of my teachers and the people here who helped me.
Hello Gateway, I am Lily Tully, and I have been at this school for six years. I came to Gateway because my parents and I heard that it was a better school for me. At those other schools, none of the teachers paid much attention to me. When I first came to Gateway, I thought it would be just like my past schools, but I was proven wrong. Everyone was so nice. Before I came here, I was struggling with many things that had to do with my ADHD, but my teachers at Gateway always helped me so much because they guided me with suggestions of things to do so that I was less distracted. What most surprised me about Gateway was how nice and welcoming everyone was and how quickly I was able to make new friends.
Throughout my time here, Gateway has helped me so much. Since I started coming here, I’ve felt like a much better and smarter person. For instance, I used to be pretty bad at math and writing, but my teachers at Gateway have helped me get better. They guided me through all the steps I needed to complete to get my work done. At my old schools, I would space out in classes while trying to complete an assignment. However, the teachers at Gateway always come over during class to check in and help me get the work done. One of my favorite memories of Gateway was last year’s school play when I got to spend time doing what I love with my friends. I also loved the overnight trip to the Ashokan Reservoir because I was able to be out in nature all day long, and my experience at Club Getaway allowed me to discover many new hobbies that I never knew I had.
When I leave Gateway, I’m excited to make new friends and memories. Next year, I am going to Quad Prep where I hope to pursue my dreams of art and acting. I hope to grow even more as a person and help other people grow as well. In the future, I want to be a voice actor and YouTuber. I will miss everyone at Gateway, all my friends, my teachers, and even the staff. I love all the people I’ve made relationships with these past years, and every single one of them will be missed dearly.
Good morning. My name is Kenny Ward, and I’ve been at Gateway for four years. There were challenges before I came to Gateway, like making friends, writing notes, and focusing. My first impression of Gateway was that the school seemed fun because it had a gym, and the school was weird because it looked like a doctor’s office. My ambassador showed me around, and he was nice and made me feel more comfortable. What surprised me the most about Gateway is that it is so tiny and organized. For example, we signed up for recess, we went to John Jay for Gym class and CrossFit, and we read in the library.
During my time at Gateway, I learned a lot of skills: teamwork, talking with people, and learning habits that will help me remember things more easily. One of my academic strengths is that I'm a visual learner. For example, I like watching videos and pictures because the pictures help me understand. I like studying and repeating notecards before a test which helps me train my brain, and I take notes when the teacher is giving a lot of directions. I also read more fluently and don’t stutter as much as I used to. My non-academic strengths are playing basketball, dunking, getting rebounds, and shooting 3’s because I’m the best basketball player in the school. I improved most in ELA, speech, reading out loud, stuttering, and interacting with people and students in other grades. My advice to new people that are going to Gateway: try to make friends, not enemies, because it’s a small school. Make friends through interests, for example, joining clubs and sports.
In high school, I hope to learn many more skills to make me smarter, for example, socializing and taking notes. Also, I’m looking forward to making new friends, playing basketball, and doing labs for science. My hopes for my future are to have a good life and to find a good job that I enjoy so I don’t have to work a day in my life. The things I will miss about Gateway are the people. Thank you to the people who work at Gateway making it a safe place.
Christopher Ahmon
Octavia Boghossian
India Brandmeyer
Ari Brin
Theodore Demel
Marion Donohoe
Rafael Fredman
Jacques Fruchet
Alejandro Galvis
Alejandro Grossman
Beatrice Kiernan
Frederick Kutrieb
Alexander Loh
Luca Milite
Christopher Miller
Gur Arie Polack
Maor Polack
Seun Rabiu
Weller Ranson
Spencer Tunison
Aaron Waner
Hannah Wolfson
Greetings everyone! It is a huge honor to stand before all my fellow graduates, faculty, and parents here on this long-awaited day. I am Chris Ahmon, and I’ve been here for my entire journey, nine years. I remember, just before my first day of school, crying and sitting on my old apartment floor as a five-year-old refusing to move. The next thing I knew I was in this large building filled with chalkboards, very small class sizes, and two super-nice teachers, Mrs. Childers and Mr. Banta. At that age, I had a speech impediment, was very, very shy, and couldn't tolerate any sort of change. However, the experience was surreal, with lots of games every day and even nap times. As I look back, it's incredible that I’ve gone from reciting the alphabet and jumping on tables every day to writing a six-page creative story based on a novel, a newspaper article on The Outsiders, and creating an intricate WWII Propaganda Poster.
Over my time here, I’ve developed a plethora of skills across all subjects. Most notably, in ELA, I've learned how to put my voice in my writing and make it flow nicely. Ask any teacher, and they have said that I am very inquisitive and diligent, not only with getting the assignment done but getting information and asking myself questions to make it unique. All thanks to Gateway’s successful strategies to educate students with learning differences, I am truly grateful for being able to come here. I also made many friends of all shapes and sizes, funny ones and caring ones; I couldn’t be in this place without them. Aside from that, my time at Gateway has been innovative, adventurous, and full of wild memories with both teachers and students, such as in 6th grade when a former student unintentionally drank all of a teacher’s coffee from a huge cardboard mug to mini-movements like “Pears on Forks ” Most memorably, 8th grade has been the most eventful year as there has been an overnight trip to Frost Valley and lots of funny and unexpected 8th-grade moments in the rooms
As I move into high school, Marvelwood, a boarding school in Kent, CT, I’ll obviously miss a lot about Gateway, the place where I spent ⅔ my life I’ll miss a ton of things: my friends, teachers, the environment, but most notably my childhood The period before you turn 13 is when you don’t have to worry about supporting yourself; you live in a stress-free environment, and you can just take pride in all the little things in life So definitely do not take that for granted and be ready to leave it behind when it’s time A motto I would like to share is from my favorite shoe brand, Nike, which is Just Do It This is the ultimate confidence booster because it tells me to go ahead and just stand up for myself, don’t be afraid to do what is best for me even if it's risky, and most importantly, follow my passion with my heart It's truly an accomplishment to be here, and I really thank my parents for all the blood, sweat, and tears that they put into my education I give huge thanks to every teacher that I’ve had, my friends, my brother as a companion, and also my two cats, Archimedes and Fatniss, for all the comfort they provide me 24/7
I know that Marvelwood will not be a walk in the park, but Gateway has given me all the confidence to succeed My fellow Americans, Gateway has come to a close, but remember that it is only the end of a chapter, of which a new one will open up Take care, congratulations Class of 2022, thank you, and good night!
My name is Octavia, and this is my ninth year at Gateway. I’ve changed a lot since I came here to kindergarten. I was only four when I arrived, and I was a shy, autistic kid. I didn’t know how to make friends. At my preschool, people thought they could bully me because I was so shy, so when I arrived at Gateway, I was scared. But I was in Class A with Mr. Banta and Mrs. Childers, and they were super nice. Far from being bullied, I learned how to make friends. These people are still my friends, and some of them are here today.
Throughout my years at Gateway, I made some memories that are unforgettable. When I first discovered my love for music, I starred in my kindergarten play, Little Cloud, and many others later on. One other production that I did was during my fourth grade at Gateway when I was in the Three Piggy Opera with all of my classmates. My next production after that, which for me was one of the most memorable, was The Who’s Tommy in 5th grade, where I played young Tommy.
While my involvement in extracurriculars is noteworthy, I am also pleased with my academic achievements. For example, I remember my 5th-grade evolution project when I made a model and background out of clay for Humanities. For essays, I am really proud of all of them and believe it is important to take great pride in my work. One that specifically stood out to me was my Ender’s Game book review, despite not liking the book because I didn't find it interesting and I am not really into sci-fi.
Going to high school is a big step, and it can feel intimidating. But there are many things to look forward to, like meeting new people, making new memories with them, as well as learning more advanced curricula to prepare me for the future. I’m looking forward to being challenged and excited to use all the skills I learned at Gateway. My most successful moments were some of my best moments at Gateway, which is why I feel that I grew as a learner and can look back on my achievements here. I’m very happy with all the hard work I put into this school to make my experience the best it can be. I would like to thank my parents for how they supported me every step of the way.
My name is India Brandmeyer, and I've attended Gateway for six years. I have changed a lot since I came to Gateway. Some of my challenges before I came here, were staying focused and writing sentences. I came to Gateway because I have ADHD. When I first realized that Gateway was going to help me was probably in the fourth grade because I realized I was writing full sentences and I was using my vocabulary much better.
Through Research and ELA, I became a stronger writer. In ELA, my teachers helped me to become a better writer by working with me after class and giving me extra help. They also understood my writing style and helped me to express myself. My writing skills have improved by using quote sandwiches, writing topic sentences, and writing essays. Another passion I discovered while I was at Gateway was my love for sports. When I entered Middle School and was FINALLY allowed to play on a sports team, I joined soccer, basketball, and softball. Being on these teams helped me with my communication skills and helped me learned how to work with others.
One of my favorite things about Gateway is all of the memories I’ve made with my teachers. In all of my classes, there have been moments of laughter and joy. I like that the teachers here at Gateway take the time to get to know you and enjoy spending time with their students. I also like how they will spend their time helping you with homework that you had some problems with.
Next year I will be attending The Pennington School. My hopes for next year are to play on the basketball team, the lacrosse team, and the snowboarding team. I also hope to get better at algebra and adding footnotes to my essays. One goal I have for my future is to major in math when I get to college. I will miss being on the sports teams and miss hanging out with my teachers during lunch and playing catch with them. Some advice I would give to students and future graduates is to be yourself and don’t change yourself for other people. Thank you to my family and teachers for helping me throughout the years.
My name is Ari Brin, and I have been at Gateway for three years. The memory that stands out the most is when I first came to the school for a tour and was shown around. I enjoyed the tour because I got to know everyone, know where everything is, and felt comfortable here. I have grown in many ways while at Gateway. Back then I was shorter and did not talk much, but Gateway helped me talk way more. Now I talk a lot, and I am way taller than in sixth grade.
During my time at Gateway, I have enjoyed playing sports with my friends. In my first year at Gateway, I decided to join the basketball team. Sadly, we were very bad. Unfortunately, in seventh grade, Covid stopped the basketball season and started remote learning for many around the world. However, in eighth grade, our team did very well and made it to the finals. Even though we did not win the championship, I still liked being on the team because it was a positive experience.
Next year I am attending York Preparatory School. My hopes for next year are to get good grades and also make new friends at my new school. I will miss the small community and classes at Gateway because next year I will have to get used to a bigger community. However, I plan to take the skills that I’ve learned here to be successful. Thank you to my parents for sending me to this school and supporting me.
Good morning. My name is Theo Demel, and I’ve been here for four years. I came here after a court decided the public school system failed to provide me with the education I needed. Although it was apparent the New York public school system didn't work for me, I still hated the idea of coming here. Today I realize that this was out of a fear of being different rather than a fear of change. Throughout my time at Gateway, I continued to struggle with being at this school.
I think the turning point in the way I thought about my learning differences was when Jumaane Williams, New York’s public advocate, spoke at our school. As a kid with ADHD, I was always taught about the success of people with ADHD, but I never really cared about Howie Mandel's rise to fame. However, when Jumanne spoke, it felt different. His version of success wasn't about getting rich in spite of ADHD.
Instead of showing me, I could be successful despite my learning differences, he showed me that I could embrace my differences and use them as a tool to help others. If Jumaane hadn't taken the time to come to our school, my life would be on a much different trajectory, with me still denying I was different and never diving into activism. That day and moment likely changed my life forever. I look forward to volunteering for his gubernatorial campaign this summer.
While I will miss my teachers and friends, I look forward to the opportunity to have a fresh start at Winchendon, where they will help me pursue my interests. I would like to thank my teachers, parents, friends, and the Board of Education for helping me get this far.
Good morning and hello Gateway. My name is Mae Donohoe, and I've been at Gateway for nine years. An important memory I have is doing the show Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr. during my last year at Gateway. Being the stage manager was the best part because I got to work with the students, take care of costumes and props, and make sure everyone was quiet. I decided to do musical theater this year because I had so much fun performing in Xanadu two years ago.
I also enjoyed going on the trip to Frost Valley in May. The parts that I loved most were doing the rope courses, eating marshmallows, and playing capture the flag. Another great Gateway memory is going on the 6th-grade overnight trip to New Jersey. The best parts were making s’mores, talking around a fire, and chatting with my friends at night. When we were all talking in our room, I remember we all thought my watch said 11 PM, but it was really only nine! Finally, I enjoyed waking up with my friends, going to breakfast, and packing up to go back to Gateway.
In the future, I plan to come back and visit everyone here at The Gateway School. I hope that I will be able to continue musical theater in my new school, Winston Prep. The thing that I will miss about Gateway is having a lot of fun. A couple of pieces of advice that I have for Gateway students is that you should enjoy your time here, make good friends, try your best, and ask for help when you need it. In conclusion, I will miss my teachers and my friends who are still here. Thank you to my family and everyone who helped me during my time at Gateway.
Good morning to everyone here celebrating this occasion. My name is Rafi Fredman, and I’ve been at The Gateway School for 5 years. Before Gateway, reading and writing were difficult for me and I had trouble being specific with details in my responses. When I came to Gateway, another struggle I had was getting used to a new school and a different learning process. I adapted to Gateway by letting time pass, making friends, and becoming familiar with the work and class examples. Teachers here provided more visual aids to help me process all types of information for different classes.
Since starting at Gateway, I have changed by being able to ask for help when I need it. Some of the strengths I have from Gateway are being able to find answers to research questions and find credible sources on a topic. I developed these skills by practicing strategies in my Research, ELA, and Science classes. A skill I will take with me from Gateway is citing my sources. Additionally, I have improved a lot in studying for tests and quizzes. I review my study guide, practice vocabulary with flashcards, and ask my teachers for the right materials to help me with concepts I don’t understand. I will use my study skills to guide me and help me obtain good grades in high school. Some things I am going to miss about the Gateway community are the small, organized, less hectic classes and the organization of Google Classroom on my Chromebook.
Next year, at MTA, I hope to make friends as quickly as I did here and work as hard as I did at Gateway. One thing I will miss about Gateway is that joyful feeling when you get no homework because I don't think there will be much of that next year since it is high school. However, I am looking forward to learning different languages like Spanish and taking cool classes like robotics. I would like to thank all of my teachers for giving me what I needed and all my friends for the support along the way and helping me whenever I needed them. I’d also like to thank my parents for supporting me during my time here. Lastly, after five years, I’d like to say goodbye to the Gateway community.
My name is Jacques Fruchet, and I've been a student at Gateway since 2016. When I started here, I was a four-foot-tall second-grader coming into a big, new world. I was very soft-spoken and not confident in myself and my academic work. Over my six years here, I have become much more confident in myself and more proficient in my abilities.
Although my ELA classes at Gateway have been difficult for me at times, they have helped develop my critical thinking through the many books I've read over the years. In particular, the many conversations about the complex issues in my favorite books motivated me to think from different perspectives. For example, Lois Lowry's The Giver and Namina Forna's The Gilded Ones, a dystopian, Afrofuturist novel about a girl discovering her identity and values, challenged me to consider how everyone's views are created based on their own perspectives and backgrounds. While both of these books are based on hypothetical futures, they allowed me to compare the dilemmas of these futures to issues in our current-day society. An example of this was the Afrofuturist exhibit my 8th grade ELA class visited at the Met. This exhibit showed what Seneca Village, a long-gone, majority African-American neighborhood that was turned into Central Park through eminent domain, would have been like in the modern day.
Most importantly, something I will miss about Gateway is the community, the familiarity of it all, and the personal relationships I have formed with teachers and friends over the many years. I learned from my experiences at Gateway to appreciate the little things like laughing around with friends, which is something I hope to take with me to high school next year. Additionally, I will work to continue to grow as a writer, as I believe I can build upon the skills I developed here at Gateway and expand upon them with the greater freedom that high school includes. I learned here to push myself to greater lengths than I ever thought I could, teaching me the work ethic and that no matter how big the challenge, I can do it. Finally, I'd like to thank my teachers and parents for supporting me along this monumental journey at Gateway.
Good morning and hello Gateway. My name is Alejandro Galvis, and I've been at Gateway for five years. When I came to Gateway, my first impression was that everyone was so friendly and welcoming. When I started here, teachers were ready to help me when I needed it. Something else that stood out to me was the small class size. When I came to Gateway, I was shy. However, I have made many friends during my time at school. I will never forget getting to know one of my first friends during my morning arrival in my first year in Lower School. We both got to school early and would go to the gym and play soccer during arrival, and that helped me become more open to talking to other people.
While I've been at Gateway, I have learned how to advocate for myself. Whenever I needed help, I knew my teachers were there for me and willing to support me. In my school prior to Gateway, I felt too shy to ask for help because there were about 30 kids in my class. However, asking for help has made me become a stronger student. I feel like my writing skills have improved and gotten better. The writing program here at Gateway has helped me put my ideas into more complex sentences. My teachers have always pushed me to become not only a good writer but a good person. As a math student here at Gateway, I feel like I understand math much better in general. Not only can I do the math problems, but I understand the concepts behind them. Another skill that I have developed while I have been in Gateway that I will take with me to high school is note-taking. I did a lot of note-taking in Humanities. Another long part of my experience here at Gateway is the basketball team. It was so much fun playing basketball with my friends. Also, making it to the championship was a great experience, and I am so happy I can leave my mark at Gateway.
Next year I will be attending Xaverian. I'm looking forward to trying out for the football team and making memories with friends just like I did at Gateway on the basketball team. Even though high school may present challenges, I feel prepared to advocate for myself and work hard. My advice to current Gateway students is to enjoy the time you have here and take advantage of all the opportunities here at Gateway… and don’t forget your jersey, or you will run in practice! I want to thank my family for sending me to Gateway and supporting me. I also want to thank my teachers for believing in me and pushing me to be my best.
Hello, my name is Alej, and I’ve attended this school for two years. One of my first memories at Gateway was on Zoom during the pandemic, which was a new experience. When I first came to Gateway, something I struggled with was asking for help and asking questions when I was confused, but everyone was really nice, and I got more comfortable. I think Gateway has taught me differently from my previous school because they understand me better and listen more when I am struggling and need help.
During my time at Gateway, I’ve learned a lot about reading and writing. Some skills that I will take with me when I leave Gateway are how to organize my thoughts and write essays properly. One of my strengths is math, and I think I’ve improved the most in it because the teachers make it easy to understand and know how I learn.
Moving forward I’m going to remember Gateway for being nice to me when I didn’t think a school could be this friendly. Next year I’m going to York. Something I will miss about Gateway is everyone’s kindness. Some advice for current students is to listen to the teachers so they don’t get in trouble. I want to thank my teachers and my parents for being there for me. Thank you and goodbye.
My name is Beatrice Kiernan, and I have been at Gateway for six years. When I first started at Gateway, I was really shy and quiet. I wouldn’t really stand up for myself when I couldn’t understand something, but now I’ve learned selfadvocacy. I have not only figured out what to say, but I’ve built the confidence to say it. I remember on my first day I didn’t say a word, only a soft “hi.” I have also learned many listening and processing strategies because of my APD or Auditory Processing Disorder. I’ve figured out what works for me, and I will be able to use that in the future. I’ve also made many friends that are very valuable to me. I didn’t have good friends at my old school, and I had a hard time connecting with people, but now I have met all sorts of people, and I’m even going to high school with one of my best friends.
Throughout my years at Gateway, I have had many fun experiences. In fourth grade, I did the Three Piggy Opera, which was basically the musical of the three little pigs. I got to be the second pig who used sticks. We all dressed up in pink, and my friend was a wolf and ran around holding a knife and fork. A year later in fifth grade, I did the play The Who’s Tommy. I was part of the ensemble and also got to be the Gypsy Acid Queen. One of my best friends was young Tommy, and I remember during rehearsal she was supposed to be pushed off a chair, but the person pushing her accidentally knocked over the chair and fell down with it. In October, two other people and I dressed up as the three Plastics from Mean Girls. I was Regina George, and we all ran around in our high heels and pink outfits and were very “complimentary.” This year I also played girls' basketball. Our team wasn’t very good at all, but we had a lot of fun playing. In May we also did the overnight trip to Frost Valley, which was really enjoyable.
I’ve been very grateful for all the things Gateway has helped me with, and I am now prepared to move forward and create new experiences. As a result of all the hard work I’ve been able to do at Gateway, I got into my top choice school, Dwight. Even though I’ve made many enjoyable memories, I am ready for a new change, new classes, and different opportunities. I’m also excited to be able to go to school with one of my best friends and join a new community. Although Gateway has been an incredible learning environment for the past six years, I’m ready for a new chapter. Lastly, I want to thank my family for always supporting me.
Hi, my name is Frederick, and this is my ninth year at this school. Before I came to Gateway, I was quite shy and had trouble reading. Because I started my journey at Gateway in kindergarten, I haven’t really been anywhere else aside from preschool. However, Gateway has helped me so much educationally. Compared to where I began, my writing has improved tremendously. I cannot be more grateful for the education I have received here.
I have had many memorable experiences at Gateway in both Lower and Middle School. I have loved ELA so much, where I had a chance to read To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies. They were interesting books with complex plot structures and character development. This year I was able to present my Science Fair Project, where I created a balloon rocket and measured the distance it traveled based on the balloon’s diameter. During this experience, I worked with classmates, collected data, and put together a successful experiment. In Humanities, I enjoyed learning about past history. Specifically, the World Wars and various battles. I had a great time on the Gateway soccer team and enjoyed competing against other schools. Furthermore, the out-to-lunch option was amazing because I was able to get my own food and spend time with my friends. In May, our grade did a trip to Frost Valley for two nights, and what I liked most was the three-hour hike because the view at the top was beautiful.
Next year I am leaving Gateway to go to Dwight, which I am looking forward to. Leaving Gateway, I am thankful for all the wonderful strategies teachers taught me to help me academically in high school and beyond. I hope to do well in high school and keep playing soccer and tennis. I will really miss my peers and Gateway’s small community. I want to thank my teachers, my friends, and also my family for supporting me when I needed help. In closing, thank you Gateway for my wonderful years here, and congratulations to my fellow graduates.
Hello and good morning everyone! Thank you all for being here on this exquisite morning. Wow! It feels like yesterday when I started my first year at Gateway. Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Alexander Loh, and I have been a student at Gateway for about six years. I am so thrilled to be here with my fellow graduates to share this feeling of success among us. When I first came to Gateway, I was a wee lad, and I only knew how to tie my own shoes. I wasn’t very social. I was really shy and afraid of making new friends and didn’t know if I was going to fit in. I was thinking “Oh wow! This school is huge! I have a feeling I will love this place.” The teachers were really nice and helpful, and my classmates were funny, kind, and welcoming.
After being at Gateway for a few more years, my friends taught me things that will help me in my life and made me feel like a good friend to them. For instance, they helped me stop my bad habits, included me in their activities, and supported me when I was feeling down. One of my friends helped me stop my habit of apologizing so much which will definitely help me in the future with my self-esteem. Another friend always played sports with me such as football and always, and always made me laugh. My teachers also made me laugh and helped me when I was stumped with classwork. When I am with all of my friends, out to lunch, or in class, it’s almost always a guaranteed good and funny time.
When I leave this school, there is a lot I plan to take away from this marvelous experience. For example, I will attempt to make new friends even if it frightens me to my core. I will take the strategies that I learned from Gateway and put them to good use in the event that I am stuck on schoolwork. And even if they don’t work, I know always to try my best. Finally, a quote that my ELA teacher said to me and my classmates that will always inspire me to work hard is, “Don’t sell yourself short.” I would like to thank my parents for letting me stay at this school and who have supported me throughout my time at Gateway; my teachers for helping me when I didn’t know what to do and making me laugh when I didn’t feel like laughing. And last but certainly not least, I’d like to thank my friends for playing sports with me, telling jokes, helping me with schoolwork, and making me feel better.
Hello, my name is Luca, and I have been going to The Gateway School for two years now. At first, when I came here in seventh grade, I wouldn’t talk to anyone, and I would sit and just sleep in class. My first two months at The Gateway School were spent online, and I didn’t really know anyone because of this. However, when I first came in person, I was greeted warmly by the class. Everyone was kind to me, and I felt welcomed instead of scared.
Even though everyone was kind, I kept to myself and didn’t really talk. I was still kind of nervous because I was at a new school with new people, so I didn’t really talk. However, I gradually became more comfortable talking with my classmates when we were all stuck in the Great Room last year. We would talk about football and basketball and how the Knicks and Giants were doing. Over time I met and talked with more people in my grade and soon became the loudest person in the room. One of my favorite memories is canoeing in Frost Valley and sinking the other students’ boats…even though we eventually had to drag them back to shore.
My time at Gateway has helped me with many things, including writing essays, taking notes, and talking to people I've just met with confidence. I have had many positive experiences at Gateway, which include going out to lunch with friends and my classes. Some of my favorite classes were Humanities and ELA because the teachers helped me with many things and now I am a much better student. I really appreciate the skills and help Gateway has provided me with, and I am ready to go to Fordham Prep next year. Thank you Mother and Father for giving me the opportunity to come to Gateway.
Hi everyone. My name is Chris Miller, and I have been at Gateway for three years. When I first started at this school, I had mild dyslexia which impacted my spelling, which is one of the things I improved at while I was here. Right from the first few days, I met a group of people, and I liked my teachers. One of my first impressions was that the work was not very intense and the school was smaller than my previous school. After a few days here, I was surprised to find that the classes I had were not more than about 10 or 12 people maximum, which turned out to be a good thing.
Since coming to this school, I have improved in many ways, such as my spelling and my baseball abilities outside of school. I have made many friends and improved in reading, writing, math, science, and humanities. In ELA, I enjoyed the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and hope to read more. In Humanities, I learned much about United States history including Westward Expansion, World War II, and The Civil Rights Movement. One of the projects I enjoyed most was the Greek Gods and Goddesses presentation because we made poster boards and shared information with the Middle School. I even dressed up as Poseidon and brought a trident with me for the day. Just this year, I served my term on my school's Student Advisory Council, a position to which I was elected by peers from my grade. I am looking forward to attending Beacon High School, which was my first choice.
One of my favorite things about my school is the small class sizes, so it is easier for teachers to help students out individually. Next year I will be looking forward to harder math classes, as well as more extracurricular options that I am interested in. The friendships I have made I will take with me through high school. Looking back, if I could change something about Gateway, I would have school start later since I have to wake up early. However, I am looking forward to a relaxing summer vacation where I can surf, hike, and get ready to start my high school experience. I appreciate all of the work that my parents have done to help me over the last three years. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get through my experience at Gateway.
My name is Gur or Gur Arie, and I’ve attended Gateway for three years. Initially, I came to Gateway because of my dyslexia, and it gave me the feeling that it could teach me a lot. I came to this school with little knowledge about what to expect and the tour helped me understand what it looked and felt like. When I came for my first day of school, I was really shy and nervous and didn't know whom to ask or which classroom to go to. I was also surprised that there were only ten or twelve people in a class because, in my old school, there were at least 28 to 30 people. When I was in a smaller class, I felt like teachers could come to help me more quickly and were able to see how the whole class was moving along. I know that I'm always asking questions and am a loud person and that's just a part of my personality. However, I know that my learning has changed in a major way, and I will be able to take all my skills to high school. For example, my math knowledge has improved, and I’m now able to multiply and change numbers.
In addition, before I came to this school, I didn't even know how to write a topic sentence, and now I not only can do that, but I can write many paragraphs and essays. I didn't just improve my writing and math skills but also my athletic skills such as basketball. Before, I couldn't even dribble a ball, but now I'm much better, and I'm practicing outside of school. When I imagine myself in high school, I know that these abilities will come with me and make me more confident in myself.
Next year, I will be attending York Prep. I hope to participate in more after-school activities and classes throughout the year. I can't wait to take the reading and writing skills that my ELA teachers taught me to my new classes. I also know that I'm ready for high school math class because of all of my amazing math teachers who helped me. In the end, I want to thank my parents for supporting me when I was really struggling and never giving up on me, and my teachers for always saying that I could do it, even when I was screaming for help throughout the whole class.
Good morning! My name is Maor Polack, and I’ve been at Gateway for three years. Before I came here, I had trouble with many subjects, and I struggled with dyslexia and ADHD. I came to this school to learn to become stronger and smarter as a learner. Gateway was more helpful than my other school and took the time to try to help me grow. When I first came to this school, I thought it would be hard to fit in and that I wouldn't know what to do. However, the longer I was here, the more I realized that everyone at Gateway was very kind and that the school was very supportive. I was most surprised that there were only 10-12 kids in each class.
Being at Gateway was a unique experience in my life and showed me how to push forward as a person. My strongest academic class is math because I love numbers and solving equations, and I always like a challenge. Also, basketball is my favorite sport because it helps me focus and calms me whenever I’m feeling frustrated. One of my favorite memories of this school is when our school basketball team made it to the finals, and we all celebrated together. I will always remember this school's community because it not only made me a better person but it was always there to support me.
As I move on to York Preparatory School next year, I look forward to a more competitive basketball team and hope to improve my abilities as a learner. I am also looking forward to meeting new people and trying new things. When I leave Gateway, I will miss its classes because we were the first class to read To Kill a Mockingbird, and I enjoyed completing complex math like Algebra I. Ever since I came here I've made great friends, and I hope they succeed in their future as well. I would like to thank my parents for always being there for me, my teachers for helping me with all my work, and lastly my friends for answering my questions whenever the teachers were busy.
Hello! My name is Seun, and I have attended Gateway for four years. Some of my challenges before Gateway were trying to be perfect with schoolwork and feeling like I did not belong at my old school. I felt like a fish out of water. One of the first things that I noticed when I first came to Gateway was that the teachers were kind, friendly, and understanding. This made me feel at ease and relaxed. I also noticed that the students were welcoming and everyone talked to me like they already knew me. It was also helpful that my commute was a lot shorter to Gateway than at my previous school. This all helped me feel more excited about learning and starting my journey here.
Since starting at Gateway, I feel that I have improved in a lot of different academic areas. Some of my academic strengths are solving equations in Math class, building projects in Science class, and participating in STEM-based activities. My teachers helped me improve in these areas by supporting me and giving me tools, such as multiplication charts to solve problems, providing clear directions on how to build projects like the rollercoaster, and answering all of my questions. I also feel that my reading and writing skills have improved during my time at Gateway. It was helpful to use tools like keywords and phrases and to learn about “SCHWA” sounds and prefixes and suffixes. Some of my favorite experiences at Gateway have been being a part of the soccer and basketball teams and visiting Fairview Lake YMCA and Frost Valley on overnight trips.
The thing that I will miss the most about Gateway is my teachers, friends, and staff. They made me feel like I really belonged here. Next year, I will be attending The Lang School. I am really excited to go to this school because I will get to take classes where I can use a lathe, drill press, 3D printer, 3D pen, and laser cutter. I look forward to making structures using these tools and meeting new people. Some of the skills that I will take with me when I start my new school are note-taking strategies and continuing to practice writing on paper to improve hand-eye coordination. My parents have always said, “Work hard, play harder.” It’s important to get your schoolwork done so that you have even more time to have fun. My advice to future Gateway students is to try your best, don’t give up, and life will reward you!
Good morning, how are you all doing? I'm Weller Ranson, and I am here to tell you a story. Let me set the scene……Once upon a time, in the Fall of 2019, there was a riot. A big riot, a giant riot. Imagine you are a sixth grader and are sitting in the lunchroom across from some random blonde kid. Suddenly, the lunchroom erupts. Everyone around you starts chanting "pears on forks" while waving not-yet-ripe pears on plastic forks. I know the way I am telling this makes me sound like an innocent bystander, but that was far from the truth. You could call me one of the Founding Fathers of the ‘pears on forks’ movement. I was going to add some inner dialogue and what I was thinking at the time, but the only problem with that is that I wasn't thinking! If I were, I probably wouldn't have done it, but here we are. However, why am I telling you this? At first, I wasn't exactly sure myself, but then I realized that the reason is that even though school is mainly about “learning and stuff,” there is still a lot of room for having fun and making memories.
My main takeaway from the great lunch debacle was that friendships aren't just bought at Walmart; they are built through experiences in small communities, like the one we have at Gateway. When I first came to this school, I was shocked at the minuscule class sizes, but as the year went on, I began to realize that smaller class sizes meant knowing people better. Currently, I’m in a math class with just two students which allows me to build stronger connections with my classmates and learn the material. I’ve even had opportunities to collaborate with my friends on projects like the Science Fair and debates in Humanities and ELA.
In preparing for this Graduation speech, I was told that at the start of this process, a lot of kids feel like it’s hard to reflect on their time here. However, by the end of the year, as they finish their journey, they realize how much they’ll miss Gateway and their teachers. Standing up here today, I think I already understand that. Next year, I am going to York Prep, and I am definitely looking forward to it. I’m hoping to join the baseball team, take more history classes, and improve my math skills. Even though I am going to high school, I will never forget my great teachers and my friends. Thank you to everyone who kept me from failing my classes and my friends for distracting me just the right amount. Thank you Adlai for continuing the Ranson dynasty here at Gateway. And lastly, to my parents who always helped me be my best.
Good morning Gateway. My name is Spencer Tunison, and I've attended Gateway for nine years. When I first arrived at Gateway, I was very quiet and shy. On top of that, I wasn’t very good at reading, writing, speaking, or doing math. My parents sent me to Gateway to help improve my academic skills, become more social and outgoing, and iron out any problems. Before I went to this school, I thought it would be rigid and strict. I also thought the extra classes would be annoying and the teachers would be either mean, tired, or irritating. Finally, I believed catching up on work would be awful and really hard. However, all this would be flipped on its head when I came here because of how nice everything was. One of my first Gateway memories was being in Mr. Banta and Ms. Childer’s class. In particular, I remember him teaching me reading, math, and writing in fun ways. I also remember language class and practicing exercises to learn to speak better and become an amazing student. Specifically, I had problems pronouncing r, l, and the th sounds, but language helped me enunciate correctly. Over time, strategies and class helped me improve all my academic skills, so I could become a more well-rounded student.
During my time at Gateway, I’ve truly enjoyed many wonderful memories and moments with friends and teachers that have helped strengthen me immensely as a student. For one, my reading comprehension, writing, science, and mathematics skills have improved significantly. For example, I can do advanced Algebra, note-taking, speaking, and research. I credit all of this to the support teachers give you throughout school and the amazing tools at your disposal to help you learn the skills and adapt to new environments. For wonderful memories, specific ones that stick out are my overnight trips to Fairview Lake and Frost Valley, which were fun and active while still being chill, and many visits to the Natural History Museum, which were informative and historical. I also remember just talking to friends and learning in school. For extracurriculars, theater class was fun but took a lot of hard work and effort to create a good show. Chess Club was mind-bending and helped to develop thinking skills. Finally, both fencing and science labs were enjoyable but required a lot of effort and time. Lastly, some assignments that stick out to me are the Seedfolks creative writing to finish off the book, both Science Fairs, the Greek Gods project, and the shoebox modeling caveman project which were all informative, multi-day processes that were exciting to create.
Next year at Xavier, I am excited to learn so many new things, accomplish my goals, and experience a different school environment. I am ready to go to a new school, develop and hang out with friends, take new courses, try the sports programs, and experiment with their musical theater program. I hope to continue bettering my academic self at Xavier by progressing my studies, becoming a stronger student, and working towards my goal of becoming an engineer as my future job. Before I wrap up and finish, I would like to thank my friends and teachers for helping me through school. I would also like to thank my Mom, Dad, and extended family. Finally, I would like to thank Gateway for all the years of learning and congratulate my fellow students. Goodbye!
Good morning Gateway teachers, students, my parents, and friends. My name is Aaron Waner, and I have been at Gateway for four years. When I first came to Gateway, I didn’t know what Gateway was about. But it didn’t take a long time to adjust. I was helped by everyone, and that made me feel happy. When I first came, staying focused was the hardest for me, but my teachers helped by tapping me on the shoulder or calling my name and that still works.
As I think back about my years at Gateway, Gateway has helped make me a better reader. I like to read chapter books, especially graphic novels, and mystery books. I’m pretty good at algebra too because math is easy now and my teachers have taught me good strategies. Gateway isn’t only about academics. It’s also about sports. I’m on the Gateway Lions Soccer Team. I like being part of a team and really like my coaches.
After I leave Gateway, I will go to The Summit School in Queens, and I will be in ninth grade. I hope I will make new friends. I want to learn more about science and math. I hope they have a soccer team or a tennis team because they are my favorite sports. I think Gateway has prepared me to be a good high school student because it taught me how to focus and learn. If I don’t know something, I know I can raise my hand, and my teachers will help me. I’m going to miss coming to Gateway because I learned a lot here and I had a lot of good friends. I hope I like Summit as much as Gateway. I will come back and visit. Goodbye Gateway and thank you for everything.
Hello, my name is Hannah Wolfson, and this is my ninth year at Gateway. When I first came to Gateway, I was only five years old. I don’t remember much, but I do remember struggling with everything at such a young age. I also specifically remember my very first day; I was running down the halls, and Mr. Banta knelt down to get at my eye level to tell me, “No running in the hallways.” But instead of slowing down my pace, I jumped into his arms and gave him a big hug. As I moved along at Gateway, I read many books, and some of them really spoke to me. For example, in The Giver, a quote I really appreciated was, “With love comes faith and hope.” This quote is powerful to me because it shows how love can come in any form and also create new emotions.
While attending this school, I’ve learned so much, academically and socially. One academic strength I have, which I get from my parents, is math. It has always been my favorite and best subject because it comes easily to me. Maybe it is easy because I’ve studied it so much or maybe because my family used to do math problems during dinnertime. My favorite topic in math is probably exponents which I learned this year. However, in learning, there are always things we love and challenges we face as well. Although I may not have had the same Advisor every year, I developed relationships with teachers who helped my friends and me become closer, even through all our troubles. I’m grateful they were there for me all along when I needed them.
I have many Gateway memories from both Lower and Middle School, but I’m also looking forward to High School. In Lower School, my very first class show was The Little Cloud back in kindergarten when Gateway still had letter classes. The eighth-grade overnight trip to Frost Valley was special because there were a lot of fun memories, too. For example, watching my teacher scream for her life on the high ropes course and making s’mores at the campfire.
Leaving Gateway is going to be bittersweet for me. I have been here for so long, and it is all I have known as a school. However, I am ready for a new chapter in my life, to meet new people, and to have new experiences. But I hope I will stay close friends with my Gateway friends. Thank you to my parents for always being there when I need them. Now I’d like to end with a Happy Birthday to me, and good luck to all my friends next year.
The speeches contained herein would not be possible without the stewardship of our dedicated faculty and staff. Most notably, we would like to thank Elian Seidel, Director of Middle School, and Eleni Siderias, Former Associate Head of School and Director of Middle School, for their incredible support of our 8th grade students in preparation for their graduation speeches.
A very special thank you to Ellen Grayson, Director of Admissions and Placement, for her dedication to our students and families throughout their journeys to and from Gateway.
Lastly, none of this would be possible without our exceptional alumni. Gateway will always be a place for you to call home.
