On The Line GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS · 2017. 7. 7. · On The LineGARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADUATION 2017 Vol. 18 • No. 4 Congratulations, GCHS Class of 2017! Whether indoors

GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On The LineOn The LineGRADUATION 2017 www.gardencity.k12.ny.us Vol. 18 • No. 4

Congratulations, GCHS Class of 2017!Whether indoors or out, Garden City High School’s Commencement Ceremony is a classic. With young men in white tuxes

and young women in white summer dresses, the nearly 300-strong Class of 2017 joined together one final time for the school’s 83rd Commencement held on June 24th. Retiring Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen gave a heartfelt

speech, sharing reflections about the years the students had spent in the school district, and leaving them with a reminder to be their own best advocate as they move on to college and life. Thank you to the parents, teachers, district and high school

administration, and the dozens of behind-the-scenes staff who made this year’s ceremony so successful. Congratulations and best wishes for a bright future to the Class of 2017!

To view more images from Commencement 2017, click on the Photo Gallery tab on the high school’s home web page.

The Board of Education and District Leadership Welcomed the Class of 2017

Class of 2017Valedictorian Alyssa DeGruccio &

Salutatorian Seunghyun Woo The Class of 2017 Processional

Principal Nanine McLaughlin Hosted Garden City High School’s 83rd Commencement

Class of 2017 Salutatorian Seunghyun Woo

Julia Maloney Scholarship Winner & Class President Mairead Pfaff

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen

The Senior Chorale Closed the Ceremony with “Time of Your Life”

The Final Diploma was Awarded by Board President Angela Heineman

to Retiring Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen In Jubilation, the Graduating Men Tossed their

Graduation Programs

Class of 2017Valedictorian Alyssa DeGruccio

Keynote Speaker Science Teacher Ralph D’Ambrosio

www.gardencity.k12.ny.us

Thank you Mrs. McLaughlin and thank you to Dr. Feirsen, members of the Board of Education, and every single teacher, faculty member, and classmate who has fostered our growth from the little kindergartners we were to the high school seniors we’ve become for this one last day. Also, congratulations and best of everything to our faculty retirees. As everyone sitting here already knows, this day is bittersweet. On the one hand, we’re excited about all of the promise that lies ahead for each of us as we move on to the next part of our lives. But on the other, we’re wistful, nostalgically looking back on all that we’ve created during our time at these schools and with each other. Even though many of us have taken different paths in high school and may continue to diverge, we will always have the common, defining experience of attending Garden City High School. Some of us joined the school district later than others, but all of us know what it feels like to sit at a desk inside some of the classrooms scattered around this gym. We know what it’s like to hear the initially annoying, but now slightly endearing song that signals that if we don’t hurry up, we might walk through the doors of our first period class after 7:40 a.m.

We’ve heard Matt and Camille say, “That’s all for announcements, and have a great day,” more times than we could possibly count. We’ve enjoyed the excitement of the annual pep rallies, united as a school. We’ve enjoyed all of the Masquers productions and every season of sporting events… for four years. The concerts have lifted us up, and the Battles of the Classes have pumped us up… even though we did come in dead last this year. At least we seniors know how to dominate a bake sale! From our freshman barbecue to our senior prom, we’ve created meaningful memories that were sure to flood our Instagram feeds the next day. We’ve sat in the cafeteria with our phones in envelopes, anxiously waiting to be herded into the gym or library for an exam. Looking around to find that everyone else was just as nervous as we were eased our minds a bit. We’ve awkwardly stood outside our science classrooms for the five minutes in between our regular class and lab period. But going to Garden City High School also means we’ve inevitably come across some extraordinary teachers, who have taught us not only how to do well on a test, but how to do well in life. They’ve showed us the kind of people we are, and all that we have yet to become. They have helped us realize what we’re meant to do and be...that what lies ahead is exactly what we make of it...and that we shouldn’t be afraid to lead any life we choose. Our peers have also shaped us; we’ve met classmates who have become friends and best friends, who have made the difficult days a little easier with their smiles, presence, and support. I can’t predict what tomorrow has in store for any of us. Because the real truth is that one’s life can completely change in an instant. As heartbreaking as it may be, most of us, at some point, will have to face something earth-shattering that we never imagined we’d have to. Some of us already have. But it is up to us to decide how to get through it. That doesn’t mean we should always have a smile plastered on even when we feel like our lives are falling apart. But I hope that we will be granted the courage to roll with the punches, heal our wounds, and let our struggles make us even better people. As JFK said, “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.” By the way, shout out to Ryan Connolly for letting me plagiarize his yearbook quote right there! Life is bound to challenge us, and we are bound to make mistakes. But I know that we each have a lot to work with. With positive attitudes, we can allow our open minds to learn, grow, and prosper. As we build upon our own and others’ lives, I hope we keep in mind that our strength can only be fostered by kindness, both given and received. As tough as we each may be individually, power comes from collaboration, stability, and unity. As the world has revealed, hate breeds destruction. Understanding, open-mindedness, companionship, and love are surefire tools that, as we go forth as the future generation of leaders, will equip us with the power necessary to keep this world the beautiful place we know it is. So as we sit here during our last moments as high school seniors and reflect back on all the ways this school has shaped us, and all the memories we’ve shared with the people sitting near us, I hope we can not only say goodbye without too many tears, but also say hello to the immense opportunity and possibility that lie ahead. Do what you will and be who you are. Become who you want to be. Strive to be the kind of person who inspires you. And be grateful for every gorgeous day that you get to see and conquer. Congratulations, Class of 2017.

NATALIE ABATEMARCO University of MiamiCARLOS AFRICA Quinnipiac UniversityOLIVIA ALFAYA Sacred Heart University ANN AMBACH St. Olaf CollegeKRISTEN ANDRON Fashion Institute of Technology MEEGAN ANESER Fairfield UniversityMEREDITH ANESER Elon UniversityHANNAH ARDITO Fairfield UniversityALESSIA ARIANAS Syracuse University JAMES ATKINSON Princeton University JOSEPH BASILE Duke UniversityJACLYN BAYMACK University of MarylandTIMOTHY BENSEN Purdue UniversityWILLIAM BICE Sewanee: The University of the South EMMA BINGOLD Nassau Community CollegeHARRY BLAIR IV University of Massachusetts - Amherst PATRICK BODOVITZ Gettysburg CollegeOLIVIA BORZILLERI Loyola University MarylandJACQUELINE BRATTAN United States Military Academy - West PointFRANCES BROWN American UniversityALEXANDRA BUBNIAK Roger Williams UniversityBRENDAN BURKE Elon UniversityZOE CAPONEGRO College of the Holy CrossMATTHEW CARROLL Nassau Community CollegeANDREA CHOI Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteCHRISTOPHER CIURCINA Hobart and William Smith Colleges DANIEL CLARK University of Delaware

EMILY CLARKE Villanova UniversityDANIEL COLAMEO Nassau Community College BRENDAN COLAMUSSI UndecidedASHLEY COLAVITO Loyola University MarylandCHARLES COMISKEY Quinnipiac UniversityCELIA CONCANNON Harvard CollegeRYAN CONNOLLY Miami University - Oxford, OhioWILLIAM CONNOLLY Nassau Community CollegeOLIVIA CONNORS James Madison UniversityKYLE CORTESE University of ScrantonSEAN COUGHLIN High Point University CONOR COYLE University of ScrantonMEAGAN COYLE Boston UniversitySOPHIA COYNE The University of Edinburgh, ScotlandMEGHAN CREAVEN College of the Holy CrossANNE CROWLEY Providence CollegeCHRISTOPHER CROWLEY University of VermontERIN CUNNINGHAM New York UniversityJOSEPH D’ERRICO Nassau Community College EMILY DAEMPFLE Marist CollegeMICHAELA DALTON Mitchell CollegeANTHONY DEANGELO Nassau Community CollegeDREW DEANGELO Providence College MORGAN DEGEARO St. Bonaventure UniversityALYSSA DEGRUCCIO Brown UniversityCHRISTINA DEGRUCCIO Bucknell UniversitySOPHIE DELLA PENNA Maryland Institute College of Art

Where They Will Be Attending

Alyssa DeGruccioValedictorian

Commencement Speech

SEAN DEMARCO UndecidedGIOVANNA DEMOURA George Washington UniversityMATTHEW DICAIRANO New York Insitute of TechnologyELENA DICHIARA University of Delaware EMILY DIRKS University of ScrantonANDREW DOLAN Marist CollegeKATHRYN DONOVAN Villanova University KELLY DONOVAN Duquesne University JOSEPH DOUD Manhattan CollegeEMMA DOYLE University of South CarolinaDOMINIQUE DRAGOTTO College of Charleston LINDSEY DUPONT Nassau Community College JACK DURAND Marist CollegeDOROTHY DURNAN Providence CollegeWILLIAM EIGL Adelphi UniversityMAEGAN EMMERT Fairfield UniversityCAITLIN ETIENNE SUNY Maritime CollegeERIC EULAU Syracuse UniversityCATHERINE FALCO Adelphi University SAMANTHA FANNING Providence CollegeEILEEN FARRELL Georgetown UniversityKATHERINE FARRELL United States Naval AcademyFRANCESCA FEALEY Siena CollegeJOANNA FEALEY Fordham UniversityJULIA FERON University of RichmondMAGGIE FEYRER Vanderbilt UniversityJAMES FILOMENA Boston CollegeTYLER FLYNN Siena CollegeMICAELA FONTANETTA Marist CollegeJULIA FOXEN Washington and Lee UniversityGABRIELLE FRANDINA Boston CollegeJOHN GAFFNEY Williams CollegeCLAIRE GALLIC Villanova University KATHERINE GALZERANO University of MichiganJACK GANNON Loyola University MarylandLUKE GANNON UndecidedIRIS GAO Stony Brook UniversityMARCUS GARCIA UndecidedANDRE GAVRIN SUNY PurchaseJOHANNA GEEVARGHESE Baruch College - CUNYJAKE GENOVA Florida Institute of TechnologyKELLY GEORGE Marist CollegeANGELINA GHIRARDUZZI SUNY New PaltzJULIA GIACINTO Binghamton University - SUNY DANIELLA GIAMMONA Quinnipiac UniversityBRIAN GIARRAPUTO Binghamton University - SUNY FINNEGAN GIBBONS Brown UniversityDANIEL GILLESPIE Nassau Community CollegeJOSEPH GILLESPIE New York UniversityLAUREN GILLESPIE Adelphi UniversityTHOMAS GILLESPIE Nassau Community CollegeJULIA GIORDANO Liberty University CHRISTOPHER GIORGIO Quinnipiac UniversityMATTHEW GIRALDO Boston CollegeTAYLOR GLADD Cornell UniversityTIMOTHY GORMLEY Bucknell UniversityJACQUELINE GORSKY Hofstra University ALEXA GOZUN Binghamton Universtiy - SUNYMARIA GRANATO University of DelawareBRENNA GRANT Villanova UniversityKEVIN GREENE Adelphi UniversityMATTHEW GREGG Fordham UniversityKATHLEEN GRIFFITH Georgetown University KIERNAN GUNN Dartmouth CollegeSTEPHEN HALVATZIS Quinnipiac UniversityJESSIE HARRISON SUNY GeneseoALEXANDER HAZARIAN Quinnipiac UniversityDEVON HEANEY University of Southern CaliforniaSARAH HEINZE University of MarylandJASON HENNIG The Ohio State UniversityIMANI HERNANDEZ SUNY PlattsburghDARIO HERNANDEZ-ARROYO Binghamton University - SUNY JALEN HINCK UndecidedLIAM HOLLIS Marist CollegeBRANDON HOLLOWAY Mount Saint Mary CollegeSAMANTHA HOLUB Marist CollegeRYAN HORN Marist College KARL HUGHES UndecidedKRISTEN HUGHES Nassau Community Colelge JOANNA HUMBERT University of San DiegoSTEFFY JESWIN Stony Brook UniversityALEXANDER JOUDEH Boston University RYAN JOUDEH Baylor University CAROLINE KACZYNSKI Villanova UniversityMAIA KAMENOVA Carnegie Mellon UniversityELIAS KARIKAS Northeastern UniversitySARAH KAVAL Villanova UniversityJACK KAVAN Gettysburg College

LAWRENCE KEATING Franklin & Marshall CollegeJACK KEENAN The University of Alabama MATTHEW KENNELLY College of the Holy CrossCONSTANTINE KENNY Cornell UniversityTHOMAS KIELY University of Vermont WILLIAM KILBERG Stevens Institute of TechnologyJAMES KNAP Nassau Community CollegeMASON KUFS Northeastern University ANDREA LAISURE Mulhenberg CollegeCOREY LAISURE Ithaca CollegeCAROLINE LARK Adelphi University DANIELLE LARSSON Loyola University Maryland JULIANNE LARSSON University of South CarolinaKAITLYN LARSSON Loyola University MarylandMAXWELL LAWSON Miami University - Oxford, OHDENNIS LIND Villanova UniversityGEORGII LITVINOV Columbia UniversityKIMBERLY LLORET Nassau Community College DONAL MAHONEY University of Massachusetts - AmherstMICHAEL MALASZCZYK University of DelawareHALLIE MALLOZZI University of Scranton CONOR MALONEY Kirkland Academy Prep School TREVOR MARCHHART University of VirginiaRICHARD MAROONEY Hamilton CollegeLUIS MARTE Nassau Community College MEGHAN MARTIN Bentley University KASEY MASCIA Sacred Heart UniversityMATTHEW MASCOLA Salve Regina UniversityJULIA MATINA SUNY Geneseo ZACHARY MAUCERI The Ohio State University LIAM MCANDREWS University of Massachusetts - AmherstKENNETH MCCADDEN High Point UniversityJACK MCCARTHY Quinnipiac UniversityCONOR MCCARTNEY The Catholic University of America TIMOTHY MCEVOY University of DelawareKAITLYN MCGARRY University of ScrantonKARA MCGOVERN Nassau Community CollegeCOLLEEN MCMANUS Nassau Community College JACK MCMANUS Georgetown UniversityKATHERINE MCVEY SUNY GeneseoISABEL MEGALE The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDEMETRA MENOUDAKOS Hofstra UniversityTHOMAS MICHIELINI Providence CollegeDANIELLE MISTRETTA American UniversityCHRISTOPHER MIXON SUNY GeneseoNICHOLAS MIXON Binghamton University - SUNY MAURA MOHAN Sacred Heart University SEAN MOHAN SUNY Geneseo CAMILLE MOJICA Boston University JOHN MONGELLI UndecidedGABRIELLA MONTANARO SUNY New Paltz NICOLE MOODY University of ConnecticutROBERT MORIZIO College of the Holy CrossSAMANTHA MOZDZER Molloy CollegeERIN MULLAHEY Adelphi UniversityCAROLINE MUNN Trinity CollegeJACK MURPHY Nassau Community College KATHERINE MURPHY Pennsylvania State University TIMOTHY NACCA Roberts Wesleyan College ANDREW NAGEL Amherst CollegeEDWARD NALLAN SUNY Geneseo ELIZABETH NGUYEN St. John’s University MICHAEL NYGAARD Boston CollegeCHRISTOPHER O’NEILL Elon UniversityPATRICK O’ROURKE University at Albany - SUNY KYLE OBER University of VermontTYLER OKADA Villanova UniversityALEXIS PAGONIS University of Scranton DAVID PAPPAS Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U. - Daytona BeachRYAN PASCALE The Ohio State University COLIN PASKEWITZ Middlebury CollegeMELISSA PAXTON Marist CollegeSUSAN PELCZAR University of Richmond MATTHEW PEREIRA Nassau Community College MAIREAD PFAFF University of Notre DameEMMA PHILIPPAS SUNY New Paltz EMMANUELLE PIPITONE University of Delaware PAYTON PLETCHER Texas A&M UniversityJUSTIN PLUNKETT Binghamton University - SUNY PHILIP PUCCIO Bucknell University GREGORY PUSTORINO New York University MATTHEW QUIGLEY Purdue University KYLE QUINN Bentley University ROBERT QUINN Saint Michael’s CollegeGABRIEL RAGUSA Cornell UniversityALLIE REIFLER Trinity College ANNA REILLY New York University BRIAN RENO Farmingdale State College

www.gardencity.k12.ny.us

Angela HeinemanBoard of Education President

Tom PinouVice President

Robert MartinTrustee

Laura HastingsTrustee

William HolubTrustee

Robert Feirsen, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools

Catherine Knight, Ed.D.Coordinator of Public Information

Non-Profit OrganizationU. S. Postage

PAIDGarden City, NY 11530

Permit No. 22

ResidentGarden City, NY 11530

Inspiring MindsEmpowering AchievementBuilding Community

WILLIAM SMITH Marist CollegeCOLE SONNER Wake Forest University JOHANA SOSA MOZA Nassau Community CollegeCRAIG SOTOMAYOR UndecidedALEXANDER SPANOS University of Delaware SHANNON SPROUL Marist CollegeAMANDA STOBER Dickinson CollegeLUCY STRASSNER Marymount Manhattan College ELIZABETH STRYSKO SUNY GeneseoDELANEY SUGRUE University of DelawareSTEPHANIE TARIAN Quinnipiac UniversityLUKE THOMPSON Kenyon CollegeKRISTIAN TOMASIC Providence CollegeLAUREN TREANOR George Washington UniversityVEDANT TRIVEDI New York University DANIEL VALENTI University of Delaware JULIA VALENTI Villanova University MARC VENTRE University of South Carolina CADE VESNAVER Gap Year to U. Mass - AmherstJAMES WALSH Providence CollegeMELISSA WARD Syracuse UniversityZACHARY WARHURST Elon University EMILY WAY University of Scranton MADELEINE WEISBURG SUNY PurchasePATRICK WESTFIELD SUNY GeneseoEMMA WIELAND Loyola University MarylandPAIGE WILLIS Sacred Heart University SEUNGHYUN WOO Johns Hopkins UniversityERIK WORTMANN Gettysburg CollegeMAXIMILIAN ZEBROWSKI Northeastern University

NICHOLAS REVITHAS Nassau Community College MARLEE RICH Wake Forest University THOMAS RIGGERS SUNY GeneseoANTHONY RIGGI Farmingdale State CollegeCARALYN ROEPER Lehigh UniversityGABRIELLA ROGERS University of Rhode IslandJAMES ROSATO Fordham UniversityJULIANA ROSATO Southern Methodist UniversityWILLIAM ROUSAKIS Nassau Community College ALEXANDRA RUDOLPH Syracuse UniversityJAMES RUMSEY Duke UniversityJULIANA RUSS SUNY PlattsburghGIUSEPPE RUTA Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, SwitzerlandAIDAN RYAN SUNY OswegoDANIEL SALSBERG Elon UniversitySUZANNE SANOSSIAN St. John’s University EMILY SCHAUBECK SUNY PurchaseCHARLIE SCHMITT Providence CollegeMARGOT SCHROEDER High Point UniversityCRISTINA SCLAFANI Marymount Manhattan CollegeELIZABETH SCOTT Colgate University KEELEY SCOTT Villanova UniversityMEGAN SEEL University of Delaware SAMANTHA SHAPS University of Southern CaliforniaLAUREN SIKORSKI Fordham UniversityBRANDON SINGH Hofstra UniversitySTEPHEN SLOVENSKY SUNY Maritime CollegeCAROLINE SMITH University of Southern CaliforniaPATRICK SMITH Marist College TYLAR SMITH University of Scranton

Garden City Public Schools56 Cathedral Avenue Garden City, New York 11530www.gardencity.k12.ny.us; GCUFSD

Congratulations to Garden City High School’s Class of 2017!