On The Line GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - …p1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_879883/File... · On The LineGARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ... Bradley, Steven Marist

GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On The LineOn The LineGRADUATION 2012 www.gardencity.k12.ny.us Vol. 14 • No. 6

Congratulations, Class of 2012!

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F or the fourth consecutive year, Garden City High School enjoyed picture-perfect weather on June 23rd for one of the most elegant commencement ceremonies on

Long Island. With young men in white tuxedos and young ladies in classic white dress-es, the Class of 2012, 310 strong, were offered inspirational words by Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen, Principal Nanine Cuttitta, Valedictorian Alina Ranjbaran, Saluta-torian Megan Bader, Class President and Julia Maloney Scholarship winner Franklin Dickinson, and keynote speaker Dr. Michael Stratis. Each in turn, the Class of 2012 approached the dais on Warren King Field to be awarded diplomas by members of the Board of Education. The newly-graduated then departed the high school for the final time to applause, cheers, and a standing ovation from hundreds of family and friends. The Board of Education and school district extent their warmest congratulations and best wishes for a bright and successful future to its newest alums - the Class of 2012.

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Alina Ranjbaran Valedictorian

Mrs. Foley and members of the Board of Education, Dr. Feirsen and central administration, Ms. Cuttitta and high school administrators, teachers, and staff, family members, friends and especially the remarkable Class of 2012, I am honored to address you on this special occasion.

We are the largest grade that anyone can remember in Garden City High School and we have ac-complished incredible things during our four years here. We have seen the Girls Soccer Team, and both the Boys and Girls Lacrosse Teams, win states, which are only a fraction of the wins that are a continued testament to our outstanding athletics program. We also had a record number of Ad-vanced Placement Scholars and excelled in community service, with a music benefit for Japan and our annual Miracle walk-a-thons, to name a few.

It is clear that we have accomplished a great deal as a class. As we graduate, we may reflect back on our time here and wonder, how and why did we get here? Much of our success stems from our hard work and dedication, but some of it comes from a bit of luck. How lucky are we to attend one of the top high schools in the country! With that, we should not take the tremendous opportunities afforded to us for granted. We should strive to give back to our own community and to those less fortunate than us. No matter what field of study we enter, there is the opportunity for service. From science and technology to the liberal arts and music, we can use our varied talents to help tackle some of the most pressing issues in our world.

We have always been told to follow our dreams and not settle for anything less. Drew Faust calls it “the Parking Space The-ory of Life. Don’t park ten blocks away from your destination because you think you won’t find a closer space. Go to where you want to be. You can always circle back to where you have to be.”

It is important to find what makes us tick, what motivates us. For some of us, this process may involve a relatively straight path if we know we want to be a neurosurgeon or patent lawyer. However, for the majority of us, we will be trying new things and most likely failing at them initially. But, this is part of the excitement of entering into a new and unknown world. Having grown up in a nurturing school and community environment, we will go out into the world prepared to find what brings us happiness. Nevertheless, we will face new challenges that will make our journey difficult yet rewarding.

Today, we gather for the last time on this nice turf field as one senior class. However, we will always share the common label of Garden City High School Class of 2012 together, even if we are far apart. We will always harbor our shared memories since kindergarten, from Colebrook, to the 8th grade boat trip that almost didn’t happen, and even to our senior pranks (sorry, administration).

Sir Winston Churchill once said, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” With advancing technology, we can take great solace in the fact that we will be able to stay in touch through the Internet and, if you’re old-fashioned enough, you can call me, maybe.

We should take today to thank our family, friends, and teachers who have gotten us to this point. Congratulations and good luck to the Class of 2012!

Where They Will Be AttendingAbballe, Joanna Lesley UniversityAdams, Brendan University of ScrantonAdelhelm, Matthew Marist CollegeAgarwal, Veronica School of Visual ArtsAlford, Peter SUNY OneontaAltabef, Kyle Hofstra UniversityAmbrosino, Nicolas Nassau Community CollegeAnthony, Tah-Kim Nassau Community CollegeArmstrong, Dennis SUNY OneontaArnidis, Demetri LIU - C.W. Post CampusAuricchio, Alessandra Trinity CollegeBader, Megan Duke UniversityBais, Julia University of South CarolinaBarbaro, William University at AlbanyBarcklow, Gabrielle LIU - C.W. Post CampusBarnes, Christopher Hofstra UniversityBasel, Courtney University of MiamiBennett, Alana Nassau Community CollegeBennett, John SUNY FarmingdaleBerkery, Eugene Middlebury CollegeBerkery, Patric University of PennsylvaniaBingham, Sean Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyBlumin, Denis Bard College

Bonafede, Michael Binghamton UniversityBradley, Steven Marist CollegeBradley, Victoria Sacred Heart UniversityBressingham, Chelsea Nassau Community CollegeBrowand, Ariana Lehigh UniversityBruno, Alexandra Princeton UniversityButler, Thomas Hofstra UniversityByrne, Noelle Binghamton UniversityCadigan, Kyle Nassau Community CollegeCalabro, Andrew Quinnipiac UniversityCameron, Marisa College of the Holy CrossCapetola, Christina Elon UniversityCapetola, Joseph Miami University Cascione, Anthony Loyola University MarylandCassar, Bianca Binghamton UniversityCastellano, Ryan New York UniversityCento, Nicholas Binghamton UniversityCerise, Devin SUNY CortlandChrist, Timothy Nassau Community CollegeChtchekine, John Baruch CollegeClarke, Justin Adelphi UniversityClarke, William University of PennsylvaniaCline, Peter Washington & Lee University

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Colavito, Kaleigh Johnson & Wales UniversityCombatti, Kimberly Bucknell UniversityComiskey, Michael Lafayette CollegeConboy, Kristen Bucknell UniversityCondulis, Dana James Madison UniversityConlon, Morgan Fairfield UniversityConnolly, Jessica Bucknell UniversityConnors, William Nassau Community CollegeCoogan, Timothy Boston CollegeCosgrove, Jacqueline Fordham UniversityCosta, Cari Lasell CollegeCostabile, Veronica Parsons The New School for DesignCotter, Matthew York CollegeCreighton, Lauren University at AlbanyCritelli, Marisa Fashion Institute of TechnologyD’Angelo, Richard Fairfield UniversityD’Antonio, Kevin Syracuse UniversityD’Antonio, Peter New York UniversityDanza, Serafino Cazenovia CollegeDeangelo, Jenna St. Joseph’s UniversityDeBold, Steven Adelphi UniversityDemars, Alexander Loyola Marymount UniversityDempsey, Christina University of South CarolinaD’Errico III, Rocco Nassau Community CollegeDesarno, Nicholas LIU - C.W. PostDeStefano, Bethany University of RichmondDickinson, Catherine University of PennsylvaniaDickinson, Franklin Dartmouth CollegeDiMaria, Vito Nassau Community CollegeDobrolezhin, Anton Middlebury CollegeDonnelly III, Douglas New York UniversityDougherty, James Nassau Community CollegeDupont, Kelly Towson UniversityDurand, Cara University of MiamiDwyer, Devin Harvard University Ellis, Mark Westminster Prep SchoolErcolano, Evan University of MiamiErnenwein, Scott Bucknell UniversityEulau, Matthew New York UniversityEvangelista, Lauren Marist CollegeFanning, Laura SUNY OneontaFarley, Patrick TBDFerraro, Amanda University of N. Carolina, Chapel HillFerzola, Christian New York UniversityFischer, John University of RichmondFodera, Rosa Fairfield UniversityForbes, Kathryn Loyola University MarylandForbes, Ryan Nassau Community CollegeFuchs, Jenna Fairfield UniversityFuller, Hannah Syracuse UniversityGallant, Kevin Providence CollegeGarizio, Nicole Molloy CollegeGee, Alexander Georgetown UniversityGenovese, Nicholas Fordham UniversityGentile, John Binghamton UniversityGeorgas, Elias Union CollegeGiannone, Gabriella Johns Hopkins UniversityGibbons, Catherine Hunter CollegeGilbert, Michael University of Rhode IslandGiordano, Matthew Lancaster Bible CollegeGiordano, Olivia Quinnipiac UniversityGiumenta, Hayley Sacred Heart UniversityGraham, Andrew New York UniversityGrant, Cailin Georgetown UniversityGreene, Connor Manhattan CollegeGrocki, John TCI College of TechnologyGuida, Christina Stevens Institute of TechnologyGutierrez, Michael Binghamton UniversityHahn, Frederick John Jay College of Criminal JusticeHarder, Christopher Miami University Hausser, Melissa University of Mass., AmherstHennig, Taylor University of PennsylvaniaHoffman, James University at BuffaloHoge, Keith Cornell UniversityHolecek, Joseph Nassau Community CollegeHoward, Kyle Loyola University MarylandIalenti, Pamela Loyola University MarylandImbrenda, Marci Fashion Institute of TechnologyImbrenda, Zachary New Horizons Comp. Learning CenterJaeger, Jennifer University of Notre DameJaeger, Joanna University of Wisconsin-MadisonJohnson, Daniel Binghamton UniversityJohnston, Matthew Ithaca CollegeJosephs, Molly Missouri Baptist UniversityKeating, Christopher SUNY DelhiKelleher, Jia Mount Holyoke CollegeKelly, Katherine Quinnipiac University

Kennedy, Liam Deerfield AcademyKennelly, Margaret Miami University Keogh, Thomas Adelphi UniversityKetigian, Laura Binghamton UniversityKiely, Katherine SUNY GeneseoKiffel, Julia Loyola University MarylandKinn, Gregory Rochester Institute of TechnologyKolsen, Alexandra Molloy CollegeKritis, Brittany Fairfield UniversityKuruc, John Manhattan CollegeKutulos, Alexander University of Southern CaliforniaLaCorte, Emily Loyola University MarylandLangrock, Alex Nassau Community CollegeLark, Jessica University of ConnecticutLarose, Scott St. John’s UniversityLaudrie, Jennifer Art Institute of BostonLawkins, Allison The College of New JerseyLee, Charles Boston CollegeLingaas, Craig Northeastern University Lingaas, Gregory Pennsylvania State UniversityLocopo, Anthony Nassau Community CollegeLofrese, Michael Trinity CollegeLohrer, Allison Pennsylvania State UniversityLopez, Christian Villanova UniversityLutfy, Elena New York UniversityLyons, Michael Elon UniversityMacleod, Skye Skidmore CollegeMaglio, Shana Quinnipiac UniversityMahon, Tara Brown UniversityMakris, Theodora University of Mass., AmherstMaloney, Kaylin University at AlbanyMangels, Christina Georgetown UniversityMarino, Daniel University of VirginiaMarino, Michael Adelphi UniversityMarsala, Matthew Molloy CollegeMartin, Keara Purchase CollegeMartinelli, Megan Adelphi UniversityMasullo, Matthew Nassau Community CollegeMatina, Cara Hofstra UniversityMazzari, Melanie Villanova UniversityMcCoyd, Sean Nassau Community CollegeMcDonagh, Thomas Connor Nassau Community CollegeMcDonald, Megan Georgetown UniversityMcDonnell, Conor Marquette UniversityMcGovern, Patrick Roger Williams UniversityMcKeown, Marina Loyola University MarylandMcLaughlin, Tatum Fairfield UniversityMcManus, Catherine Nassau Community CollegeMcQuade, Caroline Boston CollegeMcTiernan, Catherine University of RichmondMelone, Laura Lehigh UniversityMercante, Dylan SUNY MaritimeMichielini, Alexandra Methodist UniversityMiller, Paige Lynn UniversityMiner, Aaron Binghamton UniversityMirabella, Michael Emerson CollegeMixon, John SUNY CortlandMongiardo, Scott College of the Holy CrossMongone, Sarah St. John’s UniversityMonroe, Joanna Nassau Community CollegeMontgomery, Kathryn University of RochesterMorreale, Christian James Madison UniversityMuller, Daniel Bentley UniversityMullins, Emily Fairfield UniversityMurback, Marisa Siena CollegeMuscat, Whitney Loyola University MarylandNardi, Michael West Virginia UniversityNardone, Matthew Nassau Community CollegeNicolosi, Andrew University of MiamiNiebler, Patrick University of ScrantonNorberto, Thomas University of VermontNorton, Ryan Syracuse UniversityNuzzolo, Valerie Lee UniversityOdell, Sarah Cornell UniversityOlsen, Dennis Molloy CollegeOodal, Reshma Cornell UniversityOrantes, Amber Nassau Community CollegeOrr, Brendan Ohio UniversityPackman, Mattingly U. of North Carolina, WilmingtonPagonis, Konstantinos Stony Brook UniversityPalucci, Marguerite New York Institute of TechnologyPasseretti, Alexander Pennsylvania State UniversityPetralia, Maria College of CharlestonPhilippou, Jonathan New York UniversityPietrzak, Richard Rensselaer Polytechnic InstitutePietrzak, Robert Hartt SchoolPittella, Thomas Binghamton University

Colleen E. FoleyBoard of Education President

Barbara TrapassoVice President

Angela HeinemanTrustee

Tom PinouTrustee

Robert MartinTrustee

Robert Feirsen, Ed. D.Superintendent of Schools

Catherine KnightCoordinator of Public Information

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

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Inspiring MindsEmpowering AchievementBuilding Community

Sonner, Max University of South CarolinaSourour, Anthony University of RichmondSpanos, Thedore Bryant UniversitySparacino, Daniel Villanova UniversitySproat, Kathleen Pennsylvania State UniversityStein, Jessica University of DelawareSteinhardt, Kristen Nassau Community CollegeStone, Andre Skidmore CollegeStutzmann, Elizabeth Siena CollegeSu, Marisa Drexel UniversitySullivan, Catherine Binghamton UniversitySullivan, Matthew Georgetown UniversityTangel, Christina Adelphi UniversityTariq, Maham National U. of Sciences & Tech., PakistanTempesta, Sean University of DaytonTimmins, Molly University of Maryland at College ParkTomao, Robert Johnson & Wales UniversityTrimmer, Kathryn Wake Forest UniversityValitutto-Gaudiosi, Mary Fordham UniversityVasiljevic, Stefan Hofstra UniversityVelez, Steven Nassau Community CollegeVeneziale Jr., Cosmo Vassar CollegeVincent, Jaime Marymount UniversityVisentin, Janine Fairfield UniversityVitale, Jaclyn Fashion Inst. of Design & MerchandisingVittore, Alexa Syracuse UniversityVittore, Julia New York UniversityWallace, Mary Catherine Johns Hopkins UniversityWarhurst, Jonathan SUNY CobleskillWebster, Alex Indiana University at BloomingtonWebster, Christopher University of South CarolinaWein, John Fairfield UniversityWilder, Anne Boston CollegeWilliams, Ryan Nassau Community CollegeWilson, Kaitlin Adelphi UniversityWittman, Elizabeth SUNY New PaltzWysocki, Erin University of FloridaYeboah-Kodie, Alexis Columbia UniversityYoo, Jillian Fordham UniversityZaferiou, Paulina Hofstra UniversityZafonte, Gabrielle Hobart & William Smith CollegeZawisha, Nicholas Fordham UniversityZeno, Zoe University of San DiegoZwicke, Kaitlyn Binghamton University

Plati, John Manhattan CollegePoisson, Evan Stonehill CollegePowers, Srey SUNY OneontaPusateri, Marie SUNY New PaltzPustorino, Mark Marist CollegePyatsky, James University of New HavenQuaile, James Siena CollegeQuane, Brendan Rollins CollegeQuesada, Matthew Syracuse UniversityQuinn, Shannon College of the Holy CrossRaja, Shehrose Stony Brook UniversityRanieri, Margot Tulane UniversityRanjbaran, Alina Harvard University Raphael, Erin University of DelawareRasquin, Megan SUNY GeneseoReale, Lauren Boston UniversityReddington, Megan American UniversityRegan, Christopher Purchase CollegeRendano, Tracy Villanova UniversityRevithas, Thomas University at AlbanyRich, McLaine University of Maryland at College ParkRicigliano, Kathryn SUNY OneontaRiedell, Brittany Radford UniversityRix, Marguerite Elon UniversityRizzo, Aleksey U.S. Marine Corps.Robayo, Christine Nassau Community CollegeRudkin, Sarah University of Maryland at College ParkRyan, Kimberly Gettysburg CollegeRyan, Thomas SUNY CortlandRyniker, Matthew TBDSandgren, Evan Nassau Community CollegeSantucci III, John New York UniversitySavage, Robert University of PennsylvaniaSchay, Catherine Nassau Community CollegeScheppa, Nicholas Nassau Community CollegeSchroeder, Erica George Mason UniversitySciacca, Robert SUNY Purchase Seltenreich, Dane Susquehanna UniversitySenken, Natasha College of CharlestonShine, Brenna Catholic University of AmericaSilva, Gregory Quinnipiac UniversitySkorr, Christopher University of ConnecticutSmith, Danielle Fordham UniversitySmith, Madeline University of DelawareSollin, Victoria Molloy College