Message from the Superintendent of Schools volume 3 • number 3 summer 2009 FAST FACTS The Class of 2009 1,346 June graduates Graduation rate up 9% $30,619,536 in scholarships 33 students earned international Baccalaureate Diplomas Upcoming Events First Day of School for Students Tuesday, September 8 Superintendent’s Community Forums Wednesday, September 30 Yonkers Middle High School Thursday, October 29 Roosevelt High School If you would like a glimpse of the future, look at our high school graduates today. Col- leges and universities certainly have, and they like what they see. So much so that they offered the gradu- ating Class of 2009 an unprecedented $30.6 million in scholarships. These colleges are banking on Yonkers students because this city invested in them. That investment provided our graduates with the opportunity to be welcomed as freshmen at Brown, Columbia, Cooper Union, Cornell, Harvard, Penn State, Northeastern, Rensselaer, the New York State University system, and schools all over the country that value student achievement. Many of them have already earned college credit as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scholars. A first-rate faculty, loving families, and caring community partners all helped shape the im- pressive profile of this class. Our students took every opportunity to pay it forward by contrib- uting to the well being and future of others at school and in the community through Habitat for Humanity, food and blood drives, and volunteering at houses of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, and children centers. Among our students are national and state SkillsUSA medalists, NASA sponsored US FIRST robotics team champions, New York State Public High School Athletic Association scholar/athletes and an elite Bezos Scholar. The members of the Class of 2009 have reached a milestone on their educational journey and we are inspired by their success. Their younger brothers and sisters also inspire us. They are making tremendous strides in their perfor- mance in Mathematics and English Language Arts, increasing their scores during the past two years by 21.5% and 18.6% respectively. All of them are encouraged to think of them- selves as future college students and have opportunities to participate in many college awareness programs, such as College Access Centers and an Early College High School. Even our youngest prekindergarteners, the Class of 2022, were encouraged to see that “College is in My Future.” These students are as engaged as the pacesetting Class of 2009, taking full advantage of the opportu- nity to explore, create, and innovate. As Yonkers graduates chart their course, they have the benefit of a solid education that prepared them to meet the challenges before them. They are being greeted by an imperfect and uncertain world that will challenge their resourcefulness and their resolve. May the compass we have given them always point them in the right direction. BOARD OF EDUCATION Bernadette Dunne, President Marlin K. Wiggins, Vice President Michael E. Carey, Debra Martinez Paresh Patel, Nydia D. Perez Rev. Gerald Sudick Bernard P. Pierorazio Superintendent of Schools Fifty Outstanding Scholars Lead the Class of 2009 PAGE 2
Yonkers Public Schools Class of 2009
Mar 28, 2016
This extraordinary class, a terrific group of young adults, demonstrates the very best of the City of Yonkers, New York - accomplished in the classroom, on the playing field, on the stage and in the community
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Message from the Superintendent of Schools
volume 3 • number 3
summer 2009
FAST FACTSThe Class of 20091,346 June graduates
Graduation rate up 9%
$30,619,536 in scholarships
33 students earned international Baccalaureate Diplomas
Upcoming Events
First Day of School for StudentsTuesday, September 8
Superintendent’s Community Forums
Wednesday, September 30 Yonkers Middle High School
Thursday, October 29 Roosevelt High School
If you would like a glimpse of the future, look at our high school graduates today. Col-leges and universities certainly have, and they like what they see. So much so that they offered the gradu-
ating Class of 2009 an unprecedented $30.6 million in scholarships. These colleges are banking on Yonkers students because this city invested in them.
That investment provided our graduates with the opportunity to be welcomed as freshmen at Brown, Columbia, Cooper Union, Cornell, Harvard, Penn State, Northeastern, Rensselaer, the New York State University system, and schools all over the country that value student achievement. Many of them have already earned college credit as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scholars.
A first-rate faculty, loving families, and caring community partners all helped shape the im-pressive profile of this class. Our students took every opportunity to pay it forward by contrib-uting to the well being and future of others at school and in the community through Habitat for Humanity, food and blood drives, and volunteering at houses of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, and children centers. Among our students are national and state SkillsUSA medalists, NASA sponsored US FIRST robotics team champions, New York State Public High School Athletic Association scholar/athletes and an elite Bezos Scholar.
The members of the Class of 2009 have reached a milestone on their educational journey and
we are inspired by their success. Their younger brothers and sisters also inspire us. They are making tremendous strides in their perfor-mance in Mathematics and English Language Arts, increasing their scores during the past two years by 21.5% and 18.6% respectively. All of them are encouraged to think of them-selves as future college students and have opportunities to participate in many college awareness programs, such as College Access Centers and an Early College High School. Even our youngest prekindergarteners, the Class of 2022, were encouraged to see that “College is in My Future.” These students are as engaged as the pacesetting Class of 2009, taking full advantage of the opportu-nity to explore, create, and innovate.
As Yonkers graduates chart their course, they have the benefit of a solid education that prepared them to meet the challenges before them. They are being greeted by an imperfect and uncertain world that will challenge their resourcefulness and their resolve. May the compass we have given them always point them in the right direction.
BOARD OF EDUCATIONBernadette Dunne, PresidentMarlin K. Wiggins, Vice President
Michael E. Carey, Debra MartinezParesh Patel, Nydia D. Perez Rev. Gerald Sudick
Bernard P. PierorazioSuperintendent of Schools
one larkin center • yonkers, ny 10701
NON PROFITU.S. POSTAGE
WHITE PLAINS, NYPERMIT #7726
P A I D
Wendy R. NadelExecutive DirectorYonkers Partners in Education
86 Main Street, Suite 301Yonkers, NY 10701(914) 377-4882 - phone(914) 377-4885 - fax
www.ypie.org
Editor: Jerilynne Fierstein
Writer: Elyse David
Contributing Writer: Maura Pheney
Graphic Designer: Joseph Panella
Photography: Maurice Mercado Cory Pipcinski
WDMC-TV Cablevision Channel 75
www.yonkerspublicschools.org
Join the PTAInformational Webpage:
www.ypschools.org (go to Group pages/Parents)
Kelly Chiarella, President 914-438-8694
Fifty Outstanding Scholars Lead the Class of 2009
PAGE 2
Yonkers International Baccalaureate High SchoolJazmin Graves, Valedictorian
College: Columbia University
Major: Music and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures
Jazmin’s passion for learning and intense drive combined to propel her to the top of her class and a world of opportu-nity. Multi-talented Jazmin is a flautist, linguist, photographer,
martial artist, poet and writer. She was chosen to be a Bezos Scholar at the Aspen Institute, a prestigious gathering of 12 of the country’s top public high school juniors at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Earned accolades include Notre Dame African American Scholar, the Woman’s Hall of Fame Scholars and a National Merit Final-ist Scholarship. Constantly involved in school activities, Jazmin was captain of the Academic Bowl team, a student journalist for the popular Yonkers Student Grapevine, a member of the Human Rights Coalition and the Ideas Festi-val Committee. A tireless volunteer, Jazmin has given her time and talent to the Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, Hudson Valley Blood Services Blood Drive, and as a Children’s Aid Society martial arts instructor.
Justin Jacob, Salutatorian
College: SUNY Stony Brook
Major: Biomedical Engineering and PreMed
A close-knit family and a life-long interest in science have been the intersecting influences on Justin’s goal of becoming a medical doctor. His academic success is reflected in numer-
ous recognitions, including the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Highly involved in school activities, Justin participated in SADD, Habitat for Humanity, Key Club, and the Yonkers High School student paper. Community service is also part of his repertoire as a Sunday School leader at his church, and volunteer at An-drus Children’s Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Others in the Top 10
Sherine Kurien, CUNY Baruch College
Ashwin Koshy, Sarah Lawrence College
Jocelyn Chacko, Cornell University
Daniel Boccato, The Cooper Union
Julieta Cardenas, Brown University
Selvana Nilaj, Iona College
Alaa Yousef, New York University
Maryann William, Northeastern University
Join Our Facebook Group!Facebook.com/YonkersAlumni
Achieving Excellence Together
www.yonkerspublicschools.org
Charles E. Gorton High SchoolPaul R. George, Valedictorian
College: University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Major: Doctor of Pharmacy program
Paul George knows how to take on a challenge. Born in Mumbai, India, Paul immigrated with his family to the United States in his freshman
year of high school. He credits his family, his faith, and his counselors and teachers at both Roosevelt and Gorton high schools for motivating him to do his best. Paul’s achievements are inspiring. His academic honors include National Honor Society, Distinguished Alumni: National Youth Leadership Forum, and English and Sci-ence Departments Student of the Month. Paul has also been a tireless volunteer, involved in service to school and com-munity as a CPR/AED First Aid instructor, and at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Hebrew Home for the Aged.
Adrian Reyes, Salutatorian
College: Daemen College
Major: Natural Sciences/Individualized Studies
Inspired by his immigrant mother who is raising four boys on her own, Adrian makes it clear that he in-tends to live the American Dream. From the time he
was in prekindergarten at the Early Child-hood Center at School 10, Adrian had his eye on the prize, never letting “anything distract” him from attaining his dream. His accomplishments include membership in the National Honor Society, the Meri-torious Student Award by the Dominican Republic, and a listing in the Who’s Who Registry of Academic Excellence. In addi-tion to his studies, he made time to work in Gorton’s Wellness Center, serve on the Homecoming Committee and participate in the Guitar Club and Bowling team.
Others in the Top 10
Tom Mammen, CUNY Lehman College
Sheril Alexander, SUNY Buffalo
Stephanie Martinez, CUNY City College
Chanell Fitch, SUNY Albany
Zahra Edwards, SUNY Brockport
Joseph Henriquez, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Jonathan Celi, Penn State University
Andreina Rodriguez, Westchester Community College
Lincoln High SchoolJennifer Poole, Valedictorian
College: The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Although she is inspired by success, Jennifer is not about to rest on her own achievements, even when those achievements include acceptances to the
top Ivy League universities. She is about to take a quickstep on the road to making her dream of becoming a medical doctor come true. And, she is well prepared to take the step. Jennifer tutored students in chemistry, played clarinet in the Jazz Band, and was editor-in-chief of Lincoln’s Raider Review Magazine. Always lending her sup-port, Jennifer shared her knowledge as a participant in the Students Teaching Adults Computer Knowledge (STACK) Program,
and served the community through the school’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. Jennifer’s accomplishments earned her the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Scholarship.
Sadia Ahmad, Salutatorian
College: St. John’s University
Major: PreMed and Accounting
Sadia is a familiar face at Yonkers Partners in Educa-tion, where she will contin-ue her multi-year intern-ship until she leaves for college. Her involvement
in and service to school and community has been evidenced by her strong commitment to Habitat for Humanity, Students Teaching Adults Computer Knowledge (STACK), as Chief Financial Officer for Lincoln Corpo-rate Raiders and to Cablevision’s Academic Challenge. This multilingual young woman, fluent in Bengal and Hindi, frequently serves as an unofficial translator. Sadia enjoys dancing, music and reading, loves children, and plans to be a pediatrician.
Others in the Top 10
Suresh Singh, Florida Institute of Technology
Christopher Ceriello, Pace University
Dana Yang, St. John’s University
Dahcia Lyons, SUNY Albany
Troy Goff, SUNY Albany
Prince Debrah, Babson College
Jenny Eduardo, Iona College
Arlena Alcantara, CUNY Lehman College
Roosevelt High SchoolSonia Pappachan, Valedictorian
College: SUNY Albany
Major: PreMed
As a child, Sonia wanted to be a pilot. Although her flight path changed with a medical career now in her sights, Sonia has been steering toward suc-
cess all along. She was Vice President of the National Honor Society, the recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, the American Legion Certificate of Merit and the National Academic Excel-lence Award. Sonia has been an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Yonkers Family Day, and St. Mary’s Church in New Rochelle.
Carol Philip, Salutatorian
College: Massachusetts College of Phar-macy and Health Sciences
Major: Pharmacology
Born in Goa on the western coast of India, Carol began her educa-tion in the public schools there. But she credits her academic success to her
experiences in Yonkers. She was president of the National Honor Society and the Asian Club, and a scholar athlete earning distinction on both the junior varsity and varsity tennis teams. Carol was a popu-lar math tutor, worked on the school’s newspaper, was a member of the Math Club, and secretary of the US History Club. Involved in her church as well, she served as an altar server and teaching assistant.
Others in the Top 10
Ashitha Thomas, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Aupu Khan, CUNY City College
Joselvin Febrillet, Syracuse University
Henzella Ansari, CUNY Bronx Community College
Vanieta Seecharan, Mercy College
Rosa Cardosa, CUNY Lehman College
Pola Waheb Takla, St. John’s University
Yarelis Borrero, Iona College
Luan Kryeziu, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Saunders Trades and Technical High SchoolWalaa K. Abdallah, Valedictorian
College: Manhattan College
Major: Chemical Engineering
“Nothing prevented me from trying my hardest along the way,” says the valedictorian of Saunders High School, and it has paid off. Walaa leaves
Saunders with a solid record of achieve-ment including the Khalil Gibran Award, IBM Honors Math and Science Award, membership in the National Honor Soci-ety, the College of Westchester Computer Education Award and the Islamic Achieve-ment Award. She has already participated in several college programs including the Manhattan College Summer Engineering Program and the IBM Honors Math and Science program. Involved in school actvi-ties, Walaa was a member of the Asian
Club, Key Club, Robotics Club, Quiz Bowl and Mock Trial team, and she volunteered with UNICEF and Junior Achievement.
Marouh Hussein, Salutatorian
College: SUNY Stony Brook
Major: Psychology or Environmental Science
Marouh started on her road to academic suc-cess at Yonkers Scholastic Academy for Academic Excellence as a prekinder-garten student. Look-
ing back, she credits her family and her teachers for helping her overcome some reading difficulties. From the moment she conquered that challenge, Marouth has not stopped reading. An Advanced Place-ment Scholar with Honors, a National College Match Scholar and membership in the National Honor Society are some of her earned accolades. Marouh was a weekend Junior Docent at the Hudson River Museum, held an after-school job and made the time to serve on the West-chester County Youth Board.
Others in the Top 10
Melody Niere, CUNY City College
Daniel Cuomo, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jason Lam, St. John’s University
Anton Raskin, Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Manish Taneja, New York Institute of Tech-nology
Taylor Furey, University of Michigan
Jordan Fakhoury, SUNY Stony Brook
Faaria Salik, Millikin University
Fifty Outstanding Scholars Lead the Class of 2009This extraordinary class, a terrific group of young adults, demonstrates the very best of the City of Yonkers - accomplished in the classroom, on the playing field, on the stage and in the community.
continued on page 4
Achieving Excellence Together
www.yonkerspublicschools.org
Charles E. Gorton High SchoolPaul R. George, Valedictorian
College: University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Major: Doctor of Pharmacy program
Paul George knows how to take on a challenge. Born in Mumbai, India, Paul immigrated with his family to the United States in his freshman
year of high school. He credits his family, his faith, and his counselors and teachers at both Roosevelt and Gorton high schools for motivating him to do his best. Paul’s achievements are inspiring. His academic honors include National Honor Society, Distinguished Alumni: National Youth Leadership Forum, and English and Sci-ence Departments Student of the Month. Paul has also been a tireless volunteer, involved in service to school and com-munity as a CPR/AED First Aid instructor, and at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Hebrew Home for the Aged.
Adrian Reyes, Salutatorian
College: Daemen College
Major: Natural Sciences/Individualized Studies
Inspired by his immigrant mother who is raising four boys on her own, Adrian makes it clear that he in-tends to live the American Dream. From the time he
was in prekindergarten at the Early Child-hood Center at School 10, Adrian had his eye on the prize, never letting “anything distract” him from attaining his dream. His accomplishments include membership in the National Honor Society, the Meri-torious Student Award by the Dominican Republic, and a listing in the Who’s Who Registry of Academic Excellence. In addi-tion to his studies, he made time to work in Gorton’s Wellness Center, serve on the Homecoming Committee and participate in the Guitar Club and Bowling team.
Others in the Top 10
Tom Mammen, CUNY Lehman College
Sheril Alexander, SUNY Buffalo
Stephanie Martinez, CUNY City College
Chanell Fitch, SUNY Albany
Zahra Edwards, SUNY Brockport
Joseph Henriquez, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Jonathan Celi, Penn State University
Andreina Rodriguez, Westchester Community College
Lincoln High SchoolJennifer Poole, Valedictorian
College: The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Although she is inspired by success, Jennifer is not about to rest on her own achievements, even when those achievements include acceptances to the
top Ivy League universities. She is about to take a quickstep on the road to making her dream of becoming a medical doctor come true. And, she is well prepared to take the step. Jennifer tutored students in chemistry, played clarinet in the Jazz Band, and was editor-in-chief of Lincoln’s Raider Review Magazine. Always lending her sup-port, Jennifer shared her knowledge as a participant in the Students Teaching Adults Computer Knowledge (STACK) Program,
and served the community through the school’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. Jennifer’s accomplishments earned her the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Scholarship.
Sadia Ahmad, Salutatorian
College: St. John’s University
Major: PreMed and Accounting
Sadia is a familiar face at Yonkers Partners in Educa-tion, where she will contin-ue her multi-year intern-ship until she leaves for college. Her involvement
in and service to school and community has been evidenced by her strong commitment to Habitat for Humanity, Students Teaching Adults Computer Knowledge (STACK), as Chief Financial Officer for Lincoln Corpo-rate Raiders and to Cablevision’s Academic Challenge. This multilingual young woman, fluent in Bengal and Hindi, frequently serves as an unofficial translator. Sadia enjoys dancing, music and reading, loves children, and plans to be a pediatrician.
Others in the Top 10
Suresh Singh, Florida Institute of Technology
Christopher Ceriello, Pace University
Dana Yang, St. John’s University
Dahcia Lyons, SUNY Albany
Troy Goff, SUNY Albany
Prince Debrah, Babson College
Jenny Eduardo, Iona College
Arlena Alcantara, CUNY Lehman College
Roosevelt High SchoolSonia Pappachan, Valedictorian
College: SUNY Albany
Major: PreMed
As a child, Sonia wanted to be a pilot. Although her flight path changed with a medical career now in her sights, Sonia has been steering toward suc-
cess all along. She was Vice President of the National Honor Society, the recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, the American Legion Certificate of Merit and the National Academic Excel-lence Award. Sonia has been an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Yonkers Family Day, and St. Mary’s Church in New Rochelle.
Carol Philip, Salutatorian
College: Massachusetts College of Phar-macy and Health Sciences
Major: Pharmacology
Born in Goa on the western coast of India, Carol began her educa-tion in the public schools there. But she credits her academic success to her
experiences in Yonkers. She was president of the National Honor Society and the Asian Club, and a scholar athlete earning distinction on both the junior varsity and varsity tennis teams. Carol was a popu-lar math tutor, worked on the school’s newspaper, was a member of the Math Club, and secretary of the US History Club. Involved in her church as well, she served as an altar server and teaching assistant.
Others in the Top 10
Ashitha Thomas, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Aupu Khan, CUNY City College
Joselvin Febrillet, Syracuse University
Henzella Ansari, CUNY Bronx Community College
Vanieta Seecharan, Mercy College
Rosa Cardosa, CUNY Lehman College
Pola Waheb Takla, St. John’s University
Yarelis Borrero, Iona College
Luan Kryeziu, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Saunders Trades and Technical High SchoolWalaa K. Abdallah, Valedictorian
College: Manhattan College
Major: Chemical Engineering
“Nothing prevented me from trying my hardest along the way,” says the valedictorian of Saunders High School, and it has paid off. Walaa leaves
Saunders with a solid record of achieve-ment including the Khalil Gibran Award, IBM Honors Math and Science Award, membership in the National Honor Soci-ety, the College of Westchester Computer Education Award and the Islamic Achieve-ment Award. She has already participated in several college programs including the Manhattan College Summer Engineering Program and the IBM Honors Math and Science program. Involved in school actvi-ties, Walaa was a member of the Asian
Club, Key Club, Robotics Club, Quiz Bowl and Mock Trial team, and she volunteered with UNICEF and Junior Achievement.
Marouh Hussein, Salutatorian
College: SUNY Stony Brook
Major: Psychology or Environmental Science
Marouh started on her road to academic suc-cess at Yonkers Scholastic Academy for Academic Excellence as a prekinder-garten student. Look-
ing back, she credits her family and her teachers for helping her overcome some reading difficulties. From the moment she conquered that challenge, Marouth has not stopped reading. An Advanced Place-ment Scholar with Honors, a National College Match Scholar and membership in the National Honor Society are some of her earned accolades. Marouh was a weekend Junior Docent at the Hudson River Museum, held an after-school job and made the time to serve on the West-chester County Youth Board.
Others in the Top 10
Melody Niere, CUNY City College
Daniel Cuomo, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jason Lam, St. John’s University
Anton Raskin, Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Manish Taneja, New York Institute of Tech-nology
Taylor Furey, University of Michigan
Jordan Fakhoury, SUNY Stony Brook
Faaria Salik, Millikin University
Fifty Outstanding Scholars Lead the Class of 2009This extraordinary class, a terrific group of young adults, demonstrates the very best of the City of Yonkers - accomplished in the classroom, on the playing field, on the stage and in the community.
continued on page 4
Message from the Superintendent of Schools
volume 3 • number 3
summer 2009
FAST FACTSThe Class of 20091,346 June graduates
Graduation rate up 9%
$30,619,536 in scholarships
33 students earned international Baccalaureate Diplomas
Upcoming Events
First Day of School for StudentsTuesday, September 8
Superintendent’s Community Forums
Wednesday, September 30 Yonkers Middle High School
Thursday, October 29 Roosevelt High School
If you would like a glimpse of the future, look at our high school graduates today. Col-leges and universities certainly have, and they like what they see. So much so that they offered the gradu-
ating Class of 2009 an unprecedented $30.6 million in scholarships. These colleges are banking on Yonkers students because this city invested in them.
That investment provided our graduates with the opportunity to be welcomed as freshmen at Brown, Columbia, Cooper Union, Cornell, Harvard, Penn State, Northeastern, Rensselaer, the New York State University system, and schools all over the country that value student achievement. Many of them have already earned college credit as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scholars.
A first-rate faculty, loving families, and caring community partners all helped shape the im-pressive profile of this class. Our students took every opportunity to pay it forward by contrib-uting to the well being and future of others at school and in the community through Habitat for Humanity, food and blood drives, and volunteering at houses of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, and children centers. Among our students are national and state SkillsUSA medalists, NASA sponsored US FIRST robotics team champions, New York State Public High School Athletic Association scholar/athletes and an elite Bezos Scholar.
The members of the Class of 2009 have reached a milestone on their educational journey and
we are inspired by their success. Their younger brothers and sisters also inspire us. They are making tremendous strides in their perfor-mance in Mathematics and English Language Arts, increasing their scores during the past two years by 21.5% and 18.6% respectively. All of them are encouraged to think of them-selves as future college students and have opportunities to participate in many college awareness programs, such as College Access Centers and an Early College High School. Even our youngest prekindergarteners, the Class of 2022, were encouraged to see that “College is in My Future.” These students are as engaged as the pacesetting Class of 2009, taking full advantage of the opportu-nity to explore, create, and innovate.
As Yonkers graduates chart their course, they have the benefit of a solid education that prepared them to meet the challenges before them. They are being greeted by an imperfect and uncertain world that will challenge their resourcefulness and their resolve. May the compass we have given them always point them in the right direction.
BOARD OF EDUCATIONBernadette Dunne, PresidentMarlin K. Wiggins, Vice President
Michael E. Carey, Debra MartinezParesh Patel, Nydia D. Perez Rev. Gerald Sudick
Bernard P. PierorazioSuperintendent of Schools
one larkin center • yonkers, ny 10701
NON PROFITU.S. POSTAGE
WHITE PLAINS, NYPERMIT #7726
P A I D
Wendy R. NadelExecutive DirectorYonkers Partners in Education
86 Main Street, Suite 301Yonkers, NY 10701(914) 377-4882 - phone(914) 377-4885 - fax
www.ypie.org
Editor: Jerilynne Fierstein
Writer: Elyse David
Contributing Writer: Maura Pheney
Graphic Designer: Joseph Panella
Photography: Maurice Mercado Cory Pipcinski
WDMC-TV Cablevision Channel 75
www.yonkerspublicschools.org
Join the PTAInformational Webpage:
www.ypschools.org (go to Group pages/Parents)
Kelly Chiarella, President 914-438-8694
Fifty Outstanding Scholars Lead the Class of 2009
PAGE 2
Yonkers International Baccalaureate High SchoolJazmin Graves, Valedictorian
College: Columbia University
Major: Music and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures
Jazmin’s passion for learning and intense drive combined to propel her to the top of her class and a world of opportu-nity. Multi-talented Jazmin is a flautist, linguist, photographer,
martial artist, poet and writer. She was chosen to be a Bezos Scholar at the Aspen Institute, a prestigious gathering of 12 of the country’s top public high school juniors at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Earned accolades include Notre Dame African American Scholar, the Woman’s Hall of Fame Scholars and a National Merit Final-ist Scholarship. Constantly involved in school activities, Jazmin was captain of the Academic Bowl team, a student journalist for the popular Yonkers Student Grapevine, a member of the Human Rights Coalition and the Ideas Festi-val Committee. A tireless volunteer, Jazmin has given her time and talent to the Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, Hudson Valley Blood Services Blood Drive, and as a Children’s Aid Society martial arts instructor.
Justin Jacob, Salutatorian
College: SUNY Stony Brook
Major: Biomedical Engineering and PreMed
A close-knit family and a life-long interest in science have been the intersecting influences on Justin’s goal of becoming a medical doctor. His academic success is reflected in numer-
ous recognitions, including the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Highly involved in school activities, Justin participated in SADD, Habitat for Humanity, Key Club, and the Yonkers High School student paper. Community service is also part of his repertoire as a Sunday School leader at his church, and volunteer at An-drus Children’s Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Others in the Top 10
Sherine Kurien, CUNY Baruch College
Ashwin Koshy, Sarah Lawrence College
Jocelyn Chacko, Cornell University
Daniel Boccato, The Cooper Union
Julieta Cardenas, Brown University
Selvana Nilaj, Iona College
Alaa Yousef, New York University
Maryann William, Northeastern University
Join Our Facebook Group!Facebook.com/YonkersAlumni
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