GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
On The LineOn The LineGRADUATION 2015 www.gardencity.k12.ny.us Vol. 16 • No. 3
Congratulations to the Class of 2015!As if by the sheer will of hundreds of graduates and thousands of guests, the weather for Garden City High School’s 81st Annual Commencement held to a perfect breezy overcast for the Saturday, June 27th ceremony. Applause and cheers echoed across Warren King Field as each speaker, in turn, shared reflections and words of wisdom for the 307 members of the Class of 2015. From start to finish, the commencement was as elegant and stately as befitting the high school’s ranking by U.S. News and World Report as the top public high school on Long Island. Congratulations to the Class of 2015, their parents, teachers, district and high school administration, and the dozens of behind-the-
scenes staff who made this year’s ceremony so successful!
Valedictorian Michael Crapotta & Salutatorian Kerri HeuserThe Class of 2015 Processional 2014-2015 Board of Education
Class Co-Presidents William Trimmer & Alexis Gogh lead the Pledge of Allegiance
High School Principal Nanine McLaughlin with Salutatorian Kerri HeuserThe Senior Chorale
Julia Maloney Scholarship Winner Elizabeth Butler
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert FeirsenValedictorian Michael Crapotta
Keynote Speaker Ms. Marie NuzziClass President Robert Menges received his
diploma from Vice President Angela HeinemanFormer Board Trustee Laura Brown
presented a diploma to her son ConnorTo view more images from Commencement 2015, click on the Photo Gallery tab on the high school’s home web page.
www.gardencity.k12.ny.us
Michael CrapottaValedictorian
Thank you and good morning - Dr. Feirsen and Central Administration, members of the Board of Education, Mrs. McLaughlin and high school administration, faculty and staff, this Class of 2015, our parents, relatives and friends. I feel truly blessed to address you on such an occasion. It is an honor to represent this incredible Class of 2015. As you may have heard, this is the first graduating class at Garden City High School in which everyone can claim to be number one. If this is news to you, I suggest you Google U.S. News to see that Garden City High School has been named the top school on Long Island. So, to all my classmates, let’s put our hands together – we are all number one!When I ponder the hard work it took to get to this point, I am reminded of a story I once heard. An ambitious young person approached his mentor, a master in every sense of the word, and asked, “If I work incredibly hard and stay focused, how long will it take me to fulfill
my dreams of success?” The mentor thought about the question and responded, “Perhaps ten years.” The student then asked, “But what if I really, really apply myself? How long, then?” The mentor replied, “Well, twenty years in that case.” The student exclaimed, “I don’t understand! I say I will work harder and you say that it will take me longer. How can that be?” And the mentor said, “When you keep one eye on the goal, you only keep one eye on the path.” In our world of increasing technology, we often miss out on valuable face-to-face interaction. We are lucky to have had teachers who are willing to take the time to digress and lead us on the path to becoming responsible and compassionate citizens. Our teachers’ personal stories about their upbringings, their careers, and their family lives are invaluable. I hope that future graduates of this district are able to foster such friendships with their teachers, as these are the most meaningful moments of our education.Each of our high school memories revolves around interactions either with teachers or with each other. It’s safe to say that we will not look back and remember tests or essays. However, we will remember the personal moments and the lighthearted advice – the experiences along our path will always supersede any success we have.I know, at eighteen years old, I am in no position to offer advice. But, I will anyway. I stand here today because of the unending love and support of my grandparents, parents, brother, and all of my family. We must all realize that our path to success is a direct result of everyone in our lives. Kenny Chesney sings, “[We] didn’t get here alone, That road’s just too rough and long, [We] might be the ones the spotlight’s on, But [we] didn’t get here alone.” We have made it this far because of all those we have encountered on our journey. And so, I leave you with one last quote. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” From my path, I have learned that our best resources lie within ourselves. We have the power to affect the outcome of our lives, to forge our path the way we want. Today, we look forward to what lies ahead once this summer turns to fall. As we take this world by storm, let us be mindful of each step on our path. The trail will always lead home to Garden City – to the family we have here. But now, it is our time to get out there and make our mark on this crazy world! Congratulations to the Class of 2015! Thank you all and God Bless.
ABRUZZO, JESSICA Adelphi UniversityADAMS, CARA SUNY GeneseoADAMS, KRISTEN University of PennsylvaniaALFAYA, NICHOLAS Villanova UniversityALTABEF, JAKE Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteALVAREZ, BRETT University of ConnecticutANATRA, ANTHONY SUNY MaritimeANDRON, ANDREW New York UniversityAPRIGLIANO, DANA Hofstra UniversityAQUINO, TREVOR Nassau Community CollegeARCIA, JULIA Loyola University-New OrleansARDITA, JOSEPH Nassau Community CollegeARIANAS, MICHAEL University of St. Andrews-ScotlandARMSTRONG, LUKE University of Alabama-TuscaloosaARNIDIS , SPIRO Adelphi UniversityAURICCHIO, SAMANTHA Cornell UniversityAVERSANO, RYAN James Madison UniversityBACIGALUPO, LAURA Pace University-Westchester BANGALORE, NINA Hofstra UniversityBARTON, GREGORY Binghamton UniversityBASEL, EMMA University of DelawareBASEL, PATRICK UndecidedBASILEO, LOUIS Quinnipiac University
BAUER, HANNAH College of the Holy CrossBECKMANN, KYLE Emory UniversityBENNETT, JOHN Nassau Community CollegeBIANCHI, CAROLINE Catholic University of AmericaBINGHAM, BRIDGET Georgetown UniversityBLAIR, ELAINA Pennsylvania State UniversityBLUMIN, DAPHNE University of MichiganBORGES, MATTHEW Ohio State UniversityBOSTROM, MACKENZIE SUNY GeneseoBOUDREAU, RICHARD Hofstra UniversityBOYLE, MELANIE James Madison UniversityBRATTAN, KYLE U.S. Military Academy Prep BRENNAN, JACK University at AlbanyBRENNAN, MICHAEL Nassau Community CollegeBROWN, CONNOR University of Notre DameBRUGNONE, THOMAS University of HartfordBURKE, KATHLEEN Loyola University-MarylandBUTLER, ELIZABETH Adelphi UniversityBUTLER, TIMOTHY Fordham UniversityBYRNES, LIAM Gettysburg CollegeCARA, RACHEL Hunter CollegeCARACCIOLO, CLAUDIA LIM CollegeCAREY, BENNETT University of Delaware
Where They Will Be Attending
www.gardencity.k12.ny.us
CARPENTER, PATRICK SUNY New PaltzCASTELLANO, KEVIN SUNY CobleskillCASTRO, COLIN Nassau Community CollegeCERISE, JAMES EmploymentCHESTER, ELIZABETH Boston CollegeCHOI, BRANDON Columbia UniversityCHOI, KENNETH Rutgers University-New BrunswickCLARKE, ROBERT Boston CollegeCLARKSON , GABRIELLE Loyola University MarylandCODIGNOTTO, JENNA Bucknell UniversityCOEN, ANGELA University of ScrantonCOLAMUSSI, BRIAN St. Joseph’s UniversityCOLLINS, TIMOTHY Iona CollegeCONDULIS, MADELINE Lehigh UniversityCONNELLY, JAMES UndecidedCONNELLY, RYAN UndecidedCONWAY, MICHAELA Molloy CollegeCOSTIGAN, CHRISTOPHER SUNY GeneseoCOX, RANDOLPH Binghamton UniversityCRAPOTTA , MICHAEL Cornell UniversityCRAWFORD, ASHLEY Marist CollegeCRILLY, NICOLE Georgetown UniversityCULLEN, CHRISTIAN Nassau Community CollegeCUNNINGHAM, CHARLES University of ScrantonCURIA, MITCHELL SUNY Environmental Science & ForestryCURRAN, SEAN SUNY OneontaCURTIN, JILLIAN University of DelawareD’ANGELO, MICHELLE Fairfield UniversityD’ANTONE, AMANDA Fordham UniversityD’ANTONIO, STEPHEN Fordham UniversityDANZA, VICTOR University of MaineDEANGELO, COLIN University of DelawareDECRESCENZO, GAETANO University of AlbanyDEGEARO, KAITLYN Adelphi UniversityDEMARCO, LAUREN Sacred Heart UniversityDEMARS, LINDSEY Rhode Island School of DesignDEMOURA , NICHOLAS Cheshire Academy-Prep SchoolDEMPSEY, DANIEL Iona CollegeDEMPSEY, MICHAEL Marist CollegeDIBERARDINO, CLAUDIA Baruch CollegeDIBONA, REBECCA University of DelawareDIGAN, BRENDAN University of Southern CaliforniaDILEMME, JODI Providence CollegeDIPIERRO, DEANNA Boston CollegeDOLAN, TIMOTHY University of ScrantonDONNER, NICHOLAS Boston UniversityDONOHUE, ANNEMARIE University of South CarolinaDONOVAN, KATHERINE University of ConnecticutEIGL, KATHERINE Adelphi UniversityEMMERT, MICHAEL George Washington UniversityESCHMANN, RYAN Loyola University MarylandESPOSITO, GIANNA Pennsylvania State UniversityEVANGELISTA, JOHN Adelphi UniversityFABUS, AMANDA Gettysburg CollegeFALLON, EMILY Quinnipiac UniversityFAULISI, MICHAEL Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteFERRI, CAROLINE Manhattan CollegeFERZOLA, ALEXANDER Johns Hopkins UniversityFISHER, LAUREL Fordham UniversityFISHER, OWEN Fairfield UniversityFLANAGAN, EMILY Elon UniversityFODERA, DEANNA Sacred Heart UniversityFRANCO, ALEXANDER University of DelawareFUREY, HARRISON University of MichiganFUSCHILLO , JENNA Marist CollegeGAINE, LISA Gettysburg CollegeGARCIA, CHRISTIAN EmploymentGARDNER, GREGORY Quinnipiac UniversityGAVIGAN, ROBERT SUNY GeneseoGEMMITI, ALEXANDRA Montserrat College of ArtGEMMITI, NICOLE Berklee College of MusicGENADRY, LISA Catholic University of AmericaGEORGE, TAYLOR Fairfield UniversityGEREK, STEFAN UndecidedGERLAND, JENNIFER Duquesne UniversityGERMANO, CAROLINE University of Notre DameGIAMMONA, NICOLETTE Syracuse UniversityGIBBONS, PATRICK Vassar CollegeGILBERT, SAMANTHA SUNY CortlandGIRALDO, ALLISON Lehigh UniversityGLENN, WILLIAM Catholic University of AmericaGOEPFERT, BRIAN Gettysburg CollegeGOGH, ALEXIS New York UniversityGONG, EMMA Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyGORMLEY, CHRISTOPHER Loyola University MarylandGRANVILLE, JONATHAN Franklin and Marshall CollegeGREENE, SARAH Fairfield University
GREGORY, JILLIAN University of DelawareGREINER, MATTHEW SUNY GeneseoGRIBBIN, LIAM The Citadel, Military College of South CarolinaGRIFFIN, SARAH Univ. Calif. Santa BarbaraGROCKI, JENNIFER New York UniversityHALL, DELANEY Dartmouth CollegeHALL, JULIA Lafayette CollegeHANNA, ANDREW Rutgers University New BrunswickHATCHER, CARL Nassau Community CollegeHEAVEY, DANIELLE Boston CollegeHEUSER, KERRI University of PennsylvaniaHILDRETH, LUCAS College of the Holy CrossHOGE, ALISON SUNY GeneseoHOLLOWAY, JUSTIN Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteHORN, NICOLE SUNY GeneseoHU, WENTAO University of ConnecticutINGEGNO, MATTHEW Marist CollegeIVASYUK, VITALIY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeJAEGER, SAMANTHA Siena CollegeJONES, MATTHEW Binghamton UniversityJOSEPHS, TIMOTHY University at BuffaloKACZYNSKI, CAITLIN Villanova UniversityKANE, ANNEMARIE Boston CollegeKANE, PATRICK SUNY OswegoKEAGUE, MICHAELA Nassau Community CollegeKEENAN, KRISTINA St. Mary’s CollegeKERANTZAS, ARIANA Quinnipiac UniversityKIM, SOKHYUN (PAUL) Boston UniversityKING, EMILY Villanova UniversityKOESTER, CHRISTOPHER Vassar CollegeKOPKE, ZACHARY LIU PostLANE, THOMAS Calif. Polytech.State-San Luis ObispoLARKIN, CHRISTOPHER University of ScrantonLAROSE, SAMANTHA Georgia Institute of TechnologyLEIGHTON, ALEXIS College of the Holy CrossLEOPIZZI, ALYSSA SUNY GeneseoLETO, JOSEPH Loyola University-MaryandLETO, RAYMOND University Massachusetts-AmherstLIBERTI, ANTHONY Marist CollegeLOBASSO, MATTHEW Molloy CollegeLOCOPO, CHRISTINA Pratt InstituteLOHRER, MICHAEL UndecidedLUDWICZAK, RACHEL Nassau Community CollegeLUTFY, JENNA University of MichiganMACLEOD, FIONA Vassar CollegeMAGE, MATTHEW Northeastern UniversityMANCUSI, DREW University of ScrantonMARCHHART, STEFAN Rochester Institute of TechnologyMARTIN, JOSEPH Lynn UniversityMASCOLA, THOMAS University at AlbanyMATINA, JOSEPH Nassau Community CollegeMATTONE, RICHARD University of South CarolinaMCCANN, ANDREW Northeastern UniversityMCCARTHY, CAILEE University of MarylandMCCARTNEY, RYAN High Point UniversityMCCONNELL, DANIEL Quinnipiac UniversityMCCOYD, TIMOTHY Pace University-NYC MCCRANN, LIAM Catholic University of AmericaMCDONAGH,QUINN SUNY GeneseoMCDONNELL, KELLY Pennsylvania State UniversityMCGARRY, CONNOR Roger Williams UniversityMCGUINNESS, DEVON University of ScrantonMCKEOWN, ISABEL Lehigh UniversityMCLAUGHLIN, THOMAS Vocational trainingMCLEOD, CASEY Fordham UniversityMCMANUS, MEGAN Nassau Community CollegeMCNALLY, JOHN St. John’s UniversityMCQUILLING, CARSON UndecidedMCTIERNAN, MARGOT University of RichmondMELE, MARANDA Pace University-Westchester MENGES, ROBERT Duke UniversityMERRITTS, ALESSIA Adelphi UniversityMICHIELINI, JAMES Tufts UniversityMIESEMER, LAUREN Gettysburg CollegeMIESEMER, SAMANTHA Connecticut CollegeMINAMIYA, SOICHI UndecidedMONROE, JOSEPH Nassau Community CollegeMOONAN, ANDREW Mount St. Mary CollegeMORAN, JILLIAN Fairfield UniversityMORREALE, JOSEPH SUNY GeneseoMORRIS, JONATHAN Roger Williams UniversityMORTENSEN, MICHAEL UndecidedMOSCATIELLO, CHRISTOPHER Marist CollegeMOTTO, DANIELLE Siena CollegeMOURIKIS, NICHOLAS St. John’s UniversityMUELLER, ALICIA High Point UniversityMULDOON, CONOR Westminster School
Angela HeinemanBoard of Education President
Tom PinouVice President
Robert MartinTrustee
Laura HastingsTrustee
Robert Feirsen, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools
Catherine Knight, Ed.D.Coordinator of Public Information
Garden City Public Schools56 Cathedral Avenue Garden City, New York 11530www.gardencity.k12.ny.us
Non-Profit OrganizationU. S. Postage
PAIDGarden City, NY 11530
Permit No. 22
ResidentGarden City, NY 11530
Inspiring MindsEmpowering AchievementBuilding Community
SANTUCCI, HEATHER New York UniversitySARFIN, BRENDAN Nassau Community CollegeSAUCHELLI, EMILY Hofstra UniversitySCOTT, IAN Hobart and William Smith CollegesSEEL, COLETTE Fairfield UniversitySHANE, ANNA Nassau Community CollegeSHERIDAN, HALEY University of South CarolinaSILK, JAMIE Villanova UniversitySINGH, CHRISTINA Hofstra UniversitySLOVENSKY, LAUREN Catholic University of AmericaSLOVENSKY, PATRICK University of TampaSMITH, GERARD Villanova UniversitySMITH, RYAN Princeton UniversitySOKOLOVIC, JOANNA Fairfield UniversitySORENSEN, TROY SUNY PurchaseSPROAT, CONOR University of DelawareSTEINER, CHRISTOPHER Curry CollegeSTEINER, PAUL St. John’s UniversitySTONE, MADELEINE University of RichmondSULLIVAN, JAMES Harvard CollegeSWARTZ, ANDREW Nassau Community CollegeSWARTZ, CAROLINE Nassau Community CollegeTERI, ALEXANDRA Providence CollegeTIERNEY, SHANNON Amherst CollegeTOBIAS, DYLAN Nassau Community CollegeTOMASI, KATHRYN Bucknell UniversityTRABOLD, THOMAS SUNY GeneseoTRIECE, ELIZABETH Stetson UniversityTRIMBOLI, JULIA Salisbury UniversityTRIMMER, WILLIAM Marist CollegeTRZECIAK, VERONICA University at BuffaloVANWALLENDAEL, THOMAS Loyola University MarylandVENTRE, DANIELLE Quinnipiac UniversityVORKAS, ANDREW Queens CollegeWALSH, BENJAMIN SUNY GeneseoWANN, LESLIE University of PennsylvaniaWARD, SEAN Sacred Heart UniversityWEISBURG, LAUREN Stony Brook UniversityWHITNEY, KELSEY James Madison UniversityWILSON, JENNA Sacred Heart UniversityWISE, MICHELE University of Rhode IslandWORSTELL, KATHERINE Sacred Heart UniversityWORTMANN, EMILY Colgate UniversityWRIGHT, THOMAS Pennsylvania State UniversityZAFERIOU STEPHANIE Hofstra University
MULLINS, ALYSSA Loyola University-MarylandMURPHY, AIDAN University of DaytonMURTAGH, JOHN University of VermontNGUYEN, CHARLES St. John’s UniversityNOTHEL, LAUREL Fairfield UniversityNYGAARD, KENNETH Marist CollegeO’BRIEN, MAGGIE Hobart & Williams Smith CollegeO’CONNOR, JAMES Worcester Polytechnic InstituteO’SULLIVAN, KATHLEEN Ithaca CollegeOELLRICH, JEANETTE Quinnipiac UniversityOELLRICH, MARC Pennsylvania College of TechnologyOSTROWSKI, ANNE Bucknell UniversityOVEREND, NATHAN University of MichiganPADALA, LAUREN Tulane UniversityPAGONIS, ANAGIOTIS EmploymentPAHLAVI, GREGORY University of DelawarePAISLEY, TIMOTHY High Point UniversityPALMERI, ANTONIA Villanova UniversityPALUMBO, AJA SUNY New PaltzPETROPOULOS, GEORGE Tulane UniversityPFLUME, CHRISTIE Nova Southeastern UniversityPHILIPPAS, ALEXANDRA Adelphi UniversityPIETROMONACO, DANIEL Binghamton UniversityPITITTO, EMILY Clemson UniversityPITTELLA, ELISA Ohio State UniversityPIZZICHILLO, NICHOLAS Fairfield UniversityPIZZICHILLO, SAMANTHA Fairfield UniversityPOLINSKY, DANIEL University of DelawarePOOLE, DALE Fairfield UniversityPUNTURO, BRANDON University of MichiganQUATTLANDER, JAKE Providence CollegeQUINN, AUSTIN Nassau Community CollegeREIFLER, REBECCA Trinity CollegeREPETTI, CHRISTOPHER College of CharlestonRICCI, TAYLOR University of DelawareRIX, MORGAYNE Johns Hopkins UniversityRODE, ERIN Bryant UniversityROSADO, SOPHIA SUNY OneontaROSALES-DURAN, LAURA Nassau Community CollegeROSCOE, KATIE Cornell UniversitySAENZ, HENRY Nassau Community CollegeSAMARDICH, JUSTIN University of Rhode IslandSANOSSIAN, GREGORY Manhattan CollegeSANTEL, ALEXANDRIA Marist College
