Dear Members of the Class of 2012: The day you have all been waiting for is finally here! I know that you must have mixed feelings about leaving The New York Institute for Special Education. Some of you have been here for many years and other spent just a few years with us. During this time you have developed strong bonds of friendship. As you go on to college, a training program or work always remember how important these relationships have been. I hope you will try to stay in touch and share your new experiences and get support from your friends. Each of you has achieved so much during your years in high school. The staff is so proud of you and wants only the best for you as you graduate. Moving on brings with it some nervousness but think back to what made you successful at NYI. You worked hard, participated in extra-curricular activities and communicated well with your teachers and peers. Being open and willing to communicate will be one of the keys to your success. Share your thoughts with others and be your own advocate as you move on. You have been apart of NYI during the 180th Anniversary celebration and you are now apart of the School’s history for the future. Each of you has left your mark and we will always remember your contribution to the school. Please remember that NYI is here to support and help you. I hope you will come back often and let us know how you are doing. Congratulations and good luck always, Bernadette M. Kappen Executive Director

I write this letter to you in anticipation of your graduation with mixed emotions. While I am delighted that each of you has successfully completed your High School career, it saddens me to know that you all will be leaving. The long days and nights of hard work and sacrifice you endured these past several years have come to fruition. You have arrived at the beginning of your next journey through life. But it is one that you now control and can make as exciting and unique as you wish. The sadness is in knowing that your smiling faces, caring natures and engaging conversations will not be part of my day come July. However, knowing that you will meet your next set of challenges head on and with the same vigor you have demonstrated so far in your young lives transcends the feeling from sadness into one of pride. I am very proud of each of you for who you have become as individuals. Your efforts and contributions to the community are reflective of the caring and empathetic nature you routinely demonstrate. Indeed, you have inspired us with the belief one does not need to see to have a vision, but one needs a vision in order to succeed. I congratulate each of you and your families. Best wishes and we will speak again soon. Joe Catavero

FELIX CASTRO

You can crush my body but you can’t crush my spirit

Nickname: Chico Hobbies: Working out – Sitting on the computer for hours – Sometimes playing video games Favorites: Foods: Rice and Beans with Pork Chops

Sal Chichas Tostones

Baked Ziti Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cartoons: Sponge Bob Loonie Toons

The Jetsons The Boondocks

The Flintstones Movies: The Immortals Captain America

Monsters Inc. (I liked it as a kid) Home Alone The Haunted Mansion

Daddy Care Conin the Barbarian

300 Books: The Cedar Cove Series Goosebumps (as a kid) Eighteen Seconds Music: All Spanish Music Artists: Don Omar Tego Caldron Daddy Yankee Hector Lavo Sports: Wrestling, Goalball, Track

Teams: Rangers, Giants, Yankees, Orlando Magic Places I’d like to visit some day: Martinique because I want to learn about Black Magic

During my spare time I like to…. go to the movies, play video games, work out, watch basketball, football, and hockey Something people don’t know about me: I’m a good politician and very politically minded. In 10 years from now I see myself as a lawyer in a law firm My Pet Peeve: Places such as trains and elevators where people push and shove. That gets on my last nerves My iPod currently has: I don’t have an iPod Something EVERYONE knows about me: I’m a real sports person

ISRICK DELGADO

By three methods we may learn wisdom. FIRST by reflection, which is noblest

SECOND by imitation, which is easiest , and THIRD by experience, which is the bitterest Confucius

Nickname: Slick Hobbies: sports

working out playing games

hanging out with friends

Favorites: Food: White rice, beans and steak Dessert: Snack packs, the vanilla one Brand Names: Nike sneakers

Levi jeans Rugby and

American Eagle shirts

Cartoons: Flapjack♦Dragon Ball Z ♦Cow and Chicken’ Inuyasha♦YuYu Hakusho

Movies: I like movies that make me think

Inception; Immortals, Takers; Apocalypto; Just Go With It; It the Clown

Books: Moby Dick, Where the Red Fern Grows Music: Rap and R&B

Artists: Fabolous Trey Songz

Lloyd Banks Tyga

Sports: basketball and football Teams: Baltimore Ravens, NY Nicks, Yankees Places I’d like to visit someday:

Berlin and Argentina Something people don’t know about me: I love animals What I like to do in my spare time: workout, play sports, hangout Where I see myself in 10 years….

I don’t really know, I just take 1 step at a time

My Pet Peeve: Stink breath and garbage bags outside Something people don’t know about me:

I’m an animal lover

I have 4 cats, 2 dogs, a bird and a snake. My cats are Napoleon, the twins Nene and Coquito and Pumpkin. My dogs are Bobo and Lula. My bird is Birdie and my snake is Pablo!

CRISTHIAN DIAZ

Music in the soul Can be heard by the universe

Lao Tzu

Nicknames: Osito (little bear), Janelys calls me this Tombo Denio (Italian for drummer) Hobbies: Play video games; working out Favorites: Food: San Cocho (soup) Brand Names: NIKE – Jordans - Tapou T - Trash and Vaudiville Cartoons: Sponge Bob

Tom and Jerry used to be when I had vision but they don’t talk

Movies: Taken The Dark Night Chuckie’s Bride Child’s Play 2 American Pie Beta House

Places I’d like to visit some day: Hawaii because it’s nice and hot and Spain because of its culture

Sports: Goalball and Wrestling

Music including Songs and Artists: Jowell y Randy

Em En Em Slayer Heavy Metal

Reggaeton Tech N9ne

Rap R&B

What I like to do during my spare time: DRUM!!!!

….and play video games Something people don’t know about me:

I have really odd and bizarre interests

In 10 years from now, I see myself : as a math teacher with a band on the side My Pet Peeve: Whining irks me! My iPod currently has: I don’t have an iPod but my cell phone has

You Tube, Sound Back, Pandora, Netflix

Something EVERYONE knows about me:

I LOVE DRUMMING AND MATH

MICHAEL DINOSKI

Do What You Can With What You Have

Where You Are Teddy Roosevelt

Nickname: Mike Hobby: Music

Favorites: Foods: Steak Pizza Cheeseburgers and.... Sweets and Pastries Brand Name: Dunlop Cartoons: Ren and Stimpy and Invader Zim Movies: Star Wars The Shining A Clockwork Orange Books: The Mist and The Shining Music: All Genres Songs: I’d be here all day if I had to name them all Artist: Korn Sports: Football Team: NY Jets

Place I’d like to visit some day: Alaska

During my spare time I like…….. Music Computers Video Games Something people don’t know about me:

I don’t dress the way I do for other people

In 10 years from now, I see myself…………. as a part of a successful record label or working in a recording studio My Pet Peeve:

People that wine and don’t do anything to change their situation

My iPod currently has……….. Riders on the Storm by The Doors Something EVERYONE knows about me….I love my country

JOHN DIODATO

Memory is a way of holding on to things you love, The things you are, the things you never want to lose

Nickname: Johnny D. Hobby: DJ

Favorites: Foods: Veal Parmigiana and Cannoli Cartoons: Ecko and Sponge Bob

Movies: Fast and Furious Hangover Friends with Benefits Book: 1984 Music: Hip – Hop and Rap songs Songs: I Feel Free Dance Good Good Night Music Artists: Zac Brown Bang LMFAO Lil Wayne Drake Pit Bull Chris Brown Sports: Baseball, Bowling, Football

What I like to do in my free time : Listen to the radio Ride my BMX or mountain bike at the skate park or work out

Places I’d like to visit some day: Italy Germany and California Something people don’t know about me: There’s not much people don’t know about me. I have nothing to hide In 10 years from now I see myself….. Working as a civil engineer project manager My Pet Peeve: When people doubt me

KATHRYN GUZMAN

My Way Or The Highway

Nicknames: Sky Kathy Katy Hobbies: Listening to music

Using the computer Being outdoors

Watching TV Shopping

Favorites: Foods: Spanish Food

Pizza

Dessert: most things chocolate and cheesecake Brand Name: Anything that’s good quality Cartoons: Courage the Cowardly Dog

Sponge Bob Scooby Doo

Powderpuff Girls

Movies: Avatar Freaky Friday Cat in the Hat Monsters Inc. Journey to the Center of the Earth

Music: Pop, Instrumental, New Age, Ambient and Soft Rock Songs: Take Care by Drake and Rhianna ♦It That’s What it Takes by Celine Dion ♦That’s the Way It Is by Celine Dion ♦In Some Small Way by Celine Dion♦5 O’clock by T-Pain and Lily Allen♦ Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis ♦Better In Time by Leona Lewis♦ The Best You Never Had by Leona Lewis♦ Coloring Silence by Ryan Farish ♦ Friday Morning by Michael Shaw

Artists: Ryan Farish ♦2002♦ Leona Lewis♦ Beyonce♦ Kevin Kern ♦Brian Crain♦ Celine Dion♦ David and Diane Arkenstone ♦ Mariah Carey Sports: Swimming, Bowling, and Association Football (Soccer) Places I’d like to visit some day: London, Singapore, Greece, Paris, Prague – basically all of Europe

During my spare time I like listening to music

In 10 years, I see myself as a Meteorologist and as a swimmer for

leisure

My Pet Peeve: People bossing me around when I already know what to do AND when people misspell my name My iPod currently has… 2002

Ryan Farish Celine Dion

Owl City Something EVERYONE knows about me: I like highways

JANELYS HERNANDEZ

You only have one chance to make a first impression

♦♦♦♦

There’s always 3 sides to a story

There’s one side, there’s the other, and then there’s the truth Nicknames: Nellie—Jelly – Nelly Belly—Janiyah – Jelly Belly Hobbies: To Dance To Travel To Be Outdoors To Hang Out With My Friends

Favorites: Food: My rice, beans, and chicken Dessert: Brownies Brand Name: Aeropostale

Cartoons: Too Many! Clifford ♦ Dragon Tales ♦ Barney ♦Arthur ♦Hey Arnold ♦Little Bill

Movie: Daddy’s Little Girl Book: The Kite Runner

Music: R & B Artists: Chris Brown Alicia Keys Mariah Carey Drake Sport s: Soccer

Baseball Basketball

Track

Places I’d like to visit some day: Paris because I like how glamorous it seems and I want to go to Puerto Rico too

Something people don’t know about me: I sleep talk Something EVERYONE knows about me: I’m giggly! In 10 years, I see myself; working as a therapist helping kids

or the elderly in my own office.

My Pet Peeve: When my brother walks in on me without knocking

CHRISTOPHER NOLBERTO

Try your best to succeed in this topsy turvy world

Favorites: Food: Fried Chicken Cartoons: Rocko’s Modern Life Dragon Ball Z The Original Looney Tunes

Music: I like a lot of types of music.

I don’t have a favorite artist. Songs: My best type of music is dance music. Sports: I’m not really a sports kind of person.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t like sports. It’s just hard to name my favorite sport or

sports. Places I’d like to visit some day: FLORIDA What I like to do during my spare time: Play video games

Something people don’t know about me: When I’m at home I’m really not so quiet. Where I see myself in 10 years: Living on my own My Pet Peeve: People who think negative all the time My iPod currently has: A variety of music Something EVERYONE knows about me: I am very tall

MONIQUE REID

Jealousy is love and hate at the same time

Nickname: Neeky Hobbies: Shopping and Hanging Out with Friends Favorites: Food: fried chicken and baked mac & cheese Cartoon: Hello Kitty

Music: R&B ♦ Pop ♦ Hip Hop Song: We Are Who We Are Artists: Kesha ♦ Drake In my spare time I like to: listen to music

My iPod currently has: Beyoncé, Brittany, Kesha Places I’d like to visit someday: France and Italy

Something people don’t know about me: I’m picky

Where I see myself in 10 years: working as a counselor My Pet Peeve: Loud Chewing Something EVERYONE knows about me: I LOVE MIRRORS!!!

JASMIN ROBERTSON

A coward dies a thousand deaths A soldier dies but one

Nickname: Jazzicles Hobbies: singing and writing Favorites: Food: Chicken Alfredo Dessert: Anything Chocolate!

Cartoons: Sponge Bob Scooby Doo Rugrats Baby Looney Tunes Movie: Mean Girls Books: Books by Nora Roberts Music: R&B ♦ Hip Hop ♦ Punk Rock Artists: Mirah Carey and Tynisha Keli Sports: Swimming and Goalball

Places you’d like to visit some day Bahamas, Aruba and Puerto Rico and NOT PARIS!!! They have tiny showers and they eat snails!

Something people don’t know about me: I like to horseback ride and go fishing. What I like to do during my spare time: sing and listen to music

Where I see myself in 10 years: selling albums, my albums My Pet Peeve: When my brother leaves the toilet seat up!

My iPod has: a big crack! Something EVERYONE knows about me: I sing and I love animals!

THE BEST OF THE REST

Best SINGER JASMIN

Most FLEXIBLE JOHN

Best SMILE MONIQUE

ENTREPRENEUR

DEVIN

Most SERIOUS FELIX Best DRUMMER!!!!!!

CRISTHIAN

BIG SISTER TO ALL

JANELYS

Job COACH

CHRIS

Most COMPETATIVE ISRICK

Class TECKIE MICHAEL

Most WORLDLY KATHERINE

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED

THE CLASS OF 2012

YOU CAN’T OUT-DO THE CLASS OF ONE-TWO

Proudest Moments

John When I won first place in a kayak and boat race Janelys When I had a

surprise sweet sixteen birthday party Felix When I was switched from Lavelle to NYI. I knew I was now going to get a high school diploma Michael My first successful musical performance Isrick Playing for the USA Youth Goalball Team in Colorado Devin When I won the wrestling title in my weight class in 2011 Chris Nolberto When I passed my math RCT Jasmin Singing in front of 600 people at the church and NOT running away from the microphone. Monique When I heard that I got into college!

Cristhian Being able to play the drums at Open House for a lot of people Kathryn My team getting first place in the swimming tournament

If I had 3 wishes I’d wish for John

1. I’d wish for the technology that would

let me drive 2. To keep my family and friends safe 3. For a successful college experience

Isrick

1. To have a lot of money

2. To make sure all my friends and family are all happy

3. I’d wish for 3 more wishes Michael

1. Endless Wealth 2. Perfect Diplomatic Skills 3. An infinite amount of wishes

Felix I want to take a trip to Martinique. I LOVE their Culture, Black Magic, and Beautiful Women. That’s my one and only wish

Devin

1. Money 2. Love 3. My own auto mechanic shop

Cris

1. I wish I had $200,000 2. I wish I had big muscles 3. I’d wish to get 3 more wishes

Kathryn

1. To grow wings and fly 2. I wish to have a British accent 3. I wish the world would be a better

place

Monique

1. To be successful 2. To be happy in life 3. To win the lottery!

Chris Nolberto

1. To be rich 2. I wish I was good at drawing 3. To drive a motorcycle

Jasmin Robertson

1. To be a famous singer

2. I want to record a song with Lloyd 3. I want a big huge house with a

Jacuzzi with water jets and a swimming pool

Janelys

1. To be successful as a social worker

2. I wish for happiness for friends and family and to always have them around.

3. To be happily married

Where we see each other in 10 years

Felix – As one of the big important people in charge of the Dell Corporation; a good leader somewhere; a

technician who works with computers; a lawyer and a professional wrestler Cristhian – As a famous drummer playing for a band; wrestling somewhere; a great math teacher and a mathematician Michael – as a scientist; working in the computer science field or technology Kathryn – doing clerical work; a meteorologist Jasmin – performing; a writer who gets her work published frequently Isrick – working on a boat, an argumentative lawyer who is a great quality for a good fight John-working within the advanced mathematics field; a DJ Janelys – fashion designer; working with children; enjoying life and happy Devin- working at a BEP stand; a wrestler Chris Nolberto – a teacher; a peace keeper of some kind; working in an office Monique – a lawyer; a fashion designer

2022

ONE WORD That Describes ME

Michael John Felix Isrick

Janelys

RAMPANT

PATRIOT

DETERMINED

OUTGOING

BUBBLY

Cris Katherine Devin Chris Nolberto Monique Jasmin

Kind

MAZE

CARING

COOL

AWESOME

RANDOM

Annoying Text Etiquette

KK is annoying when you’re expecting a better long response and

only get “kk”

When people say LOL for something that’s not LOL at all

When you send a long message and the reply is only OK

When people say LOL for everything

I hate long responses

If you say so

If I just don’t respond and the person keeps texting 3 more times. They don’t realize that you just don’t want to talk anymore!

If you say something and someone says OK you think they’re done texting and what else can you say to OK?

When you call someone and they text back

I don’t like long texting conversations. If you’re going to have a

long conversation with someone, you may as well call them.

I hate when people abbreviate words in texts.

When I text you I Love You, DON’T return my message with ILY!

The Institute has given me Independence, confidence and a sense of accomplishment. It prepared me for future challenges and a wide range of opportunities ∞ John It has gotten me ready for what I need to face the sighted world. I’ve been here for 12 years. ∞ Felix An education, friends, responsibility ∞ Isrick

A place of comfort, good friends, confidence ∞ Janelys The opportunity to participate in many sports and the opportunity to use a drum set ∞ Cris The opportunity to learn so many things I wouldn’t have learned in public school and the opportunity to participate in swimming, bowling, and track ∞ Kathryn The opportunity to be in wrestling ∞ Devin Mobility which I am really good at ∞ Chris Nolberto It gave me the strength of not letting my disability stop me from doing what I want ∞ Jasmin The opportunity to work to the best of my ability and to achieve my goals ∞ Monique People who care about me ∞ Michael

We applaud Ms. Nina Rodriguez

and Mr. John Hernandez

for coming through as you always do in helping with our yearbook

AUTOGRAPHS