GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On The LineOn The LineGRADUATION 2011 www.gardencity.k12.ny.us Vol. 13 • No. 2

Congratulations Class of 2011 - Our Future Leaders

To view Com-mencement photos, use your smartphone’s QR code reader on the symbol at left or visit: www.gardencity.k12.ny.us

In an elegant ceremony as stately and beautiful as the early sum-

mer day on which it took place, 271 Garden City High School seniors were awarded diplomas by members of the Board of Education. After inspiring words from Superinten-dent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen, Principal Nanine Cuttitta, Vale-dictorian Jan Gong, Salutatorian Michael Mongelli, Class President Jake Galasso, Julia Maloney Schol-arship winner Timothy Dooley, and keynote speaker Carlo Rebolini, the Class of 2011 took their final steps on Warren King Field as high school students. The newly-graduated now move on to higher education with the District’s congratulations on a job well done and best wishes for a suc-cessful future.

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Jan Gong Valedictorian

Mrs. Foley and members of the Board of Education, Dr. Feirsen and Central Adminis-tration, Ms. Cuttitta and the High School Administration, the High School Faculty and Staff, the Class of 2011, and our family and friends: I am honored to have the privilege to stand here today and represent the amazing Class of 2011.

The past four years have been a wondrous odyssey, a collaborative learning experience, and a great academic adventure with many challenges along the way. Now, we have finally arrived at the end of this journey. We are here today to celebrate the accomplish-ments of the Class of 2011, a class unparalleled in its combined achievements in sports, the arts, academics, and research. In addition, we have made meaningful contributions to our community; the Tri-M Benefit Concert for victims of the recent earthquake in Japan, Key Club Benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Miracle Club Walk are just a few examples of our effort to give back. While we have experienced high school together and have much to be proud of, from here on we will go our separate paths.

Thus, this event not only marks the passing from one stage in our lives to the next, but also the first of many sig-nificant challenges to come.

The world outside of Garden City High School needs us. Currently, lack of affordable health care, unemployment, the disparities in education, and the ongoing costs of national defense—both in terms of money and in lives—are just some of the obstacles that we, as a nation, will need to address. Stopping global warming, finding new alterna-tive energy sources, ending world hunger, and establishing worldwide peace are major global tasks that we will continue to pursue in the future. So many challenges await.

In high school, we have grown from both successes and failures in academics, extracurricular activities, and rela-tionships. Perhaps one of the most significant things we can take with us from the past four years is the potential to fix the problems that our nation and the world face. We have developed the skills to learn more, the aptitude to suc-ceed, and the abilities to make a difference. We must now harness this potential and strive to make the world a bet-ter place. J.K. Rowling, in her 2008 Harvard Commencement Address, said, “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” I am confi-dent that we now possess the tools necessary to become the policy makers, doctors, lawyers, researchers, inventors, artists, teachers, and entrepreneurs that the world needs. As I look at our talented Class of 2011, I am filled with the hope and the belief that our future is in good hands.

While we have come so far and accomplished so much, we especially want to thank the people whose support throughout the past years has been essential to our success and graduation today. On behalf of the Class of 2011, I would like to thank our parents, family members, teachers, counselors, and administrators for encouraging us, guiding us, and believing in us.

Finally, I’d like to leave my fellow classmates with a few words from the President of the United States, Barack Obama. He has said, “Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing – absolutely nothing – is beyond your reach, so long as you’re willing to dream big, so long as you’re willing to work hard.”

Let’s embrace that challenge! Thank you, and Congratulations to the Class of 2011!

Where They Are AttendingAbballe, Andrew School of Visual ArtsAbruzzo, Marc College of the Holy CrossAdams, Thomas Miami University, OxfordAldrich, Victoria University of DelawareAllen, William West Point AcademyAttardi, Delsey Nassau Community CollegeBacigalupo, Angela Shippensburg University of Pa.Badgett, Brandon SUNY AlbanyBaney, Kristen St. John’s UniversityBarden, Michael Sacred Heart UniversityBartels, Samuel Nassau Community CollegeBecker, Logan SUNY Maritime CollegeBeecher, Daniel Fordham UniversityBeh, Paisley Pennsylvania State UniversityBeisner, Lauren Pennsylvania State UniversityBello, Francis University of Maryland-College ParkBennett, Nicholas Nassau Community CollegeBingold, Jaclyn Syracuse UniversityBishop, Brenden Marist CollegeBlatz, Jessica Adelphi University

Boccia, Joseph University of HartfordBock, John Dickinson CollegeBorges, Michael Pennsylvania State UniversityBoruch, Elizabeth Marist CollegeBoudreau, Kenny SUNY AlbanyBurdi, Marissa Loyola University New OrleansBurnside, James Pennsylvania State UniversityButcher, Kathryn Middlebury CollegeCauchi, James Fordham UniversityCento, Carly Bucknell UniversityCento, Krysta Drew UniversityCesarini, Christina Quinnipiac UniversityChang, Joyce New York UniversityChin, Evan SUNY AlbanyChow, William San Diego State UniversityChristiansen, Kallan University of Puget SoundCinelli, Joseph Nassau Community CollegeCodignotto, Christine Cornell UniversityCohen, Michael Nassau Community CollegeColameo, Dana Salve Regina University

Colamussi, Daniel Nassau Community CollegeColamussi, Matthew SUNY AlbanyColeman, Brian University of PennsylvaniaColucci, Robert Sacred Heart UniversityConers, Eric Gordon CollegeConetta, Scott Western Connecticut State UniversityConfort, Matthew Lafayette CollegeConnors, Andrew SUNY AlbanyCordio, Frank Boston CollegeCovell, Julia UndecidedCrilly, Dennis Georgetown UniversityCullen, Haley SUNY DelhiCuria, Cherilyn SUNY ESFCusumano, Jenna Lehigh UniversityD’Antonio, Michael University of PennsylvaniaDanza, Maria Molloy CollegeDe Crescenzo, Monique Towson UniversityDelgado, Gabriella Loyola University MarylandDemiris, Eleni Stony Brook UniversityDemoura, Isabella Long Island University-C.W. PostDerdak, Jessica Fairfield UniversityDerose, Nicole University of DelawareDigan, Terence University of Southern CaliforniaDiller, Lauren University of ConnecticutDimino, Gloria Columbia UniversityDincesen, Julie Nassau Community CollegeDooley, Timothy Georgetown UniversityDorn, Catherine College of Mount St. VincentDougherty, Michaela SUNY GeneseoDrum, Nicole Nassau Community CollegeDuff, James Stonehill CollegeDurand, Samantha High Point UniversityEigl, Amanda SUNY Old WestburyEilbeck, Griffin Wake Forest UniversityEmmert, Brian Villanova UniversityEmmert, Mallory Elon UniversityEngelke, Lauren Fairfield UniversityFamiglietti, Dana Rhode Island School of DesignFehmel, Jeffrey University of VirginiaFerro, Thomas Villanova UniversityFex, Thomas University of Connecticut-StorrsFiorenti, Liliana Duke UniversityFischer, Brian Harvard UniversityFocella, Matthew Georgetown UniversityFries, Kendall University of MarylandFusco, Nicholas University of MarylandGaine, Deirdre Parsons The New School for DesignGalasso, Jake University of PennsylvaniaGalgano, Bennett St. Joseph’s UniversityGalizia, Elizabeth Mount Saint Mary’s UniversityGallagher, Kevin University of DelawareGarcia, Charles Middlebury CollegeGarraffo, Alyssa Manhattan CollegeGerek, Chiara Bentley UniversityGerspach, Allison University of MiamiGiammona, Francesca SUNY CortlandGiarraputo, Brianna Boston CollegeGibbons, Jennifer University of VirginiaGiordano, Gregory U.S. Armed ForcesGiumenta, Ronald Belmont UniversityGo, Kimberly Binghamton UniversityGoldschein, Caroline SUNY GeneseoGong, Jan Harvard UniversityGong, Madeleine Parsons The New School for DesignGordon, Thomas Johns Hopkins UniversityGorsky, Christopher Long Island University-C.W. PostGregory, Kimberly University of DelawareGuterding, Gretchen University of Massachusetts-AmherstHand, Ryan SUNY AlbanyHaynes, Kathleen Nassau Community CollegeHeineman, Robert Colgate UniversityHeinze, Evan LA Music AcademyHerbst, Katherine University of Vermont Hesterberg, Katherine Fordham UniversityHughes, John University of North Carolina at WilmingtonJahelka, Stephen Harvard UniversityJohnsen, Kaitlin Cornell UniversityJozkowski, Steven Yale University

Kane, Emma Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyKarikas, John Siena CollegeKatrakazos, Barbara St. John’s University - QueensKeener, Kerry University of Massachusetts-AmherstKelly, Kristina Manhattan CollegeKenny, Erin University of South CarolinaKentfield, Alexa Miami University, OxfordKiernan, Kathleen Saint Joseph’s UniversityKoslo, Thomas Nassau Community CollegeKrug, Jenna Carnegie Mellon UniversityKrug, Tracy University of Massachusetts-AmherstKufs, Austin Nassau Community CollegeLapinski, Michael N.Y.I.T. Old WestburyLavelle, Alex Adelphi UniversityLe Sueur, Robert Nassau Community CollegeLeahy, Meaghan Boston CollegeLevchuck, Walter Nassau Community CollegeLi, Jinke Nassau Community CollegeLogan, Brendan Towson UniversityLohrer, Peter Providence CollegeLopes, Nicole SUNY CobleskillLopinto, Justin University of HartfordLord, Griffin Adelphi UniversityLoturco, Laura New York UniversityLynch, Kyle Elon UniversityMaclay, Brittany SUNY AlbanyMahoney, Elizabeth Villanova UniversityMahramas, Michael Washington & Jefferson CollegeMalaszczyk, Joanna Bucknell UniversityMara, Jack Quinnipiac UniversityMasters, Katherine Adelphi UniversityMasullo, Dara Long Island University-C.W. PostMatteini, Michelle Fordham UniversityMcCallan, Daniel Catholic University of AmericaMcCarthy, Catherine Villanova UniversityMcCauley, Abagael Emerson CollegeMcDaid, Jessica University of DelawareMcDonough, Tori West Virginia UniversityMcDougal, Elizabeth Providence CollegeMcElroy, Scott Catholic University of AmericaMcGoldrick, Francis Fairfield UniversityMcGovern, Brendan Iona CollegeMcGrath, Kelly Boston CollegeMcHugh, Samantha University of Massachusetts-AmherstMcManus, Brendan University of ScrantonMcWilliams, Shannon University of DelawareMenelly, Peter College of William and Mary Mennicken, Katherine University of DelawareMitchell, Brian SUNY AlbanyMollica, Kathleen SUNY PurchaseMongelli, Michael Cornell UniversityMorris, Alexander Adelphi UniversityMorris, Zachary Bryant UniversityMullins, Erin Yale UniversityMuncan, Kristen University of RichmondMurolo, Amanda Queensborough Community CollegeMurphy, Meghan Montclair State UniversityMuscarella, Danielle Marist CollegeNanayakkara, Amanda University of MichiganNesi, Gabrielle Vanderbilt UniversityNewlin-Wagner, Kaitlin Wagner CollegeNg, Gabriel Stony Brook University Nguyen, Michael Fordham UniversityNikqi, Zyrafete Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeNolan, Tyler High Point UniversityNoonan, Brian James Madison UniversityNwaeke, Uchenna Nassau Community CollegeO’Brien, Thomas Nassau Community CollegeO’Conor, Matthew Tufts UniversityOakes, Christine Nassau Community CollegeOleksiw, Steven Molloy CollegeOrtton, John Nassau Community CollegePahlavi, Alexander Merrimack CollegePando, Christine SUNY PotsdamParizek, Kenneth Nassau Community CollegePepe, Tyler Long Island University-C.W. PostPironi, Paul Sacred Heart UniversityPlass, Paige SUNY New Paltz

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Colleen E. FoleyPresident

Barbara TrapassoVice President

Angela HeinemanTrustee

Laura HastingsTrustee

Tom PinouTrustee

Robert Feirsen, Ed. D.Superintendent

Catherine KnightCoordinator of Public Information

Garden City Union Free School District56 Cathedral Avenue Garden City, New York 11530www.gardencity.k12.ny.us

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Powers, Patrick SUNY GeneseoPulsifer, Lauren University of MiamiPurcell, James SUNY BinghamtonQuattlander, Aileen University of RichmondQuinn, Kevin St. John’s UniversityRaja, Noman Nassau Community CollegeRamsland, Alexandra Wheaton CollegeRaynor, Jacqueline Quinnipiac UniversityReichenbach, Andrew Roger Williams UniversityReina, Brigid Northland CollegeReis, Kelly Nassau Community CollegeRix, Mikaela Boston CollegeRogers, Allison University of VermontRoman, Richard High Point UniversityRomanowski, Margaret SUNY CortlandRosello, Alyssa Manhattan CollegeRotondo, Michelle University of Notre DameRousakis, Elias Seton Hall UniversityRufino, Ryan SUNY OneontaRuhl, Alexandra Xavier UniversityRusso, Alfred Bates CollegeRuta, Mattia Hofstra UniversitySafyer, Dylan Tulane UniversitySamardich, Brandon Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteSampram, Daniella Ohio State UniversitySarfin, Justin SUNY MaritimeSbeglia, Michelle Loyola University MarylandSchieck, Virginia University of PennsylvaniaSchlatter, Matthew Molloy CollegeSchmelzinger, Taryn Lehigh UniversitySchwendemann, Edward College of the Holy CrossServer, Olivia University of DelawareSeviroli, Joseph Pennsylvania State UniversityShannon, Murphy University of RichmondShulman, Kevin SUNY GeneseoSinger, Lauren University of RichmondSkramko, Sean James Madison UniversitySlovensky, Matthew Pennsylvania State UniversitySmith, Katherine Wake Forest University

Smith, Kristen Boston UniversitySpencer, John College of the Holy CrossStabile, Christopher Nassau Community CollegeStrassner, Zachary University of HartfordStumpf, Alexander Nassau Community CollegeSullivan, Barbara University of Notre DameSullivan, Kaitlin St. John’s UniversitySwartz, Emily Adelphi UniversityTalbot, Patrick Johnson & Wales UniversityTan, Darryl Carnegie Mellon UniversityTarzian, Caroline Georgetown UniversityTarzian, James Iona CollegeTarzian, John U.S. Coast Guard AcademyTavernese, Vincent Long Island University-C.W. PostTiger, Elena Quinnipiac UniversityTrabold, Michael Northeastern UniversityTrivedi, Nandini Fashion Institute of TechnologyVaiana, Erica Saint Joseph’s UniversityVastardis, Joanna Hofstra UniversityVecchiarelli, Kristin Marist CollegeVerderber, Kimberly University of Rhode IslandVernice, Alexandra Hofstra UniversityVierengel, Elizabeth SUNY AlbanyVillatoro, Daniella Binghamton UniversityVione, Joseph Pennsylvania State UniversityVolz, Emma University of VirginiaWann, Valerie University of ConnecticutWay, Colleen Lafayette CollegeWeis, Kelly Harvard UniversityWestermann, Emily Curry CollegeWilliams, Lauren Villanova UniversityWinchurch, Emily Lehigh UniversityWoinich, Alexander SUNY New PaltzWotczak, Jennifer Molloy CollegeWright, James SUNY CortlandZarriello, Megan University of MarylandZerille, Kara Quinnipiac UniversityZhang, Preston Purdue UniversityZimmer, Eric Hofstra University

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