Distinguished Seniors Recognize Inspiring and Influential Teachers
This year’s Distinguished Seniors Dinner at Huntington High School was once again a festive gathering, honoring 61 students who comprise the top 20 percent of the Class of 2008. The teenagers, in turn, recognized eight teachers who have meant the most to them through the years, with some reaching back to the very beginning of their long journey toward graduation.
The high school gym was transformed as more than 200 students and their guests turned out for the sixth annual dinner that recognizes Huntington’s best. Principal Carmela Leonardi saluted the students for a job well done and for making the most of their opportunities. The soon-to-be graduates were encouraged to continue to strive for excellence.
But, rather than sitting and listening to their teachers, administrators and parents, on this night the students had a chance to do the talking and they made the most of it, telling heartfelt tales and offering memories of teachers of yesteryear and what makes them so special.
The honorees were asked to select one teacher from the first school they first attended in the district and from each of their subsequent schools. The teenagers took their responsibility seriously and made thoughtful selections based on personal experiences that resonated with each of them, individually and collectively.
The teachers honored were noticeably moved, with two who are now retired and living out-of-state traveling great distances to be at the dinner. Students chose the teachers on the basis of having been the most influential and inspiring faculty members they’ve encountered.
Teachers recognized included Zeta VonWinbush (Jefferson Primary), who returned from Arizona to attend the event, Susan Turner (Washington Primary), Keith Meyers (Southdown Primary), Brenda McManus (Flower Hill), Todd Hiscox (Woodhull Intermediate), Sondra Branfman (Huntington Intermediate), who came back to town from her retirement home in Virginia, Denise DeChiaro (Finley) and Deborah Beck (Huntington High School).
One-by-one the teachers were extolled by their former students and were visibly moved emotionally in the process. The seniors took delight in recognizing a group of role models who they said have made a difference in their lives. At times slightly embarrassed by all the attention and frequently on the verge of being choked up, the faculty members seemed to relish every minute of the evening.
The distinguished Class of 2008 members include Zain Syed Aiman, Kathleen Anderson, Henry Baughman, Katherine Beavers, Kaari Casey, Jiordan Castle, Ye Ji Cho, Max Cohen, William Cohn, Shannon Lee Connors, Jonathan Correll, Laura Dabrowski, Megan Doyle, Gregory Everitt, Julien Feldman, Kelsey Ferrari, Lucas Forster, Alexandra Fulton, Alfred Garcia, Danielle Gershowitz, Andrew Goodrich, Allison Greenstein, Hannah Helstrom, Melissa Hill, Gregory James, Madeleine Jensen, Greta Johnson, Virginia Johnson and Liam Jones,
Student honorees also included Christine Kang, Daisy Kramer, Venice Lagone, Dillon Lockwood, Ioannis Loucas, Zachary Lustberg, Nelson Maldonado, Tara Malone, Kevin Marek, Allyson Nevins, Steven Nigro, Gregory Nordin, Erika Norton, Leslie O’Brien, Timothy O’Grady, Nicole Palmer, Christopher Potter, Anthony Priolo, Virginia Ramirez, Courtney Rubenbauer, Christine Russo, Sam Schoeffler, Matthew Scott, Victoria Shannon, Andrew Sherman, Daniele Siele, Victoria Smith, Brian Teubner, Eva Valerio, Francisco Viera-Pereira, Kyle Wasarhaley and Jake Zimmerman.
“This dinner is a wonderful opportunity to honor these distinguished seniors,” Dr. Leonardi said. “We are very proud of them.”
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