Distinguished Seniors Recognize Inspiring Teachers
This year’s Distinguished Seniors Dinner at Huntington High School was a festive gathering, honoring 60 students who comprise the top 20 percent of the Class of 2009. 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 a crowd of 190 turned out for the seventh 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.
“More goes into achieving the high academic performance required of ‘distinguished seniors’ than we ever formally acknowledge,” Dr. Leonardi told the seniors and their guests. “It is important that our whole school community become aware not only of the countless hours you devoted to your studies but also of the high intellectual curiosity that drives your lifelong learning, your ability to connect with teachers and to strengthen their passion for teaching like only a devoted learners can. When we honor your high achievement it is only fitting that we honor the partnership between students and teachers, that we recognize that wonderful bond that is the foundation of excellent education.”
But, rather than sitting and listening to their teachers, administrators and parents all night, the students had a chance to do the talking and they made the most of it, telling heartfelt tales and offering descriptive memories of teachers of years past 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 honored teachers were noticeably moved emotionally as tears welled up in more than one eye. Students chose the teachers on the basis of having been the most influential and inspiring faculty members they’ve encountered.
The teachers who were recognized included Barbara Porpora (Jefferson Primary), Gertrude Fobbs (Washington), Carlene Cournane (Southdown Primary), Eileen Flanagan (Flower Hill), Nicole Parrett (Woodhull Intermediate), Sharon Levitt (Jack Abrams Intermediate), Rose Ackerly (Finley) and JoAnn Ferazi (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 2009 members include Kate Ackerman, David Acton, Daniel Akerley, Ayomide Balogun, Grace Bernard, Kevin Bilzi, Jeffrey Bishop, Matthew Bishop, Dillon Blatt, Erin Brown, Fiona Byrne, Crizia Catellani, Stephanie Chang, Christine Corcoran, Kevin Corcoran, Michael Corcoran, Christina Coughlan, Thomas Curley, Asmita Das, Nicholas D’Esposito, Lauren DiPasquala, Andrew Doscas, Jenna Feraco, Leslie Flores, Julie Forster, Amanda Goldstein, Daniel Goldstein, Samuel Gordon, Kara Grossman and Natalie Hartmann.
The honorees also included Amanda Ho, Annabel Jouard, Diya Kapur, Aditiya Kumar, Kelsey Kunes, Marco Lagone, Alexander Lau, Christopher Lau, Ryan LoScalzo, Kristy Lyons, Michael McCourt, Stephen Mock, Jr., Lauren Narine, Sarah Paar, Dylan Payne, Kristen Reardon, Michelle Reiss, Andrew Reiver, Brian Ruggiero, Frances Saravia, Kathryn Schmitz, Steven Secular, Olivia Sklyarova, Tiffany Sorensen, Jennifer Szilagy, Natasha Thalla, Fabricio Vasquez, Fatima Villatora-Ortez, Matthew West and Olivia Wyrick.
“It was a wonderful evening,” Superintendent John J. Finello said. “So many people received the public recognition they deserve.”
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office