Huntington's Distinguished Seniors Feted at Dinner
Last week's Distinguished Seniors Dinner at Huntington High School feted the top 83 students in the Class of 2011. During the affair, the teenagers recognized a set of teachers who have meant the most to them through the years.
A crowd numbering more than 275 crowded into Louis D. Giani Gymnasium for the eighth annual dinner that recognizes Huntington's best. Principal Carmela Leonardi saluted the students for their exceptional academic performance and for making the most of their opportunities. School Board President Bill Dwyer offered his congratulations and told the seniors to continue striving to be the best.
"I thought the dinner was one of the most celebratory we have had thus far," Dr. Leonardi said. "The teachers and I are very proud of the achievement of the students. They extend from the academic to the arts, sports and, most of all; highlight their leadership skills and their commitment to helping members of their community. It was wonderful to see all of the parents there and to be able to talk together about all that their children have achieved over the years."
The honorees included Joseph Adelmann, Sami Aiman, Steven Arnoux, Cristina Badalamenti, Jaclyn Beatty, Michelle Byrne, Sarah Casey, John Castelli, Itzel Cedillo-Rosas, Danielle Cerezo, Adam Cerini, John Coffey, Aliyah Cohen, Alyson Coleman, Jeffrey Conte, Louis Contino, Lauren Corcoran, Thomas Corrao, Matthew Curley, Phoebe Curran, Conner Davis, Rebecca Deegan, Eleanor Derbyshire, Chloe Drace, Sandra Duarte-Zavala, Sarah Ehrman, Amelia Eisen, Alex Falcones, Carolyn Fante, Nicole Farriella, Emily Feldman, Mikah Feldman-Stein, Devon Fox, Diana Frank, Kianna Freitag, Alexander Gennaro, Lauren Gerbavsits, Alexa Giammarino, Marissa Goldstein, Henry Grill, Anna Harris, Cody Jacobs and Benjamin Jensen.
The top seniors also included Amber Kavanagh, Christopher Keddell, Alexandra Kiley, Benjamin Kitzen, Nadav Klein, Jonah Kramer, Gavin Lai, Shayne Larkin, Connor Leek, David Lillienstein, Paul Mazzotta, Kenneth McGrath, Gabriella Mitchell, Jeffrey Moreira, Shira Moskowitz, Ryan Mulligan, Tara Narine, Patrick O'Brien, Courtney O'Bryan, Michael O'Connor, Mary-Elizabeth O'Neill, Eva Prior, Mia Rienzo, David Rosenberg, Meghan Rowland, Nicholas Saputo, Ciancarlo Savoy, Derek Schmelter, Anne Scott, Nicholas Shivers, Natasha Siegel, John Stahno, David Stillman, Eric Szilagy, Dylan Tuozzo, Jasmin Valcourt, Michael Valente, Olivia Weller and Joseph West.
Students 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 their selections based upon personal experiences that resonated with each of them, individually and collectively.
The teachers that were recognized included Joanne Cicio, Diane Grassi, Mary Lou Leonetti Erickson, Michael Graziano, Eileen Wallace and Ronald Wilson. Seniors introduced each of the faculty members with touching and heartfelt remembrances.
The teenagers enjoyed having their former teachers nearby during the celebration. "Having some of the teachers that supported their learning present is one of the most gratifying aspects of the evening," Dr. Leonardi said. "I cannot help but be moved by the memories teachers still hold about some of their classes. These memories are what make our job as educators very rewarding."