Huntington’s Distinguished Seniors Honored at Dinner
The leading members of Huntington High School’s Class of 2014 were honored last Thursday night at the Distinguished Seniors Dinner in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
During the three-hour long affair, the remarkable teenagers recognized a set of teachers who have meant the most to them over the years. A large crowd numbering more than 300 turned out for the eleventh annual dinner that recognizes Huntington’s top scholars.
Principal Carmela Leonardi saluted the 98 leading students for their exceptional academic performance and remarkable efforts outside of classes and the regular school day.
“The 2014 distinguished seniors are an elite group,” Dr. Leonardi said. “What they have in common is excellent work ethics, a passion for learning and the ability to set high standards for their achievements. Aside from excelling in academics, many enjoy the visual and performing arts, are great writers and succeed in sports. We are very fortunate to have such a high number of very high achieving students. We thank their families for supporting them every step of the way and the teachers that devote their time and talents to furthering their education.”
The honored students maintained a 90 or better GPA for the seven semesters that school officials used for their calculations to determine eligibility.
School Board President Emily Rogan, Superintendent James W. Polansky, PTA Council President Christine Biernacki and Huntington High School Assistant Principal Brenden Cusack took turns at the microphone, offering the seniors enthusiastic congratulations for a job well done.
The honorees included David Alvarado, Hector Alvarado, Giselle Aparicio, Alyson Baker, Julianna Barca, Caroline Berejka, Kira Bergman, Jonathan Bethiel, Sabrina Blakley, Jessica Bonilla, Ryan Bonitz, Molly Brambil, Alexander Castillo, Jamie Castillo, Joellen Ceide, Yao Chen, Elizabeth Coneys, Tyler Cook, Aron Coraor, Ann DeChiaro, Dixon Doblas, Hayley Drace, Elizabeth Eichenberger, Justin Engelsher, Jonathan Engle, Greta Farrell, Marc Feldman, Jesse Feldman-Stein, Rachel Feltman, Christina Flores, Calvin Francis, Collin Francis, Nicholas Freiman, Anna Garfinkel, Jeremy Gelb and Katherine Gerdes.
The top seniors also included Brian Gilbert, Gilda Goldental-Stoecker, Alexa Gorczycki, Cynthia Gowani, Megan Healy, Chelsea Holmes, Kathryn Ingle, Ryan Iwanicki, Christian Jamison, Rogelio Jimenez, Brianna Kirkland, Catherine Koumas, Natalie Lanzisero, Taivon LaPalmer, Gavin Li, Hannah Lomele, Adam Long, Ashley Lopez, Sibilla Maiarelli, Alexandria Madriota, Gabriella Mandriota, Robert Marcus, Morgan Mars, Leyda Mata, Brian McConnell, Naomi Medina-Jaudes, Ashley Melgar, Sarah Mosden, Ryan Newell, Benjamin Nikodem, Monica Owen and Olivia Palmer.
Seniors Andres Perez Roa, Michael Piazza, Erin Plante, Anthony Puca, Tara Purcell, Lee Reiver, Donovan Richardson, Henry Rogan, Matthew Rosenbauer, Summer Rudish, Xiomara Scarpati, Matthew Sherman, Christine Simpson, Kimberly Smith, Shannon Smith, James Sosa, Anthony Spinthourakis, Michael Stafford, Victor Tellez, Drew Tenbus, Angelica Tome-Radigan, Sara Totura, Hiep Tran, Benjamin Warren, Matthew Whitcher, Lyndsey Williams, Caitlin Yabroudy, Samuel Yanuck, Margot Yanuck and Spencer Young were also honored for their superb academic performance over the past four years.
The distinguished seniors were asked to select one teacher to be honored from the first school they first attended in the district and from each of their subsequent schools. The teenagers took their responsibility to heart and made their selections based upon personal experiences that struck home with each of them, both individually and collectively.
The seniors recognized teachers Jennie Higgins, Joanne Tures-McGuinness, James Lauter, Ellen Blanchard, Dina Telesco, Jason Suarez, Elizabeth Grobe and Craig McKee.
Seniors introduced each of the faculty members with touching and heartfelt remembrances. The teachers spoke one by one, recalling their experiences with the now-seniors and emphasizing how proud they are of their former students.
A small group of Huntington High School strings musicians entertained the crowd during the hors d’oeuvres hour. The quartet included Samuel Latt (cello), Elisa Medina-Jaudes (cello), Jessica Straub (bass) and Brendan Wirth (cello).