Dear Community Members,
I hope you are all having a wonderful summer! Welcome to the latest edition of On the Line. In keeping with tradition, we dedicate this to our graduating class. On behalf of the Board of Education, the entire administration, and faculty, congratulations to the Garden City High School Class of 2019, as well as our students who are moving up to new schools this fall.
The Class of 2019 is filled with so many wonderful, high-achieving scholars who have made us all very proud by their many accomplishments – whether academic, athletic, extracurricular or community-service oriented in nature. What makes me even more proud of our graduates is the high caliber of character they have demonstrated throughout their career in Garden City.
This group has been accepted to and will be attending a wide variety of prestigious universities and colleges. You can refer to the inside of this newsletter to learn more about where members of the Class of 2019 will be attending.
As the summer winds down, please be assured that much work is being done so that we can continue to provide the best learning opportunities for our students and ensure another successful school year. I look forward to seeing you all very soon. Sincerely,
Kusum
Kusum Sinha, Ed.D.
Garden City High School’s 85th graduating class proudly marched out to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” and the applause of proud family, friends, faculty and school leaders to kick off the 2019 commencement ceremony at Warren King Field.
High School Principal and keynote speaker Nanine McLaughlin presided over her final ceremony before moving into her new position as the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development. Co-valedictorians Cassidy Go and Elsie Schaubeck
and salutatorian Aidan Padala each gave inspiring addresses of reflection on their years in the district and confidence in their classmates for the years ahead.
Class President Aidan Pfaff and Vice President Isabella Herrera introduced the graduation candidates. One by one, each stepped up to receive their diplomas and congratulations from Board of Education members, who wore smiles of gratitude for this class of high achievers and solid citizens that is moving on to make a positive difference in the world.
Garden City Public Schools Summer 2019, Vol. 20, No. 4On The Line
Celebrating the Class of 2019
“I would like to first start off by saying thank you to the school administration, Dr. Sinha, Ms. McLaughlin, Mr. Steingruebner, Mr. Perrotta and my guidance counselor, Ms. Whiston as well as all the teachers and staff who have made Garden City High School so memorable and who are always there for their students. I would also like to thank my parents, my sisters, my relatives and my friends for being there for me all these years.
“Six years ago, I was here for my sister’s graduation, and then two years prior, I was here for my other sister’s graduation. That
was almost eight years ago! Eight years ago, my biggest concern was most likely, when is lunch?
“I cannot help but wonder where those eight years have gone. Times were much simpler back then. One thing I have learned is that growing up is tough, so we should savor the time we get to spend together. We have had the extraordinary opportunity to explore a wide range of fields and hobbies at this school. Over the course of four years, I have gotten to know talented people not just in academics, but also in the arts,
“I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be standing here, and I am so honored to be with all of you on this wonderful day. However, I didn’t get here on my own. I’d like to thank the administration, my guidance counselor, Ms. Khan, my teachers, my fellow students, my family, my sisters, and, most importantly, my mothers, Beth and Margaret, for providing me the resources, support and experiences that have molded me into the person I am today. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. When we were younger, a lot of the decisions in our lives were made for us– which elementary school we went to (shout out to Stratford), what activities we participated in, and even what we wore. As we grew older, we, for the most part, gained more independence and responsibility. We all chose to go to the
high school, rather than a private school; we chose for the most part the classes we took; and we chose to take the next, and often scary, step onward from high school. But now it is truly our turn to make decisions, as well as to further grow and develop our individual characters.
“However, luck and chance often play a role in our lives, as well. Who knows what my fate would have been had I remained in China. But I am sure the opportunities I have had in America, and certainly in Garden City, are abundantly greater. Ironically, my family knew the Go family before I was adopted. And here I am today standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Cassidy Go, my co-valedictorian. We are all so lucky to have grown up in Garden City, to have lived in a district with such a great public
Cassidy GoCo-Valedictorian Commencement Speech
At the Top of their Class
Elsie SchaubeckCo-Valedictorian Commencement Speech
continued on page 6...
continued on page 6...
Kara Acinapuro Boston College
Alexandra Adams Pratt Institute
Christian Ahrem Fordham University
Jennifer Alden University of Scranton
Thomas Allen University of Delaware
Lucy Ambach Middlebury College
Bridget Anderson Fashion Institute of Technology
Sydney Antic Cornell University
Cameron Aries Elon University
Owen Ascher University of Scranton
Vincent Aversa Hofstra University
Jenna Aversano University of North Carolina at Wilmington
William Bahlke Lehigh University
Jared Baker Ithaca College
Rudolph Baldeo CUNY Hunter College
Yuexuan Ban University of Rochester
Ninfa Baron The University of Alabama
Nicoletta Barton SUNY Stony Brook University
Robert Baschnagel University of South Carolina
James Basile University of Vermont
Kishan Batra Cuny Baruch College
Stephen Baymack University of Maryland
Grace Belt James Madison University
Christina Bennett SUNY Stony Brook University
Alex Bensen Texas A&M University
John Bensen Purdue University
Gabriella Bevil Villanova University
Travis Bharucha SUNY Geneseo
Ryan Bice University of Miami
Bryant Bily Hofstra University
Trent Biscone St. John’s University
John Blume Drexel University
Daniel Boccafola Cornell University
Raj Brahmbhatt Merrimack College
Abigail Brita University of Notre Dame
Gregory Buckman SUNY Binghamton University
Jolie Buggy University of Richmond
Gunnar Burpee Pace University
Jeanne Butler Adelphi University
Donald Byrne Cornell University
Gianni Canaletich College of Charleston
James Cashwell Villanova University
Claire Castellano Rice University
Amanda Cerrato Providence College
Andrew Cheng Rochester Institute of Technology
Charles Cody Nassau Community College
Allison Colameo Pennsylvania State University
Matthew Conelli University of Delaware
John Connolly Pace University
Lauren Conway Molloy College
Caitlin Cook University of Pennsylvania
Justin Coppola Villanova University
Georgios Cosmas St. John’s University
Kaitlin Costello Wake Forest University
Julie Couture University of Delaware
Abigail Cox Virginia Tech
Andrew Coyle Ithaca College
Aidan Coyne University of Notre Dame
Matthew Critelli Nassau Community College
William Crowley Boston College
Michael Cuomo Molloy College
Rebecca Curran Wagner College
Timothy Curran SUNY Albany
Alex D’Aloisio Northeastern University
Anthony D’Antone Virginia Tech
Kelly D’Antonio University of California, Los Angeles
Connor Dane SUNY Albany
Meghan Dealy Fairfield University
Angelo Demiris SUNY Albany
Armen Demirjian Adelphi University
Jason Derby Byrant University
Jamie Derkasch University of Georgia
Margaret Digan Sacred Heart University
Jillian Dilemme University of Richmond
Joseph Dilemme SUNY Maritime College
Mary Kate Dolan Fairfield University
Aidan Dougherty SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
William Duff Stonehill College
Christian Durante Rice University
Thomas Efthimiou SUNY Farmingdale State College
Gregory Elmokian High Point University
Heather Fanning University of Miami
Stefanie Farkas Syracuse University
Lauren Feijoo Fashion Institute of Technology
Lucas Feingold University of Maryland
Tara Fenty Marist College
Ciara Feron Iona College
Daniel Ferreira SUNY Binghamton University
Theodore Ferzola The Culinary Institute of America
Elizabeth Fetherston Loyola University
Catherine Flood Sacred Heart University
Maria Flouskakos University of Delaware
Kiera Foley Cornell University
Michael Fontanetta SUNY Delhi
Kayla Fosbeck Loyola University
Jake Fraher Catholic University of America
Kevin Freddo Adelphi University
Eva Gaberlavage Lafayette College
Liam Gaffney SUNY Binghamton University
Lindsey Gambino Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Emily Gaven Georgetown University
Lauren George Fairfield University
Madison George Fairfield University
Mary Gibbons University of Florida
Leigh Gillan College of Charleston
Chase Gladd SUNY Binghamton University
Cassidy Go SUNY Binghamton University
Spencer Gorman SUNY Albany
Michael Greco The George Washington University
Michael Greene Fairfield University
Miranda Griffith University of Southern California
William Griffith University of Miami
Julia Grimes High Point University
Connor Gunn Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Steven Haass Stevens Institute of Technology
Miles Hanson University of New Haven
Joselyn Harris Whittier College
Colin Hart Brown University
Erin Healy University of Scranton
Ella Heaney University of Southern California
Zoe Heath Washington University in St. Louis
Patrick Heavey Fordham University
Alexandra Heber Fashion Institute of Technology
Julianne Hegarty Georgetown University
Isabel Henke University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Isabella Herrera Villanova University
Justin Hessler Molloy College
Lauren Hill University of South Carolina
Kelly Hollis Loyola University
Nicole Hughes Molloy College
Theresa Hughes Boston University
Diana Humbert Purdue University
Hannah Hwang Parsons The New School of Design
Elizabeth Iraj Georgetown University
Sean Jaeger Fordham University
Chloe Janicke Elon University
Hope Janicke High Point University
Nicholas Katos Sacred Heart University
Michaela Keating University of South Carolina
Grace Kelly University of Tennessee
Caitlin Kenna Fairfield University
John Kenny SUNY Binghamton University
Stephanie Knechtges Molloy College
Alexandra Kopcak Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Matthew Koslo SUNY Geneseo
Nicholas Krawiec Fairfield University
Jennifer Kubler University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Cyrus Lalehzar Temple University
Lukas Lambraia SUNY Stony Brook University
Alexandra Larocca University of Michigan
Jenna Lavinio Marist College
Brooke Lawson Rollins College
Daniel Leary Nassau Community College
Robert Lehan Nassau Community College
Daniel Leiter University of Wisconsin
Nicholas Leopizzi University of Dayton
Christina Levi Marist College
Alexa Lodato College of Charleston
Andrew Luglio University of Miami
Rose Lynch Vassar College
Sarah Ma The Juilliard School Pre-College Program
Sarah Mackey University of Florida
Kelsey Macri University of Delaware
Antonio Magnotta Fairfield University
Olivia Manettas The Ohio State University
Ryan Manley Roanoke College
Margaret Manning Fairfield University
Matthew Marooney American University
Hope Mauceri University of Scranton
Samantha Mauceri University of Scranton
Timothy MCauliffe Roger Williams University
Veronica McCann Adelphi University
Kelly McDonald Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Liana McDonnell Stanford University
Brendan McEvoy Syracuse University
Christian McGannon College of the Holy Cross
Matthew McGovern University of South Carolina
Daniel McLeod Manhattan College
Gracie McManus Wake Forest University
Amanda Melkonian Wake Forest University
Kyle Merritts University of Pittsburgh
Kara Metzler College of the Holy Cross
Alexandra Michael Fordham University
Christopher Michel Siena College
Morgan Miller Fairfield University
Alexa Molloy University of Wisconsin
Priscilla Mongelli SUNY Fredonia
Emily Moody Vanderbilt University
Matthew Moody Loyola University
Abigail Moran University of Maryland
Hunter Morgan Virginia Tech
John Morris University of Tennessee
Iain Morrison Northeastern University
Steven Moscatiello High Point University
Kristen Motto University of Delaware
Eric Mueller Franklin & Marshall College
John Muldoon Fairfield University
Grace Mullahey Pennsylvania State University
Kathleen Mullins Fairfield University
Harry Murphy Providence College
Lisa Murphy Wake Forest University
Maria Neuhedel Nassau Community College
Catherine O’Connor Lafayette College
Emily Olenik Union College
Aidan Padala University of Pennsylvania
Zara Pahlavi Lafayette College
Anna Paisley Santa Clara University
Jeffrey Papazian Villanova University
Stephen Pappacena SUNY Canton
Gavin Pappas Denison University
Julia Peppard Fordham University
Aidan Pfaff University of Notre Dame
Alexis Philippides Bentley University
Angelica Pietromonaco SUNY Albany
Collin Plunkett SUNY Binghamton University
Jessica Price University of Massachusetts - Amherst
John Protano Carnegie Mellon University
William Puccio Trinity College
Gilbert Puentes Sacred Heart University
Emily Quinn College of the Holy Cross
Olivia Ragusa SUNY Binghamton University
Michael Rasquin SUNY Plattsburgh
Thomas Reifler SUNY Binghamton University
Patrick Reilly University of South Carolina
Julia Remick Boston College
Daniel Rocha Nassau Community College
Chloe Rogers Dartmouth College
Erika Rooney High Point University
Nicholas Rosato University of Richmond
Helena Roukis Hofstra University
Emma Rubino University of Maryland
Lara Salsberg University of South Carolina
Shania Sanasie Boston University
Lelia Santos Fashion Institute of Technology
Matthew Savino University of Notre Dame
Danielle Sbeglia University of Scranton
Joseph Scattareggia Bucknell University
Elsie Schaubeck Tufts University
Timothy Schmitt Boston College
Mariyam Shami Hofstra University
Michael Shirley Loyola University
Thomas Siler University of Pittsburgh
Amy Smith University of Richmond
Christian Smith University of Southern California
George Spanos Northern Vermont University
Pasquale Sperduto SUNY Farmingdale State College
Ashley Sproul Fairfield University
Megan Stabile SUNY Cortland
Alexandra Stefanik Rhode Island School of Design
Erin Studdert Pennsylvania State University
Anne Sullivan University of Delaware
Brady Sullivan SUNY Geneseo
Sydney Sutherland Salisbury University
Rose Sweeney Fordham University
Cathryn Tateosian James Madison University
Grace Taylor Villanova University
Connor Tierney College of Charleston
Garrett Treanor Indiana University
Charles Tynan Vassar College
Alexandra Valdes Lafayette College
Emma Van Dyke Villanova University
Paul Varano Bentley University
Joseph Villapol Pennsylvania State University
William Von Heill Manhattan College
Madeleine Walsh Clemson University
Jenna Ward Nassau Community College
Katharine Mary Ward Clemson University
Caitlin Wellbrock The College of New Jersey
William Willis Saint Michael’s College
Yasmine Worrell SUNY Baruch College
Emily Wykowski Loyola University
Nicole Yaghdjian St. John’s University
Trevor Yeboah-Kodie Brown University
Garrett Zander Purdue University
Andrew Zupicich SUNY University at Buffalo
the Journey Continues: Class of 2019 College Attendance
Class of 2019!Congratulations,
Salutatorian Aidan Padala with co-valedictorians Elsie Schaubeck and Cassidy Go.
Student Council President
Grace Mullahey leads the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Salutatorian Aidan Padala gives
the welcoming address.
Class President Aidan Pfaff introduces the Class of 2019.
Graduated! The culmination of years of hard work is encapsulated in this smile.
Board of Education trustee Stefanie Granville
awards a graduating senior his diploma.
ResidentGarden City, NY 11530
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage
PAIDGarden City, N.Y. 11530
Permit No. 22
Garden City Public Schools56 Cathedral AvenueGarden City, NY 11530
Board of EducationAngela Heineman, PresidentTom Pinou, Vice PresidentWilliam Holub, TrusteeStefanie Granville, TrusteeMichael Cassaro, Trustee
Dr. Kusum Sinha,Superintendent of Schools
athletics and music. We got here to graduation through hard work, patience and lots of determination. What is important is that we continue these habits. We are all off to start a new adventure. We will certainly face new challenges. We will learn, cry, make mistakes, love, and maybe even change our perspective on the world. However, what will be constant will be the qualities that shaped us from our experiences in this
high school. These defining qualities will guide us to make decisions in our lives that will allow us to do what we love.
“Class of 2019, through laughter and tears, we have gotten through it all, and I know we are ready to move on to greater things. The future is bright, and I don’t know about you, but I am excited to see what is in store for us. Congratulations, Class of 2019! See you later!”
school system, and to have had teachers, counselors, and administrators who have cared for and supported us for so many years.
“We all live in what we call the ‘Garden City bubble.’ However, as we leave Garden City High School behind and enter whole new environments as young adults, we step out of our comfort zones. It is time for us to take risks, challenge ourselves and make new memories. It’s OK to not know what you’re doing, it’s OK to make mistakes as long as you can bounce back and fall forward. Our lives are like a game of Jenga. Sometimes we play it safe by removing that middle piece towards the top. But sometimes we need to be daring enough to take out that piece on the side and to risk the tower falling down in order to progress. The difference between playing it safe and taking chances is simply making a decision. It may not be an easy one, but it rests solely on our willingness to accept the possibility of failure and to learn from our experiences. And if the tower does happen to collapse, it’s our responsibility
alone to make the choice to build it back up again. “When I look out at all of you, I see so much potential. I see
doctors and nurses, lawyers and athletes, artists and musicians, writers and engineers, and so many strong individuals who will carve their own paths. But mostly I see our future. For all I know, someone out here might be the one to cure cancer. But think of the endless opportunities open to us when we take full advantage of our strengths and our minds. Whether traveling the world or staying close to home, we can always make a difference. Some of us may save lives in the medical field or make scientific advances through research. Some may write books or music or create magnificent pieces of art. But all of us will make new memories, have new experiences, and form new friendships. As we go off on our own journeys, I dare you all to do something new, do something different, but mostly do something that you love and that matters to you. We are always learning and growing from our experiences, so let’s go out into the world with an open mind and an open heart. Thank you.”
Cassidy GoCo-Valedictorian Commencement Speech
At the Top of Their Class
Elsie SchaubeckCo-Valedictorian Commencement Speech
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...continued from page 2
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