As loving families and dedicated teachers and administrators came together to celebrate with pride and gratitude the outstanding accomplishments of Glen Cove High School’s Class of 2014, the graduating seniors made their way out onto J.C. Maiden Field for the last time in their educational careers to accept their high school diplomas.

As the high school band, led by Nick Carbuto, struck up the familiar strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” the graduates proudly marched onto the field. The GCHS Concert Choir, led by Ed Norris, performed a marvelous rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” with senior Michael Banks conducting the GCHS “Alma Mater,” which followed. Graduating senior Alessandra Cappiello led the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

Following valuable words of advice from Board of Education President Donna Brady, GCHS Principal Roseann Cirnigliaro, faculty speaker Jason Bieder and Superintendent of Schools Maria L. Rianna, Valedictorian Samantha Di Paola, Salutatorian Hans Ring, and Honorarian Andrew Schuck reflected on the last fours years at GCHS and collectively spoke of the promise that the future holds for them and their fellow classmates

Members of the GCHS Class of 2014 will be attending some of the finest colleges and universities this fall, including Boston College, Cornell University, Georgetown University, Northeastern University, University of Notre Dame and University of Southern California. Numerous awards and scholarships were given to members of the Class of 2014, including close to 50 recipients under the Glen Cove Community Scholarship Fund.

After all the diplomas were distributed, GCHS Assistant Principal Allen Hudson instructed the graduates to turn their tassels from left to right then tossed their mortarboards into the air in celebration, officially confirming them as graduates! This concluded the ceremony and their K-12 careers, while commencing a myriad of futures filled with excellence.

 

Valedictorian: Samantha Di Paola

Samantha Di Paola’s leadership qualities have served her well throughout her educational career, and her combination of high intellectual curiosity, desire, discipline and tenacity have propelled her to the highest level of academic achievement: the top-ranked student in the Glen Cove High School Class of 2014.

As a leader involved in several extracurricular activities, Samantha served as president of Student Senate, president of Interact Club and co-president of the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) in 2013-14. She has raised funds, awareness and hope for numerous causes, including the American Cancer Society, Save a Life Foundation, Gift of Life, Adopt a Family, Kick Start for a Cure, and TOPPS Soccer (working with children with disabilities), to name a few. At this year’s senior awards ceremony, Samantha was presented with the County Executive’s Community Service and Academic Excellence Award.

“Samantha is a rare find,” said her counselor, coordinator of pupil personnel services Mike Tweed. “This motivated young lady is armed with unbridled determination and focus. She strives for the greatest challenges and highest hurdles and is truly wise beyond her years.”

Academically, Samantha has received numerous awards and accolades, including AP Scholar with Distinction status since her junior year, AP achievement awards in government and statistics, this year’s Glen Cove High School Academic Achievement Award, the Bausch and Lomb Junior Science Exemplary Award, and many other honors for excellence dating back to her freshman year in each of the core disciplines, as well as Italian. She has also made the Principal’s High Honor Roll list since the ninth grade.

Athletically, Samantha captained both the varsity lacrosse and soccer teams this year, was a U.S. Academic All-American in lacrosse as a junior, achieved All-Conference status for both teams, was named a Scholar/Athlete in varsity soccer and led the lacrosse team to Scholar/Athlete status for two consecutive years. She was also a finalist for the coveted Superintendent’s Cup this spring as a member of the lacrosse team.

Other activities include playing an integral role in decision making at Glen Cove High School as a member of the school’s Site Based Committee, peer tutoring, interning for a pediatrician, volunteering at Glen Cove Hospital, and helping out with GCHS productions and concerts as a member of the sound crew.

Samantha attended the National Student Leadership Conference in Medicine and Healthcare and has a strong interest in the medical field. She studied anatomy and physiology through a pre-college program at Brown University, and will attend Georgetown University’s pre-med program this fall. Congratulations Samantha!


Salutatorian: Hans Ring

Hans Ring has always challenged himself with the most demanding honors and AP courses. His ability to analyze and synthesize material and articulate it effectively has helped him achieve the second highest academic ranking in the Class of 2014, yet the rigors of his schedule have not prevented him from being a well-rounded student involved in several extracurricular clubs and interests.

This includes participating in DECA all four years of his high school career as well as Interact Club and Law Club/Mock Trial (as president and chief lawyer of the prosecution team) for three years. Business aptitude, community service and debate skills highlight these areas, respectively. He is also a founding member of the Model UN Club and belongs to the Science Club and Ski Club. With all this on his plate, it’s a wonder Hans finds time to play trumpet as a member of the school’s award-winning jazz ensemble and marching/pep band. These groups perform locally and regionally as a service to the schools and greater community.

“Hans is intelligent, hardworking and very generous with his time helping others, and is focused on maintaining the same level of academic and personal integrity that has made him successful at GCHS,” said his guidance counselor, Francine Perez. “He has truly taken advantage of every opportunity here at GCHS. It’s time for him to shine at the next level.”

Not only has Hans maintained a high level of community service through participation in these clubs and other activities such as peer tutoring and fundraising, he has also consistently earned awards for academic excellence. These include AP Scholar with Honor status, AP achievement awards in government, English, calculus and U.S. history, as well as awards of excellence in mathematics and computer programming, and achievement in physics. He has also won multiple Student of the Month awards.

In addition, Hans finds time to compete as a member of the GCHS air rifle and golf teams, captaining the rifle team to a Section 8 Conference Championship in 2012 and winning team MVP honors in 2013. He was also a finalist for the coveted Superintendent’s Cup this spring as a member of the golf team.

Hans will attend Boston College this fall. He has yet to declare a major. Congratulations Hans!


Honorarian: Andrew Schuck

Natural intelligence, balanced academic ability, disciplined work habits, high integrity and congenial personality: these are the traits that Andrew Schuck’s guidance counselor uses to describe him. They are what make him likable to faculty and students alike and have led him to become the third highest-ranking student among 248 in the Glen Cove High School Class of 2014.

“I cannot imagine a school environment where Andrew could not excel and thrive,” said guidance counselor Margie Tockman. “Whatever he sets out to do, he accomplishes. He has always opted for the hardest classes offered, even though he anticipates a rough road. He’d rather work to do his best than take the easy way out.”

Andrew’s strong work ethic can be attributed, in part, to the support and guidance of his parents, both of whom are educators. For the second consecutive year, Andrew has been selected as a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar by the College Board. He is also a winner of this year’s Excellence in Science Award and a recipient of the New York State Education Department Scholarship Award for Excellence, which was also awarded to the Class of 2014 valedictorian, salutatorian and a handful of fellow high-ranking class members.

Andrew won the New York State Bar Association Award for achievement with the Law Club/Mock Trial this year. He is also an accomplished musician and plays mallet percussion with the school’s marching/pep band. In addition, he is involved with the GCHS Masquers Club as a contributor to theater performances performed for the community, for which he won an Outstanding Contributor Award.

Outside of school, Andrew enjoys playing piano and is a celebrated chess player, having competed both nationally and abroad. He is also an active member of the Boy Scouts, works as a camp counselor during the summer, and this year served as “Professor for a Day” at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Prior to learning that Andrew will attend Northeastern University, where he will study biochemical engineering, Ms. Tockman said, “Andrew will succeed academically and make whatever college or university he attends a better place.”

More than 100 students, parents, faculty and community members gathered in the Glen Cove High School Auditorium for the Booster Club’s Athletic Awards Night for Spring athletics.

Student athletes were recognized with trophies and scholarships for their contribution this year in Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Girls and Boys Track & Field, Tennis, and Golf. The evening was punctuated by the Superintendent’s Trophy, an award given by Glen Cove Superintendent Maria Rianna to an outstanding senior. This year, the award went to Michael Burrell, a multiple sport All-County athlete who earlier in the evening was recognized with a place on Glen Cove’s Wall of Fame.

In addition to the Superintendent’s Trophy, the Principal’s Cup was presented to two juniors by Glen Cove High School Principal Roseann Cirnigliaro. The cup was awarded to Sean Peet and Jenny Armstrong.

The evening opened with a special recognition for retiring Coach Adrienne Tonner, who served Glen Cove for 38 years as the Varsity Track & Field and Tennis coach.

The following students were honored with scholarships and awards:

Glen Cove Jr. Baseball & Softball Scholarship:
Joshua Figueroa
Quinn Sheppard
Alyssa Pagano
Kendall Young

Glen Cove Baseball & Softball Sportsmanship Award:
Joseph Milanese
Alyssa Pagano

Glen Cove Jr. Soccer Scholarship:
Jessica Schmitt

Hall of Fame Scholarship in Memory of John Maccarone:
Alessandra Cappiello
Gillian Farnan
Anthony Martino
Charles Daniele

Hall of Fame Scholarship in Memory of Dr. Sidney Canarick:
Samantha DiPaola

Glen Cove Jr. Football/Cheerleading Scholarship in Memory of Rob Kormoski:
Michael Burrell
Alessandra Cappiello
Max McCrindle

Glen Cove Jr. Lacrosse Scholarship:
Ryan Perkins

The Annual Memorial Henry T. Boguszewski Golf Scholarship:
Michael Loria

Glen Cove Range Commission Scholarship:
Graham Brooks

The Matinecock Rod & Gun Club Competitive Shooting Scholarship:
Graham Brooks

Todd Weber Award:
Joseph Milanese

Charles McGuckin Award:
Josh Figueroa

Thomas Renison Scholarship Award:
Alyssa Pagano

James Fantry Memorial Award:
Joseph Nicolich
Jackelyn Hayduk

Knights of Columbus Award - E.J. Gribbin:
Michael Burrell
Caterina Ienopoli

Kenneth R. Andrews Sportsmanship Awards:
Carlos Rivera
Alessandra Cappiello

F.J. DiMenna Award:
Ryan Perkins

Lola Schmitz Berg Award:
Samantha DiPaola

Charles Johnson Physical Fitness Award:
Christina Orioli
Carlos Rivera

Marine Distinguished Athletes:
Erik Washington
Natalie Tenke

Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award:
Anthony Martino
Maxine Lizaso

Glen Cove High School Athletic Achievement Award:
Rashawn White
Maleesha Ebanks

Principal’s Cup:
Sean Peet
Jenny Armstrong

Superintendent’s Award:
Michael Burrell

Glen Cove High School Booster Club Scholarships:
Samantha DiPaola
Alessandra Cappiello
Gillian Farnan
Elizabeth Willson

On Saturday, Glen Cove High School’s Maiden Field hosted the inaugural Dan Daly Cup High School All-Star Lacrosse game, honoring the legacy of U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Dan Daly, a two-time Medal of Honor recipient.

Sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, in partnership with the Nassau County Lacrosse Coaches Association, the New York Lizards professional lacrosse team, the City of Glen Cove and the Glen Cove School District, the game featured 50 of Nassau and Suffolk’s elite high school lacrosse players. GCHS lacrosse players Philip Grella and Sean Peet represented Glen Cove in the game as members of Nassau’s Team Virtue squad. Their lacrosse coach Steve Tripp joined them on the sidelines as a member of the coaching staff. Despite an admirable comeback by team Virtue, the Suffolk squad –Team Valor– prevailed in the game, 14-8.

Leading up to the game, players from both squads participated in intense, military-style physical fitness warm-up drills led by local Marines, who also conducted seminars that instilled pride, emphasized teamwork and addressed community responsibility. Lizards coaches also shared their professional lacrosse expertise with members of both teams.

Earlier in the day, the City of Glen Cove and the Marines rededicated the current plaque bearing Sgt. Maj. Daly’s name at Glen Cove’s Monument Park. The U.S. Marine Corps Band, who also performed before the game along with the GCHS Select Choir, led a parade along Dosoris Lane. Additionally, the Marines presented a special framed lacrosse jersey to the Pedone family, honoring the late Nicholas Pedone, a Glen Cove youngster who lost his battle with a rare form of cancer.

Descendants of Sgt. Maj. Daly, including his grand niece, were on hand for the rededication and the game. Sgt. Maj. Daly was a two-time Medal of Honor recipient during the early 1900s and is one of the Marine Corps’ most admired heroes. Marines of all occupational specialties respect his legend and fighting spirit to this day.

New York State Regents Harry Phillips and Roger Tilles joined Superintendent of Schools Maria L. Rianna and several other faculty members, students and interested observers as Glen Cove High School senior Claudia Kolanovic gave an insightful presentation on how the school’s W.I.S.E. course has been to her benefit.

The Wise Individualized Senior Experience (W.I.S.E.) course provides seniors with an opportunity to take on projects that often result in internships with community agencies and involve intensive research on a topic of interest. Students devote significant time to work on their internships, research their topics, maintain written daily journals, discuss their experiences with one another, and meet with their mentors to explore and reflect upon project issues.

Upon completion of their projects, students submit their daily journals for evaluation and give oral presentations before a panel of students, teachers and community members. W.I.S.E. English enables students to explore the techniques of written and oral expression in the areas of personal creativity and personal career choices.

Claudia, an aspiring engineer, worked under the mentorship of mechanical engineer and GCHS alumnus Matthew Hayduk. She worked on several meaningful projects, including designing an assembly prototype for maximizing hydrogen fuel cell production. She even reviewed blueprints for specifications, where she detected a critical inconsistency that ultimately would have caused major problems had she not identified the issue.

“I really wanted to know what I was getting myself into,” said Claudia, who has been accepted into 12 schools and will be attending Lehigh University in the fall to pursue engineering. “This internship was the perfect way to show how the knowledge I learned in school can be applied in real life. It also helped me hone my reading, communication and presentation skills. It’s a great class…definitely a ‘wise’ choice for me.”

Matt Rottino teaches the course, which had 19 students enrolled this year. Regent Tilles represents the Long Island area on the New York State Board of Regents. Regent Phillips is the liaison to the W.I.S.E. program on the Board. Both gentlemen commended Claudia on her informative and polished presentation and wished her well in the future.