Yorktown News Graduation 2020

Congratulations
CLASS OF

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO PHOTO:
ALYSSA
JULY , MORAN

Page 2 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

YORKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Class of 2020
Samantha-Skylar Adjei Kennedie Chapman Ciara Morabito Katherine Ryan
Alyssa Albano Moin Chaudhary Pashtrik Gjokaj Joshua Leffel Bria Moran Anthony Sabbouh
Ava Almonte Usman Chaudhary Iljaz Gjokaj Brandon Lemus Francis San Diego
Javier Alvarez Justin Chee Madison Levine Nicholas Morello Dominick Sanfardino
Grace Chen Josefina Gjonaj Matthew Levy Bridget Morris
Thomas Ammon Allison Child Kaydee Gonzalez Julia Santini
Jessica Andersen Dylan Chilowitz Danielle Gridley Michael Lin Ella Morris Michelle Santucci
Joseph Christensen Emma Guarini Kevin Lin Jessica Moskowitz Pellegrino Santucci
Shady Andil Marlaina Cirone Chase Longordo Alanna Moskowitz Gianna Schettino
Samantha Armstrong Liam Colgan Jason Guckian Matthew Louie Spencer Schutz
Alexandria Cortino Nimisha Gupta Andrew Lu Diyaa Nassar
Jessica Ascher Dylan Costello Luis Guzman Xin Yuan Luo Katherine Nazarov Ian Schwartz
Colin Bard Erin Dahlke Madeleine Halstead Matthew Mahoney Jacob Sharp
Jesse Barer Victoria Dattilo Michael Hand Katelin Mancusi Samuel Nolan David Sharp
Chloe Davis Kieran Holmes Joseph Manghise Dayanavi Nunez Ozzy Silva
Jazmin Barnett Alex DeBenedictis Laura Marasevic Daniel O'Brien Christian Sinagra
Tamara Bashjawish Melissa Dedvukaj Ermin Hoti Meris Markisic Lydia O'Briskie John Skorcik
Madison Battinelli John Dehais Olivia Howard Madelyn Marr Timothy O'Callaghan Dylan Smith
Brian Beaudreault Julia DelFavero Leila Hudson Joseph Martinaj Ryan O'Connor Hailey Soliz
Austin DeLonge Jah Mier Hunter Tyana Martinez Michael O'Connor Juliana Solla
Julia Bender Fenesse Dennis Jenna Hurlburt Jenna Masci Elizabeth O'Donnell Zakary Stanik
Kaitlyn Bennett Jarid DePaolo Brendan Hynes Connor McCarthy Dominic Ochoa Justin Stochel
Savion Bennett William DeTorres Melina Iavarone Mary McClay Pouya Pakkhesal Sarai Stone
Michael Benzinger Jessica Devlin Kelsey McDonnell Maxwell Palmer Rohan Subramani
Christopher Besterman Danielle Diffley Ethan Jeon Elizabeth McDonough Kaelyn Palmisano Ryan Sullivan
Leanna Biberaj Ava Dineen Christopher Jewell Aaron McGirr Dean Patierno Shinji Tamez Vazquez
Jillian DiNotte Jake Mckeon Amber Thomas
Ava Biemer Matthew DiPanfilo Laura Jocelyn Ryan McVeigh Remy Paullay Jack Tinari
Lucinda Birch Joseph DiPanfilo Trevvon Johnson Michael Medwid Samantha Penneys Kayla Tobias
Rachel Bloom Nicholas Mehta Connor Townes
Ariana Blume Christopher DiSanzo Nabil Kamal Stefanie Mellone Allen Peralta Justin Trabold
Gregory Boccia Brianna Djonovic Gabriel Khalil Jami Menzie Morgan Perry Gianna Trippodo
Madison Bold Ashley Dobransky Areesha Khan Tyler Merson Andrew Pfeifer Luke Ujkaj
Alexandra Bold Gianluca Micciari James Pinto Jonathan Ujkaj
Vincent Bonamassa Debra Lee Dobransky Maya King Samantha Miley Marc Pisani Jake Ulbrich
John Bowen Ciaran Donohoe Delaney Koch Abigail Milhaven Ariana Pjetri Gabriel Valentin
Lindsay Boyle Ashley Drake Martin Kopacz Samuel Milhaven Catherine Pogact Tyler Valvano
Emily Brady Francesca Drenga Ardin Kraja Robert Miller Juliana Poggioreale Isabella Vano
Conor Brandt Shkendije Dreshaj Benet Krasniqi Lauren Mitchell Casey Pollice Christian Varela
Frank Bravo Snehal Dubey Abi Krasniqi Benjamin Moffat Jennifer Priego - Valle Julianna Veca
Ava Briccetti Grace DuBourg Donika Lajqi Angely Montero Grace Proctor Brianna Veloso
Meredith Brown Erin Dunn Hayriya Lajqi Aidan Mooney Anna Prybylski Pugh Venice
Chelsea Brown Ryan Eldana Kieran Lampersberger Venice Pugh Brianna Verni
Flakron Brucaj Madison Esposito Nicholas Lang Joseph Raguso Sophie Vernik
Illr Bucpapa Hannah Farley Sydney Ralls Sean Vogel
Besarta Bucpapaj Nicholas Farrell Jack Lasko Neysa Rascona Michelle Vukaj
Roseanna Buczkowski Kristen Ferguson Erick Lavanda Mujica Gayatri Ratakonda Brandon Vulaj
Michael Buffardi Gerremy Ferguson Matthew Regan Jonathan Wang
Christopher Cahan Julia Ferone Tara Lawlor Nina Resko Jack-Henry Whalen
James Calidonna Hailey Ficarrotta Devon Rose Leaver Eric Reutter Nathan Williamson
Agron Camaj Andrew Finateri Josh Reynolds Ethan Williamson
Tyler Campobasso Kaitlyn Folchetti Amanda Woodard
Edward Capone Catherine Gale Jillian Ricci Jacob Woolley
Juliana Cappelli Gerald Gentile Julia Riccio Juliana Zegarelli
Bobbie Cardea Alyssa Giannasca Benjamin Robinson Alyssa Zhang
Rocco Cardillo Ryan Gilbert Jaime Rocafuerte Alexandra Zuckerman
Francesco Cardillo Alyson Giorgio Tyler Rodriguez
Jake Caricati Emma Roesler
Jayden Carrillo Joseph Rohle
Noelle Cegielski Nicole Rosenbergen
Matteo Cermele Tara Rothenberg
Nicholas Rubeo

July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 3

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“Your education is a dress rehearsal for
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Be bold,
Be courageous,

Be your best.
Congratulations on graduating!
Wishing that brighter opportunities
come your way and you achieve

success in all of them.

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Page 4 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
Yorktown students make college picks

Hundreds of Yorktown students will continue their education in the fall at 111 public and
private colleges or universities across 24 states and territories. One student will study abroad.

Most students attending college will stay close to home, picking 52 di erent colleges in
New York.Massachusetts (9),Connecticut (7) and Pennsylvania (6) were other popular states.

ALABAMA FLORIDA Boston College Worcester Polytechnic Institute
e University of Alabama Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- Clark University
College of the Holy Cross MICHIGAN
CALIFORNIA Daytona Beach Northeastern University University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Southern California Lynn University University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Stetson University Western New England University MINNESOTA
COLORADO e University of Tampa Williams College University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
University of Colorado Boulder University of Miami

CONNECTICUT ILLINOIS
Fair eld University University of Illinois at Urbana-
Quinnipiac University
Sacred Heart University Champaign
University of Connecticut
University of Hartford LOUISIANA
University of New Haven Louisiana State University
Western Connecticut State University
MARYLAND
DELAWARE University of Maryland-College Park
University of Delaware
MASSACHUSETTS
Bentley University

Our Doors Have Opened

WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU!

Congratulations & Best Wishes
to the Class of 2020 Graduates

Remem er t always ai hig
an reac for th stars!

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July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 5

MISSOURI Mount Saint Mary College University at Albany, SUNY RHODE ISLAND
Washington University in St. Louis New York University University at Bu alo, the State Providence College
Pace University Salve Regina University
NEW YORK University of New York University of Rhode Island
Adelphi University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Rochester
Adirondack Community College Rochester Institute of Technology SOUTH CAROLINA
Albany College of Pharmacy and Vassar College University of South Carolina-Columbia
Russell Sage College Westchester Community College
Health Sciences Siena University TEXAS
Binghamton University Skidmore College NEW JERSEY Southern Methodist University
City College of New York CUNY Monmouth University
College of Mount Saint Vincent Spring eld College Princeton University VERMONT
Columbia University in the City of St. John’s University Seton Hall University University of Vermont
State University of New York Stevens Institute of Technology
New York VIRGINIA
Cornell University at New Paltz NORTH CAROLINA James Madison University
Culinary Institute of America Stony Brook University, State University Davidson College University of Richmond
CUNY Hunter College Duke University Virginia Commonwealth University
Dutchess Community College of New York Elon University
Fashion Institute of Technology SUNY at Purchase College Virginia Tech
Fordham University SUNY College at Brockport OHIO
Hofstra University SUNY College at Cortland e Ohio State University WASHINGTON, D.C.
SUNY College at Geneseo George Washington University
Iona College SUNY College at Plattsburgh PENNSYLVANIA
Ithaca College SUNY College of Agriculture and Lafayette College WISCONSIN
Hartwick College Technology at Cobleskill Lehigh University University of Wisconsin-Madison
Le Moyne College Muhlenberg College
Manhattan College SUNY Delhi Pennsylvania State University INTERNATIONAL
Manhattanville College SUNY Maritime College University of Pittsburgh University College Dublin
Marist College Villanova University
Mercy College SUNY Oneonta
SUNY Oswego
Syracuse University
e College of Saint Rose
United States Military Academy

CConlagsrsatoottfuhel2a0t2io0ns

The entire Yorktown community
supports you!

- Supervisor Ma Slater

Paid for by Friends of Matt Slater

Page 6 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

LAKELAND
HIGH SCHOOL

Class of 2020

Tobi Akbas Zachary Cohen Brandon Gu Geneva Miller Allison Sabatino
David Akoko Marie Corns Nicole Guadagno Mario Mingone Ellys Sabet
Taylor Allen Nicole Gualtiere Alexis Molina
Aysia Alves Andrew Correa Kyra Gustavson Gina Montaquiza Lauren Salazar
Sean Amoroso John Corso Emma Halderman Brianna Monte Steven Salvatore
Joan Antony Sara Montoya Marco Sancimino
Julia Apostolou Miranda Cristofaro Jake Halperin Leara Morales Madeline Sarassutha
Michael Arcure Andrew Croce Jude Heineman
Kimberly Arias Salazar Logan Cruz Elisa Morea Keon Sauter
Anthony Aromando omas Dalbavie Cristian Hernandez Sabrina Morello Lauryn Schore
Gabriel Arroyo Erin Daly Jimmy Hernandez Marco Mottola Michael Scotto
Marcelo Astudillo Maria Davino Alessia Muccitelli Christopher Segur
Krystal Badillo Patrick Hickey Raquel Nieves Sara Senerchia
Leart Bakraqi Damian De La Rosa Sean Hickey J’Adore O’Neal Omar Shawarby
Paige Balassone Hailey Dean Matthew Hullstrung Hailey O’Sullivan Cassia Shoulders
James Barefoot Kyle DeIulio Allyson Hurwitz MacKenzie Orf Jenna Signorile
Taylor Barnett Ian DeMatteis Tristen Hutchinson Olivia Oshanani Christopher Soravilla
Nicholas Bassani Paul Demelo Megan Jennings Je rey Owusu-Boakye Jessica Spada no
Ashley Bautista Shalini Joemon Ava Paciariello Ajani Strong
Sarah Beam Nicolas DeSantis Callie Jones William Paget Jillian Sutton
Felicia Bernat Amanda DiClerico Augustine Karaqi Bernadette Parubi Macauley Tompkins
Selina Bernat Yunika Khamcha Magar Francesco Parubi Nicholas Torres
Evan Berta Jake DiFede Gianna Knopf Kathleen Triglianos
Dion Brahimi Jule Dimaranan Pasquale Kowal Kyle Pearce Dana Valentine
Ryan Brannigan Julia Dimaranan John Kruse Jeremy Pena Lauren Valenzo
Jasmine Brown Liam Dineen-Herzog Harriet Kumi-Mensah Daniel Pervizi Robert Varga
Joseph Brown Harry Kumi-Mensah Emma Petrosino Nalani Vazquez
Lirona Brucaj Caley Doell Shrudhii Kundu Angelina Pharmakides Paige Vellozzi
Kaitlyn Burke Jorge Duque Catalina Labriola Joseph Phillips
Mary-Kate Cahill Mariam Elzoghby Naiya Lacayo Anthony Pirrone Eric Veras
Adrian Caiazzo Errol English Veronica Lage Gianna Poandl Joseph Vetrano
Elvis Caizaguano Gabriela Espinoza Julius Lagoa-Iacono So a Portante Richard Vicinanza
Brionna Canada Alyssa Eustace Matthew Lebrando Jacob Portem
Anneli Cantu Lily Fanelli Erik Lienau Jack Prato Jeremy Vogt
John Carbo Francesca Fava Christopher Ling Brianna Puoti Andre’a von Ahn
Jailyn Cardenas Hayley Flanagan Tyler Ling Ethan Walder Van Zandt
Aden Carille Haley Foss Kyle Lobo Kian Ray
Alexandra Carozza Alexis Foster Alyssa Longo Sabrina Reichelt Emma Walsh
Brianna Carter omas Fraleigh Miranda Lopes Conor Riordan Michael Walsh
Michael Casale Damian Francis Matthew Magarelli Amanda Rissman Ethan Warren
Michael Castelli Andrew Frobose Matthew Makar Zachary Rissman Denis Whelan
Alyssa Cavarretta Connor Gallagher Anthony Mannarino Albert Rizzotto Emily Wiesen
Benjamyn Chandler Ella Jean Gante Daniella Marazino Isabella Robben Xiao Teng Yang
Ryan Chin Pia Garcia Joseph Marchese Tyler Robinson Tristan Yeagley
Alissa Garofalo-Kulp Michael Mauro Matthew Rodrigue Gabriella Zecca
omas Ciraolo Genti Gashi Kaitlyn McArdle
Doreen Cirillo David Gazivoda Lily McConnell Sarah Rosen
Vance Generoso Jenna McCrudden Landon Ruggieri
Paul Cirillo Hamza Gewida Samantha McQueen
Ivy Clark Kieran Gilson Daniel Melo
Sydney Clynes John Giu rida Alexander Mendel
Grace Gomez Giuliana Miceli
Samantha Graap
Jason Green
Victoria Gruppuso

July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 7

IONA PREPCONGRATULATIONS

CLASS OF 2020!

INVEST. INSPIRE. IGNITE.

An Iona Prep education is one of the best investments
you can make for your son’s success.

Even as the spread of Coronavirus + Graduating classes have + Seniors have been accepted
continues to disrupt education, earned more than $130 million to their top choice schools,
Iona Prep remains true to our mission in academic, merit-based including Boston College,
and we are prepared to enagage college scholarships over the Cornell, Fordham, Georgetown,
and instruct students no matter last five years. Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame,
the circumstances. Be strong as we Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
continue this journey, together. + Lifelong alumni network that University of Pennsylvania,
enhances college and career Vassar and many others.
trajectories on the strength of
the brotherhood of Iona men.

Begin your IONA PREPARED journey this Fall.

Contact [email protected] or visit IonaPrep.org

#IonaPrepCommunityStrong

Page 8 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

PROUD FRIENDS AND FAMILIES
Lakeland

PHOTOS: KRISTA BUSSELL

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July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 9

PHOTOS: KRISTA BUSSELL

Congratulations

graduates and
best of luck
in the future!

Vishnu Patel

Page 10 GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supp

YORKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Congrats Yorktown Grads!

Amber, Lia ,

We are so proud of what you We are
accomplished during your 4 years so proud
at Yorktown High School. We are of the man
excited to watch you continue to grow you have become.
and develop at Cornell University in the Fall.
Congratulation ,
Love, Mom, Dad and Connor
Grammi an P

plement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020 Page 11

Kyr , PHOTOS: KRISTA BUSSELL AND BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER
Congratulation on your graduation
and best wishes for your next adventur . Congratulation Emm !
Wit lov an prid
toda an alway , Lov , Keep Dreamin Bi !
Farmor, Farfar &
Frickman ’ Mo , Ere , Gamm & Gramp

Page 12 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL

Pomp and
circumstance

July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 13

PHOTOS: KRISTA BUSSELL

We would like to congratulate our son,

Christopher D Sa ,

on his graduation from both Yorktown High School

and the BOCES HVAC program this June.

We are very proud of you

and know you will do great things.

Wit al our lov , Mo , Da , Enjoy your continuation of the HVAC trade
Nichola , Danie an Kayl . at SUNY Delhi in September.

You certainly chose a great field!



July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 15

LAKELAND STUDENT SPEAKER
Lirona Brucaj
My fellow students, we arrived here four a thing. A spa day would be nice, you know? into. We must start small, however, and one of greatest changes. We have it in us to change

short years ago and yet it’s already time to Give yourself a break, you don’t have to go the ways we can so is through compassion.Lake- this community for the better, but we must

leave. How did these three quarters go so out and change the world just yet. Just know land is a family lled with so many di erent unite to do so. e simplest and most immedi-

fast? It seems like only yesterday we were that 2020 is not the end of the world, it’s a lovely faces. And whether we recognize it or not, ate thing you can do is spread kindness,respect

freshmen, walking through the simplest year of growth, and a chance for our genera- some students feel unheard, so I will speak for your peers and act with compassion.

oor plan known to man, yet somehow still tion to get involved and become more active. those who feel there is a need for change. But now it’s our turn to say goodbye. Goodbye

getting lost in the English wing. It is in the most challenging times that we In light of recent events, I would like to ac- to the football games, spirit weeks, and pep ral-

We had hopes of beating Mr. Johnson and truly discover ourselves. is year has forced us knowledge the minorities of our community.A lies. Goodbye to all the weird tie-dye cuto s that

Mr.Novak in gym badminton but we lost every to lose so much time together and of course, major change we can all accomplish together is emerge annually during the volleyball tourna-

time. We watched Mr. Schaper dance with the we’ve all grieved the loss of our senior year im- diminishing any trace of racism in our school ments.Goodbye to the extraordinary snack ladies.

rhythm of a wooden pencil on many occasions. mensely these past few months. However, in a system, and ultimately our society. We must Goodbye to Jay Line, the most interesting guest

We got yelled at by our favorite hall monitor way,I think it made us stronger.We were forced stand together in understanding that Black speaker of all time and nally goodbye to the

Nancy at least ten times each, and we had mul- to acknowledge that not everything in life is Lives Matter, and making it a priority to edu- traumatic sounding PA announcements from Mr.

tiple math equations burned into our memory guaranteed. As my classmates and I step out of cate ourselves about the microaggressions we Cummings,who I hope has practiced his proxim-

that might never come in handy. But hey, if you Lakeland and move on to the rest of our lives, I may subconsciously commit against our fellow ity to the microphone prior to this ceremony.

ever need a cool party trick, we will always have need us to remember this. I need us to remem- students of color. Small comments, uninten- With that I’d like to congratulate the class

the quadratic formula song, I’m just saying. ber that not everything is set in stone. For that tional racial pro ling, and many other actions of 2020, it was a bumpy ride, but we made

While I know that the overall messages reason, when you’re done recovering from these can cause a world of discomfort for our stu- it! ank you to those who have supported

given to you today will be motivational words unprecedented times,I would encourage you to dents and we CANNOT tolerate it any longer. each and every one of us, every step of the

about the future, I’m just going to take this take action to solve the problems in this world. We have a lovely student body, but we all way making this day possible. Seniors, this

moment to congratulate you on surviving the We are going to be the next generation of doc- could use a little improvement in this area.Be- is our moment to accomplish something

year so far. We’ve seen devastating wild res, tors, lawyers, “pharmacists”, there may even be a ware of your words and your actions with your meaningful for a greater cause. Don’t disap-

we’ve endured a global pandemic, we’ve seen future president amongst us (ahem,I’ll be eligible classmates and with the rest of our community point me,get up,get out there and go make a

social unrest unfolding before our eyes, and in 2040). Ultimately, it is within all of us to leave and please never be afraid to stand up against di erence! None of us could do it alone, but

on top of all of that murder hornets are now behind a better earth than the one we were born injustice. e smallest actions add up to the we could all do it together.

Page 16 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN SALUTATORIAN

Nicole Guadagno Adrian Caiazzo

What activities are you involved in at high school and in What activities are you involved in at
the community? high school and in the community?

I have been a member of the varsity soccer team for three In school, I was the President of
years. I have been a peer tutor throughout high school and Spanish Honor Society and the
have fostered dogs as a part of a rescue organization. I am Vice President of National Honor
also the President of the National Honor Society and a Society. I also participated in the
member of the Spanish Honor Society. Relay for Life club, and played
soccer for most of high school.
What does it feel like to be named valedictorian? Outside of school, I helped to
It’s truly an honor and it just made me even more coach Shrub Oak soccer, and
grateful for the people in my life who have supported me volunteered at Hudson Valley
through everything—teachers, coaches, family and friends. Hospital.

Where are you going to college, what will you major in and What does it feel like to be named
how did you decide on that college and major? salutatorian?

I will be going to Northeastern University in the fall in the Honors College and majoring It was exciting, but I was nervous about writing a speech and
in Business Administration and Design and will probably also double minor in Photojournal- speaking it in front of so many people.
ism and Social Activism. I love Boston and was drawn to Northeastern’s co-op programs and
global opportunities. I am not exactly sure of the career I want to pursue yet, so I think this Where are you going to college, what will you major in and how
mix of studies will give me exposure to a few di erent elds. did you decide on that college and major?

What is a favorite memory of yours from high school? I will be attending Duke University, where I will be majoring
ere are the obvious ones, like pep rallies and football games but I think one that stands in chemistry. I picked Duke mainly due to location and size, and
decided to major in chemistry due enjoying the chemistry classes I
out is the weekend we spent painting our parking spots in the beginning of senior year. Being took in high school.
together as a class and seeing everyone’s creativity was a great way to start the year.
What is a favorite memory of yours from high school?
Are there any teachers that had an impact on you? If so, who and why? Making s’mores and ice cream in the last week of school in
I have had so many incredible teachers over the years who I will never forget. I would like chemistry.
to especially thank the following teachers: Ms. Ganz, Ms. Jowers, Ms. Reuter, Mrs. Seifts, Mr.
Colangelo, Mrs. Faughnan, Mr. Schaper, Ms. Miller, Mr. Merriam, Mr. Jacques, Mr. Sarli, and Are there any teachers that had an impact on you? If so, who and
Mrs. O’Gorman. I would also like to thank my guidance counselor, Mrs. Smith. All of these why?
people have been supportive and encouraging from the minute I met them and have inspired
me to push my limits and make a di erence. One teacher that had an impact on me was Ms. Ganz, who was
my AP Chemistry teacher. at class was a lot of hard work, but Ms.
How has Lakeland High School prepared you for the future? Ganz taught it in a way that actually had me excited to go to her
I think Lakeland has prepared me for every challenge I might face in the future and has class. Between spending my lunch periods in her class, and staying
encouraged a worldly curiosity that I will take with me to college. after school, Ms. Ganz taught me the true meaning of working hard,
and provided a lot of life lessons along the way.

What are some goals you have for the future? How has Lakeland High School prepared
In the coming few years, I de nitely want to you for the future?
travel as much as possible and do some volunteer
work. At some point I’d like to own a business but Going to Lakeland has taught me
I want a career that allows me to help as many perseverance.
people as possible.
What are some goals you have for the future?
What will you miss most about high school I want to work in the medical eld, speci cally
and Yorktown? in pediatrics. Also, I’d like to live abroad for some
time, if not permanently.
I will de nitely miss watching and playing high
school sports. I’ll miss seeing the friends that I PHOTO: KRISTA BUSSELL What will you miss most about high school
have grown up with every day and the teachers and Yorktown?
and sta that made my experience at Lakeland as
great as it was. Not being able to go somewhere without
knowing someone, and Bob’s.

July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 17

PROUD
FRIENDS

AND
FAMILIES

Yorktown

PHOTOS: KRISTA BUSSELL

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Page 18 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH
Nicole Guadagno
Hello everyone! It’s truly an honor to be freshmen, we were told to ignore seniors our friends performing in Mr. Lakeland. of the highest caliber. To my classmates

speaking on behalf of the Class of 2020 if they tried to give us directions to the Our teachers made sure we were fully pre- and friends, thank you for making this

at a graduation that will surely never be pool, and some of us were actually using pared. Even on days with 3 hour delays, journey so unforgettable and for adding

forgotten. We have been waiting for this our lockers. Sophomore year we started to Mrs. Miller would say,“If you think I won’t joy to the hardest and longest of days. To

day for what feels like forever, though it feel a little better about ourselves because teach the whole lesson in 20 minutes, you my family, your vital words of encourage-

was no easy road to get here. From the we could sit on the bleachers at pep rallies. don’t know me.” e time we did have in ment could not be more appreciated. And

moment we were born, we have been ex- I won’t even try to sugarcoat junior year the building as seniors was as special as we most importantly, to my brother, sister,

posed to both innovation and catastrophe, because we all know how much of a head- had hoped, and although it ended abrupt- mom and dad, thank you for your unwav-

and because of this, we have an inherent ache it was, between standardized tests ly, it was an honor to get to spend our last ering support and faith in me, for being

resilience woven into our existence. We are and the freezing cold walk from Acme in year surrounded by such amazing people. the inspiration for everything I’ll ever do,

destined to meet any challenge, and our the winter mornings. We did have some For most of us, the rst day of school and for teaching me to be empathetic, re-

senior year ending in the midst of a global laughs when some of us slipped down that closure felt similar to a snow day, but like spectful and accepting. ank you all for

crisis is no di erent. Although this is not hill in the parking lot, though. And that so many other circumstances in the last helping the Class of 2020 to be successful

the send-o we expected, at this point it brings us to senior year. Our year. We were few months, our reality changed dramati- on every level.

seems tting that such an unconventional the rst class to paint our parking spots cally. Before we knew it, we had to accept Our experiences as Lakeland students

end of the year would result in a non-tra- and even though we each ran back and that we would never have another day in have supplied us with all of the means

ditional graduation. forth from Home Depot to Lakeland at high school. And with that being said, we necessary to thrive and excel as we turn to

In the four years leading up to today, least three times, we had the best time do- quickly realized the extent of loss being the next chapter of our lives. I am so con-

we have undergone some of the most sig- ing it. We had the most spirit at football felt by so many people during this time dent that every member of the Class of

ni cant, concentrated changes that we will games and brought screaming chickens as and recognized that the severity and un- 2020 will be beyond equipped to handle

ever experience in our entire lives, and the our noisemakers of choice. We cheered for certainty in the world was so much bigger anything that comes our way in the future.

transformations have been impressive. As each other on Oscar Night and laughed at than any of us, or any ceremony. In four short years, we have become so-

In the time that we have had to re ect, phisticated and capable of being the cause

we have thought about the things that we for positive change that the world needs

were lucky to get to do everyday and also us to be. is rite of passage is a reminder

couldn’t help but feel like our “year” was that we are now adults, who will be held

being lost. But a time such as this compels accountable to society. We now have a re-

us to shatter the stereotype of what a suc- sponsibility to use our voices to tear down

Congratulations Class of 2020! cessful year looks like and rede ne it for the mountains of injustice and inequality
ourselves, for every new situation we face. that are long overdue to crumble. ere

Being hopeful in a time of unknowns is a has never been a class more able and will-

Serving All Faiths success. Finding something to enjoy or to ing to do so, and as omas Edison said,
be passionate about while staying home is “If we did everything we are capable of,

a success. Recognizing that this moment we would literally astound ourselves.”

~ Ample Parking ~ has matured all of us and has prepared us We need to exercise the work ethic that
~ Modern Chapels~ for the world is a success. So while our has been instilled in us to produce pow-
~ Burial & Cremation Services ~ high school experience is in no way de- erful, enduring change. Our adaptability
and enthusiasm will allow us to face any
ned by the last quarter of senior year, we

Serving the Yorktown Area de nitely need to acknowledge the major situation with con dence. In whatever it
accomplishment in not letting a circum- is you choose to pursue, your kindness and

Since 1955 stance as extreme as this take from us what wisdom will help you to make the biggest
is intrinsically ours. Our motivation, opti- di erence possible, and you might just as-

914.962.3333 mism, and creativity have not been shaken tound yourself.
by the uphill battles of the last few months, So, Class of 2020, congratulations on

and that is a victory that will help propel graduation! We nally made it!! And

2104 Saw Mill River Road us forward during this time and any other. when the world is ready for us again, we’ll

(Route 35, 118 & 202) Our ability to see what we have gained be ready, too, and we’ll see all of the in-
Yorktown Heights NY 10598 this year is a credit to many key people credible things waiting for us. As Herb
in our lives. To the Lakeland teachers, Brooks said during the 1980 Olympics, in

www.clarkfh.com coaches and sta , thank you for making it a moment of hope and tremendous pos-
your mission to prepare us for our future, sibility, “You were meant to be here. is is

not just as students, but as individuals your time. Now get out there and take it.”

July 2, 2020 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – Page 19

Congratulations to the residents of Yorktown, NY
who were part of Kennedy Catholic Preparatory

School’s Class of 2020.

Maggie Colgan Victoria Kleinschmidt
Cameron Crane Kaitlyn Mucilli
Thomas Duffy Daniel Savino
Arlene Flanders Grace Solazzo
Camille Gordon Luke Tinger

Contact Brian Bruder for admission information: [email protected]
John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School | 54 Route 138, Somers, NY 10589

(914) 232-5061 | KennedyCatholic.org

Page 20 – GRADUATION SECTION – Special Supplement to Yorktown News – July 2, 2020

Congratulations
to all the 2020 High
School Graduates!

The CDP Team wishes you all
the best in your future endeavors.

Tracy Monaco, Stacie Nicholls, Cathy Duff-Poritzky, Your Home. Our Mission.
Patty Wagner, Sheryl Abelson, Amber Thomas, Rachel
McLoughlin, Sara Michaud, Karen O'Connor, Anna Priskie The CDP Team at Compass
Catherine Duff-Poritzky
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
M 914.960.5577 | O 914.214.8922
[email protected]

The CDP Team at Compass is a team of real estate broker-salespersons affiliated with Compass.
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.