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Class of 2020

Potential Coronavirus Exposure is Being Investigated Following Greeley’s Drive-In Graduation Ceremony

June 27, 2020 by Inside Press

State, County, Town and School Officials Issue Official Responses and Guidelines as Town Residents and Merchants Grapple with Concerns Over Revelations and a New Quarantine Order Directed at Graduation Attendees.

Despite Horace Greeley High School’s plan for a socially distanced approach to graduation, some people broke protocol, and today Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the State Department of Health to investigate possible coronavirus exposures at the graduation ceremony and at related events which followed. According to a release from the Governor’s office, potential COVID-19 exposure may have occurred “after an individual who had recently traveled to Florida and attended the ceremony subsequently began showing symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19. Since then, four more individuals who attended the ceremony and had contact with the first positive case have also tested positive.”  Please read to the end for public statements issued by both The Chappaqua Central School District and the Town of New Castle in response to the news and to Governor Cuomo’s order.

POIGNANT REMARKS AT A DRIVE-IN CEREMONY

Editor’s Note: What follows is a story that was being prepared to run as basic coverage of the graduation ceremony prior to the above breaking news. It is a look back at an event that included heartfelt addresses to and from members of the Class of 2020…

Inside Press Photo: Horace Greeley High School Class of 2020 Drive in Ceremony

On Saturday, June 20, seniors and their families gathered together in the Chappaqua Train Station parking lot to celebrate drive-in movie style. There were two screens and a stage set up as cars rolled in filled with seniors in decorated caps and gowns. 

The graduation began at 8 p.m.when Horace Greeley Assistant Principal Lauralyn Stewart welcomed families and acknowledged the different setting of this year’s graduation.

President of the Chappaqua Board of Education and parent of a Horace Greeley senior, Jane Shepardson, said that if graduation was taking place at the high school under the tent, she would be handing each of the students their diploma and greeting them with a hug as she has known many of them since they were in preschool since her daughter is their age. 

“The graduation speech I wrote in June was certainly not the one I would have written several months ago. I had no idea I would be giving a speech in a train station parking lot during a global pandemic and would end up on a Jumbotron,” said Shepardson.“I obviously wanted to talk about something universal to all the seniors, but felt like I couldn’t avoid acknowledging that I had a daughter graduating with the Class of 2020, so my goal was to briefly mention it in a humorous way and then move on to what was relevant to all of them.”

Horace Greeley High School Principal Andrew Corsilia spoke about the silver lining of the time spent at home this spring- quality time with family. 

Corsilia said this kind or amount of time together is rare and that some families may have even had college aged children back home eating at their dinner tables. 

“As I looked out at the sea of cars, I found myself feeling proud of this class, what they have endured, and what they have accomplished,” said Corsilia. “After months of isolation from the school, I was relieved and pleased that we could provide them the celebration and recognition they deserved.  It was an unforgettable finale to an unforgettable year.”

The valedictorians gave a speech together. Each allotted 45 seconds, the 13 valedictorians felt it would be symbolic for each of them to discuss a grade, kindergarten through twelfth. The students shared a lesson they took from that age or a moment that stood out to them. 

Following the speeches, each student’s name was read as a photo of them appeared on the screens. Families honked and cheered for every senior and the environment was lively.

Once all the students’ names were read, Stewart announced she had two special surprises. 

The first one was that former First Lady and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President of the United States Bill Clinton recorded a congratulatory message for the Horace Greeley High School class of 2020.

Hillary Clinton said that they understood that the graduating class’ senior year may have looked a little different but those changes do not diminish the accomplishments of the senior class in any way. 

“All your hard work, and the work of your families that got you, the things you accomplished, the friendships and memories you’ve made at Horace Greeley, you’ll treasure that for the rest of your lives,” said Hillary Clinton. 

Then came the second surprise, a fireworks display. Families poked their heads out of their cars to enjoy the colorful, bright display that celebrated the seniors. 

“The surprising thing to me was how personal it felt, even though everyone was in their cars. I think we were all so happy to be in the same place together after being apart for so long, that it actually seemed even more personal than a typical graduation at Greeley.  From what I have heard from the seniors and their families, everyone felt the same – that it was poignant and extra-special,” said Shepardson.

THE AFTER EFFECTS

According to the New Castle Police Department, an individual recently traveled to Florida before attending the ceremony at the train station. She showed symptoms after June 20 and tested positive. Since then, four more people who came in contact with the individual who traveled to Florida also tested positive. The student also attended a field night, a large gathering on multiple fields,  on June 20 that some seniors and juniors also attended.

According to Gov. Cuomo, anyone who attended the graduation, field night or other graduation events must quarantine until July 5. 

“We need to stay vigilant. We’re prepared to do the aggressive testing and contact tracing required to slow and ultimately control any potential clusters of new cases like the one in Westchester County,” said Gov. Cuomo.

The Governor also issued a new executive order that makes New York employees who voluntarily travel to high-risk states after June 25 ineligible for COVID-19 paid sick leave.

“New Yorkers have controlled the spread of this unprecedented virus by being smart and disciplined, and our progress to date is illustrated by the current low numbers of new cases and hospitalizations,” Governor Cuomo said. “But as we are seeing in other states who reopened quickly, the pandemic is far from over and we need stay vigilant. We’re prepared to do the aggressive testing and contact tracing required to slow and ultimately control any potential clusters of new cases like the one in Westchester County. If we are going to maintain the progress we’ve seen, we need everyone to take personal responsibility – that’s why I’m issuing an executive order that says any New York employee who voluntarily travels to a high-risk state will not be eligible for the COVID protections we created under paid sick leave.”

A letter to the community this afternoon from School Superintendent Christine Ackerman confirmed that the school has been notified by the New York State Department of Health and Governor Cuomo’s office that at least five individuals who attended our Greeley graduation ceremony have tested positive for COVID-19. “I would like to assure the entire community that we are working closely with local and state officials to support their efforts to prevent further spread of Covid-19 in our area. The safety of our students and our entire school community continues to be our most important priority. The Greeley graduation was a carefully planned event that strictly followed Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders and all NYS Department of Health Guidelines. The District repeatedly provided clear guidance and protocols for families that complied with all applicable health and safety orders and guidelines. Unfortunately, at the event, and despite police presence, numerous individuals failed to follow our protocols. In addition, we later learned that one attendee, who had recently traveled to Florida, later tested positive for COVID-19.”
 
Ackerman concluded that she strongly encourages members of the Chappaqua school community “to remain vigilant. Continue wearing a mask when you are in public, wash your hands frequently, and practice social distancing. The CCSD Administration will continue to follow all medical and public health guidance for our school community, and we ask that all residents do the same.”
 
In a Nixel alert from the New Castle Police Department, there was a reminder about testing:  “As part of our public health outreach, the State and County DOH encourage testing for anybody who attended the graduation ceremony or the Field Night event and may have come in contact with an infected individual. For information about testing, please contact your local healthcare provider, or visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing.
 
The same evening, the Town of New Castle released to the community the following series of answers to questions received relating to the new cases and the Governor’s order:
 

Q: The NYS Department of Health (“NYSDOH”) issued an Order mandating self-quarantine through July 5th. To whom does this apply?

A:    The State advised that “Individuals who attended the graduation ceremony, Field Night event, or events associated with graduation, which continued into June 21, should extend their quarantine period until July 5th.” Although not mandated by NYSDOH, if after June 21st, you were at parties or other events without social distancing or wearing a mask, you should consider self-quarantining as well.
 

Q:    If I social distanced or wore a mask at the above events, must I still self-quarantine? 

A:    Yes, NYSDOH is requiring anyone in attendance to self-quarantine irrespective of whether or not you followed proper protocols.

 

Q:    Why is the NYSDOH mandating self-quarantine for those who followed the rules? Doesn’t it seem excessive?

A:    To best ensure the spread of COVID-19 is minimized, a blanket self-quarantine provides a more efficient way to identify those who may have been exposed and manage the potential spread. If you remain at home and limit those you interact with, it shrinks the “contact tree” that contract tracers must pursue.

 

Q:   How long will the self-quarantine last?

A:    You must self-quarantine until July 5th.

 

Q:     If my test for COVID-19 is negative, do I still have to self-quarantine until July 5th?

A:  Yes, even if you test negative for COVID-19 you must remain in quarantine. Not only can you later test positive, but according to the Westchester County Department of Health, you should test no sooner than five days of exposure or upon presenting symptoms. 

 

Q:  How will I know if I have come into contact with a COVID-19 positive person?

A:   You will receive a call from a contact tracer. It is imperative that if you see such a call on your caller ID you pick up your phone.

 

Q:   How will I know if the call is from a Contact Tracer?

A:    If you get a call from “NYS Contact Tracing” (518-387-9993), PLEASE answer the phone. Answering the phone will keep your loved ones and community safe.

A contact tracer will:

  • 
NEVER ask for your Social Security number
  • 
NEVER ask for any private financial information
  • 
NEVER ask for credit card information
  • NEVER send you a link without proper authentication procedures

  Q:   Where can I get more information about contact tracing?

A:  Visit the NYSDOH website at NYSDOH Contact Tracing and the WCDOH website at WCDOH Contact Tracing.

 

Q:  As an owner of a small business and an attendee of the HGHS graduation, does my staff also need to quarantine?  Similarly, if I was with someone who attended the events, but I was not at the event, must I self-quarantine?

A:    The NYSDOH Order only directs those who attended the graduation, Field Night and related graduation events to self-quarantine. It does not extend beyond that until if and when a positive result is received. As such, an individual with a second-degree interaction and who was not at the event need not self-quarantine. However, if the attendee later tests positive, those he or she was in direct contact with would have to self-quarantine. If you have questions or concerns, please call the New York State Department of Health hotline at (888) 364-3065.

 

Q:    Will the Town share the names of those who tested positive for COVID-19?

A:    No, WCDOH maintains the list and the names of these individuals is protected by HIPAA and not shared with the public.

 

Q:   For those not under self-quarantine, what should we do to protect ourselves?

The NYSDOH and WCDOH both recommend social distancing no closer than six feet and wearing masks. These best practices have not changed and remain in effect. Further, it is recommended that anybody who attended the graduation ceremony or the Field Night event and may have come in contact with an infected individual get tested. For information about testing, please contact your local healthcare provider, or visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing.

 

Q:  Will the New Castle Police Department enforce quarantine?

A:  The NCPD does not have a list of those in attendance at these events nor will the NCPD be proactively checking to confirm adherence to the self-quarantine. Simply, you know if you were there and so do your neighbors and friends. Do not be “that person”. To file a report of an individual failing to adhere to the quarantine pursuant to the travel advisory, one should call 1-833-789-0470 or visit https://mylicense.custhelp.com/app/ask . Individuals may also contact their local department of health.  The NCPD can only report violations they observe first-hand, but they can be of assistance and respond when needed. If they observe a violation they can also act.

 

Q:  But for social media, would residents and the Town have known about the COVID-19 infections associated with HGHS graduation?

A:    Yes, the Town is regularly in touch with the County Department of Health. Contract tracers are deployed once a person tests positive so that those potentially infected are advised and can take the proper steps to address their exposure. 
 

Q:  Will there be a “lockdown” or will the County or State implement similar measure as to what occurred in New Rochelle?

A:    No, facilities, parks, businesses, and restaurants remain open. There is no containment zone. Fortunately, contact tracing is far more advanced and efficient. Simply, New Castle is not subject to the same restrictions. 

Per Town Supervisor Ivy Pool and Deputy Supervisor Jeremy Saland and the board et al: “Please remain vigilant and adhere to best practices. Again, we will continue communicating with both the County and State to identify and address issues as they arise, questions we may have, and changes in policy should they occur. Your safety is always our priority. We have been in this together for a long time and we will see each other through.”

 

Filed Under: New Castle News, Surviving COVID-19 Tagged With: Chappaqua, Chappaqua Central School District, Christine Ackerman, Class of 2020, contact tracing, coronavirus exposure, Drive in Ceremony, Florida, Governor Andrew Cuomo, graduation, Horace Greeley High School, New Castle Police Department

Congrats Seniors: Celebration Time for Briarcliff High School Class of 2020!

June 17, 2020 by Inside Press

Editor’s Note: So many families and fans of the Class of 2020 in the Briarcliff community are busy preparing to celebrate 137 seniors graduating from Briarcliff High School! Following spotlights in neighboring communities, we were delighted to hear right away as well from proud BHS family members about their own inspiring Class of 2020 graduates. Donna Mueller, who has spent nearly the entire pandemic voluntarily photographing local families, photographed these soon to be graduates, too. There are festive plans ahead: volunteers have been filming small groups of students at a time as the kids received their diplomas and tossed their caps on the game day field. All the footage will be put together for a compilation viewing at a Drive In concept to be shown at Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown on June 19.  Congratulations from these families to their students, and congratulations from the Inside Press as well to the entire Class of 2020!

Emily Boviero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Emily is a daily reminder of the possibilities that exist if you fight for your goals. Life has presented its challenges, including early learning and sensory differences. While she might doubt her abilities, she’ll still face any challenge. Through effort she excelled in honor and AP courses, achieved scholastic goals, and was accepted into her top college. When she felt helpless over the racism filling the news, she decided to help create change. She organized her peers and started a dialogue with her school to create action steps that support school inclusivity. She is an inspiration to persist despite fear.”

Bailey Zednik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Bailey entered Briarcliff High School from Pocantico Hills as a freshman.  A three-season athlete for all four years, Bailey played soccer, basketball, was co-captain of the swim and dive team, and was an award winning shot-put thrower her junior year.  She had hopes for another record this year, when her season was cut short by Covid-19.  Bailey was co-president of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation Club and turned her planned senior internship into a passion project with her basketball teammates where they donated time and resources to frontline workers.  Bailey is excited to attend Penn State in the fall.  Known as a friend to so many and always with a positive attitude we have been amazed by the resilience of Bailey and all of the seniors.  Presented with all of the challenges this pandemic has presented, they have all persevered.”

 

 

 

Filed Under: Stay Connected Tagged With: Briarcliff High School, Class of 2020

Celebrating Greeley’s Senior Class in Style: A Car Parade Filled with Community Love

June 14, 2020 by Lauren Rosh

Horace Greeley High School Seniors (L-R) Charlotte Templeton, Emma Rosh, Georgia Goldstein

On Friday, June 12,  families, residents and visitors to the town of Chappaqua gathered together to show their love and support for Horace Greeley High School’s 2020 graduating class through an early evening car parade.

While the line of cars made its way down Route 117 and King Street and Greeley Avenue, parents and guardians sat behind the wheel as their seniors stuck their heads out the window or through sunroofs to either wave back at all the well wishers or to simply absorb all of the excitement around them.

Caryn Shapiro, parent of Horace Greeley senior Lily Shapiro, said, “the car parade was a silver lining that came out of this pandemic. It was such an amazing event that brought the whole community together to celebrate our seniors who have lost the fun traditions that make the spring of senior year so special.”

According to Horace Greeley PTA Vice Chair Suzanne Lodge, the Chappaqua PTA worked together with the Chappaqua Central School District and in cooperation with the Town of New Castle and its police department to organize the parade in order to replace the traditional celebrations this year’s graduating class is missing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This led to the senior class car parade.

“We had seen other districts do the same thing but we also wanted to follow New York State guidelines, so I spoke to the New Castle Police Department and they were super supportive,” said Lodge.

Teachers at Horace Greeley High School waving and cheering for the senior class

Lodge managed the event and worked closely with community members, teachers, parents, seniors and the police department to ensure the car parade was well organized and successful.

Seniors and their families slowly began to roll into the Chappaqua train station parking lot around 5 p.m. Students painted the exteriors of the cars to celebrate their accomplishments.

Senior Charlotte Templeton said the car parade was “a great time and fun way to see classmates while celebrating being a senior.”

As more people filed into the parking spots, the noise level and energy built. Once the police officers leading the parade motioned for everyone to head back into their cars, the honking began.

The parade route started at the train station, weaved through town and ended at Horace Greeley High School. Throughout town, members of the community lined the streets with noise-makers, signs and cameras.

Cheers and shouts from community members combined with cars honking created a symphony that brought smiles to seniors’ faces.

When the seniors pulled into the high school, teachers greeted them by honking their horns right back at them and cheering loudly.

Lodge said the PTA advertised the parade in the town superintendent’s note of the week and in the elementary and middle school newsletters this week. The note encouraged community members to come out and cheer for the seniors while wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines.

Community members in town showing their support for the senior class

Senior Lily Shapiro, daughter of Caryn Shapiro, said, “it was so fun to watch the whole town come together for the first time in a while, socially distanced of course, to celebrate the seniors.”

Lisa Kassin, parent of a Horace Greeley junior and college freshman, lined the parade route with her family to cheer on the seniors.

“My family had so much fun watching on Route 117 and cheering for the entire class of 2020. Seeing the smiles on the seniors’ faces while they stood through the sunroofs of their decked out cars was the best part of the parade,” said Kassin.

Before the parade Lodge said, “we are so excited to finally be celebrating these kids, they’ve worked so hard for so long and we were feeling a little disappointed they would not be having their usual accolades but I think Mother Nature agreed that they need a celebration because today is going to be a beautiful day.”

Although “Honk for Seniors” is traditionally held on the first and last days of school at Horace Greeley, this car parade may become a new way of holding the event and celebrating the seniors in the future.

“I think ‘honk for seniors’ may have been more special than ever before, and I think this would be an awesome tradition to have each year,” said Lily Shapiro.

 

Filed Under: New Castle News, Stay Connected Tagged With: car parade, Chappaqua, Class of 2020, community, Honk for Seniors, Honking, Horace Greeley High School, seniors, Smiles, Teachers

‘Getting to Know’ & Celebrate Some of the Wonderful Seniors of the Pleasantville High School Class of 2020

May 30, 2020 by Lauren Rosh

There are many reasons to celebrate the accomplishments of the 145 seniors in the Class of 2020 at Pleasantville High School. I just finished my second year of college at The University of Maryland so it seems fitting to have the opportunity to reflect on the special milestone as I am approaching two years since I graduated. Seniors, although this day may look a little different than how it has looked in the past for previous graduating classes, this does not diminish your successes. In fact, you have accomplished more than just graduating from high school- you completed your senior year during a global health crisis. Something we know was a challenge. As cliché as it may sound, I have learned that graduation is truly just the beginning. No matter what your plan is for after high school- college, work, travel- graduation signifies the start of a new chapter in your life. Below, is a sampling of this fantastic class from which we had the opportunity to ‘pair’ parent/student words with photographs taken by Pleasantville-based photographer, Donna Mueller, www.greatkeepsakes.com. Take the time to read about what makes each of these soon-to-be high school graduates special, as described by their respective families.  – Lauren Rosh

Editor’s Note:  Plans for the class’s graduation are still unconfirmed, following a recent interview with Pleasantville High School Principal Joseph Palumbo, who had stated: “We are working hard to make the ceremony about the students,” he said. Most importantly, he added, “The members of the Senior class are healthy and safe. Our door remains open for them.” In a June 1 email., Joyce A. Connell, coordinator of School Counseling, responded re a follow up inquiry re plans that “he (Mr. Palumbo) has been working tirelessly with the parties involved to get it confirmed.”  Mr. Palumbo also responded: “Our poll for students/parents just closed last night and we are currently working to finalize plans. I have a meeting today with venues/vendors; the hope is to have complete plans by the end of the day.”

We will share more at the Inside Press as we learn more. In the meantime, congratulations to the entire Class of 2020 from everyone at The Inside Press.— Grace Bennett

Aidan Canfield

“Aidan Canfield will be graduating from Pleasantville High School and will continue his education at Bucknell University. Bucknell is a perfect fit where he will challenge himself academically and athletically. Aidan played football and wrestled for the Pleasantville Panthers throughout high school. He was awarded “All Section” for three years, won the section title his junior and senior years and placed in the New York state competition. Aidan will wrestle for the Bisons and plans to continue his passion for playing the guitar and fishing while he is in college. Pleasantville High School has prepared him well for this new and exciting chapter in his life.”

 

 

 

Ryan Dirgins

“A lover of music since birth, Ryan enjoys songwriting, playing the guitar, piano, saxophone, ukulele and the occasional kalimba solo. He ran outdoor track and cross country for the Panther and was named “All Westchester County” in 2019. He is also passionate about the visual arts. When not filming and editing humorous YouTube and TikTok video, he can be found at Rockwood Hall photographing his friends. Ryan sang in the Razor’s Edge acapella group and appeared earlier this year as King Triton in “The Little Mermaid.” This year’s Pleasantville High School’s salutatorian, Ryan plans to attend Wesleyan University this fall.”

 

 

Lauren Drillock

“To know Lauren is to love Lauren. With a zest for life, Lauren is a special girl who works tirelessly to excel academically and in sports. As a captain of her soccer team, she helped lead her team to a state championship this year. As a two-time captain for lacrosse, she has demonstrated great leadership and resilience over the last few years. In addition, as vice president of youth group, she donates much of her time to community service. More importantly, she exemplifies all that is good in a person and friends are essential to her. Lauren will play lacrosse at the College of the Holy Cross in the fall.”

 

 

 

Ben Fischer

“Ben has made the most of his experience at Pleasantville High School. In addition to enjoying his studies, Ben has been a member of the track team and Pioneer Sports League. He has also been actively involved with the garden club and peer to peer club. Outside of school, Ben is an avid hiker. Great friends and great memories have been made at Pleasantville High School.”

 

 

Norah Foley

“Norah is a caring and gentle soul. She is competitive yet sympathetic. Norah is reflective and amusing. Norah is the voice of reason in our large, chaotic Irish family. Norah has always chosen to do things in life not because they are easy, but because they are hard. We love you and as you begin the next chapter of your life in Loyola, Maryland, remember “we busted out of class, had to get away from these fools…” Go Greyhounds! Congratulations Norah!”

 

 

 

 

Megan McLane

“Meg is an amazing girl with a heart of gold. She is a hard worker, diligent, patient, funny, thoughtful, honest, quirky, compassionate, kind and optimistic. Her smile lights up a room and she has an infectious laugh. She loves music, theater and people! She is loud and excitable. Her voice can fill a room and melt your heart. She is a good friend and dependable. She is fair, true, generous and empathetic. She is someone you like to be around. The present may be on pause but the future looks bright for this senior.”

Sean Mueller

“Sean is kind and rarely complains. He is a hard worker when he cares about what he is working on. He is ‘loyal, kind and true’ to his friends and family. His favorite sports are football and lacrosse. This year, he was the captain of the Pleasantville varsity football team but what he enjoys most is playing the game of lacrosse which unfortunately could not happen this season. He will be attending Mount Saint Mary College in the fall and is looking forward to brighter days and playing on their lacrosse team. Go Pleasantville Panthers! Go MSMC Knights!”

 

 

 

Molly Perrine

“One of Molly’s greatest accomplishments at Pleasantville High School was to be selected to represent her school and participate in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program where she attended conference at Adelphi University and Loyola University in Chicago. In school, Molly was the captain of cross country and track and field. She participated in various clubs such as “Familiar Faces” and “Echo” that allowed her to be an active member of her community. Outside of school, Molly has studied acting for 13 years, and in her free time, she loves to hang out with her friends. Molly is very excited to attend Skidmore College where she plans to pursue a double major of acting and marketing.”

Filed Under: Stay Connected Tagged With: Class of 2020, Global Health Crisis, graduation, High School Graduation, New Chapter, Pleasantville, Pleasantville High School, Senior Year

‘Getting to Know’ & Celebrate Some of the Wonderful Seniors in the Horace Greeley Class of 2020

May 30, 2020 by Inside Press

Just Between Us: In a class of 342 students graduating, as is the case for this year’s soon to be graduating Class of 2020 at Horace Greeley High School, there are that many joy-filled reasons to celebrate.  While conversation of how graduation will play out swirls about, we thought a simple early glimpse of that joy was in order. Fortunately, despite all the challenges of this pandemic, a group of parents took time out to respond to our requests to share a little bit about why they are feeling so proud of their own student. We are thrilled to offer a sampling from this amazing class and have the opportunity to ‘pair’ parent words with beautiful photographs, most of them by Donna Mueller, www.greatkeepsakes.com  I also took time out to discuss the class at large with Horace Greeley High School Principal Andrew Corsilia, who stated that “the whole community wants to celebrate them. We’re just incredibly proud of this class.” My full interview with Mr. Corsilia can be found here https://www.theinsidepress.com/greeley-principal-a-preview-of-plans-to-celebrate-a-mature-and-community-minded-class-of-2020/ In the meantime, read on about the accomplishments and aspirations of each of these soon to be graduates, as described by their respective families. Congrats in advance to the entire Class of 2020 from everyone at The Inside Press.  — Grace Bennett

Emma Cohen

“Emma Cohen is second generation HGHS graduate. Her mom, Eileen Kloper-Cohen is Class of ‘85. Emma has wanted to be a physical therapist since her first dance- related injury. She was/is a ballet dancer and had a stress fractures in her foot ( a common dancer’s injury). She was devastated with her injury and thought she was never going to dance again. With a lot of physical therapy and support she was back on her feet and back on pointe. Her dedication to dance rules her world. She spent many years commuting to New York City after middle school and high school to get to the dance studio on time. She would drive hours each day, training and dancing for hours, and arriving home after 8:30/9 p.m/ each night to just start her homework. It was a huge commitment. In Emma’s junior year, she decided to dance with a local studio & concentrate on her school work and have more personal time with friends and family.”

Nicholas Gonzalez

Nicholas has been involved in scouting since he was in first grade. He has always had a love of nature, and learning new skills. He recently became an Eagle Scout with Chappaqua Troop 2. His involvement in scouting has invoked a strong commitment to helping others through a variety of community service projects. For his Eagle Scout project, he built an Adirondack style lean-to for the Chappaqua Friends Nursery School, of which he is an alum, as a space for outdoor education and dramatic play. His involvement in scouting also peaked his interest in First Aid which led him to join the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Youth Corps. Nick will be attending Bates College in Maine where he will major in History, pursue a pre-med track, and take advantage of all of the wonderful nature Maine has to offer!

Kobe Lane

Photo courtesy of the Lane Family

“Kobe moved to Chappaqua in the middle of his 8th grade year from rural Maine. When he arrived to Chappaqua to be part of a new family and a new life, he was considered two grade levels behind the other kids. It was a real struggle, but he persevered through every challenge or setback. Along the way, there were many teachers who helped my child catch up and guide him to succeed. Kobe’s not an “A” student but he will graduate high school–that alone is an accomplishment. So, thank you to the teachers and guidance counselors at Robert Bell and Horace Greeley. While I am sad that I will likely not see him walk across the stage in a cap and gown, it does not matter. He knows and I know, he made it. Moreover, high school does not determine your destiny. You determine your destiny. Kobe may not have gold stars or AP credits or whatever else shows you were a super star in high school. At age 13, Kobe moved in with complete strangers. He moved 300 miles away from everything he had ever known. He made friends who come from a very different background. He worked to catch up academically and has been successful in managing all those changes. This is an incredible accomplishment and I am amazingly proud of him. Success has many definitions.”

Luke McHugh

“Luke is graduating Horace Greeley High School and will be attending Lehigh University’s School of Engineering. Luke has always loved technology and problem-solving.  Greeley has been a nurturing environment for his interests as the school offers a variety of STEAM classes. Luke’s other passion is swimming; he is a four-year member of the Greeley Swim Team that has won both the Division One and Section One Championships for all four of his years (Go G-Swim!); he is a also a three-year NY State qualifier and team captain. Congratulations to Luke and all the seniors graduating high school in 2020!”

 

 

Ryan Raicht

“Ryan is an incredible brother, son, and friend. He has worked hard and consistently in every aspect of his life. Since he was in elementary school, Ryan has been committed to playing baseball competitively. He will be pitching for Washington & Lee next spring. Ryan altered much of his life to become a competitive player; he gave up summer activities, committed to a workout and nutritional plan, and was solely focused on baseball, academics, and family. Fully understanding that very few people can participate in athletics beyond high school and even fewer can pitch at college, he remained focused and disciplined. As the youngest player on almost every one of his teams, Ryan rose to the occasion. He has matured into a positive, thoughtful young man. And, we are most proud of the person whom he has become.”

Emma Rosh

“Emma is joy – her sharp sense of humor is always appreciated and even more so during this challenging time. We are incredibly proud of her impressive accomplishments but even more proud that she is kind, thoughtful & compassionate. Wishing Emma and everyone in the Class of 2020 heartfelt congratulations and all the best, always!”

Filed Under: New Castle News, Stay Connected Tagged With: 2020 Graduates, Class of 2020, Graduates, graduation, Horace Greeley High School, Joy, photographs, proud, proud parents, Words

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