Schools
High School Seniors Receive $175,000 in Scholarships
The class of 2010 receives thousands in scholarship money amid tough economic times.
On Thursday, June 3 at Patchogue-Medford High School, 175 deserving students were honored at the Senior Scholarships and Awards Ceremony. Thanks to the many generous donations from several benefactors, altruistic families and philanthropic organizations, an excess of $175,000 in scholarships were granted.
The evening began with a harmonious National Anthem sung by select members of the school's concert choir, directed by Brian Reich. This was followed by the Presentation of Colors by AFJROTC Blue Knight Color Guard.
Students selected to attend were kept in suspense as to which scholarship they'd been chosen for, until it was announced on stage before a packed auditorium.
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Lisa Guzzardi-Arndt had no idea which award her daughter Rachel Arndt would receive saying, "She's pretty well-rounded."
The president of the Board of Education, Brett P. Houdek stood at the podium and praised the, "generosity and outpouring our community has for its students." He added, "This is the kind of night that makes everything worthwhile."
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Principal Randy E. Rusielewicz, Ed.D. announced the top three students graduating with the highest GPA's. After giving out all the other awards, he invited these stellar scholars along with their proud parents to take center stage. The top spots belong to: Michael Accardo in third with a GPA of 100.73, salutatorian Ali Syed who's headed for Stony Brook University with a GPA of 101.02, and valedictorian, Norah Liang. She is Harvard bound and graduating with a GPA of 101.63.
In Rusielewicz' closing remarks he said, "I want to bear witness tonight to arguably the greatest gift—altruism, philanthropy ... just plain giving ... Giving in difficult times will lead to the promise of better times."
The principal stated his hope is that when the students achieve success, they will come full circle and themselves donate to the community. He ended by addressing the students with these final thoughts, "You are the future. You will always be ours. You are Patchogue-Medford."
Molly Vallilo, a scholarship recipient stated her feelings, succinctly put, "It's nice someone appreciates what you do."
