Clarke Grads Honored at Ceremony

recently held its biannual Hall of Achievement Induction Ceremony, honoring two Clarke alumni: Michael Goldberger (Class of ’68) and Irene Rosenfeld (Class of ’71).

Goldberger is the Director of Athletics at Brown University and Rosenfeld is the current Chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods.

Goldberger was unable to attend the event because of prior commitments at Brown University, so Dean of Students John Boyle accepted the plaque on his behalf. Clarke Principal Timothy Voels said that Goldberger had been captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams when he was a senior in 1968, while Mr. Boyle had been the water boy for the football team that year.

In attendance at the Hall of Achievement Induction Ceremony was Dr. Arnold Wallace, the first assistant principal of W.T. Clarke High School, who held that position for 40 years; Board of Education President Joseph Parisi; Board of Education Trustee Marcee Rubinstein; Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Cindy Munter; current assistant principals Geraldine Doddato and Richard Lagattolla; East Meadow Kiwanis Club President Mitchell Allen; Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Legis. Norma Gonsalves, R-East Meadow.

After the two alumni were honored, Wallace spoke to those gathered.

“I get so much pleasure to see someone from this school rise to the heights that you did,” he said to Rosenfeld. “What makes this district great is that the Board of Education, the community, and the teachers -- they care. I love this school district. This is family.”

“This is an incredible honor for me," Rosenfeld said. "I am overwhelmed. I haven’t been back here in 40 years. I just came back a few weeks ago for my 40th reunion. I learned a lot about leadership and self-reliance here. I made so many lifelong friends. This school played an important role in my life. I’m thrilled to be back.”