Tuckahoe Grads Bid High School Farewell

There are 63 new alumni of Tuckahoe High School. On Friday evening parents and friends gathered on the lawn of the school to congratulate the young graduates and celebrate their accomplishments, including over fifty awards and scholarships.

The speeches were reflective and encouraging. During the principal's opening remarks, Dr. Bart Linehan pondered the state of national affairs: a celebrity culture that has overtaken true heroism and accomplishment and an ongoing environmental crisis in the Gulf that no one seems to be able to solve, even though decades ago we managed to land men on the moon.

Linehan challenged the students to rise to the occasion. "There are always problems to solve," he said.

Salutatorian Matthew Cucino's remarks were along the same lines. He talked to  his classmates about the many choices that awaited them and encouraged them not to be afraid of making mistakes.

"Whenever there is a choice to be made, the first best decision is the right thing, the second best decision is the wrong thing, but the worst choice is always doing nothing at all," said Cucino.

Graduate and School President DinaMarie Moss gave a tribute to the Class of 1960 who were returning for their 50th reunion. Some of the alumni were in attendance at graduation.

After listing some of the differences between now and fifty years ago, including popular dances and gas prices, Moss was refelctive as well.

"Four years ago, I wished for today but today I wish for four years ago." Moss said. She wondered what it would be like when she and her classmates returned in 2060.

In the most touching segment of the program, graduates Alexa Linden and Ariana Thorn thanked the families of the graduates for their love and support. The seniors then descended from the dais with musical support from The Honors Chorus who sang "You Pulled Me Through." The graduates went into the audience and presented their family members with the red roses they carried during procession.

After the hugs and tears, teacher and class advisor Angela Giorgi presented the graduates with ceramic turtles representing perserverance and "having to stick your neck out" which she encouraged the seniors to do in the future.

"I dare you," said Giorgi, "to dream beyond every horizon you see."

Valedictorian and Class President Timothy Moroney offered inspirational words to his classmates. Recounting his personal struggles after losing a parent during his senior year, Moroney challenged his peers to find their personal inspiration and announced his own plans to attend circus school.

Whatever they might choose for themselves, Moroney implored his classmates, "Do it because you love it, do it well, do it now."

Tuckahoe Class of 2010:

Cassidy Agostino

Melvin Jerome Banks, Jr.

Jessica Bellamy

Christopher G. Bellotti

Daniel Bendlin

Jenna Marie Brewster

Michael Calvao

Philip Castracucco

Jenny Chen

Michael Paul Ciotti

Christopher Martin Conkling

Alexia L. Copeland

John Crimmins

Nicole Crimmins

Matthew D. Cucino (Salutatorian)

Ceara Siobhan Cullinan

Frank DeRuggiero

Richard B. Disotell

Sheena Drummond

Kerry M. Evans

Eric Garzaro

Samrawi Ghebrenigus

Kristine Anne Greco

Xavier M. Griffiths

Anthony Harvey

Kateri Hooper

Christa Marie Indiviglio

Codruta Ionescu

Joseph Lewis

Alexa Ann Linden

Matthew Harris Loiacono

Ashley Manca

Christina Marie Manias

Paraskos Maris

Megan Elizabeth McGuinness

Timothy J. Moroney (Valedictorian)

Shanelle Mosely

DinaMarie Moss

Briana Hope Oliverio

Victoria Ottomanelli

Meghan Therese Palucci

Jourley Xiomara Perez V

Alexa Michelle Persico

Frank Christopher Podolak

Anthony Poli

Nicholas Poli

Jeremy L. Reed

Roneisha N. Risper

Ronneasha L. Risper

Adam Said-Worede

Elizabeth Marie Santiago

Jenny C. Santos

Alexander J. Severiano

James Anthony Simone

Ryan J. Snavely

Michelle Soto

Andrew E. Stanson

Ariana Christine Thorn

Mauricio Valdes

Domenick J. Villano

Casey-Lynn Weiner

Jameer M. Weldon

Alex Wenke