SHS Seniors Honored at Annual Awards Night

Before they walk down the aisle to the tune of Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance," take their diplomas and head off to their futures, the Schreiber High School Class of 2010 had its Senior Awards Night.

"The students honored here tonight epitomize the genuineness, the intellectual capabilities, and talents of the class as a whole," said Hank Hardy, the Port Washington School District's Director of Guidance. "This is a stellar group and they're going to be the world changers and do it all the right way."

Throughout the evening, more than 50 awards and scholarships were awarded to members of the Schreiber senior class, including track star Marco Bertolotti, who received the Principal's High Honor Roll Recognition, for students that have maintained an average of 4.0 or better throughout each year they have attended Schreiber, and the Dan Biro Memorial Scholarship.   

"This was a really nice night," said Bertolotti, who is heading to Stanford University in the fall. "The seniors of 2010 deserve their awards. I feel good and very thankful for these awards. It was a lot of hard work that paid off."

Two other students who got a lot exercise, walking back and forth from the podium to accept their many awards were Schreiber's 2010 valedictorian, Richard "Eddie" Grove, who will be going to Princeton to study international relations, and salutatorian, Nicole Meyers, who is heading to Cornell to participate in their business program.

"I'm honored to be recognized by many people within the community, who have given so much to Port Washington," said Grove, who was awarded the Principal's High Honor Roll Recognition and AGATE's Toula J. Halperin Award for Academic Excellence, to name a few. "I'm excited and impressed to see the accomplishments of my fellow students."

Meyers, who was a semifinalist for the Intel Science Talent Search, received the Community Service and Academic Excellence Award as well as the Port Washington Teachers' Association Award in honor of Phil Glover. "It was really nice to see how everything paid off," Meyers said. "I also liked hearing the diversity of the awards being given. It reflects the diversity of the town, and I'm proud to be a part of it."

Meyers' mother, Dana, was beaming following the ceremony. "I couldn't be prouder, not just of Nicole, but of the entire class," she said. "It's rare to see this combination of excellence in academia and community service."

Grove's father, Rick, agreed with that sentiment about the graduating seniors, including his son. "It's great, I'm proud of Richard," he said. "[Superintendent] Dr. [Geoffrey] Gordon said it best when he said this was the most talented class. I'm so impressed with this class."

Schreiber High School Assistant Principal Julie Torres, who assisted in handing out the awards all night, said she has a special place in her heart for the Class of 2010.

"I started my job when they started, so I feel like I'm graduating with them," said Torres who is pregnant and set to have a baby this summer. "These are special kids and I'm proud of them all."