Smithtown HSE Commencement - Congratulations Class Of 2015

Seniors Celebrate Smithtown HSE’s 100^th Commencement

Seniors at Smithtown High School East celebrated the school’s 100^th annual commencement exercise on the football field on June 24.

After the processional to “Pomp and Circumstance,” senior class President Danielle Laurenti led the salute to the American flag. The senior class high concert choir then performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 

Principal Edwin C. Thompson congratulated the seniors on all they’ve accomplished in their four years at Smithtown East, and wished them best of luck in the future. 

“We are gathered here to celebrate your closing chapter in high school,” Thompson said. He quoted President Woodrow Wilson, who said the following words 100 years ago: “The only use of an obstacle is to be overcome. An obstacle is not used to frighten [people], but to challenge them.”

Both Danielle Laurenti and honored speaker Brian Righter spoke to the graduating class about their experiences, and Laurenti even took a selfie from the podium, which she said is the most cherished one she’s taken. 

“We have accomplished so much in just four years,” Laurenti said. “We have forged strong bonds and made memories that will last a lifetime.” 

“Together, we have overcome countless challenges,” Righter added. “But I ask that what you remember is your triumphs. Remember the camaraderie you shared and the culture we have created.”

Smithtown HSW Commencement - Congratulations Class Of 2015

West Grads Mark a Milestone Commencement 

 Smithtown High School West held its annual commencement exercises on Robert Pratt Field on June 24, with the Class of 2015 sharing the honor as the district’s 100^th graduating class along with their High School East counterparts.

HSW Principal John Coady thanked parents, Board of Education, central administration and HSW staff, in particular the guidance counselors, for all of the support they have provided the Class of 2015 throughout their four years at West.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane, who is completing his first full academic year at the helm of the Smithtown CSD, also thanked staff and parents. Dr. Grossane shared his own personal sentiments as a parent whose son will also graduate from high school in the coming days.

“It seems like only yesterday I was dropping him off at kindergarten… right parents?” asked Grossane. “How quickly time passes.” A former kindergarten teacher, Grossane also shared how many of the basic life lessons are learned early on in a child’s education can be transferable to adulthood. He left the grads with this: “No matter how old you are, whenever you go out in the world, it’s best to hold hands and stick together.” 

Honored speaker Rebecca Cheng shared her thoughts on success and how often success can be misconstrued by the need to meet unrealistic goals. “Life is about the final success for yourself and understanding that success is a continuous process. There is no one goal in life that will guarantee you happiness if you reach it,” said Rebecca, who touted progress and resiliency as strong indicators of success. She advised that being a kind person and taking a step back and looking at life can get you farther than racing toward a fabricated finish line. 

“Everyone here has the ability to change something they touch,” said Rebecca. “The world won’t change overnight, but we all have the ability to change the world around us in small ways, on a daily basis.”

Class co-presidents Cameron Daleo and Ian Lesnick reminisced about their years in the district, from moving up to middle school to their final days at HSW. They took a moment to turn their backs to the audience to take a selfie with Rebecca and the Class of 2015, seated on the field. 

In keeping with tradition, select seniors from the HSW concert and jazz choirs presented a vocal tribute to their first teachers — their parents — as described by Principal Coady.

Board of Education President Chris Alcure joined Dr. Grossane in presenting the Class of 2015 diplomas. Once the last diploma was awarded, Coady conferred the graduates, and the new HSW alumni turned their graduation tassels before hoisting their caps into the air in celebration. They then departed Pratt Field, embracing family and friends, many bidding farewell as they prepare to write the next chapter for their own stories of success.

Congratulations Kings Park Class Of 2015

Kings Park Class of 2015 Graduates

By Tiffany Goldstein

Photo courtesy of Kings Park Notebook (click on photo to enlarge)

Singers and songwriters Don Black and Mark London said in their song “To Sir, With Love”.“The time has come for closing books and long last looks must end, and as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend”

As the sea of flowing maroon and white gowns, tassels in the wind and smiling faces paraded across the track and onto the field known as the home of the Kingsmen…This Class of 2015 was united as one. Students were moments away from receiving the diploma they had worked so very hard for. 

As Student Council members reflected on the best memories of their class, the stands, overflowing with proud families and friends, erupted with applause, laughter and at times the deafening silence of happiness and tears.

The evening was chock full of reflection, advice and words of wisdom.  Valedictorian Zachary Marcone, addressed the Class of 2015 assisted by a drone that flew into the homeland of the Kingsmen delivering to him his speech.  A clear example of the cutting edge education that takes place in the Kings Park School District on a regular basis. Zacharay suggested “to always take the time to relax and always enjoy the wonders of life ahead of you”.  Salutatorian, Justin Barish suggested looking to the left and to the right “and you will probably recall some memory that involves those people and if you crane your neck in some direction, I am certain you will find someone who has become your best friend, a friend who will last a lifetime”.

Kings Park Principal Lino Bracco proudly announced that ten million dollars in scholarship funds were awarded to students of the Kings Park Class of 2015. Mr. Bracco spoke of Albert Einstein and his lack of patience with the scientist who took a board of wood, looked for the thinnest part and drilled a quick number of holes where the drilling was easy. “Mr. Bracco   encouraged students “to view their life in relation to the world and to go beyond the thinnest part and seek the difficult challenges, the ones that are thick and knotty that others shy away from”.

Superintendent Dr. Tim Egan delivered his very first Kings Park graduation speech with pride.  He spoke of the New York State reading theme for 2015, “Every Hero Has a Story”.  Dr. Eagan reflected on the life of Mr. Stewart Scott, a broadcaster who completely revolutionized ESPN, sports casting as well as the entire industry with his unique style and likable demeanor. Mr. Scott passed away this past winter after an 8 year battle with cancer and according to Dr. Egan he possessed unmatched courage. Dr. Egan went on to share the legacy that Mr. Scott left behind. “1. Appreciate and savor each moment. 2. Never let diversity define you. 3. Strive for excellence. 4. Believe in yourself, no one will believe in you more than you”. Dr. Egan’s closing remarks to his Class of 2015 “come back, tell us how we prepared you well and tell us how we could have prepared you better. Our product is preparing students to go out and find your place in the world”.

As the Class of 2015 marched across the stage, to receive their diplomas, the time may have come for closing books and long last looks to end, and as they leave, they know that they are leaving their best friends. What they also know, is that the memories created, accomplishments achieved, and friends that were made will last forever, this is Kings Park, their home, where they will always be welcome with open arms.

“To Kings Park Class of 2015, With Love”

Congratulations Class of 2015…Be safe, be happy, be successful and you will always be our Kings Park Pride.

OP-ED - Local issues matter- don’t let others decide for you

I recently reread this post dated November 10, 2014:

“Just 36.4 percent of the voting-eligible population cast ballots as of last Tuesday, continuing a steady decline in midterm voter participation that has spanned several decades. The results are dismal, but not surprising — participation has been dropping since the 1964 election, when voter turnout was at nearly 49 percent.”

If the author found those numbers alarming, I wonder how he or she would feel about a typical Smithtown voter turnout of 23% to 24% of the voter eligible population.

We live in a town of vibrant, hard working individuals that take pride in their properties and businesses. My friends include entrepreneurs, professionals, middle and upper management and just plain old-fashioned hard workers. I can’t understand why people who care so much in all those avenues of life show such apathy when it comes to voting and who manages our local government services.

I understand that the sheer number of votes in a national election can make you feel like your vote is meaningless, however, when it comes to local elections, your vote is much more significant. Combined with the fact that local elections determine your immediate quality of life, it seems almost foolish to leave these decisions in the hands of so few.

I write this in part because I am running for Town Council this year; a good turnout ensures that whoever is elected receives a clear mandate from the people of Smithtown. I also hope that the voters will make the effort to learn where each candidate stands on the issues that are most important to them.

Please find a way to vote. Don’t let weather or a late night in the office deter you from what will ultimately affect the way you and future generations of our town live.

Local issues matter- don’t let others decide for you.

Larry Vetter

Larry Vetter is a Democratic candidate for Smithtown Town Council.

Book Review - "The Tangerine Cafeteria"

BOOK REVIEW

“The Tangerine Cafeteria”

166 pages – by Mary Elizabeth Furnald

Reviewed by Jeb Ladouceur 

There’s something totally disarming about this little gem of a book, and I don’t think we reviewers should be the least bit embarrassed when admitting that we find it hard to define or otherwise describe. After all, if I were to show readers of this critique the first book I ever read as a six-year-old in French Canada—the classroom reader, “Mary, John, and Peter,” (first published in 1933)—they would undoubtedly offer adjectives like ‘simple,’ ‘charming,’ ‘unspoiled’ or ‘memorable.’ And all would be appropriate.

Terms you will never see applied to Mary Elizabeth Furnald’s fictional memoir … based on reminiscences about her great-aunt Miss Susie Stowers, and the actual restaurant she founded … are ‘exciting,’ ‘complex,’ and ‘sophisticated.’

But that is not intended to detract from Furnald’s “The Tangerine Cafeteria” … because the first-grade reader that I’ll never forget, was also far from thrilling or convoluted, and neither are the paintings of Anna Mary Robertson breathtaking, intricate, or erudite … though the tiny woman from upstate New York was ultimately memorialized by New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and President John F. Kennedy alike. Her plain, endearing works have sold for more than a million dollars each, and they even adorn the walls of The White House. You know her as ‘Grandma Moses.’

Mary Furnald’s love for her great-Aunt Susie permeates every page of this slender book, now available in soft cover and as a Kindle E-Book on Amazon, and it’s the kind of work that virtually cries out to be released as an Audio Book as well. I’ve never met (or even seen) Mary, but I do know that homespun tales like this one evidently lend themselves to direct narration by the author, unless some physical incapacity prohibits it.

It’s not surprising (at least, not to me) that, as was the case with Grandma Moses, Furnald is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a passionate genealogist. Women with such ancestral credentials and interests frequently turn to literary pursuits, just as their organization itself sponsors hundreds of essay contests throughout the country annually. It would not be surprising to learn that this was the way the author’s attraction to the printed word was sparked.

The wonderful thing about nostalgic books like “The Tangerine Cafeteria” is that they have such broad appeal. Who, man or woman, will not be moved by the easy flow and heartfelt messages contained in the following excerpts clearly drawn from real events?

“Miss Susie, I’m taking them boys to Snowden to live with me. I’m gonna take care of them poor little babies with no mama.”

Or, in describing a perhaps little known aspect of Pearl Harbor’s long reach:

“In Montgomery…pilots from the U.S., England, France and Canada were trained to fly fighter planes… Anyone who had an extra room in their house was trying to accommodate young women who wanted to be near their husbands assigned overseas.”

The overriding impression that Mrs. Furnald’s book leaves us with is that the author has obviously been aching to introduce … in the simplest, universally understood terms she could muster … an industrious, compassionate, and above all loving woman who was the personification of Southern Hospitality. In finally doing so, the author has fulfilled a lifelong objective, and now she, like her Great-Aunt, has contributed significantly to the noble and gracious southern mystique that is at the heart of this lovely memoir.

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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of ten novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. Ladouceur’s newest thriller THE QUANTUM SYNDROME is patterned on the Atlanta child murders of the 80s and is set on Eastern Long Island. His next novel is titled “THE SEQUEL.” It will explore the odd relationship between Harper Lee and Truman Capote. The Website is www.Jebsbooks.com.