Update 5-10-11

Hi,

Let's start with scholarship news, from Liz King Giordano, the Award program coordinator at South:
    Well, we’re back from spring recess, and the race to the end of the school year begins.  Meanwhile, here are the names of this year's scholarship recipients:
    The Vince Tampio Scholarship -- Zoe Carpentieri.
    The Booker Gibson Scholarship -- Joseph Schmidt.
    Hope all is well.  Thank you for taking care of these scholarships and writing the checks, but mostly thanks to all who contribute to keep these two scholarships alive.  A special thanks to all those who contribute to fund the Alumni Association scholarships, too.
    Warmest regards to everyone.

{Rich -- That's neat news, and I sent the checks to Liz last Thursday, so they should be to her by now.  Again, the Awards program is on Wednesday, June 8th, starting at 7:00 PM in South Hall.  Everyone is welcome, and, one more time, Linda Tobin Kettering will be presenting both the scholarships on our behalf.]

Something else that everyone is welcome to attend, from Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  The next Alumni Association meeting will be this Thursday, May 12th, at 7:15 in South’s Library.

Emily adds:  The June Alumni Association meeting will be our traditional end-of-the-year dinner, and it will take place on June 2nd.  It will begin at 7:00 PM at Berto's Family Ristorante Italiano, 31 Rockaway Avenue, Valley Stream.

Finally, Emily writes:  Booker Gibson Night at the Irish Coffee Pub will be on July 13th this year, starting at 6:30 PM.

[Rich -- Getting back to the scholarships, here's a collection of information I've been saving for an appropriate time.  It begins with the "thank you" note from last year's Booker Gibson Scholarship recipient Amy Ryan.  I believe we've already seen the "thank you" note from last year's Vincent Tampio Scholarship recipient Christopher Alonzo.]

From Amy Ryan:  It was an honor to be presented with the Booker Gibson Music Award at the 2010 Valley Stream South Awards Ceremony.  Throughout my time at South, I heard many stories about the wonderful Mr. Gibson and was fortunate to see him in attendance at various events held in the building.  I am proud that my passion and dedication to the music program at our school resulted in my comparison to such a significant teacher in your lives.  Thank you for your generosity and continuing support of Valley Stream South seniors.

From the Awards Assembly program and the Commencement program, here are some of the activities that gained Amy the scholarship.  Also, here are the names of some other honors she received:
    Brooklyn Avenue PTA Carol Jakubowski Memorial Scholarship Award, Science Honor Society Award, Tri-M Music Honor Society Award, Nassau County Coaches Lynn Rutkowski Girls Volleyball Award, National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, Tri-M National Music Honor Society.

From the same sources, here is the additional activity noted for last year's Vincent Tampio Scholarship winner, Christopher Alonzo:  Tri-M National Music Honor Society.

Here is what was said in introducing Amy Ryan last June:  In the past four years, this student has demonstrated a true love and dedication for music.  In Concert Band, she is an outstanding performer who can always be counted on to set a positive example for her classmates and take on extra responsibilities.  She is president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and also performed with the select Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Pit Orchestra.  She was also selected to perform in the District Concert Band and Orchestra for numerous years.
    As a student, she is simply the finest we have.  She is always prompt, reliable, ready to get to work, always helpful and always ready to make our groups succeed.  She is respectful, professional, and helpful to her peers and ready to take on new challenges.  She is a leader in band, and through her various activities, she brings honor and recognition to our school.  It is my honor to present the Booker Gibson Music Award to Amy Ryan.

And here's what was said in introducing Christopher Alonzo:  The recipient of this year’s Vincent Tampio Theater Award has been seen on the South stage throughout all his years at South High School.  He has been in his class one-act plays, dramatic productions, and musicals since junior high school.  He has had leading roles in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Boyfriend, Once Upon a Mattress and Grease.  He has been a member of the South High School Chorus since seventh grade and has been selected to District Music Festival and All County Chorus.  I am pleased to present the Vince Tampio Theater Award  to Christopher Alonzo.

According to the program, there were just under 225 graduates of South's class of 2010, which means the school is just a little less crowded than it was in the 60s.  Honor Society had just over 60 members, representing the top quarter of the class, and both the valedictorian and salutatorian were women, Kristen Wraith and Julia Poje, respectively.
    The Awards program began with the singing of "Forty Second Street" and seemingly ended with applause, cheers, and refreshments, the last credited to Mrs. Colleen Byrne and the Practical Arts Program.   Commencement began with "God Bless America," credited to Irving Berlin, and ended with the "Triumphal March" from Aida credited to Giusseppe Verdi.  Just before that was "Valiant Falcons," still nicely credited to Robert Liest but with no mention of Anne Clark.

[Rich -- Leaving the awards, a quick note about the newsletter mailing:  Yep, I had trouble again last week.  Various reasons were given by Mailer-Daemon -- a digital version of Darth Vader -- and I've tried to correct some of the problems.
    One of the causes was links, even deactivated.  Another cause was length, so I'm again staying short.  Also, I've redivided the mailing list, and I've bundled all the hotmail addresses. 
    As I mentioned last week, if even one person repeatedly blocks an address, even accidentally instead of using delete, that address can be blocked server-wide.  Because of this, I've created a back-up plan.
    In addition to mailing the newsletter each week, I'll post the current version on Facebook. You don't have to be a Facebook member.  You don't even have to know a link.  Just type Facebook Valley Stream South into whatever search engine you use then choose Facebook Valley Stream South High School Class of 1965.  Next, click Discussions and the date.  "It's a lot simpler than you think," said Barbara Blitfield Pech.]


Rich