Pearl River High School recognized the accomplishments of the class of 2013 at the senior academic award ceremony Monday in the high school auditorium.
It was the memory of a missing member of that class that drew a standing ovation.
Pearl River's seniors, their families and the assembled faculty and staff rose to their feet after Michael Rogers presented five Justin Rogers Memorial Scholarships in honor of his son, who was 15 when died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident in May 2010.
"This is always a special night," Michael Rogers said. "However this year was especially important to us as this was Justin's graduating year. I look around at the senior class here and some of them I have known since kindergarten or earlier. I know their parents. Their brothers. Their sisters. They were there for us through every step of our grieving process even though they were going through their own grieving. Everyone who came in contact with Justin, he touched them in his own special way."
The five $1,000 scholarships went to Dominique Carrieri, Joanna McIntyre, Daniel Scortea, Sarah Sharrin and Alyssa Villani.
Pearl River High School Assistant Principal Kevin McCahill, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano, School Board President Robert Davis and Principal William Furdon all addressed the assembly and congratulated the seniors on their accomplishments. McCahill also commented on the students' recovery from Sunday night's Senior Prom.
"Seniors, you're looking much better than this morning," McCahill said with a smile. "You are being recognized by the school and by the families and organizations in this community for epitomizing well-rounded people. We are truly so proud of you."
Col. Richard MacFaddan presented William Lutz as a United States Military Academy Appointment, speakng of Lutz's determination in pursuing his admission.
A series of scholarships and special awards were given out, followed by a reading of each student's academic accomplishments.
Among the awards recognize Monday were:
- Perfect attendance grades 9-12: Daniel Scortea, William Lutz, Alyssa Villani
- Billy Kayser Memorial Foundation Scholarship: Stephen Bruno, Terence Hughes
- Chance Cosgrove Memorial Scholarship: Patrick Gannon, Julia Kuhn, Erin Shortell, Sean Reagan-Ward
- Francis O'Shea Memorial Scholarship: Paige O'Flynn, Sean Reagan-Ward
- Hayes G. Yorks, Sr., Memorial Scholarship: Erin Shortell
- John G. Bellew Memorial Scholarship: Emily Davan, Terence Hughes
- Pearl River High School PSTA Scholarships: Dominique Carrieri, Danielle Sens-Castet, Jenna Delgrosso, Brian Edsall, Terence Hughes, Joanna McIntyre, Annette Krysiewicz, Paul Rayward, Julianne Roth, Sarah Sharrin, Erin Shortell, Stacey Wang, Sean Reagan-Ward
- Pearl River Teacher's Association Scholarships: Terence Hughes, Annette Krysiewicz, Julia Kuhn, William Lutz, Joanna McIntyre, Paul Rayward, Danielle Sense-Castet, Erin Shortell, Stacey Wang, John Willock
- Rotary Club of Pearl River Scholarships: Erin Shortell, Joanna McIntyre, Annette Krysiewicz, Prima Bautista, Sean Reagan-Ward, Brian Edsall, Patrick Gannon, Kevin Lynn, Nanxi Yang, Jessica Mayernik, Paul Rayward, Kiera McGeever, Terence Hughes
- William Bates Memorial Scholarship: Nanxi Yang
- William V. Harris, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Terence Hughes, Erin Shortell
- United States Military Academy Appointment: William Lutz
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