2011 Spring Breakfast of Champions –

Character Recognition Program

During the Spring 2011 Breakfast of Champions ceremony, twenty-four High School students received recognition for their exemplary character.

While listening to the soothing music of the Sayville High School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Mr. Ari Kramer, the invited family members started their day with the wholesome goodness of knowing their sons or daughters have brought sunshine to the High School community. Assistant Principal Brian Decker greeted everyone and called upon the teachers and staff members who nominated each Champion to give prepared remarks (see below) about their particular nominees.

The Champions were awarded certificates and plaques created by the Art and Technology Departments with the students’ portraits superimposed over a Wheaties Box background. More importantly, the Champions received praise for being role models of admirable conduct, for providing the essential components that contribute to the successful High School community, and for making a difference in the lives of others.

The following students are to be congratulated for this achievement:

Jessica Bartolotta

Krista Becker

Lauren Bohman

Ashley Clyde

Theodore DeRidder

Erica Ferer

Christina Healey

Kiera Layne,

Kathreen Mangaluz

Kristen McCollum

Meghan Milani

Melissa Neville

Sarah Pelligrini

Donaldo Ruiz Alatorre

Jessica Rogers

Dan Ryder

Sarah Schick

Merissa Selts

Stephanie Seredenko

Kayla Stein

Maureen Taylor

Sean Tully

Madelyn Vetrano

 Miles Whittaker

Jessica Bartolotta

Nominated By: Ms. Wittman

I have been fortunate enough to have Jess in my Physical Education class and on my Varsity Cross Country Team.  As a student-athlete, Jess is a standout when it comes to work ethic, commitment and leadership.  She always offers 100% of herself and in terms of hustle, toughness and effort.  As a student, Jess demonstrates her passion for fitness and healthy competition every day.  She plays hard and it is obvious that she is one of our finest PE students.  Jessica recently scored at the Presidential level of the President’s Challenge Fitness Program.  The program assesses the fitness level of students in the five areas of a mile run, sit-n-reach, shuttle run, curl ups and pull ups.  In order to score at the Presidential level, Jess scored in the 85^th percentile among all students her age across the country, and she worked extremely had to accomplish this great feat.  This is just one example of who Jess is and how important striving for success is to her.  I am fortunate to have her as a student and athlete. Congratulations!

Lauren Bohman

Nominated By: Mr. Kramer

Lauren is an exceptional student and citizen.  Her growth from freshman year through senior year, from talent on her cello to leadership abilities in various aspects of her life have been a true pleasure for me to observe.  When asked to join the String Ensemble, a true Honors Orchestra, fully knowing how much extra time in preparation it would take to be successful, Lauren jumped at the chance.  When the chamber orchestra lost its only cellist, Lauren stepped up again as a leader, and assumed the role of our cellist.  Lauren has come in before school and after school to prove her value.  She has been observed on several occasions helping her fellow peers work on orchestra passages she has already mastered.  What is left to say? Lauren is a wonderful, kind, passionate, and exceptional person and more than deserving of an honor such as this.

Krista Becker, Kiera Layne, Sarah Schick, Sean Tully

Nominated By: Ms. Kremer

I am so fortunate to have these students in my class.  They are conscientious, kind, articulate and respectful young people.  As individuals, they demonstrate independence, honesty and integrity within the classroom.  I look forward to their daily presence and their contagious smiles!  Their parents have raised wonderful children – Thank You!

Ashley Clyde

Nominated By: C. Richter

Ashley not only maintains a 90 plus average in Spanish class, but she is also an energetic and enthusiastic student.  She exhibits a love of learning languages, is always ready to participate and works well with her peers in class.  She has truly been a pleasure to teach this year and with her positive attitude she will have a very successful high school career.

Theodore DeRidder

Nominated By: Mr. Coon

As vice president of the Robotics Club this year, Teddy has consistently participated in all club activities from fund raising to the actual design and construction of the robotic.  His enthusiasm for robotics is contagious and Teddy has motivated his peers to become more involved in the various Robotic Club activities.  Most recently, Teddy served as the second driver during the robotics competition at Hofstra University in March of this year.  His talents controlling and repairing the robot enabled the Robotics Team to successfully complete every scheduled match during the robotics competition.  Teddy’s hard work and dedication to the Robotic Club during the last 4 years has earned him the title of “Most Valuable Team Member.”  It has been an honor working with Mr. DeRidder for the last four years, and I wish him much success in the future.

Erica Ferer

Nominated By: Mr. Pace

Erica has made incredible strides over the last two years in World History.  She is a diligent student who takes her grades seriously and yet still manages to have fun in the classroom.  She has put in a lot of extra time and effort, particularly this year, to help her grades in the AP World History course.  Erica is not only a great student in class, but she is also a great young lady.  She has integrity and values, which will guide her well in life to “do the right thing.”  She has been a pleasure to teach for the past two years and will be missed in next year’s World History class.

Christina Healey

Nominated By: Ms. Dudick

Christina is a diligent, hardworking student.  She is always prepared in every class.  She responds well to praise and is always willing to help others.  Christina is somewhat shy, but she will participate when called on.  Although Christina is only a freshman, she is quite mature for her age.  I know that she is worthy of this recognition because of her work ethic and her strong character.

Kathreen Mangaluz

Nominated By: Ms. Brown

Kathreen is a delightful young lady who has taken on the challenges of Science Research for the past four years with patience and grace.  Her love for the environment has inspired her to complete two projects over a four-year period that have helped show new scientific evidence for both a sea level rise in the Great South Bay as well as how closely related the horseshoe crab populations of Long Island are to those of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay populations. Kathreen always has a smile on her face and brightens the research room with her good humor.  She is always there to lend a hand whether it is to help with a SWEEP Club activity or help a younger student with their studies.  It has been a pleasure to have worked with her for the past four years.  She will be missed greatly by all as she heads off to college in the fall.

Kristen McCollum

Nominated By: Mr. Mattimore & Ms. Warren

Kristen is an absolute joy to teach!  She is extremely hard working, responsible, and has a heart of gold.  She goes above and beyond to do well in math.  On more than one occasion, Kristen has given up her own time during 10^th period to help other students who are having a difficult time with a math problem.  She also helps some of the students that sit near her in class.  Kristen is patient and kind when helping others.  Kristen’s diligence is going to take her far.  She is most definitely a positive role model for other students, and I am lucky to have her in class!

Meghan Milani

Nominated By: Ms. Dreyer

Meghan is an incredibly hard-working student in my chemistry class.  She always asks questions when she doesn’t understand, seeks more practice problems for review and visits 10^th period frequently.  Despite the fact that she is a busy 11^th grade student, Meg always makes time for chemistry and never gets discouraged by a difficult topic.  I have even seen her seek help from classmates and teammates proving her dedication to success in this class.  In my book, Meg is definitely a champion!

Melissa Neville

Nominated By: Ms. Kaminsky

I have had the pleasure of having Melissa in my Studio in Art class this year.  Right away, I was struck by her maturity and friendliness.  She takes on each project as a challenge and sets her standards high.  Melissa is conscientious, diligent, and responsible all the while achieving excellence.  She is kind, thoughtful, and a delight to have in class.

Sarah Pelligrini

Nominated By: Ms. Bernstein

Over the last 2 years, I have found Sarah to be hardworking, intrinsically motivated, respectful, responsible and kind.  She brings her “A” game to class each and every day.  She does this with enthusiasm and joy.  This marvelous young lady is a true champion.

Donaldo Ruiz Alatorre

Nominated By: Ms. Sumner

Donaldo is a hardworking, respectful young man who has accomplished a lot this year.  Donaldo is very outgoing and his personality and smile are infectious as can be seen by the admiration that he fellow students hold for him.  Donaldo is caring and kind hearted, always showing concern for his younger brother and readying himself with a smile and saluation for his fellow students.  It is rare to meet a student as genuinely polite and respectful as Donaldo.  Donaldo also has a remarkable work ethic.  He should be proud of all of that he has accomplished this year.  Donaldo exhibits all the characteristics that Breakfasts of Champions sets to honor: hard work, concern for others and respect.  I believe that Donaldo’s rise to greatness sets the bar higher for his fellow students and will allow him to succeed even further as he continues throughout his high school career.

Jessica Rogers

Nominated By: Ms. Kaminsky

I have had the pleasure of having Jessica in my Studio in Art class this year.  Her work is a reflection of her maturity and artistic strengths.  She strives to give her projects distinction.  Jessica works hard, executes beautiful art, and gets her assignments in on time.  She is a charming young lady who is helpful, organized, polite, and always has a smile on her face.

Dan Ryder

Nominated By: Ms. Hart

Dan has served as president of the History Club this past year.  Dan never missed a beat when it came to carrying out his role as president.  We could always count on him to get the job done.  Throughout the year, Dan has volunteered in Habitat for Humanity, the Veterans Christmas Party and the Sayville Senior Citizens’ Center.  The way in which he interacted with the veterans and senior citizens is to be commended.  He truly helped to lessen the gap between generations.  Dan has served as an excellent role model for all our club members.  Thanks for doing an excellent job!

Merissa Selts

Nominated By: Ms. Warren

Besides being determined, hard working, and dedicated to doing her best, Merissa is also generous with others.  She frequently goes out of her way to offer a kind comment or a helpful hand.  In addition, she has a great sense of humor, and is caring and empathetic to others.  I have known Merissa for three years.  It has been a highly rewarding experience to have watched her grow and mature into the absolutely amazing young woman she is today.  There is not a doubt in my mind that Merissa is definitely going to take the world by storm, whatever her future field of endeavor.  She is a true champion.

Stephanie Seredenko

Nominated By: Ms. Bernstein

Stephanie has distinguished herself as an incredibly diligent student who also happens to be kind, mature and trustworthy.  I am awed by her sense of responsibility and commitment to her studies and extensive extracurricular activities.  She is truly a champion in every sense of the word.

Kayla Stein

Nominated By: Ms. Warren

It has been a pleasure to work with Kayla for the past two years.  What a great young lady she is.  She always stands ready to lend a hand to a fellow student, or offer words of encouragement to anyone who looks or sounds like they might need it!  She has a great sense of humor, doesn’t take herself too seriously, and is always ready to laugh with others, never at them.  As a student, she strives to do her best.  Her goal, when she entered high school, was to have a 90 average.  The 9^th grade was tough and she fell short; but walla! She kept at it and has made 90’s in the 10^th grade!  Kayla is highly motivated and extremely hard working.  In short, Kayla is an intelligent, industrious, inimitable individual, as well as being a sweet, successful, scintillating student. She is a true champ.

Maureen Taylor

Nominated By: Mrs. Bricker

Maureen Taylor is a kind individual and an advocate for others.  She is both respected by her peers and admired for her compassionate nature and indomitable spirit.  Whether “Mo” is encouraging a teammate, supporting a friend, motivating a classmate, or participating in a community service initiative, her leadership qualities are evident in her positive interactions with those around her.

Madelyn Vetrano

Nominated By: Mrs. Bricker

Madelyn Vetrano is an exceptional young woman.  Maddi takes initiative and gets results; she is one of the go-to people in the Interact Club.  As treasurer of the club this year, Madelyn has demonstrated her leadership qualities through her participation in many community service initiatives, such as bell ringing for the Salvation Army, bake sales to raise funds, food drives for the local food pantry, and an international awareness campaign for an impoverished community abroad.  Maddi is a caring volunteer that enjoys helping others.

Miles Whittaker

Nominated By: Mr. Hoffman

Miles is an exceptional talent and has proven his loyalty and dedication to the music department is unsurpassed. He is always willing to participate and be involved with coaching other students.  Miles is a gifted performer who is totally selfless and he is a team player.  I very highly recommend him.