Family-like environments, personalized attention, comfort and safety

TUXEDO — Next week at this approximate time, red and white graduation caps will fly in the air, signifying the Class of at George F. Baker High School is officially ready to embark on their new life adventures.

Students will take with them many memories, but most will leave behind the small school environment they feel helped them to successfully become the school’s newest alumni.

The debate of what a large, medium or small high school environment can offer to a student’s academic achievement is a hot topic of discussion now that the Greenwood Lake Board of Education has rescinded its April 25 vote to negotiate a new contract send its student residents to Baker for a new five year period which would have begun in 2014.

But students have their own thoughts about the value of a small school education.

With this in mind, The Photo News again posed this question to the top 10 students at George F. Baker High School:

“How has a small school like George F. Baker contributed to your academic success?”

1. Valedictorian Andrew Ehlers

“You know the teachers on a more personal level. They know what works better for you and you’re not scared to ask them for help.”

Ehlers will attend RPI University in Troy and plans to major in materials engineering with a possible minor in computer science.

Ehlers is currently president of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, the captain of the varsity soccer team, a member of the student council, and a sectional champion wrestler. He was also the captain of the MSG Varsity Challenge team and works approximately 25 to 30 hours a weekly at McDonalds.

In his senior year, he was named a scholar athlete.

2. Salutatorian Sara Neyman “You become really close to your teachers and peers and get a chance to learn from them as well as with them.”

Neyman will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy and plans to majoring in architecture, eventually earning a five-year bachelor’s degree in architecture before moving on to graduate school.

Neyman has been a member of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, its senior council, band and choir. She also played varsity volleyball, rowed on the crew team and participated in Interact Club.

Neyman is currently an Ambassador Girl Scout and has been active in girl scouting for 12 years. For the past three winters, she worked as a snowboard instructor at a local mountain. Neyman has also volunteered at her church for the last several years and taught vacation bible school during the summer.

3. David Johnson “A small school allows for a teacher to analyze and understand how his or her students learn, which is key for a teacher to understand. A smaller school allows for a student to see the extent of which they can go as well as see what potential lies ahead.”

Johnson was named an AP Scholar with Distinction last summer and will attend Brown University in Providence, R.I. to major in neuroscience, while “dabbling” in mathematics, physics, ethnic studies and, yes, break dancing.

Johnson chose neuroscience as his major based on his experience as an AIS tutor in high school. He saw how, with a little bit of confidence and practice, his tutored student improved dramatically throughout the year.

“After this acknowledgment I began to form my thesis: No one is naturally stupid, everyone just needs that push to excel,” he added.

4. Yasmine El Gheur “All my life, I have attended small schools and I personally feel I have only been met with success and advantages. Small schools allow a more intimate setting for learning, allowing teachers to get to know their students and their different needs. Small schools are like families, their intimacy and constant support provides individualized nurture needed to become a successful student.”

El Gheur will study art history with a minor in ceramics at City College in New York this fall.

“Excitement is an understatement when it comes to how much I’m looking forward to starting my city life,” she added.

5. Alyssa Mahoney “I think we’re all a really smart group of kids because we’re in a small environment. Because you’re surrounded by that, you want to be part of that successful group.”

Mahoney attended the New Vision Medical Program where her senior year was divided between the Tuxedo campus, the New Vision Goshen campus, and shadowing doctors at their practices. She will graduate with 24 college credits which will all transfer to SUNY Brockport’s Honors College, where she is attending this fall with a full-tuition scholarship.

Mahoney has also been a competitive gymnast for almost eight years, having competed in six international competitions, and won titles such as state, regional, and national champion. She plans to try out for Brockport’s Division III gymnastics team.

Mahoney’s eventual goal is to attend medical school and become a doctor.

6. Brittany Villalona “Being in George F. Baker High School has contributed to my success in that it has allowed for me to form good connections with my teachers. Mrs. Marash, my English teacher, has helped me with editing my first novel and I cannot thank her enough for that. If I could do it all over again I would go to Tuxedo High School again. It has given me four of the best years of my life.”

Villalona will attend the City College of New York’s Honors Program as a creative writing major. She is currently completing her first novel.

Villalona is been part of the school’s musical productions, choir and is a member of the school’s chapter of the National Honors Society.

7. Nicholas Korkosz “You know everyone. It’s easier to ask them for help. The teachers have less students to work with and can give them more attention.”

Korkosz will attend Stony Brook University - where he has been accepted as a University Scholar - and will major in biochemistry. He plans to eventually attend medical school and become a radiologist.

This past school year, Korkosz has attended the New Vision Medical Program, giving him an opportunity to explore a variety of health care professions by observing medical staff in their actual work situations and will earn 20 college credits.

8. Marie Meore “You get to know the students on a more personal level. I feel comfortable here because it’s a safe environment.”

Meore will attend Manhattanville College this fall and major in secondary education and biology.

She attended the New Vision Education program this past school year and has earned 24 college credits.

Meore has been involved with junior varsity and varsity basketball, concert choir, concert band and vocal ensemble. She is a member of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and Safe School Ambassadors, and has participated in various musicals over four years.

9. Kelly Ross “Everyone knows all the teachers and they’re comfortable around them. It’s easy to go to them and ask for help.”

Ross will attend Ramapo College of New Jersey this fall where she will major in biology. She plans to pursue a medical career.

Ross participated in five years of varsity softball as well as one year of junior varsity volleyball and three years of varsity volleyball. She is also a member of the concert band while participating in travel volleyball and softball outside of school.

10. Meghan Saeli “Teachers get to know you more. They know your strengths and weaknesses. They help you solve your problems.”

Saeli will attend SUNY Geneseo in the fall to study biochemistry.

She attended the New Vision Education Program, where she has earned college credits, and is a member of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, as well as its band and choir.

Saeli has also been a Girl Scout since kindergarten.

By Nancy Kriz