By Nancy Kriz
CENTRAL VALLEY — In a few weeks’ time, the Monroe-Woodbury Class of 2014 will become the school’s newest alumni.
As entourages gather to watch the purple and white gowned students cross the stage to receive their diplomas, many will reflect on how quickly those 13 years of education flew by.
Many may also pause to reflect on who they thank for their academic successes as they embark on the new chapters in lives.
To launch those thoughts, The Photo News asked the Monroe-Woodbury “Top 25” students this question: “Who do you thank for your academic successes and why?”
Most responded to the paper’s inquiry. From their parents, to God, to special pets, Google and Wikipedia with a special nod to “the Academy” and a reference to one’s personal awesomeness, their answers are as varied and unique as is the entire Monroe-Woodbury Class of 2014.
Remember, graduation night is Friday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at the high school parking lot.
The Photo News is pleased to introduce readers to the 2014 Monroe-Woodbury “Top 25,” which begin on Page 2.
No. 1: Amy Wang
GPA: 100.1838
“I’d like to thank my mom, dad, and little sister Eileen for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams, inspiring me to do great things, giving me advice, teaching me about life, showing me how to smile and loving and supporting me every day; God for giving me the strength and faith to believe; and my friends for motivating me to be the person I am today.”
Wang is the president of LEAD, captain of the Math Team, and secretary of the Model UN Club. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. Wang volunteers at Warwick Medical Associates and Orange County Chinese Christian Fellowship. She is a mentor to the orchestra students at North Main Elementary School and has been a member of the All-State Symphony Orchestra, Concert Master of the Area All-State Orchestra and a current member of the Pit Orchestra.
This fall, Wang will be attending the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University where she will be majoring in “biology and society” while aspiring to become a pediatrician or an internist.
No. 2: Andrea Lifrieri
GPA: 99.9912
“God, for not only giving me the gifts of intellect and resolve, but also showing me how to use them. My mom, for being the embodiment of faith and love. My dad, for his listening ear and my sister for her calming smile. I would also like to thank the many people who left footprints on my mind and heart and giving me courage to ask not only “What?” but “Why?”
Lifrieri is vice president of the National Spanish Honor Society , a member of the National Honor Society, STARS and LEAD. She volunteers at Sacred Heart Parish, has attended the Empire Girls State and also attended a medical conference at Columbia University where she worked side by side with top professionals in the medical field.
This fall, Lifrieri will attend Fordham University with a merit scholarship, will major in biology and minor in Spanish. Lifrieri plans on becoming a neurosurgeon and would like to become involved with Doctors Without Borders.
No. 3: Jessica Castro
GPA: 99.8526
“I’d like to thank my parents and my Nanny for teaching me the value of hard work and always showing me their love. And I’d also like to thank my teachers for never letting me give up no matter how much I doubted myself. I also thank the St. Patrick’s Church choir, the North Main Elementary Drama Club and the Monroe-Woodbury Music Department for inspiring me to be creative.”
Castro is a member of the Voice Ensemble, LEAD Mentoring Program, Interact Club, the Drama Club and played on the JV Tennis team. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and she has been acknowledged by the College Board as a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar. Castro has earned positions in the NYSSMA All-State, All-Eastern and All-National Mixed Choir Honor Ensembles. She volunteers her time at St. Patrick’s Vacation Bible School and with the North Main Elementary School Drama Club.
This fall, Castro will attend the Grove School of Engineering Honors Program at the City College of New York.
No. 4: Michaela Creus
GPA: 99.0047
“I’d like to thank my family for motivating me and giving me the confidence to believe in myself and my abilities. I’d also like to thank God for guiding me through all my years of school.”
Creus is a member of the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Pep Band. She participated in the Pit Orchestra Performance for the high school musical “Beauty and the Beast.” Creus has been a member of the Science Olympiad, Mock Trial, LEAD, the National Honor Society and captain of the Math Team. She has participated in the Scientific Research Program in the high school and studied the effects of the absence/presence of song lyrics on a runner’s performance. Creus volunteers at her local church as a teaching assistant.
This fall, Creus plans on attending St. John’s University or the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter, majoring in chemistry with a concentration in pre-medicine.
No. 5: Brynna Crovetto
GPA: 98.9598
“I would like to thank my parents, especially my dad for always getting on my nerves and pushing me to my limits; and my mom for always being supporting and caring of what I wanted to do in my life.”
Crovetto is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, and STARS She is secretary/treasurer of the Italian Honor Society and co-captain of the Math Team. Crovetto is on the Varsity Track team. She volunteers her time at the Woodbury Public Library and Orange Regional Medical Center.
This fall, Crovetto will attend the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
No. 6: Christine Phelan
GPA: 98.9187
“I’d like to thank my mom for tolerating my mental breakdowns and being the woman I aspire to be. I’d like to thank my dad for putting the “daddy” in “daddy’s little girl.” I’d like to thank my little brother for giving me new reasons to smile every day. And I’d like to thank my friends for making the long nights a little brighter.”
Phelan is co-president of the Mock Trial Club, editor-in-chief of the Crusader newspaper, and president of the Interact Club. She is involved in Model UN, LEAD, STARS and Chamber Orchestra. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She is about to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award, she is a counselor in training at YAC and an assistant CCD teacher at Sacred Heart Church. Phelan is also a National Merit Finalist.
This fall, Phelan will attend either Boston College, Northeastern University or Fordham University. She is planning on studying business and plans on pursuing a law degree.
No. 7: Fiona Laird
GPA: 98.5636
“I want to thank my parents and brothers for all of their support and encouragement. And also my tennis and track coaches for reminding me that you can’t learn every lesson in the classroom.”
Laird is a member of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, the LEAD Mentoring Program and the Treble Choir. She is a member of the varsity outdoor track and field team and the captain of the varsity tennis team. She volunteers at the North Main Elementary School Drama Club and St. Patrick’s Vacation Bible School.
This fall, Laird will attend Boston University, where she was awarded a four year Army ROTC Scholarship. She plans to major in hotel management and study French.
No. 8: Jonathan Baez
GPA: 97.9855
“I’d like to thank my parents and my family for introducing me to Christ and for providing the faith and love I needed through my high school career.”
Baez is an avid reader, frequent writer, and amateur ceramicist. He has been a member of Pendragon for four years; a member of his church’s worship team, voice ensemble and Spanish Honor Society; and has also been a participant in both the musical and Odyssey of the Mind.
Baez plans to study Spanish Art and Literature in Madrid. But this fall, he will attend either SUNY New Paltz, Fordham University or SUNY Geneseo.
No. 9: Shaafae Hussain
GPA: 97.8847
“I would say my parents for their value of education, support, guidance and the numerous sacrifices that they have made to give me a good education and allow me to become successful and awesome.”
Hussain is the co-president of STARS, the treasurer and secretary of the National Spanish Honor Society and held all officer positions of the Math Team. He is a member of the National Honor Society, LEAD, Model UN, Student Council and Odyssey of the Mind. He also volunteers at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital and actively participates in his Mosque’s Youth Group. Hussain spent part of this past summer at the Chemistry and Medicine Summer Scholars Program at RPI.
This fall, Hussain will be attending either Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Rice University. He aspires to become a world renowned interventional neurologist and plans to research the effects of various forms of music on prenatal neurological development.
No. 10: Colleen Hilla
GPA: 97.6876
“I do not feel that I could have been successful in school without my family. My parents taught me about personal responsibility and that I needed to get things done. My brothers provided me with role models throughout my educational career.”
Hilla is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been the captain and a member of the varsity lacrosse team for the last three years and she has been a member of the varsity cross country team for the last two years. She is a member of the Voice Ensemble and this year she was the section leader. She has participated in all the high school musicals, she is a member of Jubilate, which is a community youth choir group and she is a member of the Sacred Heart Church Youth Group.
This fall, Hilla will attend either Syracuse University, the University of Pittsburgh or the University of Buffalo. She plans on majoring in mechanical engineering with a double major or minor in vocal performance.
No. 11: Nuomin Huang
GPA: 97.3825
“I would like to thank Jesus for taking the wheel these past four years, my parents for being my stronghold, my friends for being my home away from home, my teachers for sharing their brilliance and ‘Kony’ for not kidnapping me so I can get through school.”
Huang is the secretary of the National Honor Society and the district historian for the FBLA. He has been involved in STARS, Spectrum, Odyssey of the Mind and Mrs. Bulla’s Yogis. Huang is a certified interior firefighter who volunteers at the Sterling Forest Fire Company, as well as a Sunday School teacher at the Journey Church. He has worked for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital/Medical Center, where she researched leukemic mice.
This fall, Huang will attend New York University Stern School of Business.
No. 12: Jack Weber
GPA: 97.2143
“I’d like to thank my parents and my sister for showing me what hard work means. I’d also like to thank Bob Ross for inspiring me throughout all my years of high school and my grandfather’s dog, Gracie, for giving me hope for humanity.”
Weber is a member of the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Pit Orchestra, his Jazz Combo, “The Late Perfect Fifths,” as well as the New York Wind Symphony. Weber has been selected to take part in Area and Conference All-State. He is also the captain of the Drumline. Weber is the co-founder of El Guiro and WEWA, in memory of Bob Ross. He is a participant in science research, where he completed his own research on various acronymic proteins with regard to cancer, which won him the Linda Austin DNA Science and Technology Award.
This fall, Weber will attend either Boston University, Rutgers or the University of Maryland, where he plans to double major in molecular biology and reverse gravitational percussion performance.
No. 13: Brian Wollocko
GPA: 97.0540
Wollocko is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish Honor Society. He is the stage manager and current president of the Audio Visual Club.
This fall, Wollocko will attend Skidmore College, majoring in physics.
No. 14: Max Herbik
GPA: 97.0513
“I would like to thank Google and Wikipedia for all their support in my successful high school career. Oh, yes, my parents. Them, too.”
Herbik is a member of the Monroe-Woodbury science research program, where, with the help of his mentor at Cornell University, he researched the effects of genetically modified crops on the ecosystem. He presented his research at RPI and at the JSHS symposium, where he presented at the state level. He is a member of the Spanish Honor Society. Herbik has also done extensive volunteer work at YAC day camp, the Monroe Free Library, the Monroe Presbyterian Food Pantry, the Monroe dog shelter and at St. Anthony’s Community Hospital.
This fall, Herbik will be studying pre-med in the SJLA Honors Program at the University of Scranton.
No. 15: David Nam
GPA: 96.8983
“My family and my teachers and also my guidance counselors because they have always been supportive and have been always willing to give their advice whenever I came to them. They were willing to sacrifice their time for my time.”
Nam is the vice-president of Model UN and the co-captain of the Math Team. He is a member of Interact, LEAD, STARS, Mock Trial and is on the tennis team. He volunteers at the Woodbury Public Library and is a tutor at the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School. With the music program, Nam has participated in All-State, All-Eastern and All-National.
This fall, Nam will attend either the Carnegie Mellon University or the University of Michigan, where he plans to major in either economics or computer science.
No. 16: Daniel Parino Ramcharan
GPA: 96.8339
“My academic success can be attributed to the environment I grew up in; I was, and am, always being challenged or I am always putting myself in challenging positions simply for the reason that I enjoy the stimulation it offers. In order for me to accomplish this, I do as many things as I can from clubs and sports to volunteering and working, all of which expose me to different interactions that give me a broader scope when approaching any new task. My gratitude for my accomplishments is extended mostly to my family, but must also include my teachers and friends who constantly push me to do my best is any given situation.”
Parino is a member of the varsity indoor/outdoor track and field teams. He has received the OCIAA Senior Scholar Athlete Award, he is the president of the Mock Trial Team and the captain of the Math Team. Parino is a member of STARS, Model UN, LEAD, the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. He volunteers for the Monroe Volunteer Ambulance Corps and he has adopted a panda through the World Wildlife Foundation.
This fall, Parino will attend Boston University and he plans study law.
No. 17: Katherine Murphy
GPA: 96.8269
“I would like to thank my mother, my father and my stepfather as well as my youth group minister and my grandparents for all of their emotional and spiritual support throughout the years. I hope to become all that they want me to be.”
Murphy is a member of STARS, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and the treasurer and vice-president of the Audio Visual Club. She is on the ski team and also on the varsity track team. Murphy is involved with Sacred Heart Church Youth Group and the Monroe-Woodbury Stage Crew.
This fall, Murphy will be attending Boston College with a double major in math and computer science.
No. 18: Yuie Wolf
GPA: 96.5988
“I owe my academic successs mainly to the amazing teachers I had throughout the years and my tenacity to always get my work done on time. I never expected to get where I am today, so I really want to thank all my friends and family who supported and believed in me, even when I didn’t.”
Wolf is a member of the National Honor Society and the president of the Art Guild, and has been involved in numerous clubs throughout her high school career. Wolf has been a member of the stage crew and O-Cal.
This fall, Wolf will be attending CUNY Hunter College majoring in religion and philosophy with the hopes of becoming a writer.
No. 19: Juliet Mengaziol
GPA: 96.5918
“I’d like to thank my family for their shoulders to cry on, my friends for their laughs to rely on, my music for the outlet to let out on, and my teachers for the work to get busy on.”
Juliet is first chair clarinet and choir leader of the Voice and Wind Ensemble. She has been a member of Jubilate Choir for six years and she sang at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
This fall, Mengaziol will attend either Fordham University or SUNY Geneseo where she plans to study neurology and biology.
No. 20: Aaron Hughes
GPA: 96.3051
“I’d like to thank the Academy for giving me this award, my parents for their constant encouragement, my teachers, especially Mr. Lee, for providing a good environment and my cat Kiera for stopping all those mice.”
Hughes is the vice-president of Amnesty International, the treasurer of Model UN and he has served as the assistant coach in Division B Science Olympiads. He will also receive a diploma of distinction in the arts.
This fall, Hughes will attend Rutgers University as a Presidential Scholar and a member of the School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program.
No. 21: Natalia Quiroz
GPA: 96.2886
“For all the people who put me down, for showing me the person I didn’t want to be, and for my church, family, friends and coaches for motivating me to become the person I am today, thank you.”
Quiroz is a member of STARS, LEAD and the National Honor Society. She is on the indoor/outdoor track team. She is the president of the Italian Honor Society and the captain of the girls varsity cross country team. Quiroz volunteers as an assistant teacher at the Calvary Assembly of God, and this past March, she participated in the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute Mock Assembly in Albany.
This fall, Quiroz will be attending either Binghamton University, Penn State, the University of Delaware or UCLA, where she will major in biochemistry with a track in pre-med.
No. 22: Alexa Berry
GPA: 96.2446
“Being a gymnast taught me a lot about time management. From a very young age I knew that I had to use whatever free time I had to get my school work done first because if I didn’t do it then I wouldn’t have time for it later. My love for gymnastics and my teammates, along with the encouragement from my parents, gave me the incentive I needed to make sure I succeeded academically because I knew that if my grades suffered I wouldn’t have been able to continue the sport I loved.”
Berry is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She is a diver for the Monroe-Woodbury Crusaders Diving Team, placing sixth overall at sections. She volunteers at Orange Regional Medical Center and is a tutor at the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School.
This fall, Berry will attend either Ithaca College, the University of Delaware or Binghamton University.
No. 23: Lindsay Clifford
GPA: 96.2436
“My friends, family and teachers for pushing me and motivating me to do my best.”
Clifford has been a member and captain of the Varsity Soccer and Basketball teams. She has been a scholar athlete throughout her high school career. Clifford is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Athletic Club and the secretary for the Student Government Club. She is enrolled in the New Vision Medical Program and she volunteers her time at YAC and Good Samaritan Hospital.
This fall, Clifford will be attending the University of Scranton, majoring in nursing through the ROTC Program. She aspires to become a military nurse.
No. 24: Kelly Sottilaro
GPA: 96.1955
Sottilaro has participated on the varsity soccer and varsity golf team. She is a member of the French Honor Society.
This fall, Sottilaro will attend either SUNY Cortland or the University of Maryland.
No. 25: Jake Rosmarin
GPA: 96.1576
“I’d like to thank my family, friends and teachers for all their support and keeping me on the right track.”
Rosmarin is a member of the National Honor Society and Voice Ensemble. He has performed in the school musicals and is a volunteer at Monroe Temple Beth-El. Rosmarin has travelled the past two summers participating in community service trips to South Africa and Peru.
This fall, Rosmarin will attend Emory University where he will major in International Business/International Relations with a minor in Chinese.