TheCove-erTimes - Glen Cove City Schools
TheCove-erTimes - Glen Cove City Schools
TheCove-erTimes - Glen Cove City Schools
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
By: Tiffany Silva<br />
As I prepare to march down the grassy<br />
aisle to John Phillips Souza’s Pomp and<br />
Circumstance, I can not help but go down<br />
the memory lane of my educational voyage.<br />
Naturally, this lane is located in <strong>Glen</strong> <strong>Cove</strong><br />
because it is here where I started and finished<br />
the first twelve years of my formal education.<br />
This is not unique for a <strong>Cove</strong>-er, however,<br />
because in <strong>Glen</strong> <strong>Cove</strong> many families have<br />
planted their roots in this city for generations.<br />
My earliest schooling memories begin at<br />
the Little Folks Nursery School easily spotted<br />
on Sea Cliff Avenue with its large colorful sign<br />
and logo of two preschoolers. From playtime to<br />
nap time I had fun (incidentally, it is here where<br />
I picked up my bad habit of napping in school<br />
but at this time napping was required). In fact,<br />
we were rewarded for being good nappers. Ah,<br />
maybe the educational system is all messed up!<br />
Preschoolers with their boundless energy should<br />
be taking algebra and calculus and tired high<br />
schoolers should be napping. (Oh well, until<br />
the future!) Also, you know what the saying<br />
says about bad habits being hard to break so<br />
teachers take pity on those who are struggling<br />
to overcome something that was ingrained in<br />
us from an early age. By now you can probably<br />
guess that snack time was my favorite period in<br />
preschool, and even today the smell of snacks<br />
and juices bring back fond memories of nursery<br />
school.<br />
Onto elementary school I did go<br />
following that sweet aroma coming from the<br />
cafeteria as I remember the smell of freshly<br />
made breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausage and<br />
pancakes quickly became everyone’s favorite<br />
and made school that much more enjoyable.<br />
Full-day kindergarten was a pleasant change<br />
from the half days of preschool. I was ready<br />
to rock and roll and play all day long. I can<br />
The <strong>Cove</strong>-er Times<br />
www.glencove.k12.ny.us <strong>Glen</strong> <strong>Cove</strong> High School’s Newspaper Summer issue ’11<br />
Thanks for the Memories<br />
remember my first day as if it was yesterday. It<br />
was exciting. We made new friends, got name<br />
tags and had play time all day. But boy-o- boy<br />
do I still have memories of this place where<br />
“disasters” somehow stayed embedded in my<br />
memory cells. Does anyone recall that eight<br />
foot long wooden dinosaur sculpture that I<br />
happened to have knocked down (crash, bam,<br />
boom) with a baby doll! It was one of the most<br />
embarrassing moments I had but it was also<br />
one of the funniest. That poor kindergarten<br />
teacher must have been shocked when she<br />
returned to the classroom after a day’s absence<br />
and noticed that her time-consuming sculpture<br />
was a mass of splinters. She alluded to it but<br />
never made any further inquiries into this<br />
“accident.” Another senior recalls that her<br />
most embarrassing moment in kindergarten<br />
occurred during the cherished story time when<br />
relaxed and enthralled with the tale being<br />
read - sometime after lunch - that some bodily<br />
function chose to voice itself to the amusement<br />
of the other students. But like the musicians on<br />
the Titanic, the teacher just read on.<br />
It’s funny what some of us recall of our<br />
early years in school. Why are these seemingly<br />
insignificant events etched in our memories<br />
while historical facts and figures elude us. Is<br />
it because as young adults we can weigh the<br />
appropriateness of our early indiscretions or<br />
is it that we just wonder how come we were<br />
so stupid? Anyway, I vividly remember that<br />
I along with a couple of other student/culprits<br />
in Mrs. Hatzopoulos’ class would always take<br />
(pilfer?) home those little counters used to add<br />
and subtract because they were such cute little<br />
pigs and frogs. As our home collections grew,<br />
there were fewer and fewer at school so Mrs.<br />
H had us use our fingers. I suppose she thought<br />
we couldn’t take each others fingers home with<br />
us no matter how much we liked them. I think<br />
back now how very kind she was to simply state<br />
that the little counters somehow got lost when<br />
she obviously knew where they got “lost.”<br />
Second grade awakened our<br />
sensibilities further when we were thrust into<br />
the political arena during an election year.<br />
Al Gore and George Bush were the main<br />
presidential candidates. Teachers held mock<br />
elections to see how kids would vote. Al Gore<br />
seemed to receive the most votes by kids, but<br />
George Bush actually became the newly-elected<br />
president and he served for two terms. Like all<br />
goods things, elementary school with many<br />
fun-filled days came to an end as we “moved<br />
up” to middle school. Is there anyone out there<br />
that doesn’t remember that end of the fourth<br />
grade trip to the YMCA? There were games and<br />
a barbeque by the pool. Thanks for one of the<br />
best and most entertaining of all the trips given<br />
to the class of 2011. Field day wrapped up the<br />
year and then graduation. We were off to a new<br />
and bigger school.<br />
Middle school was bigger and harder<br />
to get used to. There were many students<br />
from the different elementary schools. Things<br />
weren’t as cozy as before. We had many more<br />
teachers and new and different classes held in<br />
different classrooms. The grade was divided<br />
into two teams, the McGrath and Smith team.<br />
Team games and events always took place<br />
between the teams. Once we finished sixth<br />
grade, which was basically the same as fifth,<br />
we felt more mature and ready to enter the<br />
Continued on pg 6
2<br />
On Top of Our World!<br />
Valedictorian: Rahul Nath<br />
By: Katherine Serrano<br />
Intellectual, funny, outgoing, and school<br />
spirited are just a few words to describe the<br />
valedictorian of the class of 2011, Rahul Nath.<br />
While taking an AP Calculus test Raul was informed<br />
of his exceptional achievement in being named<br />
valedictorian of the class of 2011. He was “pretty<br />
surprised [because] there was stiff competition.” The<br />
school and his fellow students are sure he will succeed<br />
at Williams College, which he will be attending in<br />
the fall of 2011. Williams, located in Williamstown,<br />
Massachusetts is ranked the #1 Liberal Arts college<br />
in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Also,<br />
Forbes named Williams the #1 college in America<br />
ranking higher this year than Princeton (#2), Amherst<br />
(#3) and Harvard (#8). Rahul is excited to attend<br />
Williams, and we are all very proud of him. When<br />
asked what he would be majoring in, he was debating<br />
whether to major in Economics, Political Science or<br />
Physics/Applied Mathematics. Whatever major he<br />
decides on GCHS is sure he will be successful.<br />
A 102.72 weighted GPA does not come<br />
easy. It takes an incredible amount of hard work and<br />
organization, which are qualities Rahul possesses.<br />
After taking many advanced classes, we asked him<br />
which was his favorite and he said that “without<br />
a doubt” it had to be Mr. MacLarty’s AP English<br />
and Composition class which he took during his<br />
sophomore year. His least favorite classes were<br />
Health and Physical Education-requirements that he<br />
could only fit into his schedule during his senior year.<br />
One of his fondest memories at GCHS is the Choir’s<br />
trip to Florida during his sophomore year. There were<br />
certainly some unfortunate memories during his high<br />
school years, like being hit by a car, but the good<br />
memories outweigh the negative.<br />
Rahul’s advice to all the upcoming seniors<br />
and underclassmen is “Don’t ever be in a situation<br />
where you think ‘what now?’ Always think about<br />
‘What’s next?’”<br />
Salutatorian: Carly Baron<br />
By: Brandon Mariano<br />
Carly Baron, a popular <strong>Glen</strong> <strong>Cove</strong> High<br />
thespian who played the role of Princess Winifred<br />
in this year’s musical, Once Upon a Mattress was<br />
surprised, yet overjoyed to find out she had achieved<br />
the number 2 rank in the class of 2011. Carly says<br />
that being the salutatorian of the class of 2011 is an<br />
honor she worked hard for during the four years of<br />
high school. Each year, she put her energy into her<br />
education, while managing to participate in school<br />
activities. She was a member of Select Chorale, and<br />
was in the play all four of her high school years.<br />
Her best memory was of going to Disney World<br />
with Select Chorale. It’s no surprise that she plans<br />
to double major in music and theater at Muhlenberg<br />
College in Pennsylvania.<br />
She says that her family, friends, teachers,<br />
and pet guinea pig were forms of support to her,<br />
along with her own personal motivation. She had<br />
fun in <strong>Glen</strong> <strong>Cove</strong> High School (though didn’t enjoy<br />
always waking up early for first period), and counts<br />
Select Chorale as her favorite class, while AP<br />
statistics was her least favorite (“Sorry Mr. Rubin”).<br />
She wants her peers still in school to remember to<br />
have fun, “...don’t try to grow up too fast because<br />
we will have the rest of our lives for that! “.<br />
Honorarian: Katherine Serrano<br />
By: Candra McCoy<br />
Katherine always hoped to be in the top ten,<br />
but never expected to be named honorarian. She<br />
always strived to receive outstanding grades and<br />
she is ecstatic to know that all of her hard work has<br />
finally paid off. Katherine’s motivation for working<br />
hard was the high standard that her mother had set<br />
for her. To fulfill this dream for both herself and<br />
her mother, Katherine worked hard to achieve her<br />
potential. She says that she always will be grateful<br />
to her mother for pushing her so hard.<br />
Katherine is not only smart and studious, but<br />
she always makes time to get involved in school<br />
activities. She participated in our school’s soccer<br />
and track teams as well as DECA, the World Hunger<br />
Club and the <strong>Cove</strong>-er Times. Katherine’s favorite<br />
memory in high school is participating in the senior<br />
fashion show. She found it enjoyable because she<br />
not only had the opportunity to be a model, but<br />
she did it with some of her closest friends. What a<br />
time she says it was as she likened it to a grown-up<br />
dress-up game. Katherine’s least favorite memory<br />
is twisting her ankle at a basketball game. She still<br />
can feel the pain when she thinks of it. If Katherine<br />
had the opportunity to change one thing about our<br />
school, she said that school involvement would<br />
be a requirement. Whether it be in sports or clubs,<br />
these are the places where you could potentially<br />
meet your greatest friends. Katherine’s advice to<br />
underclassmen is to work hard, but also have fun<br />
and get involved because that’s where the best<br />
memories will be made.<br />
Next fall, Katherine will take the first steps<br />
towards fulfilling her life-long dream of becoming<br />
a licensed architect. This career path requires<br />
several layers of education and licenses. She will<br />
be studying architecture at William E. Macaulay<br />
Honors College. Katherine wants to wish the<br />
graduating class of 2011 the best of luck in whatever<br />
they wish to pursue or path they take in the next<br />
phase of our lives. Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Class of 2011<br />
Acosta, Joel Yanes Nassau Community College<br />
Alvalle, Tracy Alexandra Nassau Community College<br />
Alvarado, Eric Manuel Queensborough Community College of the CUNY<br />
Amendolara III, Joseph Nicohlas Ithaca College<br />
Arce, Samantha Rebecca Binghamton University<br />
Arceo, Irvin Nassau Community College<br />
Archambault, Michael William New York Institute of Technology - Old Westbury<br />
Arredondo, Jasson Sandro New York Institute of Technology - Old Westbury<br />
Arrieta Bran, Eva Yuliana Employment<br />
Artinian, Heather Sara Georgetown University<br />
Ayo, Andrew Brian Nassau Community College<br />
Baron, Carly Alyssa Muhlenberg College<br />
Basile Jr., Steven Henriksen SUNY College at Old Westbury<br />
Bellidoro, Patrick John Pace University, New York <strong>City</strong><br />
Bellock, John Manhattan College<br />
Bencio, Kevin Roland Bala Nassau Community College<br />
Benitez, Martha Isabel Nassau Community College<br />
Bogdanich, Alexey Nassau Community College<br />
Bombardiere, Nicholas Mark Nassau Community College<br />
Bonilla, Christian Employment<br />
Bonilla, Cindy Melissa Nassau Community College<br />
Bonilla, Julio Cesar Nassau Community College<br />
Bonilla, Kebyn Alexis Nassau Community College<br />
Bonilla, Yesenia Employment<br />
Bresky, Austin Skye University of Rhode Island<br />
Brown, James Kentrell Edward Employment<br />
Bruschini, Julianne Quinnipiac University<br />
Calo, Nicole Ashley Nassau Community College<br />
Canales, Yvette Margote New York Institute of Technology - Old Westbury<br />
Casale, Courtney Angelica State University of New York at Albany<br />
Chavez, Cristino Natanael SUNY College at Old Westbury<br />
Chen, YanDong(Jason) University at Buffalo The State University of New York<br />
Cimieri, Angela Patrizia Queensborough Community College of the CUNY<br />
Cohen, Joshua Kahana Pukahi Pace University, Pleasantville Campus<br />
Colangelo, Casey Elizabeth Nassau Community College<br />
Contrereas Benavente, Raul Andres SUNY College at Old Westbury<br />
Corleto, Victoria Esperanza Employment<br />
Coronel-Guzman, Jonathan Ceasar Nassau Community College<br />
Corwin, Laura Diana Nassau Community College<br />
Coscarelli, Antonella Ligia Nassau Community College<br />
Courtney, D’Shawna Taylor Nassau Community College<br />
Cruz, Abraham Employment<br />
Curcio, Alyssa A St. Joseph’s College<br />
Cygielman, Fallon Paige Employment<br />
Dakas, Alexandros Konstantinos Brooklyn College of the CUNY<br />
DeJesus, Brandon Tomas Employment<br />
Digiovanni, Nicole Towson University<br />
DiLeo, Anthony Joseph Military<br />
Dillon, Erik Craig Military<br />
DiLorenzo, Piero Giuliano Nassau Community College<br />
DiPaola, Vincent Joseph Boston University<br />
Dipaolo Jr., Marc Anthony Employment<br />
Douso, Katherine Nassau Community College<br />
Drayton Jr., Steven The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale<br />
Duda, Kevin University of Connecticut<br />
Dunn, Donna Ann Nassau Community College<br />
Durante, Adrienne Nicole Adelphi University<br />
Ermmarino, Mark J. Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus<br />
Fakatselis, Constantine Polytechnic Institute of NYU<br />
Falcon Sale, Emilio Francis Employment<br />
Famiglietti, Brianna Gabriella<br />
Famiglietti, Maria Fiorinda<br />
Employment<br />
Hofstra University<br />
Continued on pg 8<br />
Poetry Corner<br />
Music<br />
By Katherine Serrano<br />
Every beat,<br />
Every melody,<br />
Every syllable,<br />
Every word...<br />
It all sinks into me.<br />
My curing drug,<br />
My addiction.<br />
It’s all I want,<br />
All I need.<br />
My therapy when I’m stressed;<br />
My savior when I’m down.<br />
One sound and it puts a smile on my face.<br />
Music is everything and more;<br />
I’m never letting it go.<br />
The <strong>Cove</strong>-er Times Staff<br />
Ms. Munson – Advisor<br />
Mr. Lombardo - Advisor<br />
Raul Contreras- Co-Editor and Chief<br />
Antonella Coscarelli –Co-Editor and Chief<br />
Katherine Serrano– Treasurer<br />
Candra McCoy - Secretary<br />
Mario Serrano - Sports Editor<br />
Tiffany Silva – Puzzle page editor<br />
Gabriel Olivera – Reporter<br />
Ylenia Elvy-Panton – Art Editor/ Reporter<br />
Brandon Mariana – Reporter<br />
Kevin Lopez - Reporter<br />
Copyright 2011<br />
The <strong>Cove</strong>-er Times welcomes your comments!<br />
To advertise in The <strong>Cove</strong>-er Times contact<br />
Ms Munson at amunson@glencove.k12.ny.us<br />
3
4<br />
Clubbing at GCHS<br />
By Gabriel Olivera<br />
<strong>Cove</strong>-er Times<br />
Have you ever wondered just how an<br />
awesome newspaper is created -- one that you<br />
really enjoy reading like The <strong>Cove</strong>-er Times<br />
(CT). You might think that all of us here at the<br />
CT are smart kids, with amazing writing skills,<br />
and the answer is a somewhat “yes.” That is yes<br />
we are creative, incredible, fun-loving dudes<br />
who together have all the elements necessary to<br />
produce a good paper. But, having the ability and<br />
the help still doesn’t make the task of producing<br />
a paper any easier. Actually, it’s a complicated<br />
process mixed with a little magic and luck that<br />
leads to a finish work. If you think that it is<br />
boring just sitting and cranking out articles---<br />
---well, you are probably right. But that is not<br />
what we do!! Of course, we write articles and<br />
columns that we hope everyone will enjoy, but<br />
Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down<br />
Album Review<br />
By Katherine Serrano<br />
Rescue by Silverstein<br />
***** 5 Stars<br />
Silverstein, a Canadian-native band,<br />
has created a masterpiece in their fifth album,<br />
Rescue. From the deep, meaningful lyrics to<br />
the flawless vocals of Shane Told, the lead<br />
singer, the album is a definite symbol of who<br />
the band has become over the past eleven<br />
years. The album keeps its post-hardcore<br />
sound but the band wasn’t shy in exploring<br />
with new sounds that enhanced the feeling of<br />
each single song. Each song has its own unique<br />
sound and the band was able to focus on each<br />
instrument to make them all an important part<br />
of the songs. Shane Told is known for writing<br />
great lyrics that have a greater meaning and<br />
he sure was able to incorporate several themes<br />
through this album. One of their heavier songs,<br />
“Intervention”, is written in such a way for<br />
everyone to relate through the implication of<br />
the need of recovery on something one can’t<br />
truly control and need to let go. “Live to Kill”<br />
is a great rhythmic song that takes a stand<br />
about people doing anything to succeed and<br />
that doesn’t mean that we have to be bored doing<br />
it.<br />
Everything starts when the members<br />
assemble in the back of the library every<br />
Tuesday (and many Thursdays) to brainstorm<br />
while eating something delicious like pizza,<br />
waffles, quesadillas, guacamole or something<br />
else that is washed down with a cool drink. Then<br />
we have to decide who is going to write what<br />
column or article and get down to the real work.<br />
Some reporters have to go out and investigate<br />
their issues and topics. For example, the person<br />
in charge of the clubbing column (me) has to<br />
visit different clubs, interview the members<br />
(really interrogate them) and review the notes<br />
while they are fresh in my mind. After collecting<br />
the information, it is time to go back to our<br />
headquarters, eat some more and start to write.<br />
It probably will take some time, even a few days<br />
and many rewrites to produce amazing articles,<br />
but we will never die of hunger. Everything<br />
written needs Mrs. Munson’s final approval<br />
ignorance in humankind. Drawing a deeper and<br />
softer sound, Shane Told wrote the song “In<br />
memory of...” about a family member passing<br />
away and how it has affected him. Aside from<br />
these inspiring songs there are others such as:<br />
“Medication”, “Sacrifice”, “Darling Harbour”,<br />
and “Replace you” that help form such a<br />
stirring album.<br />
Movie Review<br />
By Candra McCoy<br />
Beastly<br />
**** 4 Stars<br />
Water for Elephants is a movie based<br />
on the captivating novel of the same title by<br />
Sarah Gruen. Although the book has a lot more<br />
violence than the movie, especially with respect<br />
to animal cruelty, the storylines are pretty much<br />
the same. Water for Elephants follows two<br />
young people as they meet and fall in love in<br />
the most unexpected place – the Benzini circus.<br />
The couple is Jacob (portrayed by Robert<br />
Pattinson) a veterinary student who faces<br />
numerous hardships following the tragic death<br />
of his parents and Marlena (played by Reese<br />
Witherspoon), the lovely circus equestrian and<br />
elephant rider. The novel is set during the Great<br />
before its official and here is where the writers<br />
with good arguing skills win out. Mrs. Munson<br />
is essential to The <strong>Cove</strong>-er Times, she helps us<br />
add the flavor and spice to our output, and no I<br />
don’t mean the food we also produce. Finally,<br />
everything is organized and Mr. Lombardo lays it<br />
out so that the newspaper looks like a masterpiece<br />
(I’m entitled to my prejudiced opinion). The<br />
<strong>Cove</strong>-er Times wouldn’t be anything without its<br />
members, friendship, dedication, creativity, and<br />
enthusiasm. That’s what makes us a very special<br />
club. This is my last column so I’m leaving this<br />
task to the class of 2012 (and I know you will<br />
take up the challenge) So Long.<br />
Depression. Jacob who is left homeless and<br />
penniless embarks on a life searching journey<br />
where he comes across a train filled with circus<br />
folk.<br />
He meets everyone on the train and is<br />
allowed to stay provided he pitches in and helps<br />
with the circus. After he works for a full day in<br />
the circus, he meets August (Waltz), leader of<br />
the circus, who immediately takes a disliking<br />
to him. Afterward, August concedes and allows<br />
him to stay as a veterinarian. On the journey he<br />
meets Marlena whom is August’s wife. They<br />
form a bond over the elephant, Rosie, when<br />
they have trouble training her. They gradually<br />
fall in love and for every two steps forward they<br />
take, they also take one step backward because<br />
Marlena wants to stay in the “friend” zone. This<br />
film is filled with romance, drama and most of<br />
all-the adventure of a life time. As the movie<br />
says “life is the most spectacular show on<br />
Earth.”
Farewell Seniors<br />
5
6<br />
Thanks for the Memories<br />
Continued from pg 1<br />
other side of the building reserved for seventh<br />
and eighth grader’s. At the end of sixth grade,<br />
however, I left Robert M. Finley Middle School<br />
to go to All Saints Regional Catholic School.<br />
Somehow I just needed a change. I was extremely<br />
nervous that first day at a new school<br />
but, I quickly made friends and was greeted by<br />
friendly students. Seventh grade was filled with<br />
work and the courses were rigorous. My writing<br />
improved and so did my school work. Mass<br />
was once a week and I took part in the choir.<br />
Every year I would have a solo on Christmas<br />
Eve, which I would look forward to. As eighth<br />
grade came, so did the trip to Washington D.C.<br />
and graduation. Washington D.C. was beautiful<br />
seeing many famous sights such as the Lincoln<br />
Memorial, the Washington monument, the<br />
World War II memorial, the Ford theatre, the<br />
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the Capitol<br />
and the White House are sights I will never<br />
forget. Food and those long nights in the hotel<br />
were the most memorable. It’s where the best<br />
jokes and gossip were passed. Like all vacations<br />
and trips, they came to an end way too soon.<br />
It was time to go back home and prepare for<br />
graduation.<br />
Eighth grade came quickly to a close;<br />
it was off once again to a new school and the<br />
start of a new chapter in my life. High school<br />
was where we, the class of 2011, spent the next<br />
four years studying, working hard to achieve<br />
our goals, and graduating into the so-called<br />
real world that our teachers promised we’d<br />
find ourselves in. As freshmen, we were shy<br />
and quiet but when pep rally came around we<br />
were ready to let our inner exuberance out.<br />
We were also introduced to new sports, clubs<br />
and people that made us feel comfortable and<br />
welcomed. The tenth and eleventh grades<br />
were filled with activities such as the battle<br />
of the classes, Junior Prom and Carnival Day.<br />
Everything to date led up to the twelfth grade<br />
-- our senior and final high school year. This<br />
came quickly and went by just as quickly. From<br />
the last Homecoming to Select Chorales’ trip<br />
to Virginia Beach, Garage Sale, Carnival Day,<br />
Senior Prom, the class of 2011 sure did do it<br />
big. With memories that will never be forgotten,<br />
friendships that hopefully will never be broken,<br />
as the GCHS class of 2011 graduates we must<br />
try to remember that we are still a family and<br />
we will always be one no matter where we<br />
go or what we do. Thanks everyone for the<br />
memories……!
Teacher Feature<br />
By Raul Contreras<br />
I signed up for AP Government<br />
thinking I would be able to try it and<br />
then get out of it, if I found it too hard.<br />
My (aah, how shall I say it) laziness and<br />
distaste for politics as well as the inner<br />
workings of a bureaucratic government<br />
made getting out of AP Gov that much<br />
more appealing to me. So I spent half<br />
of the second quarter doing just that.<br />
Do I regret it? Of course, Mrs. Bradford<br />
had hoped that I would rise above it<br />
(myself?) and become a successful AP<br />
Government student, but I ignored her<br />
and removed myself from the class.<br />
I miss AP government including the<br />
projects and the students. But, what I<br />
miss most is Mrs. Bradford’s love for<br />
teaching a subject I don’t like. She made<br />
it, dare I say it, somewhat interesting.<br />
She would engage us in a sort of staged<br />
event, reenacting famous court cases and<br />
arguments our forefathers once had. She,<br />
as I later found out, is a very interesting<br />
person who blessed this school with her<br />
lessons and bright smile out of a love<br />
for an incredibly fascinating diary of our<br />
nation that most students find hard to<br />
relate to. Before I begin, I would just like<br />
to say that her interview was by far the<br />
longest, taking three days to complete. It<br />
was not so much an interview as it was<br />
a conversation. I will call this piece, “A<br />
Conversation with Lady Bradford.”<br />
Mrs. Bradford grew up on Long<br />
Island, the south shore, with her mom,<br />
dad and older brother. Her father was<br />
a businessman and her mother worked<br />
as an editor for a travel magazine. If<br />
you were at this interview, you would<br />
see in her eyes a certain love for her<br />
brother and parents. We have all heard<br />
that Bradford went to Harvard. That<br />
was not the only Ivy League school she<br />
attended or got accepted into. She was<br />
accepted to Cornell but chose to go to<br />
Smith College (one of the original seven<br />
sister schools) as an undergraduate.<br />
Here is where she met her love interest<br />
who later became her husband. She<br />
described Smith as the Yale counterpart<br />
(or sister school) for women. While at<br />
Smith College, she had set her sights on<br />
teaching. After Smith, she decided to get<br />
her masters in teaching. Why Harvard?<br />
Her future husband was also getting<br />
his masters from Harvard. Afterwards<br />
she stayed in Massachusetts to do her<br />
student teaching. This is where Clarice<br />
Weeden, her teaching mentor, influenced<br />
Mrs. Bradford to create a syllabus in<br />
Social Studies. Believe it or not, this<br />
syllabus was the one Mrs.Bradford used<br />
when Mr. Allen Hudson was one of<br />
her seventh grade students. Yes! Mrs.<br />
Bradford taught our assistant principal.<br />
Life for the Bradfords took a turn<br />
during the Vietnam era. They had to<br />
move to Montgomery, Alabama, where<br />
they found themselves surrounded by<br />
generally uninformed Southerners.<br />
There was no industry, just farming. The<br />
regional attitude was “very rural,’’ she<br />
said as she chuckled at the recollection.<br />
When her neighbors gained trust in her,<br />
they began speaking about politics.<br />
Their views as Mrs. Bradford put it,<br />
“were unacceptable.” While preparing<br />
to teach again, she began to look for<br />
suitable newspapers to use with her<br />
future students. But the news sources she<br />
found ignored the major national issue,<br />
the war in Vietnam. Instead “the front<br />
cover spoke about people saving a cat.”<br />
After speaking about her adventure in<br />
Alabama, we discussed the period she<br />
spent as a stay-at-home mother, with<br />
two children. This was when she and<br />
her husband were planning on buying a<br />
house but instead ended up building one.<br />
Instead they built one. She continued<br />
life teaching here in <strong>Glen</strong> <strong>Cove</strong> for 26<br />
years, and this her 26 th year will also be<br />
her last. One thing she looks forward<br />
too is not “rushing about” and “waking<br />
up at five in the morning.” When she<br />
said rushing about, I couldn’t help but<br />
remember the countless times I have<br />
seen Mrs. Bradford running around<br />
the hallway carrying a bunch of bags<br />
and few newspapers as she made her<br />
way to her next class. The newspapers<br />
which are a standard item in her classes,<br />
keep students plugged in, because<br />
unfortunately we decide to block out<br />
important news with the very thing<br />
journalism strives on. She began telling<br />
me about teaching and made me realize<br />
how much teachers influence everyone.<br />
She asked me to name my first grade<br />
teacher. Surprisingly enough, my first<br />
grade teacher, Mrs. Spincola, was one<br />
of my favorites. My desire to become a<br />
teacher was rekindled.<br />
Some of her favorite presidents<br />
include John Kennedy, George<br />
Washington, Franklin Delano Roosevelt<br />
and Harry Truman. As far as current<br />
politics are concerned, she has mixed<br />
feelings, especially about Guantanamo<br />
and the levels of secrecy in our<br />
government. She does, however, like<br />
President Obama’s universal heath<br />
care plan. She just wished that our<br />
government wasn’t so divided. I can’t<br />
help but agree, unity is what we must try<br />
to achieve to move forward.<br />
Thanks Mrs. Bradford and<br />
Best Wishes for a Long and Happy<br />
Retirement!<br />
7
Congratulations to the Class of 2011<br />
Continued from pg 3<br />
Farfan, Kimberly Nassau Community College<br />
Filippone Jr., Lawrence Elia Nassau Community College<br />
Filippone, Alex Jeffrey SUNY College at Old Westbury<br />
Flores, Elisabeth Pace University, New York <strong>City</strong><br />
Friedman, David Employment<br />
Furlong, Emily Employment<br />
Gallardo, Danny Paul Art Institute California-Hollywood<br />
Galo, Ana Yesenia Nassau Community College<br />
Garcia, Madelene Employment<br />
Garcia Guembes, Eldin Employment<br />
Gaudio, Francesco Nicola University of New Haven<br />
Gecsedi, Andrew Thomas Nassau Community College<br />
Graziosi, Alexander Daniel Nassau Community College<br />
Graziosi, Michele Employment<br />
Graziosi, Philip Joseph Stony Brook University<br />
Grazioso, Catherine Marie Kingsborough Community CUNY<br />
Ham Jr., Alexander Jamel Employment<br />
Harrison-Ach, Chloe Elizabeth Fashion Institute of Technology<br />
Hashimi, Abdul Qadoos Nassau Community College<br />
Hendriks, Lisa Marie Queensborough Community CUNY<br />
Hersey, Janiah Employment<br />
Hoyos, Nicholas Binghamton University<br />
Ibanez Gomez, Diana Employment<br />
Jackson, Brittnery Ann Employment<br />
Jecklin, Allison Taylor Nassau Community College<br />
Johnson, Alexander Employment<br />
Kenary, Kayla Ann Virginia Commonwealth University<br />
La Fortezza, Pietro Damiano Long Island University, C.W. Post<br />
Langone, Hailey Roberta Buffalo State College of SUNY<br />
Leto, Angelica Marie Nassau Community College<br />
Lilly, Shaheem Shabazz Howard University<br />
Macchione Jr., Frank Anthony Employment<br />
Maderakis, John Michael Nassau Community College<br />
Maraboli Espinoza, Esteban Alejandr o Dowling College<br />
Marin, Mario Johnson & Wales University<br />
Marte, Kimberly Ann SUNY College at Cortland<br />
Martin, Jasmyne Marie Russell Sage College<br />
Martinez, Rosa Carolina Nassau Community College<br />
Martinez, Taylor Patricia Boston University<br />
Martino, Matthew Paul Nassau Community College<br />
Marulanda Cuervo, Stephanie Employment<br />
Massaro, Francesco Gabriele Employment<br />
McCabe, Erin Elizabeth Stony Brook University<br />
McCabe, Patrick Donald Nassau Community College<br />
McCoy, Candra Marie Notre Dame of Maryland<br />
McDonald, Brian James Temple University<br />
Melgar Martinez, Lissien Karina Nassau Community College<br />
Melillo, Christopher Chester Manhattan College<br />
Montesantos, Steven Daniel Nassau Community College<br />
Morales, Gabriella Antonia Nassau Community College<br />
Morales, Jabbar Nassau Community College<br />
Morris Barnes, Sierra Lashea Mercy College<br />
Munoz, Andres Ignacio Nassau Community College<br />
Napoli, Cassandra Lynn Fashion Institute of Technology<br />
Nasary, Madina Adelphi University<br />
Nath, Rahul Williams College<br />
Nero, Lamira Leleti Hampton University<br />
Nicholas, Kevin Thomas McDaniel College<br />
Noriega, Joan Michelle St. John’s University - Queens<br />
Ogando, Luis Arturo Hofstra University<br />
Oh, Julia Jaihe Johns Hopkins University<br />
Olivera , Gabriel S. CUNY - NYC Technical College<br />
8<br />
Palma Argueta, Oscar Nasssau Community College<br />
Parente, Michelle Renee University of Adelaide<br />
Perelmuter, Robert Saul Employment<br />
Perez, Brian Anthony Nassau Community College<br />
Peterson, Ariel Janise Nassau Community College<br />
Petulla, Davide Vincenzo Nassau Community College<br />
Phillips, Chelsea Eileen West Virginia University<br />
Piccirillo, Jenna marie Binghamton University<br />
Pinto, Michelle Employment<br />
Podsiadlo, Sylvia University of New Haven<br />
Quijano, Kenny Rashawn St. John’s University - Queens<br />
Quinones, Michelle Nassau Community College<br />
Ramirez, Andrew Nestor Employment<br />
Ramirez, Marco Employment<br />
Rant, Ronald Joseph SUNY College at Old Westbury<br />
Reed, Raven Nicole SUNY Delhi<br />
Reyes-Benigno, Edward Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus<br />
Reynolds, Amanda Ann York College of Pennsylvania<br />
Roberts, Bramford Joseph Nassau Community College<br />
Russo, Adrianna Employment<br />
Russo, Tatiana Nicole Employment<br />
Sakhaee, Andrew aron The George Washington University<br />
Santiago, Jennifer Christine Nassau Community College<br />
Sawyer, Viola Lee Arcadia University<br />
Serrano, Christopher Carsan Nassau Community College<br />
Serrano, Katherine Aida Macaulay Honors College at CUNY<br />
Silva Jr., Eduardo Polytechnic Institute of NYU<br />
Silva, Lorena Ninoshka SUNY College at Cortland<br />
Silva, Tiffany Patricia SUNY College at Old Westbury<br />
Silvestri, Olivia Blossom University of Rhode Island<br />
Simm, Jordan Ashley Nassau Community College<br />
Simpson, Keionna Plattsburgh State University<br />
Smith, Bria Chavonne St. John’s University - Queens<br />
Solomito, Amber Nicole Northampton Community College<br />
Spada Tello, Carlo College in Mexico<br />
Suarez, Steven Eagan St. John’s University - Queens<br />
Sylver, Aaron Michael Norwich University<br />
Telese, Eric Micahel Nassau Community College<br />
Torres Castillo, Leomaris Employment<br />
Troffa, Elizabeth Francesca Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus<br />
Truzzolino, Joseph Employment<br />
Valance, Owen Daniel McDaniel College<br />
Valeo, Daniel Louis Hofstra University<br />
Vargas, Vanessa John Jay College of Criminal Justice CUNY<br />
Vitale, Rachel Paige New York University<br />
Weck, Amelia Anne Nassau Community College<br />
Wilson, Baliah Lorraine Nassau Community College<br />
Zambrano Guzman, Veronica College of New Rochelle<br />
Zarate Lopez, Ashly Joseph Nassau Community College<br />
Zepeda, Luis Angel Employment<br />
Zhang, Johnny Nassau Community College