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TheCove-erTimes - Glen Cove City Schools

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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

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