PMHS Principal Recounts Distinguished Achievements of Class of 2010
By Stephen E. Lipken
Speaking at Pelham Memorial High School (PMHS) 97th Annual Commencement Address held on Saturday, June 26, Principal Jeannine Clark recounted the achievements of the 177 “outstanding members of the Class of 2010, a distinguished and exceptional class of students with many talents, abilities and achievements.
“One of our graduates earned the prestigious honor of achieving a perfect score for the past 6 years on the National Latin Exam, “Clark continued. “No less than 96 percent of you will continue in college, trade schools and other post-high school programs.”
“In athletics, graduates of this class have broken our school record in the 800 Meter Varsity Boys Track. Three senior athletes scored 100 career goals each in Boys and Girls Varsity Lacrosse.
“In the arts, the talents and skills of this class are also clearly evident,” Clark said, pointing out that one graduate is a member “of an Irish Step Dancing Team ranked fifth in the world.”
When Clark mentioned that four students are joining the United States Marine Corps (USMC) along with one West Point cadet, they received a standing ovation.
Robert Tracy of the Pelham Civic Association gave the Vincent Lopardi Award, a $5000 scholarship to Carlos Moreno and presented the Camillo D’Urso Award to Kayla Cartelli.
Recipients of the W.W. Fairclough Prize were 1st, Evelyn Leonard; 2nd, Anthony Ventura and 3rd, Class President Theodore William Vandenberg, who later presented the Class Gift, a digital camera.
Student speaker Kathryn Fogarty cautioned her classmates not to let embarrassment get in the way of success and personal development in her address, “Slippery Sneakers.”
“I wanted to prove that I was athletic by cranking up the speed of PMHS’ treadmill. My shoelace was not tied and the long string kept me in touch with the machine.
“The resulting burn on my leg and my Physical Education teacher kept the memory alive by reminding the other pupils to ‘tie your shoes.’ But stepping out of the ‘comfort zone’ and trying new things should not let embarrassment get in the way.”
“We live in a society that encourages individuality yet stresses conformity,” pupil Lloyd Pyes observed in his speech, “The Zen of Nerd,” stressing “that if you appeal to the masses you lose focus on yourself.”
“And be sure to thank your parents,“ Clark concluded. “When you go off to college you are taking a part of them with you.”
