Huntington’s Distinguished Seniors Celebrated at Dinner
May 6, 2024
The top members of Huntington High School’s Class of 2024 were celebrated last Thursday night at this year’s Distinguished Seniors dinner in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
During the upbeat evening the spectacular teenagers recognized eight teachers who have meant so much to them over the years. A large crowd numbering about 250 turned out for the annual dinner that recognizes Huntington’s leading scholars.
Principal Brenden Cusack paid tribute to 106 exceptional students for their noteworthy academic performance and exceptional efforts outside of classes and out in the community.
“It was wonderful to celebrate such an amazing group of students and educators at this year’s annual Distinguished Seniors dinner,” Mr. Cusack said. “Even though this is my twelfth such celebration, it truly never, ever gets old. Spending time with our students, teachers and their loving and supportive families is just really what it’s all about. For me, it is a true highlight of the school year. And I could not be more grateful for all of our clerical, custodial, security and administrative staff who make it all come together. It’s a true team effort in the interest of making it a special evening for all. We are so blessed to have such dedicated professionals among us. It was simply a great night in every way!”
Superintendent Christian G. Bowen, many Huntington School Board members, department leaders and building principals and high school Assistant Principals Gamal Smith and Patricia Avelli also attended the event.
106 Distinguished Seniors Honored
The honorees included Adriana Abbatiello, Layna Abraham, Genesis Acevedo, Sonia Acevedo Ortiz, Harris Alba, Matthew Ambrozy, Michael Ambrozy, Jake Amend, Melvin Avelar-Romero, Harrison Baliber, Kathryn Barba, Kayleigh Bender, William Berry, Thomas Breingen, Jane Callery, Edgar Canales, Christian Chabla-Leon, Veronica Cocoman, Stephanie Contreras-Garcia, Zaida Correal, Keira Coulter, Ashton Davies, Rylee Davis, Dianna Diaz-Portillo, Casey DiGioia, David Dorilus Dax, Benjamin Edgar-McNerney, Deanna Elvir, Katherine Estrada-Morales, Anna Famiglietti, Keylis Flores-Velasquez and Landry Flynn.
Lily Froggatt Bale, Lars Galvin, Andrew Ganley, Natalie Garcia Alfaro, Aidan Geller, Thomas Girimonti, Ethan Goleski, Charlotte Gordon, Kimberly Granados Moreira, Christopher Grover, Stacy Guevara, Carlos Gutierrez Castro, Dylan Hayden, Julia Henderson, Natalia Hernandez, Cristel Hernandez Reyes, Brian Hrybenko, Chloe Hunt, Ariana James, Valerie Jarama, Jada Joseph, Marley Joseph, Sophia Kaloudis, Declan Kehoe, Patrick Knieriem, Samantha Koepele, Riley LaCosta, Sophie Lange, Donna Lazo-Cuchels, Rachel Learned, Hillel Linker, Shaina Linker, Nikolai Lulewich, Jessica Maixner, Andrea Mani-Munoz, Damaris Mani-Munoz, Mary Marinello, Jannel Marroquin, Samantha McGloin, Caroline McGreevy and Daniel McNulty were also recognized as Distinguished Seniors.
The honorees also included Ruby Meidenman, Emelyn Merida Cifuentes, Kayla Murillo, Riley Murtagh, Ella O’Heir, Kimberly Panameno, Jordana Paniciia, Brooke Parks, Olivia Polinsky, Reese Rinaldi, Quinn Rodriguez, Chelsea Romero, Jack Ruthkowski, Kaitlyn Sansiviero, Nicholas Sclafani, Cian Scott, Jack Semelsberger, Daniela Seren-Contreras, Michael Sgrizzi, Hannah Song, Eli Soric, Lucas Spagnoletti, Kaylee Spendorio, Lily Tierney, Sophia Tine, Ava Tizzio, Jennifer Vallejo Ortiz, Mari Velasquez Maldonado, Karla Velasquez-Umanzor, Angel Villatoro, Tyler Wheeler, Alan Wilberger and Kelly Zelaya.
The seniors were asked to select one teacher to be honored from the first school they attended in the district and from each of their subsequent schools.
The seniors recognized teachers Karen Mallow-Rizzo (Jefferson), Melissa Mazzalonga (Washington), Glenn Edwards (Flower Hill), Meghan Kenny (Southdown), Jason Suarez (Woodhull), Conrad Dierking (Jack Abrams STEM), Dana Rogan (Finley) and Michael Graziano (Huntington High School).
The large crowd was feted to a delicious meal whipped up by highly regarded Long Island chef Howard J. Fay. Huntington High School administrators and secretaries served the crowd as it passed along tables filled with various dishes.
As the evening’s program finally drew to a close, parents began snapping hundreds of photographs of the seniors as they posed in groups with their classmates.
