Awards were given for excellence in arts and culture; citizenship; sports leadership; technology; and community service.
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (April 8, 2019) – Four New Rochelle High School seniors and four community leaders were celebrated Thursday night at the annual New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Gala at the elegant Surf Club on the Sound.
To get things started, NRHS TheatreWorks students performed show tunes while wandering among the attendees. The students receiving the awards drew applause from the assembled guests with their humor, gratitude and news of their future plans.
“You can see what phenomenal students we have here,” NRHS Interim Principal Joseph Starvaggi said as he introduced the awardees.
Students honored were chosen by the District for the following awards:
* Antonio Corona received the Arts and Culture Award. He noted the irony of changing his life goal from nursing to theater, considering he had a little trouble in an early acting role.
“Who would have thought that the Romeo who couldn’t kiss his Juliet in ninth grade would choose this career path?” he said.
* Kamahri Valcourt received the David A. Garfinkel Citizenship Award. Among the people he thanked were his mother and grandmother, who were in attendance.
“They’ve been the best support system I ever could have asked for,” he said, then addressed them directly: “I love you.”
* Jordan Forrest received the Eric Tutera Sports Leadership Award. Among those he thanked were Coach Lou DiRienzo – “Coach D” – and his parents.
“They taught me the values of love, honor, duty, courage and respect,” he said of his parents.
* Rachel Griffith received the Technology Award. She thanked the New Rochelle Fund for its support of programs such as the robotics team.
“As a member of the team, I have learned to design and build robots,” she said, adding that she plans to study engineering in college.
The community leaders honored were: New Rochelle City Manager Charles B. Strome III; Rev. Dr. David R. Holder and Tarshia L. Holder, Founder and Co-Founder of the New York Covenant Church; and Haina Just-Michael, president and founder of Just Media Group. Inc., who is involved in multiple volunteer activities.
“We are so thrilled to shine a spotlight on these four exceptional NRHS students, while also honoring long-standing, valued leaders of our New Rochelle community,” said Fund Executive Director Sabrina Toback. “The Gala is a night where we show how vital and integrated the Fund is to our beloved city. We couldn’t be more proud.”
About the City School District of New Rochelle
With nearly 11,000 students in 10 schools, the City School District of New Rochelle, through an active partnership amongst community, parents, staff and students, provides a high-quality and challenging education for every child, in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces rich diversity and drives success.
