PHS Class of 2011 graduates under sunny skies

Senior Miles Banks, who had a heart transplant earlier this year, receives his diploma from Dr. Licopoli.

Under clear blue skies and a white and yellow tent, proud families and friends cheered for the 179 seniors, including recent heart transplant recipient Miles Banks, graduating as Peekskill High School's Class of 2011.

The Parade Ground was filled with well-wishers as the seniors received their diplomas and became alumni. The ceremony was presided over by Derek Johnson, president of the PHS Senior Class, who will attend MIT in the fall. Johnson presented a symbolic key to the high school to Kwasi Yeboah, who is the incoming senior class president. He also presented the class gift: a donation to the planned Jason Paige Health and Fitness Center in the high school. Valedictorian Fadhel Hamid and Salutatorian Jose Lebron both delivered speeches that brought standing ovations.

A very emotional moment for the Class of 2011 came when Banks, a student who received a heart transplant earlier this spring, came up on stage to receive his diploma. Another special moment and surprise innovation this year was the performance during the graduation ceremony of Michael Jackson's song "Heal the World" by the Hillcrest Elementary Chorus, directed by music teacher Kim Meade.

The seniors also heard from interim superintendent Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli and principal Sherrill Murray-Lazarus. Assistant Principals Emily Hersh, Griselda Reyes, and Margie Daniels announced each diploma recipient, and all members of the Board of Education were on the dais to shake each graduate's hand and wish them well. The Peekskill High School Band, directed by music teacher John Hahn, played for the processional and recessional.

"This is a community that is really involved in raising every child, and I have been honored to be a part of it during my time in Peekskill," said Dr. Licopoli. And he quoted the Michael Jackson's lyrics as an inspiration to the graduating class: "Heal The World/Make It A Better Place/For You And For Me."

Last week, before a packed house at the Paramount Center, members of the graduating Class of 2011 from Peekskill High School were recognized with praise from families and faculty for their many accomplishments in the fields of academics, athletics, fine and performing arts, and community service and spirit.

Principal Sherrill Murray-Lazarus presided over the evening, with Assistant Principals Emily Hersh, Griselda Reyes, and Margie Daniels also participating in the ceremony. Board president Michael Simpkins, vice president Fran Feuerman, and former Board president Tuesday McDonald joined superintendent Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli on the stage to shake the hand of each student who crossed the stage. Mr. Simpkins was able to congratulate his own daughter, graduating senior Imani Simpkins, for her awards. Jeff Stern, president of the Peekskill Educational Fund, also attended to award scholarships from the PEF.  The Senior Class Advisors, also presenting awards, were teachers Susan Imhof and Michelle Obenauer.

Over 25 special awards were presented to 79 recipients, including five who won the Presidents Award for Educational Excellence: Shannon Garvey, Fadhel Hamid, Derek Johnson, Jose Lebron, and Alexander Stand. The President’s Award for Educational Achievement was awarded to Jennifer Archila, Jesus Andrade, Hashim Campbell, Malika Hunt, Myriam Pauta, Mario Rice, Jimmy Ruano, Kayla Stepinac, Kelly Stevenson, Joanne Williams, and Melissa Williams.

Scholarships were the most anticipated announcements of the evening, as many students will head to college in the midst of continuing uncertainty about the economy. Over 170 scholarship awards were made, in 79 separate categories. Many scholarships are in the names of former Peekskill High School graduates or faculty members. The Peekskill High School Class of 1971, which is celebrating its 40th Reunion this weekend, awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Malika Hunt.

An emotional moment came when Tuesday McDonald presented the first Jason C. Paige Memorial Scholarships to Tamisha Greenhill, Andre Smith, Renate Pagan, Idrissa Dunkley, Arthur Semple, and Bria Waterman. Jason Paige, Ms. McDonald’s brother, was a beloved staff member of Peekskill High School who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.

This was also the first year for the Peekskill Educational Fund’s Judith Johnson Scholarships, named for Peekskill’s recently retired superintendent; two awards of $1,000 each went to Kayla Stepinac and Jesus Andrade. The PEF also presented a $1,000 Art and Music Scholarship to Hashim Campbell.

The Peekskill Rotary Club, Lions Club, and Community Foundation also made sizable scholarship awards, including the Rotary club’s $1,000 Fontana Music Award, which was given to Charlie DiNota.

Some of the other significant scholarships awarded were:
•    The American Red Cross Jerome and Laura Holland Scholarship, presented to Tamisha Greenhill.
•    The Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, presented to Myriam Pauta.
•    The BASF Chemical Company Scholarship of $1,000, given to Jose Lebron
•    The Harry Mattin Scholarship for $4,000, given to Fadhel Hamid
•    The Hope for Youth Foundation Scholarship for $2,000 given to Derek Johnson
•    The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc-Westchester Alumnae Chapter Scholarship for $3,000 and the Zeta Nu Omega Chapter Of Alpha Kappa Sorority scholarship of $1,000, both awarded to Kayla Stepinac
•    Two Jandon Scholarships for $10,000 each, awarded to Shakeema Jones and Jose Lebron

Click below for all the 2011 PHS graduates.