NHS Seniors Honored For Achievement And Excellence

By Larissa Lytwyn

More than 100 Newtown High School seniors received recognition for achievement in academic excellence and citizenship during the school’s 2004 Senior Award Night on May 19.

Newtown High School Principal Bill Manfredonia began the evening with a comparison between “reality shows” and, well, reality.

“It’s true that, unlike sitcoms, one can glean a truly introspective view on people’s lives,” Mr Manfredonia said. “On sitcoms, the actors rehearse the scenes over and over again until it plays perfectly.”

He said he was particularly pleased that William R. Hanauer of the National Television Academy, the same organization that sponsors the Emmys, would be honoring the Technology Club in several production categories.

In addition, Technology Club member Adam Berlingeri would be honored for his piece, The Cure for Love, the meditation on unrequited romantic sentiments to be recognized for excellence in technical achievement.

Also recognized were Valedictorian Carolyn Brennan, Salutatorian Tyler Hull, and the other eight of the high school’s top ten students, Alana Jacoby, Caitlin Weber, Matthew Abrams, Diana Bowen, Eric Fisher, Kathleen Mayer, Bethany Ober, and Brett Eastman.

“I think you will all enjoy the best reality show that is on tonight, gaining genuine insight into our seniors,” Mr Manfredonia said.

In this spirit, the entire evening was conducted with an air of glamour.

As each presenter strode to the podium, closeups were captured on two massive projection screens suspended from the back ceiling.

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff commended the students on their academic and personal accomplishments. He also recognized the school’s recent recipients of the Western Connecticut Superintendent Association’s annual awards for excellence. Both are seniors.

“I would just like to share with you the biographies that were provided on them during the [Superintendent’s Awards] ceremony,” he said.

Sasha Mastrocinque was described as a “dedicated, determined, bright young woman.”

Edward Wolf was described as an “intelligent, hardworking young man who maintains a busy academic schedule while contributing countless hours of community service to Newtown High School and the community.”

A burst of applause swept over the auditorium following Dr Pitkoff’s descriptions of the students.

Highlights from the evening included Lt Colonel Forgione of the US Air Force Academy presenting a full military scholarship to Philip Zancy.

Philip will follow his brother into the academy.

In honor of Philip’s achievement, Lt Forgione prompted the sounds of planes taking off, complete with accompanying visuals of ascending jets on the background screens.

As he presented several awards for the Technology Club, including a glass trophy for Newtown High School that was accepted by Mr Manfredonia, Mr Hanauer peppered his presentation with glib insider references to the Emmys.

Noting the number of students from the Technology Club that rose to accept their awards, he remarked, “Look at all these people! I feel like I’m at the Emmys!”

He encouraged the students to include their achievement on their resumes.

Past recipients, he noted, have gone on to work in various areas of New York area television and film production.

“And considering how well you did this year,” he laughed, “I heartily recommend you complete the same [entry process] next year!”

Awards presented included the Newtown Youth Services National Advisory Board Scholarships, the Hord Foundation Scholarship, the Bob Glander Scholarship, Newtown Girls’ Softball Association Scholarship, the Connecticut Reading Association Scholarship, and an award for the National Merit Finalist.