On June 11, 29 Buckley students gathered with families, friends, and teachers beneath the tent to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2014.
Sydney Hay ’14. welcomed the Reverend Bruce Griffith of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City who gave the invocation, offering his blessings and prayers to the graduating class.
President of the Board of Trustees Valerie DiFebo presented this year’s Trustee Bowl to Krithi Ram-Junnarkar. This prized academic award went to the student who achieved the highest grade point average. The Scholarship Medal was awarded to Grace Limoncelli for the second highest academic average. Fiona Fragomen earned the Certificate of Merit for the third highest average.
Four faculty awards were presented at graduation:
Emma Deutsch presented the Teacher of the Year Award to Assistant to the Headmaster Maureen Miseo. This award is selected by the members of the graduating class. Deutsch noted that Miseo is a skilled gardener at home and “it is no surprise given all the tending that she has done to her garden full of children here at Buckley.”
The Thomas J. Reid Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to pre-Kindergarten teacher Leana Lombardo. The award recognizes outstanding teaching, demonstrated concern for each student, quality of instruction, and commitment to Buckley.
The G. Robert Gage Award for Excellence in Teaching was given to fifth- and sixth-grade mathematics teacher Francine Wisnewski. Named and presented in memory of Mr. Bob Gage’s late father, it is given annually to a faculty member in recognition of his/her excellence in teaching. This award is funded every year by the investment income earned on the endowment gift made by the Gage family.
The Powers Family Teacher Recognition Award was presented to third-grade teacher Laura Uhr. It is given annually to a faculty member in recognition of his/her embodiment of the school’s character and spirit, care and nurturing qualities, and excellence in teaching. All four teachers received well-deserved standing ovations from the audience.
Julie Kim and Jake Bolling, student council co-presidents, presented the gift of the Class of 2014 of new furniture for the eighth-grade lounge. “We all think of Buckley as our second home, so it’s only fitting that it be comfortable,” said Kim.
Angelo Bonvino ‘14 introduced Denise Powers, a fourth-grade teacher, the graduating class faculty speaker. Bovino explained that “everyone needs that one person they tell anything to. Mrs. Powers is that person for many of the eighth graders.”
Jennifer Wisnewski, ’10, Salutatorian at Mary Louis Academy, incoming freshman at Boston College, was this year’s alumna speaker. Jennifer was introduced by her sister Michelle ’14. Using as a backdrop to her remarks Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and her own Buckley experience, Jennifer reassured the graduates that Buckley had prepared them well to face the challenges ahead.
The two student speakers selected by their peers were Julie Kim and Jake Bolling who chose to address their audience as the MC’s for a red carpet event at which their classmates would be guests of honor.
The members of the Class of 2014 will be attending: Chaminade, Chapin, Dalton, Friends Academy, Herricks, Holy Trinity, Lawrenceville, Marymount, Manhasset, Phillips Andover, Portledge, Spence, Trinity, Xavier.
