The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School presented two prestigious awards at its graduation ceremony—the Alan L. Gleitsman Outstanding Graduate Award and the Genelle Taney Memorial Award. The school’s other awards were presented at the school’s Senior Awards event prior to commencement.
Alan L. Gleitsman Outstanding Graduate Award
The late Alan Gleitsman, a 1947 graduate of then-Great Neck High School, established the Alan L. Gleitsman Outstanding Graduate Award in 1988 to be given annually to a North High School graduating senior. Gleitsman winners must place within the top 10 percent of their graduating class, uphold a high level of quality involvement in student activities, be dedicated to the school and the well-being of fellow students, and have a commitment to pursue further education on the college level.
Isabelle Sehati, class Co-Valedictorian and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, was the winner of the 2016 Gleitsman Award. She was a First Place winner at the New York State DECA Conference and participated at the DECA International Career Development Conference. She was the recipient of a Nassau County Legislature Certificate of Recognition, New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit and New York State Senate Award. Sehati was an All-County Music Festival Band flutist and member of the LI Honors Flute Choir. She was a DECA officer and a Peer Leader. Sehati will be attending SUNY Binghamton University in the fall.
Genelle Taney Memorial Award
Genelle B. Taney was a 2003 North High graduate who died at age 19 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Taney was the 2003 Gleitsman Award recipient and is remembered for her “unsurpassed love of knowledge, a dedication to the arts, a passion for athletics and an endless commitment to the betterment of her school and her fellow classmates.” The Taney Award recipient should possess a combination of these qualities. The award is based solely on merit. One quarter of the award must be contributed by the recipient to a charity of his or her choice, subject to the approval of the award trustees. The award was established in Genelle’s memory in 2006.
Jeremy Feith, an Advanced Placement Scholar and a Silver Medalist in the National Spanish Exam, was the winner of the 2016 Taney Award. He was team captain and a four-year member of Cross-Country and Track & Field, and team captain and a two-year member of fencing. Feith was a Science Olympiad Competitor and a Peer Leader. His volunteer community service includes Special Olympics, North Shore University Hospital, fundraising and serving food at a local senior citizens center, and being a day camp counselor. Feith will also attend SUNY Binghamton University.
Read about the 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians here.
Learn about the other Class of 2016 award winners here.
Read the complete graduation speeches from the Great Neck North Class of 2016: Adir Vegon, Graelin Mandel, Isabelle Sehati and from Great Neck South: Annabelle Golden, Annie Yang, Emily Bae, Haley Roach, Lance Kim and Michael Shen.
See who the 2016 Great Neck North graduates are here.
Find out who graduated from Great Neck South here.
For a list of The Village School graduates, click here.
