With cheers from classmates, parents, faculty, and staff, the Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center’s annual Senior Awards Assembly individually honored students from the Class of 2017 for their academic, social, and extracurricular accomplishments made throughout the school year.
Head of School Angelo Zegarelli started this year’s ceremony by congratulating the soon-to-be graduates for their many accomplishments and thanking staff for their dedication.
“The Henry Viscardi School’s mission of educating and empowering children with disabilities—to be bold, to be leaders, to take chances, to give back, and most of all, to pursue dreams—is clearly evident in these students,” said Zegarelli. “Today’s award ceremony celebrates their success, hard work, and perseverance to overcome the challenges they face. It’s also a testament to the parents, family members, and Henry Viscardi School staff for their support and commitment to the success of our students.”
HVS faculty addressed attendees about each recipient’s successes over the last year before presenting an award. The ceremony recognized excellence in thirty-three categories, including six scholarships. Two scholarship awards valued at $1,500—the DiStefano Scholarship and the NYSED Academic Excellence award—were granted to students Alexa Williams and Felix Perez, concluding the ceremony.
The following awards were bestowed:
- Math:Felix Perez
- Science:Felix Perez
- English:Alexa Williams
- Social Studies:Alexa Williams
- Media Technology:Ariel Rampersad
- Business:Emma Greenfield
- Art:Destini Mitchell-Murray & Jovanni Rodriguez
- Music:Isaiah Cudjoe & Alexa Williams
- Independent Living:Nerivette Santiago
- Physical Education:Patrick McCarthey
- Move to Improve:Destini Mitchell-Murray
- Unlocking My Potential:Isaiah Cudjoe & Ariel Rampersad
- Self-Advocacy:Marcus Montanez & Angela Lawson
- Dignity for All Students Award (DASA):All senior girls
- Self-Awareness & Independence:Destini Mitchell-Murray & Christopher Allen
- SEPTA:All seniors
- Yes I Can Council for Exceptional Children:Samuel Tavarez
- Faculty Recognition:Angela Lawson & Nerivette Santiago
- Carol A. Spinelli Humanitarian Award:Kristian Rosado
- Richard M. Switzer Memorial ($200): Emma Greenfield
- State of New York Office of the State Comptroller:Destini-Mitchell-Murray
- District Attorney SHIELD Award:Nerivette Santiago
- Cody Taddonio Award ($250):Marcus Montanez
- Community Service & Academic Excellence Nassau County:Ariel
- Nassau Counselors’ Association Joseph Bruzzese High School Scholarship ($1,250):Kristian Rosado
- The Ryan Sims Memorial Scholarship for Music ($1,000):Nerivette Santiago
- The Ryan Sims Memorial Scholarship for Science ($1,000):Felix Perez
- Distefano Scholarship ($1,500):Alexa Williams
- NYSED Academic Achievement ($500):Kristian Rosado
- NYSED Academic Excellence Scholarship ($1,500):Felix Perez
About the Henry Viscardi School
The Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center is a New York State supported 4201 school that offers children with severe physical disabilities, who often require life-sustaining medical treatment throughout the day, a traditional educational setting option that provides rigorous academics and opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Its specialized, accessible educational setting provides a fully-enriched academic program, a variety of therapies, assistive technology and medical supports to students who may otherwise need to receive instruction in their homes or a hospital.