Pines Bridge Graduates Sixteen

The Pines Bridge School graduation had all the trappings of a typical graduation ceremony—student speakers, a processional, proud parents taking photographs.

But the success of the graduates was anything but typical. Their success could not be measured in grade point averages or class rankings but in everyday tasks mastered over time with perseverance. Their success could also be seen in the lasting impressions they made not only on the Pines Bridge staff, many of whom were present, but on the larger community.

All 16 graduates had their praises sung by staff members and a few chose to speak for themselves, thanking their parents and teachers and recalling their favorite activities at Pines Bridge. Ashlyn Barnes said she enjoyed working at Sears and would miss her friends. Christian Pavon said he loved acting in plays and was looking forward to going to PARC. Melissa Crosland was noted for her infectious laugh, and Maria Shankey thanked her brothers for all their love.

During the ceremony, a video was shown depicting the students from infancy to the young men and women they are today. There were photos of birthday parties, Halloween costumes, Disney World trips, Christmas mornings, family pets and smiles, so many smiles. When the ceremony was over, proud parents posed with their graduates while teachers found it hard to say good bye.

The graduates included: Justin Acosta, Hendrick Hudson; Ashlyn Barnes, Rye Neck; Melissa Crosland, Peekskill; Claudia Dash, Rye City; Christina DiMaggio, Yorktown Heights; Adolphus  Gil, Yonkers; Elyse Hughes, Putnam Valley; Christopher Kavanaugh, Peekskill; Sydney Kerrigan, Katonah-Lewisboro; Emma Murphy, Yorktown Heights; Grant McCollum, Beacon; Zachary Muzyk, Pleasantville; Christian Pavon, Carmel; Cheryl Remling, Yorktown Heights; and Francesco Vecchio, Peekskill.