Organization Honors Top Scholars at Rye Area High Schools

The Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents (LHCSS) held the 26th annual Carroll F. Johnson Scholastic Achievement Dinner at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown Wednesday.

More than 100 valedictorians and salutatorians from schools in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess counties came out for the occasion, accompanied by their high school principals or headmasters and headmistresses and district superintendents.

Local honorees included:

Blind Brook High School – Rachel Lumish, Justin Starr

Rye Country Day School – Isabel Beshar, Grayson Clary

Rye High School – Samantha Lee, Alda Pontes

Rye Neck High School – Christina Baal, Midori Takasaki

The first dinner was the brainchild of Dr. Caroll Johnson, a past White Plains superintendent, who felt the area's top scholars weren't being recognized the way standout athletes and musicians were.

This year, Nancy L. Taddiken, superintendent of the Edgemont School District and Howard Smith, superintendent of the Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns, co-chaired the event. Dr. Raymond Gerson, a former superintendent of Dobbs Ferry, has been organizing the dinner for the past 15 years.

"It's a very special event," Gerson said. "We're paying tribute to these kids who know what school is all about."

The sentiment of the students in attendance can be summed up in a single word: excitement.

"I'm relieved that high school's over," said Ethan Portnoy of Horace Greeley High School. "I'm really excited to start the next chapter of my life."

Sleepy Hollow High School senior Melanie Ferreira recently finalized her college decision—she'll be heading off to New York University in the fall.

"I'm honored I can be a part of this," she said of the dinner. As for college, she added, "I'm a little nervous, but definitely excited."

Each student received a certificate at the event applauding their achievements, as well as a copy of The Power of Respect: Benefit from the Most Forgotten Element of Success, a book written by guest speaker Deborah Norville, anchor of CBS's Inside Edition.

Following the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Mahopac High School valedictorian Devin Wright, Benjamin Chang of Edgemont High School introduced Norville.

Chang's humorous and intentionally fast-paced rundown of Deborah Norville's life achievements, including her Emmy awards for journalism and passion for knitting, set a lighthearted tone for the evening.

In her speech, Norville encouraged the student guests to have goals, but not be resistant to change as they move forward in their academic and professional careers.

"Life is a journey as much as it is a destination," she said. "Enjoy the ride."

James Langlois, president of LHCSS, applauded the superintendents in attendance—"I'm proud of all of those who have helped you to get where you are," he told the students, adding the region likely boasts "one of the most accomplished set of schools in the entire world."

This year, the LHCSS awarded their annual Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Caroll Johnson, who received a standing ovation.

"Of course, it goes without saying that this is possibly the greatest honor I have ever received," he said.

In addition, fifteen scholarships were awarded to students who had applied prior to the event. The scholarships, financed by corporate sponsors, were awarded based on students' service to their schools and communities, their leadership skills and quality of their written statements, according to Smith.

Midori Takasaki of Rye Neck High School, who received the Stephen A. Perelson Memorial Scholarship, was all smiles.

"I'm really excited for college," said the Harvard-bound senior. "But high school was a lot of fun, so it's bittersweet."

Gerson was pleased with the night's turnout and success, and made a point to personally congratulate as many of the students as possible.

"Some of these kids are very remarkable not just in their schools, but their communities," he said. "I don't know how they do it."