By: Anthony Rifilato
For Baldwin High School senior Regine Anglade, it was her middle school teacher, Dr. Arleen Asti, who stayed by her side when she nearly died in 1999 from a heart condition, and who encouraged her to excel as a student.
"She is not only a teacher to me, she is part of my family," Anglade said.
For Baldwin High School senior Lauren Aksionoff, it was her law and crime teacher and lacrosse coach, Ronald Ventura, who reassured her as a student and player, letting her know she had the skill to be on the team.
"If I can describe Mr. Ventura in one word," said Aksionoff, "it's genuine."
Nicholas Gandiello thanked his 11th grade English teacher, Jennifer Teta, who encouraged him to be a writer and influenced his writing style. As a result, Gandiello will be an English major in college.
"You're such a mentor to the kids," Gandiello told Teta. "We all looked forward to going to Mrs. Teta's class."
Former teachers and students cried and laughed together last week as students recalled fond memories of their most formative years at the district's annual In Recognition of Excellence dinner on May 19.
Over 100 parents, students, teachers and faculty attended to honor 10 exceptional senior high school students, who in turn praised three of their favorite teachers from elementary, middle and high school.
Asti, who was honored by three students last week, Regine Anglade, Lauren Aksionoff and Daniela Brown, was touched by the gesture. "It's seeing them [students] become adults and do great things," said Asti. "They all grow up and do well."
Students spoke of the indelible impressions their teachers have made on them.
"I'm so happy I had you as my teacher for so many years," said Daniela Brown, who praised teacher Michelle Liemer-Kelly. Brown will pursue her passion for art in college, all thanks to her teachers Liemer-Kelly, Arleen Asti and Susan Carolan, she said.
"I hope my younger sister takes the same lessons I've learned," said Brown, "because it made me a better person."
Following the students' speeches and praises, they placed a pin on their former teachers' lapels and gave them gifts.
And while the ceremony was touching, there were reflective moments of silly antics that occurred in the classroom.
Eric Cohn lauded his middle school math teacher, Clark Crespi, who made math enjoyable by coming up with funny nicknames such as "Colonel Custer" and "Smiley."
"Yes, you heard me correctly, I enjoyed math," said Cohn, which elicited giggles from the audience. "Mr. Crespi mastered the art of comic relief in the classroom."
Others remembered teachers who made them feel welcome in a new school, such as Kristen Dye, who, as a shy first-grader, recalled how Brookside elementary school teacher Marilyn Picchioni put her at ease.
"I just have this feeling that it was one of the best years of my life," said Dye, who also honored teachers Joshua Smith and Helen Bauer. "These three teachers changed my life and helped mold me into the person I am today."
