By Esther Davis McKenna
An audience of more than 100 Baldwin students, parents, teachers and district staff turned out to honor 10 extraordinary high-school students who, in turn, praised their favorite teachers from elementary, middle and high school.
The students spoke of firsts - first days of school, first academic accomplishments, first athletic achievements - and of lasts - last concerts, last A.P. exams, last awards dinners. Mostly they spoke of the profound impact that three special teachers had on each of their lives.
For Christine Brown, one was high school English teacher Jennifer Teta, who instilled in her an "appreciation of classic literature and its subtleties" and who taught her by example to "appreciate people's quirks and ignore their faults."
Baldwin high school valedictorian Philip Eye said, "Any man can be a success, any man can be excellent" but it was his teachers and wrestling coaches Steve Crespi and Mike Robinson who taught him that "no man could stand alone." He also honored elementary school teacher Sandy Frieberg. All three, he said, taught him that he could accomplish anything if he worked hard enough.
School board President James Scannell was inspired by the accomplishments of the students and by the impact that these teachers had on their lives. "It takes the support and guidance of many people to be successful," said Scannell. "Life's important lessons are to be found all around us - if we remember to take the time and listen."
Retiring Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathy Weiss described the student honorees as "very, very special people" and called Baldwin teachers "bright, dedicated people who are always willing to go the extra mile."
Scannell said it was Dr. Weiss's own "commitment to excellence and her admiration for the qualities that define excellence" that compelled her to organize the first dinner 11 years ago.
Each year, students are nominated by district staff and must meet three criteria to be one of the honored 10: They must demonstrate outstanding service to school and community, show respect and concern for fellow students and meet high academic goals.
The students spoke of the indelible impressions their teachers made on them. Jessica Hamilton credited her second-grade teacher, Peggy Metkiff, for her current interest in the law. "Mrs. Metkiff let us hold a trial about [a student's misuse] of the water fountain," said Hamilton. That incident sparked an interest in Hamilton that led her to join the district's model congress and participate in a law program in Washington, D.C., last fall. What she gained most from her mentors, including Metkiff, Harriet Dell'Aria and Tim Morsch, was, she said, "a sense of trust that led to self-discovery."
Most students found their feelings about their impending graduation bittersweet - warm memories of the past mixed with excitement about what's to come. High school senior Laura Bianca said she felt empowered to meet the future because teachers Lynda Bertinetti, Dr. Arleen Asti and Scott Peritz instilled confidence in her.
Rahul Prabhakar called his mentors "advocates, cheerleaders, critics and friends" and cited his teachers' inspiration as the reason he would be studying at Harvard next fall.
Science teacher Albert "Ruge" Ruggiano was honored by more than one student. His gadgets and famous "disassembling corner" were given credit for several students' interests in engineering. Barbara Reece's involvement in Chaos, the high school's robotics team, was also credited with steering students into engineering.
"These teachers found the best in us," summed up graduating senior Joshua Sager. "Now we can find what's best in the world."
