‘He was a genuinely nice kid’

Christian Ardito, a South Side High School Senior, died on Oct. 21. He was 17.

Ardito grew up in Rockville Centre, starting school at Watson Elementary School before moving up to South Side Middle School. He was well-liked by many other students, and was known for his sincerity.

“He connected with people immediately,” said his mother, Susanna Moyer. “Even the dentist, who just put the caps on his teeth.”

Ardito used to talk and be friendly with everyone. His mother would sometimes have trouble breaking him away from the conversations he would start with strangers.

“The Christian I knew stood out without trying, and beat his own drum,” South Side High School Principal John Murphy said at Ardito’s funeral on Monday. “How many 17-year-olds voluntarily hang out with the principal on a free period?

“The last time we spoke, we were working on an essay Christian was writing on one of his many passions — art,” Murphy continued. “After he thanked me, he gave me his business card and told me if I ever needed a tennis racket restringed, he would take care of it free of charge. He then suggested we play a few sets of tennis, which was either a kindly offer or a form of payback to level the playing field. That was Christian: always looking to return the favor.”

Though he was a kind and caring person, where Ardito really shined was on the tennis court. Tennis was a passion, and he excelled at it.

“He would’ve been our best player this year,” said Chris Colesanti, the tennis coach at South Side High School. “Undisputed. Hands down.”

Ardito’s tennis career, though cut short, was impressive. He started on the Varsity tennis team as a freshman. Last year, as a junior, he competed in the All-County Tournament.

“He was an extremely talented player,” Colesanti said. “One of the most talented players I ever coached. From a young age, he was training at world class academies in Florida.”

Ardito was quick to make friends with everyone. He befriended people at Rockville Racquet, where he used to practice before it closed, which was where he learned how to string racquets. With his creativity, he turned that skill into a small business.

Ardito used his talent to help others as well. He would tutor young children in tennis, and would help his teammates as well.