By: Eileen Greco
Out of a graduating class of 406 students from the different towns and villages across Nassau County, the two students selected, Nora Devitt and Joseph Citarrella, are both Malverne residents and graduates of Our Lady of Lourdes School. In fact, the two started pre-school together at Our Lady of Lourdes and were a part of an eighth-grade graduating class of 26 students.
Devitt, who is heading to the College of William and Mary, remembers her adjustment to the sheer size of Kellenberg, "Once I found my way around, and knew where the classes and lockers were, I had a routine."
In addition to her achievements academically, and inclusion in numerous clubs (Big Sister, President of Leader's Club) Devitt credits sports as keeping her centered. "In the fall, I did gymnastics, winter [I had] cheerleading, and in spring, I had track," she said. "I really tried to pay attention in class, so I didn't have to spend hours and hours studying."
Devitt will spend her freshman year at William and Mary studying liberal arts; majors are declared during sophomore year, so she'll have time to settle in before deciding on the course of her future.
Citarrella, Kellenberg's class valedictorian, felt comfortable at the school right away. "There were 17 of us from Lourdes that went together," he said. "The teachers at Kellenberg were very helpful."
In addition to playing four years of baseball, Citarrella was also president of the National Honor Society, and Speech and Debate captain, among other activities. Citarrella, headed to Yale this fall, is leaning towards economics, but like Devitt, doesn't have to declare a major until sophomore year.
Citarrella said he used his valedictorian speech to "focus on clich\'8es that are used in graduation speeches, like that 'the future is painted bright and rosy' and it's not always like that."
The mothers of both graduates said they couldn't be prouder of their children and both cited Our Lady of Lourdes as providing the foundation for their success. Mrs. Devitt-Brown said, "I think Our Lady of Lourdes is a great school. It provided a discipline which made the hard work of Kellenberg much easier."
