By Andrew Hackmack
Brendan said that when his first report card came out in the fall, his mother told him he might have a shot at the top spot. So he studied and worked even harder, and two weeks ago he was told he was the class valedictorian. He also one-upped his three older brothers. "All of them have been close," he said, "so I wanted to be over the top."
He has attended Holy Name of Mary since nursery school. Brendan has always had siblings at the school, whether it was his older brothers or his younger sisters. His mother, Denise, also works at the school's enrollment coordinator.
Kellenberg High School in Uniondale will be his next stop, the same school his brothers attended. Brendan said he likes the campus and looks forward to starting there in the fall. He plans to join the choir and try out for the soccer and baseball teams. "I love sports, I'm very athletic," he said, noting that one of his best memories from Holy Name of Mary are the annual field days at Firemen's Field.
This year, Brendan is president of the student council and he also oversees the student safety patrol. He also is in the choir and is an alter server for the church. Brendan said he almost always volunteers to work masses when someone else can't make their scheduled service time. "I just feel so much closer to God by serving," he said.
His favorite subject in school is science.
Brendan said he would not have been able to achieve valedictorian without the support of the faculty, who are always there for the students. "It really is like a second home," he said of the school. "All of the teachers are really welcoming."
Lisa Ciorciari, Blessed Sacrament School
Rosedale resident Lori Ciorciari has been attending Blessed Sacrament since her nursery school days. Now after 11 years, she will graduating as the valedictorian of her eighth-grade class.
Lori only found out about the honor early last week. "I was actually pretty happy because that's all I wanted to do was make a speech at my graduation," she said. In that speech last Friday evening, she thanked her classmates and teachers for their support over the years.
Lori said she has made so many friends over the years, and with that has come many memories. Her best times at Blessed Sacrament School are the third-grade trip to Safety Town, school dances and the recent eighth-grade trip to New York City.
Lori has served as a class representative on the student council for many years and also been a member of the Rosary and Italian clubs. "I am Italian and now I'm learning how to speak it," Lori said about which extra-curricular activity has been her favorite. "I talk to my dad in Italian."
Next year Lori will be attending Kellenberg High School in Uniondale. She is looking forward to going there because of the wide variety of activities offered. Many of her friends will also be joining her at Kellenberg.
She will miss the teachers at Blessed Sacrament, who Lori said are always willing to go above and beyond to help the students out. "There's always someone to talk to if you have a problem," she said, "whether it be a classmate or a teacher."
Being valedictorian was a goal for Lori since the beginning of the school year when she realized her grades were good enough that she could attain the rank. She said everyone has been equally supportive over the years. "Everyone is here is friendly," she said. "They'll take you how you are. You can be yourself."
