Complied by Cindy J. Roth
A respected leader, Yasenchak holds offices in the National Honor Society, as president, the class of 2003 and the Student Council. Extremely involved in the development of her classmates, Yasenchak has actively participated as a peer AIDS educator, student peer lecturer and anti-bias multi-cultural member and advocate. Always eager to help, Yasenchak lends a hand to many community-based programs. Whether it is the town's annual Huckleberry Frolic, local charity events or helping senior citizens, Yasenchak can always be counted on her for assistance. Her position as a deacon in her church is truly something to admire.
An accomplished musician and writer, Yasenchak can be read in the "Village Herald" and heard at the Long Island Strings Festival performances. Her talents have been generously shared in many of the district's schools performances and literary endeavors. Yasenchak's violin rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", during last year's Rock Rivalry has been hard to forget.
A real history enthusiast, Yasenchak volunteers as a historical interpreter at Old Bethpage Restoration Village and is the Long Island winner of the National History Day competition.
The daughter of George and Paula Yasenchak, Amanda will be attending The College of William and Mary this fall as a history major.
Stephanie Yorio
Salutatorian
Stephanie Yorio is the salutatorian of the class of 2003. With an academic weighted average of more than 100, Yorio certainly led her peers, academically, by example.
Accomplished on the flute, Yorio has performed, with distinction, at many NYSSMA competitions. The school's musicals and concert performances were greatly enhanced because of her participation. Her mastery of the flute has been a boon to the district's marching band as well as Yorio's church folk group.
The daughter of Carmine and Darlene Yorio, Stephanie will be attending C.W. Post University this fall majoring in psychology.
Lynbrook
Amanda Rosenblum
Valedictorian
As valedictorian of Lynbrook High School, Amanda Rosenblum gives new meaning to the term triple threat. Not only has she performed excellently academically, she has a strong foundation in arts with her work on the student newspaper and literary magazine and being a classical pianist, and she also has a solid record of volunteerism within the community.
Rosenblum, who was the Student Government Association class president this year and is a member of the National Honor Society, is a natural in any leadership position. She served as president this year of the Long Island Toy Lending Center, where she babysat disabled children and organized fund raiser dances and parties. As a four-year member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Rosenblum co-founded and coordinated the first and second annual cabaret nights, as well as being the founder and co-coordinator of the high school's senior citizen prom.
Rosenblum has volunteered at the South Nassau Communities Hospital, the SIBS Place, Habitat for Humanity, Long Island Blood Services and also coordinated three Diabetes 5K Walks and one Breast Cancer 5K Walk as part of the Junior Council to South Nassau.
In the little spare time she has left, Rosenblum embraces her Jewish heritage by leading junior congregation services for children ages 6-13 at the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Centre and serving on the executive board of B'nai Brith, a Jewish youth organization.
Rosenblum will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall.
Scott Millman
Salutatorian
Lynbrook's salutatorian Scott Millman will be attending Cornell University in the fall where he will continue his commitment to excellence in education.
At Lynbrook High School, Millman enrolled in the most challenging college preparatory courses. He was named a National Merit Scholarship Program finalist and won the Highest Honors Award for the Long Island Science Congress. He received the Nassau County Science Teachers Association of New York State Award, was a Biology Olympiad semifinalist and was selected to present research at the Long Island Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Millman was also a participant in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine summer program and a delegate and program recruiter for the National Youth Leadership Forum Alumni Leadership Council.
Outside of the classroom, Millman volunteers at South Nassau Communities Hospital, holds the vice-president position of the National Honor Society, plays the bass guitar in the school's jazz band and played for the district's junior varsity soccer team his sophomore and junior years. Millman also writes for Horizon, the school newspaper, and was the team leader of the Science Olympiads team all four years of his high school career.
Malverne
Christie Lee
Valedictorian
Christie Lee is the kind of student who cannot help but engender enthusiasm within the school and the community. She is an extraordinary student who combines intellect and spirit in whatever she undertakes.
Lee's academic record is unparalleled within the Malverne High School. She has been on the school's high honor roll for the last four years. She has almost near perfect scores on all her Regents exams and a perfect score on the SAT I math section. In addition, Lee has received numerous departmental awards since ninth grade. She has also been an active member of the Honor Society since 10th grade.
Lee's extra-curricular activity record is meritorious too. She is a member of the robotics club, Amnesty International, Quiz club and the editor of the school newspaper. She also is an accomplished athlete participating on the varsity tennis team since her freshman year and was captain the last two years, along with running on both the winter and spring track teams for three years.
Lee hopes to become an engineer and will attend Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts in the fall.
Gregory Monahan
Salutatorian
As a scholar, Greg Monahan has maintained a rigorous academic program of Honors, Advance Placement and Regents courses and performed admirably in each. He amassed an exemplary scholastic record, which has resulted in his receiving numerous awards from various departments and induction into the National Honor Society.
He many scholarships and awards including the Malverne Teachers' Association Scholarship, NYS Lottery Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship, Malverne High School Scholarship, President's Education Excellence Award and the math department award for AP calculus.
While establishing his academic record, Monahan still found the time to participate in various extra-curricular activities and clubs. He has been a member of the district's award winning marching, jazz and symphonic bands for four years. He is an award-winning member of Malverne's Quiz Club. He's also involved in sports, playing soccer and baseball for the district. It is no doubt that Monahan, with a schedule he has taken on, has excellent organizational skills, clear thinking, intelligence and an exceptional talent for dealing with people. Monahan has the stamina, drive and perseverance that most selective institutions are seeking and he will be very successful at Adelphi University where he will be attending this fall.
Surrounding districts
Editor's note: These students attending school in the Valley Stream School District, live in the Village Herald's coverage area and have been named at the top of their class.
Nancy Vuong
Valedictorian
With plans to become a doctor, Valley Stream North High School valedictorian Nancy Vuong, of Malverne, is heading to Brooklyn College next fall to start an eight-year B.A./M.D. medical program, for which she has received a full four-year scholarship. Strongly interested in science, Vuong participated in the district's three-year advanced science research program and entered her research project in the Intel science competition. She is a National Merit Letter of Commendation winner and vice president of her school's National Honor Society.
Also talented in music, Vuong plays trombone in the North band, sings in the women's choir and studies piano. She was selected to the District Music Festival and to the All-County Chorus for four years. Vuong is captain of the varsity volleyball and badminton teams, making All-Conference in badminton. Her many service activities include president of STOP (Students and Teachers Opposing Prejudice), president of the Interact Club, and active membership in SPO (the Student Peer Organization) and the "Kids on the Block" disability awareness program.
Alison Carter
Salutatorian
North High salutatorian Alison Carter, of Malverne, plans to major in business next year at Cornell University and hopes to eventually become an attorney. She is president of the National Honor Society and vice president of the Math Honor Society at North. A student with a devotion and talent in music, Carter received the District Music Festival scholarship as the top graduating musician at North this year. She plays flute and piccolo in North's band and pit orchestra and was selected in grades 10-12 for both the District Music Festival and All-County Music. In her junior year, she was also chosen an alternate to the All-State Band. Carter plays varsity basketball, is a member of SPO and Kids on the Block, and also tutors students in math and religious education.
Jenny Gunderman
Valedictorian
Loyola College in Baltimore is the choice of Jenny Gunderman, Valley Stream South High School's valedictorian, who plans to major in speech pathology and eventually become a speech pathologist for children with Down syndrome.
Gunderman, of Lynbrook, is secretary of South's National Honor Society and vice president of the Language Honor Society. She received the Principal's Award for being first in her class in 10th and 11th grades as well. Gunderman has played on South's varsity volleyball team, is active in Key Club, for which she serves as secretary, and also volunteers her time for PAL tutoring. She sings in South's chorus and was selected for District Music Festival chorus in grades 9-12.
