Dutchess BOCES’ Resilience Academy students and staff were honored for their hard work and achievements throughout the school year during an awards ceremony June 13.
After an ice cream social, everyone assembled in the main conference center where teachers gave out awards to students for participation in the annual field day and the varied clubs, as well as for being the most improved in both academics and social emotional well-being.
“We did it,” Principal Kiesha Tillman told the crowd. “Thank you so much for being here and being present; we appreciate you.”
School Council president Trevino Hiraldo was honored for making changes to better both himself and the school community, while Samira Barahona, Mason McNair, Charity White, Jae La Francis, Abigail Gonzalez and Riley Werner were voted most improved students by Tillman and crisis intervention staff.
Pegasus teacher Samuel Rivera gave Reece Murray, Dylan Paraszti and Justin Bradley awards for sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation during his program’s Field Day respectively, but was proud of every student getting an award.
“I want to congratulate each and every one of you,” Rivera said. “Give yourselves a round of applause.”
Business education teacher and Robotics Club adviser Kathy White gave an award to Alex Reichman for his creativity in building robots and his willingness to help his classmates with their machines.
“This student helped other students to build robots,” White said of Reichman. “It became a success.”
Reichman was also honored, along with Alexandra Varble, Christopher Lopez and Sebastian Gonzalez by special education teacher Stephen Blair for their work in planning the school’s field day and overcoming obstacles as they arose to make the event a success.
“It was a big event and it was a lot of kids involved,” Blair said. “You guys really pulled it off.”
Sherri Tompkins and Michelle Santini, of the academy, and Krystine Nardozzi, of the Pegasus program, were each named Teacher of the Year. Special education Alla Dilella, who is retiring this year, and teaching assistant for crisis intervention Vincent Giandalone were also honored for their efforts.
