The Clarkstown North High School PTSA held its annual Founders Day and Awards event on Tuesday. At this event PTSA reflected on its accomplishments of the year, honored some very special people, presented scholarships and renewed its commitment to be a powerful voice for all children and strong advocates for public education.
The evening began with a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner sung by Melissa Hollander. The audience was then treated to a performance of the North Chamber Choir led by Vincent Reina.
Jane Hicks, North assistant principal, was recognized with the North PTSA award of Appreciation for her commitment and service to the students and families of the school. Hicks will be retiring at the end of this school year. Clarkstown Police Officer Matt Barry, the North school resource officer was presented with the North PTSA Award of Merit in appreciation for his care, service and dedication to youth.
Each year the North PTSA awards four scholarships to outstanding graduating seniors. This year the award was increased to $750. Ethan Santore was recognized in the Academic Category. Shannon Kay and Kara Sciscente were both recognized in the Extra Curricular Category, and Ryan Kilgannon's award was for his accomplishments in the Creative Arts.
Artwork from students who had entered the National PTA Reflections Competition was on display and those students whose work had moved on to the regional and state competitions were all recognized. Stephanie Chouljian, Irina Huang, Richard McKaba, Sarah Murphy, Nicaela Ryan, and Samantha Streitman moved up to the regional level. Gabi Im, Ethan Jaynes and Kristina Lucente advanced to the NY State PTA Reflections competition.
Outgoing PTSA president Rhea Vogel was congratulated for working hard to revitalize the North PTSA, getting the school store, the Ram’s Cave, to become a reality. She was also thanked for her family’s generosity in kicking off the school's beautification campaign by funding the first project, the mural logo painting on Congers Road and the screening of the track storage area.
Vogel said “While I appreciate the kudos, none of this would be possible without the strong foundation put in place by the PTSA leaders that came before me and all the hard work of all of the people I have been so privileged to know and work with these past two years.”
PTA was founded in 1897 by Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney with a clear focus—to improve the lives and futures of all of children. In 1971 The National PTA merged with the Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, founded by Selena Sloan Butler, making PTA the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation.
The Clarkstown North PTSA is an affiliated chartered unit of the New York State PTA. Its purposes are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, teachers, and the general public and are governed by New York State PTA and National PTA basic policies. The Clarkstown North High School PTSA raises funds through fundraisers, the sale of yearly memberships and school spirit items. It invites and encourages parents, staff and students as well as businesses and community members to join the PTSA. Please visit their website at www.northptsa.com for more information and to download a membership form.
