Westhampton Beach U.F.S.D.
340 Mill Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
***ECRWSS***
Postal Customer
SUMMER 2014
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Westhampton Beach,
N.Y.
Seniors Celebrate
Senior Award
Winners
Westhampton Beach High School held its annual
Academic Awards Night in the district auditorium on May
19, honoring high achievers in grades nine through twelve.
A multitude of disciplines were recognized during
the ceremony, including achievement in health and
physical education, business and technology, art,
English, mathematics, science, foreign language, music,
social studies, and community service and leadership.
Additionally, Class of 2014 valedictorian Valeryia
Aksianiuk and salutatorian Aiden Kravitz received honors
from Principal Christopher Herr for their hard work.
Senior Alexa Smith sang the national anthem.
Other senior class members recognized during the
awards ceremony included: Alexander Bedrossian, Graham
Brown, Jesse Buchter, Peng Chen, Toni-Layne Cotignola,
Marc Cotter, Starr Courtney, Ian Dempsey, Zachary
Ellenhorn, Louise Ford, Shannon Giere, Emma Gristina,
Ivonne Grunseich, Jennifer Gutman, Matt Higgins, Luke
Jurow, Bridget Kelly, Redd Kneski, Gabrielle Lehman,
Heather Marcella, Danielle Nill, Anthony Norris, Jane
Podlaski, Jessica Prost, Karen Quesada, Connor Regan,
Lazarus Regueiro, Julianne Robbins, Amanda Schaefer,
Brian Schwartz, Rourke Sekelsky, Alexa Smith, Lauren
Smith, Maria Tuzzolo, Alexus Van Helmond, Kelly Vetter,
Jack Vicari and Taylor Wagner.
More than 60 students from the Westhampton
Beach High School Class of 2014 will take the next
steps in their academic careers with a little help from
their local friends.
During a scholarship ceremony at the district
auditorium on May 29, students and their families
recognized the contributions of those local friends,
and of their own achievements. The program was
led by High School Principal Christopher Herr, with
students Kaela Murphy and Connor Regan singing
the national anthem.
A variety of scholarships — bestowed for
academic and athletic achievement as well as for
community service and citizenship — were presented
during the ceremony. Local businesses, such as the
Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce,
Suffolk County National Bank, Bridgehampton
National Bank, Rechler Equity Partners and Cor-J
West Seafood, granted scholarships. Community
organizations, such as Westhampton Rotary
and Kiwanis, local fire departments, veterans’
organizations, service groups and clubs, also
sponsored scholarships this year.
WHB Board of Education
Suzanne Mensch, President
Halsey Stevens, Vice President
Claire Bean • Bryan Dean
James N. Hulme • George R. Kast, Jr. • Gordon A. Werner
Michael R. Radday, Superintendent of Schools
www.whbschools.org • Phone: 631-288-3800
Spotlight on
Val and Sal
Valeryia Aksianiuk and
Aiden Kravitz have been named
valedictorian and salutatorian of
the Westhampton Beach High
School Class of 2014.
Valeryia (known as Valerie) has
taken 13 Advanced Placement
courses, won numerous academic
awards and is involved in a
number of extracurricular
activities. Her awards include
those in Global I Honors, Studio
Art, AP Biology, English 9,
AP World History, Algebra II,
Trigonometry and Spanish IV.
She is vice president of student
government, captain of the varsity
Quiz Bowl team and a member
of the National Honor Society,
pit orchestra and pep band.
Valerie also organized and ran
a 5K race benefiting the Long
Island Red Cross to aid victims
of Superstorm Sandy. She
will attend the University of
Pennsylvania.
Aiden has taken 10
Advanced Placement courses,
won numerous academic
awards and is highly involved
in extracurricular activities.
His awards include AP Scholar
with Distinction, 2014 Suffolk
County Wrestling Academic
All-County, the Steve Bellone
Suffolk County Executive Public
Service Award, Mathematics
Honor Society, Foreign Language
Honor Society, National Honor
Society and the Outstanding
Senior Science Student Award. His
extracurriculars include creating
the “Blessings in a Backpack”
charitable endeavor and
being a member of the
Westhampton Beach Hurricane
Education Foundation, captain of
the varsity wrestling squad, student
host of the Rotary Exchange, a
participant in the Hugh O’Brian
Youth Leadership Seminar, and a
member of the jazz band. He will
attend Brown University.
Principal Christopher Herr
said Valerie has a laser-like
focus on academics, and her
accomplishments are even more
noteworthy since she came to the
United States speaking English as a
second language. “She’s incredible,
and we are just so proud of her,”
he said. “She’s going to accomplish
great things.”
Of Aiden, Mr. Herr said,
“He’s the all-around student.
His work in the classroom
and on the mat and his
philanthropic good works
set him apart. His future is
bright, and we’re excited to
hear even more good things
about him.”
WHB Class of 2014 Graduates
More than 200 seniors received their diplomas on June
27 during Westhampton Beach High School’s 106th
commencement exercises, held on the school’s football field.
In his address to the Class of 2014, Superintendent of
Schools Michael Radday congratulated the students on their
academic, athletic and extracurricular accomplishments
and their community service contributions. “You are
outstanding in so many ways,” Mr. Radday said. “You have
left your mark on Westhampton Beach High School, both
individually and collectively.”
High School Principal Christopher Herr remarked that
the students had put in more than 10,000 total service
hours to their community. He urged them to continue their
hard work and to create a path of success for themselves.
Valeryia Aksianiuk continued this theme in her
valedictory address. “Let’s embrace that we are dynamic
human beings,” she said.
In speaking about a relative who had survived the
concentration camps of World War II, salutatorian
Aiden Kravitz urged his fellow students to always be of
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service to others. “Never underestimate individual
contribution to a greater cause,” he said. “And don’t
forget to always hold the lantern up for others.”
Also during the service, senior class officers
Marc Cotter, Aiden Kravitz and Kyle Maddock
led the Pledge of Allegiance; Graham Brown
read from a poem he had written; and
class historian Brian Schwartz recapped
memorable moments for the Class of
2014. The Westhampton Beach High
School concert band, led by graduating
senior Daniel Taylor, played “Pomp
and Circumstance.” Seniors in the
chamber choir sang “The StarSpangled Banner,” while those in the
symphonic choir performed “Lean
on Me.” The concert band, led by
graduating senior Alaina Cruse,
closed out the ceremony with
“Victory March.”
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