The Summer 2013 Newsletter - St. John's Prep

ST. JOHN’S PREPNEWSLETTERSUMMER 2013Prep Commencementn Saturday, June 1, 2013 St. John’s Prep heldcommencement exercises at St. John’s University.188 students graduated and 13 among them receivedPerfect Attendance Awards! It was a glorious day for the graduatesand their families.On behalf of the graduates valedictorian Ashlene Bisram thankedthe parents and families of the graduates for their love and support.She sought to comfort her classmates about the anticipation andnervousness they might feel about their future. Ashlene toldthe class that St. John’s Prep prepared them for their future andthat “St. John’s Prep has also taught us that our faith in God willsustain us through the challenges and difficulties we will face onour journey.”St. John’s Prep Valedictorian Ashlene Bisram will attend PolytechnicInstitute of NYU.Salutatorian Ina Kodra will attend Harvard University.Congratulations to the Class of 2013!SJP_Parents_NL - #26662.indd 17/3/13 2:16 PM

SchoolNEWSAuthor and Book CriticMaureen Corrigan VisitedSt. John’s PrepAuthor, book critic and college professor MaureenCorrigan spent two days at the Prep meeting with classesand engaging them in a scholarly exploration of The GreatGatsby. Professor Corrigan is a 1973 graduate of MaterChristi Diocesan High School, now called St. John’s Prep.Maureen Corrigan is a Critic in Residence and aLecturer in the Department of English at GeorgetownUniversity. She is an expert on 19th century BritishLiterature; Women’s Literature; Detective fiction; andContemporary Literature and the history of popularAmerican Criticism.She received her Ph.D. and M.A. from the Universityof Pennsylvania and her B.A. from Fordham University.For the past 23 years, Corrigan has been the book criticon the NPR program, “Fresh Air.” She is also a MysteryColumnist for The Washington Post, publishes regularlyon NPR on-line, and served as a judge for the 2012Pulitzer prize in fiction. Her literary memoir, LeaveMe Alone, I’m Reading was published in 2005. She iscurrently writing a book about the enduring greatnessof The Great Gatsby.Maureen Corrigan with Mr. Booth and students in his American Literature class.Awards and HonorsThe Award for General Excellence – Ashlene Indira BisramThe Trustees’ Awardfor Excellence InArt – Natalie E. SussEnglish – Stephanie Amber SanchezFrench – Jack GodomarItalian – Amanda Faye LontocMathematics – Chang – Min SongPhysical Education – Zara Khan, Adam Prasak,and Deshawn G. HenryReligious Education - Christine JohnsonScience – Ina Christina KodraSocial Studies – Mohammed A. NasrallahSpanish – Victoria Isabel BenalcazarScholastic Achievement Award – Ashlene Indira Bisram,Ina Christina Kodra, Stephanie Amber Sanchez,Victoria Isabel BenalcazarThe Valedictorian Award – Ashlene Indira BisramThe Salutatorian Award - Ina Christina KodraThe SJP Sportsmanship Award – Grant R. Barclayand Daniella S. MiseticThe Christian Leadership Award – Christine JohnsonScholar Athlete Award – Deanna F. Danke and Aashaun A. KhedaruSt. John the Baptist Award – Raven M. Valentin and Arianna SolarisPrincipal’s Service AwardsGrant T. BarclayDeanna F. DankeChristione JohnsonAashaun A. KhedaruIna Christina KodraRaven M. ValentinSJP_Parents_NL - #26662.indd 27/3/13 2:16 PM

StudentNEWS47 students and faculty enjoyed a trip to Rome and Barcelona during the mid-winterrecess.Forward Marlon Alcindor ’14 was named a Tablet All CHSAA Class ‘A’ Boys BasketballFirst Team All-Star for 2013. Marlon averaged 23.1 points per game (second in the NYCCHSAA ‘A’) and scored at least 20 points in 13-of-20 games. He scored 41 points in onegame which is the highest single-game total in the CHSAA.The Girls Varsity Basketball Team had an outstanding season. The team progressedthrough the playoffs only losing in the Championship Game. One of the team members,Senior Carla Marfe, also was selected to participate in the Mayor’s Cup All Star BasketballGame featuring players from the CHSAA against players from the PSAL.St. John’s Prep Students participate in National Mathematics CompetitionSixteen St. John’s Prep students participated in the annual AmericanMathematics Competition on Tuesday, February 5, 2013.The contest, which covers high school mathematics, is given inparticipating schools. Its purpose is to spur interest in mathematicsand develop talent through the excitement of friendly competitionat problem solving in a timed format.The participating students were:Ashlene BisramDeanna DankeRoger DelgadoCara LambrentoZara KhanAntonino SacchettiVeronica SiricaJoerenz BolinaJoenrhuz BolinaChristina DeSimoneCatherina GioinoRandy EdwardsOmar IbrahimSumreen KhanSarah RamnarineZakaria SerhouaneAshlene Bisram was the winner for the AMC 12 test and JoerenzBolina was the winner for the AMC 10 test. Congratulations to allfor an outstanding effort!SJP_Parents_NL - #26662.indd 57/3/13 2:16 PM

Student CouncilNEWS“Spring Colors” Theme DayMarch 25, 2013 – In preparation for theEaster holiday The Student Council sponsoreda “Spring Colors” theme day. Students wereencouraged to wear colors such as pink, yellow,and light blues and greens. The theme was alsoused to collect donations in support of MultipleSclerosis research. The day was a huge success,and raised over $700 for the cause.SJP Appreciation DayApril 19, 2013 - To celebrate the SJPcommunity the Student Council sponsored “SJPAppreciation Day.” Students were encouragedto wear school colors (red and white), orteam jerseys and shirts. The day culminatedin a field day competition, where the seniorshandily defeated the faculty in various teamcompetitions. The Saint John’s Communityraised over $700 for the Saint Ambrose Knightsof Columbus, in support of the Malave family.The day was a great success, and truly showcasedthe spirit of Saint John’s Prep.SJP_Parents_NL - #26662.indd 67/3/13 2:16 PM

ArtsNEWSSpring ConcertThe St. John’s Prep Spring Concert was a celebration of the Arts. There were great performances by the Glee Club, the Jazz Rock Band,the Salsa Team, the Modern Dance Ensemble, the African Dance Team, the Bollywood Dance Team, and the Bachata Team at theevent which took place on May 10, 2013.The Bachata team, led by senior choreographers Devenray Rivera, Lauren Diaz, and Kian Corona, performed a delightful and sophisticated piece to Romeo Santos’s“You” both at the Spring Concert and at the Ninth Avenue International Festival on May 18.The second is the Bollywood team, under the direction of Valedictorian and choreographer Ashlene Bisram. Featured dancers included Seniors Sean Persaud,Antonino Sacchetti, and Christine Johnson.SJP_Parents_NL - #26662.indd 77/3/13 2:16 PM

St. John’s Preparatory SchoolOffice of Development21-21 Crescent StreetAstoria, New York 11105Annual FundSt. John’s Prep is deeply grateful to our parents, alumni,faculty, staff and friends for their generosity and support of the2011 – 2012 Annual Fund. Without your continued support thePrep would not be able to meet its annual operating budget norprovide our students with the quality Catholic education that isour trademark. If you have not had the chance to contribute tothis year’s Annual Fund, it’s not too late. Please consider making acontribution today. Each gift makes a real difference in closing thegap between what tuition covers and the actual cost of operatingthe school. No gift is too large or too small!To make a contributionto the 2012 – 2013 Annual Fund:Send your gift by mail to:St. John’s Preparatory SchoolDevelopment Office21-21 Crescent StreetAstoria, New York 11105Call us in the Development Office and we will gladly accept yourgift via credit card over the phone at 718 -721-7200 ext 686 ormake a secure online donation at: http://www.stjohnsprepschool.orgSJP_Parents_NL - #26662.indd 87/3/13 2:16 PM