View Upcoming Events & Highlights

2010-2011 Student/Staff Archive
2009-2010 Student/Staff Archive
2008-2009 Student/Staff Archive
2007-2008 Student/Staff Archive

STUDENT/STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
2011 - 2012 School Year
View Upcoming Events & Highlights

TZHS Senior Named as Candidate for United States Presidential Scholars Program

TZHS senior Neal S. Patel has been awarded the distinction of being named a candidate for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. The program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. The names of the Semifinalists will be posted in early April. The names of the 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be posted in early May.

Three TZHS Students Make BOCES CTEC Honor Roll

Three Tappan Zee H.S. students have made the 2nd quarter honor roll at Rockland BOCES Career and Technical Education Center. The students, Amaris Amos, Bianca Waffenschmidt, and Joseph Lampone, must maintain a grade of 85 or higher in their CTEC program and may not have more than a single absence for the quarter to be eligible for honor roll.
 

Cottage Lane’s Zeebotics Team Competes at Lego Robotics Challenge

Cottage Lane’s robotics team, Zeebotics, participated in their first competitive event on Saturday, January 28th at Lagrangeville Middle School in Dutchess County, NY. Fourth and fifth grade students took part in the all day Lego League Robotics Competition, and were judged in a variety of different areas. During the competition, students used a robot they had built and programmed to solve an assortment of different tasks on an obstacle course designed by Lego. Additionally, students were judged on robot design and programming methodology. The team was also tasked with a research project in which they brainstormed and presented ways to control outbreaks of mad cow disease through safer practices in the food distribution industry.

The team, in its first Lego competition finished in a very encouraging 7th place. “We are extremely proud of these students for the hard work they have put in these last few months,” said team advisor Marc Eckert. “We also would like to thank all of our administrators for supporting these types of activities for our kids.”

Zeebotics Team: Lucy Barsanti, David Cook, John Cook, Cassandra Bartels, Michael Caramante, Christian Jones, Ben Laddis
Coaches/Advisors: Marc Eckert, Jacob Tanenbaum

SOMS Science Olympiad Invitational Results 1/28/12

On January 28, 2012, twenty-five SOMS students, accompanied by three teachers, and a group of parents traveled to Ravena, NY to compete with top students from 15 other teams at the annual Science Olympiad Invitational Tournament.  At the competition, students demonstrated their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects in connection with Science and Technology including Anatomy, Meteorology, Geology, Chemistry, and tower and car construction.  In the end, students left the competition happy and sated sporting 16 medals and an enormous pride in their accomplishments.  They will now continue the necessary prep work for events in this year’s Regional Science Olympiad Tournament on March 10, where they will compete against students from across Westchester and Rockland, to try to qualify for the New York State competition this year.  Science Olympiad coaches, April Biggs, Deena Kramarczyk, and Mei Yip-Chen voiced their pride in their students hard work and placing in the top four in 19 out of 23 events. There is excitement within the team as they continue preparations for the next tournament, and extend their thanks for the support of the Science Olympiad parents, and SOMS guidance counselor Karen Martin, who cheered them on at Ravena for the day.

TZHS National Honor Society Inducts Seventy Three

Tappan Zee High School Honor Society inducted 73 new members in a ceremony held at the high school on December 13, 2011. Inductees, selected by the chapter's faculty council met the criterion of high standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character.

"We are very proud to recognize these outstanding members of our student body. National Honor Society members are chosen for and then expected to continue their exemplary contributions to the school and community," said Nicole Farish, chapter adviser.

The Tappan Zee High School chapter has also recognized the contributions of its 79 seniors who received a senior pin. In addition, the chapter acknowledged two teachers, Mr. Scott Silver and Ms. Maria Stillo, for their influence on the students' lives and education at TZHS. Six seniors who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the NHS ideals were recognized with special certificates.

The National Honor Society ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students. There are chapters in more than 16,000 high schools and since 1921, millions of students have been selected for membership.
 

SOMS 7th Graders Participate in National Geography Bee

On January 6th, the 7th grade Geography Bee was held in the SOMS auditorium. Winners from each individual class competition assembled on the stage to vie for the title of the overall 7th grade winner. Questions were posed to each of the contestants by teachers Sarah Kukla and James Amendola, who, along with teacher Chip Foley are the advisors for the 7th grade portion of the Geography Bee. From the original 11 competitors, the winning answer came from 7th grader Max F. Max will now be a semi-finalist and will go on to face the winners of the 6th, and 8th grade competitions. The winner of that contest will go on to compete in the National Geography Bee at the regional level.

The winners for the Geography Bee are:

6th Grade - Michael P.
7th Grade – Max F.
8th Grade - Jack D.

School Geography Champion – Jack D.

Two TZHS Students Honored at Town Hall

Two TZHS seniors, Devona Paul, and Caroline Russo were honored on Tuesday night,  January 24, as part of the Orangetown Substance Abuse Council at the Orangetown Board meeting in Town Hall.

Devona is an athlete and leader who serves as Captain on both the Volleyball and Basketball teams and is currently being recruited by several colleges. Aside from being an excellent athlete, Devona is also an Honors student and a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies. Devona is Vice President for the Senior Class Student Government and a member of VAASA, SADD and Heroes and Cool Kids. Additionally, she has been awarded the Girl Scouts Gold Award for her tremendous community service. She is an active musician and has performed in the TZHS Concert Band for the past four years. She also broadcasts daily announcements and is considering study at the college level in Speech Pathology and Communications.

Caroline Russo is a student who combines elite scholarship with deep extracurricular involvement. She has earned a GPA of 100 while taking as rigorous and challenging a program as is offered. She is an AP Scholar and a member of the National and Science Honor Societies. Caroline is also an excellent athlete who swims for both the school team, for which she is Captain, and the New York Sharks swim club. Caroline was recently honored with the Girl Scouts Gold Award which is indicative of tireless community service. She is a member of VAASA and Heroes and Kool Kids and works as a lifeguard. Caroline is considering a career in medicine. While she has not yet decided where to attend college next year, she has already been offered the Presidential Scholarship at LeMoyne College which is their most prestigious scholarship offered.

TZHS Students Debate at Model UN Conference

From January 12th to 15th, fifteen TZHS students attended the Model UN Conferences at Columbia University in New York City. Each student had to research a particular position for one of over twenty-five committees that were represented. At the conferences, the students turned in a remarkable performance. They followed proper Model UN protocol and debated passionately with fellow high school students from all over the country as they learned to master the elusive art of international relations. Three of the students who attended the Conference, Ike Kitman, Shruti Ranadive, and Gus Brennnan, faced the additional pressure of a "Midnight Crisis". This is when students of a particular committee must attend a special session at midnight to solve a fictional crisis event that involves their particular delegation. It is an intense evening of debate and discussion amongst students as they try to seek a resolution.

One student, senior Neal Patel, received Honorable Delegate in his particular committee at the closing ceremonies. Overall, the CMUNCE event was a valuable experience for everyone involved.

Tappan Zee Aces DECA Conference

On January 5th, members of Tappan Zee High School DECA attended the Region 3 DECA Conference in Kingston N.Y. While attending the conference, members took various tests and role played different business situations with judges. Some categories of the competition included Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Buying and Merchandising, Financial Analysis and Marketing Communications. When all was said and done, 10 members of the T.Z. team had qualified to represent Region 3 at the DECA State Conference in Rochester this March. These members are Tara Smith, Billy Migge, Dan DiDomenico, Nora Taktajian, Rouhin Ghosh, Drew Dunlay, Paul George, Mike Quevedo, Ryan Donahue and Chris Monaco. Those who excel at the state conference may represent New York State at the DECA International Conference being held this year in Salt Lake City.

DECA (formerly the Distributive Education Clubs of America, also known as Delta Epsilon Chi on the college level) is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service (DECA.org). It is one of ten organizations listed as Career and Technical Student Organizations by the United States Department of Education. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the world.

 

57 SOCSD Student Musicians Chosen for Junior All-County Festival

Students from across the county joined together for a weekend of intensive rehearsals and a performance during the first week of January for the Junior-All County Music Festival. Student musicians in grades 7, 8, and 9 are selected to participate in this festival based on their rating at the annual New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival held each spring. The event, sponsored by the Rockland County Music Educators Association (RCMEA) was held at North Rockland High School.
 

TZHS Students Receive Scholar/Athlete Team Recognition by NYS Scholastic Rowing Association

The New York State Scholastic Rowing Association recently announced the high school rowing teams and clubs recognized as Fall 2011 NYSSRA Scholar/Athlete Teams. The five TZHS students honored as part of the team were: Elizabeth (Lizzi) Ginsberg, 10th grade; Irena Tampakis, 11th grade; Jaclyn Wecht , 10th grade; Isabel Barrie , 11th grade; and Amelia (Mia) Connell, 12th grade.

The New York State Scholastic Rowing Association’s (NYSSRA) Scholar/Athlete Team Award Program was created to acknowledge the academic achievements of New York State’s scholastic rowers. Implemented in 2009 and awarded at the end of each spring and fall season, the program recognizes nominated varsity high school teams and clubs who meet certain criteria, including a team grade point average of 90.000% or above during the current competitive season.

“There is good news to share about New York’s young people: the state’s scholastic rowers continue to show their ability to achieve scholastic success even while training for and competing in this demanding sport,” said NYSSRA president Chris Chase. “The NYSSRA is pleased to recognize this season’s Scholar/Athlete teams.”
 

TZHS Italian Honor Society Inducts Fifty-Nine New Members

TZHS’s Dante Alighieri Chapter of the Società Onoraria Italica, the National Italian Honor Society sponsored by the American Association of teachers of Italian, inducted 59 first year members at its Annual Induction Ceremony held on December 6th. To be invited to join the Honor Society, students must maintain an average of 90 or above in Italian, and an overall scholastic average of 80. To be re-inducted, students must maintain the same average, as well as fulfill a community service requirement annually.

Fifty-nine second year members and forty-five third year members were also re-inducted at the ceremony attended by over 400 parents, relatives and friends.

TZHS “Tones” WINS 11 ESSPA AWARDS!
click on cover to view Tones 2011
TZHS advisors Donna Grasso (art) and Sarah McMane (literature) have announced the TZHS literary magazine, Tones, had another exceptional year at the Empire State Scholastic Press Awards (ESSPA) sponsored by Syracuse University. Awards are given in Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mentions (HM) categories.

TZHS was awarded as follows:

OVERALL PUBLICATION: Gold: Staff, Tones

NON-FICTION: Gold: Alex Natale, Class of 2012, “Darkness”, Silver: Maggie McEvoy, Class of 2012, “Ophelia and Hamlet: A Tragic Tale of Two Fish”, HM: Kira Carlee, Class of 2011, “Truth-telling Lies”

USE OF TYPE/IMAGE: Silver: Alex Natale, Class of 2012, “Darkness”, Bronze: Grace Gorenstein, Class of 2011, “Dear Mike”

ARTWORK: Gold: Sarah Song, Class of 2011, Pg. 58, Sarah Song, Class of 2011, “Girls with Deer”, Bronze: Sarah Song, Class of 2011, “Tabby Eyes of Ember”, HM: Sarah Song, Class of 2011, “Ignored”

COVER DESIGN: Bronze: Sarah Song, Class of 2011
 

Three SOCSD Teachers Run in the NYC Marathon
Three of SOCSD’s own competed in and completed this year’s NYC Marathon. SOMS’teachers Kathy Moore and Kristen Duroy as well as TZEs Kim Guzas braved the cold temperatures to run the 26 mile race. Results: Kathleen Moore ran 26.22 mi in 4:54:21 with a pace of 11:13 mins/mi., Kristen Duroy ran 26.22 mi in 4:54:21 with a pace of 11:13 mins/mi., and Kimberly Guzas ran 26.22 mi in 4:02:27. with a pace of 09:14 mins/mi. SOMS Media Specialist Patricia Eyer was there as a volunteer to help cheer on the crowd and distribute water as needed.

SOMS Student Performs with Rockland Symphony Orchestra
Congratulations to SOMS 8th grader Cordelia M., who performed her orchestral debut with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, October 23rd. Cordelia, also a student at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, performed David Popper's Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68 for cello and orchestra. To receive this honor, Cordelia won the Rockland County Music Teachers Guild concerto competition and performed on stage at the Rockland Community College’s Cultural Arts Center. Cordelia is a member of the SOMS Concert and Chamber Orchestras, and also has participated in several NYSSMA solo and All County Events.
 

Twenty One TZHS Music Students Accepted to Perform at Area All-State Music Festival
TZHS has announced 21 music students have been selected to perform in the Area All-State music Festival on November 18-19 at Suffern High School. This festival is made up of the best student musicians in Rockland County and five nearby counties. The students were selected from a group of over 2000 applicants based on their outstanding solo audition scores from last spring's NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo evaluation festival. Students will meet with their counterparts at Suffern High School on November 18 for extremely intensive rehearsals lasting approximately five hours. The students will return on the 19th for continued rehearsals which will culminate in a concert performance at 4:30pm that afternoon. The ensembles will be led by guest conductors from various parts of the U.S., who will lead the groups and share with the students their wealth of knowledge and experience as top professionals in the music field.

Selected for Band were: Albert Ahlf, Melissa Alele, Kaelin Anders, Nicole Balm, Alex Han, Joval Mathew, & Caroline Peeples. For Orchestra: Victoria Dellacava, Ema Foti, Alex Kim, Grace Lee, Chris Lovrin, Matilda Mullen, & Diana Yu. For Chorus: Tess Davison, Margot Dayton, Charlotte Harrow, Katie Leenig, Jo-Ann Mullooly, Madison Schindele, & Jaimie Smith. Juliet Quaglia was selected as an alternate.

TZHS Announces Two National Merit Scholarship Competition Semi-Finalists
Tappan Zee High School has announced that two seniors, Joval Mathew and Neal Patel, were named as Semi-Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, is a nationwide pool of Semifinalists representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. These semi-finalists will have an opportunity to continue in the competition to become a finalist for 2012 Merit Scholarship awards that will be offered in the spring.


TZHS Sends 6 Music Students to All-States
The Tappan Zee High School Music Department has announced that six students were accepted into this year’s New York All State Music Ensembles. Seniors Katie Leenig and Jaimie Smith were accepted into the Mixed Chorus, junior Alex Han was accepted into the Symphonic Band, senior Grace Lee will perform in the String Orchestra, while senior Caroline Peeples will be a member of the Symphony Orchestra.

Albert Ahlf was awarded the prestigious jazz piano slot in the Instrumental Jazz ensemble, and seniors Charlotte Harrow and Nicole Balm have been named alternates in the Chorus and Band respectively.

Auditions for All-State ensembles take place every year in the Spring and are extremely competitive. Of the many thousands of students that audition across the entire state of New York, only 350 reach the All-State Festival. All of the above students performed level VI works (the highest level of difficultly) and received a score of either 99 or 100.

The students will travel to Rochester, New York on December 1st where they will rehearse up to eight hours a day for three days. The final performances on December 3rd and 4th will take place at the Eastman Theater which is one of the major performing halls in the United States.
 

South Orangetown Teacher Wins South Nyack 10 Mile Run
On Sunday, September 11, William O. Schaeffer teacher, Art Gunther, won first place in the 23rd annual South Nyack 10 Mile Run in a time of 54 minutes and 17 seconds. This is the second year in a row that Art has won the race. The run, which goes from Depot Place in South Nyack down to the pier in Piermont and back, attracted 489 runners. Also participating in the race were Tappan Zee High School teachers, Kristen Sullivan and Pat Driscoll; SOMS teachers Kristen Duroy and Kathy Moore and TZE Principal, Bill Lee.