THE
senior issue
Massapequa High School mhsthechief@gmail.com
The
Chief
Vol. 66– No. 4
June 6, 2018 www.thechiefonline.com
Massapequa High School’s Chief Source of News
Congratulations Class of 2018!
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Three Cheers for Deborah Lobaccaro: 2018 Class valedictorian BY PETER TOUTOULIS SPORTS EDITOR
While most high school students balance sports, academics, social lives, and homework, very few of them are able to succeed at a level like 2018 valedictorian Deborah Lobaccaro. Deborah posted a 100.417 grade point average. While that number is incredible on its own, Deborah is also extremely involved in both school-related activities and community service. “Cheer is pretty much my main activity and it took up most of my time between practice, games and competitions,” Deborah said. “It gave me an opportunity to meet
amazing people I normally would not have and helped me be more outgoing and not be afraid to be myself. I was a scholar athlete for two years and a captain this year.” When Deborah isn’t wearing a Chiefs uniform, she’s often helping out in the community through her church. “I’m also part of my church’s youth group and I’ve made so many friends there who are all such kind people. All of the volunteer opportunities with food drives or vacation Bible school are amazing ways to help the community not just in Massapequa but around Long Island,” she added. Deborah is also heavily involved in the science re-
search class at MHS, which offers unique opportunities to conduct studies on various scientific inquiries. “My favorite class was research because it was the most creative and personalized class I took,” she said. “I loved being able to choose the topics studied and the hands on aspect of being able to work in a real lab at MIT this year.” Deborah’s time in research has helped her prepare for a rigorous program at Georgia Tech. She will continue her studies at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech, which is ranked number two in the nation, where Deborah will
be learning and receiving advice from some of the most qualified and experienced professors in the country. “I hope to work as a researcher in a lab setting possibly for a large company. I’m still considering getting a doctorate, but that would be ideal,” Deborah added about her career goals. It certainly isn’t easy to maintain an average as high as hers, especially with taking twelve advanced placement (AP) classes throughout her high school career. Deborah took some of the most challenging classes like AP Physics I and II, AP Macro/Micro Economics, AP Literature and Composition,
AP Chemistry, AP U.S. History, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus BC, just to name a few. Often she needed to study for exams, and with her busy school day and extracurricular activities, Deborah sometimes had to make time whenever she could. “Sometimes I would bring my notes to practice or a game and read them while stretching or on the bus ride because I wouldn’t get home until late,” she said. But with a very successful high school career behind her, Deborah has the support of her friends, family, and teachers to become a very successful MHS alumni. Best of luck to her in Georgia.
certainly paid off, as she was able to attain a 99.26 GPA. Some of Nicole’s favorite classes have been anatomy, owing to her interest in studying the inner workings of the human body, and each year of Spanish, as Spanish classes have allowed her to delve into cultures other than her own. Looking back on her time at MHS, Nicole is grateful for the many teachers and staff who have helped her along the way. “I am so thankful to have had Dr. H, Mr. Eberling, and Mr. Diehl as my teachers over these last few years,” she said. Nicole is also heavily involved with science research at MHS, as both a member of the class and the club. She recently went to MIT with other students and had
the opportunity to work personally with Dr. Justin Chen on a research project aimed at designing unique, scientific methods of measuring the stability of bridges and buildings. As impressive as her academic accomplishments are, her extracurriculars also show where Nicole shines. She not only puts her all into her coursework, but she also shows immense dedication to her activities outside of school. Outside of the classroom, Nicole enjoys spending time on the MHS rifle team, of which she was a captain this year. She has enjoyed participating in many events and traditions in the club, such as the annual Christmas party and singing on the bus rides to matches. Nicole also enjoys
the fle her ta
hopes to enter the medical field as a pediatric surgeon, taking care of children in need. Nicole will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall and will major in Biology in order to further her studies in the field. She also hopes to take classes in engineering during her college experience in order to gain a more analytical perspective. With her strong personal academic accomplishments, dedication to achieving seemingly impossible goals, and outstanding personality, Nicole is certainly bound to have a successful and prosperous career and life in the future. We wish nothing but the best for Nicole as she continues her education and pursues her passions.
Legendary Nicole Leonick: 2018 Class Salutatorian BY LIAM HIGGINS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Many of you may know Nicole Leonick for making great academic progress in high school, but if you just know Nicole for her academics you will be missing out on what makes her a remarkable, compassionate, and overall great friend. Nicole is the salutatorian for the class of 2018, and she has not received this remarkable honor without her fair share of hard work. She has taken a total of twelve AP classes over the course of her high school career, including six in her senior year alone. She attributes her academic success to countless hours of hard work and many sleepless nights. This dedication
camaraderie of the riteam and bonding with teammates through pasparties and hangouts. “It was the first time I was on a team, and the team felt like a family,” she said. “I really bonded with my teammates.” She is also involved in the Best Buddies Club, where she makes friends with students with special needs and ensures that they can have a high school experience like that of any other high school student. She participates in club events like crafts, Movie Nights, the Friendship Walk and Best Buddies Prom. “I love being friends with the Buddies and making them happy,” Nicole said. But her empathy for others does not end there. Nicole
JUNE 8, 2018
DEAR SENIORS
THE CHIEF
To my fellow classmates, I never thought this moment would come so soon. It’s hard to believe that in just a few weeks we will be graduating from high school, and in a few months more we will be heading off in our own directions—whether that be higher education or entering the workforce. This is an exciting time for us as seniors. We get to feel a newfound independence unlike that which we have experienced before. For many of us, we will be moving hours away from home and starting new lives with new people. As we conclude our final year at the high school, it seems fit to look back on our past years. It’s difficult to understand how, in just a few years, we have progressed from worrying about who we were going to play with at recess to what career we are going to have after high school. But regardless, we have progressed this far and can certainly make it even further. Many of us have been in the district for years, while some are fairly new to MHS. But we’ve all had experiences here which help to make Massapequa High School a place that we call home. Whether it was the classes we chose to take or the extracurricular activities we’ve participated in, MHS has afforded us a variety of opportunities to exLiam Higgins plore the fields we find interest in. I hope that your time at MHS has been filled with profound experiences which have Editor-in-Chief 2017-2018 allowed you to discover your passions and make friends while doing so. Regardless of your decision for the future, make sure to seize every opportunity you are given these next few years. The years ahead are going to be some of the best of your life, and you should make every second count. Take this time to learn what you’re passionate about. The next few years will give you many chances to explore what truly makes you happy, so make sure to take classes that interest you and intern at This is both an exciting and worrisome time for all of us. We are about to enter a completely unknown chapter of our lives, and that is certainly a little nerve-wracking. But if you make sure to pursue what makes you happy and keep an open and positive mind, the next four years of your life should be as successful and enjoyable as possible. So congratulations to everyone graduating and moving onto bigger and brighter futures. Liam Higgins Editor-in-Chief 2017-2018
To the class of 2018, Congratulations! You’ve finally made it! You have reached both the end and the beginning of what just may be the best years of your life. Now, I know what you’re all thinking and what you all must be feeling. I remember the same exact mix of contradicting emotions running through my head every time I thought about graduating. I was fearful of the end and of a new beginning because change is always scary; yet, at the same time I was excited to be done with the work that goes along with high school and ready to live on my own away from home. I’m sure you can all relate to that to some extent. For those of you who are counting down the minutes to graduation and move-in, take it easy. There is still so much to enjoy about Massapequa and high school; after all, you will look back on your teenage years and reminisce about your high school friends and the memories you made with them. However, as someone who has recently completed their freshman year, Danielle Anzelone I can easily tell you that college is an entirely new experience filled with Editor-in-Chief 2016-2017 exhilaration. It is a time for you to find yourself and get a fresh start. If you didn’t like who you were in high school or just felt like you weren’t the best version of yourself, your freshman year is the best time to give yourself a new identity. At this time, you are given the opportunity to meet new people who don’t know and don’t care about your past. In fact, most of my fondest memories from my freshman year are with people who I never knew existed prior to last August. For the most part, you will soon be taking classes because they intrigue you and spark your interest, not because you have to. Your journey to your future is about to begin and I’ve got to tell you, the ride is quite an adventure. Now is your time to begin writing your future as this next step you take will most likely be on your own. You are about to embark on the best years of your lives and as terribly painful as it may be to say goodbye to high school and your home, this chapter in your life must end so that you can move onto the next. So enjoy these last few weeks because you will never forget them, but keep in mind that the best is yet to come. Finally, take pride in yourself for making it this far and choosing to take the next step; many people don’t. So congratulations, class of 2018 -- it’s time to celebrate your accomplishment! You have most definitely earned it. Best Wishes, Danielle Anzelone Editor-in-Chief 2016-2017
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SENIOR DIRECTORY
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THE CHIEF
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A letter to all the editors past and present, I didn’t always want to be a teacher. In fact, in college, while my friends were taking education courses, I was inventing writing courses because I had exhausted the English department’s choices. I wanted to be a writer. Nevertheless, I became a teacher, and eventually a teacher of writers. I didn’t always want to teach, but it became my life. The time I spent mentoring writers was time I will cherish, and my most cherished memories at MHS are with you. Late nights and pizza, newspaper revolution, a 20 page issue, nosepapa, stroke weighted photos (which we still do), MHS my life, the drawer of fame, the gallery of photos - and then again a new one, an airbound desk, Columbia, presenting at Columbia, LI Press contest entries that kept us there till till night, weekend and evening texts, heated political discussions, MMG, The Newseum, crashing computers and corrupted files, threats to scrap the issue, tears, rants, and meltdowns. What happens in 131 stays in 131. I will miss a great deal when I leave MHS with the graduating class of 2018. I have seen many students pass through these halls and have built many relationships, but none have touched my soul as deeply as the relationships shared with you. All my editors - back to 8th and 9th graders who wrote for the Berner Beacon and then moved on to The Chief; to the ones who wrote for journalism class and ended up publishing articles that would change policy, win awards, turn heads, and make people talk; to the ones who never had room in their schedules for the class but joined the club only to spend the next 2 to 3 years after school in room 131 writing, editing, doing layout; to the ones who went on to make journalism (or some media related career) their lives or part of it, or to become teachers themselves; to those who included English or journalism in their collegiate studies; to the ones who are leaving for college to pursue paths still unknown; to the ones who will remain another year or two to carry on the legacy that is The Chief. That legacy includes impressive accolades. The first award, an honorable mention from Adelphi, grew into many -from LI Press (we topped out at 62 if I recall) including best news site, best newspaper, best investigative report, journalist of the year, story of the year, to name just a few. Achieving Columbia Gold Medalist Mrs. Elyn Coyle and then another with all Columbian honors! The year always ended with the coveted “Coylitzer Awards.” Advisor 2002-2018 Eventually I received signed copies of your published books, and I saw your names in venerable publications and on Emmy awards and even on musical scores. I didn’t always want to be a teacher, but the experience has taught me more than I ever could have imagined. And I thank you- all my editors - for the experience, for the honor to be your teacher, your advisor, and your friend. Mrs. Coyle Advisor 2002-2018
New York “The Empire State”
Adelphi University Julia Bacarella - Nursing Kayla Cary - Art Christy Eagar - Communication Disorders Lauren Fawcett - Nursing Amanda Fieman - Accounting Nancy Guttilla - Exercise Science
Binghamton University Chris Braglia - Undecided Erin Cancela - Biology Nicole Carey - Biology Winnie Chen - Biochemistry Samantha Cupolo - Political Science Faelyn Duffy - Actuarial Science Erin Fader - Undecided Gage Lamfers - Political Science Christina Langan - Undecided Haylee Poltorak - Mathematics Education Jordan Taylor - Business Management
Colgate University Liam Higgins - History & Mathematics
College of Mt. St. Vincent Anthony Faldetta - Radiology Vinny Morales - Education
Cornell University Victoria Bal - Mechanical Engineering
Fashion Institute of Tech.
Dana Coletta - Fashion Business Management Kayla Iavarone - Fashion Business Management Cat Romanelli - International Trade for Fashion Industries Christian Weissenberger - Fashion Design
Five Towns College Dan Pacella - Film Production
Hofstra University Kirsten Cecora - Health Science Annette DiGuiseppi - Adolescent Education Jackie Gatti - Physical Education Emma Giambalvo - Political Science & International Business Katie LoPresti - Community Health Michelle Mullin - Business Jason Yelner - Business
Ithaca College Olivia Ferraro - Biology Jacqueline McCreedy - Music Education Melanie Sabia - Art Education Jessica Woods - Occupational Therapy
Keuka College Julianna Zizzo - Early Childhood Education & ASL
LaGuardia Community College Hannah Taustine - Humanities
LIU Post Tyler Catapano - Biology Daniella Felicetti - Biology
Manhattan College Thomas Catalanotto - Liberal Arts
Manhattanville College Denis Nolan - Music Education & Music Therapy
Marist College Jayson Beaumont - Athletic Training Emma Grzybowski - Childhood/Special Education & Psychology
Mercy College Kristina Coizza - Nursing
Molloy College Kaitlyn Fedziuk - Nursing Maegan Liebegott - Education Kristen McLeod - Communication Science Disorders Kayla Pilate - Nursing
Mt. St. Mary College Jennarose Colucci - Elementary Education Alexis Wheat - Nursing
Nassau Community College Nick Duque - Acting & Performing Arts Maxwell Lindsley - Radiology Health Sciences Isabella Pappalardo - Early Childhood Education Ashley Smith - Event Planning
New York Institute of Tech. Schyler Daresta - Architecture Thomas Jordan - Architecture
Pace University Michael Evangelista - Information Technology Zachary Goldberg - Computer Science
Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Nicole Leonick - Biology
Siena College Josh Banfield - Political Science
St. John’s University Liam Curran - Business Erica Jelovcic - Criminology Maria Karras - Business Isabel O’Neill - Speech Pathology Nicholas Sanacore - Criminal Justice
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SENIOR DIRECTORY
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St. Joseph’s College Jessica Kopp - Child Studies Olivia Laurendi - Computer Science Jamie Verity - Elementary Education
Stony Brook University Grace Hessler - Biology Alexandra Valentine - Development Sociology
SUNY Cortland Alexis DiBartolo - Undecided Alicia Elsner - Undecided Gillian Gottlieb - Foreign Language Sydney Kommor - Education Emily Wheat - Education
SUNY Farmingdale
Kevin Cardno - Criminal Justice Gianna Conetta - Undecided Joseph Galante - Accounting Dylan McGuire - Electrical Engineering Nicholas Piarulli - Criminal Justice Jenna Pulis - Nursing Robert Simon - Criminal Justice Hannah Westbrook - Liberal Arts
SUNY Fredonia Alyssa Mener - Music Education
SUNY Geneseo
Sean Lenahan - Biology
SUNY Maritime John Donohue - Marine Environmental Science Thomas Gerasci - International Trade and Transportation
SUNY New Paltz
Timothy Drake - Finance Megan Fick - Adolescentce Education Jacqueline Kanapes - Communication Disorders Caitlyn McCreedy - Education John Ronan - Business
SUNY Oneonta Lea Andali - Adolescence Education Giulia D’Angelo - Early Childhood Education Riley Ferlito - Criminal Justice Sean Maurer - Undecided Katie Ramsden - Food Service & Restaurant Management Ryan Wilde - Undecided
SUNY Oswego
Thomas Beck - Broadcasting Lauren Stapleton - Undecided Nikayla Zaccaro - Undecided
SUNY Plattsburgh Alexa Rennella - Pharmacy
SUNY Polytechnic Institute Matthew Pikowsky - Computer Engineering & Electrical Engineering
SUNY Potsdam Touria Benhammou - Music Education
SUNY Purchase Sean Healy - Playwriting and Screenwriting
University at Albany Kevin Anglin - Mathematics Nick Dennino - Business Administration Nick Iurillo - Business Domenique Lapi - Human Biology (Pre-PA track) Matthew McKenna - Business & Sports Management Brittny Membrano - Law Michelle Mifsud - English James Philippou - Business Jessica Sander - Computer Science
University at Buffalo Michael Cowan - Mechanical Engineering Billy Dougherty - Computer Engineering Anna Markey - Medical Studies & International Studies Jake Pulis - Physical Therapy
U.S. Military Academy - West Point Moira Callahan - Medical
Vassar College
Matthew Schector - Medieval Studies
Arizona
“The Grand Canyon State”
University of Arizona Gia Salinaro - Criminal Justice
California “The Golden State”
California State Univ. - Northridge Sky Todtfeld - Communications Victoria Vitale - Marketing
U. of California - Los Angeles Gillian Murphy - Biology
U. of Southern Ca David Letzter - Finance
Colorad
“The Centennial S
U. of Colorado — Bo Lincoln Clark - Finance Cristina DaCosta - Biology
Connec
“The Constitutio
Fairfield Universit Kyra LaSpina - Biology & Pre-Med Peter Toutoulis - Accounting
Quinnipiac Univer Jake Bresnihan - Physician Assistant Zachary Cavosi - Chemistry Kenneth Gruenfelder - Communications Sarah Lefkowitz - Communications Michelle Thom - Marketing
Sacred Heart Univ Alexis Bardio - Nursing Philip Ferranola - Business Megan McShane - Elementary Education
SENIOR DIRECTORY
JUNE 6, 2018
alifornia
do
State”
oulder
cticut
on State”
ty
rsity
versity
Jenna Morales - Psychology Talia Nieto - Physical Therapy Jessica Pianese - Accounting
University of Connecticut Emily Casal - Nursing Kevin Cetin - Engineering Jennifer Cooney - Biology Hailey Zuena - Nursing
University of Hartford Andrew Blitz - Communications Alexandra Zografos - Musical Theatre
W. Connecticut State Univ. Jenna Clougher - Nursing
Delaware “The First State”
University of Delaware
Nicolette DiRaimondo - Elementary Education Zachary Kocienda - Three Languages Kyle McDonagh - Biomedical Engineering Brittney Smith - Undecided Steven Verrico - Finance
Florida
“The Sunshine State”
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Florida Atlantic Univ. Noah Jolly - Business Management Barbara Lella - Nursing
Florida State Univ. Kaitlyn Keane - Biomathematics
Lynn University David Witt - Sports Management
University of Florida Caroline Capparelli - Nursing
Senior Issue Editorial Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Liam Higgins SPORTS EDITOR Peter Toutoulis ADVISOR Elyn Coyle
University of Tampa Sean Hunt - Sport Management Annie Leone - Undecided Roxann Rudolfsky - Chemistry
Georgia “The Peach State”
Georgia Inst. of Tech. Deborah Lobaccaro - Biomedical Engineering
Special thanks to Mrs. Coyle for putting up with us, pushing us to do our best, and for her continuous support of the newspaper and freedom of the press.
JUNE 8, 2018
Sebastien Diaquoi
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Bayview Florist
THE CHIEF
would like to congratulate
Liam Higgins
Zach Goldberg
Mike D’Amato
6
Shannon Sullivan
Peter Toutoulis
Call our store or come in for flowers and gifts for all occassions:
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JUNE 6, 2018
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THE CHIEF
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Massapequa Federation of Teachers A Union of Teachers and Secretaries Local 1442 To Our Graduating Seniors... BE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT AND THEN STAND. AT FIRST YOU WILL BE DENOUNCED. THEN YOU WILL BE DEIFIED. AT FIRST YOU WILL BE REJECTED. THEN YOU WILL BE ACCEPTED. FIRST MEN WILL SWEAR AT YOU. THEN IF YOU WEAR WELL, THEY WILL SWEAR BY YOU. FIRST THE SNEER AND THEN THE CHEER. FIRST THE LASH, THEN THE LAUREL. FIRST THE CURSE, THEN THE CARESS. FIRST THE TRIAL, THEN THE TRIUMPH. FIRST THE CROSS, THEN THE CROWN. FOR EVERY SCAR UPON THY BROW THOU SHALT HAVE A STAR IN THY DIADEM. STAND SOMEWHERE AND LET HUMANITY KNOW WHERE YOU STAND. STAND FOR SOMETHING AND LET HUMANITY KNOW WHAT YOU STAND FOR. BE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT AND THEN STAND. ...GORDON
Congratulations!
JUNE 8, 2018
Kansas
SENIOR DIRECTORY
“The Sunflower State”
University of Kansas William Kleemann - Music Education
Maine
“The Pine Tree State”
Bowdoin College
Brian Lenaghan - Economics
Maryland “The Old Line State”
Loyola University Maryland Grace DeTommaso - Psychology Rosemary Callahan - Biology Melissa Ruberti - Speech Pathology
Salisbury University Francesca Cuttitta - Political Science
Towson University Tommy Bradbury - Undecided Emily Corso - Special Education Hailey Troise - Speech-Language Pathology
Seton Hall University
Nicole Veltry - Psychology Veronica Wetzel - Undecided
Stevens Inst. of Tech. Cassidy Savettiere - Engineering Brian Taglialavore - Civil Engineering
North Carolina “Old North State”
High Point University Sarah Dashkoff - Interior Design
Ohio
“Birthplace of Aviation”
Miami University Renée Smestad - Interactive Media & Creative Writing
Pennsylvania “The Independence State”
Arcadia University Alexa Smoller - Photography
U. of Maryland at College Park Bloomsburg University Jessica Monaghan - Biology (Pre-med Track)
Massachusetts “The Bay State”
Boston College Lauren Casal - Biology
Massachusetts College of Art & Design Elizabeth Schafer - Art Education
Montserrat College of Art Gina Wolyniec - Illustration
Northeastern University Kayla Collins - Political Science
U. Mass. — Amherst
Danielle Cappell - Accounting Michelle D’Ulisse - Political Science
Wentworth Inst. of Tech. Gianna Santoro - Mechanical Engineering
Michigan
“The Great Lake State”
U. of Michigan - Ann Arbor John Gonzalez - Undecided
Minnesota “The Great Lake State”
U. of Minnesota - Twin Cities David Prusan - Sports Management
New Jersey “The Garden State”
Nicole Jahrsdoerfer - Spanish Education
DeSales University
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Clemson University
Steven DiRaimondo - Business Steven Schulte - Biomedical Engineering
Virginia
“The Commonwealth”
James Madison University Jess Caracappa - Nursing Megan Maloney - Health Sciences (PA track) Shannon Sullivan - Nursing
District of Columbia “Heart of the Nation”
Catholic University Ashley Braunstein - Political Science Samantha McGrath - Biology
West Virginia “The Mountain State”
West Virginia University Paul Lestingi - Undecided Cole Valenti - Business & Economics
U.S. Marine Corps. Patrick Dempsey
J.C. Greenblatt - Business Marketing
Gwynedd Mercy University Carissa Vaselli - Radiation Therapy
Congratulations to the Class of 2018! The Chief wishes the best of luck to all students in whatever paths they choose.
Penn State University Michael Cafiero - Biomedical Engineering Owen Glascoe - Undecided Nicole Rosenthal - Biochemistry
University of Scranton Brooke Bonura - Nursing Mary Katherine Cotter - History
University of the Arts Emma Parsons - Acting Erin Russo - Musical Theatre
Villanova University Kevin Voigt - Biology
Rhode Island “Little Rhody”
Bryant University Connor Payne - Business Management
Roger Williams Univ. Ava Koelmel - Art Education
University of Rhode Island Sarah Hughes - Pharmacy Shannen Markey - Accounting
South Carolina “The Palmetto State”
Statistics of the Class of 2018* Top States of Colleges Attended 1. New York -121 2. Connecticut - 20 3. Pennsylvania - 12 4. Maryland - 8 5. Massachusetts -7
Top Majors
1. Education (Misc.) - 28 2. Business - 19 3. Biology - 18 4. Nursing - 16
Top Colleges
1. Binghamton University - 11 2. SUNY Farmingdale - 8 3. University at Albany - 8 4. Hofstra University - 7 5. Adelphi University - 6 6. Sacred Heart University - 6
*All stats are self-reported and come from the Chief’s 2018 senior survey.