Zee Nite 2
On September 5, Tappan Zee High School celebrated Zee Nite 2. Hosted by the South Orangetown Central School District, this event welcomed back returning students, and geared new ones up for the school season. The festivities started with face painting, games, and cheerleading routines to get the crowd warmed up. Local school board members grilled up hamburgers and hot dogs with great aplomb. George and Gertrude Kopac, who had recently donated a new 50-foot flagpole, watched their grandchildren unfurl a brand new flag to applause and excitement. A pep rally followed and the 2008-2009 soccer teams were announced, which led into two eagerly anticipated soccer matches. The first match was close but Lakeland pulled a 2-0 victory over the varsity girl’s team. But the night ended in triumph as the boy’s team won a 6-1 victory over Valley Central High. Even though Orange Bowl XXVI had to be postponed because of Hurricane Hanna, the celebration was not over. Parents and their children stayed to watch a movie under the stars, and contemplate the beginning of another school year.
Making Friends
Nearly 2,000 men, women and children were winners at the recent Friends of St. Dominic’s 16th Annual Golf Tourney, held at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, N.J. The event raised $385,000 for the group, the fundraising arm of Blauvelt-based Saint Dominic’s Home — a 130-year-old, $46 million nonprofit social services agency that cares for and provides services and programs to individuals who are developmentally disabled, socially disadvantaged or vocationally challenged in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley.
“It was a great day for everyone but the day’s hole-in-one feeling was when the total amount raised figure was announced at the Tourney dinner and the room exploded with applause and cheers. This is what it’s all about — raising funds to help people who are less fortunate, many of whom are children facing enormous challenges,” said Tourney Chair Ronald J. Sylvestri, senior vice president of Hudson Valley Bank, after the August 4 event.
Services provided by St. Dominic’s Home include adoption and foster boarding, community-based prevention, mental health, housing, and programs for persons with developmental disabilities. The group also operates several universal pre-Ks in the Bronx and the Saint Dominic’s School, a K-8 school in Blauvelt that specializes in children with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges.
Sister Joseph Mary Mahoney, president of the Friends of Saint Dominic’s, said after the tourney that she felt a bit like Tiger Woods: “Every year I claim the Tourney¹s top prize. However, even though Tiger is a charitable fellow, all of these winnings go directly to charity and helping the people we serve.
For more information, visit www.stdominicshome.org.
Musical Achievements
Tappan Zee High School (TZHS) is proud of three students chosen to participate in this year’s New York All State Music Ensembles. Esther Jeung will be playing trumpet in the All-State Wind Ensemble, Ellen Knapp will sing alto in the All-State Women’s Chorus, and Vivian Lee will be in the String Orchestra on viola. All three students performed expert caliber Level VI works and received high scores.
Collectively, these students encompass all three parts of the high school’s music department: concert band, concert choir, and music orchestra. The auditions for these slots are held every year at school districts across New York State and only 350 students are selected. To receive a spot in the ensemble, not only must each student play a solo piece but she must also play various scales and sight-read at a high level. Considering how competitive these spots are, TZHS is additionally proud that it placed three alternates in the ensembles: Andy Chung (clarinet), Ellen Lee (violin), and Nikitas Tampakis (viola). The final performance will take place on December 7 at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester.
