For more than 100 hours over the course of 14 days, 111 Pine Bush High School students pushed their limits physically, mentally and educationally as they participated in the Law and Leadership Summer Enrichment Academy.
On Friday, July 19, the students along with their families, friends and instructors gathered for their graduation ceremony, celebrating their growth and achievement over this rigorous program.
This is a program centered on government, economics, and the criminal justice system. It is taught by social studies teachers, town of Crawford police officers, and members of the United States Army.
Pine Bush High School Assistant Principal Denise Tzouganatos commended the students for their achievements and their newly honed leadership skills.
“The Law and Leadership Academy students trained their bodies and minds this summer,” said Ms. Tzouganatos. “You set the bar for discipline, and learned to lead by example. You learned leadership skills that will serve you well not only academically, but on the world stage.”
Each day of the academy, the students gathered for physical conditioning, team building, classroom instruction and heard from dozens of guest speakers, all leaders in business, government, community and education.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Amy Brockner noted that the lessons they learned in the academy will serve them no matter the path they choose in life.
“Throughout this program the students have tackled challenges with determination and expanded their understanding of the responsibilities of leadership,” she said after the ceremony. “As they prepare to embark on their next steps, the skills of critical thinking, advocacy and ethical leadership they’ve honed here will serve them well in any path they choose.”
Ms. Tzouganatos noted the amazing changes in the students from when they started the academy.
“I commend you all. You are not the same people that began this journey three weeks ago,” she said. “You have each done more in these three weeks than others have done in a lifetime. And you did it well! Each and every one of your chose to spend your summer engaged in enrichment activities which pushed you out of your comfort zone.”
2024 Law and Leadership Academy Graduates
- John Almeida
- Bryan Alzamora Jr
- Jamya Anderson
- Logan Babcock
- Jonathan Bedward
- Timothy Bernard
- Brady Bisaillon
- Liam Blackwell
- Nyla Blakes
- Luke Broadbelt
- Plexico Brooks
- Emmett Budney
- Juan Pablo Calbrera
- Paola Calbrera
- Judah Cecchini
- Elijah Chastanet
- William Chen
- Joseph Coppola
- Allison Corin
- Kathryn Cragan
- Joseph Crawford III
- Luis Cruz
- Daniel De Longis
- Jenijah Dean
- Jaden Delille
- Kasey Dempsey
- Michael DeRose
- Jan Luis Diaz
- Julia Diefenbach
- Ryleigh DiFrenza
- Nico Fermanian
- Kaeden Fisher
- Joseph Fontana
- Jack Fowler
- Sarah Frank
- Franklin Garcia
- Yamireth Garcia
- Nicole Godinez
- Jason Gorman
- Grace Grant
- Joseph Greco
- Matthew Grieco
- Bryce Griffin
- Joshua Gruver
- Landon Gruver
- Arianna Guardascione-Birch
- Matthew Guzman
- Charles Haas
- Ella Hayward
- Keira Healy
- Leif Holmgren
- Jaslenne Ingenito
- Thomas Ix-Burris
- Jacqueline Janke
- Ethan Jean
- Jaylias Lebron
- Angelica Lomangino
- Cayden Losey
- Ashleigh Lovaglio
- Damian W. Mann
- Jessica Mann
- Lucas Marchese
- Veronique Marcy
- Jaylen Mattiuzzi
- NIcholas Mazzella
- Audra Meberg
- Lucas Meisel
- Nasir Merriman
- Lauren Moakley
- Stephen S. Moser IV
- Wyatt Nelson
- Kyle O’Brien
- Caitlin Palmer
- Anuj Patel
- Logan Pennell
- Emma Perez
- Haileigh Petersen
- Lucas Pizzulli
- Jandel Polanco
- Paris Portis
- Angalina Price
- Jessiah A. Privat
- Jacob Quinonez
- Kaya Kathleen Marie Reisert
- Rihanna Robinson
- Nicholas Rogers
- Nathaniel Rosenblum
- Vanessa Sarvis
- Kinai Selimoski
- Christopher Sgourdas
- Theodore Smith
- Aryanna I. Soto
- Anthony Thatcher
- Viola Thibodeau
- Hunter Thompson
- Jake Thompson
- Alexa Thorpe
- Kelis Tinsley
- Cameron Tompkins
- Jenna Tracy
- Peyton Tracy
- Angelique Trivino
- Layla Utter
- Tyler Vanderkooy
- Sophia Weber
- Heather Weschler
- William Weschler
- Ryan Wittenberg
- Emma Zerbarini
- Angelo Zullo
- Ruth Zwart
Leadership and Law Academy Teaching Staff
- Kevin Blackwell
- Renae Bray
- Andy Britto
- Daniel Conley
- Neil Lisberg
- Rebecca Torre
Instructional Assistants
- Emelia Cruz
- Lillian Gabriele
- Abigail Hansen
- Thomas Mackey
- Leah O’Donnell
- Rowan Stelmaszyk