Senior Awards

Class of 2020

Riverdale Kingsbridge

Academy

Lori O’Mara, Principal

June 18, 2020

Dear Class of 2020,

Each Spring, I ask the staff to nominate students to receive awards for their accomplishments in academics, athletics, and the arts. We at RKA feel it is important to acknowledge excellence and achievement in each of these areas. We also value reflection and commitment to growth, which you will see highlighted in the “Most Improved” categories. And, in this program, you will also see students highlighted for making the Principal’s List (90% for each of the first five full marking periods) as well as our Honor Society students who earn 85% and above at the end of the semester and complete community service. This year, given our extraordinary circumstances, we’ve added yet another category called “Remote Superstar,” to allow us to recognize those students who have truly excelled through effort and achievement in the Remote Learning environment.

I know this has been an extraordinarily difficult year for students, staff, and parents alike. Although I am deeply disappointed that I cannot be there to see you receive your acknowledgment and celebrate with your families taking pictures as you proudly display your certificates and trophies, please know that I am celebrating with you from afar. I miss you all, and I am proud of each and every RKA student. We all deserve a round of applause!

2020 has been the toughest year ever, but we have persevered and prevailed. I am more confident than ever, based on the character and commitment displayed by our students throughout this time, that nothing can stop us now!

Bravo and Congratulations!

Lori O’Mara

Principal’s Message

RKA Staff Carmen Abreu

Isa Almonte Kenia Almonte Nadine Andre

Jennifer Aponte-Acosta Charles Baker

Jennifer Baumler Loretta Bellom

Cole Benack Catherine Benitez Therese Berinati

Corey Berlow Michael Bonet

Michelle Boothe Nuala Boyne

Courtney Bradshaw Mark Burrowes Lucy Barballo Lori Castiner

Tawana Chavis Ricarda Chin

Jeanette Clarke Ariana Concepcion

Johanna Cuello-Gutierrez Vincent Cuomo

Will Cushing Jaime D’Amico

Charisse Dangerfield Monique Daniel Aimee Dawson Patrick DeVery Peggy Diamond Robert DiCanio

Katherine Doherty Lesly Edmond

Michele Eisenberg Brianne Emsworth

Suzette Encarnacion Christine Eng Goldie Erlick

Luz Feliz Deana Ferreira

Michael Flanagan Thomas Franczkiewicz

Melissa Garcia Jacqueline Gilmore

Magda Gomez Stephanie Gordon

Landys Herbert Abbey Hope

Scott Jackson Kaedin Jemiolo Gloria Johnson

Kimberly Johnson Amy Kaminski

Amit Kashi Monica Kauschinger

Marita Keane Andrew Klein

Melissa Knecht Julienne Krause

Rachel Kurtz Amanda Laineste

Jordan Laks Fran Lee

Helen Lee Paula Lenahan Michael Lepetit

Kim Lewis Soremi Lockhart

Julia Loving Sheilagh Lustig

Vincent Marinelli Sarah Marino

Gabriela Martinez Danielle May

Matthew McGee Kathy McIver Sofia Memos Stacy Miller

Nadilynn Morales Sapphire Moran

Maria Munoz Cynthia Murat Nicole Naranjo

Kyle Nevin Robin Norton

Noreen O’Brien Lori O’Mara Ruth Orozco

Travis Pelepako David Pierre

Charmaine Price Julie Prince

Mac Psachie Stephanie Purdy Marcella Quehl

Robyn Rabinowe Yvonne Ramos

Chadane Rattigan

Robyn Rabinowe Yvonne Ramos

Chadane Rattigan Jon Reingold

Adria Rios Mardeliz Rizon Laura Roberts

Nancy Rodriguez Venecia Rodriguez

Eric Rowley Lisa Rubenstein Aurea Santiago

Jeff Santos Velma Saunders Hanady Sayed

Charles Schiller Nicole Schmidt

Eric Scholz Julia Sebastian John Severiano

Paul Sforza Suraiya Shah

Ljubica Sickler Mark Siracusa Stella Sourelos Charles Stahl

Barry Steinberger Joseph Stillman Charles Sukhwa

Tom Sullivan Rachel Swartz

Angela Thornhill Leah Traylor

Christine Vaccaro Luisa Vasquez Yvette Velez Elyza Velez

Gregorio Vergara Christina Vignona Roxanne Vrettos

Devin Walsh Gloria Williams Twana Winston

Jessica Wolk-Stanley Edward Yordan

Jaclyn Zambrella Paula Zelazny Jason Zulauf

English Language Arts

Social Studies

Bronze Diana Dikmane

Gold Patricia Casino

Silver Cristopher Pena

Remote Superstar Dennis Borodin * Sara Lara

Bronze Brendan Chan

Gold Lucy Mandel

Silver Dion Jahjaga

Remote Superstar Brixhilda Bujaj

Advanced Placement Jacob Ireland

******************************************************

Foreign Language Bronze

Nathaly Mendez Gold

Kassandra Batista Silver

Violeta Rosario

Advanced Placement Krystine Ferreira

English Language Arts ******************************************************

English Language Arts

Mathematics Bronze

Esmeralda Castelan Gold

Tonian Fullerton

Advanced Placement Jacob Ireland

Science Electives Child Development

Diane Min

Science Bronze Rachel Luo

Silver Jacob Ireland

Gold Brendan Chan

******************************************************

Remote Superstar Dion Jahjaga

Advanced Placement Zeynep Sonmez

Remote Superstar Patrick Bello-Sullivan * Aleksandr Karamanov * Violeta Rosario

Silver Brendan Chan

******************************************************

Publications

Environmental Research Scarlet Irizarry

******************************************************

Gold Lucy Mandel

Bronze Arleni DeJesus

Silver Brendan Chan

Remote Superstar Jessy Kwon * Emily Randolph

English Language Arts

Art Bronze Sara Lara

Gold Miranda Olivares

Silver Ariana Flores

Music Bronze

Adam Merenstein Gold

Brianna Marrero Silver

Alexander Ellison

Remote Superstar Aaron Ramos * Gael Rodriguez

*******************************************************

Library Participation

Advanced Placement Rosabella Garcia

******************************************************

Physical Education ******************************************************

Silver Nathaly Mendez

Gold Esmeralda Castelan

Gold Jacob Ireland

Miranda Olivares

Silver Ariana Flores

Brandon Gomez

Bronze Patrick Bello-Sullivan

Sara Lara

Library Service Gold

Rachel Luo Silver

Emily Randolph

Bronze Jessy Kwon

Special Honors and Awards

New York State Attorney General’s “Triple C” Award Students who have excelled and are fulfilling their potential, embodying the spirit of

“College, Career, Culture.“ Jeffrey Cespedes * Diana Dikmane * Lucas Rodriguez

Outstanding Senior Award Awarded in recognition of consistently displaying the attitude, disposition, and spirit of the

Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy.

Brendan Chan

Most Improved Award Hana Ghodbane

Senior Office Service Medals Kassandra Batista * Marieteresa Porchér Allen

New York State Comptroller’s Achievement Award In recognition of students who have shown academic excellence and the potential for leadership

through involvement in activities that improved the school or the community.

Eirini Papageorgiou * Cristopher Pena

New York State Senate Leadership Award Viviana Morales * Aaron Ramos

Eliot Engel Congressional Trophy Fathima Fazeem * Mathew Garaicoa

RKA Parents’ Association Award Kassandra Batista

Jeffrey Dinowitz Community Service Award Marieteresa Porchér Allen

Senior Officer Awards Krystine Ferreira * Jessy Kwon * Rachel Luo * Emily Randolph

Richard Welling Certificate Awarded to one student in the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding citizenship,

service, and leadership.

Timeothos Charitos

Cooperation in Government Certificate In recognition of students demonstrating exemplary service and outstanding citizenship.

Jaden Odeh * Luisanna Trinidad-Cruz * Marangelis Uben

Special Honors and Awards

New York City Comptroller’s Achievement Award Awarded to exemplary individuals making outstanding contributions both inside and outside of

school. Individuals demonstrate a willingness to take risks, leadership among their peers, commitment to public service, and a desire to effect positive change in their communities.

Brendan Chan * Marieteresa Porchér Allen

New York City Council Speaker’s Achievement Award Presented to NYC students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, good citizenship,

and a commitment to community service.

Ariana Flores * Patrick Bello-Sullivan

Bronx Borough President’s Award - Educational Merit Presented to students who have successfully demonstrated their capacity for scholarly pursuits

by achieving their highest academic potential.

Esmeralda Castelan * Jacob Ireland

Bronx Borough President’s Award - Peacemaker Presented to students who have been able to promote peace through mediation or conflict

resolution in the school.

Lediana Domi * Stiven Mendez

Bronx Borough President’s Award - Community Service Presented to students for specific contributions to the betterment of the community.

Tonian Fullerton

New York City Public Advocate’s Award Given in recognition of academic excellence and overall achievement.

Brendan Chan * Violeta Rosario

Special Honors and Awards Council of School Administrators and Supervisors’

Leadership Certificate In honor of students whose quality of spirit and involvement in their school

characterize them as leaders. Kassandra Batista * Scarlet Irizarry

Association of Assistant Principal’s Certificate In recognition of outstanding leadership.

Patricia Casino * Logan Ramos

United Federation of Teachers’ Achievement Award Awarded to students for overall achievement in their selected fields.

Sara Lara (English) * Michael Shaorshadze (Science) * Xhulian Vuktilaj (Arts)

Assoc. of Black Educators of New York, Human Services Certificate Presented each year to students who have demonstrated the ability to encourage and

bring together, in harmony, groups of people within the school and community.

Krystal Kenward * Ayanna Nelson-Cameron * Liam Orth * Jacques Zoumanigui

United Federation of Teachers’ Outdoor Environment Award Alexander Ellison * Nathaniel Urmson

Public Schools Athletic League’s Graduation Medal In recognition of a graduating student who has exhibited outstanding achievement in athletics,

leadership, school service, and character.

Miranda Olvares

George Wingate and Louisa Wingate Underhill Award Awarded to students who have exhibited outstanding athletic improvement, good scholarship, and

good character.

Jacob Ireland * Faith Mulosmanaj RCC of RNH Community Service Award

Tonian Fullerton

RCC of RNH Teen Theater Award Adam Merenstein

Nana Yaw Adu Sarkodie Scholarship Ayanna Nelson-Cameron * Logan Ramos

Special Honors and Awards

“Write to Roar” Award Alexander Ellison

Key Club Award / Kiwanis of Riverdale Award Eirini Papageorgiou

Posse/Questbridge Scholarship Award Presented to students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential. Recipients receive

four-year, full-tuition scholarships from Posse’s partner institutions of higher learning.

Miranda Olvares

Brandon Landau Memorial Scholarship Jaden Odeh

Ellie Kreifetz Award Awarded to a student who demonstrates academic excellence, perseverance, and determination in

the face of obstacles. Tiara Caciano * Camil Lopez

Blanche Schwartz Award Presented to special education students who have demonstrated a high level of motivation and a

determination to succeed.

Brandon Gomez * Marlene Pichardo

Hackett Certificate To recognize one student in the graduating class who has demonstrated excellence in “the greatest

proficiency in oratory, either verse or prose.”

Michael Shaorshadze

Ruth and Burt Schlesinger Award for Poetry Zahra Jafar—First Place

Alexander Ellison—Honorable Mention * Jessy Kwon—Honorable Mention

RKA Parent Award Jane Chan * Karenbeatrice Porchér * Farrah Rubin

Val and sal with a pic

Chancellor’s Roll of citation

Chancellor’s Roll of Honor Citations Presented to students who have demonstrated excellence in a number of categories.

Miranda Olivares (Leadership) * Emily Randolph (Scholarship) Rosabella Garcia (Arts) * Lucy Mandel (Journalism)

Jacob Ireland (Sports)

Top Honors

Valedictorian

Dion Jahaga

Ms. Zeynep Sonmez receives the distinction of

Valedictorian, the top Academic Honor of the Class of

2020. An excellent, high-achieving student, Zeynep is at

the top of her class. She is an accomplished athlete as

well as the winning female Athlete of the Year 2020. She

made the Scholar Athlete First Team all four years for her

work on the Varsity Soccer team. Zeynep has been in the

National Honor Society and the Principal’s List for all four

years of high school. Charming and charismatic, we wish

her all the best as she heads off to study medicine at the

Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education.

Zeynep Sonmez

Salutatorian

Mr. Dion Jahaga receives the distinction of Salutatorian

for the Class of 2020. Dion works extremely hard in his

all his studies and is driven to succeed. He has

wrestled on the varsity team. Dion has taken many

rigorous classes and earned a spot on the National Honor

Society and Principal’s List throughout high school. Dion

will attend Columbia University in the fall.

Presidential Scholars

Excellence

Patrick Bello-Sullivan * Patricia Casino * Timotheos Charitos

Gabriel Dimovski * Rafael Espinoza * Ariana Flores

Brian Fong * Aleksandr Karamanov * Krystal Kenward

Jaylene Munoz * Marieteresa Porchér Allen

Yosan Tecleab * Jade Woolcock

Achievement

Kassandra Batista * Esmeralda Castelan

Brendan Chan * Krystine Ferreira * Tonian Fullerton

Lirim Haxhaj * Jacbo Ireland * Dion Jahaga

Jessy Kwon * Rachel Luo * Lucy Mandel

Miranda Olivares * Emily Randolph

Violeta Rosario * Zeynep Sonmez

Kassandra Batista*

Patrick Bello-Sullivan*

Dennis Borodin

Patricia Casino

Esmeralda Castelan*

Brendan Chan*

Timotheos Charitos

Luis Diaz

Rafael Espinoza*

Krystine Ferreira*

Arian Flores*

Brian Fong

Tonian Fullerton

Matthew Garaicoa

Jacob Ireland*

Scarlet Irrizarry

Zahra Jafar

Dion Jahhaga*

Aleksandr Karamanov

Krystal Kenward

Principal’s List Nina Kravets

Jessy Kwon*

Sara Lara

Rachel Luo*

Lucy Mandel*

Diane Min

Ayanna Nelson Cameron

Miranda Olivares*

Eirini Papageorgiou

Marian Parks

Christopher Pena

Marieteresa Porchér Allen*

Carlos Quinones, Jr.

Emily Randolph*

Violeta Rosario*

Michael Shaorshadze

Zeynep Sonmez*

Yosan Tecleab*

Jade Woolcock

* Principal’s List all four years.

Ana Almonte Jholewis Araujo

Kassandra Batista Patrick Bello-Sullivan

Dennis Borodin Patricia Casino

Esmeralda Castelan Labina Castillo

Jeffrey Cespedes Brendan Chan Kaitlyn Cuevas Kreshnik Dajci

Luis Diaz Diana Dikmane

Gabriel Dimovski Lediana Domi

Alexander Ellison Rafael Espinoza Krystine Ferreira

Ariana Flores Brian Fong

Tonian Fullerton Matthew Garaicoa Rosabella Garcia

Jean Pierre Gautreaux Hana Ghodbane Brandon Gomez Richard Gonzalez

Gabriella Grateraux Daniel Gutierrez

Lirim Haxhaj

National Honor Society Taylor Jimenez

Samoa Jones Irarrola Aleksandr Karamanov

Krystal Kenward Nina Kravets Jessy Kwon Sara Lara

Rachel Luo Lucy Mandel

Brianna Marrero Logan Ramos

Emily Randolph Michelle Raza

Gael Rodriguez Lucas Rodriguez Violeta Rosario

Ross Rubin Carlo Sebastian Saint-Hilaire

Ergin Saiti Bashar Saleh

Melanie Santana Balade Shala

Michael Shaorshadze Stefan Simko

Zeynep Sonmez Shamel Syed

Darjeiry Tapia Yosan Tecleab

Marangelis Uben Nathaniel Urmson

Jade Woolcock

Giandely Hernandez Shakib Hossain Jacob Ireland

Scarlet Irizarry Zahra Jafar

Samoa Jones Ibarrola Hana Mehmetaj

Angely Mejia Zachary Meo

Nathaly Mendez Diane Min

Hailey Moore Viviana Morales

Faith Mulosmanaj Jaylene Munoz

Ayanna Nelson Cameron Jaden Odeh

Miranda Olivares Liam Orth

Angel Ozuna Eirini Papageorgiou Giancarlo Papaleo

Marian Parks Cristopher Pena

Marlene Pichardo California Ponti

Marieteresa Porchér Allen Carlos Quinones, Jr.

Aaron Ramos Dion Jahjaga

Justin Jaradeh

Boys’ Soccer Coach

Will Cushing

M.V.P.

Timotheos Charitos

Most Improved Bashar Saleh

Coach’s Award Rafael Espinoza

Senior Gold Gabriel Dimovski

Senior Silver Richard Gonzalez

Senior Bronze Pedro Morales

Girls’ Soccer Coach

Julienne Krause

Manager Alexandra Buggie

Jaylene Munoz

M.V.P.

Julia Miranti

Most Improved Laura Lozano

Coach’s Award Mia Kauffman

Senior Gold Zeynep Sonmez

Senior Silver Miranda Olivares

Senior Bronze Lucy Mandel

Volleyball Coach

Jon Reingold Larry Ellis

M.V.P.

Patricia Casino Most Improved Kassandra Batista Coach’s Award

Luisanna Trinidad-Cruz

Senior Gold Patricia Casino

Senior Silver Luisanna Trinidad-Cruz

Senior Bronze Kassandra Batista

Athletics Awards

Athletes of the Year Jacob Ireland

Zeynep Sonmez

Athletics Awards Boys’ Cross

Country Coach

Devin Walsh Hanady Sayed

M.V.P.

Jacob Ireland

Most Improved Patrick Bello-Sullivan

Coach’s Award Brian Fong

Senior Gold Jacob Ireland

Senior Silver Patrick Bello-Sullivan

Senior Bronze Brendan Chan

Wrestling Coach

Michael Lepetit

Manager Esha Bishop

M.V.P.

Christian Diaz-Herrera

Most Improved Destiny Gibson

Coach’s Award Muhriddin Aslov

Senior Gold Darryl Adler

Girls’ Cross Country

Coach Michael Lepetit

M.V.P.

Alaina Ireland Most Improved Rafaela Heckmann Coach’s Award Hannah Branche

Senior Gold Rachel Luo

Breakout Athletes of the Year Carlos Guzman

Laura Lozano

Boys’ Basketball

Coach Cole Benack

Courtney Bradshaw

Manager Michelle Raza

Ergin Saiti Balade Shala

M.V.P. Kai Parris

Most Improved Agais Garcia

Coach’s Award Jacques Zoumanigui

Senior Gold Ethan Bonet

Senior Silver Zachary Meo

Senior Bronze Agais Garcia

Cheerleading Coach

Maria D’Amelio M.V.P.

Lediana Domi

Most Improved Dream Springsteen

Coach’s Award Olivia Frade

Senior Gold Miranda Olivares

Senior Silver Marieteresa Porchér Allen

Senior Bronze Kaitlyn Cuevas

Girls’ Basketball

Coach Will Cushing Manager

Jholewis Araujo Selma Pina Espaillat

Ashley Santana M.V.P.

Saray Javier Most Improved

Jayde Marcano Coach’s Award Faith Mulosmanaj

Senior Gold Melanie Santana

Senior Silver Faith Mulosmanaj

Senior Bronze Saray Javier

Athletics Awards

Manager of the Year Ariana Flores

Special Thanks

to our Athletic Director Lesly Edmond, and to all of our parents for

their support and guidance during the athletic season.

Scholar Athletes

First Team

Top ten athletes with the highest academic averages

Patricia Casino

Genesis Cedeno

Christian Diaz Herrera

Anna Dolgopolova

Jacob Ireland

Jessy Kwon

Rachel Luo

Miranda Olivares

Kate Serrano

Zeynep Sonmez

Second Team

Next ten athletes with the highest academic averages

Brendan Chan

Emma Donato

North Ediale

Brian Fong

Sean Gaughan

Mia Kauffman

Andrew Lane

Jenny Lee

Esther Luo

Special Thanks to our Athletic Director Lesly Edmond,

and to all of our parents for their support and guidance during the athletic season.