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Three Rye Neck High School seniors – Risa Liebman, Delaney Park and Elena Tisnovsky – have been named semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship program. 

The students are among 16,000 high school students nationwide who were awarded the distinction by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They represent the top 1 percent of students from across the country with the highest scores on the qualifying Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. They took the qualifying test in 2017 along with 1.6 million other juniors from more than 22,000 high schools.

“On behalf of the faculty and administration, I congratulate our students and families on this accomplishment,” Principal Tina Wilson said. “We wish them luck as they move forward in the process.” 

Rye Neck’s semifinalists are in the running for approximately 7,500 scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. About 90 percent of the semifinalists will advance to the next round and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship. To become a finalist, the students must submit a detailed scholarship application, demonstrate an outstanding academic record, write an essay and earn scores that confirm their earlier performance on the qualifying test. 

National Merit Scholarship finalists will be announced in February, while scholarship winners will be announced in the spring.

Smiles and excited chatter filled the halls across all Rye Neck Schools on Sept. 4 for the first day of school. With new books and school supplies in hand, students joyfully entered their classrooms, eager to see their friends, meet new teachers and organize their lockers.

“Our opening day was filled with positive energy, enthusiasm and big smiles,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barbara Ferraro said. “Upon entering the buildings on the first day, the students walked into classrooms that were bright and rearranged to create the kinds of active learning spaces needed in 2018 and beyond.”

Kindergartners at Daniel Warren Elementary School had an exciting day of firsts as they attended orientation sessions with their parents and introduced themselves to their new teachers. Meanwhile, F.E. Bellows Elementary School students spent a half-day of classes organizing their school supplies, learning the rules of their new classrooms and getting to know new friends. 

Throughout the day, Rye Neck Middle School students attended a variety of presentations and moved around the building to find their new classrooms. They also met their teachers who greeted them with smiles and guided them through their expectations for the year. The halls at Rye Neck High School were buzzing with chatter as upperclassmen Peer Leaders teamed up with ninth-graders for various first-day-of-school activities that were designed to help the younger students make a smooth transition into high school.

“The beginning of a new school year is filled with excitement as students look forward to reconnecting with friends and teachers,” Dr. Ferraro said.

Rye Neck Union Free School District welcomed new staff and faculty members during a two-day orientation, held Aug. 27-28. The group met with administrators, discussed organizational items and received a tour of the community, which was led by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barbara Ferraro and physical education and health teacher Brian Iacovelli. 

“We welcomed new staff across all of the schools, as well as at the district office,” Dr. Ferraro said. “The energy of the new staff, combined with the experience and proven success of those who have been part of our family in the past, will undoubtedly contribute to our reputation for strong learning outcomes.”

The following are new staff members at Rye Neck: 

• Darian Bica, physical education and health teacher at Rye Neck Middle/High School.
• Stefania Binasco, teaching assistant at F.E. Bellows Elementary School. 
• Jamie Bragg, elementary school teacher at Daniel Warren Elementary School (leave replacement).
• Robert Brevetti, social studies teacher at Rye Neck High School. 
• Jessica Calvini, English teacher at Rye Neck High School.
• Samantha Chu, guidance counselor at Rye Neck Middle School. 
• Matthew DeBellis, science teacher at Rye Neck High School.
• Allison Fields, speech and language teacher at Rye Neck Middle/High School.
• Elizabeth Haughton, secretary at Rye Neck Middle School.
• Christina Lee, special education teacher at Rye Neck Middle/High School.
• Ardijane Mahmud, nurse at Rye Neck Middle/High School. 
• Jane Murtaugh, special services secretary.
• Anne Reiser, world languages teacher at Rye Neck Middle/High School.
• Christina Roufanis, personnel assistant, district office. 
• Eric Rudolph, social studies teacher at Rye Neck Middle School.
• Colleen Slattery, social studies teacher at Rye Neck Middle School.
• Ashley Sullivan, teaching assistant at Rye Neck Middle School.
• Douglas Thorn, special education teaching assistant at Rye Neck Middle/High School.
• Victoria Valentine, teaching assistant at F.E. Bellows Elementary School.
• Zachary Zamek, world languages teacher at Rye Neck Middle/High School.

Rye Neck High School seniors Allie Liebmann and Olivia Dunne – who have been close friends since kindergarten – have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2018. Both accomplished students, who have worked incredibly hard throughout their high school career, said it was validating to receive the school’s top honors. 

“This recognition certainly means a lot to me,” Dunne said. “Throughout high school, I’ve put a lot of time and effort into always doing my best. There were definitely points in high school when I felt overwhelmed by the amount of work I had to do, but ultimately I think that working hard at so many different things was what made me successful.” 

Dunne attributed her success to the support of her family, friends, classmates, teachers and coaches and described them as people who have challenged her and pushed her to become a better version of herself. 

“Allie and I have been really close friends since kindergarten, and I definitely attribute a lot of my success to her,” Dunne added. “She is one of the most patient, generous, and kind people I have ever met, and spending so much time with her has had a tremendously positive influence on me. I love our friendly competition, and her support has played a huge role in my academic life.” 

Liebmann also credited her friends’ and family’s support for giving her the opportunity to pursue her passions and praised Dunne for her constant support and friendship. 

“My parents and teachers have always been there to help me with anything I needed, but it is really my friends who have had the most impact,” Liebmann said. “Olivia is a smart, amazingly hardworking, strong, talented person and I truly would not have been able to accomplish anywhere near as much in high school without her.” 

Liebmann added that she was humbled to receive the recognition. 

“I think being valedictorian is a reflection of my hard work, my love of learning and the support I’ve had throughout high school,” she said. 

The soon-to-be graduates said if they could give any piece of advice to the incoming freshmen, it would be to pursue their passions, explore new opportunities, participate in extracurricular activities, take classes in subjects that interest them, but also do things that are completely out of their comfort zone.  

“High school is a great time to find out more about the things you’re passionate about,” Dunne said. “Don’t be afraid to take challenging classes or classes that require a lot of work. Get involved, dedicate yourself to a few things you love, and do everything you can to expand on that passion.”

Dunne is a member of the Science Research Program at the high school and has competed at the Tri-County Science and Technology Fair since eighth grade. She is part of the Independent Learner Program, Italian Club, Mock Trial team and Student Senate, and has been class president for four years. She also gives back to the community by volunteering and giving pitching lessons to younger softball players. Dunne is a member of the varsity softball and varsity basketball teams. Liebmann is a member of the Mock Trial team, Spanish Club, Student Awareness Coalition, high school band and varsity field hockey team. She also gives back to her community by volunteering with the Midnight Run organization and tutoring younger students in math and chemistry.

In the fall, Dunne will attend the University of Chicago, where she plans to pursue her interests in molecular engineering and biological sciences. Liebmann will be attending Yale University, where she plans to further pursue her interests in math and science.