John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School presents two prestigious awards at its graduation ceremony – the Alan L. Gleitsman Outstanding Graduate Award and the Genelle Taney Memorial Award. The school’s other awards were given at the Senior Awards event prior to commencement.
Class valedictorian Jayant Sani was the winner of the 2013 Gleitsman Award. The late Alan Gleitsman, a 1947 graduate of then Great Neck High School, established the award in 1988 to be given annually to a North High School graduating senior. Gleitsman winners must place within the top 10 percent of their graduating class, uphold a high level of quality involvement in student activities, be dedicated to the school and the well-being of fellow students, and have a commitment to pursue further education on the college level.
Sani Barstow was a National Merit finalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, having earned perfect scores on his six exams. He was a National Spanish Exam Silver and Gold Medal Winner, DECA Regional Winner, president of DECA and Model UN, captain of the varsity tennis team, and captain of the math team. He was the lead tenor saxophone in the symphonic band and jazz ensemble and a regular NYSSMA participant. He volunteered at Great Neck’s COPAY, tutoring elementary students. Sani will attend Harvard University in the fall.
Doris Descorbeth is the winner of the Genelle Taney Memorial Award. Genelle B. Taney was a 2003 North High graduate who died at age 19, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Genelle was the 2003 Gleitsman Award recipient and is remembered for her “unsurpassed love of knowledge, a dedication to the arts, a passion for athletics, and an endless commitment to the betterment of her school and her fellow classmates.” The Taney Award recipient should possess a combination of these qualities and one quarter of the Award must be contributed by the recipient to a charity of his/her choice.
Descobeth was editor of the school yearbook, Arista, vice president and president of Key Club, and treasurer of Interact, two school organizations that focus on community service and fund-raising to benefit various charities. She was a member of Aids Awareness, a Peer Leader, and a charter member of the Best Buddies Club, modeling positive social skills for students with severe disabilities. Doris will be attending New York University.
