Class of 2021—Gleitsman & Taney Awards
The 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 are given at the school’s Senior Awards Event prior to commencement). The following awards were presented at the North High graduation ceremony on June 24.
Gleitsman Award
The late Alan Gleitsman, a 1947 graduate of then Great Neck High School, established the Alan L. Gleitsman Outstanding Graduate 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. Mina Nabavian is the winner of the 2021 Gleitsman Award. Mina was featured previously as the North High Valedictorian.
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. The Award is based solely on merit. One quarter of the Award must be contributed by the recipient to a charity of his/her choice, subject to the approval of the Award trustees. The Award was established in Genelle’s memory in 2006. Arabella Notar-Francesco is the winner of the 2021 Taney Award.
Arabella Notar-Francesco was president of the North High chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, president of Junior Players, co-founder and president of the school’s Book Club, and a chairperson for the New York State Thespian Board. She tutored younger students as a Peer Mentor and served as a Peer Leader. Arabella was a member of the orchestra and a varsity athlete on the volleyball team. Arabella will attend Boston University.
Music programs recognized by Long Island Music Hall of Fame
The Great Neck Public Schools is pleased to announce that the music programs at North High School and South High School have been honored through the Long Island Music Hall of Fame’s (LIMHoF) fifth annual School Recognition Program awards.
The LIMHoF School Recognition Program identifies high school music programs in Nassau and Suffolk counties that are creating notable music experiences for students while incorporating the National and New York State Standards for the arts in creative and meaningful ways.
In light of COVID-19, the LIMHoF introduced a new virtual application process for their 2021 awards program. Video submissions representing each school’s musical accomplishments were adjudicated by the LIMHoF Education Committee and a panel of music educators.
A total of 12 high schools across Long Island were recognized as winners in this year’s program. Video submissions from winning schools are available for viewing on the LIMHoF website in celebration of “the amazing music that schools created under unbelievably difficult conditions and pandemic restrictions.”
North High music faculty members are Dr. Pamela Levy, fine & performing arts department head/vocal music teacher, and Joseph Rutkowski, instrumental music teacher. South High music faculty members are Michael Schwartz, performing arts department head/instrumental music teacher; Mark Boschen, instrumental music teacher; Dr. Janine Robinson, vocal music teacher; and Anthony Virgilio, instrumental music teacher.
