Rikers Island Bd./Dept. of Ed. Schools' 50th Anniversary: 2009
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NYC Schools Deputy Superintendent Tim Lisante, presenting awards to two DOCers at the Horizon Academy Class of 2009 graduation June 23, called attention to the 50th anniversary of Bd./Dept. of Education schools on Rikers Island. He noted that in 1959, at Correction Commissioner Anna M. Kross' initiative, the Bd. of Ed. opened its first school on the island with nine teachers; now, the Dept. of Education staff on Rikers numbers more than 225.

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Above: Deputy Superintendent Tim Lisante introduces DOC Deputy Commissioner Kathleen Coughlin, right, prior to her receiving the Correctional Education Association's Correctional Education Advocate Award from Horizon Principal Gloria M. Ortiz, second left. Looking on is Francis Torres, second right, holding her Anna M. Kross Award for Outstanding Leadership in Correctional Education Partnerships, presented by Rikers Island Horizon and Island Academies.

Top left: Image of award to Deputy Commissioner Coughlin.

Bottom left: Image of award to Executive Director Torres.

Horizon
Academy
Graduation
Program
June 23

Processional March
Salute and
Stars Spangled Banner
Led by Tonya Threadgill


Welcoming
Remarks

Tonya Threadgill,
Assistant Principal


Principal’s
Address

Gloria M. Ortiz,
Principal


Deputy
Superintendent
-
Special
Presentation

Tim Lisante


Song
by
Horizon’s
Chorus

"What is Love?"


Original
Poem

by Quanel


Special
Awards
Presentation

by Horizon Staff


Above: Graduates Processional March in George Motchan Memorial Hall

Above & Below: Graduates seated in George Motchan Memorial Hall
Horizon
Academy
Staff

AMKC: Annette Pacheco. Site Coordinator; Ira Almonte, Matthew Tedcscht, Fernando Restrepo, Ione McPherson, Mike Davis, Russell Colca. Teachers; Sandra Cantos, Rita Cardozo. Paraprofessionals.

ANNEX: Jacqueline Barnes, Site Coordinator; Thea Figueroa, Ronnye Hightower, Peter Masongo, Antoinnette Reid, Freebbie Rivera, Jr., Victoria Rush, Josh Gray, Teachers; Brenda Sncere, Miryam Garcia, Rudy Indarte, Emily Perez, Paraprofessionals; Eileen Brady, School Aide.

GMDC: Penny LaForest, Kirsten Dekker, Forrest Sheridan, John Parada, Marilyn Savitt, Bertha Kurmen, Jay Smerlng, Peter Scllinger, Teachers; Canlos Feliz, Trisha Dove, Parapro-fessionals; Doris Jones, Family Worker

GRVC:Mark Anderson, Site Coordinator; Jose DelaCruz, Pavel Martinez, Debbie Meyers, Teacher Noel Stringfellow, Teachers; Josefa Perez, Teo Torres, Parapro-fessionals Lisette DelaRosa, Family Worker.

OBCC: Leila Riley, Site Coordinator; Peter Rafalowicz, Sylvia Elie-Rivera, A. Ponnanbalarn, Dolores Doctor, Nick Perna, Teachers; Carolina Chiquiza. Family Worker; Danielle Chislom, Paraprofessional.

CPSU: Carlyn Humphrey, Site Coordinator; Martin Flaster, Lorena Gavalis, Teachers; Joel Ortiz, Trever Brewer, Family Workers.

SBST: Alice Dopson, Guidance Counselor; Dr. Emily Larchin, Dr. A. Decamello, Dr. Rochelle Kreisler. Psychologists; Cesar Vera, Larry Freeman, Gifty Asiedu, Social Workers.

Transition Team: Carmen Pacheco. Social Worker; Lisa Rivera, Angelita Mateo, Juan C. Mayor, Lynore Robertsr, Tran. Counselors.

Support Staff: Gloria Claros, Attendance Teacher; Nora Lopez, Speech Therapist; Helen Babino. School Secretary; David Benny, Parent Coordinator; Diana Vargas, Mary Runyan, Family Workers; Jessica Abreu, Gabriel Ramos, School Aides; Miguel Cardozo, Chauffer

Teachers Center: Charmaine McCants, Teacher.

NIC: Irene Hasse, Teacher.

Above:Staff presents special awards to top graduates.
Above: Grads on stage to receive dipolmas, congratulations.
Above: Horizon Chorus sings.
Above & below: Speakers sit before, stand during anthem.
Below: Lobby of GMDC's George Motchan Memorial Hall.
Horizon
Academy
June
Graduation

(Continued from above left.)

Salutatorian
Address

by Shequan


Song by
Horizon's Chorus

"I'm the Greatest"


Keynote
Speaker

John Gonzalez


Valedictorian’s
Address

by Ezra


Diploma
Presentations

by Horizon Staff


Declaration
of Graduates

Gloria M. Ortiz, Principal


Closing
Remarks

Tonya Threadgill,
Assistant Principal


Song
“Ain’t
No Stopping
Us
Now’

by Horizon's Chorus


Horizon
Academy
Graduates
2009

(Only initials listed here)


B. A.,
M. A.,
R. A.,
E. B.,
G. B.,
J. B.,
O. B.,
A. C.,
A. C.,
J. C.,
T. C.,
Y. C.,
Y. C.,
T. D.,
O. D.,
A. F.,
I. F.,
D. G.,
J. G.,
M. G.,
X. G.,
I. G.,
R. I.,
C. J.,
A. L.,
A. L.,
N. L.,
N. L.,
R. L.,
T. L,
A. M.,
N. M.,
P. M.,
J. McG.,
D. McK.,
J. McL.,
C. M.,
C. M.,
J. M.,
Q. M.,
R. M.,
T. M.,
A. N.,
A. O.,
G. O.,
R. O.,
M. P.,
T. P.,
J. R.,
J. R.,
K. R.,
P. R.,
R. S.,
A. T.,
J. T,,
K. T.,
L. T.,
A. V.,
F. W.,
J. W.,
R. Y.,
J. Z.,
E. Z..


[Anna & Austin's '600' School Opened in 1959] [History of Island Academy]

[1869 Hart Island Nautical School Ship start of Fort Schuyler Marine Academy]

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