An overview of the Great Neck Public Schools Class of 2001 reveals 498 graduates from our three high schools: 214 from North, 268 from South, and 16 from the Village School. Over 98 percent of these graduates will pursue higher education in either four-year or two-year colleges. The remaining 2 percent historically seek employment or vocational training, or join the Armed Services.

The North and South High School graduation ceremonies took place on Thursday, June 21, at the Tilles Center, Long Island University-C.W. Post Campus. North's ceremony was in the morning, South's in the afternoon. The Village School graduation was on Wednesday afternoon, June 20, at the Village School.

Important components of the Commencement ceremonies are the original student speeches. These speeches will appear in future editions of this newspaper.

Valedictorians were Daniel Warren at North High School and Kiran Gupta and Daniel Rosenbloom at South High School. Salutatorians were Jeremy Biddle and Michael Perlman at North and Amy Burghardt at South.

North High Valedictorian Daniel Warren was a National Merit Commended Student, a semiÞnalist in the US Physics Olympiad, a semiÞnalist in the Federal Reserve System NY Regional Challenge (a social studies competition), and an Advanced Placement Scholar Candidate. He placed tenth in Nassau County Mathletes out of over 1,000 participants. He was a Peer Tutor, Computer Club secretary, a member of the Math Team, and assisted in the maintenance of North High's website. He plans to attend the School of Engineering at Cornell University.

Kiran Gupta, one of the South High Valedictorians, was a National Merit semiÞnalist, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors, an Intel Science Talent Search semi-Þnalist, the New York State Female Winner Presidential Scholar, and a Winner of a National Council of Teachers of English Award in Writing. She was also a Newsday student of the year, president of South High's student body, managing editor and a staff writer on the school newspaper, The Southerner, and an award-winning flutist. Kiran volunteered at North Shore University Hospital and tutored Latin to middle school students. She plans to attend Harvard University.

Daniel Rosenbloom, another of the South High Valedictorians, was a National Merit semi-Þnalist, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, took a Top Award with Highest Honors in the New York State Science Talent Search, earned a perfect score in the American Scholastic Math Association competition, garnered a first place in the LI Quiz Bowl Championship, and was a Gold Medalist at the LI Math Fair and the International Science and Engineering Fair. He was a writer on the school newspaper, The Southerner, and a member of the chorus in Theatre South's musical productions. He plans to attend Harvard University.

Jeremy Biddle, one of North High's Salutatorians, was an Intel Science Talent Search semi-Þnalist, a Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology semi-Þnalist, and an American Society of Microbiology first place award winner. He took a first place at the LI Science Congress and was a finalist in the St. John's University Science Competition. Jeremy was a National Latin Exam Gold Medalist (four consecutive years), a National Merit Commended Student, and an Advanced Placement Scholar. He was a class officer, a member of North High's Rifle Team, an executive board member of the Model UN, business manager for the school newspaper, Guide Post, and a Peer AIDS Educator. He plans to attend Columbia University.

Michael Perlman, another of North High's Salutatorians, was a National Merit Commended Student and an Advanced Placement Scholar. He is an accomplished thespian and was the Þrst North High student to be inducted into the International Thespian Society. He served as Junior Players president and vice president, and managed, directed, produced or assistant-produced some 18 productions. Michael was also a Peer Leader for freshmen. He plans to attend Brown University in the fall.

South High's Salutatorian, Amy Burghardt was a Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology semi-Þnalist, a National Merit semi-Þnalist, and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors. She was co-founder/editor of The Phoenix, a newsmagazine by and for Great Neck's high school students. She is a lover of foreign languages, excelling in Latin as a National Latin Exam Gold Medalist (four consecutive years), Chinese (with a perfect score on the Regents), and Italian. She was president of Peer Drug Educators, active in the Key Club, and attended the Columbia Science Program. She plans to attend Princeton University.

The coveted Barstow Award was established in 1962 by Françoise and William Barstow in memory of their only son, Frederic Duclos Barstow, who died of pneumonia at age 35. The Barstows were prominent Great Neck residents after whom Barstow Road is named. Recipients of the annual Barstow Award must be in the top 10 percent of their class and be "outstanding in leadership, citizenship, scholarship, and service." Each recipient receives a monetary prize.

This year's Barstow Award winners were Daniel Warren, Jeremy Biddle, and Michael Perlman at North and Kiran Gupta and Daniel Rosenbloom at South.

The recipient of the Alan L. Gleitsman Award is announced at North High's graduation ceremony (which took place after the press deadline for this article) and will appear in a future edition of this newspaper.

The Scott Moss Award winner was Kiran Gupta. This award was established in 1977 in memory of Scott, who was an outstanding student at South High until his death from cancer. The award is given to the graduating senior who exemplifies the "service, concern, interest, and ability of Scott Moss."

Several Þrst-time awards were established at North and South High Schools this year. At North High, Daniel Fuentes was the recipient of the Baha' Award for Race Unity and Laura Lamkay won the Mayor Donald P. Baumann Community Service Scholarship Award. Daniel was captain of the varsity volleyball team and captain of the Junior Firemen of the Alert Fire Company. He served as a school fire warden and was an active member of the Junior Players stage crew. He is as yet undecided on his college choice. Laura was a Peer Drug Educator, tutored elementary school students, and was an active volunteer at her temple. She plans to attend Cornell University in the fall.

At South High School, inaugural award recipients were Lisa Savyon for the Edith Cusack Memorial Scholarship and Brian Adams for the Gene Viesta Effort Award.

The recipient of the Cusack Scholarship must be a special education student who overcame signiÞcant life obstacles. Lisa Savyon has done just that while also advocating education that promotes compassionate and kind treatment of all individuals, especially those with life-threatening illnesses. She imbued her positive spirit in all she did. Lisa plans to attend Nassau Community College.

The Viesta Award recipient must exhibit extraordinary effort and determination in academic studies or athletic accomplishments. Brian Adams has overcome many challenges. He is an avid ice hockey player and an active member of the Nassau County Ice Hockey League. He was a regular participant in South High's annual Stand-Up Comedy, Coffee House, and Talent Shows. Brian plans to attend American University in the fall.