Class of 2011 Valedictorian & Salutatorian
Sen. Bonacic honors exceptional Port Jervis High School seniors


POSTED JUNE 13, 2011
On June 2, Senator John Bonacic honored high school valedictorians, salutatorians and students who have made significant contributions to their schools and communities from over 30 school districts in the 42nd Senate District in an all day event at the Capitol in Albany.

“These students are some of the best and brightest New York State has to offer,” said Senator Bonacic. “Each of these students excel because of their hard work and dedication to their studies, their peers and their communities. They’re the future of our State and Country and I am proud of each and every one of them and their accomplishments. Education is the foundation upon which we build our future; and these exceptional young people deserve to be honored for recognizing that and doing their very best to ensure success.”

Senator Bonacic is pictured at the Excellence in Education event at the Capital in Albany with (from left) Superintendent John Xanthis, High School Principal Thomas Bongiovi, Valedictorian Melissa Bright and Salutatorian Kristen Blancato.

Click here to watch the video of Sen. Bonacic addressing the distinguished seniors and their families.
 

Top two seniors honored by education and business communities

POSTED MAY 18, 2011
Port Jervis High School’s Class of 2011 valedictorian Melissa Bright and salutatorian Kirsten Blancato were honored May 16 at the 16th Annual Outstanding Student Recognition Dinner.

Organized by Orange-Ulster BOCES, the event brings the Orange County Chamber of Commerce together with area businesses and educators to honor the top two graduating seniors from each of the school districts in Orange and Ulster Counties.

Valedictorian Melissa Bright achieved this honor by maintaining an overall grade point of 99.77.

A well-rounded student, Bright earned this distinction while taking the most rigorous courses Port Jervis High School has to offer and participating in a variety of extra-curricular activities.

Bright holds numerous leadership positions, serving as vice president of the National Honor Society and the French Club, Rotary Interact treasurer, PTSA student affairs representative, and Friends of Rachel public relations chairperson. She is also a member of the Scholastic Bowl team, DECA, and the
girls varsity golf and track and field teams; and has served on the prom, spirit week and Powder Puff game committees. Bright also volunteers at the local food pantry and as an academic tutor.

Academically, Bright is the recipient of several distinguished awards. Most notably, she was named a Commended Student in the highly-competitive National Merit Scholarship Program. She qualified by placing among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who took the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Next year, Bright will attend Fordham University. She is the daughter of Michael and Cindy Bright.

Salutatorian Kirsten Blancato qualified for her honor by maintaining an impressive grade point average of 98.87. Enrolled in the high school’s most challenging courses, Blancato is a member of both the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society.

Outside of school, Blancato is actively involved in state and local politics.
In addition to serving as an intern for Congressman John Hall, Blancato worked as election inspector for the 2010 midterm election and volunteered for several political campaigns. She is also served as treasurer of the Orange County Young Democrats and as a volunteer for the Human Rights Campaign.

This fall, Blancato plans to attend Wellesley College where she will major in Physics and Philosophy. She is the daughter of Teresa Blancato-Horton and John Blancato.

 

Port Jervis valedictorian Melissa Bright and salutatorian Kirsten Blancato are pictured at the Outstanding Students Recognition Dinner with (from left) School Board Vice President Cathy Sadaghiani, Michael Bright, Cindy Bright, John Blancato, Teresa Blancato-Horton, School Board Member Mike Bello, and Port Jervis High School Principal Thomas Bongiovi.