Executive Director’s Message Dear Members of the Class of 2010:
The day you have all been waiting for is finally here! I know that you must have mixed feelings about leaving The New York Institute for Special Education. Some of you have been here for many years and other spent just a few years with us. During this time you have developed strong bonds of friendship. As you go on to your new school always remember how important these relationships have been. I hope you will try to stay in touch and share your new experiences and get support from your Van Cleve friends.
Each of you has achieved so much during your years in Van Cleve. The staff is so proud of you and wants only the best for you as you graduate. Moving on brings with it some nervousness but think back to what made you successful at NYI. You worked hard, participated in extra-curricular activities and communicated well with your teachers and peers. Being open and willing to communicate will be one of the keys to your success. When you feel upset, I encourage you to think and then act. This will help you in everything you do in life.
Please remember that NYI is here to support and help you. I hope you will come back and let us know how you are doing.
Congratulations and good luck always,
Bernadette M. Kappen Executive Director
Assistant executive Director’s Message Dear Van Cleve Graduates of 2010: Graduation is a time of transition and change. It is also a time to think back on all you have learned while at Van Cleve and the friendships you have enjoyed. As I think of each of you, I recognize how much you have grown and learned. Your academics are much stronger and you have made great progress in reading and math. I have enjoyed your creative spirit as I read or listened to your poems and stories and looked at your art work and watched your music and dance performances. You have had opportunities to find your special gifts and interests whether it be in those areas or in sports. You have also grown a lot by improving your behavior and developing good social skills so other people can appreciate how smart, funny and creative you are. You have learned to control your anger and to express your feeling in appropriate ways. You have learned to work hard, finish the job and ask for help when you need it. All of these skills you will take with you to your new school. As with all changes in life, your new school at first may seem a little scary. But it is only one of many changes you will face in your future and I know if you use all the skills you have learned in the Van Cleve Program you will do fine. You take with you all of the best wishes for success from all of the many staff who have worked with you while you were with us at The New York Institute. You will always be important to us. I am very happy that I had the chance to be your Principal for the last three months. It was a pleasure to get to know each of you a little better. I know your parents, guardians and family are proud of you and so are we. Best Wishes to Each of You,
Thomas Burgett, Ph.D. Thomas Burgett, Ph.D. Assistant Executive Director
VAN CLEVE GRADUATES CONGRATULATIONS AND THE BEST OF LUCK !!!!
MARIAH ALICEA “Life is a game and if you don’t play it right you just end up losing.” ROLE MODEL
Mariah Carey
ASPIRATIONS To be Veternarian PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY
ITALY
FAVORITE SINGER Mariah Carey FAVORITE ACTOR
Liam Neeson
FAVORITE ACTRESS Lindsey Lohan FAVORITE MOVIE
“Taken”
FAVORITE COLOR
Red/Black
FAVORITE SONG “Down” by Jay Sean & Lil’ Wayne WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Graduating college / going to Medical School
DESTINY Frazier “Stay Strong !” ROLE MODEL
Ms. Maiale
ASPIRATIONS To be a Plus size Model/ Singer PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Hollywood, California
FAVORITE SINGER Alicia Keyes FAVORITE ACTOR
Martin Lawrence
FAVORITE ACTRESS Zoe’ Saldana FAVORITE MOVIE
“Avatar”
FAVORITE COLOR
Pink/Purple
FAVORITE SONG “Unthinkable “ by Alicea Keyes WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS In College
Bryce henry If it is possible, I’ll do it.” ROLE MODEL Don’t have one ASPIRATIONS
To be an Engineer
PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Haiti to adopt a child
FAVORITE SINGER Don’t have one FAVORITE ACTOR
Chris Rock
FAVORITE ACTRESS Don’t have one FAVORITE MOVIE “Death at a Funeral “ FAVORITE COLOR Black and Red FAVORITE SONG Don’t have one WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Moving on to a Specialized College in Engineering
Dayquan Herdigein ROLE MODEL Martin Luther King ASPIRATIONS
To make a Video Game
PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Hawaii
FAVORITE SINGER Michael Jackson FAVORITE ACTOR
Wesley Snipes
FAVORITE ACTRESS Don’t have one FAVORITE MOVIE “G Force “ FAVORITE COLOR Green FAVORITE SONG Don’t have one WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Working in a Business
Charles ingram “Keep your Head Up!” ROLE MODEL himself ASPIRATIONS
Work for the city
PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY All over the World
FAVORITE SINGER Any Rapper FAVORITE ACTOR
Chris Rock
FAVORITE ACTRESS Nicki Minaj FAVORITE MOVIE Any Comedy FAVORITE COLOR Black/ Red FAVORITE SONG “Oh Let’s do it” by Waka Flaka WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Finishing College
Rason Jones “Keep Moving Forward” ROLE MODEL Ray Allen ASPIRATIONS To be a Dentist PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Africa
FAVORITE SINGER Trey Songz FAVORITE ACTOR
Jaden Smith
FAVORITE ACTRESS Queen Latifah FAVORITE MOVIE “Karate Kid” FAVORITE COLOR Purple FAVORITE SONG “OMG” WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Having a Dental Practice down South
Luis Montero “ look Up To Your Dreams” ROLE MODEL Allen Iverson ASPIRATIONS
Professional basketball player
PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Greece
FAVORITE SINGER Drake FAVORITE ACTOR
Will Smith
FAVORITE ACTRESS Angelina Jolie FAVORITE MOVIE “Avatar “ FAVORITE COLOR Red FAVORITE SONG “Find Your Love” by Drake WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS In the NBA!
Romeo motta “Through Adversity to the Stars” ROLE MODEL None ASPIRATIONS
Haven’t decided yet
PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Fiji
FAVORITE SINGER Big Pun FAVORITE ACTOR
George Clooney
FAVORITE ACTRESS Angelina Jolie FAVORITE MOVIE “Hotel Rwanda” FAVORITE COLOR Red FAVORITE SONG “White Flag” by Dido WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS At College studying towards a Law & Science degree
Jordan Spinelli “Live life to the fullest” ROLE MODEL
Her Mom
ASPIRATIONS To be a Nurse PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY California
FAVORITE SINGER Beyonce’ FAVORITE ACTOR
None
FAVORITE ACTRESS None FAVORITE MOVIE
“Bring It On”
FAVORITE COLOR Purple FAVORITE SONG “First Dance” by Justin Bieber WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Graduating College
Clarisa thomas “Don’t Litter , if they won’t pick it up , I’ll do it myself”
ROLE MODEL ASPIRATIONS
To be a Singer/Animal Care Worker/Storywriter
PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Hawaii
FAVORITE SINGER None FAVORITE ACTOR
None
FAVORITE ACTRESS None FAVORITE MOVIE
Dreamworks, Disney + Pixar
FAVORITE COLOR Silver and Gold FAVORITE SONG None WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Caring and Helping All!
MARC Williams ROLE MODEL His Mom ASPIRATIONS
To be a Police Officer
PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOMEDAY Italy
FAVORITE SINGER None FAVORITE ACTOR
His Uncle - Keith David
FAVORITE ACTRESS Nicole Kidman FAVORITE MOVIE “The Invisible Man “ “The Creature from the Black Lagoon”
FAVORITE COLOR Blue FAVORITE SONG None WHERE YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS Being a successful cop arresting people
