The Good News
e-Edition: July 2019
Graduations and Celebrations
The end of a school year gives us the opportunity to celebrate our students' accomplishments from the year. As we look back, we recognize all of the hard work, dedication, creativity, and community that has made this year special. Congratulations to our graduates!
Congratulations to the
Class of 2019
We recognize the achievements of our graduates and welcome in the newest group of GSS alumni! Graduation ceremonies were held on June 7, 2019.

All of our graduates have been accepted into competitive Catholic High Schools, and our prayers and best wishes are with them as they move onto their next chapter.

View more photos of graduation HERE.
Jeremiah Alonzo, Valedictorian
Charles Perricelli, Salutatorian
The Graduating Class of 2019
Mr. Arismendy Ovalle '89, Founding Member of FOGSS, was our Commencement Speaker.
An excerpt from our Salutatorian Address

by Charles Perricelli
"Eight years ago, I had my first day at Good Shepherd, and it was immediately after the school had threatened to close, and a group of alumni came together to raise money to save Good Shepherd School. Without the effort to save Good Shepherd, all of the students of this class and the classes after it would not have been able to experience the sense of community and family that we have shared every day.

I would also like to point out the enormous kindness and dedication of all the faculty and staff at Good Shepherd, as they have created a learning environment that nurtures every student academically and spiritually. They push me to put my best food forward and have brought out the best in me and those around me. We all care about each other and we want each other to succeed.

I will take all the memories and knowledge of my time here, and I will cherish it and carry over all that I have learned into the rest of my life. That is what makes me, and so many others, proud to be alumni of Good Shepherd School."
To the class of 2019 and all those who came before,
the blue doors will always be open to you.
Kindergarten Graduation
We are sending these little ones off to First Grade! Congratulations to all of our Kindergartners for working hard all year long!

View more photos of Kindergarten Graduation HERE .
Recipients of The Damian Meehan Memorial Scholarship, Mrs. Meehan, mother of Damian Meehan, Mrs. Janine Meehan Lynch, sister of Damian Meehan, Mrs. Lavery, Principal, and Mrs. Walsh, Assistant Principal.
Congratulations to all students who have worked hard this year and put their best foot forward academically, artistically, and athletically. We recognized our students' achievements at our Awards Ceremony on June 12, 2019.

Pictured are our top achieving students from grades 3-7 and the recipients of The Damian Meehan Memorial Scholarship.

View more photos of the Honors and Awards Assembly HERE.
Celebrating Our Mothers Event
Hosted by our Student Council, our students gathered with their families to celebrate their mothers in honor of Mother's Day. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible!
STEM Field Trip to Holy Ghost Preparatory School
Students from the 4th - 7th grades were invited to Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, PA for a special STEM field trip. Students were lead through various workshops focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They enjoyed all of the "hands-on" robotics in the Innovation Lab and ended the trip with a pizza party. Thank you to everyone at HGP who made this visit possible!
Students testing out the robotics in the Brennan Family Innovation Center.
FOGSS Chairman and Founder Mr. John Brennan speaks to the students.
Student Spotlight
Jeremiah Alonzo
Jeremiah as the "Cat in the Hat" in our 2019 production of "Seussical, Jr."
In each issue, we will be spotlighting a student who shows excellence in the classroom and in our community!

Congratulations to Jeremiah Alonzo, Valedictorian of the GSS Class of 2019.

Jeremiah will attend the prestigious Regis High School next year on a Full Academic Scholarship. "Good Shepherd has taught me a lot ever since third grade. I've been able to learn from amazing teachers." On going to high school, he says, "I am mostly excited to learn more and step out of my comfort zone in academics, sports, and in my spiritual life. I'm also excited to meet new people and make more friends."

On what lesson Jeremiah will take with him once he exits our blue doors, "It's never over until it's over, meaning you aren't finished until you move that tassel from the right side to the left--if you want something badly, try hard."

Looking beyond high school, Jeremiah might like to major in finance or science, in the hopes to help find cures for diseases such as cancer.

His many awards and activities over his years at GSS include Principals List, Charles T. & Catherine Donohue Family Heritage Award, Brennan Scholarship for Top Student, Senator Robert Jackson Certificate of Achievement, Office of the State Comptroller Achievement Award, 1st place in Manhattan Catholic Schools Math Competition (2018), GSS Theater Club, Harry Potter Club, Basketball Team, Yearbook, Student Council, and has served as an altar server. Wow!

Congratulations on everything you have accomplished, Jeremiah, and we wish you nothing but the best at Regis and beyond!
Alumni Spotlight
Dannerys Peralta, '16
We love seeing our graduates excel as they grow into young adults. In this issue, we are spotlighting Dannerys Peralta, GSS Class of 2016.

Dannerys was recently voted Student Body President for her senior year at Academy of Mount St. Ursula. Leadership is nothing new to her, as she has been class president since sophomore year. She also holds leadership positions in the UN Connection Club, Italian Club, Marketing Club, and also is a student ambassador.

Her hard work in the classroom does not go unnoticed, as she has received the following awards at AMSU: Second in General Excellence (awarded to the second highest GPA in the junior class) (3 years in a row), the American Chemical Society Honor for the best work in Chemistry, the St. John’s Women in Science Award (3 years in a row), a certificate for more than 250 hours of community service, and sophomore year a scholarship grant.

"Good Shepherd most definitely prepared me well for high school because freshman year, it was a smooth transition in Math and Science. Ms. Velez pushed me and gave me the tools and knowledge that I needed to succeed in Algebra I. Mrs. Newton too helped me tremendously succeed not only in science but as a person. She made me believe in myself that anything that I put my mind to I could achieve, and those words of wisdom I have carried with me my whole high school career."
And for next year? Dannerys is holding herself to a high standard, and not taking her role as a leader lightly, saying:

"As Student Body President next year, I want the student body to become more aware of what is going on outside the classroom and the environment. However, what I am most excited about for next year is hearing the students' ideas and seeing if their visions can come a reality, after all I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for them. I am hoping to be a president of the people and hear their ideas for the next school year.

The most important qualities a leader can have are honesty, confidence, empathy, and being a good communicator. I hope to embody these qualities because I want to be an honest leader that people feel like they can trust. I want to be confident because I want to truly be the voice of the student body. I want to be able to lead being sure in myself and in what I am doing. Finally, I hope to continue to have empathy and be a good communicator so that my peers feel that I am doing a good job representing them."

Looking ahead beyond her days as a student, "I am interested in law and international relations working for the UN."

The Principal of Academy of Mount St. Ursula,
Sr. Jean Marie Humphries shared some kind words with us about the relationship between GSS and AMSU.

"The Academy of Mount St. Ursula has had a great relationship with Good Shepherd School for many years. We always eagerly welcome GSS graduates to AMSU’s incoming freshwomen class each year. AMSU knows the students will be prepared to handle high expectations for academics, behave appropriately and become involved in the school through extra-curricular activities and service."

Sr. Humphries also shared some words about Dannerys, "What a wonderful young lady she is! Since her arrival at AMSU almost four years ago, she has stood out due to her great work ethic and school spirit. She achieves honors every year. AMSU is proud to have Dannerys as a student and GSS should be proud of its alumna.  AMSU hopes to have many more great students from Good Shepherd throughout the years."

This summer, Dannerys is participating in the Mercy College School of Business Leadership Academy. The week-long program program is highly competitive and welcomes high school students to attend a week long session to learn about leadership and business careers at their Westchester campus in Dobbs Ferry, NY.

We are so proud to see our graduates flourish into great leaders, thinkers, and great examples of young men and women. Congratulations Dannerys, on all you have achieved so far! We are excited to see what your bright future has in store.
GSS Theater Club's Spring Musical... "Seussical, Jr."!
Congratulations to the GSS Theater Club for another fantastic spring musical production! Students from the 2nd - 8th grade showcased their talents onstage and behind the scenes to produce our 5th annual spring musical.
Kicking off Summer with Field Day
Students and teachers kicked off summer break with Field Day and a healthy dose of competition on the last day of school!

View more photos of Field Day HERE.
Have a great summer!
Class of 1969 Reunion
A reunion for the Class of 1969 is planned for September 28, 2019 at the American Legion (840 McLean Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704). If you are interested in attending, please reach out to Ms. Anne Duffy at Anne.duffy286@gmail.com  
Have You Moved? Let Us Know!
Have you recently moved, or have a new phone number or e-mail address? Does your GSS mail still go to your parents' home? Let us know! The school is always looking to update and maintain accurate information in the alumni database. If you have any recent changes to report, e-mail meghanginley@gsschoolnyc.org or call (212) 567-5800.
Get Social with GSS!
Did you know GSS is on social media?
Follow us to see what we're up to!
Support Good Shepherd School
Did you know that many employers will match charitable gifts made by their employees to their favorite non-profits? Check with your human resources department to see if they will match your gift to Good Shepherd School, doubling or even tripling your support!
 
Join Friends of Good Shepherd (FoGSS)
Alumni of Good Shepherd School are invited to join the FoGSS alumni community!

Network with alumni, stay up-to-date with the latest school and alumni news, find out about upcoming events and collaborate with fellow alumni. 
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