An overview of the Great Neck Public Schools Class of 2002 reveals 532 graduates from our three high schools: 250 from North, 270 from South, and 12 from the Village School. Approximately 95 percent of the graduates will pursue higher education in either four- or two-year colleges. The remainder historically seek employment or vocational training, or join the Armed Services.

The North and South High School graduation ceremonies took place on Tuesday, June 25, at 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 19, at the Village School.

In addition to the awards highlighted below, there were 10 new awards given to North and South High students. These new awards and the original student speeches presented at the commencement ceremonies will appear in future editions of this newspaper.

Valedictorians were David Leiberman at North High School and Alice Hwang at South High School. Salutatorians were Benjamin Livian at North and Jennifer Chen at South.

North High Valedictorian David Leiberman was an Individual Finalist in the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition (one of 31 nationally), a Semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search, Grand Champion at the NYS Science & Engineering Fair, a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, an Advanced Placement Scholar, and a Newsday High Honors Scholar Finalist. David was North High's Student Government President and one of two NYS delegates to the US Senate Youth Leadership Program. He served as president of the Mock Trail and Law Clubs, and led North High's team to the Nassau County Championship Team for the NYS Bar Association Mock Trial Tournament. David was a writer and editor on the school newspaper, Guide Post, and founder and editor-in-chief of S.O. What's Up?, the Student Organization newsletter. He was selected for Who's Who Among American High School Students and was a member and head of the International Thespian Society. David was captain of the Varsity Soccer Team and of the Great Neck Park District's Ice Hockey Team, the Bruins. He excelled on the Varsity Tennis Team and earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. He participated in social-responsibility activities, including clothing drives, peer tutoring, and Great Neck's Special Olympics. David plans to attend Yale University.

South High Valedictorian Alice Hwang was a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She is an accomplished violinist and served as concertmistress for the New York Young Musicians' Ensemble, the Young Symphonic Ensemble of the Children's Orchestra Society, the All-County Orchestra (Division III and IV), and the South High School Orchestra. Alice was also appointed assistant principal second violin for the All-State Symphonic Orchestra and assistant concertmistress of the Young Symphonic Ensemble of the Children's Orchestra Society. She performed at Carnegie Hall and at the annual Young Musicians Concert at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, as a member of South High's Piano Quartet. She also plays the viola and the piano. Alice was co-founder of South High's Chamber Music Society, administrative director of the school's literary magazine, Exit 33, and editor of the Spanish section of The Mosaic, South's foreign-language magazine. She attended Columbia University's Creative Writing and Science Honors Programs. As a community service, she performed at numerous schools and centers, including the Great Neck Senior Center, A. Holly Patterson Geriatric Center, New York Public Libraries, St. John the Divine Cathedral Sunday Recital Series, the United Nations, and the Dalcroze School of Music. Alice plans to attend Harvard University.

North High Salutatorian Benjamin Livian was a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and an Advanced Placement Scholar. He was a recipient of a Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and was selected for Who's Who Among American High School Students. He excelled on the National Spanish Exam and at the Nassau County Mathletes Competition. Benjamin received a Scholar-Athlete Award in Spring Track. He was a Peer Leader and participated in the Hispanic Homework Help Tutoring Program at Great Neck House. He was a member of North High's chapter of SADD, the Hebrew Culture Club, the Persian Club, and the Math Team. Benjamin plans to attend New York University.

South High Salutatorian Jennifer Chen was a Presidential Scholar Candidate, a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Jennifer, an outstanding musician who plays the cello, was selected for the All-State Music Conference two years in a row, and was a principal in the Young Musician's Orchestra. She was a member of South High's Piano Quartet that performed at Carnegie Hall and at the Young Musicians Concert at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. Jennifer was a Bronze Medal winner at the NYS Science Olympiad Cell Biology Team Competition. She participated in South High's Asian Culture Society and on the Math Team. She wrote for the school magazine, Exit 33, and was editor-in-chief of The Mosaic, the school's foreign-language magazine. Jennifer plans to attend Yale University.

David Leiberman and Benjamin Livian at North (which presents this award to its valedictorian and salutatorian) and Lee Becker and Neha Mehta at South, were this year's Barstow Award winners. 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.

Lee Becker was a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor. He was named Nassau County Student-Scholar-Athlete of the Year and All-County Volleyball and Basketball. He, along with other South High basketball players, received a NYS Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Team Award. Lee was sports editor of the school newspaper, The Southerner, and a member of the Varsity Basketball and Volleyball Teams. He was a member of South High's Government Club and participated in the University of Pennsylvania Model Congress and the Yale University Model Congress. Lee played the clarinet in South High's Symphonic Band and Rebel Marching Band. He plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania.

Neha Mehta was a Presidential Scholar, a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, a Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition Semifinalist, and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor. She was an Entrant for the Intel Science Talent Search and took First Place in the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair and Fourth Place in Zoology at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. She was editor-in-chief of South High's newspaper, The Southerner, Class Government vice president, Government Club treasurer, and a student delegate to the Board of Education. Neha took First and Second Places in the Science Olympiads and participated in the Columbia University Science Honors Program. She was a dance teacher and choreographer for the school's Asian Cultural Society, an All-State Qualifier for the Debate Team, and a Gavel Winner at the University of Pennsylvania Model Congress. Neha was a Gold Medallist in the National Latin Exam and won Honorable Mention in the National Spanish Exam. She played flute in South High's Symphonic and Rebel Marching Bands. She plans to attend Northwestern University's seven-year medical program in the fall.

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.

Justine Lelchuk was the Scott Moss Award winner. This Award was established in 1977 at South High, in memory of Scott, who was an outstanding South student until his death from cancer. The Award is given to the graduating senior who exemplifies the "service, concern, interest, and ability of Scott Moss." Justine was South High Student Government president, Peer Drug Education president, Varsity Swimming captain, and a member of the Track Team and the Government and Key Clubs. She represented the Fifth Congressional District at the MADD National Youth Summit and was a recipient of the Nassau County High School Principal's Association Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Leadership Award. She participated in the Princeton University, Yale University, and Great Neck Model Congresses. Justine played flute in South High's Symphonic and Rebel Marching Bands. She plans to attend Miami University of Ohio.