The mission of the Ulster County Comptrollers Office is to serve as an independent agency of the people and to protect the

public interest by
monitoring County government and to assess and report on the degree to which its operation is economical, efficient and its financial condition
sound.







ELLIOTT AUERBACH PHONE: 845: 340-3529
COUNTY COMPTROLLER eaue@co.ulster,ny.us
244 FAIR STREET www.co.ulster.ny.us/resources/comptroller
KINGSTON, NEW YORK 12401

RECOGNIZING SUCCESS CLASS OF 2014

The RECOGNIZING SUCCESS program showcases students from our
area high schools who have gone beyond simply getting good grades or
playing a good game. These young men and women are the social,
environmental, educational or economic entrepreneurs who have not only
embarked on a creative new project or enterprise but have been willing to
accept responsibility for its outcome.

They all have taken the road less traveled and have left an indelible mark
on their school, their community and this county. All of them possess a high
propensity for risk, innovation and achievement.

ONTEORA High School- JONATHAN LOIZOU: Who better to start off our
program than the President of the schools club that prepares emerging leaders
for careers in marketing, finance and management. Jonathan won 1
st
place in
NYS with his advertising project and is the starting soccer goalie, student
ambassador to the United Nations and is fluent in Greek. He will be attending
CW POST to study elementary education.

ELLENVILLE High School-NICHOLAS VOLLANO: When asked what his
sage advice would be to next years senior class, Nick summed it up in two
wordsWORK HARD and he has exemplified that during his high school
career. Transferring to Ellenville, Nick used his athletic ability on the football
field to make new friends and find a place for himself among the members of the
class of 2014. Nick challenged himself academically as well by enrolling in the
NEW VISIONS HEALTH CURRICULUM where he completed his senior year
doing clinical work interning at local hospitals and health care providers. In the
Fall Nick will be a PRE-MED student at SUNY STONY BROOK.
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF
ULSTER COUNTY COMPTROLLER
ELLIOTT AUERBACH

The mission of the Ulster County Comptrollers Office is to serve as an independent agency of the people and to protect the public interest by
monitoring County government and to assess and report on the degree to which its operation is economical, efficient and its financial condition
sound.



JOHN A COLEMAN High School-MATTHEW HAGGERTY: The co-
salutatorian of Colemans Class of 2014 Matthew spent his senior year in the
NEW VISIONS MEDIA AND GAME DESIGN program and was the Lead
Game Designer and Project Manager for the teams entry into the National
STEM Video Game Challenge. In addition, Matthew is the founder and
president of NextQuest an innovative independent student driven theater
company that brought 2 full stage performances to a wider audience through
lower ticket prices. Matt will continue to challenge himself, take risks and come
up with new ideas next year at CORNELL pursuing a degree in Applied
Economics and Management.

KINGSTON High School- PETER RYAN: A passionate athlete, an
academically outstanding student, and equally as important, involved in his
community as a student board member of the HUDSON VALLEY
FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH HEALTH. Peter has combined his athletic
talents and his compassion to assist and inspire younger players through his
efforts in the BACK TO BASICS BASKETBALL CAMP and has changed lives
by volunteering in KINGSTON JAMAICA helping kids who lived with intense
hardships and abuse. Peters words of wisdom resonate for all of uskeep
trying...keep goingand enjoy every moment. He will be attending RPI in the
Fall.

MARLBORO High School-BIANCA DORAN: Challenging herself
academically seems to capture Biancas intellectual curiosity and brought her to
complete her senior year in the College Bridge Program at SUNY DUTCHESS.
But her rigorous academic schedule did not prevent her from holding a starting
position on the DUKES soccer team and serving as a Safe School Ambassador
where she used her nonviolent communication and intervention skills to
diminish bullying and violence among her peers. Bianca will be attending the
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA as an International Business Major.






The mission of the Ulster County Comptrollers Office is to serve as an independent agency of the people and to protect the public interest by
monitoring County government and to assess and report on the degree to which its operation is economical, efficient and its financial condition
sound.


NEW PALTZ High School-LILY CLAIRE BERGSTEIN: Understanding
that sustainability will pave the way for the future, Lily has committed herself to
sharing that- and teaching others as an assistant instructor in a nature based
program at the Wild Earth Wilderness School in New Paltz. She captained the
schools cross country team and was a member of the ALL STATE WOMENS
CHORUS. Her love for music and environmental sustainability will bring her to
Green Mountain College in Vermont next year.

RONDOUT VALLEY High School- RYAN LAMASTRO: Besides being
ranked amongst the top of his class Ryan has channeled his ability to master
public speaking and rose through the ranks of the Student Congress to become
its President. This National Honor Society member has touched many lives in
his efforts to organize his schools annual student blood drive and will pursue a
degree in Chemical Engineering at SUNY STONY BROOK His advice to
members of next years seniors is to put yourself out there and fully commit.


SAUGERTIES High School-BENNIE LEMUS: This track and field shot
putter shares academic honors with the top 25% of his class and offers sage
advice that we all wished we followed. Dont rush through high school and
take full advantage of what it has to offer. And Bennie has done all of that
while maintaining his GPAyearbook, Spanish club, inter-scholastic sports and
chess club. He sums up his successes in these words My teachers made me
who I am today. Bennie heads for Ithaca College in the Fall to study Math.



WALLKILL High School-BRIDGET McKEEVER: National Honor Society
Member, captain of both the soccer and basketball teams, highly academically
ranked senior and active participant in the world renowned HUGH OBRIAN
YOUTH LEADERSHIP Program are just part of BRIDGETS legacy. She
volunteers her time, is active in her church and has helped incoming freshmen
transition to the high school experience. Her principle, Mr. Rydell puts it this
way Bridget has the academic drive and skill set to realize amazing success. In
the Fall she will be one of 16 students accepted in the Physician Assistant
program at Mt. St Mary.
The mission of the Ulster County Comptrollers Office is to serve as an independent agency of the people and to protect the public interest by
monitoring County government and to assess and report on the degree to which its operation is economical, efficient and its financial condition
sound.



WOODSTOCK DAY SCHOOL-KATIE WALGAMUTH: Katie was the
impetus behind the MODEL ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES by
organizing and raising funds to send a delegation to Washington DC where she
served as a Chief Delegate. There she practiced her skills in diplomacy,
cooperation and negotiation as a representative of this hemispheric body that
brings together the democratically elected leaders of the Americas to discuss
issues around human rights, security and development. Her mantra, something
we all should learn, is to take advantage of what you have here She will be
studying environmental science at BOSTON UNIVERSITY in the Fall.





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