• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2014. 

• During her time at PVHS, she was a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, the World Language Club, and the Make a Difference Club, for which she was the secretary.

• She was also a member of the National Honor Society and the Science, Math, English, and Spanish Honor Societies.   

• In sports, she was a member of the Varsity Track and Field team as well as being a member of the Varsity Field Hockey team, for which she was the Co-Captain. 

• In 2018, she graduated from the University of Buffalo with two degrees- a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, for which she graduated with honors.  

• As a result, she received the Biochemistry Outstanding Senior Award.  

• She then took 2 gap years where she received her EMT certification and became a scribe at City MD Urgent Care, where she was immersing herself in the medical field with patient contact. 

• In 2020, she was accepted to Upstate Medical University’s Norton College of Medicine in Syracuse.  

• While there, she studied to become a doctor, engaged in mentorships, where she organized Medmentors and matched first-year medical students with second-year medical students to help them adjust to the rigors of medical school.  

• It is at this time that she received the Change Scholarship, which is awarded to 4th-year medical students who engage in health advocacy projects within the community.   

• In 2020, she was the recipient of the Health Profession Scholarship Program, where she became a commissioned officer of the US Navy. Her title is currently Lieutenant. 

•  In 2024, she graduated from medical school and entered a 1-year general surgery residency at Rutgers Health Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ, where she is currently a General Surgery Resident Physician.  

• This past March, she matched into an Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program at Boston University Medical Center, where she will complete her residency training and plans to pursue a Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgical fellowship.

-Please join me in welcoming our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Andrulisa Jones.

Good evening, everyone.

First and foremost—to all the students here tonight—congratulations. This is no small feat. Your families, your friends, your mentors, and most importantly, you should be incredibly proud.

I still remember what it felt like to sit where you are now. In 2013, I was buzzing with excitement, reflecting on my journey and soaking in the energy of that moment—just like many of you are doing tonight. My mind was flooded with memories from these very halls—color wars with hallways lit in orange, green, pink, and yellow, homecoming games, powder puff football, track meets and learning where everyone was going to college. And yes, in my junior year I was even the runner up in the sumo wrestling competition during color wars—don’t let the white coat fool you.

These moments were incredible milestones. But more importantly, it was a reminder of what led me there: hard work, resilience, service, and character—the same pillars you’ve all embodied to be inducted into the National Honor Society today. All that to say: take a moment to pause, reflect, and be proud of how far you’ve come. Celebrate the wins that brought you to this moment.

Now, I’d like to share a bit of my unofficial bio—the one that doesn’t go on a résumé. Because behind every title—now Doctor—are the lessons, stumbles, and stories that truly define us.

I’ll start with the first pillar: SCHOLARSHIP — Staying Curious and Asking for Help

Sometimes in life, it’s important to realize you’re not failing—life is just redirecting you.

The reason you’re sitting here today is because you’ve put in the work. You push through when things get tough. You strive for excellence.

Throughout my medical journey, I’ve learned that hard work doesn’t always yield instant results, but it always builds something important. I didn’t match into general surgery the first time I applied. I was crushed—but I kept going. I worked harder, earned strong recommendations, reflected deeply, and matched this year in a field I love involving my two passions: women’s health and surgery. With this in mind – I view rejection as simply redirecting me to something even greater and I encourage you to do the same. 

As someone who was a type A student, I’ll admit—college hit me hard. Biochemistry, calculus, organic chemistry… they humbled me. Even while studying for my medical board exams, I leaned heavily on tutors, group study, office hours, visual aids—whatever it took. And that’s the point: it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to ask for help. Learning how to lean into your support system is just as important as any academic skill. It’s something that will carry you well into adulthood.

And sometimes, life throws you into chaos—literally.

Which brings us to the next pillar: LEADERSHIP — Making a Seat at the Table

During my trauma surgery rotation, I found myself as a 5’4” [and a half] intern with a soft voice, trying to command a room full of noise—EMTs shouting reports, nurses placing IVs, family members waiting anxiously just outside the curtain. It was my job to lead the patient interview, assess their neurological status, communicate with my team, and advocate for the right care plan. In the trauma bay and operating room, attention to detail is everything. It may not always look like a McDreamy “Grey’s Anatomy” scene—but the stakes are very real. Every small step matters. I had to speak up. Loudly. Clearly. Confidently. That didn't happen overnight. It took time, feedback, and watching others lead with grace under pressure. Eventually, I found my rhythm—and learned to advocate for myself in rooms where I could’ve easily faded into the background. 

If you ever feel like there isn’t a seat for you at the table—make one. Take up space. You are your best advocate. You belong in the rooms you enter.

Now, onto COMMUNITY SERVICE — Living Beyond Yourself

During my junior year of college, I traveled to Honduras for a medical mission trip. I spent spring break fully immersed in a new culture, helping set up a pop-up clinic for a rural community where people traveled hundreds of miles to access basic care.

We also completed a service project: building an outflow chimney for a family whose indoor stove smoke had been causing lung issues—especially for an elderly woman in fragile health.

Despite our language barrier, she welcomed us like family. She taught us how to care for her chickens, walked us through her garden, and even sat with us to watch romantic telenovelas. After the work was done, she held my face in her hands and called us blessings.

If you get the opportunity to experience another culture, take it. Let it change you. Let it humble you. Let it teach you about your own values. That experience reminded me: connection doesn’t always require words. 

It requires presence. Compassion. A willingness to serve.

Lastly, I’d like to end with my personal favorite pillar: CHARACTER — Who You Are When Life Tests You

Character isn’t formed only in the good times. 2022 was one of the hardest years of my life. While in the middle of my clinical rotations, I faced a chronic illness and underwent major surgery. My time off was short, but in that space, I learned how important it is to lean into joy, even in recovery. Movie marathons with my sisters. Family dinners. Laughter between pain. It reminded me that humanity isn’t something we add on to success—it’s the root of it. A few months following my surgery, as many of you know, my sisters were in a car accident by an intoxicated driver and it turned all of our lives around. I was in the middle of my OB/GYN rotation when I received the call to go home. That moment changed everything. The most devastating result of the accident is Emily’s traumatic brain injury (TBI), which has left her needing round-the-clock care. Our family’s world changed in an instant. Although we remain hopeful about her recovery, these past two years have been incredibly difficult for our family—emotionally, physically and mentally. 

There were countless moments at her bedside in the ICU when I seriously considered taking a leave of absence from medical school to become her primary caregiver. I traveled back and forth relentlessly between my program in Upstate New York and the rehab center in Westchester—striving to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor while also trying to offer my family some semblance of stability and comfort. That season of life tested everything: my strength, my sense of self, and my belief in whether I could still become the physician I had worked so hard to be. In the quiet moments alone, I had to coach myself through tears, lean on loved ones for support, and find the courage to keep moving forward. With the unwavering support of my parents—their strength and belief in me—I was able to graduate the following year. I’m deeply grateful for that experience, because it now allows me to connect meaningfully with families facing similar hardships. These shared moments have helped forge powerful connections between myself and my patients. But character isn’t forged in ease. It’s shaped in the defining moments—when no one is watching and you choose to keep showing up anyway.

I’m the oldest child in my family, and with that comes a fair amount of responsibility. But being the eldest also taught me the value of learning from everyone, no matter their age or role in your life. Some of my greatest lessons didn’t come from textbooks or mentors—they came from my sisters, Caitlin and Emily. These two have shaped my heart more than I can explain.

From Caitlin, I learned boldness. She dances like the world is hers—and watching someone fully live out their passion is a beautiful, infectious thing. Finding your own passion might take trial and error, but lean into that journey. You’ll find your thing. And when you do? Dive in.

From Emily, I learned resilience—and what it means to be deeply, unshakably kind. She was a powerhouse of motion and joy, a gymnast since the age of four, never still, always loving fiercely. She has a heart of gold and always stood up for the ones who couldn’t stand up for themselves. 

After her accident, her legacy became a guide for me. Whenever I find myself in dark, uncertain moments, I channel the strength she lived with every day. Even now, Emily is the one who gives me the strength to keep going—and to stand before you today. She found joy in life, and I carry that joy with me every day.

I urge you to do the same: be bold, be kind, love deeply, and advocate fiercely—for yourself and for others.

So, to all of you: as the newest inductees into Putnam Valley’s National Honor Society, and as future college students, leaders, artists, scientists, advocates—humans—I want you to remember:

Make choices with purpose.
Define your superpowers.
Build meaningful relationships.
Be willing to stumble.
Ask for help.
Make space for others—and take space for yourself.

And above all:
Do it afraid. Do it scared. Do it absolutely terrified.
But do it anyway.

Never lose touch with your humanity. And never stop celebrating yourself.

Thank you—and congratulations again. I can't wait to hear your stories someday.

• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2012.

• During her time at PVHS, she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. 

• She was also the President of Students Against Destructive Decisions, a dedicated all-section and all-league athlete on the Varsity Volleyball team, and senior prom queen. 

• In 2016, she graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a specialty in Broadcast.  

• She spent several years as a corporate communications professional at Comcast Corporation, where she managed and implemented strategic programming to elevate Comcast NBC Universal’s brand reputation.

• In 2020, she played an integral role in the development and execution of  Comcast NBCUniversal’s communication strategy to advance social justice, equality, and evolving diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

• In 2021 she joined Sony Music Group’s inaugural Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion team as a Director. In that role, she supported the expansion and execution of equity, and inclusion initiatives, policies, and strategies across Sony Music Group’s global recorded music, publishing, and corporate division.

•  During her tenure, she was a key driver in the development, launch, and implementation of strategic initiatives including the Sony Music Group Fellowship, which provided young professionals from historically marginalized backgrounds with working experience in the music industry.

• She is currently the Global Community DEI Programs Lead at TikTok, where she is responsible for developing program frameworks to address the challenge of scaled representation and satisfaction across the platform’s global community with a focus on underrepresented communities.

• She was recently named to the University of Maryland’s Terrapin’s Club 30 Under 30 list and played a key role in launching the University of Maryland’s Student Success Service Leadership Scholarship, which provides financial support for students who have demonstrated a commitment to the Black community.

Good evening! I am so honored to be here for tonight’s National Honor Society induction, sharing the stage with this year’s incredible class of PVHS students and inductees.

Growing up in Putnam Valley was an unforgettable experience - summers on Oscawana Lake, late nights at The Mohegan Dinner, and the moments I’ll never forget at PVHS - like being the first senior class to lose color wars. Over a decade ago, I was sitting in your exact seats, probably emailing Ms. Penta to coordinate the latest fundraiser for SADD, or to ask for an extension on my [Great Gatsby] book report. So it feels pretty full circle to be back and thank you Ms. Penta for the invitation - it was such a treat to open my email to see this latest assignment.

As I refreshed myself with the mission and purpose of the National Honor Society, I was reminded that the organization empowers, champions, and recognizes well-rounded students. Students who embody leadership, scholarship, service, and character - four qualities which you have clearly demonstrated and are being recognized for tonight. Congratulations, this is truly just the beginning.

So tonight, I’ll share a little bit about the path to the destination I’ve arrived at today, where I get to operate at the intersection of my passion and purpose daily, while scrolling TikTok for hours without repercussions. 

Unbeknownst to me, the seeds for much of my career journey, including my passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, developed right here in Putnam Valley.

It was here, at PVHS, as president of Students Against Destructive Decisions and captain of the volleyball team, where I had my first experiences being a leader.

It here, at PVHS, with hours long study sessions for Mrs. Lee’s chemistry tests and 10 page essays for AP lit with Mr. Lathrop, where I developed an appreciation for education and the importance of scholarship.

It was here, with the help of the NHS community service requirement, that I discovered my interest in serving, supporting, and championing underserved and under-resourced communities.

And it was here, at PVHS, among an incredible community of peers, teachers, and faculty from all backgrounds, that I developed the core parts of my character, character that was also shaped by my parents who are in the audience supporting me tonight - thanks mom and dad.

With roots planted at PVHS, this set of guiding set principles have become my north star. The firmly held set of values and beliefs I refer back to every time I am faced with a major challenge, or in those moments where I am the only women, only person of color, or the youngest in the room and the feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome start to kick in.

As the next generation of brilliant and talented PVHS graduates and NHS scholars, I’d like to share these principles with you, in hopes they will inspire you to identify, define, establish, and evolve - your own core principles.

The first is: Do nothing without intention

I’ve had the pleasure of being mentored by some really incredible professionals in my career and one of my favorite learnings from them is to define your personal mission statement

-       How do you define your mission?

-       What does achieving that mission look like for you?

-       What steps are you going to take to bring it to life?

For me, my goal is to use my knowledge, my skillset, and my position to advance equitable initiatives for as many underrepresented individuals and communities as possible. And concurrently, I want to pour into and bring as many young women along for that journey as possible.

Time is precious, do nothing without intention! Make sure your daily, weekly, monthly actions are contributing to your overarching goals. At the end of the day, the hours count and your life’s work will be reflective of the hours you invested.

The second is: Do nothing in isolation.

Community is the core. Individual well-being is enduringly bound to our collective well being. I can’t emphasize this enough. There is nothing I have done in my career without support, insight, feedback, inspiration, or encouragement from a member of my community - from mentors, to family, to my sorority sisters, bosses, and teammates - we go further when we go together.  Do nothing in isolation. And with that being said, spend a considerable amount of time and energy making sure you have individuals who support, uplift, and in general are aligned with your vision. Many of you are lucky enough to have those very individuals sitting next to you tonight.

With your purpose outlined (step 1), your community fostered and aligned to the vision (step 2)...

The final step is to: Do it scared.

When our parents turn on the TV, and any time we get on TikTok we often hear stories about the legends, icons, and geniuses of our time being ‘fearless’. For a long time, I subscribed to the notion that the best and greatest things happen in the absence of fear. But after about 7 years of true adulting - filled with many moments  where I’ve had to sit with myself, recognize I was candidly terrified of my next step, but continued to push forward. I’ve realized that the most incredible moments, ideas, and initiatives are achieved when people have a solid - at times daunting - amount of fear, but they commit to the challenge anyway.

To me, being ‘fearless’ really means giving yourself the space and flexibility to fully feel the fear, the anxiety - and maybe even to hesitate - but to do it anyway.

I am so excited to see how this class of brilliant NHS students changes the world. Thank you so much for having me! 

• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2007. 

• During her senior year she had the honor of being the only 12th grader selected for the Walkabout program. This was an interactive learning program that prepared students for the real world by teaching life skills through internships and community service

• In 2011, she graduated from Manhattanville College with a Bachelor in English and a minor in Psychology.

• After deciding to pursue a career in fashion, it was her strength in communication skills and writing that landed her a corporate job at Ralph Lauren.  

• In 2012, she decided to go into visual merchandising which was her life dream. In order to get started she worked in retail at Club Monaco at the Westchester Mall. She was promoted within a year and opened the Club Monaco global flagship store in Fifth Avenue. 

• In 2014, she became the senior visual manager for the fashion designer, Elie Tahari.

• As a result, she went from being New York based to a global scale where she was responsible for giving direction to hundreds of stores and traveling all over the United States as well as London and Paris to orchestrate store openings and set up showrooms for fashion week

• In 2017, she got a job with Cartier, one of the most prestigious fine jewelry companies in the world, as a visual manager for North America. She continued to travel and open stores displaying fine jewelry, watches and accessories. 

• After working in visual merchandising for nearly a decade, she decided to leave the luxury fashion world to go after her dream of opening her very own vintage clothing shop in Cold Spring, NY called DamnAged Vintage. 

• All of the pieces are hand selected from all over the world and the store is thriving in business during a global pandemic.

Hello Everyone! 

What an honor it is to celebrate your success and welcome you into the National Honor Society! Thank you to Ms. Penta for this amazing opportunity.

I would like to share with you my journey of hard work and perseverance that ultimately led to creating a dream job for myself. The big take away here; always believe in your vision.

I had a bit of an unconventional academic path. School didn’t come easy for me, in fact I struggled all throughout elementary, middle and high school. I was not a bad student, I just had a different way of learning and retaining information. I was very much a visual learner which would later benefit me in my professional life. 

As I finished my junior year at Putnam Valley High School, I decided to apply to an alternative program called Walkabout. Walkabout was a full-year program for college-bound seniors to help build confidence, a sense of direction and skills for college and life. Putnam Valley funded one student from our grade, and I was that one lucky student. I left Putnam Valley High School after 12 years with my peers to attend a program with 54 strangers from all over Putnam and Westchester County. A challenge that would for sure take me out of my comfort zone and help give me a sense of direction in life.

Walkabout helped me explore career options through internships and community service. I ended up with an internship at BOCES Walden School, working with severely disabled children. I enjoyed my time there so much that I ended up at Manhattanville College to pursue a career in special education. As someone who struggled in school, I decided that I wanted to go into education to help others. 

I was accepted into a graduate program that allowed me to chip away at my master’s in childhood education and special education while working on my bachelor’s in English and a minor in psychology. 

As I finished up my junior year of college, I felt very unfulfilled. I enjoyed my English and art classes way more than I did my education classes. My interests were shifting as I was learning more about myself, my strengths and what I truly wanted in life. The more I thought about a career in education, the less I could envision myself as a teacher. I started to feel anxious about student teaching and began rethinking my career path. I felt I had just wasted so much time and money on a degree that I no longer wanted to complete. 

I was 20 years old and always had a strong interest in fashion, but had no prior experience. 

I started to see myself working in fashion which became a big piece of the puzzle. If you can see it, you can do anything, but you have to believe in yourself.

I had just spent the last 3 years studying education and everything I did outside of school pertained to my degree in education. 

My grandmother once told me, “If you could write, you could do anything.” Her words of wisdom stuck with me and is what gave me the courage to follow my dreams.

It all happened very fast. I withdrew from my master’s and was able to graduate on time with a bachelor’s in English and a minor in psychology. I remember the doubts, the comments, “What are you going to do with a British literature degree? Who is going to hire you?” But I kept pushing forward and continued to believe in my plan.

 Since I was a good writer, I started to apply for jobs in editorial, taking anything that came my way. I knew I had to start somewhere. Right out of college I wrote for fashion blogs and local newspapers. The jobs were unpaid, but it was the experience that I needed to build my resume. I realized that working in the field was the best form of education.

After 4 months of unpaid work, I knew I had to make moves. I didn’t really know what the fashion industry had to offer in terms of jobs, but I knew there was a place for me. The only way to figure out what opportunities were available was to put myself out there which was terrifying, but also exhilarating. 

I started networking with anyone that had any connection to the industry. Interview after interview, failure after failure, I kept trying. Interviewing is like exercising a muscle, the more you do it, the stronger you get.

Finally, someone knew someone at Ralph Lauren. I went in for a total of 8 interviews and on the last interview, I landed a job as the assistant merchandiser for South America. It was a temporary job filling in for someone on maternity leave, but it was a start that would help me find my way into what I love and do now.

I spent the next 8 months working in a role that was completely new to me and it wasn’t easy. The language, the computer programs, the corporate environment; I was starting from square one. But every day I showed up and went above and beyond what was asked of me. I taught myself how to use Excel, how to create presentations for my boss; I stayed late and worked well beyond my 40 hours a week. Never underestimate the power of hard work.

Part of this job required me to take photos of clothes and accessories in the Ralph Lauren showroom. Stepping into this showroom was like stepping into an alternate universe. They were spackling, painting and listening to music while playing with clothes. It looked like a dream!

It was through this temp job that I learned about an industry called visual merchandising. I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do, and I had to figure out how to get there. Visual merchandising is the way in which we display product. It’s an art and it’s what attracts customers to buy. I had finally found something I wanted to do.

As my temp job came to an end, my boss asked me where I saw myself next. I told him I wanted to work in visual merchandising. He told me that I would have to go into retail since I had no experience in the field. He set me up with two interviews. One was with the head of showroom design at RL and the other was working for Club Monaco as a Store Experience Manager at a mall.

The interview with the head of showroom design was so out of my league but I went anyway to pick his brain about the industry. One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given was this, “Advice is free.” This always stuck with me because any time I interviewed and had the opportunity to be face-to-face with an executive or someone my senior, I asked questions. It never hurts.

I ended up getting the job as the Store Experience Manager for Club Monaco at the Westchester Mall. I thought to myself, I am a college graduate, I worked in corporate and now I am working at a mall? Looking back on this I realize that sometimes in order to move forward you have to take a few steps back. It was at this job that I learned everything about creating beautiful spaces. I learned about color stories and outfitting, styling mannequins, installing window installations, how to orchestrate a store opening and closing. I had a wonderful boss who took me under his wing and believed in me.

In less than a year, I was promoted and transferred to NYC to open up the global flagship store on Fifth Avenue. It was a dream come true. My dad always says, “You have to walk before you run.” And that I did! Once I got to Manhattan, it was only up from there.

After just a few years, I finally got a job in showroom design working alongside fashion designer, Elie Tahari. Two years later I landed a job as a visual merchandiser working for one of the most prestigious jewelry companies in the world that allowed me to travel all over the United States.

Fast forward to just a few years later, I took all of the skills that I learned in the workplace and applied them to my own life. I decided that it was time to open my own store. I left my job with Cartier, started to collect vintage clothes and began selling them out of my apartment. I started marketing them on Instagram and took private appointments in my tiny space. As I outgrew the city, I knew I had to move up north if I wanted to make this into a reality

Two years ago, despite the global pandemic, I opened up my very own vintage clothing store in Cold Spring, New York, called DamnAged Vintage. I always had an interest in vintage clothing, but it was the skills that I learned in each job that gave me the tools and confidence to open up my very own space.

Remember, you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it, you just have to believe in yourself.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my story. I wish you all the very best on your future endeavors! Stay true to yourself and your vision, work hard because someone is always watching and don’t ever settle for anything less than what you want!

Good Luck!

The Keynote Speaker for the 2019 PVHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony is Alyssa Marsico.      

• She was the salutatorian and graduate of Putnam Valley High School's class of 2007.

• During her time at PVHS, she was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as Mu Alpha Theta (the Math National Honor Society) and the Spanish Honor Society. She was also a member of the Make a Difference Club and Stage Crew. She enjoyed tutoring our elementary students in Math. 

• In 2011, she graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a Minor in Math.

• After graduation she immediately entered a PHD program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. (UMASS AMHERST) where she received a PHD in Chemistry in 2016. 

• She is currently an Assistant Professor of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven.

• She loves teaching and truly enjoys being a role model especially to her female students who are pursuing a degree in the male dominated field of science.

• She also serves as an advisor to her students and encourages them to pursue their dreams. She enjoys helping her students figure out their classes as well as their career path even if it is not in the forensic field. She finds much joy and satisfaction in helping them pursue their dreams. 

 2017 Keynote Speaker

Alanis Gouvea

• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2014. 

• During her time here, she was the President of the Make A Difference Club and Vice President of Students Against Destructive Decisions. 

• She is currently an undergrad at SUNY Albany where she is pursuing a Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemistry because she plans on becoming  a forensic scientist. 

• She has interned at the Wadsworth Center in Albany, which is the research-intensive public health laboratory of the New York State Department of Health. 

• She has also worked in the Department of Laboratories and Research in Westchester County.

• Currently she serves as a Resident Assistant at SUNY ALBANY and she is also the Vice President of the SUNY ALBANY Spanish Club. 

• She also works as a Program Assistant at the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, where she cares for young children. 

 2016 Keynote Speaker

Kristi Dini

• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2005. 

• She has the honor of having been the FIRST PVHS President of Student Government.

• During her time here, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and the Make A Difference Club, as well as being a member of the Field Hockey and Basketball teams.

• During her senior year she scored 1,396 points in Varsity Basketball.

• In 2004 and 2005, she was the Section One Player of the Year in Basketball.

• She was also awarded the All Section, All League and All State from 2003 to 2005 in Basketball. 

• After high school she was awarded a full scholarship to Boston University where she graduated in 2009 with a major in Health Sciences.

• During her senior year at BU she was a Regular Season Undefeated Conference Champion.

• She led the NCAA in Three Point Shots Made and was the Number One Three Point Shooter in the Nation.

• After college she played professional basketball for one season in Germany. 

• Upon her return she started training kids in basketball and working with different teams. 

• This led her to start her own Amateur Athletic Union Basketball team.

• Currently her program now consists of 30 teams consisting of both boys and girls from fourth to eleventh grade.

• This is her fifth season of working with AAU where strong teams and kids play all over the country because of her leadership.   

 2015 Keynote Speaker

Frank Rush

• He was one of the first students to walk through the doors of the BRAND NEW PVHS in 2000, when the student body consisted of only 8th and 9th graders.

• He quickly became a student leader as an 8th grader and by the time he graduated in 2005, he had gained a reputation for being an outstanding role model. He and his grade were underclassman and an upperclassman at the same time,  8th graders but a varsity player at the same time.  That first student body assumed many roles and grew with this high school from its birth to toddlerhood, to now 15 years later, young adulthood. He was a shining example of a PV graduate.  

• During his time at PV, he was a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Tri-M Music Society, the Make A Difference Club, as well as being a member of the Football and Golf team.

• Since the age of 16, he has been a volunteer member of the Putnam Valley Fire Department. 

• For his Eagle Scout Project, he created a 911 Memorial in our PV Town Park with steel from the Twin Towers site.

• In 2005, he attended SUNY Albany and in 2006, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

• During his first tour, he served with Marine Corp Forces Special Operations Command.  

• In 2010, he became a MV22 Osprey Air Crew member and was deployed in the Middle East from 2012-2013. 

• Just this past January, 2015, he was recognized nationally as the “ANGEL MARINE AT GRAND CENTRAL STATION”. You may recall the headline and the story of a passerby who saved the life of a traveler in Grand Central Station.

•  He is a PV Alumni and Hero.

 2014 Keynote Speaker

Jenna Isabella

• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2009.

• During her time here, she was the Vice-President of the National Honor Society, a Member of the Make A Difference Club, the World Language Club, PVHS Theatreworks, Model Congress, as well as being a  member of the Volleyball and Swim team.

• In 2013, she graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theology.

• While pursuing her degree, she was a dedicated member of the Women’s Choir, University Band, President of the Theatrical OutReach Program, served as a Tutor in the South Bronx, and was a member of the Yearbook Staff.

• As a result of her hard work she received recognition at Fordham by being inducted into Phi Delta Kappa, the International Honor Society for Teachers. 

• In January 2014, she returned to PVHS as a student teacher in the English department.

• She has said about her experience, “I have come full circle working with teachers I admired and who gave me a great foundation for education.” 

 2013 Keynote Speaker

Bailey O'Brien

• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2007.

• During her time here, she was the Treasurer of the National Honor Society, a Member of the Make A Difference Club, and a member of the Swim Team.

• In 2013, she graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science.

• While pursuing her degree, she was a dedicated member of the Boston University Swim and Dive Team.

• As a result of her hard work she received recognition for two years in a row as the recipient of Boston University’s Most Inspirational Swim and Dive Member.

• In October 2011, she earned the Eastern College Athletic Conference Award of Valor.

• This honor is given annually to student-athletes whose courage, motivation and relentless determination serves as an inspiration to all. 

 2012 Keynote Speaker

Quinn Hurdle

The 2012 PVHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony 

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Quinn Hurdle.

• He was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2005. 

• He was the President of the Putnam Valley High School Student Government.

• In 2010, he graduated from American University in Washington D.C. with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

• While pursuing his degree he took advantage of his sense of duty to serve others. 

• He worked as an intern for the United States Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

• He also interned for Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

• In 2011, he received his Master’s Degree in Political Science.

• He is currently enrolled in Teach for America, an organization that is committed to the principle that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow.

 2011 Keynote Speaker

Nicholas Albano

• He was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2005. 

• He was the President of the Putnam Valley Chapter of the National Honor Society. 

• In 2009 he graduated summa cum laude from Lafayette College. 

• He just currently finished  his sophomore year at New York University School of Medicine where he is studying to become a doctor.

• She was a graduate of Putnam Valley High School’s Class of 2012. 

• During her time at PVHS, she was a member of the Make a Difference Club, the World Language Club, and Students Against Destructive Decisions, for which she was the secretary.  

• In 2016, she achieved the great accomplishment of having hiked Half Dome, a roughly 14-mile hike in Yosemite National Park in California. Half Dome is one of the most sought-after climbs for hikers. It rises 4,737 feet above Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 8,844 feet above sea level. 

• She overcame her fear of heights to achieve this personal victory. 

• In 2016, she graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor's in Finance and a minor in Accounting.

• She got a job in finance at Barnum Financial Group. 

• She started as a Client Service Associate. As a result, she created financial plans, opened new accounts, and did money transfers. 

• She was then promoted to Client Service Manager where she was responsible for members of a financial team. She helped resolve client and internal issues. 

• As a result, she gained valuable leadership and problem-solving skills. 

• In 2021, she realized that she did not want a career in finance and decided to pursue a career in Tax and Accounting.   

• She got a job at Trivium Point Advisory as a tax advisor where her responsibilities consisted of helping clients, bookkeeping, running payroll, and doing tax returns. 

• She is currently working on redesigning the tax process as well as completing her CPA, and finishing her masters in Accounting Data Analytics and Technology from Pace University. 

• She has passed three CPA exams and is awaiting the results of the 4th exam.