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By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Bay Ridge
Congratulations are in order for Xaverian High School Eagle Scouts Theodore Veroutis ’14, Vincent Mangano ’15, Nicholas Gangemi ’14, Peter DiSalvo ’14, Dimitri Leonardos ’14, and George Raiola ’14, who have earned their wings after completing their community service projects.
The scouts had great inspiration from faculty member John Hendricks, who gained his Eagle Scout wings in the Spring of 2001 by creating the “Use, Don’t Abuse” video with the Volunteer Fire Department in Lynbrook, New York.
The exemplary scouts were awarded the coveted rank and presented medals and badges recognizing their accomplishments.
Standing O sends shout-outs to these outstanding young men for a job well done.
Xaverian High School [7100 Shore Rd. at 71st Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 759–5728].
Borough Wide
Who’s the boss?
Tony Danza is when he joins the board of New York City’s Police Athletic League. Our pal Tony will focus his energies and his borough savvy in strengthening the relationships between the city’s youth and the police department. And as we all know he is uniquely qualified. Not only a borough son, but a former member of the PAL himself, “He brings tremendous energy and passion for the children and the communities served by PAL and the NYPD,” said Commissioner William Bratton.
The president of the board of PAL added his accolades for our Tony, and said, “He is New York. I think he’s a great addition to PAL, which helps young people achieve their fullest potential,” confirmed John Osborn
Tony added his joy at being a part of such a great gig and said, “I love our city and I love our city’s kids. I’m so excited to be part of the effort. For a former PAL kid from Cypress Hills it’s really like coming home.”
You ain’t kidding — welcome home, Tony!
East New York
100 candles and counting
Put your hands together for Temporah Jones Williams, who turned 100 years. Temporah who is known as “Tempie” to friends and family is a resident at Kingsbrook’s Rutland Nursing Home and Adult Day Health Care Center was born on June 4, 1914 on the family farm in Millen, Georgia.
When she was 28, she married James Marshall Williams, moved to Savannah, Georgia, started a family, and then eventually moved to our fair burg about 60 years ago when she settled in Crown Heights. In 1990, Tempe joined the center, and has been there ever since.
“I opened this place and I’m still here” she said. “This is my spot.”
All of her friends, the staff, and medical specialists came and shared happy wishes with Tempe at the center that was filled with music, refreshments and dancing.
According to the staff, “Tempe is very optimistic, energetic, and a ‘ball of fire.’ ”
Standing O wishes Tempie a very happy birthday and many, many more.
Kingsbrook’s Rutland Nursing Home [585 Schenectady Ave. and Rutland Road in East New York, (718) 604–5000]
Flatbush
Move over the tassels
Three cheers and a stethoscope to Rochel Kassirer. The Flatbush native graduated summa cum laude and spoke as valedictorian of the Class of 2014 of the Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing in Manhattan.
Nurse Susan Somerville and president of Mount Sinai Beth Israel, addressed the new nurses at commencement and instructed them to “Do great things, large and small,” explaining, “Being a nurse prepared me for what I am doing today.”
Our pal Rochel, received the Seymour J. Phillips Award for highest scholastic achievement. In her speech she thanked her professors, classmates, friends and family including husband, Isaac, and their three children – Aliza, Cypora, and Ahuva, along with others who attended the graduation.
Rochel, has a bachelor of science degree and a holds a masters in Social Work from LIU in Brooklyn. She explained to Standing O why she wanted to add a nursing degree to her list of accomplishments.
“My field of interest is psychiatric nursing. I felt limited with my MSW thus, I decided to pursue a nursing degree so I would be able to do more for my patients/ clients.” She hopes to work in a hospital or primary care center.
Standing O wishes her a long and successful career!