Ossining Honors Two Students of Distinction

It was a special night for the Ossining Union Free School District when the Board of Education honored not one, but two, Students of Distinction at its meeting last Wednesday.

Ossining High School students Dan Cavanagh and Julie Fuzessery, both of whom attend programs at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, were presented with certificates of achievement in recognition of their “outstanding leadership skills, academic progress and community spirit.” The students also received medals of honor for their accomplishments.

The first honoree of the evening was Cavanagh, a Tech Center student who was nominated for the Student of Distinction award by his teacher Kevin Berge. A second year student, Cavanagh excels at auto mechanics and is well on his way to a successful career in the field.

“Dan is a hard worker with golden behavior,” said Career Academy Principal James Bellucci, who presented Cavanagh with his awards. “He is always there for his teachers and other students.”

Cavanagh was accompanied to the award ceremony by his mother, father and two sisters.

“We are extremely proud of Dan,” said Jim Cavanagh, Dan’s father. “He’s worked very hard and enjoyed himself [at the Tech Center]. He just loves it and we’d like to thank his teacher, Mr. Berge. He’s been really helpful.”

The second honoree of the evening, Julie Fuzessery, is a student in BOCES’ Walkabout Program, which is a highly selective, experientially-oriented program for college-bound seniors in the region. Fuzessery was described as an “enthusiastic participant” in the Walkabout community, a leader in the classroom and a supporter of her peers.

Fuzessery also was recognized for her service learning and internship project, which allowed her to pursue her passion for working with animals at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem. There Fuzessery labored in the cold, maintained wolf dens, assisted with the capture and care of the wolves and taught school children about these animals.

In addition to her work at the Wolf Conservation Center, Fuzessery also completed internships at the Briarcliff SPCA, the Golden’s Bridge Veterinary Hospital and at the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

“Julie is a gracious and generous person and an eager, hardworking student,” said Rob Angiello, a Team Leader and English teacher at Walkabout who presented Fuzessery with her award at the meeting. “It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to publicly recognize such an outstanding young woman for all of her achievements.”

Fuzessery was accompanied to the award ceremony by her mother, father, and close friend.

“I am so proud of her, you have no idea,” said Jackie Fuzessery, Julie’s mother. “She’s worked so hard.”