Bensonhurst
Congratulations to the Bishop Kearney High School students awarded the Michael Gordon Foundation scholarship. Kearney president Dr. Margaret Minson presented the scholarships — totaling $25,000 — to Lucille Spata, Annebelle Phanor, Ayana Bridgemen, Nydia Beckles, Jenna Gonzalez, Christina Tadros, Eynique Waterman, Kristen Coughlin, Maria Doubov, Marla Perez, and Ayesha Phillips.
Michael Gordon, a native of Hungary, worked and studied in haute couture design houses in France but always dreamed of coming to the United States. He arrived in 1951 and became famous throughout the industry for his designer handbags. Gordon never forgot his humble beginnings, and in 1991 he established the Michael Gordon Foundation with the mission of aiding children under the age of 18 in areas of education, health, and welfare. The designing philanthropist passed away in 1998 — now his legacy continues through the foundation’s work and in the lives of the young people he has supported.
Standing O offers congratulations to all the students who are so recognized for their hard work and scholastic achievement.
Bishop Kearney High School [2202 60th St. at Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst, (718) 236–6363].
Bay Ridge
NCIS Clippers
Hats off the Xaverian Clippers for acing the second Brooklyn-Queens Catholic Forensics League tournament on Oct. 24.
The team had the highest point totals for combined speech, debate, and student congress. For the Clippers, it was the culmination of a year’s worth of planning and practice.
Just three short years ago, the team was made up of three members — current captains and seniors Will Kay, Isaac Jean-Francois, and Nick Duca. Since then, the team has grown to include 47 members.
After spending all summer working on memorizing and preparing, Xaverian opened the season competing at the prestigious Yale Invitational in September. Senior Isaac Jean-Francois finished fourth in Original Oratory in the tournament. The Clippers came away with seven first-place finishes, two sweeps of the top three places in an individual event, and two undefeated debate teams in the last two tournaments.
Reflecting on the team’s recent successes, Forensics moderator Brendan Gorman ’04, said, “For several years now, but especially during the beginning of this year, I have been proud to coach this amazing group of young men. The amount of work they have put into preparing for this season has been awe inspiring. They are a rare group that recognizes their own potential and are willing to put in the work it takes to realize it. They are truly an extraordinary group of young men.”
Xaverian High School [7100 Shore Rd. at 71st Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 836–7100].
Bushwick
Snip, snip, hooray
Welcome to the New York Memory Center, which officially opened its doors on Oct. 21. The center will provide much-needed services to those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This center is the second location in Brooklyn, joining a Park Slope site that provides affordable services, arts programs, and education to those living with dementia.
The disease significantly impacts every family, but recent research has found that communities with less access to services — such as Bushwick — are harder hit. If programs for those living with various forms of dementia are not sensitive to families living in these diverse communities, such programs cannot effectively assist them and their caregivers.
Guests at the opening included councilmen Antonio Reynoso (D–Bushwick) and Rafael Espinal, (D–Bushwick), caregivers, clients, health care providers, and community partners.
New York Memory Center [1143-45 Dekalb Ave. in Bushwick, (718) 499–7701].
