South Side hosts Breakfast of Champions to recognize 'unsung heroes' in the school

The Breakfast of Champions program began as a way to recognize the “unsung heroes” at South Side High School, and over the past four years, it has grown into an annual tradition in which members of the faculty honor students who quietly and unassumingly exemplify what it means to be a Cyclone.

“We wanted to recognize all the great kids in our school who quietly go about their business, making this place better,” Principal Patrick Walsh said. “We wanted to make sure these students know that they were seen and that we appreciate all that they do for our building.”

Walsh spearheaded the program four years ago, when he was South Side’s assistant principal, to give teachers a chance to recognize some of the students who otherwise would have fallen under the radar. The 30 student honorees this year, were selected for demonstrating qualities such as responsibility, caring, fairness, respect, citizenship, and trustworthiness. 

Instead of their normal second-period classes, they were invited to a special breakfast on June 8, where they were recognized and presented with gifts for their contributions to the school.

Educators took turns at the podium, lauding the students for their efforts in the classroom.

Peter English, a Business Department facilitator and instructor who was instrumental in revitalizing the DECA club charter, nominated junior Jake Gillis, for pushing himself outside his comfort zone by getting involved in challenging programs such as college marketing and DECA.

“He never let those challenges hold him back,” English said of Gillis. “As he enters his senior year, this student will play a prominent role in DECA.”

English said that Gillis would compete in franchise business planning in the New York DECA career conference next March in Rochester.

School social worker Kelly O’Brien said that her honoree, Conor Stack, is an excellent student who is always kind to the people around him.

“He’s empathetic, and honestly cares about the well-being of others,” O’Brien said, adding that Stack went above and beyond this year to help a friend who was in need. “He creates a safe space for everyone around him to be their true, authentic self.”

O’Brien said that Stack has also shown dedication and professionalism as a morning news anchor for the school TV station, and is a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance, the role-playing games club, the chess club, the board game club, the video club, and the internet culture club.

South Side Teacher Taylor Arnakis said that her student honoree, freshman Kevin Rodriguez, will often set the tone for a comfortable, inclusive class environment by taking the risk to share his work or volunteer an answer, even if it’s wrong, and making others around him feel safe to do the same.

“He will come in early, stay late, and ask questions to do as well as he possibly can,” Arnakis said of Rodriguez. “Aside from being a diligent student, Kevin is one of the kindest and most thoughtful individuals I have come to know. No matter what is going on with him personally, he is always looking out for others.”

Arnakis said that he is a big help to students both academically — sharing notes, explaining assignments and helping his classmates — and personally — checking in with his peers when he senses a change in their mood or behavior.

“I love helping people,” Rodriguez said. “I always try to help and support anybody as much as possible.”

The students who were acknowledged for their contributions to the school included George Guale Angulo, Ella Aslan, Meave Britt, Aidan Callahan, Randy DelaRosa, Dominick Fresco, Bobby Galindo, John Gutierrez, Liam Hey, Ayden Jugraj, Ryan Kennedy, Michael Marmorale, Jonathan Martin, Michelle Milano, Margaret ‘Maggie’ Miller, Naz Mims, Matt Monroy, Mia Reisert, Charlotte Rockafort, Luke Schauf, Molly Schieck, Harry Sciallis, Jack Shrimpton, Joseph Souto, Luke Travers, Krismar Veloz Victoriano, and Vici Enzo Voltaggio.

Faculty and staff members who submitted nominations included Walsh, social worker Nicole Knorr, Assistant Principal Liz Nisler, Phys. ed. instructor Liz Marshall, school counselor Alex Foukalas, coach Jerry D’Angelo, greenhouse instructor Alia Frassa, social worker Jennifer Sedler, and teachers Theresa Cohen, Katie Mark, Kelly Cross, Dan Ferrick, Angela Tarquinio, Melissa Lamoureax, Vincent Falivene, Alia Frassa, Marissa Buckley, Jen Sullivan, Katie Friel, Tom Hessel, Silvia Bonanno, Margaret Kelly and Sheena Koroveshi.