Friday, April 25, 2025
South Side High School students and staff came together to enjoy the sixth annual Breakfast of Champions to honor the 41 “unsung heroes” of South Side.
“Breakfast of Champions is a program that was brought to our school to honor those students who are always doing the right thing,” Patrick Walsh, South Side High School principal, said, “always looking out for others and making our school a better place.”
The program was launched at the high school six years ago to celebrate the “unsung heroes” in the classroom, and students that show up in ways besides academics and athletics. This annual tradition has grown over time, with more faculty members recognizing students who quietly and humbly embody what it means to be a true “champion” among their peers.
“It’s grown in support over the years because we see how positive an impact it has on our school community,” Walsh said, “and how important it is to recognize students who are always doing the right thing.”
This year, students were honored for exhibiting a variety of qualities, including respect towards others, responsibility, kindness, fairness, trustworthiness, and citizenship. Instead of attending their usual second and third-period classes, the student nominees were invited to a special breakfast on March 18, where they were celebrated and given gifts in recognition of their positive impact on the school.
Educators took turns at the podium, commending the students for their dedication and hard work in the classroom and within the South Side community. Each celebrated student was also given a gift bag with a T-shirt, coffee mug and a $5 gift card to Rockville Bagels on N Long Beach Road.
Freshman Tommy Schwartz was nominated by his teacher, Marisa Buckley, for being “a model student” who brings joy and humor to the classroom.
“He keeps us all in check all the time with his schedule, and he’s a great friend to all his classmates,” Buckley said.
Amalia Breen, a junior, was nominated by world language teacher Katie Friel, who described her as “respectful,” “mature” and a “talented” member of the theater program who always balances her work and responsibilities.
“It’s when nobody’s looking and there’s no reward at stake, she’s always doing what is right,” Friel said.
Senior Melkis Lopez was nominated by his social studies teacher, David Shotwell, who taught him all four years at South Side.
“Melkis is, simply put, the kindest, most generous and most respectful person I have ever met,” Shotwell said. “I wish the entire world had a chance to know a Melkis Lopez, and I found myself very lucky to have had that chance.”
Chesler Dortely, a senior, arrived at South Side halfway through his junior year from Haiti with limited English, but he impressed teachers Angela Tarquinio and Alexandra Foukalas so much that they both nominated him as a “champion.”
“He always shows determination and knows that he has the ability to accomplish anything he puts his mind to,” Tarquinio said. “Chesler has learned that our thoughts become our reality, and he makes an active choice every day to choose joy and lives his life in a state of gratitude, regardless of what is happening around him.”
Dortely made the effort to become a part of the South Side community, Foukalas said, not only by focusing on his academics but also by joining extracurricular activities and athletics.
“He has made such a lasting impression on everybody, from students to staff to administration,” Foukalas said. “He always greets everyone with a smile and demonstrates such kindness.”
Other students acknowledged for their contributions to the school at the breakfast were Graycen Adesso, Alexandra Burgie, Anthony Caracappa, Isabella Castillo, Antoyne Chess, Bobbie Creo, Mia DiSalvo, Enrique Dorrego, Hazel Drake, Christian Garces, Cooper Goldspiel, Ryan Healy, Kira Hill, James Hubler, Lily Iandiorio, Sophia Jackson, Etahn Johnson, Bryce Keitt, Mikaela Lewis, Jake Lynaugh, Alexa Lyons, George Mateo, Olivia McCutchan, Paige McDaid, Makayla McNeill, Jadyn Morales, Lyla Murphy, Joseph Patafio, Morgan Pfeifer, Taylor Reed, Travis Rose, Sienna Scarpelli, Anthony Silecchia, Grace Thangavelu, Ervin Valle, Grace Walter and Rory Zukerman.
