Wappingers Junior High inaugurates Jack Cortez Memorial citizenship award; several students honored

Wappingers Junior High School introduced the Jack Cortez Memorial Award for citizenship during its eighth-grade ceremony, naming multiple student recipients and presenting other academic honors.

The new Jack Cortez Memorial Award, created “in the memory of Jack Antonio Cortez,” recognizes students nominated by teachers for traits the school said Cortez exemplified, including determination, enthusiasm, empathy, honesty and thoughtfulness, Principal Thompson said. Principal Thompson noted that Cortez’s family was present for the inaugural presentation.

Recipients named during the ceremony included Chloe Licata Balone, Cole Masten, Lorenzo Weinberg and Bailey Magarelli, the school announced. The awards program also recognized top students in academic subjects: the English language arts award went to Zaidi Sanin; the world language and science awards were both announced for Nicholas Lochard; the mathematics award went to Alyssa Vanditto; the social studies award to Maggie Satterley; the New York State physical education awards went to Jonah Olmo and Julia Prieto; and the principal’s award was presented to Amaya Siddiq.

“These students were nominated by their teachers to receive this recognition, and we will continue to honor Jack’s memory through this award each and every year,” Principal Thompson said.

The school said the citizenship award will be presented annually and that nominees are teacher-selected. Teachers and school staff were credited with selecting recipients.

Technical problems interrupted a planned slideshow during the ceremony; Principal Thompson said the slideshow will be posted on the Wappingers Central School District website so family members and attendees can view it later.