Skip To Main Content

Portrait of a Graduate

Portrait of a Graduate Artwork

The Portrait of a Graduate artwork was created by Glen Cove High School students Giorgina Dondero and Nyann Petit, under the guidance of High School Art Teacher Maria Verni.

 

Portrait of a Graduate Contributors
Dr. Maria Rianna, Superintendent

Dr. Alexa Doeschner, Assistant Superintendent

Maria Elena Venuto, Board of Education President

Susan Poulos, District Coordinator

Bryce Klatsky, Principal

Jillian Anderson, Social Worker

Danielle Corrigan, Teacher

Michelle Godoy, Teacher

Michele McLoughin, Teacher

Lisa Ramos, Teacher

Danielle Fugazy, City Councilperson and Parent

Marian Iovino, Parent

Janice LaRocca, Parent

Claudia Napolitano, Parent

Denise Renga, Parent

Glen Cove’s Portrait of a Graduate: A Collaborative Vision

Glen Cove School District is proud to introduce its Portrait of a Graduate (POG)—a shared vision of the skills and competencies students need to succeed after high school. This project was a collaborative effort led by Bryce Klatsky and Susan Poulos, along with dedicated committee members and students who volunteered their time to bring this vision to life.

Last spring, district administrators were introduced by Dr. Maria Rianna to New York State’s graduation measures and began exploring what a Portrait of a Graduate should represent. To gain insight, the team conducted student interviews, asking, "What do you need to graduate and be successful?"—gathering responses that ranged from essential life skills like saying please and thank you to broader competencies necessary for future success.

To ensure the portrait reflected the entire Glen Cove community, the committee launched a survey that collected 500 responses from students, families, administrators, teachers, and community members. Through this input, they identified the core qualities that define a Glen Cove graduate:

Self-Advocate
Critical Thinker
Versatile Learner
Engaged Citizen
Collaborative Communicator

Each quality was paired with specific indicators to provide a clear framework for student growth. The committee also collaborated with talented artists to visually represent these traits. Under the guidance of Maria Verni, advisor for the National Art Honor Society, high school students Nyann Petit and Giorgina Dondero dedicated countless hours to designing stunning artwork that incorporates the POG logo and indicators.

This inspiring design has also been transformed into a printed pamphlet to share with the community. While New York State will soon require all districts to develop a Portrait of a Graduate, Glen Cove is proud to be ahead of the curve—leading the way in preparing students for the future.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this meaningful project!

POGforwebsite (PDF)