The best and brightest PHOTOS BY JOSEF PINLAC, STEPHEN VRATTOS AND SAMUEL PECORARO / VINTAGE SHOT COURTESY OF LINDA RAPPAPORT 6 North Shore Towers Courier n April 2016 young talent in Queens were honored at Star Network’s “40 Under 40” awards gala at iconic Terrace on the Park, Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Among the recipients recognized was beloved fixture of North Shore Towers, Cynthia Kotowski, who works in the Greenthal Property Sales office in the Arcade under the aegis of Linda Rappaport. “Wow! I was very excited and proud to be recognized for my hard work and dedication,” Kotowski admitted. “It is truly a privilege to be honored with so many other respected and successful professionals under 40.” More than 500 people attended the elegant affair, which annually awards outstanding young people in Queens, who’ve shown exemplary leadership skills, both in respect to their communities and professional fields. The 2016 recipients spanned such diverse fields as real estate, technology, banking, fashion, tourism, marketing and medicine. Star Network of Schneps Communications (publishers of the Queens Courier, North Shore Towers Courier, Brooklyn Reporter, among many others) began the event more than ten years ago. Its success spawned similar celebrations of meritorious young individuals in Brooklyn and Staten Island. This year’s “40 Under 40” was hosted by Fox 5 meteorologist and feature reporter, Audrey Puente, who was given a special award for her achievements in broadcast media. “I’m honored to be among such great movers and shakers for the borough of Queens as well as the tri-state area,” Puente said. On hand to support Cynthia were her mother, Donna; father and NST General Manager, Glen Kotowski; longtime boyfriend, Paul Gallo; NST Comptroller Robert Serikstad; Pouran Eshigi, Arcade proprietor of the eponymous salon, spa and boutique; and husband, Kia; as well as the entire NST office personnel of Greenthal Property Sales, including Linda Rappaport, Brittany DeVarso, Jess Dunbar and Tony Rappaport. “It’s a little overwhelming,” Donna Kotowski said of her daughter’s achievement. “She’s a very hard worker,” colleague Verso revealed. “She puts a lot of effort into what she does. So it was no surprise when she was nominated.” “I’m so excited for her; she’s always in the shadows,” Rappaport said. “I’m happy to see her get recognized.” Rappaport’s been something of a mentor to North Shore Towers’ very own Cynthia Kotowski honored at prestigious event Cynthia, who began working with Rappaport at Greenthal Property Sales as an intern while in high school ten years ago. Upon graduation, young Kotowski headed for Towson University in the Baltimore area of Maryland, where she majored in Art with a concentration in Photography and interdisciplinary in film and mass communications. Still, she continued to work at Greenthal during her winter and spring breaks. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Cynthia took a position in the accounting Department in Greenthal’s Corporate Office on Park Avenue in Manhattan. “Although I learned a lot there, I decided Real Estate Sales was my true passion,” she explained. “I began working with Linda full time when the opportunity arose. I started out as her assistant, became a licensed sales associate and worked my way up to position of Office Manager. Over the years I’ve learned a lot observing Linda’s SHINING ST R SHINING ST H Cynthia flanked by proud parents Donna and Glen Kotowski
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