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QC06162016

40 The QUENS Courier • june 16, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com College Point resident and World War II veteran finally gets his high school diploma By Suzanne Monteverdi editorial@qns.com/@QueensCourier Speaking before the graduates of St. Agnes High School during their graduation Mass on June 3 at St. Fidelis Church, Monsignor Denis Herron had a powerful question for them: “When you reach a ripe old age, how will you be remembered?” For one Class of 2016 graduate, the answer was already quite clear. Anthony Barone, a 92-year-old World War II veteran and lifelong College Point resident, was overjoyed to finally receive his high school diploma alongside family and friends. “It caught me off guard, but I’m very happy,” Barone said, beaming. “I think I was more nervous today than I was going into the service!” Born on Jan. 11, 1924, in College Point, Barone graduated from St. Fidelis School in 1938 and went on to attend St. Agnes High School, which was then a co-ed school, until 1941. At the time, Barone’s mother was a single parent working hard to provide for her three children. After his brother, Victor, was called to serve in the Army, the then-17-year-old Barone dropped out of St. Agnes after his junior year to support his family. In 1943, Barone enlisted in the Army and served as a military police escort guard at a POW camp for three years. He returned to College Point in 1946, and in 1951 married the love of his life, Lottie Milinski, at St. Fidelis Church. The two were together for 61 years before her passing in 2013. “The most wonderful woman in the world,” he said. “It took me a long time, but I only had to ask her once. She said yes.” The couple had three children: Michael, Daniel and Barbara. Barone now has five grandchildren, Angela, Matthew, Ava, Alison and Janice, and one great-granddaughter, Charlie. Barone still lives in the same College Point home where he was born 92 years ago. “It was truly a dream of his to receive his diploma,” said his daughter Barbara. “He has seen so much in his life. It was awesome that we were able to see him honored this way.” Christine Thornhill, a family friend and St. Agnes alumni, was moved upon discovering Barone’s one regret, and set the plan in motion. “When Mr. Barone told me his biggest regret was his missing high school diploma, I knew that I had to contact Denise Fetonte director of development at St. Agnes,” said Thornhill. “Both she and Ms. Susan Nicoletti principal had such a positive reaction. I will be forever grateful.” “We don’t often get a chance to turn back the hands of time and make things right,” Nicoletti said at the ceremony. “But today, on this joyful day, the day that falls between Memorial Day and D-Day, it is our great pleasure to honor Mr. Anthony Barone as a veteran, a neighbor and a graduate of St. Agnes Academic High School.” Barone received his diploma and cap to resounding applause. All in attendance joined in an emotional rendition of “God Bless America.” “I’m very happy. Today was the payoff,” said Barone. Barone looked over at his granddaughter, another recent graduate, and held up his diploma: “See? I’ve got one too, now!” Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi Anthony Barone with grandson Matthew, granddaughter Angela, daughter-in-law Laurie, sons Michael and Daniel, family friend Christine Thornhill, and daughter Barbara. Momthaj Uddin is the valedictorian of Queens High School of I n f o r m a t i o n , Research and Technology. She will be graduating at the top of her class with a grade point average of 97.22. In the fall, she will be attending Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Bailey Ye is the valedictorian of Monsignor M c C l a n c y Memorial High School. She will be graduating at the top of her class with a 99.64 grade point average. In the fall, she will be attending St. John’s University. Vicky Chan is the valedictorian of Queensborough C o m m u n i t y College. Chan graduated with an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences on June 3. Chan is looking to continue her studies in psychology. Chan is one of two students to receive a 2016 scholarship from the Phi Beta Kappa Association of New York. Chan also received the Guttman Transfer Scholarship for outstanding students who transfer into an eligible CUNY senior college. Chan’s dream is to open a clinical practice to provide help to those in need. A h j a h - R e n e e Adams is the v a l e d i c t o r i a n of Channel View School of Research. Adams currently has a 100.91 grade point average, making her the top of her class. In the fall, she will attending SUNY Binghampton. Zihan Saban is the valedictorian for Queens Collegiate. He will be graduating at the top of his class with a grade point aver-age of 3.95. In the fall he will be attending the University of Pittsburgh. Nikola Mirkovic is the 2016 valedictorian of Saint John’s P r e p a r a t o r y School, an independent Catholic co-educational h i g h school in the Vincentian tradition located in Astoria, New York. This fall, Nikola will be attending The Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University on a fouryear Presidential Scholarship. Misbah Bibi is the valedictorian at Robert F. Kennedy C o m m u n i t y High School in Jamaica. Misbah manages to maintain her high GPA and ranking status as No. 1 in the senior class of 154 students while contributing to the school community in so many ways. This year, Bibi became a student intern. After learning how to complete college applications, she is one of only eight seniors who help other seniors complete their college applications. Many of the school’s students have benefited from her patience and guidance. Jhun Rhenz Martinez will be leading Queens Vocational and Technical High School’s graduating class of 2016 as the valedictorian this year. Jhun resides in Queens Village and attends high school in Long Island City. He has maintained an outstanding cumulative academic average — currently 96.32 — throughout high school. He will begin his post-secondary studies in either computer science or mechanical engineering at CUNY City College The Grove School of Engineering. St. Agnes has two valedictorians: Maria Savva and B e t h e l e h e m Hailu. Savva will be part of St. John’s U n i v e r s i t y ’ s Honors Program in the fall. Hailu will be part of Hunter C o l l e g e ’ s Yalow Scholars Program in the fall. Valedictorians


QC06162016
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