62 THE QUEENS COURIER • MAY 7, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Student of Distinction
John Paul Ciafone
May 2020
Student of Distinction
Columbia Preparatory
School
Astoria, New York
Our fi ne borough has been
the epicenter of an unimaginable
pandemic during the past few
months, bringing with it a period of
refl ection. We may at times have
wondered who we would be in a
story of extraordinary times. Would
we act? Play a supporting role? Assume
the role of spectator? While
some might turn inward, a few will
tap inner strength and summon
their humanitarian spirit to join the
leaders within their communities for
the benefi t of all.
Our May 2020 Student of Distinction
is such a person.
John’s academic achievements
enumerated here are clearly of the
caliber required of our honorees
and include: induction into the
National Honor Society; Honor
studies enrollment; enrollment into
Advanced Placement classes,
including Calculus, Chemistry, and
Advanced Environmental Studies;
and a 3.9GPA. All these accomplishments
are praiseworthy in and
of themselves. It is due to his compassionate
action, however, that
we spotlight this month’s honoree.
Not content to focus solely on
home studies during stay-at-home
constrainsts, John has made time to
help mitigate the burden on members
of his community. In addition
to preparing and delivering food
to his local NYPD precinct and
FDNY station, he has established
a GoFundMe page: High School
Student Gives Back To Frontline
Workers.
As John explains on his site, “I
have been around movie sets my
entire life. I’ve seen many fi ctional
heroes give back and help save
their communities, but I would love
to give back to the REAL-LIFE HEROES
of my community of NYC!”
To date, $2500 has been raised.
An anonymous donor will match up
to $10,000.
These recent actions – preparing
and delivering food coupled with
the GoFundMe site – are the most
recent stops along his long civic
journey. For example, expressing
concern for his community
prompted John to compose letters
to the editors of local newspapers.
Among the topics deftly exposed
for their detriment to society were
bullying, terrorism, and discrimination
. Words are not the only tools employed
to build a stronger society:
Volunteering has augmented his
involvement. Heightened interest,
passion, and commitment to
the environment was the impetus
for volunteering for both Newton
Creek Alliance and New York City
Audubon. Through the latter he
became a member of the project
known as Kingsland Wildfl owers
at Broadway Stages. The project’s
scope was the design and install
of a large-scale habitat green-roof
and community environment education
space.
Kathryn Heintz, Executive Director,
lauds John’s participation in the
project, enthusing, “He is keen to
learn about environmental science,
green infrastructure, climate mitigation
strategies, and science monitoring
of urban species, including
birds, bats, and insects.
”John proved to be an eager
helper who took advantage of
opportunities to observe active species
and habitat research alongside
our scientists working in the
fi eld. Moreover, he acquired the
ability to explain to visitors - with
enthusiasm! – what is happening
at the site and its importance for
urban wildlife and migratory species.”
Concern for Newtown Creek
due to the Exxon oil spill again
caused John to volunteer for the
environmental good. He joined
Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA),
comprising staff and students
from CUNY LaGuardia College’s
Biology Department. Being a high
school freshman at the time did not
deter NCA from adding John to the
college-based group.
According to Willis Elkins, program
director, “John quickly proved
to be a resourceful, adaptable and
mature member of our team. He
helped to design, construct, and
install fl oating wetland habitats
within Newtown Creek. During the
time period, which also included
coming after school on Friday
afternoons, I was impressed with
his self-drive, positive demeanor
and natural ability to work so well
with a group of diverse individuals,
many of whom were twice his
age.”
Sarah Durand, Associate Professor
at LaGuardia Community College’s
Department of Natural Science,
concurs. She was impressed
that John embodied the concept of
no job being too small, stating, “his
willingness to undertake a variety
of work aspects, even when a task
was less than exciting, such as mixing
and shoveling wheelbarrows
full of sand and compost for planting
marsh grasses, was impressive.
When faced with the opportunity
of choosing between several
ongoing activities, he quickly and
unerringly assessed where he
could be most effective. Although
typically quiet among the group of
much older students, John surprised
me with commentary that revealed
he not only had a keen appreciation
for the functional design of the
installation on which he assisted,
but also a keen appreciation of
ongoing social dynamics.”
In today’s world, we certainly
will benefi t by the attention to detail,
the commitment to getting the
job done – and done well – that
John displays. He hopes to study
pre-med in the future. Given his
natural inclination toward usefulness,
his choice is without wonder.
Given his natural intelligence, it is
without doubt he will succeed.
By Sherri L. Sanders
John Paul Ciafone
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