\u201cAt this point to have strength and inspiration be acknowledged and in such a public way, by the most important person in our lives was truly a gift and wake-up call to keep being positive and leading by example,\u201d Mark, who is pictured in the photo, said.<\/p>\n
Here is their story, originally published Oct. 11, 2025:<\/p>\n
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Kali DeCristoforo, a Staten Island Academy senior, never expected a quiet tribute to her father would wind up on display in one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world.<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s exactly what happened when her photograph \u2014 an image of her father, Mark DeCristoforo, head football coach at St. Peter\u2019s Boys High School \u2014 was selected to appear in \u201cDear New York,\u201d the largest public art installation New York City has seen in decades.<\/p>\n
The exhibit, which opened Oct. 6, is currently on view at Grand Central Terminal until Oct. 19.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot sure if this is story worthy but I was so honored I had to share,\u201d Mark DeCristoforo wrote, after learning the photo had been chosen. \u201cApparently this was selected among many submissions to be part of an art exhibit in Grand Central Station.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth Kali and I didn\u2019t know it was selected. I didn\u2019t know she submitted a photo and small blurb.\u201d<\/p>\n
The surprise selection came via a school administrator, who sent him a picture of the image on display inside Grand Central.<\/p>\n
Kali, a standout senior, plays varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse, participates in theater, maintains a high academic average and is applying to college. \u201cShe is the strongest young woman on the planet,\u201d her father said.<\/p>\n
That strength has been forged through unimaginable tragedy.<\/p>\n
![\"Courtesy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3TJGA5BEFZCUBPHXVF7NN2GQMA.JPEG\")
Staten Island Academy senior Kali DeCristoforo’s photograph was selected to appear in \u201cDear New York,\u201d the largest public art installation New York City has seen in decades, currently on view at Grand Central Terminal. (Courtesy Mark DeCristoforo)Courtesy Mark DeCristoforo<\/p>\n
On the night of Jan. 1, 2024, a devastating house fire destroyed the DeCristoforo family home and claimed the life of Kali\u2019s youngest sister, 7-year-old Rory.<\/a><\/p>\n Described by loved ones as a dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty with a playful and loving spirit, Rory was the baby of the family, adored by her older siblings, Kali, Bubba and Shane.<\/p>\n \u201cThe youngest of four siblings, she stole a piece of each of their hearts,\u201d the family said about Rory in a statement shortly after the fire.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the Grand Central installation, Mark DeCristoforo said it offered a powerful and unexpected moment of healing and pride.<\/p>\n \u201cMy first reaction to learning her work was selected was truly thinking what a special place Staten Island Academy is, where a student could submit a photograph and paragraph and somehow it winds up hanging in Grand Central Station,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEven more, that (Head of School Dr. Eileen Corigliano) took time from her day to share these pictures with me, was a reminder of the people around Kali that have helped her triumph over this tragedy,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cI was truly moved by it because there are many days recently I see how far the world has moved forward and we are still living it as if it was day one without Rory.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n The photograph is part of \u201cDear New York,\u201d a citywide art installation from \u201cHumans of New York\u201d creator Brandon Stanton.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this point to have strength and inspiration be acknowledged and in such a public way, by the most important person in our lives was truly a gift and wake-up call to keep being positive and leading by example,\u201d shared DeCristoforo.<\/p>\n Running through Oct. 19, the project spans more than 150 digital screens throughout Grand Central Terminal and its subway concourse, displaying thousands of portraits and personal stories of everyday New Yorkers.<\/p>\n![\"Courtesy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FPMXWDJCNRDZZCMLVOFHNTT5OQ.jpg\")
Staten Island Academy senior Kali DeCristoforo’s photograph was selected to appear in \u201cDear New York,\u201d the largest public art installation New York City has seen in decades, currently on view at Grand Central Terminal. (Courtesy Mark DeCristoforo)Courtesy Mark DeCristoforo<\/p>\n