By John Katrina
RHS Assistant Principal Julian Saavedre founded an annual Freshman Luncheon for the top 15 academic performers in the entry level high school class.
This year’s second annual event is a part of the school district’s “Ninth Grade Success Network” which aims to take advantage of data that suggests better freshman year performance correlates with better performance in subsequent years, and higher graduation rates.
Saavedre noted the program is a “grant funded opportunity” that benefits the students and local business community.
RHS Student Ambassadors, Kierstyn Spearman and Barry Battle, seniors, were chaperons for the event and were gladly serving as a mentoring presence for the first year members.
Students dined on two of Maria’s menu favorites: Penne a la Vodka or good old Spaghetti and Meatballs. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
An elite group themselves, the SA’s must be accepted into the program through a rigorous set of multi-faceted criteria.
Maria’s Ristorante owners, Maria Dalicandro and Anthony D’Emilio, said they have relatives that taught or teach at the high school and heard about the event through old-fashioned word-of-mouth.
As perennial community builders, this was one of many engagement opportunities for which their 23 year-old legacy business has become known.
Family owned Maria’s Ristorante, a popular Roxborough fine dining establishment, graciously hosted the event. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
“There would be no restaurant without the neighborhood,” Dalicandro was careful to note, revealing the philosophy that drives not only the business, but the people.
Saavedre emphasized “wanting to support local business” while Maria and Anthony emphasized supporting the community … a match almost as good as the Penne à la Vodka or Spaghetti and Meatballs the students were able to select.
The Freshman Luncheon, in its second year, is the brainchild of RHS Asst. Principal Julian Saavedre. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
And the honored guests themselves, the freshmen, represented by Aubrey Pyatt and Pa’Dyn Ellis Ponzo, had to be among the top 15 academic performers to make the cut.
When asked their secret to success: Pyatt, who has her eye on graphic design, and Ellis Ponzo, who is considering a future in pharmaceutical science, credited their grade schools and “turning in work on time” for their success.
Great grades, great leadership, great community, and great food all came down to one thing, said Saavedre: “The kids feel loved.”
And based on my experience, and complimentary slice of Maria’s “Chocolate Tuxedo” dessert — the adults feel loved too.