Bay Ridge

Mark Twain Intermediate School hosts 4th annual gala

Radio Host Skeery Jones is Inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame

April 3, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
This year’s Mark Twain Hall of Fame Alumni inductee Z100 Morning Show radio personality Skeery Jones holds his award. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta
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IS 239-Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented, located at 2401 Neptune Ave., hosted its Fourth Annual Gala at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island on Friday. The 290 guests who attended this year’s event included elected officials, parents, students and honorees. The evening included cocktails, dinner, dancing, raffles and a live auction.

Parents’ Association Co-President Christina Johnson said, “Tonight represents our school’s Fourth Annual Gala and its success is a great testament to our supportive community, to the best administration, parents and our awesome students.  I am so proud and humbled to be a part of this amazing Mark Twain family!”

Principal Karen Ditolla added, “If you work hard and have great people around you with the same goal of creating ample opportunities for kids, great things can happen.”

This year’s distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee was Z100 Radio Personality and Executive Producer Skeery Jones, who was a graduate of the Class of 1989. Jones has been with “Elvis Duran & the Morning Show” since its inception in 1996.

“Having Skeery Jones come back to Mark Twain, to the same halls that he walked as a student, after having gone on to such a successful career on national radio, it’s such a great example for our kids, to inspire them and let them realize that their dreams can come true,” said Ditolla.

Z100 donated two tickets for pop star Justin Bieber’s upcoming August concert, along with a record signed by artists who performed at Z100’s Jingle Ball, including Bieber and singer Ariana Grande. The items were part of a live auction to help raise funds for the school. Jones also donated his own signed program for auction.

The Mark Twain Alumni Hall of Fame honors students who have gone on to achieve success and distinction within their fields, in the hope that their accomplishments will inspire new generations of students. Past honorees include Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr.; Darren Aronofsky, who directed the critically acclaimed movie “Black Swan”; and radio personality, rapper and actress Angie Martinez.

The evening’s entertainment included performances by students from Mark Twain’s drama, dance and music programs.  They performed “Part of Your World” and “She’s in Love” from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

District 47 Councilmember Mark Treyger attended the event and addressed the audience. He presented Skeery Jones with a councilmember citation. State Sen. Diane Savino sent a representative, as did Assemblymember Pamela Harris. Mayor Bill de Blasio also sent Jones a citation for his accomplishments from the Office of the Mayor.

Mark Twain boasts high academic achievement with its strong talent and sports programs and is consistently ranked among the top public middle schools in Brooklyn.

 

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