The top two students in the 2003 graduating class at North Bergen High School epitomize both the vast diverse ethnic background of the school, as well as the truest examples of pursuing the American dream.
Panagiotis “Pete” Kantzilieris is the valedictorian of the Class of 2003. He is a second generation Greek-American, with both of his parents being born in Greece. Kantzilieris is the first from his family of mostly factory workers to achieve such academic greatness.
“There was a big sense of pride involved,” Kantzilieris said about earning the distinction of being the top student in a graduating class of 428 students. “At first, I didn’t believe it. When the first rankings came out [in November], I had no idea where I was going to be ranked. When it came out that I was first, it blew me away.”
When news became official that he would be delivering the valedictory address at Thursday’s graduation, scheduled at Stan Newman Field on 64th Street at 1 p.m., Kantzilieris immediately made a phone call to his parents at their jobs.
“I had to call them right away from school,” Kantzilieris said. “The reaction was really loud. I had to hold the phone away from my face, because they were screaming so much.”
The news set off an old-fashioned Greek party later that evening, very similar to the ones celebrated in the recent movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”
“It was a lot like that, only not as big,” Kantzilieris said. “Everyone in my family was very proud.”
Brian Lao is the Class of 2003 salutatorian. His parents were born in China and moved to North Bergen 20 years ago, but neither parent graduated high school. They are also blue-collar factory workers.
“I think my parents’ background has helped me achieve and only helped me to work harder,” said Lao, who is the eldest of four children in his family. “My parents always encouraged me to be better than them.”
Kantzilieris and Lao have known each other since they were classmates at Franklin School.
“We’ve always been in the same classes together,” said Lao, who began the scholastic year as the fifth ranking student, but was elevated to second place during the course of the year. “There was a little competition between us, but not that much. We definitely seemed to push each other.”
Kantzilieris and Lao were members of the school’s Environmental Club. Kantzilieris was also a member of the Key Club and the National Honor Society. Through his community service projects with the Key Club, Kantzilieris became a volunteer at Palisades General Hospital, donating more than 500 hours, helping elderly patients.
“It first started with the Key Club, but then I got into it a lot,” said Kantzilieris. “I want to get into the health profession. I always wanted to be a pediatrician, but after working with the seniors, I changed my mind.”
Lao was a member of the wrestling team for three years and a member of the French Club and the French Honor Society.
Lao said that he never intended to finish among the top two students. “It wasn’t something that I was striving for,” Lao said. “I wasn’t expecting anything, so when the final ranking came out, I was pleasantly surprised. I took some tough classes this year, so that sort of helped.”
Both Kantzilieris and Lao took their share of Advanced Placement classes this year in order to get ready for college. Kantzilieris will attend Rutgers University in the fall, majoring in biology and genetics with a minor in psychology, while Lao will head to the University of Maryland to major in electrical engineering.
Kantzilieris said that he began to write his valedictory address last week.
“That’s when it hit me that it’s actually happening,” Kantzilieris said. “I will reflect on all the experiences I’ve had here, to help shape me into who I’ve become. I think the quality of the classes and the teachers pushed me to achieve.”
Lao said that he will reflect on the friends he’s kept over the years.
“It was a good experience here,” Lao said. “Looking back, I have nothing but good thoughts.”