LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Debra Pepe Canterino upon the occasion
of her induction into the Fontbonne Hall Academy Hall of Fame on May 4,
2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals who have distinguished themselves in their chosen
field of endeavor, in their community, or through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Debra Pepe Canterino upon the occasion of her induction into the Font-
bonne Hall Academy Hall of Fame on May 4, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Debra Pepe Canterino will be honored at the school's Fleur de
Lys Dinner Dance, to be held at Gargiulo's Restaurant in Brooklyn on
Wednesday, May 4, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The greatest asset of any society is its children and the
hope and promise they represent for the future; Brooklyn's Fontbonne
Hall Academy has a proud and rich history of providing young women with
an educational foundation which is both strong and enduring; and
WHEREAS, Fontbonne Hall Academy has been a leader in educating young
women for more than 71 years; it is a college-preparatory school whose
mission is to offer a superior educational program while forming and
empowering young women of confidence and compassion; located in Bay
Ridge, Brooklyn, its students come from southwest Brooklyn, southern
Queens and Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, Each year at its Fleur de Lys Dinner Dance, Fontbonne Hall
Academy proudly honors outstanding members of the Fontbonne family and
community who exemplify and support its mission and whose lives and
accomplishments epitomize the character and tenets of the school,
inducting them into its Hall of Fame; Debra Pepe Canterino truly merits
this high honor; and
WHEREAS, Debra Pepe Canterino has lived her entire life in Brooklyn;
she attended Saint Brendan's Elementary School and High School, where
she was taught by the Sisters of Saint Joseph for twelve years; upon
graduation, she attended CUNY Brooklyn College, earning both a Bachelor
of Science degree and a Master of Arts degree in Health Education; and
WHEREAS, Debra Pepe Canterino came to Fontbonne Hall Academy in
September 1980 to teach Physical Science, Health and Biology; she subse-
quently wrote a curriculum for a new course, First Aid and CPR, to be
taught as a senior elective; she further developed the health course as
well, adding two components which are so important for teenage girls:
nutrition and human sexuality; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Debbie married Ronny Canterino and, in February
1991, they were blessed by the birth of their daughter Lauren; Debbie
stayed home for the rest of that school year, returning in September;
however, missing being a part of all of the little everyday moments of
her daughter's life, she decided to stay home for the next four years to
be a full-time mom; and
WHEREAS, Even during those four years when she was at home, Debra Pepe
Canterino still supported Fontbonne, never missing a Sports Night or
Scholarship Dinner; and
WHEREAS, Debbie has been involved in the extracurricular life of Font-
bonne as well; she was one of the faculty co-founders of SADD (Students
Against Driving Drunk), now known as FADD (Fontbonne Against Destructive
Decisions); she was also a Class Coordinator for the Class of 1983 and
the Class of 1990, working with the girls on academic and social activ-
ities, most notably helping them each to win two Sports Nights; and she

loved being a Faculty Advisor (FA), helping her girls to successfully
navigate their four years at Fontbonne; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, Debra Pepe Canterino has taken on the task
of coordinating the school's new Community Service program; she has also
been the Faculty Coordinator for the cheerleaders for the past five
years, serving as a liaison to help them through their rigorous practice
and competition schedule; and
WHEREAS, Debbie, in addition, enjoys working on the Sports Night, Golf
and Scholarship Dinner Committees, giving of her time in the evenings
and on weekends to ensure the success of each of these events; and
WHEREAS, Active in her community as well as at Fontbonne, Debra Pepe
Canterino has served as President of the St. Agnes Ladies Auxiliary and
is a member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Club, President of the E. 29th
Street Block Association, and a fundraiser for her daughter's dancing
school, yet, of all of the roles Debbie has played, being a mom is the
one she cherishes most; and
WHEREAS, For more than 30 years, Debra Pepe Canterino has been an
asset to Fontbonne Hall Academy, which is fittingly proud to induct her
into its Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such outstanding accomplishment are brought to its attention,
they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the
great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Debra Pepe Canterino upon the occasion of her induction into the
Fontbonne Hall Academy Hall of Fame at its Fleur de Lys Dinner Dance on
May 4, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Debra Pepe Canterino.