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Visit the South Country Central School District website for updates.
The South Country Central School
District is pleased to announce that Bellport High School
senior, Charlotte Kellogg, was selected for admission to Amherst
College with a QuestBridge College Match Scholarship and
welcomed into the QuestBridge Scholars Network. This year, only
1,464 Finalists were selected as Match Scholarship Recipients at
the organization’s 42 college partners, with only 18 students
matched to Amherst College. As a member of the QuestBridge
Scholars Network, Charlotte was awarded a full, four-year
scholarship to Amherst College, which will cover tuition and
fees, room and board, books and supplies and travel expenses.
In being considered for this prestigious opportunity,
QuestBridge searches for academically talented students, like
Charlotte, who match the college partners’ level of academic
achievement and can potentially thrive on their
college/university campuses. Finalists are chosen from a pool of
applicants who are in the top 5% to 10% of their class, have
received mostly A’s in the school’s most rigorous classes and
have realized strong standardized test scores, if taken.
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit institution that
connects the country’s most exceptional students with leading
educational institutions and further academic opportunities at
some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. In June,
Charlotte was named a College Prep Scholar and was subsequently
considered for a finalist designation and then College Match
Finalist.
The Bellport High School Student
Council hosted the annual Christmas in a Shoebox to benefit the
South Country Central School District community’s young
children.
Each year, the student council hosts a drive
to collect gifts and toys for the impending holiday season. The
members then gather to wrap the gifts in shoeboxes prior to
being distributed throughout the community.
“This is our
favorite activity for the community, and there is even more need
during the pandemic,” adviser Ellen Hoffman said. “The student
council really enjoys the opportunity to lift some of the
burden. Everyone in the high school was so generous; faculty,
staff and students really came through in this challenging time
to help make the holidays happy.”
Bellport High School
math teacher Amanda McCauley and social worker Ann Haddad also
hosted a similar activity to benefit high school students this
year. Faculty, staff and students were extremely generous with
their donations of gifts that were included in gift boxes for
secondary-level students struggling this holiday season.
The South Country Central School
District is pleased to announce the appointment of Manouchka
Daniel as assistant principal of Bellport Middle School,
effective Dec. 14. Ms. Daniel replaces former assistant
principal Joseph Watson who resigned his position earlier this
school year.
An Amityville resident, Ms. Daniel joins
South Country from the Westbury Union Free School District,
where she served as assistant principal of Powells Lane
Elementary School since 2019. Prior to her administrative
duties, Ms. Daniel taught sixth grade English as a Second
Language to students at Westbury Middle School. She also has
elementary school teaching experience as a former kindergarten
and third grade integrated co-teacher at PS532 New Bridges
Elementary School in Brooklyn and as a fourth grade lead
teacher, grade level chair and Saturday Academy Director at
Leadership Prep Brownsville, Uncommon Schools, Inc. in Brooklyn.
Prior to a career in education, Ms. Daniel acquired a
bachelor’s degree of administration in finance and investments
from Baruch College. She holds a master’s degree in childhood
education from Hunter College and an advanced certification in
educational leadership from Hofstra University. Ms. Daniel
additionally holds a Master of Divinity from the Alliance
Theological Seminary.
Brookhaven Elementary School students in the South Country Central School District designed and created holiday cards for residents of the Bellhaven Care Facility. Their collective efforts to spread holiday cheer was in conjunction with the Brookhaven Village Association, who invited the school to participate in the Put a Little Heart in Your Community event. The annual event on Dec. 12 was an event that celebrated the spirit of giving, unity and joy by giving back to the community.
Bellport High School seniors Madison
Baumann and Bobby DeSantis were selected as recipients of the
Suffolk Zone Award. Sponsored by the New York State Association
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, this award
recognizes one male and one female Suffolk County high school
senior from each school district who exemplify outstanding
scholastic ability, physical education performance and
leadership qualities.
“The physical education staff at
Bellport High School recognize the leadership, enthusiasm and
inclusive nature of Bobby and Madison,” Director of Athletics,
Health and Physical Education Robert McIntyre said. “They are a
spark of energy and always bring out the best in their peers.”
Ranked in the top of her class, Madison was named a
scholar-athlete for varsity volleyball in 2017-2019. In 2019,
Madison was the team’s Offensive MVP and Ace Leader. She has
also pursued dancing for the past 14 years and is a leader on
the Bellport High School Clipperette Dance Team. Madison also
excels at academics as a member of the National Honor Society,
Science and Math honor societies, and is a high honor roll
student. Madison also shares her athletic skills with peers as a
member of Athletes Helping Athletes and as a teacher at Stage
Door School of Dance.
Bobby is also ranked at the top of
his class and is a three-sport athlete who competes in football,
basketball and lacrosse. He is a three-year starter in football.
Prior to being named captain during his junior and senior years,
Bobby was named captain of the junior varsity football and
lacrosse teams. As a junior, Bobby earned the designations of
All-Division and Academic All-County honors in football and
continues to be a leader on and off the field.
The South Country Central School
District Board of Education announced the tenure of five
faculty, marking the most important milestone of their
educational careers. Although the district was unable to
introduce the individuals to the community during the Dec. 2
virtual board meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph
Giani congratulated them for their commitment and outstanding
service to the district.
The district congratulates the
following faculty:
Allison Carruthers – Teaching
Assistant – Bellport Middle School
Jill Ciavatta – Teaching
Assistant - Brookhaven Elementary School
Greta Kiss –
Teaching Assistant - Brookhaven Elementary School
Susan
Lannon – Teaching Assistant - Bellport Middle School
Maria
Perez – Teaching Assistant - Bellport Middle School
Hybrid learning and the COVID-19
pandemic did not hinder South Country Central School District
faculty, PTA and students from generously donating food to
assist those in need this Thanksgiving season.
At
Bellport High School, the student council organized a food drive
during the month of November and members successfully packed
more than 30 large boxes for the Lighthouse Mission and for a
number of individual district families. The student council also
donated turkeys and hams, accompanied by individual donations
from faculty and staff.
Student council adviser Ellen
Hoffman said, “The Student Council has been really impressive in
their drive to fill donation boxes as much as they can in a
cohort setting. There are a lot of fresh new faces in our
meetings and so many students want to help and be involved.”
Brookhaven Elementary School’s PTA also sponsored a
schoolwide food drive for families in need of holiday treats. In
order to support families and local businesses, community
members supplemented donations with meals from Rudi’s Bar and
Grill to be picked up by community families, school social
worker Kate Coppola said.
Through the student council,
Bellport Middle School also collected food throughout the month
of November. Additionally, Verne W. Critz Elementary School
donated 11 complete Thanksgiving meals to school families
looking forward to celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. The
collection was sponsored by the PTA and staff.
South Country Central School District
is proud to announce that the Long Island Council for the Social
Studies has recognized Bellport High School teacher Andrew
Budris as the 2020 Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Budris, a Bellport resident, has taught social studies
in the South Country Central School District for 25 years and is
currently Lead Teacher for Social Studies. He has worked
diligently to lead the high school and Bellport Middle School in
implementation of Project Based Learning. With the input of
colleagues, his development of the Kiva Project has provided
students with the opportunity to conduct research on global
business and economic challenges and to provide microloans to
applicants through partnership with the South Country Education
Foundation.
Social studies teacher Megan Bevan said, “He
has opened the door for students of all backgrounds and skill
levels to get involved in research and civic action. Thanks to
his leadership, Bellport High School is working to develop a
generation of students who are engaged in solving society’s
problems through informed action.”
Mr.
Budris currently teaches Advanced Placement Government and 10th
grade Global Studies and said social studies is a way to better
understand humanity. “I have a fundamentally optimistic view
that the better people understand each other, the more likely
they are to see each other’s humanity,” he explained. “We need
an understanding of our shared experiences to build a workable
community.”
Mr. Budris also noted that as a social
studies teacher he aims to foster critical thinking and the
ability to build views that are based on sound reasoning. “The
most important skill today is to use critical thinking to
determine what information is reliable,” he said. “I’d like to
see kids use knowledge as a tool to build bridges between groups
of people.”
Mr. Budris is married to high school English
teacher Ellen Hoffman and has a daughter, Maddy, who is enrolled
at the high school as a freshman. The Budris family took up
residence in Bellport 20 years ago.
The South Country Central School
District is pleased to announce that 45 current Bellport High
School students and 2020 graduates were recognized as Advanced
Placement Scholars for exceptional achievement on the May 2020
national exams.
Twenty students qualified for the AP
Scholar Award by receiving a 3 or higher on three or more exams
and include: Mariz Baslious,* Erin Boehmke, Eva Colon, Mathew
Bokehi Costa,* Rachel Dickinson, Carly Diolosa, Alexa Ferrara,
Samantha Fuentes,* Courtney Gerard, Jahid Hossain,* Victoria
Pennachio, Samantha Porsche, Jonel Poueriet-Santana,* Ella
Rauch, Caitlin Saliba,* Peri Sallah, Maya Samuel, Peter
Schortemeyer,* Mia Suarez and Eliza Ynoa.
Thirteen
students received the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an
average grade of 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or
higher on four or more of those exams and include: Jack Armann,*
Lindsey Belmonte,* Kayzjah Charles, Aidan Gaynor,* Taylor
Kelly,* Jared Lorenzo, Victoria Monte,* Liam Murphy, Anthony
Notartomaso,* Troy Sica, Katherine Vignona, Ryan Voegele* and
Cailey Ziegler.*
Twelve students received the AP Scholar
with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least
3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of 4 or higher on five or
more of these exams and include: Audrey Barry, David Bellante,
Connor Coleman, Sebastian Derosa, Ali Guillermo, Natalia Jordan,
Charlotte Kellogg,* Juliana Lewkowski, Nicholas Promutico, Luca
Scharpf, Kanya Shah* and Kunj Shah.
Additionally,
Sebastian Derosa and Juliana Lewkowski were recognized as
National AP Scholars by earning an average score of at least 4
on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or
more of these exams.
* indicates students who are
currently enrolled at Bellport High School.
Mariz Baslious
Charlotte Kellogg
Bellport High School seniors Mariz
Baslious and Charlotte Kellogg were selected by QuestBridge as
2020 National Finalists for having demonstrated high academic
achievement. QuestBridge is a national nonprofit institution
that connects the country’s most exceptional students with
leading educational institutions and further academic
opportunities at some of the nation’s top colleges and
universities. In June, Mariz and Charlotte were two of 3,770
high school juniors named 2020 College Prep Scholars out of a
pool of 12,600 applications. As finalists, they will potentially
be matched with a full scholarship to one of QuestBridge’s 42
partner colleges.
In being considered for this
prestigious opportunity, QuestBridge searches for academically
talented students who match the college partners’ level of
academic achievement and can potentially thrive on their
college/university campuses. Finalists are chosen from a pool of
applicants who are in the top 5% to 10% of their class, have
received mostly A’s in the school’s most rigorous classes and
have realized strong standardized test scores, if taken.
In addition to be academically talented, Mariz is highly
involved in extracurricular activities. She is vice president of
the National Honor Society and a member of the math and science
honor societies, as well as a member of Math Team. An avid
tennis player on both the junior varsity and varsity teams,
Mariz received the recognition of Most Valuable Player last
season. She is also a Sunday school teacher for her church.
Charlotte is an Advanced Placement student and a member of
the National Honor Society and Math Honor Society, where she
serves as corresponding secretary. She is also president of the
Chess Club and math team and recently assisted in forming the
previously defunct debate club. Charlotte also spends time with
computer club activities and drama club. Although not a varsity
athlete, Charlotte maintains a rigorous personal athletic
program in which she trains with weights and participates in
functional training, such as everyday moving and compound
exercises.
The South Country Central School
District welcomes Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum,
Instruction and Accountability Elizabeth Doyle, effective Nov.
1, who was appointed by the board of education during the Sept.
29 business meeting.
“We are extremely fortunate to have
such a qualified educator to fill this position,” Superintendent
of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani said. “The Board of Education and I
look forward to working with Ms. Doyle in achieving the
district’s educational and instructional goals.”
Ms.
Doyle, an East Hampton resident, joins South Country from the
East Hampton Union Free School District, where she served as
principal of John M. Marshall Elementary School since 2013.
During her tenure, she successfully implemented a
prekindergarten program and a Spanish dual language program. Ms.
Doyle also partnered with Sag Harbor’s Wellness Foundation to
implement a Wellness Zone while extending recess time for all
grades to promote health and wellness and increase student focus
and motivation. She also implemented a character education
program to further promote diversity and a positive school
climate. Ms. Doyle also developed and led K-12 professional
development in literacy, mathematics, school culture,
professional learning communities, critical friends groups,
classroom management and co-teaching.
Prior to her
tenure at East Hampton Union Free Schools, Ms. Doyle was
principal of Explore Empower Public Charter School and the
former coordinator for K-12 English in the White Plains City
School District. She was additionally director of operations and
school support and director of instruction for Replications,
Inc., an education nonprofit partner with the New York City
Department of Education. She began her educational career as an
elementary school teacher at The Jackie Robinson School in
Queens. Ms. Doyle was formerly vice president for Citigroup
Private Bank before answering New York City’s call for career
changers to become teachers in high needs districts. She thus
applied to the NYC Teaching Fellows Program where she served as
a fellow and selector.
Ms. Doyle holds a master’s degree
in elementary education from Queen’s College and certification
in Advanced Studies in Education Administration from LIU Post.
She also received a bachelor’s degree in business administration
and international business from Hofstra University.
In recognition of National Hispanic
Heritage Month (Sept.15-Oct.15), Frank P. Long Intermediate
School students learned about Mexico’s annual Day of the Dead,
Dia de los Muertos, a celebration which honors the lives of
ancestors who have passed.
Fifth graders in art teacher
Mandy Hoffman’s class learned to draw colorful sugar skulls,
which represent ancestors and which are included in altars
during the popular holiday held on Oct. 31-Nov. 2. A YouTube
video narrated by Ms. Hoffman and skeleton helper Mr. Bones,
engaged the students with the how-to instructions on drawing a
skull and its decorative design qualities.
After the
sugar skulls were completed, they were hung on the wall of the
art room for everyone to enjoy.
When tuning into the South Country
Central School District’s YouTube channel to view the latest
streamed board of education meeting, a new face has popped up on
the virtual screen. During the Sept. 23 board of education
meeting, Student Council President and Bellport High School
senior Jack Frankie was appointed as the board’s newest student
ex-officio board member for the 2020-2021 school year.
President E. Anne Hayes welcomed Jack to his new position and
said she will look forward to hearing his report each meeting.
During his first report to the board, Jack relayed that school
opened smoothly and students are cooperative and compliant with
wearing masks. During future meetings, his job will be to report
high school activities and happenings to the board and to relay
important board business to the student council.
“I am
very excited to tell the Board of Education all of the great
things that are happening at the high school despite the
pandemic,” Jack said. “I think the high school is in the best
shape it’s ever been.”
In addition to his Student Council
presidency, Jack is a member of the jazz band and plays the
trumpet and euphonium. He’s an Advanced Placement student and a
former cross-country athlete. His biggest interest, however, is
acquiring his certification and flying hours as a student-pilot
at BOCES, where he is in his second year of study to fly small
planes and hot air balloons. Jack explained that his goal is to
pursue a major in aviation management and to possibly pursue all
FAA certification and licensing, in addition to pursuing space
travel with NASA or Space X.
The South Country Central School
District is pleased to announce that the Long Island Arts
Alliance selected Bellport High School senior Anna Mezzatesta as
one of 20 Long Island Scholar Artists for the 2020-21 school
year. Under the direction of former teacher and art department
chairperson Suzette Fandale, Anna was recognized for her
excellence in media arts and for academic achievement.
Additionally, senior Caitlin Saliba was one of 20 recipients who
received an Award of Merit for portfolio work completed under
the direction of teacher Devin Auricchio.
To be
considered for these prestigious designations, students must be
nominated by their school for representing the highest level of
artistic talent in media arts, visual arts, music, dance or
theater. The student must also submit a portfolio of their work
for consideration by the selection committee and must hold an
unweighted grade point average of 90% or above. As a
scholar-artist, Anna’s profile and photo will be published in
Newsday in December.
The South Country Central School
District is pleased to announce that Bellport High School
student-musicians Jack Burkhardt (Bb clarinet) and Taylor Kelly
(French horn) were selected to participate in the New York State
School Music Association Virtual All-State Festival for
symphonic band, being held virtually on Dec. 3-5. Due to
COVID-19 restrictions, NYSSMA will not be able to host these
students to rehearse and perform at the Winter Conference in
Rochester at the renowned Eastman Theater of the Eastman School
of Music.
The duo was nominated and selected based on
scores they received at the NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival
during the 2018-2019 school year. Director of Music Victoria
Hartman explained that being selected is a remarkable
achievement in that 6,500 students statewide auditioned for a
position in the All-State Music Festival. Performing ensembles
include the All-State symphonic band, wind ensemble, mixed
chorus, treble choir, symphony orchestra, and instrumental and
vocal jazz ensemble. Fifteen Bellport High School students
auditioned for All-State in spring 2018.
In addition to backpacks, school
supplies and face masks, South Country Central School District
students toted an abundance of enthusiasm on their entry back
into the classroom during two official reopening days of school,
held on Sept. 8 and Sept. 10. As the students entered the
buildings, their temperatures were checked and hands were
sanitized prior to being escorted to their designated classrooms
to immediately begin instruction.
Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Joseph Giani reported that the district’s reopening
after the six month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic was
smooth with students seated appropriately, mask compliant and
engaged in learning. “I am looking forward to growth and
improvement as we come to settle in this new normal of teaching
and learning,” Dr. Giani said.
Board of Education
trustees and President E. Anne Hayes were equally complementary
of the smooth opening by administration, faculty and staff. “A
lot of thought was put into the process and we were confident in
our staff that they would get things done,” Ms. Hayes said.
“Through helping each other and pulling together, we will
continue to have a strong and productive school year.”
Bellport High School’s theater art
program is pleased to announce that student-thespian Jack
Burkhardt was the recipient of a coveted 2020 Teeny Award for
his supporting male role as Lumiere in the school’s musical
“Beauty and the Beast.” The award was presented during a virtual
awards ceremony, held by East End Arts on July 23.
“This
is a terrific accomplishment,” art department Chairperson
Barbara Gallagher said. “Jack is an extremely talented actor and
the South Country Central School District congratulates him on
this special achievement.”
Each year, Bellport High
School is one of 18 school theater programs whose productions
are celebrated by the East End Arts for student talent and
excellence in acting, production, pit orchestra, stage
management, lighting design and crew and more. This year, the
theatre program received 36 nominations for its productions of
“Beauty and the Beast” and “The Game’s Afoot.”
Bellport High School junior Charlotte
Kellogg has been chosen by QuestBridge to be a 2020 College Prep
Scholar for having demonstrated high academic achievement.
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit institution that
connects the country’s most exceptional students with leading
educational institutions and further academic opportunities at
some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. Charlotte is
one of 3,770 high school juniors named a 2020 College Prep
Scholar out of a pool of 12,600 applications nationwide, and
later in the fall, will potentially be matched with a full
scholarship to one of QuestBridge’s 42 partner colleges. As a
College Prep Scholar, Charlotte will also receive exclusive
awards and access to opportunities to develop a strong college
application. Awards for being a College Prep Scholar also
include opportunities to attend summer programs at Yale,
Stanford and the University of Chicago.
Charlotte is an
Advanced Placement student and a member of the National Honor
Society and Math Honor Society, where she serves as
corresponding secretary. She is also president of the Chess Club
and math team and recently assisted in forming the previously
defunct debate club. Charlotte also spends time with computer
club activities and drama club. Although not a varsity athlete,
Charlotte maintains a rigorous personal athletic program in
which she trains with weights and participates in functional
training, such as everyday moving and compound exercises.
Charlotte said she does not have her eye on a particular
college or university at this time but will pursue an academic
program that allows her to combine computer science and
statistics.
Bellport High School is proud to
announce that its theater program has received 36 nominations
for 2020 Teeny Awards for its productions of “Beauty and The
Beast” and “The Game’s Afoot.” Bellport High School is one of 18
high schools whose theater productions are celebrated annually
by East End Arts for student talent and excellence in acting,
production, pit orchestra, stage management, lighting design and
crew and more. Winners will be announced on Thursday, July 23,
during a virtual format.
The South Country Central School
District congratulates the following individuals for receiving
Teeny Award nominations:
Play and Musical:
Michael
Marziliano as William Gillette – Lead Male in a Play in “The
Game's Afoot”
Autumn Margaret Walthers as Daria Chase – Lead
Female in a Play in “The Game's Afoot”
Michael Marziliano as
the Beast – Lead Male in a Musical in “Beauty and the Beast”
Jack Burkhardt as Lumiere – Supporting Male in a Musical in
“Beauty and the Beast”
Troy Sica as Cogsworth – Supporting
Male in a Musical in “Beauty and the Beast”
Emma Butler as
Mrs. Potts – Supporting Female in a Musical in “Beauty and the
Beast”
Technical:
Jasmine Armann – stage manager –
“Beauty and the Beast”
Juliana Lewkowski – stage manager -
“The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays” and “Beauty and
the Beast”
Vivienne Love – lighting – “The Game’s Afoot or
Holmes for the Holidays” and “Beauty and the Beast”
Kieran
Sawyer – lighting – “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the
Holidays” and “Beauty and the Beast”
Ryan Wilson – sound –
“The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays” and “Beauty and
the Beast”
Troy Sica – assistant director – “Beauty and the
Beast”
Pit Orchestra:
David
Bellante (percussion), Bella Caypinar (violin), Kayzjah Charles
(bass), Mariah Chavez (violin), Ryann Christie (clarinet), Sara
Cornacchiulo (flute), Sebastian DeRosa (violin), Vivian Fritz
(harp), Isabella Gascon (violin), Emily Gentzel (violin), Violet
Gordon (violin), Taylor Kelly (oboe), Daniela Mondi (cello),
Victoria Monte (cello), Timmy Montick (trumpet), Liam Murphy
(French horn), Anthony Notartomaso (baritone/euphonium), Tamara
Ortiz Macas (flute), Rianna Raghunandan (violin), Ella Rauch
(cello), Aidan Sawyer (French horn), Kat Vignona (trumpet),
Emily Zahralban (violin) and Grace Zimlinghaus (French horn)
Bellport High School’s Tri-M Music
Honor Society inducted 75 seventh and eighth grade
student-musicians to the prestigious Tri-M Music Honor Society.
The new inductees are members of either band, orchestra or
chorus and were recommended for membership by music faculty.
Music teacher Victoria Hartman explained that the students
were selected to participate in the 2019 New York State School
Music Association’s solo festival and were preparing to
participate in the 2020 NYSSMA solo festival, which was canceled
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also described the inductees
as “leaders in the classroom” and students most likely to assist
behind the scenes at concerts.
Tri-M Music Honor Society
is formerly known as Modern Music Masters. A program of the
National Association for Music Education, Tri M recognizes
students for academic and musical achievement. To be eligible, a
student must maintain an A average in music lessons, a C average
in academic courses, be presently enrolled in a high school
music course and be recommended by faculty.
The South
Country Central School District congratulates the following
students:
Katherine Alayon
Alexa Allan
Pietro
Ancona Jr.
Brynne Ballan
Angely Banegas
Maddy Budris
Claire Cannella
Christopher Chaves
Shaniah Chavez
Kailyn Ciavatta
Nolan Comerford
Juliette Cuccurese
Rosario Curcio
Evan Dedis (VP)
Samantha DeLillo
Karyn
Devine
Maya Dixit
Nathan Ernst
Kenya Escobar
Erin
Fagan
Frankie Felice
Christopher Ford
Giulia Gannon
Sean Glynn
Malena Gomez
Kevin Gonzalez
Louisa Gordon
(Pres.)
Connor Gronenthal
Stephanie Grosso
Dylan Horn
Molly Hough
Brynn Johnsen
Melina Kasten
Dylan Knakal
Julia Kotasek
Emma Kuegel
Lauren LaGrega
Danika Leidig
Taylor Macioce
Diana Malchiodi
Anay Maldonado
Ryan
Manitta
Catherine Masem
Sarah Meininger
Erini Michaels
Hrysanthopoulos
Gael Michel
Derek Minden
Connor Murphy
Alana Negron
Macy Neider
Riley Neider
Michael Nesi
(treasurer)
The Bellport High School Class of
2020 embraced and overcame the limits of social-distancing in a
pandemic era to celebrate an important milestone in their
educational careers during the annual commencement ceremonies,
held on June 25. Prior to the ceremony, the police and fire
departments escorted students, parents and family as they drove
through the middle of Bellport Village from Bellport Middle
School to the high school grounds where they were greeted by the
administration and members of the board of education. If a
student was unable to drive, Lyft donated transportation
services so that every student was able to participate in this
exciting event.
“Pomp and Circumstance” was played over
the PA system as Bellport Security assisted each car with
parking. Although required to remain in their cars during the
ceremony, students could watch the ceremony, which was
livestreamed on a movie screen, and listen to the ceremony live
on 94.9 FM radio. After Assistant Principal Erika Della Rosa
welcomed the students, Student Council President Carly Diolosa
led the salute to the flag.
During her introductory
comments, Carly explained that the obstacles the Class of 2020
experienced will be chronicled in history books and gave
important advice to her peers. “Your achievements in life should
not be measured by the car you drive or the job you have, but by
the impact you have on others’ lives, the kindness you share and
the values you reflect into the atmosphere.”
Principal
Timothy Hogan, in acknowledgement of challenges faced by the
pandemic and social injustice reforms, he told the students that
significant challenges are ahead. “We must continue to work
collectively in developing new models and new initiatives to
navigate this ever changing environment,” he said.
Essayist Audrey Barry, whose task was to talk about the memories
of the past, said she sometimes finds herself wanting to go back
to a sense of familiarity and comfort. She encouraged peers to,
take the good times of your past and use them to motivate your
present.”
Natalia Jordan spoke about presence in her
salutatory address. “In today’s society, the present is our tool
to construct the future. Thus, it is imperative to not only be
aware of a current crisis but also be involved in the action to
create a better future.”
During the valedictorian
address, Ali Dennis Guillermo Jr. told peers that the path to
success does not have to be traveled alone and relationships
made can help foster success. He attributed his path to success
to his recently deceased father and deceased friend R.J. “After
being made valedictorian, there were 10 seconds where I was
completely ecstatic that my hard work had paid off. But there
had to be an 11th second, right?” Ali said. “In that 11th
second, I remembered what had gotten me this far. It was the
motivation and influence of both RJ and my father. It was a
motivation that could not be ignored.”
After the
celebratory speeches, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani
certified the diplomas and announced that the seniors had
completed the requirements for graduation. Board President E.
Anne Hayes then led the students in the traditional moving of
the tassel, symbolizing that the seniors were now alumni of the
South Country Central School District.
After a brief
fireworks show by Grucci Fireworks, the students and their
guests then proceeded to the front of the high school where they
received their diplomas and had the opportunity to take a
graduation photo.
101 Fireplace Neck Road
Brookhaven, NY
631-730-1700
Website
101 Fireplace Neck Road
Brookhaven, NY
631-730-1700
Website
37 Kreamer Street
Bellport, NY
631-730-1650
Website
185 Dunton Avenue
East Patchogue, NY
631-730-1675
Website
599 Brookhaven Avenue
Bellport, NY
631-730-1725
Website
35 Kreamer Street
Bellport, NY
631-730-1626
Website
205 Beaver Dam Road
Brookhaven, NY
631-730-1575
Website
189 Dunton Avenue
East Patchogue, NY
631-730-1500
Website
The links above direct to websites of the South Country Central School District. Photos courtesy of South Country Schools.