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Bellport High School 2016 alumna
Grace Curcio recently earned a first place recognition at the
55th annual Metropolitan Association of College and University
Biologists Conference in the category of biochemistry,
biophysics and biotechnology. To earn the top spot, Curio
presented her research on titanium dioxide nanoparticles and
their effect on agriculture, specifically mustard plants
(Brassica juncea).
Curcio, who graduated a year early
from Bellport, is currently a senior at St. Joseph’s University
studying to earn a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor
in environmental studies.
“St. Joseph’s has given me a
ton of opportunities and my professors are all incredible,” said
Curcio, who had the opportunity to participate in a study abroad
program in Greece over the summer for a Science Without Borders
course. In her final semester, she will be interning with Dr.
Tetyana Delaney, who has been recognized by NASA, to continue
her environmental studies. Dr. Delaney is Curcio’s current
thesis adviser and worked with her on her MACUB presentation.
Of her higher education journey, Curcio said it wouldn’t
have come to fruition without her experiences at Bellport High
School. “I am so incredibly thankful for the experiences I had
at Bellport High School,” she said. “They made me who I am, and
I wouldn’t be where I am today without those experiences.”
Photos and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Thirty-one members of the Bellport
High School Athletes Helping Others club raised more than $2,500
for Special Olympics by participating in a “Freezing for a
Reason” polar plunge at Cedar Beach on Nov. 19. The Special
Olympics organization raises money to fund athletes who want to
participate in the Special Olympics and provides them with
training to prepare.
This is the 12th year that
Bellport’s Athletes Helping Others has taken part in the
fundraiser. Throughout the years, the club has raised more than
$12,000 toward the Special Olympics organization. The Athletes
Helping Others club also sponsored two families by donating full
Thanksgiving dinners.
Photos and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School varsity volleyball coach Larry Auth recently celebrated his 400th career victory and finished his last season as a coach with a total of 407 wins. Auth, a special education teacher who is set to retire this school year, has coached varsity volleyball for the past 27 years. Each of those years, his team has earned a spot in the playoffs. During his time in Bellport, he also coached girls soccer and wrestling.
Photos and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School teacher Henry
Finnegan was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of
Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars.
Finnegan, who has taught in the South Country School District
for the past 24 years, was selected for his outstanding
dedication and commitment to excellence in the profession. His
nomination was made by one of his students.
“I was
shocked and touched,” said Finnegan, who teaches chorus, mixed
chorus, piano and treble choir at the high school.
“It
comes as no surprise to me that our students see Mr. Finnegan as
an outstanding, dedicated and committed educator,” said
Principal Erika Della Rosa. “Just by spending a few minutes with
him in the hallway, one can see how much he cares for all
students.”
Photos and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
School spirit filled the air on Oct.
22, as the Bellport High School Clippers celebrated homecoming
with a parade and football game that brought the community
together.
The celebrations kicked off during the week of
Oct. 17 with theme days and preparations for the parade.
Students constructed colorful floats that were on display during
the annual parade, which also featured the school’s marching
band, class courts, cheerleaders, and members of the Bellport
Fire Department and South Country Ambulance Company.
The
stands were full a few hours later for the homecoming football
game. Cheers rang out for the Clippers as they took on and
defeated Newfield with a final score of 35-9. The game also
featured a halftime performance by the varsity cheerleaders.
Photos and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Ten Bellport High School students
were recently recognized by the Town of Brookhaven as part of
the town’s ninth annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The
students were selected for the honor by the town’s Hispanic
Advisory Board for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 95 or higher.
The South Country Central School District congratulates the
following students:
Sara Abdelbasset, Tatianna Alvarado,
Hannah De Los Santos, Liany Kasten, Patricia Lopez, Scarlett
Maldonado, Isabella Moreno, Melissa Saquicaray, Katherine Yanza
and Mirka Zapata.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School seniors Tatianna
Alvarado and Rachel Li have been selected by QuestBridge as 2022
National Finalists for demonstrating outstanding academic
achievement.
QuestBridge is a national, nonprofit
institution that connects the country’s most exceptional
students with academic opportunities at some of the nation’s top
colleges and universities. As finalists, Alvarado and Li will
potentially be matched with a full scholarship to one of
QuestBridge’s partner colleges.
In its prestigious
selection process, QuestBridge searches for academically
talented students who match the partner colleges’ level of
academic achievement and can potentially thrive on their
campuses. Finalists are chosen from a pool of applicants who are
in the top 5-10% of their class, have received mostly A’s in
their schools’ most rigorous classes and have realized strong
standardized test scores, if taken.
In addition to being
academically talented, Alvarado is a member of her school’s
National Honor Society, Key Club and Fathom Literary Magazine.
Equally involved in her school, Li is a member of the
National Honor Society, Key Club and Fathom Literary Magazine
and plays the viola in her school’s chamber and pit orchestras.
Photos and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
During a ceremony and ribbon-cutting
on Oct. 15, the South Country Central School District honored
the legacy of John E. Conquest by dedicating the Bellport Middle
School athletic complex in his name.
Much loved by the
Bellport community, Conquest was remembered for his caring
nature, leadership abilities and for molding the future of
countless students. His ties to the South Country School
District run deep. During his tenure with the district, he
served as assistant principal at Bellport Middle School and
Bellport High School. He was also the district’s coordinator of
school community relations, dean of students at Bellport Middle
School and a truant officer.
Conquest was also a beloved
coach in the district, coaching varsity football for 32 years
and boys varsity basketball for 30 years.
Click here to watch the ceremony.
Click here to watch the tribute video.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
The Bellport High School varsity and
junior varsity volleyball teams raised $1,600 for breast cancer
research as part of their annual Dig Pink fundraiser game on
Oct. 3. Over the past 10 seasons, the athletes have raised more
than $22,000. Team members worked to garner monetary donations
from friends, family, classmates and community members. All
donor and memorandum names are being displayed on pink paper
volleyballs in the school’s gymnasium during the month of
October. All of the proceeds benefit the Side-Out Foundation, a
nonprofit organization that encourages volleyball players,
coaches and families across the country to raise money for
clinical trials for individuals with stage 4 breast cancer.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School sophomore
Sheriyah Ballard recently earned an Outstanding Job Performance
Award from the Suffolk County Department of Labor for work she
completed through the department’s Summer Youth Program. She was
one of 700 participants and 250 nominees to earn the award.
“I was very surprised,” said the South Country student, who
spent her summer working alongside South Country School District
employees at Frank P. Long Intermediate School to prepare the
school’s classrooms for the new year.
Ballard had
applied and was accepted to the program prior to the start of
the summer and said she learned a lot on the job.
“Everyone was so nice and treated me like family,” she said. “I
learned how to work as a team, budget and save money, and I was
empowered as one of the few women working in this position.”
Ballard, who spends her free time working on various art
projects, said if the opportunity presented itself again, she
would be more than thrilled to participate.
Looking to
the future, Ballard said she hopes to one day work in the
medical field and follow in the footsteps of her grandmother,
who was a certified nursing assistant at Stony Brook University
Hospital for over 30 years.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
During a ceremony on Sept. 29, 33
Bellport High School students were officially inducted into the
school’s Center for Excellence Club.
Run by advisers
Nicole Colao and Colleen Oates-Robesch, the Center for
Excellence provides support and experiences for students who are
on the path to college but do not have someone in their home
lives with experience on that path. Club activities aim to
develop a network of support that students can rely on as they
work toward their college and career goals. Students are
inducted following a spring application and interview process.
Ceremony speakers included Superintendent of Schools
Antonio Santana, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction Beth Doyle and Board of Education President Cheryl
A. Felice, who described the challenges they had faced on their
respective higher education journeys and offered sound advice.
“Always take advantage of other people’s generosity,”
said Santana, whose sentiments were shared by Doyle as she urged
students to avail themselves of all the support the school and
community has to offer,” Felice noted, “You are in control of
your own destiny, and there is always a way.”
The South
Country Central School District extends its congratulations to
the following inductees:
Nicole Alvarado, Anahi
Avecillas Paz, Mike Bolanos-Buestan, Gianna Brown, Christopher
Carrillo Hernandez, Christopher Chaves, Daphne Delgado Riera,
Erin Dupaya, Leilanie Fernandez Echavarria, Jennifer Fuentes,
Jeremy Guaraca Salinas, Aljon Guillermo, Andrea Hernandez Monroy,
Aysia Hernandez, Oscar Hernandez, Sha’Niyia Hollman, Sebastian
Mangru, Janeiry Marroquin Fuentes, Angel Matute Aguilar, Anthony
Molina Salgado, Angelina Negron, Remy Padgett, Adamaris Perez
Vazquez, Vincent Pitre Jr., Natalie Ponter, Iesha Rodney, Jeremy
Saltos Delgado, Evelyn Soto, Angely Trujillo Martinez, Mia
Walker, Reginald Elliot Watkins II, Giovanna Yancy and Amber
Ynoa.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School students
Angelica Brito, Destiny Brooks, Juliette Cuccurese, Daniel
Lewkoski, Emily Melgar, Gael Michel, Faith Rubio and Usman Zahid
spent a recent sunny Saturday morning volunteering their time at
VFW Post 8300 in Patchogue. The students assisted in cleaning up
the grounds and spent time getting to know some of the VFW
members. The volunteer experience was made possible through a
community service collaboration between Bellport High School and
the VFW post that provides students with an opportunity to
obtain community service experience.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School senior Rachel Li
has much to celebrate. She is among just 1.14% of AP Research
exam takers from around the world to earn a perfect score.
To earn the score, Li was required to submit a college-level
research paper that she penned following a year’s worth of
research while enrolled in her school’s AP Research class. Her
paper explores New York City’s specialized schools and the
stereotypes associated with them, as well as the history and
discussions surrounding those stereotypes, specifically those
related to Asian Americans.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Li
said of her perfect score. “I wasn’t even thinking about the
score when working on my paper.” She urged her fellow students
to enroll in the AP Research course. “I learned a lot about
myself and my work habits. My teachers and classmates were very
supportive.”
Li is an exceptional academic. She is a
member of her school’s National Honor Society, is an AP Scholar
with Distinction and recently earned an AP Capstone Seminar and
Research certificate. She is expected to graduate with an AP
Capstone Diploma designation in June. In addition, she plays the
viola in her school’s chamber and pit orchestras and is a member
of her school’s Key Club and Literary Magazine.
“We are
so very proud of Rachel,” said Principal Erika Della Rosa. “This
is an amazing accomplishment.”
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Nine Bellport High School seniors
have earned the prestigious AP Capstone designation on their
diplomas. To earn this distinction, the students
participated in their school’s AP Capstone program, in which
they were required to earn a score of 3 or higher in two courses
— AP Seminar and AP Research — and score similarly on four AP
exams.
AP Capstone Diploma Recipients:
Sara
Abdelbasset, Alexander Brigadir, Madeline Day, Hannah De Los
Santos, Skye Dodge, Kaitlyn Foley, Alexandria Lewkowski, Nikolle
Slavnova and Megan Wilkinson
Additionally, 25 students earned an AP Seminar and
Research Certificate. To earn the certificate, the students were
required to earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP
Research.
AP Seminar and Research Certificate
Recipients:
Eliza Beitel, Hannah Carlson, Sydnie Climan,
Alexander Cornacchiulo, Mackaylah Deacon, Hope Duncan, Autumn
Gambles, Maya Hassan, Kate Higgins, Nikki Hirschkind, Liany
Kasten, Amelia Kocay, Rachel Li, Scarlett Maldonado, Faith
Mangano Austin, Cara Murphy, Deirdre Notartomaso, Sarah Ofori,
Luke Prisco, Estefani Reyes, Daniel Rubin, Ryan Schneider,
Kaylie Vertichio, Abigail Welch and Katherine Yanza
Photos and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
In recognition of their exceptional
achievement on national Advanced Placement exams taken last
year, 30 Bellport High School seniors have earned AP Scholar
awards.
Eighteen students were named AP Scholars, two
earned the recognition of AP Scholar with Honor and 10 earned an
AP Scholar with Distinction honor.
To earn Scholar
recognition, students are required to score a 3 or higher on
three or more AP exams; for Scholar with Honor, they must earn a
3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or
more of those exams; and for Scholar with Distinction, they must
receive an average score of 3.5 on all AP exams and grades of 4
or higher on five or more of those exams.
The South
Country Central School District extends its congratulations to
the following students:
AP Scholar:
Tatianna Alvarado,
Keira Ballan, Eliza Beitel, Hannah Carlson, Laila Elbaroudy,
Autumn Gambles, Maya Hassan, Liany Kasten, Amelia Kocay,
Patricia Lopez, Scarlett Maldonado,
Isabella Moreno, Deirdre
Notartomaso, Daniel Rubin, Ryan Schneider, William Schuessler,
Ashley Schulz and Katherine Yanza
AP Scholar with Honor:
Sara Abdelbasset and Madeline Day
AP Scholar with
Distinction:
Alexander Brigadir, Sara Cornacchiulo, Hannah De
Los Santos, Skye Dodge, Kaitlyn Foley, Nikki Hirschkind,
Alexandria Lewkowski, Rachel Li, Nikolle Slavnova and Megan
Wilkinson
Photos and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Nine Bellport High School students
have earned national recognition through the College Board
National Recognition Program, which colleges use to identify
academically competitive, underrepresented students.
Autumn Gambles and Hannah De Los Santos earned the National
African American Recognition Award. De Los Santos also earned a
National Hispanic Recognition Award. Sara Abdelbasset, Tatianna
Alvarado, Liany Kasten, Patricia Lopez, Scarlett Maldonado,
Isabella Moreno and Katherine Yanza earned the National Hispanic
Recognition Award, as well.
To earn the recognitions, the
students were required to hold a grade point average of 3.5 or
higher, excel on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 exams, or earn a
score of 3 or higher on two or more AP exams.
Photos and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Four Bellport High School students
have been selected to perform in the All-State Festival of the
2022 New York State School Music Association Winter Conference.
The students were selected after receiving perfect
scores from state adjudicators on their solo performances at
last spring’s NYSSMA Solo Evaluation Festival. They are among
only 565 students selected for the state conference out of over
4,300 auditions. South Country had 17 high school students
audition for All-State last spring.
The conference will
take place in Rochester from Dec. 1-4. Two days of concert
performances will be held at the renowned Eastman Theatre of the
Eastman School of Music.
The South Country School
District congratulates the following talented students: Keira
Ballan (alto 1, Mixed Chorus), Hannah Carlson (violin, Symphony
Orchestra, alternate), MacKenzie Cover (soprano 1, Mixed Chorus,
alternate) and Emma Kuegel (violin 2, Symphony Orchestra and
oboe, Symphonic Band).
Photos and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School senior Nikki
Hirschkind has been named a Merit Award winner in the category
of visual arts by the Long Island Arts Alliance and
Scholar-Artist Committee. She will be featured in an upcoming
issue of Newsday.
Hirschkind is one of only 20
student-artists from across Long Island to earn the recognition.
She was selected after submitting a digital portfolio that
included a variety of her works.
“I was shocked that I
won,” said Hirschkind. “I couldn’t believe it when I read the
email.”
Hirschkind became serious about art during middle
school, but really honed her skills during the COVID-19
pandemic. She spent hours working in different media, her
favorite being graphite pencil.
The accomplished senior
is a member of several of her school’s honor societies,
including the National Honor Society and National Art Honor
Society. She is also a member of her school’s art club. Looking
to the future, she intends to study graphic design in college.
Photos and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
The South Country Central School
District wrapped up its sixth annual summer music program on
Aug. 12 with a concert at Bellport High School that showcased
the talents of the participating student-musicians.
The
weeklong summer program provided the opportunity for
student-musicians in grades 5-12 to learn two new musical pieces
on their primary instruments and also perform using djembes,
xylophones and the marimba.
The 19 students practiced
for four hours each day and performed pieces including
“Intensity” by Sean O’Loughlin; “Sweet Guava Jelly,” a Jamaican
folk song; “Banuwa,” a Liberian folk song; and “Viva La Vida” by
Guy Berryman, Jon Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.
Photos and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School student-athletes
Aarilin Pitre and Giulia Gannon were recently awarded All-League
titles at the Suffolk County Softball Coaches Association’s 43rd
annual banquet. The sophomores earned the accolades for their
athletic ability and talent. Pitre is an outfielder and Gannon
plays shortstop.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
The South Country Central School
District Board of Education has appointed Jennifer Segui as its
new assistant superintendent for finance and management
services, effective Aug. 11, and Patrick Hayes as its new
director of health, physical education and interscholastic
athletics, effective Aug. 9.
“We are pleased to announce
these two new appointments,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Joseph Giani. “They both bring a wealth of experience to our
district, and we are certain that they will prove to be an
integral part in ensuring that our students receive the best
education.”
Segui, of Stony Brook, has served as the
assistant business administrator in the Plainview-Old Bethpage
School District since 2015. Prior to this role, she worked in
the Bayport-Blue Point School District as a senior
accountant/treasurer. Earlier in her career, she was an
accountant and payroll supervisor in the Middle Country Central
School District and an account clerk for the Village of
Patchogue.
Segui holds a Bachelor of Science in
accounting from SUNY Binghamton and a Master of Arts from
Dowling College.
“I am grateful to the superintendent and
the board of education for selecting me to be a part of their
central office administrative team,” Segui said. “I look forward
to applying my business office experience and collaborating with
my colleagues, the board and the school district community.”
Hayes, of Sayville, joins South Country from the Longwood
School District, where he has served as a physical education
teacher at the elementary, middle and high school levels, as
well as the principal of the high school’s summer school. He
also coached several teams at Longwood, including basketball,
tennis, lacrosse, football and soccer.
Hayes holds a
Bachelor of Science in physical education from SUNY Cortland and
a Master of Science, advanced certificate in coaching, and
advanced certification in school building and school district
leadership from Stony Brook University.
“I am excited and
humbled by the privilege to join the South Country school
community as the director of athletics, health and physical
education,” Hayes said. “It is an honor to become an integral
component of the educational process for the students of the
South Country School District.”
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
During their annual reorganization
meeting on July 6, the South Country School District Board of
Education elected Cheryl A. Felice as its new president and E.
Anne Hayes as vice president. Both were sworn in by District
Clerk Christine Flynn. Also sworn in by Flynn at the meeting
were new board trustees Joseph Barry, Rafyel Flippen and Tara
Kavanagh. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani, District
Clerk Flynn, District Clerk Pro-Tem Sara Cioffaletti and
District Treasurer Christine Johnson also took the oath of
office.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Dr. Joseph Giani, superintendent of
the South Country Central School District, was honored for his
years of service to the school district and community by
Bellport Village Mayor Ray Fell on July 6. Fell presented a
proclamation to Dr. Giani, who will retire at the end of July
after serving as the district’s superintendent for the past nine
years.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Twenty-nine Bellport High School
seniors who committed to compete in athletics at the collegiate
level where recently honored during a signing day ceremony.
Family members, friends and coaches showed support as the
students each signed a certificate symbolizing their commitment.
The South Country School District congratulates the
following student-athletes:
Baseball
William Caroli –
SUNY Cortland
Dylan Gronenthal – SUNY Herkimer
Evan Virno
– Muhlenberg College
Basketball
Javin Riddick – SUNY
Herkimer
Football
Johnnie Booker III – SUNY Cortland
Amari Cook – Alfred State College
Chau’zen Davis – University
of Massachusetts
Riley Murphy – Alfred University
Calvin
Pedatella – Williams College
Marc Promutico – Salve Regina
University
Lacrosse – Boys
Jack Halpin – University at
Albany
Curren Johnsen – Lehigh University
Tyler Morrell –
Dominican College
Lacrosse – Girls
Erica Dickinson –
SUNY Plattsburgh
Savannha Lanzetta – St. Joseph’s College
Julia Longo – SUNY New Paltz
Isabella Rupolo – Western
Connecticut State University
Alexa Versaci – Limestone
University
Alyssa Wolf – Pace University
Soccer
Samantha Ostrowski – Southeastern Louisiana University
Charlotte Rauch – Kutztown University
Nicholas Vital –
American International College
Track
Kayla Coq – North
Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Natalie
Gentzel – Lock Haven University
Jazmin Riley – Coastal
Carolina University
Volleyball
Marissa Krawczyk –
Assumption College
Mary Trowbridge – SUNY Morrisville
Wrestling
Troy Gentzel, East Stroudsburg University
Wyatt
Gentzel, SUNY Cortland
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School seniors Natalie
Gentzel and Calvin Pedatella were recently honored as nominees
for the prestigious 22nd annual Butch Dellecave Awards.
The top Suffolk County female and male awards are presented to
student-athletes who demonstrate impressive academic and
athletic achievements. The awards are named for Dellecave, who
served as an educator at Connetquot for 30 years, was a sports
official in Suffolk County for nearly 20 years and founded the
Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
Gentzel earned a
nomination for maintaining a 98 GPA and her athletic ability in
volleyball and track. She holds an All-Classification title in
volleyball and All-County titles in track for the 100- and
400-meter hurdles.
Pedatella was presented with a
nomination for maintaining a 102 GPA and excelling in football,
wrestling and lacrosse. He holds All-State and All-Long Island
titles in football and is a two-time All-League wrestler.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
The members of the South Country
Central School District Board of Education were recently
recognized by the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association for
the critical role they played in confronting educational
challenges and making tough decisions during the COVID-19
pandemic.
South Country board trustee Chris Picini, who
sits on the executive committee of the N-SSBA, accepted the
recognition on behalf of his colleagues.
The
certificates were inscribed with a thank you to each board
member and the Harry Chapin quote: “We all have the potential to
move the world and the world is ready to be moved.”
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
As proud family members looked on, 31
student-musicians from Bellport Middle School were inducted into
the Tri-M Music Honor Society during a ceremony on June 13.
To be inducted, the students were required to be full-time
members of a performing ensemble at Bellport Middle School,
participate in the NYSSMA Solo Evaluation Festival, and exhibit
leadership, service and character. They must also maintain a B
average in their music classes and receive a recommendation from
their music teachers.
The South Country Central School
District extends its congratulations to the following inductees:
Madison Aruta, Logeen Baslious, Barbara Bautista Castellanos,
Valeria Bautista, Colin Capuano, Meaghan DeLillo, Rebecca
DeLillo, Kaylyn Donovan, Hope Gorden, Penelope Gordon, Colin
Knakal, Gabriella Lembo, Sarah Lewis, Matthew Manitta, Caitlin
Maragioglio, Lucia McCollum, Stephanie Meininger, Bianca Mignola,
Julio Montes-Santos, Jennifer Morales, Elizabeth Orsino, Nayla
Ortiz Macas, Samantha Panasuk, Julius Radino, Sara Repper,
Madelyn Schmidt, Kayla Schneider, Ryan Spence, Taylor Vertichio,
Gabrielle Waller and Dylan Weiner.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School recently
inducted 34 student-musicians in grades 10, 11 and 12 into its
Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter.
To earn the honor, the
students were required to participate in their school’s chamber
concerts, perform at the 2021 and 2022 New York State School
Music Association Solo Evaluation Festival, have strong music
teacher recommendations and volunteer at district music
performances.
The South Country School District
congratulates the following Tri-M members: Luke Allan, Keira
Ballan, Madeline Budris, Emma Butler, Hannah Carlson, Ryann
Christie, Sara Cornacchiulo, Samantha DeLillo, Karyn Devine,
Skye Dodge, Francis Felice, Elisha Feliz, Violet Gordon, Olivia
Horn, Liany Kasten, Emma Kuegel, Rachel Li, Sydney Macioce,
Taylor Macioce, Leonardo Mignola, Michael Nesi, Kennedy Parris,
Rachel Petri, Rianna Raghunandan, Emily Robbins, Benjamin
Santiago, Kaelyn Schmidt, Ryan Schneider, William Schuessler,
Leah Silvestre, Joseph Starpoli, Ella Steckle, Jordan Truce and
Grace Zimlinghaus.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
During a candlelighting ceremony on
June 2, Bellport Middle School inducted 197 new members into its
the National Junior Honor Society.
To be eligible for
membership, the students were required to maintain an 88
academic average or an 85 if the student is in two or more
Regents classes in each of the first three quarters of the
school year; have no grade less than a 70 as a quarterly class
average; demonstrate service, leadership, citizenship and
character; and participate in at least three extracurricular
activities.
The South Country School District
congratulates the following inductees:
Grade 7
Erik
Anderson, Muhammad Anees, Arianna Barrett, Logeen Baslious,
Edith Batres Guevara, Mariah Battist, Barbara Bautista
Castellanos, Valeria Bautista Castellanos, Joseph Bellone, Deniz
Bitirim, Deanna Dawn Caguicla, Megan Candelaria, Colin Capuano,
Ashley Castillo, Nicolette Comeau, Daniel Day, Rebecca DeLillo,
Kevin Diaz Sanchez, Ashley Dondero, Leslie Espinoza Chavez, Jack
Fauci, Jayden Garcia, Addison Gilbert, Nick Gonzalez, Hope
Gorden, Penelope Gordon, Bryan Guaman-Guachun, Sajdah Hayat,
Alexander Hershkowitz, Menaal Hussain, Anders Johnsen, Gavin
Katz, John Kavanagh, Elizabeth Keenan, Yasra Khan, Marcella
Krotschinsky, Gabriella Lembo, Sarah Lewis, Avery Loeffler,
Adrian Lopez, Johnathan Lutchman, Matthew Manitta, Caitilin
Maragioglio, Stephanie Meininger, Bianca Mignola, Madeline
Mohabir, Lily Monastero, Julio Montes-Santos, Nathan Moody,
Chase Morris, Sophia Morroun, Joelle Mylonas, Gabriella Neumann,
Soraya Ortega Cordova, Nayla Ortiz Macas, Evangeline Pacini,
Evan Peters, Onyelukachukwu Philip-Ikpo, Aish Porter, Jim
Salazar, Jordan Saliba, Keyla Sanchez Quiroz, Christina
Schaefer, Wesley Schmidt, Kayla Schneider, Rowan Schultz, Amir
Scott, Cooper Scotti, Henry Siavichay Najera, Vanessa Sisalima,
Thomas Smith, Johnna Spagnoli, Darlyn Toribio Capellan, Taylor
Truce, Troy Turuta, Brian Umanzor, Emily Uyi, Logan Vazquez,
Taylor Vertichio, Gabrielle Waller, Dylan Weiner, Frankie Wilk
and Fayth Williams
Grade 6
Abigail Abaldonado, Anthony
Abbatiello, Alyssa Abner, Emma Amendola, Griffin Antos,
Ian
Arias, Diego Arriaza, Liam Bal, Aarom Balkaran, Charlotte Barry,
Gavin Bell, Josue Benitez, Colleen Benze, Brooke Bodkin,
Katelynn Bohn, Autumn Booker, Melissa Calle, Landon Carapezza,
Rylee Carpenter, Valerie Castillo, Marcelo Chaves, Matthew
Chojnacki, Courtney Christie, Noah Clarke, Evan Comerford, Jason
Cuji, Dominic DeCaro, Olivia DeVito, Shani Dilan, Alexis Drapal,
Jack Drapal, Morgan Dunbar, Dylan Epstein, Julia Ferrara,
Jocelyn Fitzgerald, Emma Fostvedt, Caitlin Fox, Brody Frabizio,
Amber Gambles, Steven Garfen, Allison German, Johan Giraldo,
Connor Griffin, Gavin Gronenthal, David Guaman, Nylah Hall,
Declan Hart, Carly Hawaldar, Ines Haynes, Bianca Henn, Joshua
Hernandez, Michael Hernandez, Tony Hernandez, James Hines, Riley
Hollywood, Landon Horn, Mateo Hurtado, Lena Issam, Sean James
Jr., Kellan Jensen, Destiny Johnson, Andrew Jones, Cassaera
Kelly, Gavin Klein, Taylor La Grega, Michael LaPaz, Ethan Leidig,
Reece Lesser,
Maite Lojano, Christian Lunsford, Aubrey
Mantione, Leila Masillo, Madeline Mayer, Jaela McCullough,
Tyliah Miller, Tyler Mordente, Giovanna Muro, Roma Nichols,
Alaythea Nix, Michael Nunez, Emma Orsino, Desmond Pacini,
Michael Petoello, Robert Pauletti,
Jaime Portillo, Sadie
Pracher, Griselda Rios-Reyes, Marian Rivas, Joshua Rodas, Jaden
Santos, Lee Santos, Seth Santos, Pablo Saquicaray, Nelian Scott,
Asahel Seaman, Summer Seif, Ahad Shah, Luke Shelley, Kevin
Sorrentino, Christopher Sorto Hernandez, Molly Steininger,
Victoria Strecker, Christopher Taveras, Connor Togher, Gianna
Tuzza, Alexa Ulloa, Jaime Umanzor, Scarlett Van Wyen, Paula
Vasquez, Estefany Velasquez Umanzor, Samantha Webster, Keira
Williams, Yanza Escobar Yanzy and Dennis Zhunio
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
During their June 8 meeting, the
South Country School District Board of Education formally
recognized 23 retiring staff members. Between them, they logged
507 years of service to the district. The board additionally
granted tenure to 33 staff members. The celebration also
included a reception with food prepared and served by students
in Bellport High School’s culinary program.
The board
thanks the following retirees for their dedication to the
district:
Bellport High School:
Vicki Barthelmess,
Bernardina Fields, Mark Jennings, Linda Lippl and Lynette Murphy
Bellport Middle School:
Grace Beemer, Michael Fiore,
Carolee Lally, Theodore Loizides and Ellen Zeller
Frank
P. Long Intermediate School:
Christine Harjes and Milagros
Milliner
Brookhaven Elementary School:
Donna Caldicott,
Brian Hilliard, Juliane McDermott and Diana Tebaldi
Verne
W. Critz Elementary School:
Ann Marie Baldino, Robin Montick
and Amy Watson
Central Office/Student Support Services:
Mariann Anderson, Catherine Barone, John Frankie III and
Robert McIntyre
The board also congratulates the
following tenured staff members:
Bellport High School:
Katelyn Burke, Salvatore Finocchiaro, Alic Johnsen, Catherine
Johnson, Christopher Palatucci, Danae Paniagua, Amanda Parry,
Marissa Reitzel and Jeanine Sparacin
Bellport Middle
School:
Jessica Arrigotti, Brian Brinskelle, Lisa Ferrara,
Jeremy Freeman, Audrey Garcia, Alic Johnsen, Courtney Liberatore
and Christopher Loeschner
Frank P. Long Intermediate
School:
Margaret Glennon-Indilla, Samantha Parente and
Katherine Romano
Brookhaven Elementary School:
Keri
Kearney
Kreamer Street Elementary School:
Erica
Panepinto, Heather Talmage and Cynthia Wilcken
Verne W.
Critz Elementary School:
Christopher Loeschner, Lidia Swinkin
and Christine Tomasino
Administration:
Jack Burke,
Heather Giacomin, Rosa Kalomiris, Mandy Mazziotti, Jaclyn
O’Hagan and Dr. Rebecca Raymond
District-wide:
Laurie
Kruse and Lauren Parasmo
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School senior Jillian
Kerr-Smith recently won the Best High School Experimental Film
title at the 12th annual Luminaries Film Festival, held as part
of the Long Island Media Arts Festival at Five Towns College.
Kerr-Smith took the top spot for her music video, “Wake Up,”
that aims to shed light on the social isolation caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic. Her two-minute film, which took her two weeks
to create, incorporated numerous props that she made herself.
“The whole film was an experiment to test how many props
I could make myself,” she said. “This award means a lot to me
because it shows how much I have grown as a filmmaker, being
able to create something that shows my creativity even though I
lacked resources.”
When not making films, Kerr-Smith
spends her time playing a variety of instruments and performing
community service. She will attend Hunter College in the fall to
study film.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School senior Betsy
Castro never thought capturing a simple moment for her Photo II
assignment would garner so much attention, but her moving
photograph has done just that. The photograph has been showcased
at various art shows around Long Island, including the Suffolk
County Art Leaders Association, the Bay Area Friends of the Fine
Arts student exhibit, the Parrish Art Museum student exhibit
and, most recently, the Heckscher Art Museum’s prestigious Long
Island’s Best Exhibition.
Not only has Castro’s
photograph been showcased in numerous art shows, but it has also
garnered her several awards and scholarships, including a
first-place Photography Award and Scholarship from the Suffolk
County Art Leaders Association, a second-place Digital
Photography Award from Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts, a
Senior Photography Award from the Parrish Art Museum, and the
Cozza Family Photography Award and Renzo & Lynette Bianchi
Scholarship Award from the Heckscher Art Museum’s Long Island’s
Best Exhibition.
Castro’s image depicts her grandmother,
Margarita, gently cradling her grandchild, Castro’s infant
nephew. While it is a simple moment, the full range of values,
the folds of patterned fabric and the varied textures captured
in black and white make it a striking image.
The photo
was taken as part of an “elder portrait” assignment in which
Bellport High School teacher Sophia Black tasked Castro and her
peers to capture images of older generations.
“Photographing my grandmother and my nephew, I sought to
emphasize a family through different stages of life while also
exploring the idea of age and youth,” said Castro. “Through this
intergenerational portrait, I also wanted to capture that
comforting sense of support that nobody but our grandparents can
give.”
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport
Middle School teacher Brianne Torre was recently named a winner
in the Teachers Federal Credit Union’s second annual Teacher
Appreciation Week Contest. She was one of 12 educators out of
1,000 nationwide to earn a $1,000 classroom grant.
“I'm
truly honored and surprised to be recognized in this way,” said
Torre. “My job is a privilege, and making a difference in the
lives of students on a daily basis has always been a priority
and what I consider to be part of the work.”
Torre
received the honors after being nominated by her colleague and
friend, Dr. Lindsay Blaszcyk, who also mentored her when she
first arrived at Bellport Middle School in 2015.
Torre
was praised for her educational philosophy and the work she has
done in the classroom.
“I love laughing and learning
with my students,” said Torre. “Every day is new and exciting. I
get to watch my students grow as young adults, both academically
and emotionally, and I enjoy coaching them through their ups and
downs.” She added, “Growing up is confusing, ever-changing and
sometimes very isolating. I want to always be a constant in my
students' lives, someone they can depend on each and every day
to support them, love them and prepare them for their lives
ahead.”
Torre began her career at Bellport Middle School
as a permanent substitute teacher and leave replacement teacher
in 2015. She was later hired for a probationary position in the
English language arts department. She attended SUNY New Paltz
for her undergraduate degree, where she majored in adolescent
education concentrated in English, and attended St. Joseph's
University for a master's degree in literacy and cognition.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School senior Rianna
Raghunandan has earned a full Gates Scholarship to attend Yale
University in the fall to study biology on a pre-med track.
Raghunandan is one of only 300 students from across the
country to earn this highly selective scholarship following an
application process and interview. Among other criteria,
applicants must be in the top 10% of their graduating class and
participate in extracurricular and community service activities.
Raghunandan is the Class of 2022 valedictorian, an AP
Scholar with Honor and a National Hispanic Recognition Award
recipient. She is also treasurer of the Tri-M Music Honor
Society and a member of the National, Math and Science honor
societies, as well as the Art Club, Spanish Club, Book Club and
Key Club. She plays the violin in both the concert and pit
orchestras. In addition, she was accepted into the QuestBridge
College Prep Scholars Program and selected as a finalist in the
prestigious QuestBridge National College Match Program. Outside
of school, she volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Ten Bellport High School students
were recently recognized with New York State Senate Youth
Leadership Awards. They are among 14 students in the third
senate district to earn the award. The students were
acknowledged by New York State Sen. Alexis Weik for displaying
leadership skills in the areas of community service, athletics,
the arts and academics. They were also required to submit an
essay and a letter of recommendation from a school official.
The South Country School District congratulates the
following honorees: 10th graders Ethan Amendola, Maddy Budris
and Brynn Johnsen; 11th graders Sydnie Climan and Kaylie
Vertichio; and 12th graders Eric Ciavatta, Natalie Gentzel,
Tamara Ortiz Macas, Isabella Miglino and Calvin Pedatella.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School junior Tatianna
Alvarado has merited the prestigious title of Questbridge
College Prep Scholar.
Alvarado was one of 3,414 juniors
from across the country to receive the honor from a pool of more
than 13,000 applicants. She earned the designation based on her
academic achievement and personal character. She now has the
opportunity to participate in the Questbridge College Match
program and earn scholarships.
“I am hopeful that this
will open more opportunities for me,” said Alvarado.
A
stellar student, Alvarado is also a member of her school’s
National Honor Society, Key Club and Fathom Literary Club.
Photo and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
During
the May 18th meeting of the South Country Central School
District Board of Education, the board appointed Mr. Antonio
Santana as its next superintendent of schools. To ensure a
smooth leadership transition, Mr. Santana will join the district
on July 1 as assistant to the superintendent. He will work
closely with current Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani
before assuming the role of superintendent effective July 30th.
A veteran educator with more than 23 years of experience,
Mr. Santana joins South Country from the Glen Cove City School
District, where he has served as principal of Glen Cove High
School for seven years. Prior to joining Glen Gove, he served as
principal of Port Jefferson Middle School and held
administrative positions in the Three Village Central School
District and Valley Stream Central High School District. He
began his career in education as a teacher at Alfred B. Mason
School, PS/IS 226, in Brooklyn.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Santana to our district,”
said E. Anne Hayes, president of the board of education. “His
dynamic personality, experience and joy for education makes him
an excellent candidate to lead our school district to new and
greater heights.”
Mr. Santana brings with him a wealth of
knowledge and experience. During his years in Glen Cove, he
collaborated with stakeholders and local and state agencies to
elicit a change in school culture, including establishing a
“PRIDE” leadership team that developed restorative building
practices and school-wide social-emotional learning lessons. He
also developed and implemented a credit recovery program
utilizing district resources facilitated by teachers, as well as
a work-based learning coordinator, to provide opportunities for
students to utilize career and technical education pathways. In
addition, he oversaw the development and implementation of the
high school’s budget, including auditing school expenditures and
forecasting programmatic changes and related costs to inform
budgetary planning.
“I am extremely excited and humbled
to have been selected to serve the South Country Central School
District as the superintendent of schools,” Mr. Santana said.
“Through the valuable experiences I have been afforded in the
various districts I have served, I have come to appreciate what
an educational community values and what its role is for the
families it serves. The South Country Central School District
prides itself on its innovativeness and diversity, and my number
one goal as the superintendent of schools will be to cultivate a
positive and supportive professional environment that preserves
the past and finds its future. I am eager and excited for the
challenge that the office brings.”
A resident of Rocky
Point, Mr. Santana holds a Bachelor of Science in communication
from Cornell University and a Master of Science in school
administration and supervision from Touro College.
Mr.
Santana was appointed following an exhaustive months-long search
coordinated between the board of education and Eastern Suffolk
BOCES. The search also included the board’s review of feedback
from the community, faculty and staff via online surveys
conducted by BOCES on behalf of the board.
Photo and
release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
The South Country School District Art
Department is pleased to share that four Bellport High School
seniors and one junior have been recognized by the Parrish Art
Museum as part of its 65th annual Student Exhibition, which ran
through April 24.
The 2022 showcase, featured more than
600 young artists, honored seniors David Ayala (digital media),
Alexia Benjamin (digital media), Betsy Castro (photography) and
Vivienne Love (photography) with Senior Awards for Excellence.
Additionally, junior Madeline Day was selected for the “Ones to
Watch” category.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
For its exemplary record of
leadership, service and activities that serve to improve the
school and community, the Bellport High School Student Council
has been recognized as a gold-level winner of the 2022 National
Council of Excellence Award by the National Student Council. The
NatStuCo program is supported by its parent organization, the
National Association of Secondary School Principals.
A
student council must meet a variety of criteria to be eligible
for this award. In addition to basic requirements such as a
written constitution, regular meetings and a democratic election
process, the council must demonstrate successful sponsorship and
participation in activities such as leadership development and
service to the school and community.
This school year,
the Bellport High School Student Council hosted a variety of
unifying, schoolwide pride events and held several fundraisers,
including a food drive for local food pantries and a collection
for Ukraine.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School has announced
Rianna Raghunandan and Calvin Pedatella as its Class of 2022
valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, and Eric Ciavatta
as the class essayist. The three seniors earned the top spots in
their class through their outstanding commitment to academics.
Raghunandan is an AP Scholar with Honor and holds a
National Hispanic Recognition Award. She is treasurer of the
Tri-M Music Honor Society and a member of the National, Math and
Science honor societies, as well as the Art Club, Spanish Club,
Book Club and Key Club. She plays the violin in both the concert
and pit orchestras. In addition, she was accepted into the
QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program and selected as a
finalist in the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match
Program. Outside of school, she volunteers at the Boys and Girls
Club. She plans to attend Yale University in the fall to study
biological sciences on a pre-med track.
Pedatella is an
AP Scholar and a member of the National, Math and Science honor
societies. He is a decorated athlete as a member of his school’s
wrestling and football teams. For the former, he is a two-time
All-League wrestler and a Scholar-Athlete. For the latter, he
earned All-County, All-Long Island and All-State honors and was
named a Suffolk County News 12 Scholar Athlete. Most recently,
he was named the winner of the Top Scholar Athlete Award from
the Suffolk County chapter of the National Football Foundation.
In school, he volunteers with Athletes Helping Athletes, and
outside of school, he helps at Eileen’s Home soup kitchen. He
will be attending Williams College in the fall, where he will
continue playing football.
Ciavatta is vice president of
his school’s National Honor Society, a member of the Math and
Science honor societies, and has served as class secretary for
the past four years. He is also a member of his school’s
Culinary Club and student council. Outside of school, he works
at RHUM in Patchogue. He will be attending SUNY Cortland in the
fall to study math education.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School commended the
top 67 students of the Class of 2022 during a celebratory
Evening of Excellence on April 5th. The seniors were honored for
distinguishing themselves through their academic performance.
All have maintained a grade-point average of 93 or higher.
“Excellence just does not occur by accident,” said
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani. “It is the gradual
result of always striving to do your best with high intention,
sincere effort and mindful execution.”
Prior to the
presentation of awards, high school Principal Erika Della Rosa
presented Rianna Raghunandan as the Class of 2022 valedictorian,
Calvin Pedatella as salutatorian and Eric Ciavatta as class
essayist. They were each named for their dedication to
academics.
The evening also featured the presentation of
six teachers (one from each school) whom the top students
collectively agreed were those who most inspired and positively
influenced them during their educational journeys.
Addressing the honored teachers, Dr. Giani said, “Being
recognized by these high achievers as having inspired them is a
tremendous distinction. It just goes to show that your successes
do not always show up in the classroom. Sometimes success shows
up when you least expect it.”
The honored teachers
included Kevin Glynn, Brookhaven Elementary School; Gina Benzie,
Kreamer Street Elementary School; Melissa Fels, Verne W. Critz
Elementary School; Suzanne Olivotti-Dodge, Frank P. Long
Intermediate School; Victoria Hogan, Bellport Middle School; and
Andrew Budris, Bellport High School.
Performing during
the ceremony was the Bellport High School Orchestra, with the
Bellport High School Cadet Core presenting the colors.
The South Country Central School District congratulates the
following top students:
Alexia Benjamin
Boris
Berja
Justin Betti
Madison Boehler
Emma Butler
Clayton Cannella
William Caroli
Ryann Christie
Eric
Ciavatta
Drew Cioffi
Joel Cruz
Eliana Cruz
Harrison
Day
Erica Dickinson
Donovan Edmondson
Sarah Elbaroudy
Courtney Fagan
Elisha Feliz
Josselyn Fuentes
Margaret
Fuentes Velasco
Natalie Gentzel
Troy Gentzel
Jack
Gerard
Violet Gordon
Dylan Gronenthal
Jessica Hampson
Abigail Horn
Curren Johnsen
Shelby Kaczmarek
Marissa
Krawczyk
Tyler Krompier
Paige Lewis
Abby Loeffler
Ashley Loja
Julia Longo
Vivienne Love
Sydney Macioce
Aqsa Majid
Robert Menendez
Leonardo Mignola
Jarithsa
Molina Iniguez
Kevin Munson
Colin Murphy
Angela Nadeau
Jamie Nobile
Madison Olivant
Tamara Ortiz Macas
Calvin
Pedatella
Anthony Pennachio
Giana Porter
Marc Promutico
Rianna Raghunandan
Charlotte Rauch
Daniel Reilly
Jacob
Repper
Matthew Ritter
Isabella Rupolo
Laurens Seubert
Jr.
Rylie Sikeotis
Dominic Tigre
Michael Tvelia
Kyle
Varuolo
Kayla Vengroski
Nicholas Vital
Victoria Vital
Louis Wilson
Alyssa Wolf
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
For its dedication to music, the
South Country School District has been distinguished with a 2022
Best Communities for Music Education designation from the
nonprofit NAMM Foundation. The district is one of 738 school
districts from across the nation to earn the award.
To
receive the recognition, South Country demonstrated outstanding
achievement in its efforts to provide music access and education
to all students. The district was required to answer detailed
questions about its program, including funding, music class
participation, instruction time and support.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School senior Calvin
Pedatella has been named the winner of the Top Scholar Athlete
Award by the Suffolk County chapter of the National Football
Foundation.
Pedatella, an outside linebacker and wide
receiver, earned the top award from a pool of the top 11
athletes in Suffolk County who were eligible for it.
This
is not the only honor bestowed upon Pedatella, who has served as
captain of his school’s football team for the past two years. He
was featured on a News 12 segment as a News 12 Scholar Athlete
Award recipient and received a $1,000 scholarship from Bethpage
Federal Credit Union. He also holds All-County, All-Long Island
and All-State titles for football.
Pedatella, who
recently signed with Williams College, is also an accomplished
wrestler, earning two varsity Scholar Athlete Awards and two
All-League titles.
In addition to his athletic
involvement and academic studies, Pedatella has been named the
Class of 2022 salutatorian and is a member of his school’s
Athletes Helping Athletes club and National, Math and Science
honor societies. He also volunteers at the nonprofit Eileen’s
Home for the Holidays.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bob McIntyre, who served as the South
Country Central School District athletic director for 12 years
before his December 2021 retirement, has been named the 2022
Section XI Athletic Director of the Year by the New York State
Athletic Administrators Association.
McIntyre was
honored at the Roy O’Neill Awards Banquet in Saratoga on March
17 for making outstanding contributions to athletics over the
years and displaying devotion, commitment and promotion of
athletics in a positive manner.
Before joining South
Country in 2010, McIntyre left his mark in the East Moriches,
Eastport-South Manor and Port Jefferson school districts.
“We extend our congratulations to Bob McIntyre,” said South
Country Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani. “He
certainly is deserving and served the South Country School
District well during his tenure here.”
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
The New York State Public High School
Athletic Association has recognized four of Bellport High
School’s winter athletic teams as Scholar-Athlete Teams. To earn
the recognition, 75% of each team was required to hold a GPA
above 90%. The South Country Central School District extends its
congratulations to the boys and girls varsity track teams, the
boys varsity bowling team and the girls varsity basketball team.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
The Bellport High School Student
Council, National Honor Society and the school’s life skills
students have teamed up to provide support to Ukraine through a
blue ribbon fundraising campaign and monthlong collection drive.
The effort kicked off on March 18 with students and
staff wearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag to show support
for the war-torn country. On the same day, life skills students
began selling blue ribbons that they had made for $1 each. All
of the funds collected will be donated directly to the American
Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid to those impacted by the
conflict.
Student Council and National Honor Society
members, meanwhile, are leading a communitywide collection drive
for medical supplies, socks baby supplies (including diapers and
wipes), nonperishable food and clothing. All items will be
delivered at the end of the month to St. John the Baptist
Ukrainian Catholic Church in Riverhead, which will ship the
items directly to Ukraine.
Community members wishing to
help in the effort can drop off items to collection boxes
located in the main entrance of the school. Monetary donations
can also be delivered to the main entrance in an envelope
labeled “Ukraine Relief, Attention: Ellen Hoffman.” Please also
include your name and address.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School’s new gaming
club, eSports, showcased their impressive skills during their
first competitive season, with both teams in the club finishing
strong.
The team of Andy Amaya, Ed Argueta and Ava
Salinas focused on the video game Rocket League and won six out
of eight matches. They finished No. 40 out of 7,600 teams from
across the country. The team of Alexia Benjamin, Brandon
Impellizzeri, Tyler Montalvo, Jamie Nobile and Anthony Pino, who
concentrated on the video game Valorant, also played hard,
landing at No. 175.
Both teams competed during a 10-week
season, meeting three times a week after school.
“It is
pretty impressive what they accomplished,” said club adviser
William Langhan. “Some of them never played the games with each
other or ever before.”
ESports was inaugurated at the
start of the school year and aims to provide students who
wouldn’t normally participate in sports, drama or music with a
platform to be a part of a unified team.
The idea for the
team was developed a few months prior to the COVID-19 school
shutdown through a collaboration between Langhan and Bellport
Middle School Assistant Principal Reinaldo Latorre. The pair,
who are gamers themselves, worked to evolve their gaming team
idea into an opportunity for interested students to use their
gaming skills in a competitive setting.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Brookhaven Elementary School teaching
assistant Nicole Santana was commended by the South Country
Board of Education on March 2 for her heroic action of recently
performing the Heimlich maneuver on a choking student. Santana
was praised by the board and presented with a certificate of
recognition for her actions.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
One of Bellport High School’s most
accomplished basketball alumni — Jarell White — was honored with
a banner in the school’s gymnasium at a ceremony held during a
Feb. 9 basketball game.
White, who graduated in 2019,
earned the honor for being a Bellport High School statistical
leader. He scored 2,100 career points and 1,188 career rebounds
during his time at Bellport. He was also the 2018-19 Suffolk
County Player of the Year, a four-time state player (2016-2019),
Rookie of the Year in 2016, a three-time All-Long Island Player
(2017-2019) and a three-time All-County Player (2017-2019). He
currently plays basketball at SUNY Sullivan, where he is also
studying sports management.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School junior athlete
Jaiden Green has qualified to compete in the New York State
wrestling Championships in Albany on Feb. 25. He earned the spot
after finishing second in an overtime match at the Suffolk
County Wrestling Championships. Prior to the start of the
season, Green was named to Newsday’s Top 50 Long Island
Wrestlers list. The athlete received the recognition for
finishing his freshman wrestling season as the sixth best
Suffolk County wrestler.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Students across the South Country
Central School District took part in P.S. I Love You Day on Feb.
11. The day aims to raise awareness about bullying and suicide
while promoting kindness. Wearing purple to mark the day,
students at Bellport High School used dry erase markers to write
caring messages on the windows outside the school’s cafeteria,
sent kindness grams to friends, and earned “Kindness Koupons” if
they were caught performing a random act of kindness. The
coupons could be redeemed for treats from the school store. The
school also held a staff kindness challenge, where staff members
could win a chance to park in an administrator’s parking spot by
completing acts of kindness.
Students at the middle,
intermediate and elementary levels completed kindness activities
throughout the week of Feb. 7. They wrote letters to someone
special, participated in a virtual assembly with Brooke DiPalma,
founder of P.S. I Love You Day, and created friendship chains
that were displayed in their schools.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Johnnie Booker, a football star from
Bellport High School, recently participated in the 2022 Dream
All-American Bowl at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Texas.
Booker was one of 167 athletes hand-picked to take part in a
weeklong training session that culminated with a game on Jan.
17. Booker’s team — coached by Joe Horn, who played for the New
Orleans Saints — won their final game 21-13.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Fifty-one South Country Central
School District students have been selected to participate in
the prestigious Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association
All-County Music Festival in March. The students were selected
based on nominations by their teachers and their 2021 New York
State School Music Association solo evaluation performances.
The South Country Central School District extends its
congratulations to the following students on a job well done:
Division I Band:
Matthew Chojnacki
Courtney Christie
Olivia DeVito
Emma Fostvedt
Steven
Garfen
Tony Hernandez
Giovanna Muro
Isabella Sanabria
Molly Steininger
Connor Togher
Nicholas Wines
Faith
Wright
Division I Chorus:
Devon
Dinowitz
Bella Evans
Susanna Kliegl
Ava LaScala
Alexa Ulloa
Samantha Valenti
Division I Orchestra:
Lindsey Alvarenga Flores
Sofia Fuentes Rios
James Hines
Gavin Klein
Leighlany Lutchman
Markeese Marrero
Naomi
Schindler-Schul
Division II Band:
Aaren Arias
Julius Radino
Kayla Schneider
Division II Chorus:
Madison Aruta
Ava McKee
Division II Orchestra:
Gabriel Andre
Colin Capuano
Penelope Gordon
Ethan Hillard
Lucia
McCollum
Division III Band:
Benjamin
Santiago
Eva Gallo
Joseph Starpoli
Michael Nesi
Emma
Kuegel
Alexa Allan
Anthony Costanza
Division III Chorus:
Karyn Devine
Rileigh Picken
Kaelyn Schmidt
Oscar Hernandez
Division III
Orchestra:
Emily Robbins
Marissa LaSorsa
Ella
Steckle
Stephanie Rodas
Lila Schultz
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
While
many were navigating new pathways at the start of the COVID-19
pandemic, Mary Pettit, a fifth grade teacher at Frank P. Long
Intermediate School in the South Country Central School
District, began a journey to earn her National Board
Certification.
“Education is a constantly changing
landscape, and in an effort to improve my craft and align my
teaching with the most current data-based methods, I embarked on
a journey that led to one of the best professional development
experiences of my career,” said Pettit, who has since earned the
teaching credential in English Language Arts and Middle
Childhood for Ages 3-12.
The NBC goes
beyond a state teaching license. It is an extremely rigorous
certification process and includes national standards for what
accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.
“The most important reason to get national certification, in my
opinion, is the confidence I feel about what and how I teach my
students,” said Pettit. “In order to provide my students with
the voice they deserve, I needed to enrich my teaching and
knowledge of best practices.”
At the same time Pettit was
working toward her NBC, she also enrolled in the Educational
Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities (Ed.D.) program at
Molloy College. She is currently finishing her second year.
“The past two years have been so enlightening, and I am so
excited to conduct my own research on issues in education that I
feel passionate about,” she said.
Pettit has been a
teacher in the South Country Central School District for the
past 23 years. She spent her first 10 years teaching first and
third grades at Brookhaven Elementary before moving to Frank P.
Long Intermediate to educate fourth and fifth graders. She holds
a bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University in Bristol,
Rhode Island, and a master’s degree from Dowling College.
For her efforts, Pettit was recently recognized by the
district’s board of education.
“I appreciate that
[Superintendent of Schools] Dr. Giani and the BOE members
recognized my achievement, and I am very excited to work with
the district to find ways to inspire and motivate other teachers
to take the NBC journey,” she said.
Photo
and release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Seven Bellport High School fall
athletic teams have been recognized by the New York State Public
High School Athletic Association as Scholar-Athlete Teams. To
earn the recognition, 75% of each team was required to hold a
GPA above 90%. The South Country Central School District
congratulates the girls varsity cross-country team, girls
varsity volleyball team, varsity football team, boys varsity
golf team, girls varsity soccer team, boys cross-country team
and girls varsity tennis team.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School athletes Natalie
Gentzel and Curren Johnsen were recently honored by the New York
State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and
Dance as winners of the Suffolk Zone Student Leadership Award.
The seniors were selected based on their excellence in physical
education, leadership ability and service to the community.
Gentzel is captain of her school’s volleyball and track
teams and holds a record for track in 400-meter hurdles. She is
also president of her school’s Outdoor Club, secretary of
Athletes Helping Others and a member of the student council. She
plans to study physical education at Lock Haven University in
the fall.
“The skills I gained [in the high school’s
physical education program] were communication and how to be a
leader,” said Gentzel. “These will help me achieve my personal
goals in the future.”
Johnsen plays lacrosse, basketball
and is captain of his school’s golf team. His accolades include
All-County for lacrosse, All-Conference for golf, and MVP for
lacrosse and golf. He also participates in his school’s Athletes
Helping Athletes program, broadcast journalism program and
National Honor Society. He will attend Lehigh University on a
scholarship to study business.
“The communication skills
that I take away from playing sports allow me to better
understand people’s personalities, among other benefits,” he
said.
Release courtesy of the
South Country Central School District.
Four seniors and one junior member of
Bellport High School’s girls varsity volleyball team were
presented with prestigious sporting awards at the Suffolk County
Girls’ Volleyball Coaches Dinner on Dec. 7.
The South
Country School District extends it congratulations to the
following athletes on a job well done:
Skye Dodge, 11th
Grade, All-County Tournament Team
Natalie Gentzel, 12th
Grade, All-Classification
Jessica Hampson, 12th Grade,
All-League
Marissa Krawczyk, 12th Grade, All-County
Abby
Loeffler, 12th Grade, All-Classification and All-County Academic
Team
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Two South Country School District
students have been recognized for their exceptional musical
abilities by the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association.
Bellport High School percussionist Michael Nesi has been
selected by SCMEA to perform in the 2021 All-County High School
Percussion Ensemble, and Bellport Middle School percussionist
Julius Radino was named to the 2021 All-County Middle School
Percussion Ensemble. They will both be performing on Jan. 21 at
Sachem High School North.
The student-musicians were
selected for the honors based on their outstanding musicianship
and scores at the New York State School Music Association Solo
Evaluation Festival last spring.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
For his hard work and dedication both
on and off the field, Bellport High School senior Calvin
Pedatella has been distinguished with the News 12 Scholar
Athlete Award.
With the honor, the senior was featured
on News 12 segment and received a $1,000 scholarship from
Bethpage Federal Credit Union.
Pedatella, who recently
signed with Williams College, serves as captain of his school’s
football team and a third-year starting linebacker and wide
receiver. He is also an accomplished wrestler, earning two
varsity Scholar Athlete Awards for the sport.
In addition
to his athletic involvement and academic studies, Pedatella is a
member of his school’s Athletes Helping Others club, National
Honor Society, National Math Honor Society and National Science
Honor Society. He also volunteers at the nonprofit Eileen’s Home
for the Holidays.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
An impressive self-portrait created
by Bellport High School student Mathew Guerrero took first place
in the 13th annual Suffolk County Community College High School
Art Competition, held at the Sagtikos Art Gallery at Suffolk
County Community College in Brentwood.
Guerrero’s work
was selected out of 108 entries from 15 participating Long
Island high schools. Winners were announced during the exhibit’s
opening reception on Dec. 9.
Bellport High School students
Shanel Fernandez, Nikki Hirschkind and Thalia Mowdy also have
their works on display at the exhibit, which is open through
Dec. 22.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
The South County School District’s Board of Education recognized the Bellport High School football team and coaches during its Dec. 9 meeting. Team members were honored with certificates of recognition for making school history by winning the Division II county championship.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
The Bellport High School Student Council recently hosted a successful Thanksgiving food drive. During the month of November, the students worked to collect nonperishable goods that were then donated to 20 families within the South Country Central School District, as well as to the nonprofit Lighthouse Mission. All of the donations were loaded onto the district’s mobile library bus, sorted into Thanksgiving baskets and delivered.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Members of the Bellport Middle School Student Council and National Junior Honor Society recently worked together to collect nonperishable food for community members in need. All items will be donated to the nonprofit Lighthouse Mission. “It was a great turnout for a great cause,” said Student Council Advisor, Jeremy Freeman.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
The Bellport High School National Honor Society hosted a successful blood drive on Nov. 18. It was the first blood drive they have been able to hold since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the event, 73 people stepped up to donate blood.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Smiles of appreciation were in
abundance on Oct. 28 as 17 Bellport High School senior football
players paid tribute to the staff members who made a major
impact on them during their time in the South Country School
District.
Each player penned and hand-delivered a
special note of thanks to one staff member of their choosing.
They also lent them their game jersey to display or wear on Oct.
29.
“This was a great way to allow our young men to say
thank you to the adults who really inspired them along their
journey,” said Assistant Coach Kai Watkins. “It was also a way
for the staff to be recognized for some of the outstanding work
they have done throughout the years that made a lasting
impression.”
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Three Bellport High School seniors have been recognized by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program as National Hispanic Scholars. Joel Cruz, Margaret Fuentes Velasco and Rianna Raghunandan earned the honor by scoring in the top 2.5% of all PSAT/NMSQT test takers in their junior year and by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
The talents of the South Country
School District’s student-artists were showcased during School
Board Recognition Week, hosted by the New York State School
Boards Association, which recognized the district’s volunteer
board of education members.
During the recognition, each
board member was presented with a colorful, student-made
portrait. The artists included students from across the
district: Emma Davis, Devon Dinowitz, Emilia Gomez, Axel Haynes,
Maeve Jablonski, Alexandra Leong, Leonardo Mignola, Elaina Muro,
Elena Nazario, Jordan Saliba, Naomi Schindler-Shul, Anna
Schultz, Peyton Sullivan and Fabiana Vargas.
All
portraits are on display in the district’s board of education
meeting room in the district office.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Bellport High School seniors Boris
Berja and Rianna Raghunandan have been selected by QuestBridge
as 2021 National Finalists for demonstrating outstanding
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. As finalists, Berja and Raghunandan
will potentially be matched with a full scholarship to one of
QuestBridge’s partner colleges.
In its prestigious
selection process, QuestBridge searches for academically
talented students who match the partner colleges’ level of
academic achievement and can potentially thrive on their
campuses. Finalists are chosen from a pool of applicants who are
in the top 5-10% 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 being
academically talented, Berja is a member of his school’s
National, Math and Science honor societies and vice president of
the French Club. He also participates in the Outdoor Club and
Students for Environmental Quality Club.
Equally
involved in her school, Raghunandan is a member of the chamber
orchestra, Key Club, and National, Tri-M Music, Science and Math
honor societies.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Eighty-eight Bellport High School
students were inducted into the National Honor Society during a
virtual candle-lighting ceremony on Nov. 8.
To be
eligible for membership, the students were required to maintain
an average GPA of 90 or better; meet the standards of
leadership, service, citizenship and character; and complete six
hours of community service.
The South Country School
District extends its congratulations to the following inductees:
Seniors:
Kayla Coq
Rachel
Ellenwood
Courtney Fagan
Margaret Fuentes Velasco
Riley
Nagle
Michael LeBrun
Leonardo Mignola
Kayleigh Py
Nicholas Vital
Juniors:
Avery Ferrara
Paul Gilbert
Aidan Littwin
Rajkumar Murugan
Mirka
Zapata
Sophomores:
Shane Abrams
Ethan Amendola
Pietro Ancona Jr.
Bridget Barry
Madeline
Budris
James Butler IV
Claire Cannella
Kailyn Ciavatta
Juliette Cuccurese
Justin DeCorato
Evan Dedis
Samantha
DeLillo
Sam Dotterman
Ava Fauci
Olivia Fauci
Francis
Felice
Shanel Fernandez
Giulia Gannon
Ryan Gaynor
Tyler Gentile
Derek Griffin
Stephanie Grosso
Amber
Guiffreda
Kevin Hawaldar
Penelope Henao
Brianna Henn
Amira Hussein
Jaiden Jackson
Brynn Johnsen
Dylan Knakal
Julia Kotasek
Emma Kuegel
Cassandra La Monica
Sean
Lannon
Mason Linke
Taylor LiVigni
Adonis Lopez
Taylor Macioce
Ryan Manitta
Sophia Manna
Sude Maris
Gael Michel
Shane Moody
Connor Murphy
Michael Nesi
Tyler Ocasio
Leah Ofori
Folashade Olabode
Jaidyn O'Neil
Andie Pedatella
Rachel Petri
Rebecca Pino
Aarilin Pitre
Jake Polito
Lily Porfert
Jack Porter
Abbey Py
Bryelle Reid
Emily Robbins
Iesha Rodney
Faith Rubio
Caden Rupolo
Kaelyn Schmidt
Lola Schortemeyer
Matthew
Smolen
Evelyn Soto
Joseph Starpoli
Ella Steckle
Jordan Truce
Liam Vizcaino Figueroa
Connor Wilson
James
Vohrer
Max Yablon
Usman Zahid
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Dressed in Halloween costumes,
students from South Country School District’s South Haven Early
Childhood Center and Brookhaven Elementary School were all
smiles as they participated in an evening trunk-or-treat event
on Oct. 22, at Brookhaven Elementary School. The event was made
possible through a partnership with the two schools’ PTAs.
Deemed a huge success, parents volunteered to decorate their
cars and hand out candy to students who trick or treated around
the school’s parking lot.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Excitement and school spirit filled
the air on Oct. 16, as the Bellport High School Clippers
celebrated homecoming with a parade and football game that
brought the community together.
The celebrations kicked
off during the week of Oct. 12 with fun-filled theme days and
preparations for the parade. Students constructed colorful
floats surrounding the theme of board games. The floats were on
full display during the annual parade, which also featured the
school’s marching band, class courts, cheerleaders, dance team,
and members of the Bellport Fire Department and South Country
Ambulance Company.
The stands were full a few hours
later for the homecoming football game. Cheers rang out for the
Clippers as they took on and defeated Connetquot with a final
score of 42-0. The game also featured superb halftime
performances by the varsity cheerleaders and varsity dance team.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Ten Bellport High School students are
being recognized by the Town of Brookhaven as part of the town’s
eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The students
were selected for the honor by the town’s Hispanic Advisory
Board for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 95 or higher.
The South Country Central School District congratulates the
following students: Eliana Cruz, Joel Cruz,
Elisha Feliz,
Josselyn Fuentes, Margaret Fuentes Velasco, Jarithsa Molina
Iniguez, Tamara Ortiz Macas,
Rianna Raghunandan, Rylie
Sikeotis, Dominic Tigre.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
In recognition of their exceptional
achievement on national Advanced Placement exams taken last
year, 14 Bellport High School seniors have earned AP Scholar
awards. Eight students were named AP Scholars, while another six
earned the recognition of AP Scholar with Honor.
To earn
Scholar recognition, students are required to score a 3 or
higher on three or more AP exams; for Scholar with Honor, they
must earn a 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher
on four or more of those exams.
The South Country
Central School District extends its congratulations to the
following students:
AP Scholar:
Boris Berja, Joel
Cruz, Elisha Feliz, Violet Gordon, Sydney Macioce, Jamie Nobile,
Calvin Pedatella and Jacob Repper.
AP Scholar with Honor:
Clayton Cannella, Harrison Day, Robert Menendez, Colin Murphy,
Rianna Raghunandan and Charlotte Rauch.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Two South Country School District students have been recognized for their musical abilities by the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association. Bellport High School trumpet player Leonardo Mignola has been selected by SCMEA to perform in the 2021 High School Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, and Bellport Middle School percussionist Julius Radino was named to the 2021 Middle School Instrumental Jazz Ensemble. The student-musicians were selected for the honors based on their outstanding musicianship, strong work ethic, dedication and positive attitude.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
A Bellport High School student-musician has been named as an alternate for the New York State School Music Association’s prestigious All-State Music Festival. Leah Silvestre, viola, was selected as an alternate to perform in the Symphonic Orchestra based on her solo performances at the NYSSMA adjudications last spring.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
South Country High School senior Emma
Butler, a talented actress and singer, has been recognized with
an award of merit as part of the Long Island Arts Alliance’s
annual Scholar-Artist Awards. She was one of 20 students from
across Long Island to be selected for the honor after being
nominated by her school.
To qualify, Butler had to
submit a video recording of a song and a monologue, as well as
an essay. She sang “A Part of That” from the musical “The Last
Five Years” and performed a monologue from the musical “Now.
Here. This.” Both the song and the monologue, she said,
resonated with her. For her essay, she wrote about how the arts
have enriched her life.
“It wasn’t difficult to write
about the arts in my life,” Butler said. “Theater has been a
part of me since my first production in the fifth grade.”
Since she first took the stage, she has continued to perform
in annual school productions and was recently cast in her first
professional show at the Studio Theater of Long Island. She will
be performing in the chorus in a production of “Aida.”
“I
love theater,” she said. “I love the sense of camaraderie and
performing on stage after all the hard work we put in.”
When not performing, Butler can be found reading at her local
library, where she recently participated in a Battle of the
Books program. She is also president of her school’s National
Honor Society and a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She
plans to study psychology in college.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
Students across the South Country
Central School District quickly became acquainted with their new
teachers, routines and programs as they kicked off the 2021-22
school year on Sept. 1st.
Elementary students began the
school year as they stepped off their buses to be greeted by
smiling teachers. They entered their colorful classrooms and
started their day by getting to know their new teachers and
classmates. Secondary students also met their teachers and made
a smooth transition back as they adjusted to their new
classrooms and schedules.
“We are looking forward to a
year filled with outstanding academic and extracurricular
opportunities for our students,” said Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Joseph Giani.
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
The South Country Central School
District Board of Education has appointed Bellport High School
sophomore Brynn Johnsen as its student ex officio board member
for the 2021-2022 school year. She replaces Jack Frankie, who
graduated in June.
Johnsen, who will officially take her
chair alongside the board on Sept. 15, is looking forward to the
advisory position. “I like being able to give back to my school,
and to get involved and encourage others in everything,” she
said.
As a non-voting board member, Johnsen will provide
the board with reports regarding the student body at each board
meeting. She will also lend important insight and feedback to
the board for designing special events that bring students
together.
“I think it is especially important to bring
students together through events during COVID,” she said.
Johnsen earned the ex officio position after running a
successful campaign at her school. As a freshman, she was
elected secretary of student council, a role she thoroughly
loved.
“Ever since the fourth grade, I have been a
representative in student council,” she said. “It is something I
really enjoy.”
Apart from student council, Johnsen can be
found running cross-country, playing basketball and lacrosse,
and performing on French horn in the school band. As well as
being an avid snowboarder and surfer, she has been sailing since
the age of 6 and teaches sailing to children at the Bellport Bay
Yacht Club.
Other extracurriculars include membership in
the school’s Athletes Helping Others club and the science and
math honor societies, with her sights set on National Honor
Society membership this fall. This September, she will also
participate in a training program at her school in which she
will shadow the school’s athletic trainer, Gina Siracusano.
“She is a great mentor and I am looking forward to learning
from her,” Johnsen said of Siracusano. “Athletic training has
always been interesting to me.”
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
For
as long as she can remember, Bellport High School senior
Vivienne Love has had a passion for photography. Her devotion to
the art has since earned her a Scholar-Artist award in the area
of media arts from the Long Island Arts Alliance. She is one of
20 students from across Long Island selected for the honor.
“I am so excited to be recognized for my photography,” said
Love. “I think this is great and will help me with college.”
To earn the
accolade, Love was required to submit an essay discussing how
the arts have influenced her life, as well as a portfolio of her
photography. Her submitted photographs, taken with her Canon
Rebel T6, focus on the theme of youth and depict her everyday
life with friends and family. The shoot was part of an Advanced
Placement art class assignment.
Along with her passion
for photography, Love is a member of her school’s National, Math
and Science honor societies. She is also the historian of her
school’s art club and designs the lighting for all of her
school’s dramatic productions.
She plans to study film,
radio and television in college, with a minor in environmental
science. She has her sights set on an early decision from
Syracuse University.
According to Love, the secret to
her success is to simply jump in. “There is no easy way to
start,” she said. “Just go and do it.”
Photo and release courtesy of the South Country Central School District.
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.