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Honing Entrepreneurship Skills
National Art Honor Society Inductees
Seventeen Rocky Point High School students have been inducted into the National Art Honor Society, joining nine other students from the high school who are current members of the distinguished national organization that inspires and recognizes students who have shown an outstanding ability in art.
“This is such an honor for these students as they continue to pursue their artistic ability in all areas of art,” Principal Jonathan Hart said. “We also commend our art teachers – Gregory Armine, Katerina Kyriakakis and Seth Meier – for their work in fostering the excellence expected as members of this prestigious organization and for bringing the arts to our larger community.”
The school district congratulates Milyana Balthazar, Autumn Bongiorno, Elizabeth Carrera, Jadon Hess, Isabella Lehman, Kayla MacKay, Amelia Matthews, Kieran McByrne, Samuel Moscoso, Rosario Orantes, Gianna Rizzo, Kaitlyn Sandusky, Hailey Stelzel, Brianna Superti, Alannah Weeks, Andrew Wilson and Kristen Zoll. The district also commends current members Gabrielle Bush, Megan Cheshire, Kiana Hammarth, Cassidy Sander, Kaitie Strovink, Madisonanne Tanza, Juliette Titone, Jennie Vossila and Riley Watson for their dedicated spirit in the pursuit of art.
As one of their projects of compassion, the National Art Honor Society reached out to the students and staff of the school to help raise more than $300 that helped feed families in need in the community for the Thanksgiving holiday. The students sold feathers to post onto a paper turkey they created in the high school hallway.
Compassion in the Community
Members of the district’s varsity, junior varsity and middle school baseball teams volunteered at Maureen’s Haven, a shelter for people in need in Riverhead.
This annual event had student-athletes working together, along with coaches Anthony Anzalone and Eric Strovink, setting up beds, stocking the pantry, setting dinner tables and packing lunches and snacks. When they finished setting up the location, they presented the director with 50 fast-food restaurant gift cards to give out to the people at the facility.
The students also collected and donated food items, and packaged snacks, rain ponchos, gloves, winter hats, toothbrushes, lip balm and so much more so each person at the shelter can benefit from the kindness for weeks to come.
Thank you to these students who demonstrated their hard work and compassion with this heartwarming gesture.
Polar Plunge
Prosperous Pajama Program
Students and staff shared in the spirit of giving when they helped collect pajamas for the Pajama Program, an initiative organized through Scholastic’s Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive.
Spearheaded by JAE fourth grade teacher Deborah Vieira several years ago, the annual fun and festive way to help others spread to FJC and resulted in more than 200 pairs of pajamas being donated this year.
Beyond the Badge
As students throughout our district continue to develop a deeper understanding of society and learn about people who are important in their school, neighborhoods and larger community, numerous thoughtful holiday projects took place.
Second graders in Nichole Schirtzer’s class participated in Cards for Cops and created holiday cards for the men and women in blue. Their messages thanked those who help strengthen and protect the larger community. The cards were submitted to the non-profit organization Beyond the Badge in Wantagh, where they were distributed to various police precincts across Long Island.
Sharing Skills While Building Confidence
Using Art to Share an Important Message
Under the guidance of art teacher Katerina Kyriakakis, students Milayna Balthazar, Elizabeth Carrera, Alyssa Intini, Robert Manginello and Emmie Meyer have entered the New York State Office of Information Technology Services’ computer safety contest. The competition works to engage young people to think about cybersecurity through the creation of posters that will encourage their peers to use the internet safely and securely.
“We are grateful for the efforts of the students and the twofold mission of this contest: to build awareness and make a positive impact on their classmates on cybersecurity issues, while also enabling them to harness their creativity and to take a unique approach to help develop solutions with their visions,” Rocky Point High School Principal Jonathan Hart said. “We wish them well in the final part of the competition and thank Ms. Kyriakakis for encouraging their self-expression.”
Duo Honored for Dedication to Students
Role Models Honored
Seniors Clare Levy and Gary Russin were each named Suffolk Zone award winners by the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Clare and Gary were chosen for their outstanding character, leadership skills in schoolwide as well as physical education and health class activities, positive attitude toward instructional activities, scholastic achievements and being role models for their peers.
Clare, a three-sport scholar-athlete – captain of the soccer team, basketball team and lacrosse team – is also an AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. She has received athletic scholarship offers for lacrosse and has chosen to attend Stony Brook University, where she plans to major in history. She also has numerous clubs and activities on her high school résumé, including Athletes Helping Athletes, Leaders Club and Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. She has coached both youth soccer and lacrosse.
Gary, a member of the football team, has an impressive list of accomplishments in addition to being an AP Scholar. He is the president of both the National Honor Society and History Honor Society, has been a recipient of several local awards and is involved in Athletes Helping Athletes, Compassion Without Borders and the Debate Club.
Students Sign National Letter of Intent
At the high school’s NCAA Signing Day, seven students were lauded as trailblazers and ambassadors to the athletic program by Athletic Director Charles Delargy. Surrounded by family members, administrators and teachers, the ceremony was a congratulatory event for:
Savannah Feinberg – Lacrosse, Southern Connecticut State University
Clare Levy – Lacrosse, Stony Brook University
Logan Sciotto – Wrestling, United States Naval Academy
Jason Staudte – Lacrosse, Caldwell University
Katie Wilbur – Softball, Limestone College
Kailee Woods – Lacrosse, University of New Hampshire
Anna Zahradka – Lacrosse, Stony Brook University
Sharing Tuba Tunes in New York City
The magical sounds of the low-pitched tuba were a celebration for thousands of spectators to hear and witness at The Rink at Rockefeller Center’s 46th annual Tuba Christmas. Rocky Point High School freshmen Dan Curley and Andrew Trebilcock, sophomore Shaun Sander, junior Tristan Duenas and senior Riley Watson, along with the high school’s assistant marching band director Vincent Ragona, were among the hundreds of baritone horn, euphonium, tuba and sousaphone players of all ages and abilities from around the country who joined together to perform holiday carols and other crowd favorites on their brass instruments.
“We are so grateful for this real-world opportunity for our students to use a public platform to share in the gift of music,” Rocky Point High School Principal Jonathan Hart said. “We also thank Mr. Ragona for leading and sharing in this memorable event.”
Winter Concerts Rival Broadway Performances
Students have numerous opportunities to showcase their musical skills, and the winter concerts were exceptional examples of Rocky Point’s excellent music program. Students in all four schools worked hard and their performances highlighted their efforts. We thank our music staff, parents and especially students for keeping us all engaged and inspired by your efforts.
Rocky Point Union Free School District
