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Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School junior Peter Grogan was recently selected as the winner of the 2022 Black History Month Essay Contest. Peter was selected as the winner of the contest after the submissions were reviewed by the Junior-Senior High School social studies teachers. Congratulating Grogan is Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School Principal Salvatore Alaimo. COURTESY EASTPORT-SOUTH MANOR SCHOOL DISTRICT
Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School juniors Jane Brylewski, Benjamin Isaacson and Fiona Schlegel in Rob Bolen’s science class recently placed fourth in the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair in Cellular and Molecular Biology category. COURTESY EASTPORT-SOUTH MANOR SCHOOL DISTRICT
Our Lady of the Hamptons School's Joyful Noise at a recent performance. COURTESY OUR LADY OF THE HAMPTONS SCHOOL
During the symposium, research students, under the direction of science research teacher Dr. Stephanie Forsberg, will present their findings on a wide variety of topics, including space radiation, West Nile virus and cell immunotherapy. Following the student presentations, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions.
The symposium presenters and their research topics are as follows:
Ninth grade: Yusabeth Contreras (bottlenose dolphins); Esther Lopez Cornejo (squid); Victoria Madison (wind energy); Isabel Ospitale (piping plover); and Christopher Roldan (whale health identification).
10th grade: Emily Barnes (marine acoustics); Dylan Foley (horseshoe crab); Emma Halsey (sea turtle cold-stunning); Samantha Kraycar (metastasis of cancer); Cassidy Leporati (biomedical sciences);
Minal Naeem (cardiovascular disease); Emily Robinson (Alzheimer’s disease); Maya Sanabria (music cognition).
11th grade: Elijah Amos (space radiation); Katelyn Pennacchia (lupus and immunology); Sofia Solano Cruz (cancer immunotherapy).
12th grade: Aliyah Cuka (West Nile virus); Zoey Engeldrum (the effects of music on mood and self-concept); Kristina Georges (glial cell proliferation in multiple sclerosis); Ryan Hughes (harmful algal bloom: Cochlodinium polykrikoides); Lily Simpson-Heavey (CAR T cell immunotherapy for CLL).
Each package included cards carrying messages of hope that students penned, along with snacks and personal care items that were donated by Rocco A. Carriero Wealth Partners, with shipping by Get Moving USA.
Students also learned more about the culture of the Eastern European country from Natalie Masa, a Ukrainian, who is the founder of the nonprofit I Love Ukraine organization. She spent time discussing her life in Ukraine and the current war.
“They all dedicated so much time to prepare for this music festival and they all sounded fantastic,” said music teacher Carolanne Mazur.
The following student-musicians participated: Division I, grade six, Brody Kolb, Eleanor Ramsay, Hannah Russell, Peyton Single and Abigail Wilson. Division II, grades seven and eight, Sumeja Bytyqi, James Maroulas and Willem Sarkis.
To earn induction, the students were required to maintain a GPA of 85 or above in all their classes and a 90 average in all music classes, perform 15 hours of community service and attend various music-related events throughout the school year.
The following Tri-M Music Honor Society members were honored: Mariana Aguero (secretary), Melody Arabejo, Sumeja Bytyqi (historian), Jonathan Coulton, Cooper Foley, Tony Haddock, Cristian Kearns, Nathan Kearns, Eman Khalid (historian), Clare Loesch, Caitlyn Lupia, Lillyann Maffia, Sarah Mendel, Taylor Meyers, Brendyn Molnar (vice president), Connie Penafiel (treasurer), Leah Russell (president), and Charlotte Summar.
The inductees are: Elijah Amos, Isabelle Caine, Cesar Cardenas, Sophia Corredor, Carly Dunn, Zoey Engeldrum, Nicole Lupercio, Jamison Moore, Ahmad Naeem, Lillian Patek, Christian Pensa, Israel Pulla, Brianna Quiros, Sofia Solano Cruz, Liam Sutton, and Haley Weissbard.
The high school students, who were nominated by their teachers to participate, read age-appropriate books to the elementary students, including “What Can a Citizen Do?” by Dave Eggers, “I Am Human: A Book of Empathy” by Susan Verde, “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman, and “Spork” by Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault.
The readings were followed by heartfelt conversations about being kind to others and brainstorming ways to make a difference in the community. High school students also answered questions from elementary school students about high school.
“Our students did an amazing job reading and having discussions with our elementary school students,” said High School Assistant Principal Kerry Pillittier. “I am proud of the way they represented Westhampton Beach High School.”
The idea for the initiative was inaugurated through the district’s Equity Committee as a way to bring the schools and students together around something positive.
The students were given binders that contained statements, evidence photos, medical reports and transcripts of interviews that they reviewed in advance of the trial.
They also studied courtroom procedure, public speaking, persuasive language and basic rules of law. In addition, they heard from school psychologist Allaine King, who spoke about the psychology of body language and how to be a good witness. Also presenting to the class prior to the trial was Danielle Reinbachs, a practicing defense attorney. She held a presentation via Google Meet on courtroom procedure, different types of objections and various questioning techniques.
“After two months of planning, the student ‘lawyers’ were able to clearly present their cases and the student ‘witnesses’ really embodied their characters,” said Pedersen. “I am so proud of them.”
The idea for a mock trial was generated by the students as part of the new personalized learning class, which is offered to students in grades six through eight, in lieu of a study hall or band/orchestra enrollment. Through the project-based class, students research a topic of their choice and design an action project surrounding it.
The high school students, who were nominated by their teachers to participate, read age-appropriate books to the elementary students, including “What Can a Citizen Do?” by Dave Eggers, “I Am Human: A Book of Empathy” by Susan Verde, “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman, and “Spork” by Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault.
The readings were followed by heartfelt conversations about being kind to others and brainstorming ways to make a difference in the community. High school students also answered questions from elementary school students about high school.
“Our students did an amazing job reading and having discussions with our elementary school students,” said High School Assistant Principal Kerry Pillittier. “I am proud of the way they represented Westhampton Beach High School.”
The idea for the initiative was inaugurated through the district’s Equity Committee as a way to bring the schools and students together around something positive.
The students were given binders that contained statements, evidence photos, medical reports and transcripts of interviews that they reviewed in advance of the trial.
They also studied courtroom procedure, public speaking, persuasive language and basic rules of law. In addition, they heard from school psychologist Allaine King, who spoke about the psychology of body language and how to be a good witness. Also presenting to the class prior to the trial was Danielle Reinbachs, a practicing defense attorney. She held a presentation via Google Meet on courtroom procedure, different types of objections and various questioning techniques.
“After two months of planning, the student ‘lawyers’ were able to clearly present their cases and the student ‘witnesses’ really embodied their characters,” said Pedersen. “I am so proud of them.”
The idea for a mock trial was generated by the students as part of the new personalized learning class, which is offered to students in grades six through eight, in lieu of a study hall or band/orchestra enrollment. Through the project-based class, students research a topic of their choice and design an action project surrounding it.
Through the VITA program, Schroder and the other students were extensively trained and had been available through April 13 to provide free basic tax return preparation and filing for SUNY Oneonta students and employees. The initiative is also open to area residents, but they must qualify for VITA, and the team is only accepting simple tax returns at this time.
Working in teams of two, the students have filed tax returns for more than 20 people so far, with more appointments scheduled.
Schroder is majoring in accounting at SUNY Oneonta.
Alexandra Dudley of Sag Harbor earned membership into the 2022 Purple Key Leadership Society at Emerson College. Participants were honored during the annual Emerson Recognition & Achievement Awards on April 8.
The Purple Key Leadership Society recognizes a select group of seniors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service, solid academic achievement, and a commitment to civic engagement.
Dudley is majoring in media arts production and is a member of the Class of 2022.
Rachel Frank of East Quogue, a student at Florida State University, was initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Brian Conigliaro of Westhampton Beach, a student at Florida State University, was initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Michael Poerio from East Quogue participated in SUNY Oneonta’s annual Student Research and Creative Activity Day event. Typically the event is hosted in a two-day, on-campus event. This year projects were presented virtually for the public to view. Poerio’s project was called “Growing to Sustain: Creating Green Spaces with the Cornell Cooperative Extension,” developed with advisor Gretchen Sorin of the Cooperstown Graduate Program.
This year, The LTV Community Scholarship Program is open to all graduating high school students who reside within the townships of East Hampton or Southampton and are seeking secondary education in communications, media, or related fields. Each candidate should demonstrate school and community involvement and show good academic achievement. All details can be found on the website at ltveh.org/ltvcommunityscholarship.
“We are happy to now open up this scholarship program to the Town of Southampton students as well as the Town of East Hampton,” said Michael Clark, executive director at LTV. “We are two towns but one community, so it just makes good sense.”
This year, the organization will award four $500 scholarships to graduating students. These scholarships will provide funding for eligible graduating high school students from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, or Kings (Brooklyn) counties who have shown an interest in pursuing a career in music. To apply and to read the eligibility requirements, please download the scholarship application at limusichalloffame.org. Applications are due May 13.
The Educator of Note program recognizes music teachers and professors in public or private schools, as well as colleges or studios who have demonstrated a commitment to music education. The winner is honored with a grant to be used within the school or district where they teach (or taught). To nominate an individual for the “Educator of Note Award,” please download the “Educator of Note” application, available on the website noted above. Applications are due September 30.
The annual Ladies Luncheon will be held on Sunday, May 22, at the Southampton Social Club. Seating is limited, so early inquiry and registration is advised. Call 631-283-9140 for details.
Staff Writer on Apr 28, 2022