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Second graders from Connetquot Elementary School visited Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School on June 13 as they prepared for moving up to third grade. The Connetquot students enjoyed wearing new PTA-supplied spirit wear shirts saying, “This is what an awesome RCK student looks like!”

Date Added: 6/30/2022

East Islip High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society continued its Practice Buddy program for the second year in a row. High school music students were paired up with elementary instrumentalists from John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School as their “practice buddies.”

The students met for a weekly video chat and worked on fundamentals of playing their instrument. The older students listened, demonstrated on their own instruments, and provided feedback on everything from posture and instrument setup to intonation and rhythm. The high schoolers enjoyed the chance to connect with East Islip’s young musicians.

“I personally love the Practice Buddy program and hope to see it grow with each year,” Tri-M President Liam Kearney said. “I loved developing a personal relationship with an aspiring musician and I think it’s a good way to encourage kids to continue their career in music. It gives them something to look forward to with regard to their musicianship."

Elementary orchestra and band teachers Jaimie DeMaria, Ron Fox, Lynda Maniscalco and Angela Stewart served as organizers, providing the high school students with the materials they needed and ensuring that the program was a complete success.

“We were so happy for another amazing year of Practice Buddies,” said Tri-M advisers Christopher Neske and Giovanna Ruggiero.

Date Added: 6/30/2022

In March, third graders engaged in a Taiko drumming presentation with Kyoshi Gerard Senese and Hiroko Senese of the Ryu Shu Kan Martial Arts Center in Farmingville. Our students had an opportunity to experience the Okinawan culture and the historic meaning of the Taiko drum in relation to the culture.

They were able to see a full performance of the Taiko drums with the elegance of Japanese folk dancing. Kyoshi Senese engaged our students in the use of Japanese vocabulary, imagery and stories that piqued the interest of our students.

After the exploration of the background, our students, teachers and administrators had the opportunity to perform on the Taiko drums. The performance assisted our students to understand the art of engaging in a Taiko drumming ceremony and the Okinawan festivals that are centered around the drum.

"I am so glad that we piloted this program with my karate instructor of many years," Director of Art and Music Robert J. Wottawa II said. "Our students and teachers enjoyed the experience so much that Dr. Smith, Mrs. Jones and I are working to make this an annual event for our third-grade students. There is something magical when culture, music and empathy come together for our students and teachers."

Date Added: 6/30/2022

Proudly wearing red robes and caps, East Islip High School’s Class of 2022 excitedly marched on to Sal Ciampi Field at Boomer Esiason Stadium for the school’s 95th commencement ceremony on June 23.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Meagan Diaz, Kamilah Pasha and Gianna Viviano, Aiden Gomez sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the vocal quartet of Michaela Fitzsimmons, Isabelle Irizarry-McAdam, Jake Kilrain and Daniel Locke delivered a beautiful rendition of the school’s alma mater, while the school’s American Sign Language class offered interpreted versions. Principal Mark Bernard then presented 50-year diplomas to members of East Islip’s Class of 1972 in attendance.

In his address to the current graduates, Bernard noted that he had shared an exceptional bond with these students, having spent all three years with them as principal of East Islip Middle School before moving to the high school with them for the last four years. “As you leave East Islip High School, accept this challenge: Be the difference in someone’s life,” he told the seniors. “End the isolation that we have all felt. Reach out and reconnect, and never hide your EI Pride.”

“Thank you for allowing me to make all these memories and meet all these people,” salutatorian Miranda Stockton said of East Islip itself. “I will carry everything I learned over the years with me for the rest of my life. This is only the beginning, and I wish everyone luck in their new chapter in life.”

Valedictorian Chiara Mosca spoke on perfectionism and goals. “Yes, it’s important to try your absolute best and work your hardest, but living in a goal-based mindset of hollow ultimatums will always leave you feeling unsatisfied, unfulfilled and unhappy,” she said. “Instead of telling yourself you’ll be happy when a specific goal is achieved, it is much more valuable to focus your energy and dedication on your core principles. Your goals will follow.”

After the top 25 seniors of the class were recognized, Superintendent John Dolan addressed the Class of 2022. “It is an honor and personal privilege to have served as your superintendent since you were in the fifth grade,” Dolan told them. “Watching you grow from girls and boys to the accomplished men and women you are today, has been one of the greatest gifts of my professional career. You are a class of strength, character, resilience, perseverance, optimism and a strong work ethic, all encased in such beautiful smiles.”

Board of Education President Christopher Zachry reminded the graduates to “slow it down, enjoy the moment and be thankful for the gift of the day. To the Class of 2022, no matter where you go or where life takes you, East Islip will always be your home.”

Following a farewell from Class of 2022 Co-Presidents Emily Blair and Nicole Rosenberg, tassels were turned, caps flung into the sky, and the newest graduates of East Islip walked out to join their happy families and explore the futures.

Date Added: 6/28/2022

East Islip High School welcomed 69 new members to the National Art Honor Society during a June 6 induction ceremony led by advisers Dan Figliozzi and Heather Toomey.

Following the traditional candle lighting and presentation of the society’s flower, the red carnation, NAHS President Thomas Henderson led the new members in the society’s pledge, which affirms that the inductees will strive to “help to create a more beautiful world for myself, for humankind, for all living things.” Seniors in the NAHS also received rainbow cords to wear at graduation.

Date Added: 6/23/2022

East Islip High School held its 38th annual World Language Honor Society induction ceremony on May 26, featuring a new highlight, the recognition of the school’s first three successful New York State Seal of Biliteracy candidates.

During the ceremony, 17 students were inducted in American Sign Language, with the oath led by Lilyana Tarquinio; 10 were inducted in French, with the oath led by Kelly Waldron and Allie Benowitz; 17 were inducted in Italian, with the oath led by Jack Bolen; and 46 were inducted in Spanish, with the oath led by Rayanne Abdelbaky.

During the 2021-2022 academic school year, East Islip piloted the Seal of Biliteracy program, which recognizes the efforts of students who have studied and attained a high level of proficiency in English and another language before high school graduation.

Seniors Rayanne Abdelbaky, Victoria Gonzalez and Chiara Mosca completed their culminating Seal of Biliteracy projects on April 13, which met the criteria upheld by the New York State Education Department. They were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, an honor that will be attached to their diplomas as well as high school transcripts.

“We began this journey several years ago, and it is a delight to see our shared vision come to fruition with these fantastic young women,” said Dr. Robert J. Wottawa II, the district’s director of art, ENL, music and world languages. “We are so very proud of their accomplishments and know that they each will have a very bright future.”

World Language Honor Society adviser Giuseppe Costa and Superintendent John Dolan also addressed the honor society’s inductees.

“Tonight is an outcome and a celebration, but there’s a process to being successful and you know what that process is,” Dolan said. “Get up every day, be prepared, roll up your sleeves, put a smile on your face and go to work. That’s how you earned your way into this honor society. You folks have proven time and time again through your hard work, preparation and generosity that you care about others and want to make a difference in this world. We are so proud of you and look forward to watching you go off and do bigger and better things as time goes on. But never ever forget, it started right here in East Islip.”

Date Added: 6/23/2022

Accomplished members of East Islip High School’s Class of 2022 were honored at the school’s Senior Local Scholarship Awards Night on June 7, hosted by Director of Careers and Student Services Jason Stanton. As their proud families watched, the students were presented with well-deserved scholarships to help pave the way for their successful college futures.

“A big thank you to all of our sponsors who made this possible and contributed to the dreams and aspirations of the Class of 2022,” Principal Mark Bernard said.

Date Added: 6/22/2022

A year of hard work and skill-building paid off for the young musicians of East Islip, as students from East Islip High School, East Islip Middle School, John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School put on remarkable performances in a series of spring concerts during May. The final conducting appearances by retiring Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ band teacher Ronald Fox, and the East Islip High School Concert Choir’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love,” dedicated to the memory of late former student Carli Fragala, were just two of the many highlights.

Liam Savage, a student at Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School, was named the fourth-grade Suffolk County winner of Brookhaven National Laboratory’s 2022 Elementary Science Fair Competition. Savage was recognized for his first-place victory at the Science Fair’s June 10 awards ceremony.

The Science Fair, which was held virtually this year, serves to generate excitement about science and engineering for all ages, providing an opportunity for students to showcase their projects to peers and judging teams consisting of Brookhaven National Laboratory scientific and engineering staff and elementary school teachers.

Savage’s project, “Weight Is Tow-tally Helpful,” explored whether adding weights to the top of a truck or car would increase its traction, and if the increased traction would affect its towing ability so that it could pull a bigger weight load. He used a Land Rover Defender TRX 4 toy car for the experiment.

"My favorite part was driving the car and seeing how much weight it could pull,” Savage said.

“This is a big honor for Liam, his family and RCK,” Principal Janet Jones said.

Date Added: 6/22/2022

East Islip High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions club, guided by adviser Bridget Lopiccolo, held its annual “Smashed” press conference on June 7, highlighting the dangers of the 100 Deadliest Day of summer. brought awareness to the 100 Deadliest Days. A morbid array of destroyed cars in front of the school, courtesy of Bang Towing and Gershow Recycling, provided the sobering backdrop to remarks by administrators and “Smashed” partnership members such as Allstate agent Steve Foray and Suffolk County legislator Steven J. Flotteron.

East Islip High School’s National Honor Society recently held its annual book drive. More than 300 books of all kinds were collected and donated to the Book Fairies, a nonprofit organization that collects and donates books to libraries and schools in communities in need. Their mission is to foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles and nurture a love of reading across age groups. As of 2022, they have donated over 3 million books.

“We are happy to contribute to this great cause and thank everyone who donated,” said student project leaders Julia Geyer and Madison Kiernan.

Date Added: 6/16/2022

Two spectacular pieces from East Islip High School student Lauren Holmes will be the featured artwork for font and back cover of the district’s 2022-2023 calendar. Holmes, who is currently enrolled in Dan Figliozzi’s Advanced Placement art class and Heather Toomey’s digital imaging and design course, won first place this year in the digital media category at the Suffolk County Art Leaders Association show.

“Lauren is phenomenally talented,” Figliozzi said. “She started the year off in AP drawing on her iPad with her finger. She made gorgeous invented landscapes with her finger! I am so impressed by this. She used the Procreate app to create her works. Throughout the year, we focused on lighting, depth and color to evoke mood. I am incredibly proud of her and this body of work she made.”

“Lauren is a hard worker,” Toomey said. “She excelled in digital imaging and design and her body of work in AP art was remarkable. She plans to continue in art next year and I see a bright artistic future for her.”

Date Added: 6/15/2022

East Islip High School photography students Taylor Donlin, Lindsey Roses and Kelly Waldron participated in the annual Long Island Media Arts Festival, held on May 14 at Five Towns College in Dix Hills. Donlin, who attended the event, received an honorable mention award for her photography.

“It was an honor to be a part of the Long Island Media Arts Festival, and it was a big surprise to receive an honorable mention for my photography,” Donlin said.

“I am so happy that Five Towns was able to host a Media Arts Festival this year,” teacher Heather Toomey said. “I am especially proud for Taylor that she received recognition for her fantastic photography. She is such a hard worker, wonderful person and great photographer.” 

Date Added: 6/14/2022

East Islip High School’s National Honor Society invested 52 new members during its National Honor Society Investiture Ceremony, held in the school’s auditorium on June 9. 

NHS adviser Nicole Ingram welcomed the students and their families to the traditional candle lighting ceremony. She remarked that even though it has been a challenging school year, these 52 honorees still managed to become the “cream of the crop,” overcoming many of the obstacles placed before them during their high school careers.

Co-President James Mendolia described the inductees as students who “represent the best of our school,” while abiding by the four NHS pillars: scholarship, leadership, service and character. He also encouraged the inductees to continue to “lead with conviction and inspire others.”

NHS officers Peter Jacobsen (secretary), Taryn Kilrain (historian), Pranaav Venkatasubramanian (treasurer) and Samantha Panzella (historian) then lit the candles as they described the society’s four pillars.

Ingram and Principal Mark Bernard then read letters written by each of the inductees to their mentors, who then placed a vestment over their heads, symbolizing their membership into the society. This stole will be worn at graduation, distinguishing them among their graduation class as members of the National Honor Society. 

Date Added: 6/14/2022

During the East Islip School District Board of Education meeting on June 9, six members of the district staff were granted tenure: Math and Science Director Frank Pillitteri, East Islip High School Assistant Principal Jean Marie D’Aversa, foreign language teacher Giuseppe Costa, ESL teacher Stephanie Hauser, science teacher Christopher Prechtl and social studies teacher Ryan Pearsall.

Superintendent John Dolan congratulated the individuals during a reception prior to the meeting. He told them they are an integral part of the teaching team and have a great community to provide them the support they need. He also noted that planning and preparation will be the “bedrock of their careers” and hopes they enjoy the field of education as much as he does.

The board also celebrated student and faculty accomplishments. East Islip High School Principal Mark Bernard recognized Class of 2022 valedictorian Chiara Mosca and salutatorian Miranda Stockton, touting their accomplishments during their high school careers. Work-based coordinator Bridget Lopiccolo also gave a presentation on the district’s CORE Program, which matches life skills students with local businesses so the students can acquire valuable work experience. Lopiccolo explained that these students are the “most eager workers” and thanked several local businesses, who were in attendance, for mentoring the students.

Date Added: 6/13/2022

East Islip High School held a special celebration on June 9, announcing the top 10 students of the Class of 2022, with school administration, guidance support staff and Superintendent John Dolan in attendance.

In addition to valedictorian Chiara Mosca and salutatorian Miranda Stockton, the top 10 seniors include Bill Ahmad, Michael Baldino, Tiffany Chen, Allyson Golini, Wendle Huang, Joy Petersen, Toniann Santamaria and Samantha Tursi.

Date Added: 6/10/2022

The East Islip High School’s National Honor Society recently completed another Pulsera Project initiative, raising money for several struggling artists with more success than ever before.

The Pulsera Project is a nonprofit organization that educates, empowers and connects Central American artists with students in more than 3,000 U.S. schools via the sales of colorful handwoven bracelets, known as “pulseras” in Spanish. It provides students with a unique cultural education experience, allowing them to bring the beauty of Latin American culture to life in their own classrooms and hallways.

With the help of leaders Samantha Panzella, Miranda Stockton and Samantha Tucci, the National Honor Society successfully sold 382 pulseras during the high school’s Foreign Language Week, raising $1,410 dollars to donate to the Pulsera Project. Students from every grade were eager to buy bracelets and proudly show them off. Each individual bracelet came with a tag showing a picture of the artist, their name and where they are from.

“Just by walking down the hallway, you can see numerous people wearing their pulseras,” said National Honor Society adviser Nicole Ingram. “What a great way to add some color to our school. Many students and teachers took interest in the bracelets and wanted to know more about where they came from. The Pulsera Project was so successful that East Islip will gladly participate next year with hopes to sell even more pulseras. Thank you to everyone who took part in the making, buying, and selling of the pulseras.”

Date Added: 6/9/2022

East Islip’s annual Art & Jazz Festival came to the high school and middle school on May 23, merging art and music in a vibrant palette of creative talent.

“This year, our teachers went above and beyond to transform our middle school’s lobby and high school library into outstanding art galleries,” said Dr. Robert Wottawa II, the district’s director of art, ENL, music and world languages. “Meanwhile, the middle school jazz band and high school mentors set the ambiance in the middle school auditorium, with our young jazz students grooving like professionals. Our art students had an opportunity to speak with our community members and answer questions about their work. This event provides so much insight for and to our students and community.”

Date Added: 6/8/2022

East Islip High School’s Academic Team students proved strong competitors this year, losing only one match in their division during the regular season. Well-prepared and eager to demonstrate their knowledge, East Islip qualified for the Long Island Quiz Bowl Championship for the first time in program history. Students competed by answering “Jeopardy”-style trivia questions that range from literature, history, science and
fine arts, to religion, philosophy and politics.

Of the 44 high schools from Nassau and Suffolk counties at the event, East Islip finished ninth overall, just missing the next round of playoffs for the top eight schools. The final competition was held on May 18 at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. 

“This was a big victory for East Islip,” academic team adviser Lisa Rapiejko said. “The students worked hard all year to achieve top ranking on Long Island. I am fortunate to work with such dedicated and talented young people”.

Date Added: 6/8/2022

East Islip High School junior Ruelin Man-Martinez was named the winner of this year’s Rensselaer Medal, which recognizes excellent academic achievement and serves to inspire students pursuing careers in engineering, science and technology.

Founded in 1824, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, is the oldest technological institution in North America. For more than 100 years, they have awarded the Rensselaer Medal to exemplary high school juniors who excel in the areas of math and science. This merit scholarship has a value of $120,000 and is guaranteed for four years for each medalist who applies, is accepted and enrolls at Rensselaer.

“Ruelin is a hardworking and involved young man who is looking to pursue a degree in engineering,” said Jenn Salvaggio, his school counselor. “There is no doubt in my mind that he will find much success during his college years and beyond.”

Date Added: 6/8/2022

East Islip High School’s Class of 2022 valedictorian is Chiara Mosca.

An AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Capstone Diploma recipient, Mosca earned a GPA of 110.563, achieved a perfect score on the AP Research exam and earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. She was selected as a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist and was named the Science Teachers Association of New York State outstanding senior science student for her school.

Mosca serves as president of the Science Honor Society, vice president of the school’s SADD club and secretary of the Math Team, and is a member of the National Honor Society and Math Honor Society.

An exceptional musician, Mosca is a violist in the school’s chamber orchestra and was selected for the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and chosen to perform at the Long Island String Festival Association, Suffolk County Music Educators' Association and New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education festivals. She serves as president of the Honors Symphony Orchestra and social media historian of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Mosca is also a Garcia Summer Scholar and member of the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips Youth Squad and Rotary Youth Leadership Association.
Mosca will attend Hamilton College in Clinton, New York this fall, majoring in psychology and minoring in biochemistry on the pre-med track.

 

Date Added: 6/3/2022

Date Added: 6/3/2022

The Islip Arts Council introduced the tradition of the Teeny Awards 14 years ago as a way to publicly recognize the very talented theater students in high schools across the Town of Islip. The Teeny Awards are modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, recognizing students in the categories of Best Actor/Actress, Supporting Actor/Actress, Featured Actor/Actress and Best Ensemble, for both musicals and nonmusical plays. Special Recognition Awards are also given to students involved in crew, pit orchestra and poster artwork, and every director is given the opportunity to recognize a special student from each production for the “Director’s Choice” Award.  A panel of judges attends each local high school production and evaluates the actors’ performances based on a rubric, and a Teeny Awards gala complete with red carpet and TV crew is held in early June.

For the past 13 years, East Islip High School has submitted its musical productions for Teeny judging, and their Drama Club productions for the past four years, thanks to the new initiative of the school’s Drama Club to perform full-scale nonmusical productions each fall. In the past, the Drama Club performed smaller-scale, one-act plays, which are not permitted to be submitted for Teeny judging.

This year, East Islip High School’s students and theatrical directors were thrilled to receive a record number of nominations for their two full-scale productions of “A Christmas Carol” (December 2021) and “The Sound of Music” (March 2022.)  

Nominees and special recognition awards are:

“A Christmas Carol”
Best Actor: Daniel Locke (Ebenezer Scrooge)
Best Actress: Michaela Fitzsimmons (Fan)
Supporting Actor: Brendan Kroupa (Bob Cratchit)
Supporting Actress: Sophia LoMonaco (Mrs. Cratchit)
Supporting Actress: Marisa Triolo (Ghost of Christmas Past)
Featured Actor: Aiden Gomez (Jacob Marley)
Featured Actress: Nina Walsh (Belle)
Best Ensemble Performance
Art Design: Jackelyn Arevalo-Carrillo (poster)
Crew: Aidan O’Reilly
Sound: Kennis Brown
Sound: Emily Farrell
Director’s Choice: Daniel Locke

“The Sound of Music”
Best Actor: Aiden Gomez (Captain von Trapp)
Best Actress: Michaela Fitzsimmons (Maria Rainer)
Supporting Actor: Tristan Hearth (Max Detweiller)
Supporting Actress: Keira Tantillo (Mother Abbess)
Featured Actor: Andrew D’Amico (Herr Zeller)
Best Ensemble Performance
Art Design: Lauren Holmes
Crew: Jack Bolen
Director’s Choice: Ryan Kelpie

East Islip was also awarded the honor of performing one musical number from its production of “The Sound of Music” at the Teeny Awards gala on June 5. Nearly 20 of the students who played nuns will be performing the opening “Morning Hymn” and “Alleluia” at the gala. 

“We could not be prouder of the many talented students of East Islip High School,” said “A Christmas Carol” director Bethany Affelt. “We thank them for representing our music and theater department with EI Pride. While were excited to hear how the awards turn out, we wholeheartedly agree that every nomination is an honor in and of itself. Congratulations to all on a wonderfully diverse and meaningful theatrical year.”

Date Added: 6/2/2022

Melissa Sconone, an East Islip High School Class of 2019 graduate currently playing lacrosse for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, won the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Lacrosse Championship on May 29.

North Carolina’s top-ranked Tar Heels finished the season 22-0, becoming the first undefeated national champion since 2017 (and 11th in NCAA history). They won their third national title with a 12-11 victory over Boston College in an exciting game held at Johns Hopkins University.

During her East Islip lacrosse career, Sconone served as team captain. Playing attack, she earned All-County and MVP designation in 2017 and 2018, was a member of the Under Armour highlight team and a Newsday Top 100 Player, won the 2017-2018 Suffolk Zone award, finished as one of the top 10 scorers in Suffolk County, was nationally ranked by “Inside Lacrosse” at No. 25, and participated in the Under Armour All America Underclass Tournament and U.S. Lacrosse Women’s Division National Tournament.

Click to view the celebration!

East Islip High School’s Class of 2022 salutatorian is Miranda Stockton.

An AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Capstone Diploma recipient, Stockton earned a 107.706 GPA. She serves as treasurer of the Math Honor Society and historian of the Science Honor Society, and is a member of the National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society.

As a musician, Stockton played in the school’s wind ensemble for two years and was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
An accomplished athlete, she serves as varsity girls volleyball team captain and earned All-League, All-County Tournament Award and High Minds in Motion designation.

Stockton will attend Binghamton University, majoring in biology.

 

Date Added:6/3/2022