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10/31/22 - HS Art Student Creates Patriotic Mural for VFW Post
East Islip High School student Kiersten Galli, a member of the school’s National Art Honor Society, spent her summer painting a stunning patriotic mural with her mother and grandfather at VFW Post 2937.
“I really enjoyed creating the flag mural with my mother and grandfather,” Galli said. “I am grateful to be part of the efforts to memorialize and honor Army Staff Sgt. Keith Bishop, who was killed in action in Afghanistan.”
“We are so proud of Kiersten,” art teacher Heather Toomey said. “During her summer vacation, she used her artistic skills to take a rustic shed and turn it into a patriotic mural to beautify the local community and honor our veterans. We love that she worked with her family in a collaborative mural. This is the epitome of what art service is and why we have a National Art Honor Society here at East Islip High School.”
Date Added: 10/31/2022
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10/28/2022 - Middle School Inducts 27 Musicians to Tri-M
East Islip Middle School welcomed 27 new members into its Tri-M Music Honor Society in an Oct. 24 induction ceremony.
The proud inductees were Lucas Brelsford, Eva Daugherty, Francesca Dima, Eva Drinkwater, Annelise Eichler, Anna Fantauzzi, Casey Flad, Matthew Gravano, Brennan Grieve, Cadence Grieve, Madelyn Halter, Aubrey Hilbert, Lucas Hilbert, Vincent Huang, William Lemke, Noah Lopez, Joseph Massaro, Paige Mathers, Ava McKenna, Cailin Melody, Danna Perez, James Ritter, Vivian Rossa, Luke Tursi, London Villanueva, Cormac Zusmer and Peyton Zusmer.
“It has been our pleasure to see the growth of these students throughout the past school year,” teacher Juliette Incandela said. “We’re so proud of the positive impact they have had on the community and can wait to see where this year will take them.”
“This group of musicians has been a joy to work with,” teacher Katelyn Odierna said. “They are all dedicated and hardworking young students who create such a positive environment in our schools and community.”
“We are so proud of our Modern Music Masters in their induction to our junior chapter of Tri-M,” said Dr. Robert Wottawa II, the district’s director of art and music. “We are very fortunate to have advisers who are willing to assist our students achieve their goals.”
Date Added: 10/28/2022
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10/28/2022 - EI's National Merit Semifinalist
East Islip High School senior Bella Fantauzzi was recently named a Semifinalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. She was recognized for her exceptional academic performance on the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test during the last school year.
“It was exciting,” Fantauzzi said about learning she had qualified via her guidance ounselor, Christopher Boehler. “The funniest part was that it came right after Mr. Boehler was saying that scores aren’t what defines you. Standardized test scores aren’t the end all and be all, but I’m really happy about it, and it’s great because it gives me scholarship opportunities.”
Now in its 68th year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation annually announces the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists who go on to compete for 7,250 scholarships, totaling more than $28 million. More than 90% of those students are expected to earn Finalist standing and approximately half will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the title of Merit Scholar.
Date Added: 10/28/2022
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10/26/2022 - 46 From EIHS Earn AP Honors
East Islip High School recently recognized 46 current students for earning AP Scholar designation for 2022 by the College Board, recognizing their excellence and hard work in college-level achievement in AP courses and exams. The Advanced Placement Program recognizes several different award levels.
Twenty-one students – seniors Allison Benowitz, Sarah Birner, Ryan Buchan, James Buonincontri, Andrew Damico, Gavin DeHaas, Christopher Dopfel, Jacob Franchi, Nina Gerace, Robert Graziano, Frank Irace, Aiden Kozak, Aiden Lenox, Furghub Malik, David Serino, Satish Singh Jennings, Keira Tantillo, Marisa Triolo, Kelly Waldron and Zachary Zhang, and junior Shannon O’Rourke – were named AP Scholars, granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
Fourteen students – seniors Jack Baranek, Adelie Barbera, Stephen Coleman, Ryan Deveraux, Rhiannon Donahue, Eamonn Dreyer, Isabella Fantauzzi, Emily Garavito, Tristan Hearth, Sebastian Higgins, Ruelin Man-Martinez, Nicole Mazza, Keira McCaffery and Adan Villanueva – were named AP Scholars with Honor, granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
Eleven students – seniors Antonio Cottone, Rachel Furey, Chad Glick, Chase Grimm, Ryan Jacobsen, James Kelly, Abbey Lacy, James Nolan, Sarah Smalley, Nina Walsh and Nicholas Wodicka – were named AP Scholars with Distinction, granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
Additionally, Eamonn Dreyer, James Kelly, Abbey Lacy, Sarah Smalley, Adan Villanueva, Nina Walsh and Nicholas Wodicka earned AP Capstone Diplomas, and Jack Baranek, Allison Benowitz, Sarah Birner, Ryan Buchan, Rhiannon Donahue, Jacob Franchi, Rachel Furey, Chad Glick, Sebastian Higgins, Ryan Jacobsen, Ruelin Man-Martinez, Nicole Mazza, James Nolan and Satish Singh Jennings earned AP Seminar and Research Certificates.
Date Added: 10/26/2022
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10/26/2022 - Community Rallies for Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½coming
After an exhilarating pep rally and successfully returning homecoming dance the evening before, the fun and school spirit didn’t stop for East Islip, as the proud community gathered on the morning of Oct. 22 for the first Main Street Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½coming Parade through town, followed by the big football game that afternoon.
Improving their record to 4-3, East Islip High School’s varsity Redmen delivered under pressure, crushing Comsewogue’s Warriors by the lopsided score of 31-0. Quarterback Thomas Costarelli was the shutout’s star, throwing for two first-quarter touchdowns of 41 and 15 yards and running for 20-yard and 1-yard touchdowns. Kicker Dylan Guerrera also had a strong game, going 4-for-4 on extra points and nailing a 25-yard fourth-quarter field goal. East Islip were just as solid defensively, with Jack Kalinowski and Jake Stassi recording an interception each and Deandre Perez earning a sack.
During halftime, Alessandro Lguaggiato and Emily Bott were crowned as homecoming king and queen, the high school band performed, and school and district cheerleading and kickline squads put on a spectacular show. Food trucks stationed nearby provided hungry fans with many tasty options.
“This was the most amazing year, where the community and the school rallied to make homecoming a truly wonderful experience for everyone,” Student Government co-adviser Bridget Lopiccolo said. “The town’s businesses have asked for many years to have the homecoming parade down Main Street, which we did this year for the first time, and it was perfect. The businesses also asked for their store windows to display the slogan ‘Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ of EI Pride,’ which our students painted themselves on 14 different Main Street business windows. The football team’s victory was the perfect end to our homecoming festivities. Thank you, East Islip community, for coming together to celebrate our students. We truly are the home of EI Pride."
Date Added: 10/26/2022
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10/25/2022 - EIHS Students Enjoy Exciting Pep Rally
After a fun-filled Spirit Week packed with activities, East Islip High School’s homecoming preparations culminated in an exciting Friday morning pep rally on Oct. 21.
The school’s sports teams were announced; the band, cheerleaders and kickline performed, and students competed in “Minute to Win It” games including musical chairs and sack races. In a surprise twist, school staff and administrators paired up with cheerleaders to perform a special routine, to the delight of the assembled classes.
“We worked for many months on these events,” said Bridget Lopiccolo, co-adviser of Student Government along with Kate Boucher. “We listened to the students, and they said we loved it and look forward to next year.”
Date Added: 10/25/2022
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10/21/2022 - Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Shows It Is United Against Bullying
John F. Kennedy Elementary School celebrated Unity Day on Oct. 19 October 19 by wearing orange to show support for bullying prevention. Students also participated in signing pledges and had an opportunity to create an orange paper leaf to add to the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Unity Tree, a powerful symbol reminding everyone that bullying can be prevented when everyone is united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.
“Building the Unity Tree was an interactive and hands-on activity,” Principal Deborah Smith said. “It created a visual reminder demonstrating that when we are united, we can create social change.”
Date Added: 10/21/2022
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10/19/2022 - A Dozen from East Islip Named All-County Musicians
A dozen remarkable East Islip High School student-musicians were chosen to perform in November at this year’s New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education All-County concert. Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½’s annual All-County program showcases the finest junior and senior musicians in Suffolk County to perform in band, chorus and orchestra ensembles.
The honored East Islip students are Ryan Buchan (bass trombone), Nina Walsh (clarinet) and Jack Wodicka (trombone) for All-County Band; Ethan Greene (bass), Tristan Hearth (tenor), Hanna Ross (soprano), Keira Tantillo (soprano) and Kelly Waldron (alto) for All-County Mixed Chorus; and Kevin Huang (violin), Richie LaSpina (violin), Kathryn O’Hara (viola) and Aiden Thompson (trumpet) for All-County Orchestra.
Date Added: 10/19/2022
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10/19/2022 - RCK Celebrates Unity Day
Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School celebrated Unity Day on Oct. 19. Students pledged to be kind, show empathy and think of others. They also wrote positive messages which were chained together and placed on display. RCK’s support staff spent time in every classroom speaking with the students about the meaning of Unity Day.
“Many of us wore shades of orange that day to show how we are unified in our belief that caring for others is an important aspect of daily life,” Principal Janet Jones said.
Date Added: 10/19/2022
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10/13/2022 - Tantillo Named All-State Musician
East Islip High School student-musician Keira Tantillo recently earned All-State designation from the New York State School Music Association, one of the highest honors possible for a high school musician. A soprano, Tantillo will perform with the All-State Mixed Chorus ensemble in December at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.
Two other East Islip students, violinist Kevin Huang and trumpeter Aiden Thompson, were named NYSSMA alternates for the All-State Orchestra and All-State Band, respectively.
Date Added: 10/13/2022
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10/12/2022 - High Schoolers Explore Iroquois Influence on the Constitution
East Islip High School students in Greg Kguloian’s class recently researched the influence on the U.S. Constitution by the Iroquois. Officially known the Haudenosaunee, this confederacy of First Nations peoples in northeast North America consisted of the Five Nations of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca, later joined by a sixth, the Tuscarora.
Students explored evidence that the Constitutional Convention delegates studied Native American governments, including descriptions in the three-volume handbook John Adams wrote for the convention, surveying different types of governments and ideas about government, including the Iroquois Confederacy.
“My inspiration for this English/social studies crossover lesson was Detective Jeff Hackett, who brought the facts of the Iroquois to my attention,” Kguloian said. “When my class gave their reports after their deep dive into academically respected sources, including Discovery.com, History.com and Britannica.com, they shared and compared to help each other gain more insight into the factual history of the impetus of the civil rights that we all have, but not everyone understands.”
Date Added: 10/12/2022
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10/11/2022 - Hearth Earns All-National Honors
East Islip High School senior Tristan Hearth was recently selected for the National Association for Music Education’s All-National Mixed Choir, Hearth was one of only 55 New York State students selected for this prestigious honor.
Representing the highest performing high school musicians in the United States, Hearth and the other members of the NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles will perform Nov. 3-6 in National Harbor, Maryland under the leadership of top conductors in the field of music education.
“It’s a huge honor,” Hearth said. “I feel like my work has really paid off. I’ve always loved music since I was very young, and I’m really happy to be able to participate with other people who really love music. Achieving All-State was part of the reason why I’m minoring in music, so I can only imagine where All-National gets me. I really want to experiment with it in college. I’ve totally changed paths from going into something academic to at least including music as part of my college studies, because it’s such a deep passion and I don't want to give it up for anything."
"We are so very proud of Tristen and his dedication to growing as a musician," said Dr. Robert Wottawa II, the district’s director of art and music. "The guidance of our teachers, his parents' support and his perseverance has afforded him this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."Date Added: 10/11/2022
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10/11/2022 - East Islip Volleyball Teams Support Breast Cancer Awareness
East Islip High School’s varsity and junior varsity girls volleyball teams hosted a Rocking the Road for a Cure breast cancer awareness event at their matches on Oct. 7. RTRFAC founder Dawn Dimilia attended the event and shared her personal story as a two-time breast cancer survivor. She also imparted valuable information to the East Islip students and audience members about the importance of early detection and getting regular exams.
“Thanks to everyone in attendance and to those who supported RTRFAC by purchasing raffle tickets and merchandise,” JV coach Diane Wahrenburg said. “Dawn and all of the volunteers for her organization provide valuable services for those going through surgeries and treatments on Long Island and in Queens. All in all, it was a fantastic event and congratulations to both teams for winning their matches as well.”
Date Added: 10/11/2022
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10/4/2022 - An Exciting Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Book Fair
Students at East Islip’s John F. Kennedy Elementary School browsed the annual PTA-sponsored book fair on Sept. 29 and 30, enjoying the chance to find something to nurture a love of literacy.
“It's always wonderful to see the students getting excited about reading,” Principal Deborah Smith said. “We had a great selection of products as well as books that students were able to choose from. My thanks to our Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ PTA for once again bringing reading to us in an exciting way.”
Date Added: 10/4/2022
