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Starting a brand-new tradition on the day before graduation, high school seniors visited their old elementary schools – Connetquot, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, RCK and Timber Point – on June 24.

Date Added: 6/28/2019

Clear skies and a beaming sun welcomed a joyous crowd of family, friends and distinguished guests to the high school’s 92nd commencement ceremony on June 26, to celebrate the Class of 2019 and the momentous milestone they have achieved.

The event began with the seniors filing onto the football field, adorned in red caps and gowns, before Isabella Pasha and Maggie Ruland recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Victoria Tiernan performed the national anthem. In traditional fashion, four students – Alexandra Bertolini, Emily DaSilva, Karina Gallagher and Katelyn Spina – then sang the school’s alma mater.

Principal Mark Bernard greeted the Class of 2019 before offering a heartfelt challenge. “I challenge you to be the best that you can be, to dream big, to work hard and to never accept failure,” Bernard said. “I challenge you to find a cure for cancer, to work toward world peace and to leave this Earth better than it was when you came to be.”

James Smalley, the salutatorian, then reflected on his journey as a student at East Islip High School and how the experiences they shared as classmates shaped them into kind, compassionate individuals.

Bernard then honored a group of alumni from the Class of 1969 who were in attendance, and Kristen Bayreuther recognized the top 25 students in the senior class.

Valedictorian Victoria Keenan’s words empowered her fellow graduates as they move on from this chapter in their lives. “Promise me that you will believe in yourself, even when others do not,” she said. “People are beautiful and wonderful, but they also have the power to be cruel. They can say things and do things that will make you feel powerless, that you are not good enough; but let me tell you this – you are enough. If there is one thing you will take away from high school, let it be that.”

Superintendent John Dolan wished the graduates well as he addressed them with powerful words of encouragement. “Now it is your time to go out into the world, to continue to make good, healthy choices and continue to help the ongoing evolution of our beautiful world,” he said. “Choose a career path where you are excited to go to work every day, where you are excited to work hard, to make those around you and the world a better place.”

Following the presentation of diplomas, Class President Madison Lane delivered a nostalgic farewell address that took the new graduates on a final look back through their time as East Islip students.

Just as the sun began to fade from view, the graduates exited the field with hopeful enthusiasm as they began the next chapter of their lives as alumni of East Islip High School.

Date Added: 6/28/2019

High school theater students garnered a record 16 nominations in multiple categories for this year’s productions of “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Miss Saigon” – and swept every single category in the drama/comedy division – at the Islip Arts Council’s annual Teeny Awards ceremony, held on June 2 at Bay Shore High School. The event marked the 11th year of the Teeny Awards, a theater recognition program for high school students modeled after Broadway’s famous Tony Awards.

Karina Gallagher won Best Actress, Andrew Timmins won Best Actor, Alex Bertolini won Best Supporting Actress, Luke Ferrari won Best Supporting Actor, Katie Spina won for Featured Actress and Connor Barnes won for Featured Actor. In addition, the entire cast of “Lend Me a Tenor” won Best Ensemble.  

The pit orchestra of “Miss Saigon” earned a Teeny Award for their high-caliber playing, Emily DaSilva and Tori Tiernan were selected for Director’s Choice awards, and Tori Tiernan earned an Islip Arts Council scholarship.

“It was an incredible honor for East Islip to receive so many nominations and awards, and we are so proud of all of our talented theater students,” said Bethany Affelt, the high school’s choral and theater director.  

 

Date Added: 6/26/2019

Timber Point held a special kindergarten writing celebration on June 7, allowing proud visiting parents to experience the students’ burgeoning skills in expressing themselves via writing.

 “I am so proud of my kindergarten friends and how they have grown as writers throughout the school year,” said Principal Danielle Naccarato. “I know that this solid foundation and love for reading and writing will lead them to success in their bright futures.”

Date Added: 6/25/2019

Senior Erica Sciallo recently signed a national letter of intent to play field hockey this fall for SUNY Morrisville, where she will major in early education.

“I wanted to be part of their team, and Morrisville has a great education department,” said Sciallo of her choice.

Sciallo, who won the Coach’s Award in field hockey, is also a member of East Islip’ basketball and track teams as well as the Foreign Language Honor Society.

Date Added: 6/25/2019

In the final segment of our three-part video series, take a look at how our elementary students at Connetquot, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, RCK and Timber Point are learning and growing as artists.

Date Added: 6/21/2019

Partnering with Bang Towing, Gershow Recycling and Suffolk County legislators Tom Cilmi and Steven J. Flotteron, the high school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions club held a press conference about the “100 Deadliest Days” on June 12, with a massive display of smashed cars set up by Bang Towing in front of the school as the backdrop.

Teen auto crash rates rise dramatically during the 100 Deadliest Days, which last from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Led by SADD adviser Bridget Lopiccolo, the event brought awareness to the dangers of drinking/texting and driving, driving while impaired and distracted driving.

“The SADD Club is committed to educating students, staff and community that acts such as drinking and driving or texting and driving can not only affect your life but the lives of others,” said Lopiccolo. “We do not want to lose another student or community member to these preventable decisions.”

Date Added: 6/19/2019

The high school held its first Art Honor Society induction ceremony on June 6 in the school’s library, with Jenna Donnelly recognized as the Service Award recipient for 2018-2019.

The 57 inductees included officers Robert Camlet, Nicholas Conzo, Lauren Florenz and Logan Witte as well as Alexis Barber, Rebecca Bast, Hanna Benardos, Sophie Bingham, Steven Brown, Alexandra Bunde, Robert Campanaro, Alessia Carcone, Hailey Cooke, Hailee Cornell, Kerri Davis, Julia Desiderio, Jenna Donnelly, Kaitlyn Donnelly, Daisy Ferrandino, Ashley Flyntz, Aidan Furey, Sabine Gebhard, David Gomez, Sarah Haanraadts, Mikayla Henderson, Grace Hurlbert, Alyssa Huss, Jolie Iamunno, Brandon Jinete, Kelli Karlin, Sarah Kern, Michael Kilbourne, Madeleine Lanberg, Nicholas LaRocca, Heather MacNamara, Kaylee Matos, Caroline Meehan, Jenna Moceri, Katryna Mullen, Kristy Murphy, Leah Neville, Hillary Ng, Judy Orellana, Emily Palomba, Sarah Piccinini, Emily Puglisi, Brian Quinn, Micarlys Ramirez, Kimberly Rauber, Brooke Rizzuto, Katelyn Spina, Joelle Tomossone, Thomas Tricoukes, Connor Tricoukes, Gianna Viviano, Samantha Winegard and Isilay Yildiz.

“Being a co-adviser for the NAHS with Heather Toomey this year has been amazing,” said Daniel Figliozzi. “We collaborate well and in turn have done some unique service projects with our students. Toomey organized a beautiful induction ceremony that I think our students and their parents really appreciated. I'm excited to see what else we can do with our talented NAHS members next year.”

“It was a beautiful ceremony and I am incredibly proud and honored to be the adviser to such a creative, dedicated and talented group of student-artists,” said adviser Heather Toomey. “They have given many hours of art service to the local and global community and uphold academic and artistic standards. I am so proud of our officers, scholarship recipients and all who supported our organization this year.”

Date Added: 6/19/2019

For the fourth consecutive year, the East Islip Redmen competed at the Special Olympics New York Spring Games North, held on May 11 at Bethpage High School. At the end of a spectacular day of competition, camaraderie and team spirit, the students brought home eight gold, eight silver and five bronze medals as well as six fourth-place ribbons, three fifth-place ribbons and three sixth-place ribbons.

“All the athletes were superstars and the EI team rocked the Special Olympics,” said Special Olympics coach and physical education teacher Diane Wahrenburg. “Thanks to all the volunteers, the EI administration and to the parents for all their support.”

East Islip started its first Special Olympics team in 2016, entering six athletes that year to compete in the Spring Games. Since the program’s inception, 27 students have participated. Coached by physical education teachers Laura O'Donnell and Julie Susskind, this year’s team grew to 17 participating student-athletes, including seven from the middle school (Jonathan Carberry, Rile Carrillo, Chloe Gagnon, Emily Kolensky, Jake Kozak, Janissa Llyod and Michael Pacheco), nine from the high school (Anthony Agresta, Danny DiOrios , Emily Maccarone, Julia Modico, Santiago Pacheco, Robert Phillips, Jake Pipitone, Sara Spruyt and Kelly Stubblebeen) and one returning EI graduate (Donald Ahlers).

“More important than the medals or ribbons is the day itself,” said middle school coach O'Donnell. “It’s a day the athletes, their families, coaches and volunteers come together and celebrate the true spirit with which the Special Olympics was founded: ‘Let me win, but if I can’t win, let me be brave in the attempt.’ Our athletes show their bravery from the first day of training to the moment they step out onto the track and field on the day of the Games. I couldn’t be prouder to be their coach.”

“We are excited about how the program is growing and look forward to continuing to offer more training and competition opportunities to our student-athletes,” said high school coach Susskind. “With more people coming on board and the growing support of the community and the administration, it would not be surprising for us to host in the near future. It’s a great experience for the kids and something I personally look forward to every year.”

“Not only has our student-athlete numbers increased, but so has the number of volunteers,” said O’Donnell. “This year, we had 22 volunteers supporting our athletes on the field at the Games, several of them returning for the second or third time.”

The team members and their families enjoyed an annual pregame breakfast on May 9 in the middle school cafeteria, also attended by district administrators and volunteers, and the students were recognized at the Board of Education’s May business meeting.

Date Added: 6/17/2019

More than 100 scholarships and awards were awarded to 151 members of the Class of 2019 at the high school’s annual Senior Awards Night on June 4, many sponsored by generous local organizations and community members.

“There were many applications received and it was very difficult to select the winners,” said Guidance Director Israel Malinowitzer, the host of the ceremony. “These students were absolutely amazing and were involved throughout their high school years in afterschool activities, sports and community service. They are all ready to begin their next adventure in

Date Added: 6/14/2019

During its June 13 business meeting, the Board of Education and Superintendent John Dolan honored the high school’s 2019 valedictorian and salutatorian, Victoria Keenan and James Smalley. The two students were praised by Principal Mark Bernard, who detailed their many accomplishments and noted that they were role models for their school.

 

Date Added: 6/14/2019

The high school’s Class of 2019 valedictorian is Victoria Keenan. Keenan, who finished with a weighted GPA of 108.20, is an accomplished musician, earning All-Eastern and All-State honors. An AP Scholar with Honor, she serves as president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and secretary of the National Honor Society and is a member of the World Language Honor Society, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York and the East Islip High School newspaper staff. Keenan will study music education at Ithaca College School of Music.

 

Date Added: 6/10/2019

The high school’s Class of 2019 salutatorian is James Smalley. A National Merit Scholarship Program finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction, he earned a GPA of 108.18. He serves as captain of the varsity boys track team and is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, varsity boys soccer team and the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips. Smalley will attend Northeastern University, majoring in chemical engineering.

 

Date Added: 6/10/2019

Another superlative season of music study came to a close in East Islip, as the district’s spring concert series presented the fruits of a school year filled with student talent and tenacity. The well-attended performances included three middle school concerts on May 8, 13 and 14; high school concerts on May 20 and 22; and in-school and evening concerts at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ and RCK on May 22 and 15, respectively.

“Our spring concert series extended from our third grade students performing on their recorders and singing, to our seniors performing at their high school for the last time,” said Dr. Robert J. Wottawa II, the district’s director of art, ENL, music and world languages. “Our music program is supported by so many, and our students’ hard work throughout this series was evident. All of our students’ success is directly related to the impact that each of our teachers has on our students and program.  I am most proud of all that participate and share the magic of music with our world.”

Date Added: 6/6/2019

East Islip has partnered with Stony Brook University’s ACE program to provide the high school’s world language students with college credits. Beginning in fall 2019, high schoolers enrolled in level 4 or 5 French, Italian and Spanish courses may be eligible to earn up to eight credits from Stony Brook.

Led by Dr. Robert J. Wottawa II, the district’s director of art, ENL, music and world languages, East Islip began working through the rigorous approval process last September with three ACE program facilitators, Spanish professor Dr. Lilia Ruiz-Debbie and French and Italian professors Dr. Irene Marchegiani and Dr. Madeline Turan.

“We are excited to begin this partnership with Stony Brook as well as the professional development opportunities they will provide our world language teachers,” said Wottawa. “Stony Brook is nationally recognized and the earned credits are more transferable to other universities. This allows our high school students to earn the required language credits for many degrees or earn college credits that can be used toward their college graduation.”

 

Date Added

High school technology educator James Connell was honored at the fourth annual Teacher of Excellence Awards ceremony on May 9, hosted by State Sen. Phil Boyle. Connell was congratulated at the event by his family and Principal Mark Bernard.

Date Added: 6/5/2019