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East Islip High School senior Keira Tantillo was recently named an All-Eastern musician by the National Association for Music Education, and will attend NAfME’s Eastern Division Conference, to be held April 13-16 in Rochester. 

The top junior students who participate in the New York State School Music Association are selected by East Islip teachers bi-annually to attend the conference as a senior. The names are then sent before the NAfME selection committee, where the state presidents rank the students in December. Tantillo was selected to perform in the 2023 All-Eastern Honors Mixed Choir, representing East Islip and New York State as one of the most musically talented and hardworking musicians.

Tantillo will arrive at the Conference on a Thursday to begin intensive rehearsals and master classes. Preparation will continue during Friday and Saturday, culminating in a Sunday concert performance at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester.

“I am honored and privileged to be attending this event with Keira,” said East Islip Art and Music Director Dr. Rob Wottawa. “I have witnessed Keira grow over the past eight years into a very accomplished musician, performer and kind person who is always helping our department.”

Tantillo, who was honored by East Islip’s Board of Education at the March 29 meeting, has been accepted into the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for music performance.

“Our East Islip music teachers work to build our students up into amazing people,” Wottawa said, “and Keira is a perfect example of how our program supports hardworking students to develop a firm foundation at our elementary schools and blossom into professional musicians through our middle and high schools.”

Two fellow East Islip High School musicians, violinist Kevin Huang and trumpeter Aiden Thompson, were also honored alongside Tantillo at the March 29 Board of Education meeting for earning All-State music honors last winter.

In athletics, the Board honored the varsity cheerleading team, for winning the county cheerleading championship and placing second at the state championships; the varsity girls bowling team for winning second place in the county tournament, and three bowlers for an undefeated league  championship and longest active winning streak on Long Island; five students from the varsity girls track team for earning the first county championship for an East Islip girls relay team and placing third to qualify for the state championships; and boys swim team members Jayden Black, for earning All-League designation, and Jack Milligan, for earning All-League, All-County, All-State and All-Long Island designation.

Lastly, East Islip High School student Nicole Mazza was recognized for being named a semifinalist in the 2023 Coca-Cola Scholars Program, recognizing her high academic achievement, leadership skills and community service.  

Date Added: 4/3/2023