The Sewanhaka Central High School District varsity gymnastics team participated in Cartwheel for a Cure, an annual gymnastics fundraising event in Nassau County, on Jan. 17. Along with participating in a regular gymnastics meet, the team was tasked with completing as many cartwheels as they could in three minutes. 

Sewanhaka High School student Zoe Amadike had the highest number of cartwheels for the team, cartwheeling 149 times. Floral Park Memorial High School student Taylor Kropf helped raised the most money for the district, and through donations the team raised $1,000. 

This year, the event benefitted the Madison Milio Tribute Fund. Milio, who was the daughter of two district employees, passed away from cancer in December. 

 

Photo Caption: The Sewanhaka Central High School District varsity gymnastics team is pictured, top row: Amelia Eisenhuth, Shilan Simsek, Brooke Linn, Taylor Kropf, Danielle Gutierrez, Belinda’s Inan, Dora Alfieri, Meaghan Reed and Star Henry. Bottom row: Zoe Amadike, Amani Evans, Makayla Noel, Sophie Obryckei, Alyssa Nittoli, Zeynab Daouaou and Samyrah Demorcy. Madison Milio’s mother, Kristen Milio, is pictured right. 

 

Photo courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District 

 

On the second weekend of January, Harborfields High School’s girls varsity field hockey team received their plaque for winning the 2021 Marilyn Cross Sportsmanship Award, presented by the Suffolk Field Hockey Umpires’ Association.

“We are so proud of the character our athletes show on and off the field,” Athletic Director Rob Franco said.

 

Field Hockey: Harborfields High School’s girls varsity field hockey team received their plaque for winning the 2021 Marilyn Cross Sportsmanship Award.

 

Photos courtesy of Harborfields Central School District

 

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District marked the legacy and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with their annual Day of Service on Jan. 16.

Students across the district organized donation drives to benefit local shelters and human services organizations, including the district-run food pantry, the Community Cupboard.

More than 2,000 books collected at Wellington C. Mepham High School were donated to the Book Fairies. Merrick Avenue Middle School collected 4,000 food pantry items. Grand Avenue Middle School filled more than 50 boxes of donations, filling an entire pallet. John F. Kennedy High School filled more than 100 bags with hygiene items. 

Service became a weeklong event in Bellmore-Merrick this year thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Ambassadors, the Leadership students, and the “One Voice, One Message.” 

With messages of peace, unity and acceptance, students learned about Dr. King’s messages in social studies and other classes and spread the word themselves. 

“On Monday, Jan. 10, the students learned about Dr. King and other change makers in a period-long lesson taught by the Leadership students in the high schools and the social studies teachers in the middle schools,” explained Mepham social studies chairperson and lead organizer Robyn Einbinder.  

They also saw inspirational quotes by Dr. King posted around the buildings. On Jan. 18, students viewed an interview conducted by BMB with Legis. Steve Rhoads about the importance of service and how young people can make a difference. 

“On Wednesday, students paid compliments to one another through a Post-It note or index card activity,” added Einbinder. “On Thursday, students wore orange ribbon stickers to promote service. And on Friday, each building packaged the items that they had collected — nonperishable foods, wellness goods, toiletries or books.” 

Students also wore different colors throughout the week to signify acceptance and unity.

“We are very proud of what our students accomplished,” added Einbinder.

 

Photo captions:

1. Grand Avenue Middle School filled more than 60 boxes of donations, filling an entire pallet.
2. Students at Merrick Avenue Middle School packed up donations.
3. Mepham juniors Charlie Leo, Sean Seligman and Nick Walker organized book donations along with Superintendent Michael Harrington.
4. Mepham junior leadership students along with Assistant Superintendent Scott Bersin, Mepham social studies chairperson and lead organizer Robyn Einbinder, social studies teacher Jacqueline Geller and Assistant Principal Chris Safina.
5. Assistant Principal Anthony DeMartinis and social studies chairperson Christina Cone work with Calhoun students 
6. Assistant Superintendent Scott Bersin, Calhoun leadership teacher Brian Joyce, English chairperson Kim Serpe and student Dan Allen organized pantry donations.
7. Students at Kennedy made care packages consisting of hygiene items for local human services organizations.

 

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

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Grand Avenue Middle School eighth grader Luke Fischetti was honored by the Bellmore-Merrick Board of Education at their Jan. 12 meeting for his volunteerism during the Bellmore Lions Club Polar Express event held in early December. 

In partnership of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and the Community Cupboard, the Lions Club Holiday Polar Express hosted 575 children who received donated toys and other items.

This annual free event is under direction and guidance of Lion Past District Governor, Nina Lanci, who has chaired the event for the past seven years. 

Fischetti used $200 of his own money to make baseball card gift packages to give out to deserving children.

“When Luke went to the baseball card store, the owner heard what he was doing and decided to match Luke’s contribution,” explained Lanci, who also serves as a member of the North Bellmore and Central High School District school boards. “Luke spent the entire day at the Polar Express event giving out his packages and helping the community.” 

 

Photo caption: Board President Edward Corona, Superintendent Michael Harrington, Luke Fischetti and board trustee Nina Lanci.

 

Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District 

 

The East Islip High School varsity girls basketball team game on Dec. 16 proved a multifaceted event showcasing the program’s past and present glories as well as the team’s admirable efforts to give back to the community.

Captain Kamilah Pasha helped spearhead a fundraising effort by the team on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Foundation, which helped spread awareness and netted $600 for this worthy cause.

The day also served to commemorate the 20th anniversary of East Islip’s Long Island championship girls basketball team, and many of the players were in attendance to celebrate their accomplishments, including Katie Burke, Patti Cronin, Christine Dorney, Kristen Jackson, Jen McLoughlin, Rebecca Primm, Regina Primm and Steffi Propper. 

“Many of the players hadn’t seen each other in years, and it was truly a special time to celebrate and reconnect,” said current coach Mike Petre.

Finally, Petre inducted five new members from that 2001 team to the Lady Redmen Legends Club: Katie Burke, Patti Cronin, Christine Dorney, Jen McLoughlin and Rebecca Primm. All five players were highly decorated in their playing days and were the starters for the Long Island champions and 2001 state finalist team.

 

IMG_4805: East Islip High School varsity girls basketball captain Kamilah Pasha helped spearhead a fundraising effort by the team on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Foundation, whose representative Rita Adrion was in attendance at the team’s Dec. 16 game.

 

Photos courtesy of East Islip School District