David DeRienzo, a senior from General Douglas MacArthur High School, was recently recognized for his outstanding community service. He received the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Key Club and a Certificate of Recognition from New York State Sen. Kevin Thomas. Both awards celebrate those who demonstrate a positive connection with their community, along with outstanding and invaluable service.

From his sophomore to senior year of high school, DeRienzo has played an active role in the Key Club organization. He has held four different positions among MacArthur Key Club, the New York District of Key Club and Key Club International. DeRienzo is currently the president of MacArthur’s Key Club and was the Key Club Lieutenant Governor during the 2019-2020 school year. His leadership contributions have made a strong impact on the school community and beyond. 

In addition, he has served as a Boy Scout from a young age and recently began working on his Eagle Scout project which consists of adding more than 400 cubic feet of growing space to his temple’s playground-turned-garden. All the food grown in the garden is donated to food insecure congregation members and to the organization Island Harvest. 

“With my addition to the garden, including building three raised planter boxes, I hope to make the garden more accessible to those who have back problems and normally can’t contribute, as well as increasing the variability of what crops can be grown and donated,” said DeRienzo. 

The Levittown Public Schools congratulates him on these outstanding recognitions. 

 

Photo caption:

 

1) MacArthur senior David DeRienzo received a Certificate of Recognition from New York State Sen. Kevin Thomas. 

2) MacArthur senior David DeRienzo received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Key Club. 

 

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

 

Students at East Islip’s Connetquot Elementary School participated in the first CES Jigsaw Walk for Autism Awareness on April 7.

 

Photos courtesy of East Islip School District

 

The North Babylon Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball teams lent a hand at the “Go Fly A Kite Over Babylon” event on Saturday, Apr. 10. The event, sponsored by the North Babylon Chamber of Commerce, invited residents to come together at Cedar Beach for a festival full of kite demonstrations, contests and workshops.

The volleyball teams assisted New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso in judging some of the kite contests, where participants had to fly handmade kites. They also volunteered their time to help at the kids coloring stations, direct traffic, clean up garbage, answer questions from patrons, enforce mask wearing and assist vendors with their set-up.

 

Photos courtesy North Babylon Union Free School District

 

The Port Jefferson School District’s girls varsity soccer team not only knows how to play an excellent game, its members understand that they have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. 

The team closed out the season on April 10 with the Kicks for Cancer game. Although the tradition was a little different than in years past, the girls still raised awareness and funds that will benefit Long Island individuals and families affected by cancer. The team raised $400 for Kicks for Cancer, a local initiative that combines athletics and fundraising for cancer research, and has raised more than $1 million since its inception. The girls also closed out the season with a 3-0 victory over their opponent, Mattituck/Southold/Greenport. The district congratulates the student-athletes, coach Taylor Forstell and assistant coach Logan Hoffmann on their efforts and a great season.

 

Photo caption: Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s varsity girls soccer team.

 

Photos courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District

 

For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s John F. Kennedy High School Student Government has been recognized as a 2021 National Gold Council of Excellence by National Student Council.

“Receiving a National Gold Council of Excellence Award reflects the highest dedication on the part of the school to providing a strong, well-rounded student council program,” said Nara Lee, director of student leadership, National Association of Secondary School Principals. “NatStuCo applauds the work of the National Gold Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their leadership and service to their schools and communities.”

“For our Student Government to have received an award from the National Student Council, it not only reflects all of the accomplishments and motives we were awarded for, but it also reflects the collaboration, communication and determination each one of our members have when putting their minds to great work,” said Dylan Lipman, Student Government president.

To meet the requirements for the National Council of Excellence Award, a student council must meet a variety of criteria. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process, the councils have demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities such as leadership development and service to the school and community. Councils awarded the gold level of the award have successfully demonstrated the highest levels of leadership.

“Receiving this award especially after the way the last year has gone is extremely special for the KSG,” added Eric Giannaris, Student Government vice president. “The fact that we were able to persevere through the pandemic and still meet the criteria of a high-achieving Student Council demonstrates the determination throughout Student Government. This should serve as precedent for years to come.” 

The club operates under Brad Seidman, a social studies teacher and faculty adviser.

 

Photo captions:

1. From left, John F. Kennedy High School Student Government members Hayley Kuhn, Dylan Lipman and Paige Lipman organized a collection for the healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. 
2. Eric Giannaris proposed the idea of collecting items without any contact.
3. From left, Lauren Horn, Eric Giannaris, Rachel Nossen and Dylan Lipman volunteered to collect items as part of their Student Government outreach.

 

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District