Bellport High School students, teachers and administrators commemorated Memorial Day weekend through participation in the second annual Lt. Michael P. Murphy Murph Challenge, a grueling fitness workout to benefit the school’s fundraising efforts for the Wounded Warriors Project.   

Participants came together on the high school track to finish a 1-mile run, followed by a trip to the high school’s gym to complete 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 squats, followed by another 1-mile run.     

Lt. Michael Patrick Murphy was a U.S. Navy Seal officer and the first recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War for his actions in the War in Afghanistan. He was born and raised in Suffolk County and after participating in several War on Terrorism missions, was killed in 2005 after his team was surrounded by Taliban forces. While in the Navy, he discovered CrossFit, creating his own CrossFit-style workout that involved running, pushing, pulling and lifting. The annual Murph Challenge has evolved into a workout that pays tribute to Lt. Murphy and to all fallen heroes.

Social studies teacher Joe Scioli, who started and runs the program at Bellport High School, said the event puts the actions of a local hero in perspective. “This challenge is a good way to make Memorial Day relevant to our students,” he said.

Class of 2020 graduate and student-athlete Joshua Leidig said he has participated in the event each year as a way to honor fallen heroes and the contributions of Lt. Murphy, calling the workout a tradition. Shaun Bolton, also a participant, described the event as a “bond that can’t be broken.”

Mr. Scioli thanked participants for contributing approximately $500 to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project. 

 

Photo captions:

A: Bellport High School substitute teacher Vincent Walsh, and students Andrew Beadle and Calvin Pedatella cheered each other on during the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Murph Challenge held prior to Memorial Day weekend.

 

B: Murph Challenge organizer Joseph Scioli, right, is pictured with Bellport High School student-athletes (l-r) Andrew Beadle, Shaun Bolton, Jonah Poueriet-Santana during their workout.

 

C: Bellport High School students, faculty and administrators participated in the grueling Murph Challenge prior to the Memorial Day weekend in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy.

 

Photos courtesy of the South Country Central School District

 

Mineola High School students Isabella Gaglione and Julia Perrino collaborated with the Jackson Avenue School PTA to organize a movie night while supporting a good cause. The event raised more than $500 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to drive research, advance care and raise awareness about neurofibromatosis (NF), a disorder that affects a Mineola student.

Gaglione and Perrino brought this passion project to life in order to connect the Jackson Avenue community while helping fight an important cause that hits close to home.

 

Photo caption: Mineola High School students Julia Perrino (left) and Isabella Gaglione (right) helped organize a movie night for Jackson Avenue School that raised more than $500 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

 

Photo courtesy of the Mineola Union Free School District

 

Members of the Lynbrook High School Key Club, along with their adviser Dr. Benedict Tieniber, were recently recognized by New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin for their exceptional volunteer work during the 2020-2021 school year. 

Club members were presented with a proclamation for their service and for making a positive difference in the community during the pandemic. Among their notable service projects, the LHS Key Club collected food, raised funds for those in need and organized blood donations. The Lynbrook Public Schools congratulates them on this well-deserved honor. 

 

Photo caption: New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky (middle) and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin (middle left) presented a proclamation to Lynbrook High School Key Club members for their volunteer work during the 2020-2021 school year. Pictured with Lynbrook High School Principal Joseph Rainis (back) and Key Club adviser Dr. Benedict Tieniber (right). 

 

Photo courtesy of the Lynbrook Public Schools 

 

In honor of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Awareness Month, the Marion Street Elementary School Student Council in the Lynbrook Public Schools held a fundraiser to support the ALS Ride For Life Foundation and its search for a cure. With the help of student council advisers Kristen Keane and Kelsey Occhino, the members discussed the disease ALS at their meetings and facilitated an ice bucket fundraiser to get teachers and students involved. They created posters to promote ALS awareness and the fundraiser around the school. 

Each class at Marion Street Elementary School donated money and nominated teachers for the ice bucket challenge. Ice bucket participants included student council advisers Mrs. Keane and Mrs. Occhino, along with teachers Kara Boulay, Amy Brennan, Kelly Donovan, Tracey Reisert and Principal Theresa Macchia. Each class watched a video of the teacher’s ice bucket challenge and on May 20, all students and staff wore red to spread ALS awareness and honor Chris Pendergast. Mr. Pendergast was the founder of ALS Ride for Life, a hardworking advocate for ALS awareness, and an annual visitor at the school, who passed away last year from the disease. 

Together, the school community raised $2,151 for the ALS Ride For Life Foundation. Students in Anthony Simone’s fourth grade class raised the most money during the fundraiser and won the chance to slime their principal Mrs. Macchia outside the school. The fundraiser was a great way to raise awareness, honor Mr. Pendergast’s memory and support an important cause. 

 

Photo captions:

 

1) Marion Street third graders (L-R) Valentina Anselmo, Juliet Weiss, Slater Nonalaya and Ryan Kelly created beautiful posters to promote the student council’s ALS fundraiser. 

2) Third grader Riley Moffett had the perfect shirt which read “I Love Slime,” ahead of Marion Street Principal Theresa Macchia getting slimed for a good cause. 

3) As a reward for raising the most money, Anthony Simone’s fourth grade class slimed their principal Theresa Macchia. 

 

Photos courtesy of the Lynbrook Public Schools 

 

 

 

Southampton High School students participated in a wide variety of activities, led by the school’s mental health team, to mark May as Mental Health Awareness Month. 

To kick things off, high schoolers raised funds for the Dakari R. Brown: Everything You Are Is More Than Enough Memorial Scholarship through cupcakes sales and a face mask fundraiser featuring masks with positive messages. Positive messages were also found on the school’s bathroom mirrors and a Wall of Fame that included quotes about mental health from famous celebrities. Daily announcements provided positive affirmations. 

Additional funds were raised for the Hype Scholarship and Dakari’s Hope through plank challenges held during the month. The funds raised were generously matched by the Southampton Village PBA.

In addition, each Wednesday, students were encouraged to hunt down stress balls hidden throughout the building, and on Mondays participate in a “mindful minute” challenge.  

The month culminated with a color run aimed at raising awareness for mental health diagnoses. 

 

Photo caption: Southampton High School students culminated a monthlong mental health awareness initiative with a color run.  

 

Photos courtesy of the Southampton Union Free School District