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For the Plainview-Old Bethpage Varsity Baseball team, the 2025 season was about more than just wins and losses,it was about compassion, community, and creating meaningful change. Under the leadership of Coach John Givy, the Hawks showed what it truly means to lead both on and off the field.

On April 27, Coach Givargidze and several team members dedicated their Sunday morning to local community service efforts, an act of generosity that set the tone for a season defined by purpose beyond the game.

Their spirit of service continued on May 3 during the annual Autism Awareness Game against MacArthur High School. This meaningful tradition was started by Coach Vin Causeman of MacArthur, who does extensive work with Autism Speaks. The event holds personal significance for Coach Givargidze, who emphasized the importance of inclusion and education through sports.

“I remembered what it felt like to be part of something bigger than the game,” he shared. “I wanted my players to learn about autism, understand the importance of inclusion, and see how sports can be a platform for positive change.”

The Hawks embraced that message, selling T-shirts to raise funds for a local autism organization and spreading awareness throughout National Autism Awareness Month in April. Their efforts reflected a sincere desire to uplift and support those affected by autism.

On May 10, the team hosted the Corey’s Promise Game against St. Anthony’s at Allen Park. The event honors the memory of Corey Phelan and supports the Corey’s Promise Foundation, which helps families impacted by pediatric cancer. Coach Givy, a close friend of Corey’s father, emphasized the importance of using the game to raise awareness and funds for this important cause. Fans were encouraged to learn more and donate by visiting coreyspromise.org.

In recent seasons, the team has also honored the legacy of local hero Jonathan Diller and expressed gratitude to law enforcement through special tributes—demonstrating a long-standing commitment to service and respect.

Through each initiative, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Varsity Baseball team has proven that their impact reaches far beyond the field. These student-athletes are not only developing as competitors but also as compassionate leaders shaping a stronger, more connected community.

On May 20, Arrowhead Elementary School proudly served as an official stop for the ALS Ride for Life, a powerful event that honors the legacy of Chris Pendergast, who founded the ride in 1997 to raise awareness and funds for ALS research and patient care.

In the weeks leading up to the visit, the Arrowhead community — students, staff and families alike — rallied with compassion and enthusiasm to support the cause. Thanks to the leadership of Gina Schwarz’s fourth grade class, Melissa Swart and Christine Callan’s prekindergarten enrichment classes and school social worker Judy Forgione, the school raised an impressive $2,300 through a series of spirited fundraisers and an online donation campaign.

Fundraising events included two themed spirit days in February, “Dream of a Cure for ALS” and “Strike Out ALS,” as well as a May sale of ice pops and ALS awareness bracelets. Morning announcements throughout the campaign featured important facts about ALS and messages reinforcing teamwork, May’s character trait of the month.

Earlier in the school year, Arrowhead hosted a powerful “Overcoming Adversity” assembly for students in grades four through six. ALS patient Jordan Tarazi and members of the Ride for Life team shared their personal stories, inspiring students to reflect on the values of resilience, empathy and perseverance.

On the day of the Ride’s visit, the school community came together in a moving display of unity. Students and staff lined the bus circle wearing Yankees apparel or school colors in honor of Lou Gehrig and the Ride’s founder, Chris Pendergast. Banners, posters and pinwheels decorated the campus, echoing Pendergast’s inspiring words: “There’s a cure blowin’ in the wind.”

Arrowhead Elementary’s heartfelt participation in the ALS Ride for Life is a testament to the power of community, compassion and the belief that every effort counts in the fight for a cure.

 

Photo caption: Arrowhead Elementary students, ALS Ride for Life participants and school administrators gathered together in a show of unity and support during the Ride for Life visit, honoring the legacy of Chris Pendergast and the fight against ALS.

 

Photos courtesy of The Three Village Central School District

Photo caption: Westhampton Beach Middle School Kiwanis Club members recently donated $1,000 to the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. The students spent the school year raising the funds through a variety of fundraisers, including a movie night bucket raffle. From left are club members Adam Runowski, Colm Parsons, Wilson Godoy, Jade Wladyka, Gage Matlock and Evan Pereyra with Cara Fernandes of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

 

Photo courtesy of the Westhampton Beach School District

In an extraordinary tribute to service, sacrifice and the power of storytelling, Hauppauge High School recently welcomed a group of veterans to speak directly with students about their experiences in war. 

Veterans included Frank D’Aversa (U.S. Navy, Hauppauge resident and parent of a Hauppauge alumnus), Charlie Hamlet (U.S. Army), John Kuroly (U.S. Air Force), Grace Mehl (U.S. Navy, Hauppauge resident and Hauppauge alumna), Mike O’ Leary (U.S. Navy), Ron Pacchiana (U.S. Navy) and Clarence Simpson (U.S. Army). 

The visit left an indelible impact on the high school community as students listened intently to the firsthand accounts of bravery, loss and resilience. From passing around a Purple Heart medal to viewing wartime photographs, students were deeply moved by the real and raw experiences shared by the veterans. “The most memorable part of the presentation for me was the Purple Heart being passed around,” said student Andrew Congema. “It stood out because it put their service into a broader perspective, showing how much he sacrificed for his country.”

Student Jake Lewandowski was struck by the veterans’ vulnerability. “One of them was telling the story about how one of his good friends died, and he started crying,” he said. “That was very memorable to me.” Such moments helped students connect to the human realities behind the uniforms and medals.

The presentation challenged many students to reflect on how young the veterans were when they served. “It’s amazing to me because I can’t see myself having to go through the horror that they had to go through at my age,” said Aidan Buscarino. Student Andrew DiBenedetto added, “People my age were fighting on the front lines of Vietnam. It really made me think about all the sacrifices they must have had to make.”

For many, the event also reshaped their understanding of Memorial Day. “To the veterans, Memorial Day is about the ones lost in battle; buddies who didn’t make it back. That was the most powerful part to me,” a student shared.

Above all, the presentation was a powerful lesson in empathy and gratitude. As one student eloquently summarized, “It was a first-hand experience. It made all the stories very surreal and showed me that these are real people like me and my peers.”

“We are always grateful to the veterans from our Hauppauge community and beyond who take the time to share their experiences with our students, “ said Director of Social Studies and World Languages Kelly Barry. “Their voices bring history to life in ways that go far beyond the pages of any classroom resource. We are proud to be part of a community that values authentic learning and continually seeks ways to honor those who have served and continue to serve us.” 

By bringing veterans into the classroom, Hauppauge High School created a bridge between generations and reminded all in attendance of the enduring legacy of those who serve. 

 

Photo caption: Hauppauge High School students had the unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from their community’s veterans. 

 

Photo courtesy of Hauppauge School District

 

 

Comsewogue High School’s Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA) club continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact across the district. Led by Physical Education teacher Nicole Kidd, the AHA club brings together dedicated student-athletes who serve as mentors to younger students, promoting health, leadership, and character development.

Three times a year, these student-athletes visit Comsewogue’s elementary schools to deliver age-appropriate lessons on critical topics such as wellness, decision-making, and personal growth. Each lesson is carefully designed to spark discussion and encourage younger students to adopt healthy, informed habits early in life.

Before each school visit, Comsewogue’s AHA members undergo specialized training alongside student-athletes from neighboring districts including Miller Place, Mt. Sinai, and Rocky Point. These sessions are led by professional trainers from the AHA program—many of whom are former collegiate or professional athletes and coaches. The most recent training also featured a guest presentation by Dan Bedard, a professor from Adelphi University’s Sports Management program, who shared valuable insights on leadership and personal development.

“It was an honor to host several schools from across the region for an informative and empowering training session,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Quinn. “Our Athletes Helping Athletes initiative exemplifies Comsewogue’s commitment to building mentorship opportunities between our students, promoting wellness, and fostering a culture of leadership and integrity.”

The most recent lesson focused on helping elementary students understand the real-life challenges associated with alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and other drug use. Comsewogue’s student-athletes shared personal stories and delivered evidence-based strategies to support healthy choices, with an emphasis on refusal skills and making informed decisions, especially as these situations now arise at increasingly younger ages.

Currently, the AHA program includes 26 student-athletes, a number that may fluctuate slightly each year based on the number of fifth-grade classrooms across the district’s two elementary buildings. Participation in the club is selective students must apply and complete an interview process to be accepted, and not all applicants are admitted.

In addition to the three annual school visits, AHA members play an active role in the larger school community. They help lead the district’s fifth-grade field days, participate in events such as Trick or Treat Street (Safe Halloween), and regularly volunteer at sports-related events, including the recent Color Fun Run.

“These students are not only leaders on the field, but in the classroom as well,” said Kidd. “They are high achievers who balance demanding academic and athletic schedules while making time to give back. It’s truly inspiring to watch them grow as role models for our younger students.”

Looking ahead, the AHA club aims to continue expanding its involvement in community events though scheduling remains a challenge due to the busy lives of its exceptional student-athletes. Still, the heart of the program remains the same: building meaningful connections and promoting a culture of leadership, health, and service throughout Comsewogue.