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On Jan. 15, students at Pulaski Street Elementary School in the Riverhead Central School District paid tribute to Shoreham-Wading River Boy Scout Andrew McMorris by wearing red to school. McMorris was tragically killed last year by a drunk driver. 

The Andrew’s Day memorial was led by several Pulaski Street students who were all Boy Scouts with McMorris. Among them was fifth grader Liam Sherman, who brought the idea to his teacher, Stacy Hubbard.  

In planning for the memorial, Sherman wrote a speech about his friend’s hopes, dreams and accomplishments, which he read to his peers over the school’s PA system on Jan. 13.

Sherman, along with his classmates, also made red ribbons for all students in the school to wear and placed red ribbons in and around the school in memory of McMorris. 

The school plans to continue to honor McMorris’ memory by donating to the Andrew Rocks fund, which raises money for causes in Andrew’s name. Funding will be provided through the school’s Tuesday Positive Shirt Day initiative, in which staff and students offer donations in exchange for wearing shirts with positive messages. 

Photo caption: Students from Riverhead’s Pulaski Street Elementary School honored the memory of Shoreham-Wading River Boy Scout Andrew McMorris on Jan. 15. 

Photo courtesy of the Riverhead Central School District

Leadership is the power of one harnessing the power of many. That is how Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Principal Eric Haruthunian introduced junior Liam Cooper to the Port Jefferson Board of Education for his efforts in raising $1,520 for Wreaths Across America.

The national organization was able to place 101 holiday wreaths on the graves of the nation’s veterans with Liam’s leadership and the help of the school’s Varsity Club, staff, administrators and community.

Haruthunian lauded Liam’s endeavor and thanked the school community for the tremendous achievement before Liam was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his undertaking of the successful project.

Photo caption: Earl L. Vandermeulen High School principal Eric Haruthunian, student, Liam Cooper, Board of Education member David Keegan and Superintendent of School Jessica Schmettan.

Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson School District

Performance by local dancers raises $4,750 to help families of children with congenital heart defects. 

ISLIP, NY, JANUARY 13, 2020– Sunday, December 15th the Dance Connection Performance Company and Dance Connection Theatrical Productions held a benefit performance at the CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale to raise money for Gavin’s Got Heart, a local charity assisting families of infants and children diagnosed with congenital heart defects. The original production raised $4,750 for the charity, which will be used to offer financial assistance and support for these families in need. 

“At Dance Connection we feel that our passion for dance is meant to be shared and what better way than to use that passion than to give back to your community. The pride that our dancers feel knowing they brightened the holidays for their audience while raising money for a great cause is something that stays with them far beyond their dance classes.”, Mary Naftal, Artistic Director. 

Gavin’s Got Heart helps to subsidize medical bills, travel expenses associated with hospitalizations and medical care, and offset loss of wages for caregiver/parent(s). To date Gavin’s Got Heart has donated over $315,000 to 63 local heart families. Gavin’s Got Heart also provides free heart screenings, and CPR/AED training for the community through a partnership with Northwell Health and provides hospital outreach initiatives for heart families. 

The cast of 38 people worked to put the show together beginning in late September, with an original script by Colleen M. Hughes, choreography by the Dance Connection Teaching Staff, and directed by Mary DeBorger. They were thrilled to be brought together after the holidays to present Nicole Mogil, the founder of Gavin’s Got Heart with the $4,750 raised by their efforts. 

Founded in September 1989, Dance Connection is an Islip based company whose mission is to create a welcoming and fun setting for proper performing arts education. With over 85 classes per week, students of all ages and abilities have a professional and exciting experience every day. For more information on Dance Connection, please call 631 224-7134 or visit www.lidanceconnection.com. 

East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School hosted its annual basketball Friendship Games with Lynbrook High School in December 2019, where both schools and communities joined together for a good cause.

The event supported the Gregg’s Wings Foundation Toy Drive, in which each player of the boys and girls junior varsity and varsity teams donated a toy for children at NYU Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids.

Photo caption: 1-2: Boys and girls junior varsity and varsity teams of the East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School and Lynbrook High School faced off in the annual basketball Friendship Games for a good cause.

Photos courtesy of East Rockaway School District