The Key Club at Lynbrook High School in the Lynbrook Public School District received numerous awards for their accomplishments over the past year during the virtual Leadership Training Conference from March 25 to 27. The club has raised over $54,000 for many charities and has saved hundreds of lives through its three blood drives. 

Lynbrook Key Club’s annual Double Good popcorn fundraiser was one of their most accomplished events of the year and raised $30,000 for multiple charities. This event scored Lynbrook the Excellence in Fundraising award, which acknowledged the Lynbrook Key Club for holding the largest single project. The Key Club was also awarded the Distinguished Club Award at the Diamond Level, which they have won for the second year in a row. 

“I am thrilled about what Key Club was able to accomplish this year, especially the effort put into our two popcorn fundraisers, and three blood drives,” co-president Sophie Ward said. 

“Our members stepped it up and had a successful year,” Dr. Benedict Tieniber, the Key Club’s adviser, said. “We received the highest award at the conference: Distinguished Club Diamond Level. This honor demonstrates Lynbrook Key Club as one of the model Key Clubs in all of New York State. I am extremely proud of this group.” 

This service year is ending on a bittersweet note, as Key Club members are sad to say goodbye to their co-presidents Sophie and Emma Ward, but excited to welcome its new board. 

“We helped so many people this year, and that’s all because of each club member’s dedication to Key Club,” Emma said. “I’m definitely sad to leave because I have loved leading Key Club this year, but I am also confident that next year’s Key Club will continue to succeed.”

Throughout the year, the Key Club has held many donation drives, including food, clothing, toy, and book drives. These charity events are what helped the club win the Advocacy Award, which recognizes their exceptional support and promotion of specific causes. Along with these awards, Key Club also won the District Project Fundraising Award also for the Double Good fundraising event. 

As the service year wraps up, the Wards left a final message to all the new board members: “Key Club has the ability to make a very large difference in many people’s lives; not just people in the community, but also strangers all over the country. Take a second to reflect on how many people you are helping, and it makes all the hard work worth it. It is important to channel your passion for helping others into all the Key Club events you participate in. Also, to remember that any money raised, no matter the amount, will help to make a difference in someone else’s life!” 

 

Photo caption: The Lynbrook High School Key Club received numerous awards at the Leadership Training Conference, recognizing their dedication in raising thousands of dollars for charity.  

 

Photos courtesy of Lynbrook Public Schools

 

Bethpage High School’s varsity softball team honored athletic trainer Joe Killeen before their game against Wantagh High School on April 13. 

Bethpage’s players, coaches, district leaders and fans wore purple shirts and hoodies with the slogan, “Joe’s Fight Is Our Fight” to honor Killeen, who is currently battling pancreatic cancer. Killeen was also joined by his family as he threw out the first pitch and received a check from Memorial Sloan Kettering for $2,500. 

Additional donations from Bethpage High School’s fundraiser during the game will be donated to Memorial Sloan Kettering.

 

Photo caption: 1-4: Bethpage High School’s varsity softball team honored athletic trainer Joe Killeen before their game against Wantagh High School on April 13.

 

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District 

 

To recognize Autism Acceptance Month, Edna Louise Spear Elementary School created a fundraiser to sell puzzle pieces for $5 each to raise funds for Families In Arms, an organization that raises money to send families of children with autism to Disney World. They are creating a wall of support throughout the month of April in the school hallway to highlight their efforts. Coordinated by special education teacher Mr. Steven Orlowski and teaching assistant Ms. Cassandra Meehan, staff and students wore blue on April 8 to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.

 

Photo caption:  Edna Louise Spear Elementary School students recognized Autism Acceptance Month.

 

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District

 

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School freshman Meara Kelly enjoys art, science and robotics. She is also a champion in helping others, as she has been raising funds for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and will participate in the Take Steps Walk slated for May 1 at Belmont Lake State Park. 

Named an Honored Hero by the nonprofit organization that helps to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, Meara has been diligently fundraising toward her $10,000 goal. She has posted flyers in the local library, reached out to major companies for gift cards and donations and coordinated a table selling candies in plastic eggs during lunch periods through the high school’s GSA Club. Meara shared that she and her family will take steps with and for the organization in hopes that someday there is a cure for these illnesses in the future. 

 

Photo caption: Earl L. Vandermeulen High School freshman Meara Kelly.

 

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District

 

Photo caption: The Hampton Bays High School Key Club hosted a successful blood drive on April 9. During the event, Key Club members helped to direct donors and escort them to the canteen table. In total, 44 pints of blood were collected. 

 

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays Union Free School District