A record number of 55 members of Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s Varsity Club attended the Town of Brookhaven’s annual Polar Plunge recently held at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai to benefit the Special Olympics. They collectively raised $9,450 through their fundraising efforts. 

The Varsity Club members and their advisers, teachers Jesse Rosen and Deirdre Filippi, engage in projects centered around athletics and also run school-organized events and activities that help to raise money for various service-minded organizations.

“We are so incredibly proud of the student’s efforts,” Mrs. Filippi said of the students continued interest in positively helping and influencing people around them while challenging themselves in the process.

 

Photo caption: The Port Jefferson School District Varsity Club celebrated their participation in the annual Town of Brookhaven Polar Plunge at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai.

 

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District

On Nov. 8, more than 700 students from Wellington C. Mepham High School packed the gym at the Brookside School for the biggest, loudest and most incredible Battle of the Classes to date.

“It was by far the best Battle of the Classes and the ultimate demonstration of what it means to be a Pirate, showing school spirit and coming together to give back,” explained organizer and social studies teacher, Kerry Dennis.

The students participated in pre-events all week including Penny Wars, Class Color Day and American Pride Day in order to earn points toward their final score. The night was emceed by special education teacher Anthony Augugliaro and the events included oversized volleyball, relay races like the scooter relay, three-legged race and chicken relay, tug of war, a dance presented by each class and the famous Pirate relay.

“This year’s scores were close as each class was competitive and victorious throughout the night, including the faculty team that defeated the classes in oversized volleyball and the three-legged race,” added Dennis. “But in the end, the Class of 2019 proved to be victorious.”

The night was covered by the Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting program and coverage can be found on their YouTube page. 

The night had a more serious meaning as it raised $5,000 for Building Homes for Heroes, the selected charity for this semester’s Senior Service Learning Project.

To date, the Mepham community has raised more than $18,000 from additional initiatives like the Flag Field of Honor and donations in their effort to gift U.S. Navy Petty Officer Ryan Shannon a mortgage-free home.

 

Photo captions:

1. From left, juniors Mackenzie Barrett, Brianna Thier, Jessica Roth, Katelyn Felsberg and Kirsten Knowles showed off their Pirate pride.
2. From left, seniors Maria Gogas and Jillian Jurcsak competed in the scooter relay.

3-5) Mepham students and faculty packed the Brookside School gym for their annual Battle of the Classes to fundraise for Building Homes for Heroes.

 

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

 

The East Meadow School District’s Parkway Elementary School held its fourth annual Turkey Trot on Nov. 8 and 9 for the purpose of providing families in need with food for Thanksgiving.

Since September, kindergarten through fifth-grade students in the building trained for the event by running laps during physical education classes in an effort to improve their times. They were encouraged to bring in canned goods and nonperishable items on their race days to help support the Kiwanis Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Throughout the Turkey Trot, each grade came together for a set amount of time to complete as many laps as possible. Students sported race bibs that they designed themselves, while being cheered on by PTA members who gathered around the school circle handing out water and encouragement.

The district congratulates all Parkway students on their wholehearted efforts and thanks them for their contributions.

 

Photo captions: 

1. Third-grade students at Parkway Elementary School participated in the fourth annual Turkey Trot on November 8.
2. Students at Parkway Elementary School donated canned goods and nonperishable items for the Kiwanis Thanksgiving Food Drive during the fourth annual Turkey Trot on November 8 and 9.
3. Students at Parkway Elementary School ran laps around the building’s front entrance circle during the fourth annual Turkey Trot on November 8 and 9.

 

Photos courtesy of the East Meadow School District

 

The Port Jefferson School community was out in full force at the Out of the Darkness walk, held recently at Jones Beach. Dozens of students and staff members walked as part of Team Dylan, which honors the memory of Port Jefferson student Dylan Berger. Collectively, the school community raised $2,490 through the school’s Gay Straight Alliance, the International Club and a staff dress-down day. The funds will directly benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“We are proud of the many students who step up to help raise awareness on suicide and depression,” Kristin Britt, adviser to the GSA said. “When they foster a better understanding of themselves and their friends and classmates, they gain the capacity for empowerment and help in sharing the fact that there are always safe outlets, supportive environments and always someone to talk to.”

 

Photo caption: Port Jefferson School District walked as part of Team Dyan at the Out of the Darkness walk.

 

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District

During the month of October, students and faculty at Division Avenue High School devoted both time and effort in bringing awareness to breast cancer through a variety of breast cancer awareness festivities. Due to their hard work and generosity, the school community raised a total of $5,162.35 for the United Breast Cancer Foundation and $2,600 for the Side-Out Foundation for breast cancer research.

Both non-profit organizations, the United Breast Cancer Foundation provides grants to hospitals, health centers and patients battling breast cancer and their families, while the Side-Out Foundation works with the volleyball community to raise funds for stage 4 breast cancer research and provides care to patients.

The school’s breast cancer awareness festivities began on Oct. 1 as faculty members participated in a “Feed the Cause” luncheon. Administrators and staff brought in homemade food and charged $5 a plate to staff members, with all proceeds going to the United Breast Cancer Foundation.

Raising awareness was also evident in the classrooms. Members of Adelphi University’s Sisters United in Health visited the school to present to health classes. They spoke about breast cancer, skin cancer and testicular cancer and prepared interactive games outside the cafeterias, educating students on the diseases.

Throughout the month, everyone was encouraged to wear pink on Mondays. If students wore pink, they could enter a raffle during their lunch periods to win a prize. The school also hosted numerous athletic fundraisers toward the cause. The community gathered to support the Pink Out Football Game, coordinated by Cristen Ronzo, Liz Lynch and the Division Avenue High School Cheerleaders. Many of the school’s clubs and teams set up tables to sell snacks, baskets and gift raffles. They also provided information to spectators regarding breast cancer awareness and research. A popular event at this game was throwing pie in the faces of the school’s faculty for $10 a pie. Among the brave faculty were Principal John Coscia, Assistant Principals Jackie Guidice and Sam McElroy and teachers, including Kelly Glenn and Nicole Negron. All proceeds were donated to the United Breast Cancer Foundation.

Students and faculty members continued their awareness mission with their Spirit Night Knock Out Event. Students and teachers united for a basketball knock out tournament, organized by faculty members Lynn Castellano and Gerard Marzigliano. There was a $15 participation fee for staff with all proceeds being donated to the United Breast Cancer Foundation. Together, the Division Avenue High School community raised $1,689 through the event.

In addition, the school hosted a Dig Pink Volleyball Rally organized by the Division Avenue High School Volleyball Booster Club. While the varsity and junior varsity teams played their respective games, a raffle basket auction was held to support the Side-Out Foundation. The school raised $2,600 through this event for breast cancer research.

The month of giving and awareness was due to the hard work and dedication of the school’s Breast Cancer Awareness committee. The committee consisted of members Kim Dobres, Kelly Glenn, Melanie Murphy, Stacy Roth and Denise Walsh. With their guidance, students and faculty had the opportunity to fully support those who have survived the disease, are still battling and who have lost their lives to breast cancer.

 

Photo Captions:

 

1) Division Avenue High School hosted a DIG PINK Volleyball Rally and raised $2,600 for the Side-Out Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

2) Division Avenue High School cheerleaders during the Pink Out Football Game.

 

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools