North High School senior Shannon Morgan coordinated an inspiring campaign called #istayhomefor, emphasizing the importance of being safe and taking appropriate social distancing measures during this time. Many students and staff members participated by submitting photos of themselves with signs that support the well-known effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Shannon collected and compiled the pictures to create a moving video.

“My inspiration mainly came from wanting a way to keep the North community united during this time of extreme uncertainty,” Shannon said. “A pandemic like this uproots the entire routine that faculty, staff and students have of coming to school, hosting extra help, attending extracurricular activities, going to sporting events, etc. I wanted to create a project that allowed both students and North’s staff to see that no one is in this alone because we are still one big North family.” 

The #istayhomefor initiative brought a sense of connection throughout the school population and reassured them that teachers, classmates and colleagues are here to support each despite being apart. As Shannon noted, it demonstrated the amazing things that a school community is capable of when coming together, even from afar. The video, as well as uplifting compilations from the district’s other schools, can be accessed at www.vschsd.org. 

Photo Captions:

Shannon Morgan: North High School senior Shannon Morgan coordinated an #istayhomefor campaign that brings unity and encourages safety. 

Casey Wells: North High School senior Casey Wells, organizer of the Spartan Mini Thon event, shows her support. 

Sumaiya Ramsaroop: Junior Sumaiya Ramsaroop shares important reasons to stay home during the pandemic. 

Photos courtesy of Valley Stream Central High School District

East-Northport Middle School student, Kiersten Gorman, may not be able to complete her coursework in Home and Careers while schools are closed, but she is making a difference in the lives of the community.
After hearing about the shortage of medical supplies on the news, Kiersten decided to sell homemade masks to those in need. She regularly takes sewing classes, which were canceled due to the pandemic, but said that she wanted to give back in any way that she could. 

“I thought it would be wonderful to be able to make masks for friends, family and anyone in need within the community,” she said. “I know these masks might not help the staff on the front lines but they can help my grandparents, my friends and anyone needing protection when going out.”

Kiersten, as an animal lover, has also decided to donate half of the proceeds to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to help stop the abuse of animals. “I chose this charity because I love animals and I hate to see animals being treated poorly,” she said.
Kiersten’s mother, Laura Gorman, said that her daughter “missed being in the classroom so much, but at least she is still learning life’s important lessons and that is to help the community and always give back.”

Photo captions: East-Northport Middle School student Kiersten Gorman recently began sewing masks to sell to community members. Half of the proceeds will be donated to the ASPCA.

A Smithtown High School West student enlisted the help of her friends to spread kindness and smiles to frontline workers and the community during this pandemic. 

Grace Kamvakis, a junior at Smithtown High School West, and her mom Heidi,  decided to paint rocks with inspirational thoughts on them, and leave them at the local hospitals. Grace enlisted some friends at High School West to help: Caitlin Camilleri, Olivia Bove, Goeun Chang, Carissa Philips and Jenna and Julia Savino.

After collecting and sealing the rocks from all the girls, Grace and her mom ventured out Easter morning. They graciously dropped off more than 200 rocks at the employee entryway at Huntington Hospital and St. Catherine of Sienna entryway and their serenity garden. Along with the rocks, they made inspirational signs of gratitude to all the doctors, nurses and health care workers and employees. They also included a note to take a rock and to spread positivity. 

Since then, some of these rocks showing up on walking trails in the area. The girls are hoping their act will inspire more students to express random acts of kindness in the community. They have even received a call from St. Catherine’s asking for more for its serenity garden. 

Photo caption: Grace Kamvakis, a junior at Smithtown High School West, and her mom Heidi, painted rocks with inspirational thoughts on them, and left them at the local hospitals. 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown Central School District

Knowing the need to help local essential health care workers as they fight COVID-19, Hampton Bays High School sophomore Lily Heavey decided to take action.  

On April 6, Heavey launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund the purchase of essential items for health care workers and their families. She writes, “They are challenged more than anyone to work countless hours away from their families fighting for all of us against COVID-19.”

All purchased items will be delivered to workers at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. 

Just one day in, Heavey has already raised $1,330 toward her effort. 

To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-southampton-hospital-health-care-workers.

After being quarantined for three weeks, Islip High School sophomore Hunter Rindos came up with a very special idea. Dressed as the Easter Bunny, Rindos took to the streets of Islip on April 4 in the bed of his father’s pickup truck, waving to families and bringing smiles to the community’s children.

IMG_0000: Islip High School sophomore Hunter Rindos dressed as the Easter Bunny on April 4, waving to the community from his father’s pickup truck.

Photos courtesy of Islip School District