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This spring, Sachem High School East, Sagamore Middle School and Chippewa Elementary School came together once again to support the ALS Ride for Life, raising an impressive $11,478 to benefit ALS research and patient care. The fundraising initiative was led by Sachem East’s Student Government, under the guidance of Mr. Gallo and Mr. Jannace, with enthusiastic participation from Sagamore and Chippewa.

This year’s event was held in honor of ALS patient advocate David Phillips, who completed the symbolic journey in his scooter, cheered on by students, staff and families lining the route. The tradition included a meaningful walk from Sachem East to Sagamore and then to Chippewa, raising both funds and awareness.

Sachem East contributed $7,950, continuing its record as the largest single school donor to the ALS Ride for Life. Sagamore raised $3,128 and Chippewa added $400, reflecting a strong districtwide commitment to service and activism.

Over the years, Sachem East’s Student Government, honor societies and families have organized impactful events including community walks, assemblies and popular fundraisers like dodgeball and basketball tournaments. In a notable milestone, Sachem East was the first group to return to the streets with Ride for Life after the COVID-19 pandemic and previously led the district’s only four-school Ride effort.

Sachem’s strong connection to the cause dates back to a close relationship with Ride for Life Founder Chris Pendergast. Today, that mission is carried forward through partnerships with Christine Pendergast and Paul Weissman, ensuring that the legacy of hope and action lives on.

The Sachem Central School District commends all participating students and staff for their leadership, compassion and dedication in the ongoing fight to cure ALS.

 

Photo caption: Sachem Schools united to support ALS Ride for Life in a successful fundraising effort, raising over $11,000.

 

Photos courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

On May 16, Forest Brook Elementary School in the Hauppauge School District held a celebration honoring first responders for their unwavering service and dedication to the community.

The event kicked off with a vibrant and patriotic lights and sirens parade around the front circle of the school. Students lined the route, waving handmade signs and cheering as first responders walked and passed by in their vehicles. 

After the parade, students gathered for a special assembly to honor their loved ones who serve or have served as first responders. These honored guests sat proudly at the front of the gymnasium while students presented them with handwritten cards and small American flags as tokens of gratitude.

Board of Education member and first responder Brian Michels addressed the audience, sharing a personal story about a time he assisted someone in distress while on a family vacation. It was an inspiring reminder of the everyday heroism demonstrated by first responders. 

Student Olivia Johnson read an essay on the impact of first responders, thanking her father and grandfather, both first responders, who were there. 

The event concluded with a moving performance of “God Bless the USA” by all, reminding everyone of the profound impact first responders have on the lives of so many.

Photo caption: 1-4: Students at Forest Brook Elementary honored their loved ones, both current and former first responders, by presenting them with hand-written thank-you cards.

 

Photos courtesy of Hauppauge School District.  

Hauppauge High School students and sisters Addison and Kiersten Drake turned a class project into a meaningful community fundraiser. As part of the school’s Leadership Class, the sisters organized a Spikeball tournament on May 16 on the school’s football field, drawing 36 teams to compete.

The event served a greater purpose beyond fun and friendly competition. All entry fees were donated to Angela’s House, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports families caring for children with special health care needs, including those who are medically fragile or chronically ill.

Through the tournament, Addison and Kiersten raised more than $650 to benefit Angela’s House and helped make a difference in the lives of children facing serious health challenges.

Photo captions: 

1: From left, Hauppauge High School freshman Kiersten Drake and sister, junior Addison Drake, hosted a Spikeball tournament to raise money for Angela’s House as part of their personal service project for their Leadership Class. 

2-3: Thirty-six teams of Hauppauge High School students competed in a Spikeball tournament, raising money for Angela’s House. 

 

Photos courtesy of Hauppauge School District.  

On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, Eden High School (NY) held a special lacrosse game to honor the memory of 2013 alum Brady Bermingham. Brady played for Coach Archabald at Eden and went on to play collegiate lacrosse at Roberts Wesleyan College, where he became close friends and teammates with Shane Cole, now the head coach at Greece (NY).

Brady tragically passed away in 2022 at the age of 27. He was known for his kind and gentle spirit, deep love for the outdoors, and passion for helping others through sport. In an effort to bring mental health awareness into the light and honor Brady’s legacy, Coach Cole reached out to Coach Archabald with the heartfelt idea to organize a game in his memory.

The two teams came together not just for a competition, but for a cause. Prior to the game, a ceremony was held that included the exchange of mental health awareness bracelets between the players and a group photo capturing the unity of both rosters. Brady’s parents, John and Liz Bermingham, were present, along with other family members, to witness this moving tribute.

Brady’s legacy is one of compassion, quiet strength, and service. He was not only a dedicated athlete but a generous community member who participated in numerous lacrosse tournaments supporting causes like the American Cancer Society and Veterans Charities. A graduate of Roberts Wesleyan with a dual degree in Physics and Chemistry, Brady applied his talents at companies such as IDEX Corporation and Thermo Fisher Scientific. He was also a proud member of Sigma Pi Sigma and a devoted member of Revive Wesleyan Church in Hamburg, NY.

Saturday’s game was a beautiful reflection of Brady’s life—bringing people together, raising awareness, and showing the impact one individual can have on so many.

Brady’s spirit lives on through those who knew and loved him and through the continued efforts to shine a light on mental health in the athletic community.

For many years, Coach Craig Bren has made it a personal mission to give back to his community. This commitment began when his youngest son survived a Stage IV cancer diagnosis. The support his family received during that challenging time became the catalyst for incorporating service into the culture of every team he has led, including the girls varsity tennis team at Beverly High School.

Beverly High has long enjoyed a strong partnership with Beverly Bootstraps, but this season Coach Bren’s team went above and beyond. In addition to collecting their annual donation item—this year, peanut butter—the team gathered 73 pounds of snacks for the young children supported by the organization. The athletes also toured the Beverly Bootstraps facility to learn more about the services provided to families in need. After the tour, they packed the 73 pounds of snacks into individual bags, which are distributed to local students on Fridays to ensure they have access to food over the weekend when school is not in session.

Coach Bren was also excited to have his team participate in the Morgan’s Message initiative this year. He is a strong advocate for sport psychology and the mental health of student-athletes, and he worked to get the tennis team involved after learning about the program last year. Much of the credit, he says, goes to Coach Danielle Hartford (Field Hockey and Lacrosse), who helped bring Morgan’s Message to Beverly High. During one of their matches, both the tennis and softball teams supported the initiative, with student-athletes selling concessions to raise funds and awareness.

Coach Bren continues to lead by example, showing that success in sports is about more than wins. It is about making a lasting impact on and off the court.