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Cold Spring Harbor High School juniors Dylan Savarese and Stevie Sullivan have much to be proud of as they spearhead fundraising efforts for Pink Aid, a national charity dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients in need. Their dedication and leadership were publicly recognized this year when they received certificates honoring their outstanding contributions in organizing the annual Pink Aid Tennis Tournament for the past two years.

The Pink Aid Tennis Tournament, originally founded six years ago by alumna Veronica Walkin, continues to thrive as it is passed down to younger players. This year’s event marked a significant milestone – participation doubled, and funds raised nearly tripled, reaching an impressive $5,700 in the fall. Held on the Cold Spring Harbor campus, the tournament features two groups: one for younger student-athletes and another for varsity players, drawing participants from Huntington, Harborfields and surrounding communities.

Beyond the tennis court, the varsity tennis team, coached by Melissa McLees, bolsters their fundraising through bake sales, raffle prizes and merchandise sales. These additional efforts have played a crucial role in strengthening their donations and broadening community engagement. 

As Dylan, Stevie and their teammates look ahead to next year, they remain eager to continue the tradition and serve as role models for the next generation of players who will carry it forward.

Photo caption: From left, Dylan Savarese and Stevie Sullivan spearheaded fundraising efforts for Pink Aid, a national charity dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients in need.

 

Photos courtesy of Cold Spring Harbor Central School District

On March 14, students and staff across the Hauppauge School District came together for fun-filled and meaningful Pi Day celebrations with each building holding their annual “Pi in the Face” fundraisers. These highly anticipated events gave students the chance to donate money in support of important causes while enjoying the spectacle of their favorite teachers and administrators getting pied in the face.  

This year, Bretton Woods, Forest Brook and Pines elementary schools took part by raising funds for the Rachel Quinn Children’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting children in need. Each elementary school made an incredible impact with Forest Brook Elementary raising $1,017, Bretton Woods Elementary raising $710 and Pines Elementary raising $1,085.   

Additionally, both Hauppauge Middle School and Hauppauge High School hosted their own fundraising efforts, supporting causes close to the school community’s heart. The middle school raised $600 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, while the high school raised $350 for Callie’s Crew Defeat DIPG, an organization dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer.  

Over the past three years, these Pi Day events have collectively raised over $10,000 for various charitable organizations. This incredible achievement is a testament to the kindness and generosity of Hauppauge’s students, families and staff. The Hauppauge school community is proud to make a difference, one pie at a time. 

 

Photo captions: 

1: Hauppauge Middle School Assistant Principal Kevin Trentowski was “pied” in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 

2: Hauppauge High School Principal Joseph Wieckhorst and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donald B. Murphy smiled alongside school counselor Danielle Montera after “getting pied” for a good cause. 

3: Hauppauge High School Assistant Principal Kathryn Keller volunteered to “get pied” in the face to raise money for Callie’s Crew Defeat DIPG. 

4-5: Pines Elementary students “pied” their teachers on Pi Day, raising money for the Rachel Quinn Children’s Foundation. 

6:  Bretton Woods Elementary students “pied” their teachers on Pi Day, raising money for the Rachel Quinn Children’s Foundation. 

 

Photos courtesy of Hauppauge School District

The Homer Softball Team is proud to announce their participation in the Strikeout ALS Tournament in Syracuse this year! The Varsity team will take on Phoenix at the Gillette Rd Sports Complex in Cicero on May 9th at 4:30pm.

The tournament features over 20 baseball and softball teams, all coming together to raise money for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research. The ALS Association plays a crucial role in providing patient resources, funding innovative global research, and offering much-needed support to those affected by ALS in our local community.

This year’s tournament provides an exciting opportunity for the Homer Softball Team to unite and support those impacted by ALS. By participating, the team also aims to spread awareness about the urgency of finding treatments and a cure for this devastating disease.

The team has set a fundraising goal to raise at least $1,000 for ALS research. They’re encouraging each player on both the JV and Varsity teams to gather $50 in donations to help reach this goal.

Community members can make a difference by donating to the Homer Softball ALS Donation Page, which is linked below. Donations can be made easily by clicking the red “Donate Now” button and selecting Homer Softball as the team.

Homer Softball’s ALS Donation Page

Additionally, the ALS Strikeout Player Packet is available and includes tips on how to collect donations, an information page about ALS, and the full schedule for both the baseball and softball games.

ALS Strikeout Player Packet

Let’s support the Homer Softball Team as they work towards their fundraising goal and help make a difference in the fight against ALS!

The 2025 Biddy Basketball program concluded its season with a grand finale during the annual Biddy Night Halftime Shows at the JV and Varsity Girls Basketball games. These highly anticipated halftime performances have become a cherished tradition, celebrating the growth, learning, and enjoyment that the program fosters among young athletes.

For over 50 years, Biddy Basketball has been an integral part of the Cal-Mum community, offering a six-week Saturday morning program for more than 80 eager Pre-K to 2nd-grade participants. This year’s program was once again led by Tim McArdle, who is in his 17th season directing the initiative. His leadership continues to make the program a memorable and impactful experience for all involved.

What sets Biddy Basketball apart is the involvement of JV and Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball players, who volunteer their time to mentor and support the younger athletes. This connection between older and younger players is one of the program’s most unique aspects, as it fosters meaningful bonds and allows high school athletes to pass down valuable lessons to the next generation.

Throughout the program, high school student-athletes dedicate their Saturday mornings, volunteering for seven sessions from 8-10 AM. Under McArdle’s direction, they assist in running drills and skills sessions, ensuring that young participants engage in structured and enjoyable activities. High school players not only facilitate learning but also help shy children transition away from their parents, ensuring they feel comfortable and included. Additionally, they assist with minor injuries and provide support wherever needed.

Each group of younger athletes has the opportunity to perform a routine during halftime at a boys’ or girls’ high school basketball game. To accommodate this, high school teams even shorten their halftime discussions, allowing their players to return to the court and lead the younger participants.

As a small school community, this program serves as an excellent way to introduce young children to basketball while providing older students with meaningful mentorship opportunities. A special thank you goes out to the JV and Varsity players for their continued dedication to this program. Their mentorship and commitment leave a lasting impact on these young athletes, shaping the future of Cal-Mum basketball.

Appreciation is also extended to all Biddy Basketball participants and their families for being part of this special program. The community eagerly looks forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026!