-
2/27/20 HS Language Students Raise Funds for Senior Scholarships
National Foreign Language Honor Society students at the high school held a Bingo Night on Feb. 6, collecting prizes from local businesses as well as donations from the local community. The event raised approximately $2,000 to fund scholarships for this year’s graduating NFLHS seniors.
“Our sincerest appreciation to the East Islip community and families who made this event possible,” said Italian language teacher Giuseppe Costa.
-
2/26/20 Timber Point’s “Book Fairies” Drive Collects Needed Literature
Timber Point recently held a “Book Fairies” book drive as part of the school’s annual Parents as Reading Partners initiative. New and used literature items, from baby through young adult levels, were collected for donation to high poverty schools and organizations across metropolitan New York.
-
2/25/20 JFK Students Show Imagination
JFK students recently participated in the school’s first ever graphic novel contest, conducted by librarian Melanie Ash. The students were encouraged to create an illustrated story in the form of a graphic novel. Casey Flad and Cadence Grieve were named the winners for their story “Doggy Daycare,” while “Zoo Days” author Lily Drinkwater and “When Pigs Fly” creators Olivia LaBella and Zoe Zilberstein all received an honorable mention for their works.
“The students did an amazing job,” said Principal Deborah Smith. “The entries were creative, imaginative and fun and it was very hard for the panel to select a winner.”
-
2/24/20 Gay-Straight Alliance Attends Leadership Summit
Accompanied by advisers Jessica Pignataro and Kimm Schwarz, 13 members of the high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance club recently attended a GSA Leadership Summit hosted by Shoreham-Wading River High School. The event brought together 90 high school students from GSA clubs across Suffolk County.
East Islip Superintendent John Dolan visited the morning session, sharing some uplifting opening remarks with the high schoolers. The attendees also enjoyed a keynote speech by Center Moriches Director of Athletics Jeremy Thode, who shared his journey as a parent of a transgender son. Throughout the day, students participated in roundtable sessions where they reflected on topics including internet safety, creating safe school environments, the "coming out" process and promoting GSA events. During the afternoon session, district administrators from the attending schools addressed the students and offered their support, including East Islip representatives Jason Stanton, the director of careers and student services, and Stephen Restivo, the director of health, physical education and athletics.
-
2/20/20 Dedication on Display with “Frozen”
More than 90 dedicated middle school students joined forces to present a remarkable production of “Frozen” on Feb. 7 and 8. Based on the modern classic animated Disney film from 2013, the musical was directed by Alyssa Tripi, with Nicole Panetta serving as assistant director and Diane Doyle providing set design.
The outstanding cast included Madison McNamee as Young Anna, Jordan Maloney as Young Elsa, Ethan Greene as King Agnarr, Emily Farrell as Queen Iduna, Gregory Federico as Pabbie, Brooke Lubin as Bulda, Ava Panepinto as Middle Elsa, Aidan Godbout as Bishop, Lexi Hernandez as Butler, Juliana Banville as Handmaiden, Stephanie Sabillon as Cook, Julianna D’Addario as Anna, Sophia LoMonaco as Elsa, Patrick Vasquez as Kristoff, Christian Kozak as Sven, Brendan Kroupa as Hans, Sophia Aurrecoechea as Steward, Anderson Ross as Duke of Weselton, Hanna Ross as Olaf and Peyton Klipp as Oaken.
“It was incredible to watch the kids grow as performers and as people from auditions in September until our performances in February,” Tripi said. “We are all very proud and impressed by the dedication and talent of these young ladies and gentlemen. Every student involved contributed to its success.”
-
2/19/20 Lady Redmen’s Resurgence Marks EI Basketball
The high school’s girls varsity basketball team finished the regular season 16-4 overall and 11-1 in league play, earning them their first league championship since 2004. They also defeated Sachem North in the playoffs on Feb. 12 by a score of 56-47 to advance to the Elite 8, where they will meet Ward Melville on Feb. 19.
Seniors Hannah Calarco, Alexa Fusco and Gia Gremaux helped spark the Lady Redmen’s resurgence this season. Gremaux was named All-County; sophomore Jessica Peluso, junior Kira Rumfola and freshman Sara Simonetti were named All-League; sophomore Kamilah Pasha earned League IV Rookie of the Year honors; and coach Mike Petre was honored as League Coach of the Year for the 11th time.
“We sincerely thank the staff, administration, parents and students for their amazing and unwavering support as well as their unbridled enthusiasm,” Petre said.
-
2/18/20 Freshman Norton Honored by Board for Make-A-Wish Effort
High school freshman Kaylee Norton was honored by Superintendent John Dolan at the district’s Feb. 13 Board of Education meeting for collecting 1,688 “Letters to Santa” for the Macy’s Make-A-Wish Foundation. She plans to take on her remarkable charity effort again next December.
“She’s a fantastic young lady who I think is going to change the world,” Dolan said.Additionally, senior Caroline Meehan was recognized by the Board for being one of only 30 Long Island students to receive the News12 Scholar Athlete award for the 2019-2020 school year.
-
2/17/20 Redmen Wrestlers Take Third
The high school’s wrestling team recently competed in the League IV championships at Bellport High School, boasting 11 place winners and earning third place overall as a team with 171 total points.
The Redmen had three finalists: freshman Justin Shayew (29-7) at 99 pounds, junior Michael Colon (24-10) at 152 pounds and senior Arjay Wilko (31-7) at 182 pounds. Shayew won the 99-pound bracket with a pin over top-seeded Vincent Romano of North Babylon High School. Other outstanding efforts for East Islip included seventh grader Logan Alfalla (23-12) placing third at 99 pounds, eighth grader Sebastian Regis (16-9) placing fourth at 220 pounds, junior Louie Cinquemani (20-12) placing fourth at 126 pounds, junior Shane Lyons (18-6) placing third at 152 pounds, junior Peter Carino (26-4) placing third at 160 pounds, junior Rich Lawrence (25-12) placing fourth at 285 pounds, senior Mark Shayew (24-9) placing third at 145 pounds and senior Nick Agresta (31-7) placing fourth at 195 pounds.
All 11 place winners qualified for the Suffolk County tournament, held Feb. 15-16 at Suffolk Community College’s Brentwood campus. Justin Shayew beat John Tietjen of Sachem East to take fifth place in the 99-pound bracket.
-
2/14/20 Boys Bowlers Win Fourth Consecutive County Title
The boys varsity bowling team came out on top at Sayville’s Bowlero on Feb. 8 to capture their fourth consecutive county title. The team features captain Sonny Pico alongside Chris Andresen, Jack Barancek, Sebastian Gebhard, Nick Illare, PJ Miglionico, Dylan Sgueglia, Shawn Watts and Joe Zagari. The team will compete for the state title on March 15 in Syracuse.
-
2/11/20 RCK's Dedicated Drama Club Presents “Annie”
The Drama Club at RCK recently presented the memorable musical “Annie,” directed by third-grade teacher Dennis Clancy. Cast and crew dedicated many hours learning songs, memorizing lines and creating the set. With more than 50 students participating in the Drama Club, two performances were necessary to accommodate all of the proud participants. In lieu of charging a admission for attending, donations were requested to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, earning a total of $450 for the charity.
“Our students did an outstanding job making this endeavor a great success,” Clancy said.
-
2/11/20 Senior Artists Selected for Go APE
High school seniors Hailee Cornell, Alyssa Huss, Jessica Montijo and Leah Neville were chosen for the Art League of Long Island’s 13th annual Go APE Advanced Placement Exhibition, which highlights outstanding work by art students from across Long Island. Displayed at the Art League’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery in Dix Hills, the show will run from Feb. 15 through March 1. The four students, all enrolled in Daniel Figliozzi’s AP Art and Design classes, will attend a closing artists’ reception and awards presentation on March 1.
“These extremely talented students are four of the most hardworking and committed artists I've ever met,” Figliozzi said. “Each has a unique vision and demonstrates a variety of strong technical abilities in their chosen craft, and I have no doubt they will all pursue creative pathways in their future. I’m excited for them to exhibit with some of the most talented student-artists on Long Island and proud to see them showcase their work to a larger community.”
Cornell plans to attend Alfred University’s School of Art and Design this fall. She has been awarded their highest merit scholarship, the Art Portfolio Scholarship, a renewable award of $14,000 for up to four years, and was also recognized as a Miller Portfolio Scholar, a $5,000 annual award recognizing an elite group of talented artists. Hailee will begin Alfred's intense Foundations program this fall, which will allow her to broaden her already successful art practice. Cornell’s Go APE piece, “Peanut Butter and Caramel,” is a photorealistic colored pencil drawing, part of a body of artwork that showcases traditionally executed portraits that have been obstructed by various textures and materials. At first glance, her works appear very literal but upon further inspection, explore ideas relating to tension, friction and frustration.”
“As Hailee continues her art education at Alfred, she will certainly become an important asset to their community as she has been here at our high school,” said teacher Elizabeth Gibbons.
“It is an honor to represent East Islip’s art department in this show,” Cornell said. “The teachers have helped me grow so much and develop my craft. I am truly pleased to be a part of this wonderful art community.”
Huss is a skilled illustrator, character designer, draftswoman, sculptor and painter. She plans to work for her uncle’s Los Angeles production company, Molecule Productions, after graduation, using her multiple creative talents to help with set design, fashion and make-up for a horror movie he is producing. “Release II,” her Go APE selection, is a large-scale mixed media piece that explores tension and release through self-portraiture. The work connects to a larger idea she is exploring in her art that relates to the concept “what lies beneath” and how that idea can be conveyed both literally and metaphorically.
“Art has been my passion for my whole life,” Huss said. “It gives me the confidence and balance that I need to keep myself going. Having the power to decide what happens in my world, to see how my skills can develop and grow over time, is truly empowering."
Montijo has shown a strong sense of design and the ability to master any medium. As a junior, she explored digital manipulation of nature photography in AP 2D Design. This year, she has delved into various traditional and unconventional painting techniques, including making her own natural pigments. Montijo is creating sustainable architecture structures for her AP Drawing exam this year, using a variety of reclaimed and recycled materials. She plans to pursue architecture next year at the New York Institute of Technology and has received a $25,000 annual merit award. Full of rich color and expressive marks, Montijo’s self-portrait featured in Go APE displays her confidence in exploring new painting techniques.
An accomplished illustrator, cartoonist and animator, Neville plans to enroll in the animation program at New York City’s School of Visual Arts this fall, where she can pursue her passion for character design and animation. Her Go APE artwork, the acrylic painted illustration “Sailing in the Clouds,” depicts a daydreaming young girl floating over the light of the moon. Vibrant in color and whimsically rendered, it demonstrates Neville’s ability to create imaginative environments and worlds to explore.
“To be a part of this gallery show is an absolute honor,” Neville said. “I’m extremely grateful that my work will be presented with other amazingly talented artists.”
-
2/10/20 Tricarico to Play Hockey for Canisius
High school senior Will Tricarico signed a National Letter of Intent on Feb. 10 to continue his ice hockey career at Canisius College in Buffalo, where he will play for the Division 1 Golden Griffins. He plans on majoring in sports management.
In 2014, Tricarico was recognized by the Nassau County Legislature for demonstrating commitment, leadership and dedication when his PAL hockey team represented the United States in the United World Games Lighthouse Tournament in Harbin, China.
As captain of the East Islip High School Ice Hockey Club, coached by Danny Barbarito and Robby Miller, Tricarico ended his senior season with 24 goals and 21 assists, placing him fifth in the ranking of Suffolk County High School Hockey League varsity scoring leaders. He also plays travel hockey with the No. 2-ranked Long Island Rebels U18 team coached by Frank Dell’Isola. Both of Tricarico’s teams will play in the state championships this year.
During his time at East Islip High School, he also was a member of the school’s varsity golf and tennis teams.
-
2/7/20 County Bowling Tournament on Feb. 8
The Redmen boys and girls bowling teams both finished in first place for the season and will participate in the county tournament on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Bowlero in Sayville. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the competition starts at 9 a.m. Tickets are $10.
-
2/7/20 Girls Basketball Playoff Game on Feb. 12
The girls varsity basketball team recently won the league title and will play a home playoff game vs. Sachem North on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m.
Section XI ticket info is as follows:
$10 (cash only) at site
$5 with student ID at site
$7 online (https://gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI)
-
2/7/20 Cheerleaders Win First Place
The high school varsity cheerleaders won first place at their last competition on the first weekend of February, and the team’s seniors were recognized.
-
2/6/20 Young JFK Writers Share Narratives
Several fourth grade classes at JFK recently met up in the cafeteria for a writer’s workshop celebration, sharing their personal narratives with their peers.
After weeks of following the process writing stages, the school’s young authors were proud to finally read their final drafts to each other. They had spent a great deal of time revising and editing their work, adding descriptive language and transitional phrases into their stories, and enhancing their small-moment narratives with emotions and feelings. The writers were also taught to look for “non-negotiables” related to grammar, usage and mechanics.
“It was amazing to read the detailed and complex writing of our students,” said Principal Deborah Smith. “They have had intense instruction for the past four years in process writing procedures, and their final compositions were so descriptive and interesting. The children were excited to share their ideas and life experiences with other accomplished writers.”
-
2/4/20 Connetquot First Graders Become “Super Bowl”ers While Learning Math
First graders at Connetquot Eparticipated in a “Super Bowl” math lesson on Feb. 3, learning addition and subtraction while bowling in the gym.
-
2/4/20 Chamber Honors JFK’s Ancona and McKenna as Students of Month
The East Islip Chamber of Commerce recognized JFK fifth graders Alivia Ancona and Aidan McKenna as January Students of the Month during the organization’s Jan. 28 meeting.
“Alivia was chosen for her kindness, sweet nature and sense of responsibility,” said Principal Deborah Smith. “She demonstrates wonderful character and is the type of student that is always prepared and excited to learn.”
“Alivia is a wonderful, well-rounded student,” said teacher Timmi Hoelzer. “She maintains an excellent average in all subject areas. Her willingness to help others shows what a great leader she is. Alivia always makes good choices and decisions. She is extremely aware of how those around her feel.”
“In physical education class, Alivia always cooperates and collaborates,” said teacher Jennie Nagengast. “She is truly a team player, kind and accepting of others. Her easygoing nature makes her an absolute pleasure to have in class.”
“Alivia serves as a positive role model by exhibiting fabulous character and leadership,” said teacher Lisa Haller. “She actively participates in class and strives for excellence.”
“Aidan was selected to due to his excellent character,” said Smith. “He consistently demonstrates empathy for everyone. He is sensitive and compassionate and recognizes the importance of treating people with kindness and respect; the character traits that are most important in being a person who makes a difference in the lives of others.”
“Aidan greets me with a huge warm smile every day when he sees me for ELA,” said teacher Danielle Chiappetta. “He is a diligent worker who actively participates in classroom discussions. Aidan is always willing to lend a helping hand to his fellow peers.”
“I have the pleasure of teaching Aidan science and social studies, five days a week for 55 minutes per day,” said teacher Mike Marra. “During that time, he exhibits positive character traits. He is a very respectful young man who always greets me with a smile and is sure to say goodbye on his way out of class. He is a willing participant in the classroom, showing confidence in his answers and accepts constructive instruction. When the class has the opportunity to work cooperatively, Aiden has the ability to work with all his peers, showing acceptance of all. I enjoy having Aiden in my classroom.”
“Aidan is a kind boy and a friend to all,” said teacher Meredith Salijoski. “He is always willing to help out his peers or his teachers. He has a heart of gold and his smile is infectious. Aidan is a pleasure to teach.”
-
2/4/20 Porti Signs with Molloy College
Senior Emily Porti signed a national letter of intent on Jan. 30 to continue her track and cross-country career at Molloy College this coming fall. She plans to major in nursing. During her years in East Islip, Porti earned All-County, All-League, All-Division and All-American recognition as well as the High Minds in Motion award. She chose Molloy for its excellent nursing and athletics programs.