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Science, STEAM and Athletic Honors Recognized by East Islip Board of Ed

Student accomplishments in science, STEAM and athletics were highlighted at the East Islip School District’s April 21 Board of Education meeting.

First up were this year’s fourth grade science fair winners: John F. Kennedy Elementary School’s Emma Lemke, for her project on waterway freezing rates in relation to salt levels, and Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School’s Gianna Howard and Jason Howard, for their project on twin telepathy. Over the past eight years, the district has earned two honorable mentions, two county championships and one state championship for the science fair.

Next to be honored were the winners of the two schools’ STEAM Tank contest, who had been tasked with inventing solutions to everyday problems. One first-place team – Annalina Cappellino, Hunter Craivan, Kyle Divone and Liliana Tringali – created a way to lift heavy chicken feed bags, while the other first-place winners – Acelyn Garcia and Avery Garcia – created a Discovery bucket and Lego Dig set. 

Moving on to the realm of sports, numerous exceptional East Islip High School students were recognized, including track athletes, county champions, state championship competitors Danielle Simonetti (who beat the school record in pole vault) and Kathryn Simonetti (whose time of 1:34.88 in the 600-meter race was the second fastest in East Islip history); wrestlers and state championship competitors Rocco DeStefano (a state finalist with the most career pins in East Islip history at 101) and Christian Horeis (who earned eighth place at states); and the girls varsity bowling team, who won the league, county and state championships (the program’s first state title since 2014), guided by Coach of the Year Genesis Dawson.
 

The image shows a group of people, some in formal attire and others in casual clothing, standing together on a stage with a red curtain backdrop.
A group of people, including adults and children, are standing together on a stage with a red curtain backdrop, holding certificates or awards.
The image shows a group of people, including two young women holding certificates, standing on a stage in front of an audience.
A group of people, including adults and children, are gathered on a stage, holding certificates and awards, with a red curtain backdrop and what appears to be a podium or stage setup in the background.
A group of people, including adults and children, are gathered on a stage or platform, with a backdrop of curtains or a stage setting. The individuals appear to be receiving awards or recognition, as they are holding certificates or plaques.