Bellport High School seniors took steps toward their academic futures through attendance at a college application workshop. 

Held on Nov. 19-20, school counselors were available in the school library to assist students with the college application process. During the workshop, the counselors provided support with common application and general application completion. In addition, students could ask specific questions and voice concerns about the overall application process.  

Acting Director of Guidance and Counseling Programs Ingrid Hrvatin said the college application workshop was a way for the district to assist students in streamlining the college application process.  

Throughout the District, students spent the month of November collecting food for those in need.
Under the direction of teachers Jeremy Freeman and Erika Hawthorne, the Bellport Middle School Student Council collected nonperishable food items from Oct. 15-Nov. 20. The food was then sent to Pastor Mike Caiazzo at the Lighthouse Mission to add to the organization’s collection of food for the community.
At Brookhaven Elementary School, the students’ reach had a global appeal. After Halloween, students donated their uneaten candy, which was then sent to military troops abroad. 
The Bellport High School Student Council also held its annual Thanksgiving Drive. This year, the organization collected more than 900 nonperishable items for those in need.

Under the advisement of Aimee Iuliucci and Nicole Colao, Bellport High School’s Center of Excellence welcomed 20 new members during an induction ceremony, held on Nov. 7. Attended by district administration and members of the board of education, inductees received a pin symbolizing both their membership and aspiration to explore college as a realistic, attainable and post-high school option. 

Ms. Iuliucci said, “Wear your pin with pride. Your futures are bright.”

During the 2018-2019 school year, the Center of Excellence club was reintroduced by Assistant Principal Dan Fauvell. Membership provides participants with an intensive college-awareness focus and emphasizes the building of successful academic behaviors, including calendar planning, prioritization, study habits, obstacle and roadblock coping strategies and smart decision-making. Students are held accountable for their personal goals, while embodying the leadership principles of professionalism, ambition, integrity, resilience and resourcefulness. There is also significant written and oral presentation work, combined with a focus toward college and career-readiness.  

Board of Education President E. Anne Hayes told the students, “Each of you have things in mind for the future. Don’t limit yourself but keep moving forward and you’ll be astounded at what you will have accomplished.”

Guest speaker and former Board of Education President Cheryl A. Felice told the students that they need to have the willingness to take risks. “Young people are important to our democracy,” she said. “You need to become involved in the process.”

The induction ceremony was preceded by a dinner, hosted by the high school culinary students. Nevaeh Tinsley led the salute to the flag, while and Destiny France sang the national anthem. Additionally, COE president Anecya Sutton, vice president Emily Hartmann and secretary Kaitlyn Stines announced the names of the inductees as they received their pins and certificates. 

Ms. Iuliucci also announced that the COE has received a $711 grant from the Brookhaven 7-Eleven, a $2,000 grant from the South Country Education Foundation and a $250 grant from Ms. Felice. 

The South Country Central School District congratulates the following inductees: (Grade 9) Jada Crowell, Catherine Chicas Fuentes, Aaron Dupaya, Eldrick Dupaya, Sara Epstein, Natali Gonzalez Romero, Ryan Grell, Justin Guzman, Wayne Heinecker, Meadow Lyn Moscatiello, Vanessa Perez, Ambar Ventura; (Grade 10) Sarah Elbaroudy, Andrea Giles; (Grade 11) Asha Golding, Sydney Rountree; (Grade 12) Janaisha Austin, Elsy Franco Argueta, Suzan Lunde and Mahogany Quinitchett.   

The talented cast and crew of Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot” drew a full house to Bellport High School’s Ebersole Auditorium on Nov. 1-2.

Under the direction of Susan Hartmann and producer Barbara Gallagher, the nine-member cast amused the audience with this witty whodunit murder mystery. At Christmastime in 1936, Broadway star William Gillette (Michael Marziliano), admired for playing Sherlock Holmes, invited cast members to his Connecticut castle for weekend revelry. When one of the guests, Daria Chase (AutumnMargaret Walthers), is found stabbed, Gillette took on the persona of his beloved character to track down the killer and to set Inspector Goring (Emma Butler) in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, as each of the guests, and “Holmes,” hide the clues and the body from the inspector.

The cast also included Jocelyn Marrero (Martha Gillette), Troy Sica (Felix Geisel), Keira Ballan (Madge Geisel), Aidan Gaynor (Simon Bright), Alexa Ferrara (Aggie Wheeler) and understudies Lexington Armann and Joseph Salerno. The success of the performances was also attributed to the nine-member crew, stage managers Juliana Lewkowski and Victoria Pennachio, Vivienne Love, James Gibney and Kieran Sawyer on lighting, Ryan Wilson and music director James Uzzi on sound, art chairperson Suzette Fandale on costumes, James Gibney on set construction and Suzette Fandale and Barbara Gallagher on set design.

The District congratulates the students on their memorable performances.  

Juniors and seniors took the next step in their academic futures through attendance at the first of two annual school-sponsored college fairs, held in the gymnasium this fall. More than 100 representatives from local, regional and national colleges set up booths and provided valuable information for students exploring options after graduation. Students from the high school’s culinary program also provided food for the representatives throughout the day. 

Acting Director of Guidance and Counseling Programs Ingrid Hrvatin explained that attendance at the college fair is an opportunity for students to acquire knowledge about a broad range of college options, majors, admissions criteria, campus culture, scholarships, financial aid, athletics and clubs. 

On Nov. 1,  the district also held a workshop for parents and students about early action and early decision, followed by Financial Aid Night on Nov. 7. Students had the opportunity to take the SAT and to visit representatives from regional and state colleges and universities. By logging onto the high school’s page of the district’s website, students can access a wealth of college preparatory information, including Castle Learning Regents Prep, a New York State Excelsior Scholarship presentation, information on how 529 College Savings Plans impact financial aid and more.