Bellport High School senior Mariz Baslious was selected by QuestBridge as a 2020 National Finalist for having demonstrated high academic achievement.

QuestBridge is a national nonprofit institution that connects the country’s most exceptional students with leading educational institutions and further academic opportunities at some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. In June, Mariz was one of 3,770 high school juniors named a 2020 College Prep Scholar out of a pool of 12,600 applications. As a finalist, Mariz will potentially be matched with a full scholarship to one of QuestBridge’s 42 partner colleges.

In being considered for this prestigious opportunity, QuestBridge searches for academically talented students who match the college partners’ level of academic achievement and can potentially thrive on their college/university campuses. Finalists are chosen from a pool of applicants who are in the top 5% to 10% of their class, have received mostly A’s in the school’s most rigorous classes and have realized strong standardized test scores, if taken.

In addition to be academically talented, Mariz is highly involved in extracurricular activities. She is vice president of the National Honor Society and a member of the math and science honor societies, as well as a member of Math Team. An avid tennis player on both the junior varsity and varsity teams, Mariz received the recognition of Most Valuable Player last season. She is also a Sunday school teacher for her church.

The district congratulates Mariz on this outstanding academic accomplishment and sends best wishes for success in matching a college/university of her choice.

The District is pleased to announce that 46 current Bellport High School students and 2020 graduates were recognized as Advanced Placement Scholars for exceptional achievement on the May 2020 national exams.

Twenty students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by receiving a 3 or higher on three or more exams and include: Mariz Baslious,* Erin Boehmke, Eva Colon, Mathew Bokehi Costa,* Rachel Dickinson, Carly Diolosa, Alexa Ferrara, Samantha Fuentes,* Courtney Gerard, Jahid Hossain,* Victoria Pennachio, Samantha Porsche, Jonel Poueriet-Santana,* Ella Rauch, Caitlin Saliba,* Peri Sallah, Maya Samuel, Peter Schortemeyer,* Mia Suarez and Eliza Ynoa.

Fourteen students received the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of those exams and include: Jack Armann,* Lindsey Belmonte,* Kayzjah Charles, Aidan Gaynor,* Taylor Kelly,* Jared Lorenzo, Victoria Monte,* Liam Murphy, Anthony Notartomaso,* Troy Sica, Katherine Vignona, Ryan Voegele* and Cailey Ziegler.*

Twelve students received the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of 4 or higher on five or more of these exams and include: Audrey Barry, David Bellante, Connor Coleman, Sebastian Derosa, Ali Guillermo, Natalia Jordan, Charlotte Kellogg,* Juliana Lewkowski, Nicholas Promutico, Luca Scharpf, Kanya Shah* and Kunj Shah.

Additionally, Sebastian Derosa and Juliana Lewkowski were recognized as National AP Scholars by earning an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

The South Country Central School District congratulates the students on this outstanding academic achievement.

* indicates students who are currently enrolled at Bellport High School.

Bellport High School senior Charlotte Kellogg was selected by QuestBridge as a 2020 National Finalist for having demonstrated high academic achievement.

QuestBridge is a national nonprofit institution that connects the country’s most exceptional students with leading educational institutions and further academic opportunities at some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. In June, Charlotte was one of 3,770 high school juniors named a 2020 College Prep Scholar out of a pool of 12,600 applications. As a finalist, Charlotte will potentially be matched with a full scholarship to one of QuestBridge’s 42 partner colleges.

In being considered for this prestigious opportunity, QuestBridge searches for academically talented students who match the college partners’ level of academic achievement and can potentially thrive on their college/university campuses. Finalists are chosen from a pool of applicants who are in the top 5% to 10% of their class, have received mostly A’s in the school’s most rigorous classes and have realized strong standardized test scores, if taken.

The South Country Central School District congratulates Charlotte on this outstanding academic accomplishment and extends best wishes for success in matching a college/university of her choice.

When tuning into the District’s YouTube channel to view the latest streamed Board of Education meeting, a new face has popped up on the virtual screen. During the Sept. 23 Board of Education meeting, Student Council President and Bellport High School senior Jack Frankie was appointed as the board’s newest student ex-officio board member for the 2020-2021 school year.

President E. Anne Hayes welcomed Jack to his new position and said she will look forward to hearing his report each meeting. During his first report to the board, Jack relayed that school opened smoothly and students are cooperative and compliant with wearing masks. During future meetings, his job will be to report high school activities and happenings to the board and to relay important board business to the student council.

“I am very excited to tell the Board of Education all of the great things that are happening at the high school despite the pandemic,” Jack said. “I think the high school is in the best shape it’s ever been.”

In addition to his Student Council presidency, Jack is a member of the jazz band and plays the trumpet and euphonium. He’s an Advanced Placement student and a former cross-country athlete. His biggest interest, however, is acquiring his certification and flying hours as a student-pilot at BOCES, where he is in his second year of study to fly small planes and hot air balloons. Jack explained that his goal is to pursue a major in aviation management and to possibly pursue all FAA certification and licensing, in addition to pursuing space travel with NASA or Space X.

Bellport High School student-musicians Jack Burkhardt (Bb clarinet) and Taylor Kelly (French horn) were selected to participate in the New York State School Music Association Virtual All-State Festival for symphonic band, being held virtually on Dec. 3-5. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, NYSSMA will not be able to host these students to rehearse and perform at the Winter Conference in Rochester at the renowned Eastman Theater of the Eastman School of Music.

The duo was nominated and selected based on scores they received at the NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival during the 2018-2019 school year. Director of Music Victoria Hartman explained that being selected is a remarkable achievement in that 6,500 students statewide auditioned for a position in the All-State Music Festival. Performing ensembles include the All-State symphonic band, wind ensemble, mixed chorus, treble choir, symphony orchestra, and instrumental and vocal jazz ensemble. Fifteen Bellport High School students auditioned for All-State in the spring 2018.

The District congratulates Jack and Taylor on this outstanding achievement and extends best wishes for success during the NYSSMA Virtual All-State Festival.