The Bellport High School National Honor Society hosted a successful blood drive on Nov. 17. During the event, the society collected 65 pints of blood.

Date Added: 11/21/2022

Bellport High School teacher Henry Finnegan was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars.

Finnegan, who has taught in the South Country School District for the past 24 years, was selected for his outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in the profession. His nomination was made by one of his students.

“I was shocked and touched,” said Finnegan, who teaches chorus, mixed chorus, piano and treble choir at the high school.

“It comes as no surprise to me that our students see Mr. Finnegan as an outstanding, dedicated and committed educator,” said Principal Erika Della Rosa. “Just by spending a few minutes with him in the hallway, one can see how much he cares for all students.”

The South Country Central School District extends its congratulations to Henry Finnegan for this honor.

Date Added: 11/8/2022

Bellport High School varsity volleyball coach Larry Auth recently celebrated his 400th career victory and finished his last season as a coach with a total of 407 wins. Auth, a special education teacher who is set to retire this school year, has coached varsity volleyball for the past 27 years. Each of those years, his team has earned a spot in the playoffs. During his time in Bellport, he also coached girls soccer and wrestling.

Date Added: 11/7/2022

Bellport High School sophomore Sheriyah Ballard recently earned an Outstanding Job Performance Award from the Suffolk County Department of Labor for work she completed through the department’s Summer Youth Program. She was one of 700 participants and 250 nominees to earn the award.

“I was very surprised,” said the South Country student, who spent her summer working alongside South Country School District employees at Frank P. Long Intermediate School to prepare the school’s classrooms for the new year.

Ballard had applied and was accepted to the program prior to the start of the summer and said she learned a lot on the job.

“Everyone was so nice and treated me like family,” she said. “I learned how to work as a team, budget and save money, and I was empowered as one of the few women working in this position.”

Ballard, who spends her free time working on various art projects, said if the opportunity presented itself again, she would be more than thrilled to participate.

Looking to the future, Ballard said she hopes to one day work in the medical field and follow in the footsteps of her grandmother, who was a certified nursing assistant at Stony Brook University Hospital for over 30 years.

Date Added: 10/21/2022