Bellport High School’s National Honor Society has inducted 73 new members to the prestigious organization. Although the traditional candlelighting ceremony did not occur due to school closings, the students were congratulated by the administration and advisers Danielle Stuckey and Sue Hines by letter. Ms. Stuckey said that the students will be officially inducted next April 2021.

Students inducted into the National Honor Society must adhere to the organization’s four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service and character. They are also encouraged to live up to these ideals beyond their tenure at high school.

Principal Timothy Hogan said he was proud of the work ethic, impact and enthusiasm each of the inductees has brought to the school community, “which speaks volumes about you as a person.” He also encourages the students to thank their parents and teachers who have helped them in their journey, and to be sure to continue giving back to their community.”

The District congratulates the following inductees:

Leonardo Argueta
Lexie Armann
Alexia Benjamin
Boris Berja
Madison Boehler
Emma Butler
Clayton Cannella
William Caroli
Ryann Christie
Eric Ciavatta
Eliana Cruz
Chau'zen Davis
Harrison Day
John De Vito
Erica Dickinson
Donovan J. Edmondson
Sarah Elbaroudy
Natalie Gentzel
Troy Gentzel
Jack Gerard
Anissa Gomez
Violet Gordon
Danielle Graser
Dylan Gronenthal
Jessica Hampson
Matthew Harper
Jaden Hershkowitz
Abigail Horn
Aisha Iregbulem
Curren Johnsen
Tarissa Jones
Shelby Kaczmarek
Jillian Kerr-Smith
Marissa Krawczyk
Tyler Krompier
Paige Lewis
Abby Loeffler
Julia Longo
Vivienne Love
Sydney Macioce
Aqsa Majid
Dennise Mejia
Monica Mejia
Kylie Minden
Jarithsa Molina
Julia Monte
Kevin Munson
Colin Murphy
Angela Nadeau
Theresa Nadeau
Jamie Nobile
Tamara Ortiz Macas
Calvin Pedatella
Anthony Pennachio
Marc Promutico
Rianna Raghunandan
Charlotte Rauch
Daniel Reilly
Jacob Repper
Steven Rodas
Isabella Rupolo
Laurens Seubert
Rylie Sikeotis
Leah Silvestre
Kyle Varuolo
Kayla Vengroski
Kayla Vera Idrovo
Alexa Versaci
Evan Virno
Victoria Vital
Louis Wilson
Alyssa Wolf
Alondra Wright

The artwork of Bellport High School student-artists Courtney Gerard, Patricia Prott and Tyler Walsh were selected from 388 submissions to exhibit at the Heckscher Museum’s Long Island’s Best Young Artists 2020 juried exhibit. Additionally, Courtney received the Costas Family Award for Excellence in Photography for her digital photograph, “Floating.” Tyler also received the Renzo and Lynette Bianchi Scholarship Award for his ink and watercolor work, “Euphoria.”

Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum is the only juried exhibition on Long Island offering high school student-artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in a museum. As the museum marks its 100th anniversary this year, 100 works of art were selected for exhibit. Each year, students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit artwork inspired by art shown in the museum. For the first time in the museum’s history, an online format features all of the student artwork selected for exhibit, the students’ artist statements and the artwork that inspired the selectees.

The District congratulates the students on this outstanding artistic achievement.

Bellport High School’s Life Skills Program was awarded the Outstanding Cooperator Award, recognizing the students’ great work at the Cornell Cooperative Farm, located in Yaphank.

Teacher Jane Quatrale explained that students enrolled in the self-contained/prevocational Life Skills Program (ages 17-21) and special students in the 8:1:3 classes who receive academic and behavioral intervention are often scheduled to work in community businesses. One of the locations during the last eight years includes the Cornell Cooperative Farm where the students assist with routine maintenance, including raking the animal pens, and filling feed bags and filling wood chip bags for the animal pens. The students also perform light office work and bundle brochures according to school districts and schools.

“We have a great rapport with the farm,” Ms. Quatrale said. “The students enjoy going to the farm and interacting with the animals. The Cornell Cooperative farm is a great program and the students learn important work skills by volunteering their time.”

The NAMM Foundation has designated the District as one of the nation’s 2020 Best Communities for Music Education for its demonstration of exceptionally high commitment to music education and access to music instruction for all district students.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants to advance active participation in music. The District music program was analyzed for funding, staffing of qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music instruction.

Music Chairperson James Uzzi said, “Because of support from central administration, the board of education and the community, the district has the resources to do what it takes to make the music program visible and one that serves all interested students.”

The District is proud of its music program, which offers a plethora of instruction in orchestra and band instruments, piano, chorus and music theory. Elementary instruction commences in prekindergarten and third grade students may join the chorus, followed by orchestra or band in fourth grade. A unique elementary offering is the bell program at Kreamer Street Elementary School, which was up and running this school year. As students reach the high school level, they have opportunities to perform with the freshman orchestra, string orchestra for grades 10-12, or to audition for membership in the concert orchestra. There is also a high school wind ensemble and symphonic band for students who play band instruments, as well as membership in the school’s mixed chorus. Piano I and II is offered, as well as Music Theory I and Advanced Placement Music Theory for those planning on continuing their education in music on the college level.

The District’s various ensembles also compete in the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association All-County festival, the Long Island String Festival Association festival, and the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education All-County festival. Opportunities to perform and compete also include the New York State School Music Association’s Ensemble and Solo and Majors Organization festivals. The District’s most talented student-musicians also apply to participate in NYSSMA’s All-State festival.

Each year, Bellport High School demonstrates pride and gratitude during the Evening of Excellence. This cherished tradition, scheduled to take place on March 24, would have celebrated the accomplishments of 44 distinguished seniors who have maintained a weighted cumulative average of 92% percent or better for the past seven semesters. Additionally, six members of the faculty were to be honored after being selected by the students as persons who have been influential and inspirational during their educational journey.

Principal Timothy Hogan noted that the students’ striving for “excellence” does not happen by accident. “It [excellence] is the gradual result of always striving to do your best – with high intention, sincere effort and mindful execution.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani said that even though the Evening of Excellence could not take place this year due to school closings, it is important to pay homage to the honorees. “These students not only demonstrated academic excellence but went above and beyond by serving the community and by demonstrating the ideals of the District,” Dr. Giani said.

The District congratulates the following students: Audrey Barry, David Bellante, Erin Boehmke, Amanda Brunning, Kayzjah Charles, Ashley Chavez, Connor Coleman, Eva Colon, Alyssa Demmers, Sebastian DeRosa, Rachel Dickinson, Carly Diolosa, Alexa Ferrara, Elsy Franco Argueta, Courtney Gerard, Emily Gentzel, Ali Dennis Guillermo, Emily Hartmann, Emily Hughes, Natalia Jordan, Juliana Lewkowski, Jacob LiVigni, Jared James Lorenzo, Hanna Lupo, Daniela Mondi, Nicholas Promutico, Ella Rauch, Peri Sallah, Victoria Pennachio, Liam Murphy, Amanda Rasmussen, Marissa Mulligan, Maya Samuel, Luca Scharpf, Kunj Shah, Troy Sica, Mia Suarez, Bryan Tapuy, Miranda Treutle, Lauryn Trupia, Michael Vengroski, Katherine Vignona, Tyler Walsh and Stephen Warnes.

The District also congratulates the following faculty: Antonino Giresi (Frank P. Long Intermediate School), Carolyn Kelly (Verne W. Critz Elementary), Nicole Lafferty (Bellport High School), Jolene McCarthy (Kreamer Street Elementary), Juliane McDermott (Brookhaven Elementary) and Nicolette Schiavone (Bellport Middle School).