Last month, the High School East boys basketball team hosted the Hjemly Danish basketball team. Each Danish player was assigned to one of the Smithtown players and spent the school day with them followed by a basketball game after school. They had dinner last night together at High School East and then spent the night at the boys homes. 

The district’s School of Business and the World Language department, in conjunction with the Smithtown Industry Advisory Board, presented the 2019 International Business Career Day at the High School West library. 

More than 75 students, chosen by their teachers to attend, participated in the 16th annual event. Eleven guest speakers presented to the business-minded students from both High School East and High School West. The professionals spoke about the careers and fields of interest. Krupa Lauricella of FTZ Strategies offered the keynote address. 

Following the opening presentations and keynote, the students spent the morning and early afternoon rotating through different breakout sessions in small groups depending on their area of interest. Lunch was catered by the home and career students from High School West and featured international delights from various regions. 

Four seniors were honored with Suffolk Zone Awards at a ceremony in December. The winners, chosen by the physical education staff, are the top male and female physical education students in the graduating class. Criteria for achieving this honor, as defined by the Suffolk Zone Chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, include earning an A average or above a 90 in high school physical education classes, earning an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the completion of the 11th grade year, and being a physical fitness role model, as well as character and leadership assessments. The district congratulates Sarah Chapman and Luke Muratore from High School West and Amy Welshimer and Dean Schaffer from Smithtown High School.

Society for Science and the Public Society for Science has announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. High School West’s Stephanie Lin and High School East’s Caitlin Wilkinson have both been selected as Regeneron scholars.

Stephanie’s project is “Convolutional Neural Network of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI Detects Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients Pre Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.” Caitlin research focused on “Rates and Traits: The Potential for Utilizing Above-ground Plant Traits to Predict Denitrification in Long Island Salt Marshes.”

Caitlin was shocked by the news of her win. “When we were all together in the research room for the announcement, I was expecting someone else's name to be called out, and I felt like the rug was pulled out from under my feet when Ms. Zeitlin looked at me. I am honored and thankful for the recognition.”

Maria Zeitlin, High School East research coordinator, said, “Caitlin’s project exemplifies citizen science by analyzing local Long Island salt marshes. I am thrilled that Caitlin was inspired to pursue her passion for environmental science and contribute toward an understanding of how to mitigate human impact on the marine environment. She is very deserving of this recognition.”

Dr. Joanne Figueiredo, High School West’s research coordinator, spoke about her student’s work. “Stephanie has been a dedicated and tenacious science research student,” she said. “She is a passionate young scientist who isn’t afraid to chart new territory. The future is bright because of talented young people like Stephanie.”

Stephanie was also surprised when she heard the announcement that she was named a Regeneron Scholar. “I had put the announcement completely out of my mind and was so happy to hear that I was chosen,” she said. “I am honored to be part of this cohort of students who are the next generation of leaders in industry.”

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,993 applications received from 659 high schools across 49 states. Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists. The top 40 finalists will be announced on Jan. 22. The 300 scholars and their schools will be awarded $2,000 each.

High School East Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club made 28 holiday wreaths for residents at Mills Pond Nursing Home. The club members visited the nursing home on Dec. 10 and played Pokeno with the residents. The wreaths were prizes for the winners. At the end of the game, all the residents got a wreath.

The High School East boys winter track team, along with their coach Anastasia Byrne, recently collected and delivered presents to Little Flower Children and Family Services in Hauppauge. The team spent time at the center, teaching the children how to skateboard and playing basketball. The entire team played with some of the Little Flower kids “Knock Out,” a basketball shooting game.

Students at High School East students attended grade level assemblies on mental health awareness and suicide awareness and prevention on Nov. 25 and 26 by Eric Kussin from the organization weareallalittlecrazy.org, a division of the #SameHere Global Mental Health Alliance. The event was organized by High School East senior and DECA co-president and Suffolk County DECA president Alexis Albert. The assemblies were a continuation of the DECA-led districtwide BREATHE (Boosting, Reforming, Enriching Access To Health Education) campaign to spread awareness on mental health throughout the community. From left: Matt Hennings, Smithtown High School East DECA advisor with Alexis and Mr. Kussin. 

In recognition of Bullying Prevention Month in November, the Town of Smithtown’s Youth Bureau held an anti-cyberbullying art contest. High School East junior AP student-artist Nethmi Withanage, under the direction of art teacher Timothy Needles, was chosen as the winner. The poster depicted her perception of cyberbullying and its impact. She was recognized at an awards ceremony on Nov. 14 and her poster will be featured in the lobby of the Suffolk County executive’s building in Hauppauge.