High School East media and art teacher Tim Needles received the International Society for Technology in Education’s Teacher Education Network Technology in Action award. Mr. Needles was recognized for sharing a lesson on video poetry along with some of the ways he incorporates technology into the art profession. The ISTE Technology in Action Award honors outstanding technology-using K-12 teachers. Winners are chosen for sharing lessons and video tutorials that show best practices for integrating technology for teaching and learning in a wide variety of grades, subjects, and technologies. Their work is then archived into the ISTE database and used as models and examples for in-service and preservice teachers around the world.

High School East’s concert choir and treble choir recently performed at the New York State School Music Association’s Majors competition, where both groups received a gold medal rating.  High School East’s choir students performed three selected songs for a panel of judges. Both choirs performed level 6 music, the highest level of difficulty.

The 409-members of the Class of 2019 celebrated the completion of their academic journey at High School East during the school’s 104th annual commencement exercises on the football field on June 26.

Accompanied by the Board of Education, administration and faculty, the graduates processed across the field to the cheers of family and community to Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance.” Senior class president Kelly McSweeney led the flag salute while the senior class concert choir, under the baton of Mark Hegreness, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

In his welcome address, High School East Principal Dr. Kevin Simmons told the students, “Our future is bright with you at the helm of the community.” He also encouraged them to keep making informed decisions and choices, stay committed to their beliefs, plan wisely, create their own destinies and enjoy their time with family.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Jennifer Bradshaw spoke about a Wharton School of Business study on whether givers or takers are more successful in life. She noted that givers “have long-term advantages” and said givers are “not pushovers” and “do not keep score.” 

During his class address, Honor Speaker Thomas Fanning gave his peers words to live by to strengthen their character, such as integrity, perseverance, humility and resilience. “If all else fails, just be optimistic,” he said. “You never know where your principles and audacity will take you.”

During the senior class presentation, Kelly reminisced about the last four years of high school. “We need to remember why we are who we are,” she remarked.  

Dr. Simmons then presented the senior class to the community while the Board of Education, assisted by school counselors, called each of the graduates to the podium to receive his or her diploma, marking becoming Smithtown alumni. The ceremony culminated with the senior class choir singing “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” which was a tribute to parents and graduates, before marching off of the field to join their families and friends. 

The Board of Education, administration and faculty extend best wishes of happiness and success to the Class of 2019.

High School East and High School West celebrated its students-athletes who will be continuing their respective sports at the college level in September. 

The district congratulates the following student-athletes from High School East: Alex Blatt (Colorado Mesa University, lacrosse); Dylan Brid (Stevenson University, baseball); Kevin Cawley (University of Connecticut, track); Isabella Costa (SUNY Binghamton, lacrosse); Emily DeAugustino (Queens University of Charlotte, track); Sophia DeNicola (University of Michigan, lacrosse); Catherine Farrell (Manhattan College, track); Tammy Fennell (DeSales University, track and field); Matt Finn (SUNY Geneseo, lacrosse); Doug Goodwin (SUNY Binghamton, baseball); Chris Goria (University of Scranton, lacrosse); Nicholas Madonia (King’s College, football); Christian Marcello (SUNY Geneseo, boys lacrosse); Bryce Martino (Hofstra University, baseball); Michael Mongiello (Fairleigh Dickinson University, lacrosse); James Peters (Saint Joseph’s University, lacrosse); Kyle Phaneuf (Farmingdale State College, lacrosse); Isabella Romano (SUNY Albany, soccer); Gabrielle Schneider (Lehigh University, lacrosse); Marcin Termena (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, basketball); Cole Weiner (SUNY Plattsburgh, soccer); Gabriella Whitehouse (SUNY Stony Brook, lacrosse); Lauren Wozny (SUNY Geneseo, soccer); and Grace Young (SUNY Binghamton, track). 

The district congratulates the following student-athletes from High School West: Christian Amoruso (Lincoln Memorial University, baseball); Jharius Bernard (St. Joseph’s College, basketball); Matt Caddigan (University of Massachusetts, lacrosse); Connor Calderone (University of Maryland, lacrosse); Carl Carrano (SUNY Cortland, soccer); Erin Cascone (University of Hartford, lacrosse); Matt Cottage (Wingate University, boys, lacrosse); Jill Dantona (SUNY New Paltz, soccer); Paige Diecidue (Monmouth University, golf); Nick DeFelice (SUNY Binghamton, track); Alexa Dominger (Roger Williams University, swimming); Kevin Ehli (University of Utah, boys lacrosse); Grace Erny (Mercy College, girls lacrosse); Spencer Frank (University of Hartford, lacrosse); Jess Funke (SUNY New Paltz, soccer); Ryan Grande (LIU Post, soccer); Jacob Harrision (Volcom University, soccer); John Hoffman (Providence College, lacrosse); Mike Hunsucker (SUNY Cortland, soccer); Vinny Iannuzzi (Adelphi University, baseball); Regan Kielmeyer (Loyola University, lacrosse); Alicia Killeen (Mount Saint Mary College, softball); Taylor Mennella (Hofstra University, lacrosse); Emily Owenburg (SUNY Geneseo, soccer); John Pawlowski (Methodist University, golf); Jillian Pirozzi (University of Central Florida, twirling); Erick Reuter (SUNY Albany, soccer); Natalie Sancillo (SUNY Oneonta, soccer); Jimmy Schmidt (McDaniel College, lacrosse); Tyler Sheridan (Methodist University, soccer); Andrew Smith (Western Connecticut State College, lacrosse) Janine Suris (University of Florida, lacrosse); Griffin Sweeney (SUNY Brockport, soccer); Rob Tracy (SUNY Maritime, lacrosse); Jillian Unkenholz (SUNY Stony Brook, soccer); Cole Vencak (Dominican College, lacrosse); Rachel Watson (High Point University, cheerleading); Matt Weitemeyer (SUNY Oneonta, wrestling); Danielle Zarcone (Assumption College, volleyball). 

High School East’s honor speaker Thomas Fanning and High School West honor speaker Jonathan Pofcher were honored for their achievements, dedication and commitment at the 25th annual Suffolk County School Superintendents Association Valedictorian Luncheon. The students were  recognized along with valedictorians from throughout Suffolk County. Pofcher (sitting, second from left) and Fanning (sitting, center) are pictured with their families, guidance counselors and schools district administrators including Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane (left), High School West Principal John Coady (second from left), director of guidance Kevin Colon (center) and High School East Principal Dr. Kevin Simmons (second from right). 

For maintaining a 4.0 GPA for four consecutive years of high school, High School East and High School West recognized 186 seniors as Gold Cord recipients during their respective annual Gold Cord Awards ceremonies on May 23. At the High School East ceremony, 95 students were honored, while High School West recognized 91 of its students. Each student was called to the stage for recognition, a look back at their most memorable high school moments and to highlight future college and career goals. High School East Principal Dr. Kevin Simmons and High School West Principal John Coady presented each student with their gold cord and certificate while guidance counselors announced the recipients’ names.

High School East’s ThINK discovery science research students competed at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona, in May. Seniors Anthony D’Amore and Matthew Mullahy both received second place for their work in animal sciences and behavioral sciences, respectively. 

Anthony studied the larger rules that dictate biological evolution by creating virtual endocasts of crocodylomorph brains and evaluating the influence of habitat on brain shape. Matthew traced the morphology, or shape, of mouse NG2 glia and microglia, types of neuronal cells, to evaluate their change as a response to depression. 

“The excitement of seeing both boys share the stage together was a tribute to the collegial atmosphere that is promoted in the ThINK program,” said High School East science research coordinator Maria Zeitlin. “We all work long hours together to create a community for intellectual pursuit and to seek the answers to questions that solve problems for our community as human beings on the planet.”

This year’s Intel Science and Engineering Fair was the largest to date with 1,852 participants from around the globe. 

High School East and West students were recently selected to receive the Students Building Bridges Award. They were honored for their efforts in building bridges across communities and creating a more civil society at Suffolk County’s Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) program hosted at Gurwin Jewish. Each student was recognized with a citation from an elected official and a certificate from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island.

The district congratulates the following students: Alexis Albert (High School East), Shayna Moses (High School West), Katheryn Schneider (High School West), Angela Walz (High School East) and Alexander Weiner (High School West). 

The Smithtown Central School District’s Board of Education honored its dedicated teachers and administrators who are receiving tenure at a reception prior to the board meeting. 

During the meeting, Smithtown Central School District’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane announced the names of each tenured individual to be recognized on behalf of the board of education. 

The district congratulates the following tenured teachers/administrators: 

Kristen Andriaccio, director of professional learning and student intervention services
Jessica Brunet, special education teacher, High School West
Caitlyn Campbell, special education teacher, Great Hollow Middle School
Stephen Costello Jr., business teacher, High School East
Anne D’Addario, family and consumer science teacher, Great Hollow Middle School
Katie DiGregorio, English as a second language, High School West
Amanda LaComb, science teacher, High School East
Kathleen Lamitola, special education teacher, St. James Elementary School 
Jaclyn Lazio, special education teacher, Great Hollow Middle School 
Melissa May, math teacher, Accompsett Middle School/ High School West
Stephanie Mueller, guidance/school counselor, Nesaquake Middle School 
Danielle Nacarlo, psychologist, High School West
Brian Pelosi, special education teacher, Accompsett Elementary School 
Taramatie Putnam, music teacher, Great Hollow Middle School
Nancy Torzullo, teacher assistant, St. James Elementary School 
Cristina Westhoff, English teacher, Accompsett Middle School/ High School East

High School East senior Ian Winkeler has been named a 2019 National Merit Scholar. He is among the 2,500 winners of the 2019 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship. The winners were selected from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists.

Ian is a member of the National, Math, English and Tri-M honor societies. He also plays the alto saxophone in the school’s jazz ensemble. Winkeler is a member of the Quiz Bowl team and plays both volleyball and tennis. Outside of school, he is a certified EMT and a volunteer with the Nissequogue Fire Department. Ian will be attending Stony Brook University in the fall, majoring in biochemistry. 

National Merit winners are judged based on their accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college courses. The judges evaluate grades, difficulty of courses, standardized test scores, contributions and leadership both in school and in the community, an essay and a recommendation from a high school official. 

The merit scholarship program was created in 1955. Students in grades nine through 12 vie for academic recognition and financial support. About 1.6 million students take the qualifying test every year and about 50,000 of the highest scorers have the chance to be considered.

“Ian exemplifies the best and brightest our school has to offer,” said High School East Principal Dr. Kevin Simmons. “He is hard working, diligent and courteous. He is a role model both in the classroom and on the athletic field. He will be a fine asset to Stony Brook University next fall.”