High School East’s varsity kickline team – the Whisperettes – participated in the Contest of Champions Nationals from March 1-3 in Orlando, Florida. The East team was named the small high kick national champions, capturing their 21st consecutive title. The team also earned second place in the large high kick category and were one of six teams selected by the judging panel to perform an encore of their large high kick routine during the awards presentation. The team is coached by Sarahbeth Cook and led by captain Julie Anderson, co-captains Leila Moghadasi, Liz Orlandi, junior captain Kelsey Finn and junior co-captain Karissa Duffy. 

Smithtown’s robotics team is heading to regionals. Watch some of the highlights of their build here.

Smithtown showed off the talent of its student body and recognized the accomplishments of students and staff during its Feb. 26 board of education meeting.

The meeting was held at Smithtown Elementary School, as the board of education is moving its meetings to different locations this school year in an effort to connect with the community. Smithtown Elementary fifth-graders showed off their performing skills with a sneak peek of a few songs from their upcoming presentation of “The Lion King” to start the meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane honored and recognized several teachers and a student. High School West senior Matthew Bizzaro was recognized for receiving first place in the Long Island round of the National Automotive Technology Competition. Four Smithtown teachers – David Junz, Kelly Bigliani, Glenn Rogers and Brian Cusati – were honored for being chosen as Project Lead the Way Master Teachers. Lastly, High School East math teacher Marianne Schoepflin was honored for achieving National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification. 

The district’s senior student-athletes put pen to paper as they signed national letters of intent to continue to play their sports at the collegiate level next year. 

From High School East, nine student-athletes signed their letters. They are: Alexander Blatt, lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University; Sophia DeNicola, lacrosse, University of Michigan; Catherine Farrell, track and field, Manhattan College; Douglas Goodwin, baseball, Binghamton University; William Kennedy, baseball, Hofstra University; Isabella Romano, soccer, SUNY Albany; Gabrielle Schneider, lacrosse, Lehigh University; Gabriella Whitehouse, lacrosse, Stony Brook University; and Grace Young, track and field, Binghamton University. 

At High School West, the following student-athletes committed to their college sports: Matt Caddigan, lacrosse, University of Massachusetts; Conor Calderone; lacrosse, University of Maryland; Erin Cascone, lacrosse, Hartford University; Lauren Coletti, lacrosse, Hofstra University; Marc Cottage, lacrosse, Wingate University; Nick DeFelice, track, Binghamton University; Paige Diecidue, golf, Monmouth University; Kevin Ehli, lacrosse, University of Utah; Spencer Frank, lacrosse, Hartford University; John Hoffman, lacrosse, Providence College; Regan Kielmeyer, lacrosse, Loyola University; Lindsey McCarthy, girls soccer, Molloy College; Taylor Menella, lacrosse, Hofstra University; and Janine Suris, lacrosse, University of Florida. 

The district’s robotics team, the Mechanical Bulls, has partnered with Altice for the 2018-2019 competition season. Altice sponsors more than 40 robotics teams across the country and is also a sponsor of the FIRST Robotics competition. Along with the sponsorship, Altice also connects employees who work as mentors with the team. This year, Smithtown residents and Altice employees Scott Morgan and Joe Godas have been working with the team on the technical and business side of the competition. The mentors come in a few times throughout the season to help guide the team.

High School East student Chris Jarosak has been named a winner in the Scholastic Art Awards. Chris, who is an AP art student in teacher Tim Needles’ class, won two awards: a silver key in digital art for his piece “Pulled Down” and an honorable mention in drawing and illustration for his piece “Mountain.” Chris is pictured here with Mr. Needles and his “Pulled Piece” art.

 

As a kickoff to Mills Pond’s Parents as Reading Partners program, High School East Drama Club students visited the school for a superhero performance on Feb. 1. Theater students Meleni Sarantos, Dylan McCormick and Calvin Dean performed an original play written by Sarantos. They convinced hundreds of K-5 students that “Reading Is Incredible!”

At the Jan. 22 board of education meeting, the district recognized the two seniors who were named 2019 Regeneron Scholars. High School West’s Alexander Rodriguez (left) was honored for his research on “A Genomic and Pharmacological Analysis of Adenosine Receptors in the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis,” while High School East senior Anthony D’Amore was recognized for his research, “Habitat Preference Drives Brain Shape in Crocodylomorphs.” The two science researchers are among the 53 Long Island students who have been named semifinalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. They are pictured with Board of Education President Jeremy Thode (left) and Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Grossane.