Smithtown HSE Senior Dylan Shen Named Regeneron Scholar

Smithtown High School East senior named Regeneron Scholar

Smithtown High School East Science Research Coordinator Maria Zeitlin, High School East senior Dylan Shen, and Smithtown Central School District Director of Science, Dr. Stephanie O’Brien.Smithtown High School East senior Dylan Shen was named a top 300 Scholar in the 83rd Regeneron Science Talent Search.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition, recognizing the best and brightest young scientists for demonstrating exceptional scientific leadership potential.

High School East senior Dylan ShenDylan’s project titled, “A Novel Algorithm for Measuring Forest Incursions Using Pixelated Remote Sensing Data,” involved creating an original computer program which exploits a rolling disc methodology that efficiently and swiftly analyzed deforestation areas.

 “I am so excited for Dylan to be recognized for his novel work,” East Research Coordinator, Ms. Maria Zeitlin said. “It highlights that science is not portioned into sections such as environmentalists or coders, but rather, it is a collaborative endeavor of discovery.” 

Dr. Stephanie O’Brien, Smithtown School District science director, added, “The dedication, passion, and unwavering perseverance demonstrated by Dylan and all students who submitted their work is truly commendable and deserves to be celebrated.”

Dylan will receive $2,000 and be eligible for the finalist selection on Jan. 24. Additionally, the sponsor school will receive $2,000 to be used for the program. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Hypnotist David Lawrence Visits Smithtown HSW

Smithtown High School West students put ‘under the spell’

Smithtown High School West students from Introduction to Psychology, AP Psychology and Rho Kappa (the Social Studies Honor Society) enjoyed a visit from renowned hypnotist David Lawrence on Jan. 4.  

Lawrence successfully hypnotized several students who engaged in various activities including driving a car, finding a lost puppy and eating ice cream — leaving the audience transfixed then roaring with laughter.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Smithtown High School West students volunteered to be hypnotized on stage by hypnotist David Lawrence.

The Gingerbread Man At Accompsett Elementary

Found: The Gingerbread Man at Accompsett Elementary

Kindergarten students at Accompsett Elementary School wrapped up their ELA unit lessons by going on a scavenger hunt to find the “Gingerbread Man.”

Accompsett Elementary kindergartners went on a scavenger hunt to find the Gingerbread Man. Students had been studying gingerbread stories culminating in the book, “The Gingerbread Man Loose in School,” and were recently alerted that the Gingerbread Man himself was spotted in school.

After an exhaustive scavenger hunt riddled with clues, the children found the Gingerbread Man in one of the school hallways.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

KP Students Sierra Healy, Mikayla Terrana And Matthew Werner Named All-State

KINGS PARK HIGH SCHOOL NYSSMA ALL-STATE WINTER CONFERENCE

Left to Right – Matthew Werner, Sierra Healy, Mikayla TerranaThe NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference is one of the most prestigious music festivals in New York. The yearly conference is host to band, chorus, orchestra, and jazz ensembles consisting of top students from music departments across the state. To be selected for All-State, sophomores and juniors must perform a Level VI solo at the NYSSMA Solo Festival and earn a score from 98-100. Every year, roughly 6,500 students participate in the solo festival but only 600 students are chosen to perform in one of the All-State honors ensembles. The conference concludes with concert performances held at the Kodak Hall-Eastman Theatre in Rochester, New York.

This year, three seniors from Kings Park High School were selected and attended the conference as part of the All-State Symphonic Band (Matthew Werner) and All-State Symphony Orchestra (Sierra Healy and Mikayla Terrana). Congratulations to our All-State musicians for this incredible accomplishment!

Eight SHSW Students Selected To Perform In LI String Festival Orchestra

Musical honors for Smithtown High School West musicians

From left, Assistant Principal Christopher Elsesser, Jacey Lin, Hannah Ren, Heng Ye, Madelyn Donaghy, Henri Buchet, Jonathan Cho, Melvin Cheng, Katie Greening and Orchestra Director, Joseph Cotignola Jr. Smithtown High School West are proud to acknowledge that eight students were selected to perform as musicians in the 2023-2024 Long Island String Festival Association orchestra.

These students have earned this very prestigious honor through outstanding scores at the 2023 NYSSMA solo festival. In addition to demonstrating superior musicianship, these students continually excel in their ensemble classes, rehearsals and many performances throughout the year.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Kings Park HS Student Mitchell Barker Recognized By Nat'l Merit Scholarship Program

L to R: Jennifer Martino-Principal, Mitchell Barker, Dr. Timothy Eagen-Superintendent  Mitchell Barker, of Kings Park High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

     About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.  Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). They have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success.

     We at Kings Park High School would like to congratulate Mitchell, along with his family, for this recognition. We wish Mitchell well in all his future endeavors!  

SCSD Teachers And Admin Faced Harlem Wizards At HS East

Smithtown CSD faculty takes on the Harlem Wizards

On Dec. 6, Nesaquake Middle School teamed up with St. James and Dogwood elementary schools for a fun community family event held at Smithtown High School East.

Organized by each school’s PTA presidents, principals, assistant principals and teachers laced up their sneakers for a full court basketball game vs the Harlem Wizards.

More than 650 people attended the event. All proceeds go to support the schools’ Cultural Arts PTA programs and all the extras the PTA provides throughout the year.

Smithtown Central School District teachers and administrators faced the Harlem Wizards in a basketball game held at Smithtown High School East.

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

SHSW's Jack Melore Named Top Wide Receiver In Suffolk County

Smithtown High School West’s Jack Melore named top wide receiver in Suffolk County

mithtown High School West senior Jack Melore, named most outstanding wide receiver in Suffolk County, with head football coach Craig Perrino Smithtown High School West’s Jack Melore was named the National Football Foundation’s most outstanding wide receiver in Suffolk County on Dec. 4.

Jack had a season for the ages for the Bulls, finishing with 78 receptions for 1,258 yards and 17 TDs.

This season Jack also set the all-time Long Island record for career receptions with 158 and career receiving yards with 2,689.  

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Kings Park Senior Sierra Healy Named Semifinalist In Nat'l Merit Scholarship Program

2024 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist

L to R: Jennifer Martino-Principal, Sierra Healy, Dr. Timothy Eagen-SuperintendentKings Park High School Senior, Sierra Healy, has been selected as a Semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.  

     Sierra is amongst 16,000 Semifinalists in the 69^th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.  These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered in the spring from a pool of over 1.3 million students in about 21,000 high schools.   

     We at Kings Park High School would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sierra, along with her family, for this accomplishment.  Best wishes to Sierra for her continued academic success and ventures!  

CHS Student Luke Jovans Bowls Back-To-Back 300 Games

Commack High School ninth grader, Luke Jovans, is Commack’s first bowler to ever roll back-to-back 300 games during Commack Boys’ Bowling match against Northport High School at Larkfield Lanes on Tuesday, November 21. This was the team’s  first match for the season.  Luke’s first game was 219, giving him a three-game series of 819 pins. He will also be one of a handful of bowlers in Section XI this season that will bowl over 800 pins in a match.  

Bowling Coach Brian Gasser said, “There were six teams bowling at Larkfield Lanes for three separate matches. Everyone stopped to watch Luke roll his last few shots.  When he made his last strike, the place went crazy.  Luke was under a lot of pressure and performed at the highest level. It was exciting to see!”