Islip High School sponsored its second annual overnight college tour in mid-November, with 50 students and five adult chaperones traveling for three days and two nights to the Mid-Atlantic region. Students in grades 9-12 were encouraged to attend, with priority registration offered to upperclassmen.

Students visited seven universities over three days, including Johns Hopkins University and Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland; University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland; University of Delaware in Newark, Maryland; United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia; and Howard University in Washington, DC.

Meetings with student groups at Howard University and JHU were among the many highlights of the trip. At the Naval Academy, the men’s lacrosse coach, along with several players, hosted the Islip group for a private information session as well as a special tour of the academy buildings, grounds and athletic facilities. The group was also delighted to meet with two recent Islip High School alumni, one at the University of Delaware and the other at Howard University. In addition to college visits, students attended a live performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and a basketball game at the University of Maryland.

“This trip has definitely made me think more about what I like and dislike in a campus when it comes time to apply,” junior Emma Jones said.

“I now have some ideas of where I may want to apply next year,” junior Carlos Henriquez said.

“We are very proud of our unique program that offers students exposure to a wide array of colleges,” Principal Dr. Lara Gonzalez said. “We are committed at Islip High School to helping students forge life trajectories that offer them a world of possibility after high school. Getting to set foot on a college campus for the first time and interacting with college students and admissions officers at a variety of universities can open students’ eyes to options that they had not previously considered.”

“Our recent college tour gave students an invaluable opportunity to experience campus life firsthand, engage with current students, and explore the diverse offerings of both large and small schools, helping them envision future opportunities,” Assistant Principal Meghan Stern said.

Last school year, 95 Islip High School students toured seven universities in the Boston and Connecticut areas.

These overnight college tours are part of a larger college awareness program for high school students that include onsite visits with college admissions representatives, school day and evening college fairs, school day visits to local universities, and full day trips to colleges within and out of state. Islip High School’s goal is to offer students at all grade levels multiple opportunities to learn about post-high school options, to experience a college campus firsthand, and to interact with college students and representatives from a wide variety of higher education institutions so that students can make informed decisions after graduation from high school.

Date Added: 1/27/2025

Islip High School juniors Samantha Krut, Gabrielle Longobardi and Emma Newman recently earned third place and a $25 award each at the Islip Arts Council’s Art of Healthy Eating contest. The students’ joint artwork entry, titled “Primary Colors Meets Primary Food,” was guided by fine arts teacher Jenna Buzzeo.

Date Added: 1/13/2025

Continuing to honor a beloved late alumnus, Islip High School’s annual basketball tournament last month raised over $1,000 for the Anil John Memorial Scholarship.  
 
On Oct. 6, 2015 the Islip school community lost one of its best and brightest when Class of 2015 graduate Anil John lost his life in a tragic accident. John was a three-year varsity basketball player and senior captain who inspired and touched the hearts of everyone who met him. Later that year, in collaboration with the Islip Booster Club, the varsity basketball team renamed their annual tournament the Anil John Tip-Off Classic and established the memorial scholarship in his name. The number 22 has been retired forever in the Islip boys basketball program in his honor. Each year, Anil John T-shirts are sold to the community, students, athletes and teachers to raise money for the scholarship, which is awarded to one female and one male basketball player.  

“From students, coaches, teams, teachers and administrators to food services staff, custodians and community members, just about everyone comes together to remember Anil,” physical education teacher Patricia Whitehouse said.

“We are blessed to have the support we have each year from Anil’s family, the Islip teachers, administrators, students, staff, opposing teams and the Islip community to raise the funds for the scholarship,” Islip boys basketball coach Jamie Lynch said.

Date Added: 1/13/2025