The Islip School District honored numerous elementary and secondary students for their exceptional achievements during fall and winter at the annual Night of Champions event, held on Jan. 30 at the Board of Education meeting. Students demonstrating excellence in academics, athletics, music and leadership earned certificates, with their proud families in attendance.    

Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz and the district’s art and music teachers honored students who were selected for the SCMEA PEAK Festival from Commack Road Elementary School (Josephine Bosley, Benjamin Rovery, Madison Sclafani, Brandon Vergara and Julianna Willett) and Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School (Everly Farrell, Julia Haug, Beckett Kelly, Teagan Koller and Olivia Powers); students participating in the Long Island String Festival from Commack Road (Aidan Kelly), Sherwood (Lilah Hirschmann), Islip Middle School (Chelsea Cooper, Malcolm Friedman, Christopher Liang and Dominick Lovo) and Islip High School (Connor Clifford and Emily Flora); students chosen for NYSCAME All-County Band (Sophia Zurbaran) and NYSCAME All-County Chorus (Addison DeFalco, Isabella Dragos, Alexandra Noles, Juliana Sclafani and Aaron Thorn); and Islip High School participants in the Islip Arts Council’s Art of Healthy Eating contest (Camila Granados Godoy, Samantha Krut, Gabrielle Longobardi and Emma Newman) and the New York State Boards Association Student Art Exhibit (Abigail Butler-Lentini, Gianna DeMonte Alexa Diaz, Matthew Levy, Alexandra Mendez Duran and Kathiangelys Rios Cruz).

Islip High School Principal Lara Gonzalez and Assistant Principals Charlie Rizzuto, Meghan Stern and Lisa Ward presented the high school’s academic awards. Advanced Placement awards were recognized, for students earning the AP Seminar and Research Certificate (Jamie Atlas, Ankita Dhar, Layla Quinn), AP Scholar designation (Oliva Auerbach, Melina Bennett, Rafael Bonilla, Juliana Conlon, George DiJulio, Keira Ferrera, Mushfiqa Jahan, Amy Marconi, Melanie Marroquin, James Mugan, Harris Mukhtar, Mia Nano, Malik Nayab, Jake Teuschler, Caden Tierney, Isabela Ulloa, Lauren Wade and Aiden Zaneski), AP Scholar and AP Seminar and Research Certificate (Isabella Dragos, Aliannah Madriz, Nicole Matute, Riley O’Malley and Djimon Senior), AP Scholar with Honor designation (Reese Breslin, Guyveline Jean-Charles, Adrian Pantaleon and Kathryn Quinn), AP Scholar with Honor and AP Seminar and Research Certificate (Kaitlyn Riordan), AP Scholar with Distinction designation (Ryder Miranda), AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Seminar and Research Certificate (Elizabeth Ford), AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Capstone Diploma (Isabella Field, Emily Flora, Jake Mulholland and John Oggeri). Also recognized were the school’s National Merit Commended Students (Ryder Miranda and John Oggeri).

Athletic Director John Sparacio and several of his coaches presented sports recognitions for the fall season, noting that all of Islip’s fall varsity teams achieved New York State Scholar Athlete Team status. Honored high school student-athletes included boys cross-country athletes Ryan Donohue (All-League, All-Division) and Evan Rahner (Second Team All-League); girls cross-country athletes Elizabeth Hamm and Aliannah Madriz (both All-League); football players Jake DeGennaro (All-County), Christian Hall (First Team All-Division), Brady Nash (All-County, Boomer Award finalist, LaBue Award finalist, National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete), Josiah Patterson (First Team All-Division), Robert Rais (First Team All-Division), Jack Rao (Second Team All-Division), Dylan Smith (All-County, Long Island reception leader), Caden Tierney (Second Team All-Division), Louie Tuorto (Second Team All-Division), Michael Vitale (First Team All-Division) and Callahan Zusi (Second Team All-Division); boys golfer Jacob Petelin (All-League); gymnastics athletes Elaine Biscari (All-League, Scholar-Athlete), Emily DeCotis (All-League), Nicolette Ferraro (All-County) and Isabella Field (All County, state qualifier); boys soccer players Gavin Argenziano (All-League), Jamie Atlas (All-Conference, All-County), Jonathan Lovo Lopez (All-Conference) and Jack Whitehouse (All-League, League 7 Goalkeeper of the Year); girls soccer players Julia Dromerhauser (All-County), Shea LaGiglia (All-League), Nicole Matute (All-County, All-State, Newsday Top 100 Players, League 7 Player of the Year), Peighton McKenna (All-County, All-State, Newsday Top 100 Players), Amanda Owen (All-League) and Taylor Unverzagt (All-League); girls tennis players Addison Andria (All-League), Rowan Barry (All-League), Juliana Conlon (All-County), Elizabeth Desrochers (All-League), Isabella Dragos (All-League, Section XI Sportsmanship Award), Alexis Hand (All-County), Alyssa Muschenick  (All-County), Mia Nano (All-League) and Reese Wallace (All-County); and girls volleyball players Cali Addeo (All-Tournament), Riley Haynes (All-League), Ava Maresca (All-League, All-Classification), Arianna Speer (All-League), Jami Sullivan (All-League) and Jane Tierney (All-League, All-County, All-Tournament). Additionally, four coaches – Danielle Martello (girls tennis, Kristie Najdek (JV girls volleyball), Elizabeth Pyz (JV girls soccer) and Mike Reilly (varsity girls soccer) – were recognized for earning Coach of the Year honors in their respective sports.

Date Added: 2/11/2025

Islip Middle School students in teacher AnnMarie Mills’ science class recently ventured aboard a floating classroom on a research vessel from Stony Brook University’s Southampton Campus. During this special field trip, they learned about local marine biology by conducting water quality tests and assisting with the collection and identification of animals they caught using a drag net. The students were able to hold different species of fish and crabs including pufferfish, fluke and horseshoe crabs. Also in attendance on the trip was renowned wildlife photographer, writer and lecturer Chris Paparo, who also serves as proprietor of Fish Guy Photos and manager of Stony Brook’s Marine Sciences Center.

“We were fortunate enough to be able to bring home some tropical fish that we caught to keep in the classroom this year,” Mills said. “The lessons learned aboard the boat will be revisited throughout the school year. We were beyond grateful to have Chris Paparo as our expert. He was an outstanding addition to the trip and connected beautifully with the students.”

In addition, the Islip students wrote persuasive letters to letters to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, urging her to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act. The self-proclaimed naturalists were excited to join in the Seatuck Environmental Association’s campaign to help save this ecologically important animal.

“When cleaning out my classroom this year, I stumbled upon a large stack of handwritten letters that my former students wrote right before the world shut down during the pandemic,” Mills said. “Those letters were also written with the goal of conserving the horseshoe crab. I sent the ‘forgotten’ letters to the governor as well. It seemed only fitting that their voices were heard at this critical time of conservation.”

The middle school naturalists continued their mission to help save the environment and combat the “insect apocalypse” by replanting the seeds from the school’s native garden into pots so they can sponsor a future garden at one of the district’s local elementary schools this spring. While harvesting seeds from the garden, they identified and removed some invasive plants to help foster continued growth of native plants.

Date Added: 1/9/2025

Student singers from Islip High School and Islip Middle School embarked on their caroling rounds across the district on Dec. 19, making cheerful stops at Commack Road, Sherwood, Wing and the district office, as well as over the high school’s PA system. Led by Dr. Rich Harris, who accompanied the singers on keyboards, the approximately 100 choral students worked hard to prepare for this exuberant annual celebration of holiday music and community spirit.

“This is one of our favorite Islip traditions, and a reminder of music’s ability to connect us all, especially during the holidays,” Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz said.

Date Added: 1/9/2025

The Islip Public Library resonated with festive melodies on Dec. 14 as the Islip Middle School Chamber Ensemble delighted the community with their second annual holiday concert. Performing to a full audience in the library’s community room, talented orchestra students in grades 6 through 8 presented a vibrant program of holiday and seasonal favorites. Their heartfelt renditions showcased weeks of dedication and enthusiasm, creating a memorable afternoon for attendees of all ages.

“The ensemble’s performance was a perfect blend of joyful tunes that warmed hearts and lifted spirits,” said Julia Bartlett, the ensemble’s director. “It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season.

“The event underscored the power of music to bring people together, truly embodying the spirit of the holiday season,” Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz said.

Date Added: 1/2/2025