Long Beach varsity athletes culminated a successful season during Spring Sports Awards Night, held on June 4 in the high school auditorium. Students received awards both individually and with their teams in honor of their efforts, skills, sportsmanship and dedication on and off the field. 

The following teams were acknowledged for a season of good sportsmanship and effort: Girls badminton, baseball, boys golf, girls golf, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, softball, boys tennis, boys track and girls track. The girls lacrosse team celebrated a Nassau County Semifinalist achievement and the softball team was Conference Champion. 

The boys tennis, boys golf, softball, baseball, girls lacrosse, girls golf, girls badminton and girls track teams were recognized as Scholar/Athlete Teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for maintaining Grade Point Averages of 90 percent or higher. Additionally, numerous special plaques were presented to students who have demonstrated good character, service to others, team spirit, academic excellence, leadership and passion for athletics. 

Lido School students in grades 3-5 competed in the building’s sixth annual Math Tournaments on June 17. Third- and fourth-graders participated in a Math Around the World challenge, while fifth-graders entered a contest called Math 24. Congratulations to the following winners! 

Grade 3
1st  Sydney Olivo 
2nd Kaitlyn Kelly 
3rd Madeline Nolan 

Grade 4
1st Luke O’Conner 
2nd Cian Donaghy 
3rd Dylan Brennan 

Grade 5
2nd Michael Farrell 
3rd Jack Leone- 

Long Beach High School junior Hayden Henry has received the Rensselaer Medal Award from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was nominated by high school officials and earned the distinction based on outstanding academic achievement in math and science. 

According to the Rensselaer Medal Program, this award provides a $25,000 per year merit scholarship guaranteed for four years for each Medalist who applies, is accepted and chooses to enroll at Rensselaer. 

The Long Beach Public Schools extend congratulations to Hayden on this remarkable accomplishment!

Congratulations, East School! Students were named silver award winners in Dancing Classrooms of Long Island's 2019 Nassau Spring Colors of the Rainbow Team Match.

Congratulations to Long Beach High School senior Lexie Correia on her All-American lacrosse achievement. This is the highest honor in high school girls lacrosse, and was bestowed upon only nine athletes in Nassau County and 18 on Long Island. 

Lexie is a two-time All-County player. She has started on the Long Beach Varsity Girls Lacrosse team since ninth grade and received All-County School Girls Team 1, Brine All Star Team and FLG Showcase All Star Team distinctions. She was named FLG Player of the Game five times and was chosen for the FLG Greatest of All Time Team. Additionally, she is a three-time Newsday Player and has twice been featured in Newsday’s Top 100 Players to Watch. 

This year, Lexie recorded 76 points – 54 goals and 22 assists. "Containing Correia" was the theme for the Verizon Fios games covered this season and that prior.   

Lexie’s skill and dedication does not end at lacrosse – she was also a two-year starter for the high school’s New York State Championship Volleyball team. Academically, she has consistently excelled as a scholar athlete since 2016 and has been on the high honor roll for the past two years. She is heading to Bryant University after graduation, where she will continue playing lacrosse at the Division I level. 

“Lexie is a phenomenal athlete and an explosive lacrosse midfielder,” said coach Rachel Ray. “She defines what a US Lacrosse All American is. Lexie has proven herself to be one of the best midfielders in Nassau County and on Long Island.”

 

LARC student Winter Collinson was named the Third Most Philosophical Fifth Grader in America in the Kids Philosophy Slam competition. This program inspires students to unlock their intellectual and creative potential through a unique and powerful philosophical forum. 

After studying a unit on philosophy, LARC students contemplated the philosophical question for the competition and conducted research to write a creative response to the question "Hate or Love: Which has a greater impact on society?" 

Winter addressed this topic and concluded her piece with the Martin Luther King, Jr. quote, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” She reflected further in stating, “All in all, I’d agree if you said hate has a stronger impact on society than love, even though, love is far better.” Her full winning entry is shared on the Philosophy Slam website at 
http://www.philosophyslam.org/20195thGrade3rdPlace.html. 

Long Beach Middle School technology students participated in and nearly swept the Cradle of Aviation Maglev Competition during the week of June 10. Congratulations to Alexey Tutkevich and Axel Zelaya, who took first place, and Keane Mahony, who achieved third place.

The students all entered Category 5 – the highest level of competition. For this challenge, they were required to develop a maglev vehicle that carried pennies (representing passengers) down the track as quickly and efficiently as possible. The winning vehicle was chosen based on a figure of merit equation in which speed is multiplied by the number of passengers carried, then divided by the number of magnets affixed to the vehicle.  

“This forced the students to not only think about aerodynamics but also the cost and efficiency of their vehicle,” said teacher Brian Pross. “Students worked in pairs and utilized many different tools to construct the vehicles and solve problems that they encountered.”

Congratulations to our tenure recipients! Here are some of the comments our students have shared about these teachers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDHXAVMd4b4

Sixteen Long Beach High School photography students currently have their work on display in the Long Beach Public Library! These pieces are showcased in a new exhibit area near the children’s section. Great job to these talented photographers!

The Long Beach Public Schools is pleased to share a video collaboration between LBHS musician/composer Alec Chasin and LBHS videographer Charles Mandell. One of Alec's original compositions created in Andrew Rossi's IB Music class, “Mezzanote” is performed by Alec, sophomore Matthias Roth and music teachers Justin Marks & Marino Bragino.

Fifth-eight Class of 2019 graduates were presented with stoles that signify their completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. This feat entailed two higher-level and three standard-level International Baccalaureate courses, internal assessments, external exams, a Theory of Knowledge course, an extended essay and 150 hours of community service.

The eighth annual IB Diploma recognition ceremony featured the theme of inquiry; one of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile traits. Students Emma McGovern and Cristina Goeller led the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, respectively, and Adriana Zieba Rosa presented a student montage. Board of Education President Dr. Dennis Ryan and Principal Jeffrey Myers welcomed attendees, and IB Essay Coordinator Toni Weiss was selected as the keynote speaker. Edward Vrona was chosen to represent the class and reflect on the program and experience. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher commended the students and joined Mr. Myers in presenting the stoles. 

Congratulations to the following students, who took on this monumental endeavor in addition to their already challenging high school academic program:

JAMIE ALEGRIA

DEVIN APPLE

ALYSCIA BATISTA

LAUREN BULIK

PAIGE CARPENTER

JOSEPH CARR

NICOLE CELIS

ALEC CHASIN

NICOLE CODIANNI

ALEXA COFFIN

MICHAEL CORSALE

ANDREW D'ALESSANDRO

RYAN DAS

ALEISHA DEGILLO

KAYLA DERNER

DYLAN EDELMAN

KATHERINE FARRELL

TALIA FERNANDEZ

CRISTINA GOELLER

ANGELICA GONZALES

MADISON GUSLER

BRIANNA HASKINS

ALEXANDER JOHANNESSON

JOSHUA KAPILIAN

CHARLOTTE KILE

MIA KREISS

HARRY LEE

SARAH LEE

TARYN LYNCH

EMILY MCDONNELL

EMMA MCGOVERN

JACOB MILLER

ESTHER MOLLOY

SOPHIA MUNIER

JASON OCAMPO

JACK PALMER

ERICK PARGA

EDDIE PEREZ

EMILY PIERNICK-NAZINITSKY

JARROD PINE

ALEXANDER RAMIREZ

KELLY ROETHEL

KATELYN SALVATO

KAITHLYN SANCHEZ

MAYA SAVINO

ERIC SENGENBERGER

BROOKE SHAPIRO

RILEY SHARPE

JAYLYN UMANA

KATHLEEN VERASTEGUI

DMYTRO VREMENKO

EDWARD VRONA

BROOKE WALLER

THOMAS WALSH

BRETT WEINER

TREVOR YANOWITCH

HANNAH ZELINGER

ADRIANA ZIEBA ROSA

 

On June 5, Long Beach High School’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society held its induction and nomination ceremony. Thirty-two students were inducted, and 29 were nominated for the next school year.  

NAHS Advisor Sue Presberg provided welcoming remarks and introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Nicolas Bruno. Based in Northport, Mr. Bruno has had his work exhibited internationally, nationally and locally, and has been featured in prominent museums, galleries, publications and films. 

Current NAHS officers Officers Jaci Zitman, Nina Capofarri, Kaleigh DeStefano and Victoria Posada, along with incoming officers Lindsey Del Rio, Robin Xiao, Carmen Sabedra and Winona MacPhee, were involved in the ceremony as well. After Abegail Bagacay led the Pledge of Allegiance, Emily provided an explanation of the Elements of Art and Jaci shared the year’s overview. Lindsey and Carmen discussed next year’s goals, and Nina led the society’s pledge. Winona and Robin demonstrated a senior cords presentation, and Kaleigh initiated the ceremonial candle lighting signifying the induction. Victoria stated the society’s charge.

The 2019 inductees are Allen, Madeline, Abegail Bagacay, Jaime Bernstein, Nina Capofarri, Leah Cohen, Audrey Cozine, Lindsey Del Rio, Kaleigh DeStefano, Summer Ejnes, Fiona Eramo, Emma Herbert, Jaclyn Javakian Elizabeth Kelly, Charlotte Kile, Isabel Kreutzberg, Blake Langbart, Harry Lee, Sarah Lee, Jillian Lerner, Winona MacPhee, Charles Mandell, Analia Minuchin, Jessie Page, Victoria Posada, Elizabeth Rooney, Carmen Sabedra, Isabella Salsone, Noelle Soren, Emily Tejeda-Postigo, Rachelle Vidallon, John Whelan and Jaci Zitman.

Each year, a staff member is granted an honorary NAHS membership. This year, Ms. Presberg bestowed the honor to Vice Principal Elizabeth Walsh-Bulger. She additionally presented scholarship awards to numerous students. Special thanks to go Joshua Kapilian, Thomas Walsh, Dylan Edelman, Liam Keane and Matthias Roth for providing musical entertainment.

Long Beach High School students Lindsey Del Rio, Alexis Palmer and Charles Mandell were chosen to have their photos exhibited at the Artistic Discovery Congressional High School Art exhibit, hosted by Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, from May 24-30. At the awards reception, held on May 31, Charles won third place and was awarded a scholarship to Adelphi University. 

Lindsey Del Rio, Leah Cohen and Jose AcRivas won first, second and third place awards for the Zirinsky Competition of the Manhasset/Great Neck Camera Club. They were joined by teacher Suzanne Presberg at an event held at the Swan Club on June 6, where they were presented with a print of their photo, a plaque and a check.  

Long Beach High School held its inaugural event honoring students who received the Seal of Biliteracy on June 6. This is the first year that the school offered this opportunity to students enrolled in French, Italian and Spanish, and 34 seniors earned the distinction for proficiency in their studied languages. 

According to the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, its intent is to encourage the study of languages; identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers; provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission; prepare students with twenty-first century skills; recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools; and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

The accomplishment reflects students’ success on exams and projects completed as part of their language classes. 

Congratulations to the following students: 

John Aebly
Amy Ajsivinac
Jamia Alegria
Alyscia Batista
Madison Bloom
Paige Carpenter
Joseph Carr
Nicole Celis
Nicole Codianni
Alexa Coffin
Dylan Edelman
Talia Fernandez
Madison Gusler
Emma Herbert
Jake Ignataw
Jaclyn Javakian
Joshua Kapilian
Isabel Kreutzberg
Sarah Lee
Harry Lee
Giovanni Mangiafreno
Marco Marin
Jeslie Marte
Emma McGovern
Sophia Munier
Jennifer Murphy
Jason Ocampo
Jonathan Orozco-Diaz
Erick Parga
Jarrod Pine
Emily Tejeda-Postigo
Dmytro Vremenko
Thomas Walsh
Brett Weiner

Long Beach Middle School students helped raise $426 for the Long Beach Christmas Angel charity. They sold LBCA bracelets this spring and gathered with Principal Dr. Paul Romanelli on May 30 to present a check to the organization’s Executive Director, Johanna Sofield. 

The LBCA seeks to assist families in financial crisis in the Long Beach community. The group primarily works directly with the school district’s social workers, community leaders and first responders to provide support to working families experiencing a sudden financial hardship due to an illness, sudden death, or loss of employment. LBCA also continues to assist families still recovering from Superstorm Sandy.

Long Beach High School’s auditorium stage was illuminated with pride on May 30, when 170 seniors were recognized for exemplary efforts in academics, the arts, athletics, community service and other areas. Senior Scholarship Night is an annual tradition that celebrates members of the graduating class and acknowledges their achievements with scholarship awards.

Hundreds of awards, totaling more than $112,000, were presented thanks to the generosity of local individuals, businesses and organizations. Family members and friends came out to applaud the honorees, as did the district’s many educators who have been dedicated to student learning and success. 

The Soundwaves vocal ensemble provided a musical interlude, and Shea McMahon performed the national anthem. Board of Education Trustee Tina Posterli, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, High School Principal Jeffrey Myers and Coordinator of School Counseling Kerry Fallon welcomed all attendees with opening remarks. 

“In addition to being a celebration of individual accomplishments of our students, this evening is a recognition of our school community as a whole,” Mr. Myers said. “The success we are recognizing in our students is directly impacted by the social impact of others.”  

“The spirit of this community will be with you and will keep you grounded and strong,” Ms. Posterli told the students. “We’ve all seen what we can accomplish together, as evidenced by the aftermath of [Superstorm] Sandy, and now you are going to take that strength with you in the sense of being part of something so much greater.”  

Senior Class President Talia Fernandez addressed her peers and audience and summarized the many achievements that were earned throughout the year. 

An assortment of scholarships were provided on behalf of local PTAs, teachers’ associations, government offices, civic groups and businesses. Several recognitions were presented as memorials in honor of individuals who have touched many lives and left a lasting positive impact on the Long Beach School District and community. 

“Long Beach is a community that supports our students and their education and does so with joy and energy, so thank you to all who are here tonight to support our kids,” said Dr. Gallagher. “To our soon-to-be graduates, I am so happy for you and so proud of you.” 

Long Beach musicians presented extraordinary performances at the NYSSMA Majors event, held at Hofstra University in May. The elementary, middle and high school levels were represented, and a total of 16 Long Beach performance groups received eight gold awards, seven silver awards and a bronze award. Congratulations to these ensembles! Full results are as follows:

East Elementary School Chorus (Bennett): Level 1 Gold
West Elementary School Chorus (Krywe): Level 1 Gold
MS 8th grade Chorus (Farrell): Level 1 Silver
MS 6th Grade Band (Renoud): Level 1 Gold
MS 7th Grade Band (O’Brien): Level 3 Gold
MS 8th Grade Band (O’Brien): Level 3 Silver
MS 6th Grade Orchestra (Lobenstein): Level 1 Gold
MS 7th Grade Orchestra (Lobenstein): Level 2 Gold
MS 6th Grade Orchestra (Lobenstein): Level 3 Silver
HS Concert Band (Marks): Level 4 Bronze
HS Symphonic Band (Marks): Level 5 Silver
HS Wind Ensemble (Bragino): Level 6 Gold
HS Concert Orchestra (Albani): Level 3 Silver
HS Symphonic Orchestra (Albani): Level 5 Gold
HS Mixed Chorus (Capobianco): Level 4 Silver
HS Select Choir (Capobianco): Level 6 Silver
 

Long Beach High School students received numerous distinctions for their poetry. At Adelphi Poetry Day, held on May 1 at Adelphi University, Uma Arengo and Jason Ferrante earned Excellence in Poetry honors while Andrea Dispo and Victoria Lugo were presented with Citations in Poetry. Matt Landsman’s poem was selected for publication in Live Poets Society, New Jersey.   Nicole Codianni is one of the top three students selected from all submissions to compete at Write, Rhyme & Recite Collective - Celebrating Young Poets and Highlighting Authors. The event will be held on June 8 at the African American Museum in Hempstead, and contenders will participate with the prospect of winning a scholarship.

Long Beach High School students achieved excellent results on the Le Grand Concours National French Contest, presented by the American Association of Teachers of French. Collectively, the freshmen and sophomores earned a gold, silver and two bronze medals.

Tenth grader Caroline Roser-Dialma won a gold medal, having achieved a ranking of second in Nassau County and at the national level. Her score was within the 95th percentile nationally. Delphine Esformes, also a tenth grader, was awarded a silver medal for achieving a ranking of thirteenth in Nassau County and fourteenth at the national level. Her score was within the 85th percentile nationally. Sophomore Gabrielle Selter and freshman Isadora Turbek each received bronze medals. Gabrielle’s rankings were fifteenth in Nassau County and sixteenth at the national level, and her score was within the 80th percentile nationally. Isadora’s rankings were eleventh at both the county and national levels, and her score was within the 80th percentile nationally. 

Congratulations on these outstanding accomplishments!

The Long Beach Public Schools’ May 23 Board of Education Meeting spotlighted science students for their achievements. The district recognized numerous students who have excelled in various science related competitions in the 2018-19 school year. 

Senior Jaylyn Umana presented his paper, “DFT+U+J electronic structure calculations of correlated Bi2CrAl3O9,” at the 2019 American Physical Society meeting in March. 

At the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, Joshua Kapilian placed third in Environmental and Engineering for his project, “Analyzing the Environmental Benefits of a More Efficient Model of United States Airspace Control.” He also earned a special award from the American Meteorological Society for this research at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, where Paige Carpenter was honored with an award from the Association for Women Geoscientists for her work, “Investigating shoreline dynamics.”

In the Toshiba/NSTA Exploravision Competition, Benjamin Armus and William King received an Honorable Mention for their project, “A Better Hurricane Classification System.” Eddie Perez and Dmytro Vremenko excelled in the New York State Science and Engineering Fair’s Andromeda Competition for their research, titled “Water Contamination Effects on Microalgae.”

Long Beach students collectively garnered 13 distinctions in the Long Island Science Congress – 2019 Awards Senior Division. Congratulations to Joshua Kapilian, Lauren Bulik, Emily McDonnell, Eddie Perez, Dmytro Vremenko, Uma Arengo, Maya Arengo, Andie Zion, Trey Heller, Aleisha Degillo, Nicole Codianni, Tyler Collinson, Sophia Munier, Nicole Celis, Talia Fernandez, Alexa Coffin, Matt Amato, Catherine McNamara, Jordan Moses, Julia Silverberg and Giselle Fernandez. 

A total of 20 students earned achievements in the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Laboratory's Barcode LI Program. Benjamin Armus, Emily Baldeo, Samantha Breen, Akilah Conquest, Julian Goren, Jacob Grant, Molly Hennessy, Abdul Muqadim Khan, William King, Cameron Moses, Sarah Munier, Harry Murphy, Ariel Keynan, Daniel O'Connor, Joseph Pimentel, Gabrielle Pine, Gwendolyn Posner, Freddy Ramon, Samantha Rosenbaum and Isadora Turbek received accolades for their successful participation in this experience. 

In conjunction with Earth Month, the Long Beach Public Schools switched to environmentally friendly paper-pulp lunch trays for all of April. As a result of the initiative’s success, the buildings are continuing to use these trays for the duration of the school year with the possibility of future use as well. 

Aware of Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford’s co-sponsorship of legislation to ban polystyrene use, Art teacher Laura Swan invited her to visit Long Beach Middle School on May 7 to address the seventh grade “Stewards of the Sea.” This group of students participates in various activities aimed to help preserve the planet and its resources. 

The district’s Assistant Superintendent for Finances and Operations Michael DeVito and Food Services Director Steven Kamlet attended the gathering, as they were instrumental in the rollout of cardboard trays. Middle School Principal Dr. Paul Romanelli and Vice Principals Keith Biesma and Lorie Beard joined them as well. A panel of five students shared reasons why polystyrene, which cannot be recycled, is a poor choice. 

Legislator Ford was so moved by the students’ presentation that she invited them to speak before numerous legislators at a May 20 session, “The Banning of Styrofoam Legislation,” held at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. Mr. DeVito and Mr. Kamlet also spoke at this conference and supported the students’ testimony, sharing important details about how Long Beach is a leader in this effort to help the environment – a vital resource to the community. The bill, co-sponsored by Legislator Ford, Legislator Laura Schaefer and Legislator Debra Mule, passed unanimously. 

The paper-pulp trays are just one of the green initiatives that Long Beach schools embraced. For the past two years, the district has been using paper boxed water with plant-based caps to minimize plastic usage and exposure, as well as removing the use of plastic straws. 

Several students representing Long Beach LARC received a perfect score in one of the challenge meets in this year’s WordMasters Challenge™—a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 150,000 students annually.

Competing in the very difficult Gold Division, fourth graders Jordi Perez and Ronin Morita and fifth graders Eva Gargiulo and Kailyn Kelly each earned a perfect score of 20 on one of the challenges. Nationally, only 3% of fourth graders and 9% of fifth graders taking the meet achieved this result. Other students from Long Beach LARC who achieved outstanding results in the meets include third graders Hudson Christine and Tyce Laros; fourth graders Ian Olivo, Ariana Lye, Andrew Doyle, Caley O’Brien, Kate Ragona, Jordan Soriano; and fifth graders Elliot Biern, Lilin Garfinkel, Shane Haglich, Jordan Haltrecht, Winter Collinson, Marissa Miller, Brooke Nielson, Lucia Petty, Sienna Warren, Sydney Brandt, Catherine Maguire, Geddy Moss, Julia DiGiorgio, Luke Morita, and Nina Rugolsky.

The students were coached in preparation for the WordMasters Challenge™ by Dr. Caitlin King and Mr. Justin Sulsky.

The WordMasters Challenge™ is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships. Working to solve the analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically. 

Three Long Beach High School seniors signed National Letters of Intent on May 15, bringing the total number of Class of 2019 members who have officially committed to college sports teams to ten – the highest in many years. Congratulations to Aidan Kennedy, Emma McGovern and Fiona Rafferty on their recent accomplishments. 

Aidan and Fiona are both heading to Adelphi University to join the swim and lacrosse teams, respectively, while Emma will play volleyball at Bryant University. The three were joined by parents, coaches, Principal Jeffrey Myers and Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Arnold Epstein for a celebration of their collegiate athletic decisions. 

Ryan Aroesty, Jillian Canner, Lexie Correia, Grace Rosenberg, Kailey Skarren, Kathleen Verastegui and Daisy Willard signed Letters of Intent during a separate gathering held this past fall. 

Long Beach High School’s TV Studio Production students are having a successful spring, earning numerous awards and moments in the spotlight. Students took home several awards from the recent BASH event, held at Stony Brook University on May 3. 

BASH stands for Broadcasting Awards for Senior High. A total of 21 schools across Long Island were represented, with more than 400 students in attendance. Contestants entered their work in six categories, and a special seventh one titled Newsday's Next LI provided a way to recognize videos that highlight social injustice. 

Long Beach High School won first place for Best Opening Segment and second place for Best Overall Show, and Ashanti Sherred's video for the Newsday's Next LI competition won second place. All students in the TV Studio Production class played a role in the overall show achievement. Cameron Conte, Edward O'Shea, James Rosenthal, Ashanti Sherred, Harry Lee, Colby Lewis, Charles Mandell, Alexander Nachman, James O'Connor and Melody Moy were particularly instrumental in carrying it out. For Best Opening Segment, James O'Connor and Melody Moy created the idea and storyboarded and filmed the introduction.

“It was wonderful to hear Long Beach High School announced for these wins in such a large audience,” said teacher Eric Krywe. “It was a great experience for our students that shined a positive light on our district. Our student's team first attitude and hard work effort resulted in our overall success.”

Additionally, several students have had their work selected for future opportunities. A short film titled “Lost and Found” by Ashanti Sherred will be shown in the “First Exposure” Film Festival on May 19, hosted by Suffolk County executive Steve Belone and held at the Cinema Arts Center in Huntington. A piece titled “Flip,” created by Charles Mandell, Melanie Moy and James O’Connor, will be presented at the St. John’s Film Festival. Both films will be showcased at the Long Island International Film Festival in July, as will several others created by Long Beach High School students. 

Six Long Beach High School students were recognized as winners in the Irish Cultural Society of Garden City’s Martin J. Kelly writing contest. Out of hundreds of submissions, Long Beach students secured five fourth place awards and one fifth place distinction. 

Congratulations to Tyler William Armak, Cole Goldstein, Hayden Henry, Evan Michaels, Saoirse Sullivan and Anna Xiao. Along with 530 other entrants, they wrote 300-400 word interior monologues of the thoughts of an Irish soldier fighting in the British army during World War 1. They were encouraged to look at the painting "Thinker on the Butte," by Irish artist William Orpen, for inspiration.

Lido Elementary School students learned about various job fields during a career day event, held on May 7. Presenters from throughout the community visited classes and discussed their roles, inspiring the students to think about the future and pursue their dreams.

Students learned about being a lawyer, financial planner, coach, DJ, choreographer, martial arts instructor, lifeguard, filmmaker, pediatrician, chiropractor, firefighter, police officer, professional surfer, FBI agent, caterer, hair dresser, makeup artist, pizza chef, architect and more. They also learned that it is possible to have multiple jobs based on their interests. 

The presenters answered questions from students and demonstrated ways that equipment is used in their vocations. Members of the fire department showed their audience what they wear for protection, while Lisa Baruch Cosmetics exhibited airbrushed makeup application. Ian Schrieber gave students an opportunity to stand behind the DJ booth, and Master Parks led Tae Kwon Do sessions. Students also enjoyed seeing the Customs and Border Protector canines and learning how the dogs are trained to help solve crimes. Many more workshops engaged students in hands on experiences that gave them an early look into the working world. 

Perseverance, strength and empathy are words that many staff members and students at Long Beach High School use to describe junior Brooke Yellin. Since the devastating loss of her mother in February of 2018, this noble and generous student has found solace in helping others. Less than one week after her mother passed unexpectedly, Brooke began fundraising and initiated the Geri E. Yellin Scholarship Fund. Just a few months later, her determination was evidenced in her first $500 scholarship presentation to a graduating senior.

Brooke has raised funds through the sale of bracelets, lanyards and silicone phone wallets – all of which incorporate her mother’s favorite color, purple. Over the first day and a half she had raised over $800. To date, she has single-handedly garnered approximately $3,000 in proceeds for the scholarship that continues her mother Geri’s legacy.

Now an annual award in its second year, the character-based scholarship is bestowed upon a Long Beach High School student who has overcome obstacles in his or her life and values education as Brooke’s mother had done. Geri Yellin was born with 5% of her oxygen going to her brain, and doctors did not expect her to live for more than two weeks. She was later diagnosed with dyslexia and worked hard to succeed in school. She never gave up, graduating high school and attending college. She greatly valued her education and instilled this appreciation in her daughter. She was dedicated to helping others through her work in child day cares and nursing homes. 

Brooke shares her mother’s philanthropic spirit – in addition to singlehandedly developing the scholarship, which she hopes to eventually expand to other districts and communities, she strives to make a difference throughout the high school. She volunteers with special-needs students, has been involved in peer leadership programs and provided inspiring presentations to ninth grade health classes. A soccer athlete and cheerleading team manager, she also regularly stays after school to assist with unified sports opportunities for Life Skills students and is interested in a future career as an adaptive physical education teacher. 

“Brooke is a quiet leader. She follows her own lead and sets a great example for others,” said Assistant Principal Dr. Francine Newman.

“My mom was so determined and willing,” Brooke said. “She knew the one thing she needed to finish was school – so this award is for someone who has faced obstacles and persevered. There are so many who go through the worst and can come out best.” 

Brooke runs a Go Fund Me page and Instagram dedicated to the Geri E. Yellin Scholarship Fund. She is currently involved in the selection process for a deserving award recipient, who will be honored at this year’s Senior Scholarship Ceremony on May 30.

Students in Long Beach High School’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Program participated in a "Day of Service" on April 16. Just in time for Earth Day, the juniors dedicated themselves to outdoor work, environmental initiatives and outreach projects that will benefit others. 

IB Diploma candidates could be found engaging in many activities throughout morning and afternoon sessions. Some cleaned up the area near the pond, while others painted benches and planted flowers. Inside the building, students continued their ecological efforts as they collected and sanitized old mascara wands for donation to the Wands for Wildlife program. The items will eventually be used to remove fly eggs and larva from the fur of wild animals. Another endeavor was the introduction of the school’s first Upcycle and Recycle closet, which provides a drop off and pick up location for gently used clothing and school supplies. 

Additionally, students gathered in the library and prepared sandwiches for the Long Beach Soup Kitchen, collected items for military care packages and made cards for the Confetti Foundation to distribute to children who are ill. They also created coloring books for the district’s elementary schools portraying what it means to be from the “City by the Sea.” Special thanks go to the staff members and students who donated supplies and time to help make these activities successful.

Photography students at Long Beach High School have many earned awards and honors for their outstanding work and talents. Art and photography class members enter a number of competitions and exhibits each year and have contributed to a longstanding history of accomplishments that exists within the Media, Visual and Performing Arts Department.

Students won in six different categories in the Photographic Foundation of Long Island Youth Showcase competition and will now proceed to the Photographic Society of America, an international contest. This is a new record for the number of students who placed in this juried competition. In the digital category, Charles Mandell took first place in architecture for his piece, “Manhattan Skies,” while Tara Sheridan placed first in scapes for “Pastel Skies.” In the print category, Bianca Nauth achieved first place in scapes for “Breaking Dawn.” Second-place awards were earned by Johnnie Whelan in photojournalism for “Paris Protest” and Robin Xiao in people/animals for “Candlelight Portrait.” Johnnie also received the Photographer’s Choice/Creative distinction for “The Sagrata.” 

Congratulations are also in order for Maranda Ficklin, who won first place and Best in Show awards in the Huntington Camera Club’s Annual High School Competition for her photograph, “Gloomy Walk.” She received a brand-new Nikon D7500 camera as a prize and was formally honored at a ceremony held on April 30 at the Huntington Library. 

Long Beach High School inducted 117 sophomores and juniors into the National Honor Society’s Arista Chapter during a ceremony on April 10. NHS members demonstrate the organization’s four key values of service, scholarship, leadership and character throughout their school and community.

After the inductees entered the auditorium, NHS advisor Jeanne O’Shea welcomed guests and shared opening remarks. NHS president Thomas Walsh described the organization’s principles and Board of Education President Dr. Dennis Ryan addressed the members, current and new. 

“Please think of this induction as not only a celebration but as an opportunity to be a leader in your school and community,” Ms. O’Shea said.

Four candles were placed before the group, representative of the NHS standards as the new inductees as they were called up to the stage. NHS officers Emma McGovern, Emily McDonnell, Madison Gusler and Kelly Roethel illuminated the symbols of leadership, character, service and scholarship candles, respectively. 

The NHS annually recognizes a role model with the honorary membership distinction. This year’s honoree is Edwina Bryant.

Musical performances by the high school’s Chamber Orchestra ensembles provided entertainment during the event. As the ceremony concluded, Principal Jeffrey Myers led the National Honor Society pledge and commended the members for their outstanding achievements.