Long Beach High School
News
National Junior Olympics Qualifier
Senior John Anfossi qualified to represent New York
state in the long jump at the 2012 USATF National Junior Olympics Track
and Field Championships, which will take place on July 23-29 at Morgan
State University in Baltimore, Md. John is pictured competing at the
Region 1 Championships, where he qualified for nationals with a jump of
6.30 m.
Aditi Gupta Accepted to Hofstra Medical Program
Aditi Gupta, a graduate of the Long Beach High School
Class of 2012, has been accepted to the Hofstra University 4+4
B.S.-B.A./M.D. dual degree program. Through this highly selective
program, Gupta will automatically matriculate into the Hofstra North
Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, upon successful completion of her
undergraduate degree.
Gupta is a high honor roll student, a National Merit Commended Student,
an AP Scholar and an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate.
Active in the science research program, she received highest honors at
the 2011 Long Island Science Congress. She is also a member of the Long
Beach Medical Center’s Future Physicians and is a volunteer at Peninsula
Hospital and Nassau South Urgent Care. In addition, she is co-editor-in
chief of the yearbook, a member of her high school’s chamber orchestra
and select choir and a prizewinning Irish dancer.
All-State Athletes
Three Long Beach High School athletes earned All-State honors in the spring varsity season.
Senior Matthew Barry and junior Ethan Bogard made it to the semifinals
in doubles in the state tennis championships. Before qualifying for
states, Barry had a 13 and 0 regular season in second singles. Bogard
went 13 and 0 in the regular season in third singles.
Senior David Henry finished fourth in the triple jump at the NYS Public
High School Track and Field Championship, breaking his own school record
with a 46'7 ¾” jump. This performance qualified him for the NYS
Federation meet, where he finished in second place, competing against
the top students in public and private schools throughout the state.
Henry also qualified for states this year in the winter track and field
season.
Honoring Class of 2012 Graduates
The high school gymnasium was filled to capacity as
proud family members waited for the high school wind ensemble to strike
up the first chords of “Pomp and Circumstance,” signaling the start of
the 89th Annual Commencement Ceremony. Cheers erupted as the members of
the Class of 2012 made their way down the center aisle, preceded by
board members, administrator and teachers, all dressed in ceremonial
graduation robes. For the first time this year, Island Park
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rosemarie Bovino and Board President Diana
Caracciolo joined the procession to honor the first cohort of Island
Park students to graduate from Long Beach High School. This year also
marked another first, as the first group of International Baccalaureate
(IB) diploma candidates marched down the aisle wearing their IB stoles.
After senior Jessica Fernandez performed a heartfelt rendition of the
national anthem, Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi asked everyone to remain
standing for a moment of silence to honor the students and faculty that
have been lost by the Class of 2012, including classmate Leo Patrick
Vann, Jr. and teachers Daniel Bobis, Kevin Lawler, Dennis Sullivan,
Ernesto Guandique and Corey Lovrich. He also acknowledged retiring
school board trustee Gina Guma and retiring teachers Jill Katz, Les
Gilbert, Terry Kane and Marjorie Jacobs.
Dr. Passi went on to praise the graduates for their accomplishments and
acknowledge the importance of this auspicious milestone. “It is not
uncommon to feel joy, pride and sadness as we stand at the crossroads of
life, one complete chapter coming to a close and another new beginning
on the horizon,” he noted. “As you leave the comforts of our school, you
should remember that it is not just what you do that matters, but how
you live. I encourage you to develop your own moral compass and trust
it; take risks and dare to fail. Surround yourself with people who make
you better than you thought you could be, and remember that the most
important thing you can do is to lift the human spirit at every
opportunity you get.”
Board President Dr. Dennis Ryan began by thanking the community for
their support of public education. He congratulated Superintendent David
Weiss on his first year of leadership in the district, and also thanked
Dr. Passi and the high school staff for all their hard work in
attending to every detail of the ceremony. He went on to give the
graduates a few simple words of advice. “Smile more. Remember that
learning is a lifelong adventure. Also remember that there is no penalty
for being early—time is precious. Log off and take time to talk to
people face to face. You do not need 687 friends. The friends you make
today will be your lifelong friends. And finally, remember that Long
Beach is your home. You will always be welcome here.”
In one of the most touching moments of the ceremony, Student
Organization President Gavin Enright acknowledged the passing four years
ago of classmate Leo Vann, and welcomed Leo’s mother Kalesha Thomas to
the stage to receive an honorary diploma. “Leo’s ability to light up a
room was remarkable, and we know he’s watching this ceremony right now
with his own cap and gown in hand,” Gavin told Ms. Thomas.
Salutatorian Jane Smyth drew the inspiration for her address from
Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s “The Little Prince,” who traveled the
universe meeting interesting characters who each helped him gain wisdom
about the true importance of friendship and happiness. “Beyond that,”
added Jane, “high school has been a process of unknowing. I have
abandoned assumptions and have become comfortable with not understanding
the world around me. I stand here humbled, curious and eager to carve
away at, and perhaps someday understand, some tiny puzzling aspect of
this baffling world.”
Reflecting on the journey that awaits them, Valedictorian Jonathan Klus
addressed his fellow graduates with a mixture of concern and hope. “As
we reach this critical time in our lives, we hold in our hands the
opportunity to do something amazing,” he began. “Our generation is going
to collide head-on with the problems of the 21st century, and I know
that we will find a way to meet those challenges. We represent the
future of our community and the future of America. If we pursue those
issues that we are passionate about and remain true to ourselves and
honest and hardworking, then we will succeed in improving the world.”
Mr. Weiss acknowledged the diversity and connectedness of the Long Beach
School community, bringing together many distinct neighborhoods in Long
Beach, Lido Beach, East Atlantic Beach and Island Park, each with its
own unique character and each making its own vital contribution to the
greater Long Beach.
“The students you see before you today exemplify this spirit, excelling
in music, theater, creative writing, academics, science research and
athletics—and we are all the better for it,” he noted. “Our graduates
have learned to be community builders. All of the Long Beach communities
come together to salute you today.”
Prior to the presentation of the graduates, a musical interlude, which
was performed by the select choir and the high school wind ensemble,
paid tribute to the tenth anniversary of September 11.
As the graduates crossed the stage one by one to receive their diplomas,
they shook hands with the board members and administrators who
congratulated them on their accomplishments.
The final speaker of the day, Senior Class President Zoe Papetti,
recited an inspirational poem by Shel Silverstein, saying, “Listen to
the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the
impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close
to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
Then as tradition dictates, Zoe directed her fellow graduates to move
their tassels from right to left, signifying this important rite of
passage that they had successfully completed. As she congratulated her
fellow graduates, they proudly tossed their mortarboards into the air,
creating a symbolic wave of true blue Long Beach pride.
Relay for Life
The Long Beach community once again came
together for the fifth Relay for Life event at Long Beach Middle School,
raising more than $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. Cancer
survivors, caregivers, students, teachers and community members united
for a cause, walking around the school track to remember loved ones lost
to cancer, honor local survivors and raise awareness and funds to fight
a disease that has sadly touched so many lives.
American Cancer Society representative Michelle Maugeri gave special
thanks to the Romig family, acknowledging the tireless efforts of
chairperson Maureen Romig, who with her daughter Shannon Romig, a Long
Beach High School student, worked tirelessly to make the event such a
success. Shannon was joined this year by senior Rebecca Spodick, who
acted as student co-chair. Also lending a helping hand were the Long
Beach Kiwanis, who worked the registration tent, and the Natale family,
who once again donated and cooked all the food served at the hospitality
tent.
Two guest speakers, Christen Roper and Gary Jorisch, inspired the
participants with the touching stories of their own battles with cancer.
Roper’s team, the Candlelighters, was the top fundraising team this
year, contributing more than $5,700 to the cause. Team Romig and Team
Kane O’Brien were close behind, raising approximately $5,000 each. The
top individual fundraiser was Shannon Romig, bringing together donations
totaling $4,300, followed by Danielle Fioretta with $2,400 and Thomas
Florio with $1,800.
The festivities began with a special dinner honoring local cancer
survivors. After the dinner, the survivors opened the relay festivities
by leading the first victory lap around the track. They were joined by
their caregivers and other participants, who took turns circling the
track throughout the night. The music of D.J. EnerG inspired the crowd
to keep moving, even as the midnight hour approached.
One of the highlights of the evening was a solemn luminaria ceremony.
Long Beach High School junior Victor Tarantino opened the ceremony by
sharing the story of how after a valiant struggle, his brother finally
lost his battle with cancer. Participants then went around the track,
lighting the luminaria candles in memory and honor of friends and loved
ones who had valiantly fought cancer. In a fitting tribute, luminaria
candles spelled out the word “hope” for all to see.
Spring Sports Awards
The spring varsity sports season ended on a high note as
the community gathered to acknowledge team and individual
accomplishments at the Long Beach High School Spring Sports Awards
Night. Special recognition awards were given to graduating seniors who
have distinguished themselves not only in athletics, but also in
academics, sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship and team spirit.
Among the notable team accomplishments, the girls badminton team
finished a 12-0 season, clinching the conference championship for the
third consecutive year. The boys track and field team achieved a 13-0
season, going on to be named division champions.
Three spring athletes earned state honors. Senior Matthew Barry and
junior Ethan Bogard made it to the semifinals in the state tennis
championships. Senior David Henry finished fourth in the triple jump at
the NYS Public High School Track and Field Championship, breaking his
own school record with a 46'7¾” jump. This performance qualified him for
the NYS Federation meet, where he finished in 2nd place, competing
against the top students in public and private schools throughout the
state.
Among the other athletes to earn individual honors, there were two
county champions, one division champion, 14 All-County, one All-County
Honorable Mention, 22 All-Conference, six All-Division and one
All-League player named.
Proving to be equally accomplished in the classroom, the girls
badminton, girls golf, girls lacrosse, girls track and field, boys
tennis and boys track teams all earned scholar-athlete status, achieving
team academic averages of 90 percent or higher.
“There is nothing like athletics for building community pride,” said
Superintendent David Weiss. “You worked through pain and failure to get
where you wanted to be at the end of the season, learning that through
perseverance you can achieve great things. Let the lessons you learned
on the athletic fields carry over for you throughout the rest of your
lives.”
LBHS Mentor Breakfast
Long Beach High School hosted a Mentor Breakfast
to thank the mentors of the students who participated in this year’s
Internship Program. The program was created three years ago to enable
high school students to bridge their classroom learning with career
awareness. Through internships in local government offices, businesses,
non-profit organizations and their own school district, students gained
practical experience that helped them solidify their future career
paths. This year, students held internships at Long Beach Medical
Center, the Long Beach Animal Control Center, Blackheath Pre-K School,
East School, the Long Beach High School Life Skills Program, Rescue
Inc., the Long Beach Latino Civic Association, the Long Beach Martin
Luther King, Jr. Center, Slinging Ink of Island Park, New Empire Group
of Island Park and the Long Beach Farmer’s Market.
“This has been a special year,” said guidance counselor Christopher
Webel, who administers the program with the help of guidance secretary
Linda Papetti. “Not only did we connect many students with unique
opportunities to develop marketable employment skills, but we planted
the seeds for future career paths. We thank the mentors who took the
time to permit these young people into their places of businesses,
giving them the motivation and experience to make informed decisions
about their post-secondary plans.”
“Long Beach High School believes strongly that in order to have our
students become better citizens, they must have strong leaders who
inspire and create opportunities for them,” added Director of Guidance
Patricia Hausfeld. “Your willingness to open your businesses and
organizations to students allowed them to gain practical knowledge and
skills about what it will take to be successful in their future
careers.”
Several interns in the program gave testimonials to their mentors,
detailing the inspiration they received through their internship
experiences.
“My internship with the Long Beach Life Skills Program has made me
consider studying special education in college and making it my career
for the future,” said senior Jaimie Gennusa.
“My internship with Katherine Coladner at the Latino Civic Association
taught me that life is all about meeting and helping people,” said
junior Lorena Garcia. “This internship has also given me the opportunity
to have a paying job over the summer. I plan to continue to work with
the Latino Civic Association through the rest of my high school career.”
DeQuan Green, a student at the NIKE Alternative High School program, did
his internship at Makoul and Associates in Island Park this year. Based
on his exceptional performance, he was offered a summer job at the
company, with the possibility that he may continue to work there in the
fall while pursuing his college education.
IB Senior Recognition Ceremony
Long Beach High School’s first International
Baccalaureate diploma candidates have been described as pioneers,
frontiersmen, risk-takers and trailblazers who “boldly go where no man
has gone before.”
After completing a rigorous list of requirements, including two
higher-level and three standard-level IB courses, internal assessments,
external IB exams, a Theory of Knowledge course, an extended essay and
150 hours of community service, a total of 20 International
Baccalaureate diploma candidates stood tall and proud at a ceremony to
mark this extraordinary accomplishment.
One by one, as each name was called, they rose to receive their
International Baccalaureate stoles, which they will proudly wear on
graduation day. As they leave Long Beach High School to make their way
in the world, Heidi Abrega, Karl Oskar Ahr, George Ambrosini, Michelle
Bello, Emily Charleson, Rachel Convertino, Jacqueline Cook, Olivia
Deschler, Andrew DiGiorgio, Kirsten Donovan, Liam Fitzpatrick, Aditi
Gupta, Eileen Kelly, Roxette Romanes, Alexa Salazar, Angela Sevilla,
Matthew Sheehan, Jane Smyth, Sophie Torres and Somalia Williamson will
always share a special bond that was forged by their shared journey into
the unknown. As individuals, they all gained something unique from the
experience, shifting their intellectual boundaries while expanding their
view of the world, their perceptions of others and their ability to
push beyond perceived limitations.
Each of the evening’s speakers added a unique perspective in describing
the IB experience. Principal Gaurav Passi began by saying, “I can’t help
but think how very special it is to be the first. It is never easy to
travel down a road that no one in your school has ever traveled. It
makes you a true pioneer. You’ve built a community of learners in Long
Beach and you’ve laid the road for others to follow.”
“By having an open mind and taking the risk to become an IB diploma
candidate, you have helped change Long Beach High School,” added IB
Coordinator Andrew Smith with genuine pride. “You have been molded into
lifelong learners with open minds, who through compassion will make the
world a better place. I thank you for being risk-takers.”
Being an artist and confirmed visual learner, keynote speaker Nora
Bellsey compiled a visual presentation for her honored students,
likening them to the crew of Star Trek’s Enterprise. “You entered the
new frontier, you took a leap of faith into the IB program. Remember the
word ‘possibilities.’ Dare to be naïve and be champions of trial and
error.”
Superintendent of Schools David Weiss welcomed each graduate into the IB
world community. “You made the deliberate attempt to push through your
fears and accept this challenge. You can now count yourselves among a
select group of 25,000 U.S. students and 50,000 globally who have
completed this demanding program.”
IB diploma candidate Jane Smyth was chosen by her peers to relate her
impressions of their shared experience. “Academically, I know we’ve all
grown,” she began. “Some overcame a fear of math, others grew closer to
thinking like historians. All of us learned to embrace a questioning
spirit. We learned to bring the questioning spirit into each essay we
wrote and each topic we discussed. To me this is what distinguishes the
IB education. In the future, I hope we will question the institutions
and practices in place and collaboratively, in IB fashion, improve
them.”
Long Beach High School became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World
School in 2010. The IB diploma program is a comprehensive two-year
academic program that is designed to prepare young people to meet the
academic demands of college while motivating them to become thoughtful,
caring and active citizens. Classroom instruction is designed to
encourage students to be inquirers, well-balanced, thinkers, caring,
reflective, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, risk takers and
communicators.
Art Honor Society Induction
After demonstrating their devotion to art and to their
community, eight Long Beach High School students were inducted into the
National Art Honor Society (NAHS). An additional 24 students were
recognized as 2013 nominees.
The evening began with a violin duet performed by Mark DeGuzman (who is also one of the 2013 nominees) and Alexandra Gruber.
NAHS advisor Sue Solomonic explained the rigorous requirements for
membership. In order to be nominated for this honor, students must
maintain a 95 or higher average in two years of studio-in-art classes,
must be registered to take art class in their third or fourth year, and
must be recommended by an art teacher. After meeting these
qualifications, inductees Katrina Ayala, Rachel Convertino, Olivia
Deschler, Lauren LiBrizzi, Natalia Podboraczynska, Alexa Salazar,
Rebecca Spodick and Jacqueline Zeppa went on to fulfill the
qualifications for membership in this select society by completing hours
of community service in the arts and attending bi-monthly NAHS
meetings. To spread their love of art to their community, they visited a
local children’s hospital to do craft projects with the patients, made
ceramic snowflakes for the holidays, worked with students in the High
School Life Skills program to create Mother’s Day flowers with oil
pastels, and ran a greeting card fundraiser at the district’s art show.
“As art educators, we need to nurture our students and bring out the
best in their talents,” said Solomonic. “I am so proud of the students
who are here tonight. They are the best and most talented.”
Serving as guest speaker for the ceremony was Jamie Tedesco Cohen, a
local artist with a gallery in Point Lookout. “My paintings are
spontaneous abstract expressions fueled by a strong desire to create,”
she said. “Painting is a cathartic experience. It tests my limits and
stimulates my creative impulses. Congratulations to all of you as you
are celebrated as artists tonight.”
Salazar explained the elements of art, describing how color, line, form,
texture, space, balance and movement are used to form the language of
visual arts, and Deschler led her fellow artists in the NAHS pledge. A
ceremonial candle-lighting ceremony was presided over by Spodick, and
LiBrizzi gave an overview of the society’s accomplishments of the year.
Solomonic then named LiBrizzi as the recipient of the 2012 Outstanding
Artist Scholarship Award. Principal Gaurav Passi and art teacher Alison
Katulka were bestowed honorary memberships.
On exhibit for the evening was artwork created by this year’s inductees
and nominees, giving testament to the extraordinary talent of the young
artists who were being honored.
The NAHS strives to aid members in working toward the attainment of the
highest standards in art, and to bring art education to the attention of
the school and the community.
New LBHS Vice Principal Named
At the June 5 meeting of the Long Beach Board of
Education, Dr. Francine Newman was officially appointed as a vice
principal of Long Beach High School, effective July 1, 2012. She
replaces Thomas DePaola, who has accepted a position as principal of
Carle Place Middle/High School. She will join Vice Principals John
Emmons and Timothy Piciullo, under the leadership of Principal Dr.
Gaurav Passi.
Dr. Newman most recently served as Assistant Principal of Seaford High
School, where she was in charge of the supervision of all staff, as well
as the direct supervision of the guidance, English and science
departments. While serving in this position, she initiated a bully
prevention pilot program to comply with the requirements of the Dignity
for All Students Act (DASA), which will take effect on July 1, 2012. She
also managed student behavioral issues and assisted the principal with
the day-to-day operations of the building.
Dr. Newman began her career in education as a social studies teacher at
Ramapo High School in Spring Valley, NY. She went on to serve for 11
years as an adjunct professor at LIU C.W. Post and Hofstra University,
where she taught undergraduate and graduate students of education in
areas such as cultural diversity, general methods of teaching and
communicating effectively with all learners.
In addition to a doctorate in educational policy and leadership from
Hofstra University, Dr. Newman also holds a professional diploma in
administration and supervision from Fordham University and a master’s
degree in multicultural education from Iona College. She received her
bachelor of arts degree in history from SUNY Buffalo.
“I am proud and honored to become a member of the Long Beach leadership
team,” said Dr. Newman. “I look forward to helping the district achieve
its goals, and getting to know the staff, students and families in the
school community."
LBHS Science Symposium
After a grueling yet successful season of local,
regional and international competitions, students in the Long Beach
High School Science Research Program gathered together one last time to
celebrate their achievements and present their research to family and
friends at their annual Science Symposium.
This year, as in past years, there was much to celebrate. Students won
more than forty awards at eight competitions. Two teams of students
qualified to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair (ISEF) in Pittsburgh, PA. Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth, both
seniors, earned a second-place grand award in Environmental Sciences as
well as first-place awards from the American Veterinary Medical
Association and the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, winning a total of
$5,500 in prize money. Joining them at the competition were Zachary
Klein and Andrew Hurst, also seniors.
In addition, Arianne and Jane qualified to compete at the International
Sustainable World (Engineering, Energy and Environment) Project Olympiad
(I-SWEEEP), which took place in Houston, TX on May 3-6, where they
earned a gold medal in the Environmental category and went on to capture
the coveted Grand Award in that category. Junior Caroline Walsh, who
also qualified for I-SWEEEP, earned a silver medal in the Energy
category.
At the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF), juniors
Brandon Levokove and David Velez took home a first-place award in Plant
Sciences as well as a special award from the Society for In Vitro
Biology. Senior Aditi Gupta won a second-place award in Environmental
Sciences, while sophomores Chandler McMillan and Hunter Rogoff earned a
second-place award in Environmental Management and sophomore Jamie
Morgenstern was awarded third place in Environmental Sciences. Junior
Caroline Walsh took home the ASM Materials Education Foundation Award
and the US Air Force Award.
In the NYSSEF Andromeda Division, second-place awards were earned by
freshmen Justin Barry, Marc Pittinsky, Jake Kritzberg and Andrew Luisi.
Joining them in the winner’s circle with third-place awards were
freshmen Julia Berkowitz, Halle Henry, Sophie Sackstein, Hannah Sofield
and Clare Sweeny.
At the local level, students competing at the Long Island Science and
Engineering Fair came home with two first-place, one third-place, one
honorable mention and one special award. The Long Island Science
Congress proved to be an equally successful competition, with students
earning a total of twelve awards.
Students in grades 9-12 who participate in the Science Research Program
developed their projects this year under the direction of teacher
Veronica Ade, with the helping hands of teaching assistant Cynthia
Kenney. Through classroom instruction in grades 9 and 10, they learn the
key ingredients of the scientific method, oral and written
presentations, research and writing skills and lab safety. Juniors and
seniors participate in independent study research.
Senior Awards Night
In an annual tradition, community leaders and family
members came together to honor an exceptional group of seniors at Long
Beach High School’s Academic Awards Night. Students were presented with
nearly 200 awards totaling more than $122,000, made possible by the
generosity of local individuals and organizations.
As family and friends took their seats in the auditorium, the high
school chamber ensemble played a medley of classical tunes, followed by a
presentation by the Select Choir.
“This class leaves behind a legacy that is woven with kindness,
compassion, perseverance and honesty,” said Principal Gaurav Passi in
his opening remarks. “I know from my involvement with them that they
appreciate the relationships they have built, the challenges they have
overcome, the opportunities they have been given here at Long Beach High
School and the incredible support they have received from their parents
and families.”
“As we continue to build Long Beach pride, I would like to hear feedback
from each of you about your educational experience here,” said
Superintendent David Weiss. “And as you go off to college and careers, I
invite you to come back to tell us about your continued
accomplishments.”
Students were recognized for excellence as scholars, athletes,
musicians, scientists, artists, leaders and humanitarians. They were
also honored for exhibiting exceptional character and service to their
community. In addition to department awards, there were dozens of
scholarships presented to students by local PTAs, teachers’
associations, government offices, civic groups and businesses.
Especially meaningful were the memorial awards given in honor of past
leaders, humanitarians and loved ones who had touched so many in the
Long Beach community. Presented by Dr. Passi, the Principal’s Leadership
and Achievement Awards recognized Gavin Enright, Julio Mirabel, Arianne
Papa, Zoe Papetti and Vincent Pasqua, as exceptional leaders and role
models for their fellow students. Dylan Palacio was recognized for his
accomplishments with the Principal’s Achievement Award.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came at the end of the
ceremony. The award recipients had been asked to name a teacher or staff
member who had played a special role in his or her success, and each of
these respected mentors was called up to the stage to receive a special
round of applause.
HS Challenge Index: LBHS in Top 9%
Long Beach High School has been ranked in the top nine
percent of all high schools in the nation and 98th in New York State in
The Washington Post’s
High School Challenge Index. The school moved up 508 spots in the
national ranking and 41 spots among all New York schools on this year’s
list.
Each year, the
Post’s Jay Matthews ranks public high schools
using the Challenge Index, his measure of how effectively a school
prepares its students for college. The formula used to determine a
school’s ranking divides the number of Advanced Placement (AP),
International Baccalaureate (IB) or other college-level tests a school
gave in 2010 by the number of graduating seniors.
“Your appearance on this list means that you are trying much harder than
most schools to expose your students to the demands of college,” said
Mr. Matthews in an official announcement to the school.
Long Beach High School was officially authorized as an International
Baccalaureate World School in 2010. Since then the school has greatly
expanded its college-level course offerings, adding approximately 25 IB
courses to its existing list of 30 AP and other college-level courses
offered to students in their junior and senior years. In the 2011-2012
school year, there were 435 individual students taking at least one
college-level course in their junior or senior year. In the 2012-2013
school year, roughly 500 students have elected to take at least one
college-level course, representing approximately 60 percent of all
juniors and seniors.
“One of the top priorities of Long Beach Public Schools is to supply our
students with the skills they will need to prepare for college and
careers,” said Principal Gaurav Passi. “We are proud to be recognized
for our efforts by
The Washington Post’s High School Challenge.”
Special Olympians
Athletes from the Long Beach Public Schools began
training in March for the Special Olympics Spring Games, which were
hosted this year by Huntington High School and Connetquot High School.
The committed athletes practiced weekly for a variety of challenging
track and field events. Athletes Charles Butler, Alan Evangelista,
Robert Greengus, Sophie Hoffman, Anthony Hug, Matthew Karasin, Keegan
McCarthy, Max McCarthy, Jett McKevitt, Emanuel Muniz and Madeline
Sipperley represented the Long Beach Schools with spirit and pride.
Coaches Stacey Durnan and Stephanie Esposito, along with teacher
assistants Aileen Monahan, Justin Salorio and Jean Golia, prepared the
students for the various events. The athletes competed in the 50-meter
dash, running long jump and softball throw. In addition to learning the
skills necessary to compete in these events, the athletes also practiced
teamwork and perseverance. High school student volunteers Stephania
Flores, Ashley Arjune, Cathryna Hughes, Rachel Moehlehoff, Jillian
Bailey, Kelly Dublynn and Vincent Pasqua proved to be positive role
models throughout the training process. They assisted the athletes
during warm-ups, practice and on the day of the event.
“Our determined athletes took home several gold, silver and bronze
medals,” said Ms. Durnan. “It was evident on the day of the event that
athletes understood the meaning of the Special Olympics mantra, which
states, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the
attempt!’ All those involved were impressed to see Long Beach’s Special
Olympians put forth effort, determination and passion to achieve their
goals.”
District Art Show
The commons area of Long Beach High School was
transformed into an art gallery for Long Beach Public Schools’ sixth
annual District Art Show on May 18-19. The special weekend exhibit
included more than 700 paintings, photographs, prints, three-dimensional
pieces, ceramics, graphic art pieces, drawings and fashion designs, all
created by students in grades K-12. A number of pieces by high school
students that have won awards at juried art shows around the county were
on display, along with works created by the district’s 30 All-County
artists.
Senior Ambrose Plante opened the festivities on Friday evening with a
classical guitar performance, setting an elegant mood for visitors as
they viewed the artwork.
Dylan Palacio to Attend Cornell
Senior Dylan Palacio has committed to wrestle at Cornell
University—a Division I program—in the fall. Dylan won the 2012
National Wrestling title and the 2012 State Championship title in the
160-lb class. He is also the first Long Beach wrestler to earn the
coveted Triple Crown, earning state titles in high school, Greco-Roman
and freestyle wrestling. Dylan hopes to study business at Cornell. (L to
r): Coach Ray Adams, Dylan Palacio and his father Leo Palacio, who is
an assistant wrestling coach at Long Beach High School.
Intel ISEF Winners
For the second year in a row, the team of Arianne Papa
and Jane Smyth, both seniors, earned a second-place grand award in
Environmental Sciences at the Intel International Science and
Engineering Fair (ISEF), held this year on May 14-18 in Pittsburgh, PA.
The pair also walked away with first-place awards from the American
Veterinary Medical Association and the Consortium for Ocean Leadership,
earning a total of $5,500 in prize money. This is the third consecutive
year that the duo qualified for the prestigious ISEF competition.
Arianne and Jane’s research focused on water pollution in Reynolds
Channel as well as other Long Island bays, and the effect that pollution
has on the flounder populations in those waterways.
Joining them at the competition were fellow science research students
Zachary Klein and Andrew Hurst, also seniors. Their research enabled
them to create a wind turbine that captures both wind and solar energy
in order to improve its energy efficiency. All four students worked
under the supervision of science research teacher Veronica Ade, who
accompanied them to Pittsburgh for the weeklong competition.
Intel ISEF is recognized as the premier science competition in the
world, exclusively for students in grades 9-12. All four students
qualified for this honor by earning first-place awards at state and
local science competitions.
High School Artists Win Awards
Long Beach High School students have earned honors at art competitions and exhibits around the county.
Heckscher Museum’s Best Young Artists Exhibit – The
artwork of Long Beach High School students Lauren LiBrizzi and Olivia
Deschler was selected for the Long Island's Best Young Artists exhibit.
Lauren received an Achievement Award and Olivia won fourth place in the
show.
All-County Art Scholarship – Long Beach High School
senior Lauren LiBrizzi was singled out to receive a scholarship award at
the All-County Art Exhibition. She was one of 30 students from around
the district whose work was chosen for this exhibition. The All-County
Art Exhibition and Scholarship Program are sponsored by the Art
Supervisors Association (ASA) to showcase and support the creativity,
talent and skill of student artists.
Advanced Visions – The artwork of Long Beach High School
students William Scott and Rebecca Spodick was chosen for the “Advanced
Visions 7: High School Artists of Excellence” exhibit at the Hillwood
S.A.L. Gallery on the campus of Long Island University’s C.W. Post
College.
NCC Arts and Science Competition – Long Beach High School
artists Lauren LiBrizzi, Rebecca Spodick and Luis Ruiz won awards at the
Nassau Community College Arts and Science Competition. The theme of the
competition was "Borders Visible/Invisible." Lauren was awarded Best in
Show for her ceramic piece, Rebecca received an Award of Excellence for
her print, and Luis received honorable mention for his ceramic
sculpture.
LIU C.W. Post 12x12 Art Exhibit – The photography of
Long Beach High School sophomores Kimberly Feliz, Elizabeth Baldeo and
Justine Smith was chosen to be part of the 12x12 Art Exhibit at LIU C.W.
Post, which took place from May 4-10.
National Honor Society Induction
Family and friends gathered in the high school
auditorium for a solemn ceremony marking the induction of 91 new members
into the Long Beach High School Arista Chapter of the National Honor
Society. These initiates, taken from the ranks of the sophomore and
junior classes, were chosen based on their ability to meet the Society's
standards with regard to scholarship, leadership, character and
service. They will join their fellow members in upholding these
principles by contributing their time and talents to better their school
and local community through volunteer activities, civic involvement and
adherence to the highest standards of academics, morality and ethics.
The festivities began with a musical performance by the Select Choir,
conducted by Michael Capobianco. A candle lighting ceremony, officiated
by Honor Society officers and NHS Coordinator Nora Bellsey, highlighted
the four ideals of the society. Each new member was asked to come to the
stage to light a candle as a symbol of his or her commitment to uphold
those ideals. Social studies teacher Elizabeth Levin was chosen as this
year's recipient of an honorary membership.
“Now the challenge begins,” said Ms. Bellsey in her opening remarks.
“Ask yourself, ‘How can I go beyond my expectations and continue to make
good choices?’ Please always act as if everything you do makes a
difference, because it does.”
“You made a choice that brought you here tonight,” said Board of
Education President Dr. Dennis Ryan. “You made a choice to study and to
achieve, and we are gathered here tonight to salute the excellence that
you represent.”
“It wasn’t long ago that I was in the audience when my own children were
inducted into the National Honor Society,” recalled Superintendent
David Weiss. “We want you to know how proud your parents are tonight.
Thank you for honoring your parents and your community. Take the
responsibility to continue to challenge yourselves. Think about what you
are learning and how it will contribute to your personal growth. Make
sure that your service activities are not just lines on your resume, but
that they truly impact your community.”
Over the course of the year, under the leadership of Honor Society
officers Andrew Hurst, Andrew Di Giorgio, Lila Martz, Arianne Papa and
Alexa Salazar, Honor Society members have organized numerous community
service projects, including Badminton for Breast Cancer, the Stick It to
Cancer lacrosse game and Operation Medicine Cabinet. Members have also
volunteered countless hours as tutors, coaches and ushers for school
events.
At the close of the ceremony, Principal Gaurav Passi left the new
inductees with these words of advice: “As you continue on this path of
success, I caution you not to fear failure. I want you to know that
struggle, adversity and even failure are the breeding grounds on which
success is born.”
Jazz Night Swings
Jazz in all its forms, from the Swing Era to
more contemporary numbers, was interpreted in all its glory when the
Long Beach High School Music Department hosted its annual Jazz Night.
Student performers from the West School Recorder Club, Middle School
Jazz Band, High School Lab Jazz Band, Select Choir and High School Jazz
Ensemble were joined by special guests Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz
Orchestra, filling the auditorium with the music of Herbie Hancock,
Buster and Bennie Moten, and Joe Garland. As an added treat, junior
Russell Goetz, who is an All-State Jazz Vocalist, performed a solo
rendition of “Come Rain or Come Shine.”
For the opening reception, the high school commons area was transformed
into a cozy lounge. Hors d'oeuvres prepared by students in Scott
Brecher’s home and careers class were passed around to guests. Members
of the newly formed Friends of the Arts were on hand to welcome guests,
and National Honor Society members volunteered their time as ushers.
Director of Comprehensive Arts Dr. Dale Johanson served as the MC for
the evening. Marino Bragino, III directed the High School Lab Jazz Band
and the High School Jazz Ensemble. He was joined by fellow directors
Vanessa Krywe (West School Recorder Band), Elizabeth Altbacker (Middle
School Jazz Band), and Michael Capobianco (Select Choir). This is the
first year that a professional jazz band has shared the stage with
students on Jazz Night, giving the young performers, as well as the
audience, an opportunity to further expand their appreciation of jazz in
all its forms.
“It was an exciting experience to see all of our student musicians at
all grade levels performing jazz alongside a professional group like the
DIVAS,” said Dr. Johanson.
“Jazz Night was an amazing success,” echoed Mr. Bragino. “Seeing my
students light up on stage when they perform is why I became a music
educator. This evening was a legendary moment in our department. Thanks
to all who helped make this event such a success."
High School Students Read at Lido
Long Beach High School students participated in a project that gave them the opportunity to gain real-world experience in the field of child development. During a unit of study focusing on children’s literature, students in Ilyssa Leeper’s child development class wrote and illustrated their own children’s stories. They took special care to create plots that contained elements which would engage young readers to learn a lesson while practicing vital reading skills. The high school students put their work to the test when they visited Lido Elementary School to read their original stories to first graders in Dana Monti’s class. While the younger students learned morals from the stories, the older students - many of whom hope to pursue careers in education - gained practical experience by interacting with the younger students. This is just one example of the district’s efforts to provide students with college and career readiness skills.
Bringing Art to Hospitalized Children
Students in the Long Beach High School National Art Honor Society coordinated an art event at the Cohen Children's Medical Center of North Shore-LIJ. The Long Beach students conducted three art workshops for the children at the hospital, teaching them to make collage frames, friendship bracelets and oil pastel flowers. The high schoolers enjoyed interacting with the children as they made beautiful creations together. As an added gift, the Art Honor Society gave the children art supplies to create more projects on their own time and to share with other children who weren't able to attend the workshop.Pictured with some of the artwork they made with the children are: (seated) Jacqueline Zeppa, Lauren LiBrizzi and Katrina Ayala; (standing) Rachel Convertino, Alexa Salazar, Olivia Deschler and Natalia Podboraczynska.
LBHS Students Register to Vote
As part of an annual tradition, members of the
Long Beach League of Women Voters visited classes at Long Beach High
School to lead discussions about the importance of voting and civic
responsibility. While they were there, league members helped 134 seniors
register to vote. Those students who turn 18 before the respective
dates of the school board elections and budget vote, primary elections,
and November elections are eligible to vote.
IB Dance Concert
The high school auditorium became a stage for
world dance as students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) dance
class presented their spring dance concert. The concert consisted of
dance numbers that reflected African and Irish folk dances, traditional
ballet and modern dance movements that students have been learning
throughout the course of the year. Many of the routines featured
choreography, costume design and staging by IB dance students and their
teacher, Christianne Donohue. Through their choreography, students were
challenged to create movement that enhanced the rhythms, tempos and
accents of the music.
“My goal for this performance was to introduce dance as a true
performing art to the students, faculty and community members of Long
Beach High School,” said Ms. Donohue. “My intention was to allow the
students to explore movement from all angles and to learn that dance is
more than fancy tricks. It is about moving from within the body in space
using various rhythms and patterns.”
The IB dance course, which was offered for the first time this year,
integrates the study of dance performance, compositions and analysis.
During the course of the year, students explored dance styles from
cultures throughout the world. In addition to gaining performance
skills, they studied master choreographers from past centuries and
learned to compose their own dances through a variety of improvisational
techniques and creative projects. By exploring a wide variety of dance
forms, from ballet to modern to folk dance, they acquired a well-rounded
understanding of the significance of dance in every culture and the
pattern of its development throughout the world.
IB Dance is offered through the Athletics, Physical Education and Health
Department. “I am proud of the accomplishments of our first IB Dance
class,” said Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Health Arnold
Epstein. “I look forward to seeing many more students benefit from Ms.
Donohue's talent and expertise.”
I-SWEEEP Grand Award Winners
For the second year in a row, a Long Beach High School
team took home a grand prize in the International Sustainable World
(Engineering, Energy and Environment) Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP), which
took place in Houston, Texas on May 3-6. Competing against more than
450 top projects from over 40 states and 68 countries around the world,
seniors Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth earned a gold medal in the
Environmental category and went on to capture the coveted Grand Award in
that category. They followed in the footsteps of Long Beach graduates
Jackie Bokor and Hannah Berkowitz, who won both top prizes at the 2011
competition. Arianne and Jane’s research studied water pollution in
Reynold’s Channel as well as the other Long Island bays, and the effect
that pollution has on the flounder populations in those waterways. In
addition, junior Caroline Walsh earned a silver medal in the Energy
category. Caroline created solar cells that use natural pigments found
in plants such as carrots, blueberries and beets to harness solar power.
Together the three students earned $3,800 in prize money.
Arianne and Jane are no strangers to the I-SWEEEP Winner’s Circle. This
is the third consecutive year they earned gold medals in the
Environmental category. The first year they competed at I-SWEEEP as
freshmen, they took home a bronze medal. But the pair won’t have much
time to bask in the glory of victory. They will be heading off to
Pittsburgh on May 13-18 to compete at the 2012 Intel International
Science and Engineering Fair, where they will be joined by fellow
seniors Andrew Hurst and Zachary Klein. Students developed their winning
projects in the Science Research program, under the direction of
Science Research teachers Cody Onufrock and Veronica Ade.
Organized by the Cosmos Foundation, I-SWEEEP is the largest science fair
event of its kind in the world. According to the official I-SWEEEP
website, the objective of the competition is to spark interest in and
awareness of our planet’s sustainability challenges; to accelerate the
progress toward a sustainable world by engaging young minds at an early
age to develop an environmentally conscious global community; and to
inspire personal responsibility in caring for the planet and those who
share it. Over $350,000 in scholarships and prizes are awarded each
year.
Italian Poetry Contest Winners
High School senior Vincent Pasqua won a first-place
award in the Level 2 division of the American Association of Teachers of
Italian (AATI) Long Island Poetry Contest, held at SUNY Old Westbury on
March 23. Vincent recited "Se Questo è un Uomo" by Primo Levi. Junior
Ellen Blas won an honorable mention award in the Level 4 division. She
recited “All'Italia” by Giacomo Leopardi. They competed against
approximately 100 students from all over Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Students prepared for the competition under the direction of Italian
teachers Valeria Paz and Anna Carfagno.
The AATI is a national organization dedicated to excellence in teaching
and research in all areas of Italian. The organization was founded in
1924 to promote the study of Italian language, literature and culture in
schools, colleges and universities in North America.
Christy Fox Attends Inside Albany Program
Junior Christy Fox was selected to attend the Students
Inside Albany Conference. This conference, sponsored by the League of
Women Voters of New York, is an intensive four-day training experience
designed to immerse students in the process by which public policy is
proposed, enacted and changed in New York State, and to educate them as
to how they can influence and affect this process. Christy heard from
Albany insiders about how New York State government operates and how
policy is shaped and enacted. She was also given the opportunity to
attend Assembly and Senate sessions and to shadow both Assemblyman
Harvey Weisenberg and Senator Dean Skelos. Christy was selected for this
honor through the joint efforts of Long Beach High School and the Long
Beach League of Women Voters.
According to its official website, the League of Women Voters of New
York believes that educating and empowering the youth of our country is
vital to maintaining a strong democracy. Through the League’s Education
Foundation, the State League and many local leagues operate programs
that provide students with the information, motivation and skills needed
to become informed voters and engaged citizens. The State League’s
primary youth program is Students Inside Albany.
District Career Fairs
Two of the main goals of Long Beach Public
Schools are to provide students with college and career-readiness skills
and to give them meaningful opportunities for community engagement. To
help fulfill both of these goals, schools around the district hosted
Career Day celebrations, giving students a chance to meet and speak with
local professionals. The guest speakers shared their keys to success
and their insights into dozens of traditional and nontraditional
careers.
Leading off the celebration was the Long Beach Middle School Career Day.
In the days leading up to the event, students filled out surveys to
give them an idea of which careers might best suit their interests and
abilities. The middle schoolers were paired with specific presenters
based on their survey results. In small group settings, guest speakers
talked about the skills and training they needed to be successful in
their chosen careers, the tasks they perform on the job, and the
challenges and rewards they experience on a daily basis. At the end of
the day, students came away with a list of ideas for things they can
start doing now to help them reach their future career goals.
The Long Beach High School Career Fair gave students an opportunity to
network with local professionals representing a wide variety of careers,
including law, medicine, public service, marketing, broadcasting,
public relations, green technologies, school administration, business,
finance, banking, accounting, hospitality, publishing, library services
and the military. Students were also able to speak with representatives
from local technical schools and explore summer job opportunities in the
local community.
Lindell School hosted a two-day Career Awareness program for fifth
graders. Parents and community members were invited to share their
career experiences, focusing on the education and training needed to be
successful in their careers. Brian Patton, who works for Global Security
at NBC, explained the importance of working as a team, being
responsible and demonstrating strong character. Long Beach Fire Chief
Richard Corbett found math, science and history very helpful in his
career. Andrew Miller, a criminal defense attorney, enlisted students to
help him solve the "The Case of the Missing Lunch Box." Pediatrician
Dr. Matthew Cohen shared his lifelong fascination with the human body.
Although the 18 guest speakers represented a variety of professions,
they all shared a love for their work and stressed the importance of
being lifelong learners.
At Lido School’s Sixth Annual Career Fair, students went on a hands-on
adventure in career exploration, led by alumni, parents and local
professionals representing careers as varied as real estate, law
enforcement, web design, retail merchandising, lifeguarding and
communications. Lts. Anthony Fallon and Sam Pinto of the Long Beach Fire
Department allowed students to don their fire gear to help them
experience what it feels like to be a firefighter. Drago Karodzic, the
pizza chef at Long Beach Middle School, invited students to make their
own pizzas. Local radio celebrity Halftime Howie simulated a radio
broadcast. Chuck Kupfer, a golf pro at the Lido Golf Club, demonstrated
the basics of a good swing. Master Park of Park’s Martial Arts in Long
Beach led students in a tae kwon do exercise. One of the most celebrated
professionals of the day was Freeport police officer Dave Karp’s canine
partner Gunnar, who delighted students with a demonstration of his
unique law enforcement skills.
Proving that it is never too early to start planning for future careers,
West School kindergartners celebrated Community Day, creating a mini
city called Westland in which they served as the bankers, grocery
clerks, postal carriers, police officers and firefighters who kept the
city humming. To prepare for Community Day, they visited local merchants
and public services to learn more about the people who work in their
neighborhood. In June, the older children at West School will celebrate
their own Career Day, welcoming local community members to share useful
advice that will help them start preparing for a host of promising
careers.
Science Competition Winners
Two LBHS Teams Qualify for Intel ISEF
Competing at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF), two
teams of Long Beach High School students received first-place awards,
qualifying them for the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair (ISEF), in Pittsburgh, PA on May 13-18.
Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth, both seniors, won first place in the
Environmental Sciences category and also received the I-SWEEEP Award.
Arianne and Jane studied water pollution in Reynold’s Channel as well as
the other Long Island bays, and the effect that the pollution has on
the flounder populations within those waterways. They have proposed to
utilize local mussels for bioremediation of the polluted waters. Andrew
Hurst and Zachary Klein, also seniors, took first place in the
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering category. In addition to their
first-place finish, they won the National Society of Professional
Engineers Award. Andrew and Zachary were able to create a wind turbine
that captured both wind and solar energy in order to improve energy
efficiency of the device.
Several other students achieved notable results at LISEF. Junior
Caroline Walsh earned a second-place award in Energy and Transportation.
Caroline created solar cells that used natural pigments found in plants
such as carrots, blueberries and beets, to harness solar power. Juniors
Brandon Levokove and David Velez took home a third-place award in Plant
Sciences, as well as an award from the American Meteorological Society.
David and Brandon used a fungus to remove harmful pollutants such as
acid rain, and also to reduce dependency on fertilizers, thus reducing
the harmful effect of runoff. Sophomores Chandler McMillan and Hunter
Rogoff received honorable mention in the Environmental Management
category, as well as the Ricoh Sustainability Award. Their research
involved the use of soybeans in combination with either a bacteria or a
fungus to remove aluminum contaminants from soil.
ISEF, which is one of the world’s premier global science competitions
for students in grades 9-12, provides an annual forum for more than
1,500 high school students from 65 countries, regions and territories to
display their independent research.
Three Students to Compete at I-SWEEEP
Long Beach High School students Arianne Papa, Jane Smyth and Caroline
Walsh all qualified to compete at the International Sustainable World
(Engineering, Energy & Environment) Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP) on
May 3-6 in Houston, TX. They will join more than 1,000 top high school
researchers from all over the world to share ideas, experience and
knowledge to promote global sustainability.
LBMS Students Compete at LI Science Congress
At the junior level, 13 students were chosen to represent Long Beach
Middle School at the Long Island Science Congress Junior Division at
Farmingdale State College on March 29. The students who qualified to
compete were Kailey Ahearn, Mashiyat Ahmed, Gabrielle Ayzenberg, Chloe
Curley, Kelly Cannon, Savannah Kile, Kristen Miciotta, Shane Morris,
Mary Sabedra, Leah Shokrian, Justin Simms, Ali Thursland and Cassidy
Zawatson. Award winners will be announced at the end of April. The
students were selected based on their performance in the Long Beach
Middle School Science Fair and a second qualifying round at their
school.
Long Beach School District Named a Best Community for Music Education Second Year in a Row
The Long Beach City School District was one of 166
school districts across the country and 17 on Long Island to be
recognized as a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM
Foundation. On April 17, the NAMM Foundation announced the results of
its 13th annual Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) survey,
which acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their
commitment to and support for music education in schools. This is the
second year in a row that the Long Beach City School District has earned
this distinction.
The BCME survey is a nationwide search for communities whose programs
exemplify a strong commitment to music education. Established in 1999,
BCME recognizes and celebrates schools, their administrators, teachers,
board members, parents and students for their support of music education
and their efforts to ensure access to all students as part of the core
curriculum.
Each school receiving the “Best Communities” designation scored in the
80th percentile or higher in the survey’s grading process. Participants
in the survey answered detailed questions about funding, graduation
requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities,
support for the music program, and other relevant factors in their
communities’ music education programs. The responses were verified with
district officials and the data was reviewed by advisory organizations.
The 2011 survey was conducted in collaboration with the Institute for
Educational Research and Public Service of Lawrence, Kansas, an
affiliate of the University of Kansas.
More than 1,600 students participate in the Long Beach School District’s
36 bands, orchestras and choral ensembles. Students in grades 5-12
participate in All-State, All-County, LISFA and NYSSMA festivals. In
2011-2012, four students earned All-State honors, 54 were named
All-County musicians, and seven were chosen to perform at the Long
Island String Festival. The High School Marching Band participates every
year in the Newsday Marching Band Festival held at Hofstra University.
Long Beach High School is one of only a handful of schools on Long
Island that offers a guitar class as part of its arts curriculum, and
the only guitar program in which students present a multi-act stage show
at the end of the year. School groups also perform at various venues
throughout Long Beach as a service to the community. The high school
gives talented music students the opportunity to join the Tri-M Music
Honor Society. Members tutor younger musicians and perform community
outreach work.
“This two-time honor is a well-deserved recognition for the community,
district leaders, teachers and parents who believe in music education
and are assuring that it is part of a complete education for children in
our schools,” said Dr. Dale Johanson, the District Director of
Comprehensive Arts. “It holds us up as an example of community support
and commitment to music education.”
A copy of the survey can be downloaded for review at
www.nammfoundation.org.
LBHS Student Wins Volunteer Awards
Long Beach High School junior Shannon Romig received a
total of three national and state awards acknowledging exceptional
service to her community.
The first award was a Certificate of Excellence from the Prudential
Spirit of Community program, a nationwide program that honors young
people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Shannon was also honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award,
presented by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation,
in recognition and appreciation of her commitment to strengthening our
nation and making a difference through volunteer service.
“In my inaugural address, I stated that we need a new era of
responsibility and recognition on the part of every American that we
have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world,” stated President
Barack Obama in a letter addressed to Shannon. “Your volunteer service
demonstrates the kind of commitment to your community that moves America
a step closer to its great promise.”
Most recently, Shannon was selected as the Nassau Region recipient of
the NYS PTA Youth Humanitarian Award in Honor of Stanley Marcus.
According to the NYS PTA official website, the Stanley Marcus Award is
presented to high school junior or senior students who best exemplify
the humanitarian principles of Stanley Marcus who died in 1977 while
serving as third vice president of the New York State Congress of
Parents and Teachers.
Among her many volunteer activities, Shannon has been a key student
organizer of the Long Beach Relay for Life. She also received a grant
from Cablevision Power to Learn and MSG Varsity Charity of Champions to
support a program of fundraising activities that she put together to
benefit Camp Anchor, a year-round not-for-profit camp for children and
adults with disabilities. So far, with the help of fellow students and
the grant money, she has raised over $4,000 for this worthy cause.
Shannon, who is an accomplished Irish step dancer, also performs at area
nursing homes to entertain residents.
Tri-M Inducts New Members
The Long Beach High School Chapter of the Tri-M
Music Honor Society recently inducted 14 new members in a well-attended
ceremony held at the high school.
“Music brings us all together. It is the world’s universal language,”
said Tri-M faculty advisor Marino Bragino III. The ceremony, conducted
by Long Beach chapter president Annie Winerip, welcomed Rachel Barkan,
Ilana Blumenthal, Christina Chase, Kyle Curley, Victoria Epstein,
Jessica Fernandez, Whitney Flaum, Adam Goldenberg, Halle Henry, Jonathan
Kappel, Taylor Martinelli, Maegan Miciotta, Michaela Rynecki and
Matthew Walsh into the fold of this international honor society which
recognizes students for their academic and musical prowess.
Long Beach High School Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi and chorus teacher
Michael Capobianco were bestowed with Tri-M Honorary Lifetime
Memberships. Former Long Beach student Michael Oquendo, who pursued
music education at SUNY Potsdam, was recognized with an Alumni
Achievement Award. The ceremony also included several musical
performances by Tri-M members.
The main goal of Tri-M is to inspire students to excel at music,
leadership and service. Members act as goodwill ambassadors, performing
at local nursing homes, school events and community functions. They also
assist younger students in preparation for their NYSSMA solo evaluation
performances.
IP Freshman at Home on LBHS Stage
When Christian Musto entered the eighth grade at
Lincoln Orens Middle School in Island Park, he and his fellow
classmates had to start thinking about whether they would like to attend
Long Beach High School or West Hempstead High School the following
year. The Island Park School District does not have a high school, so
after grade eight, students and their families must choose to continue
their education in either Long Beach or West Hempstead School District.
Although the choice may not have been so clear for his fellow
classmates, Christian, who is passionate about acting, knew he wanted to
attend Long Beach High School as soon as he learned that the school
offers a well-rounded acting program, included an elective course called
“Studio in Theater Arts.”
“I’ve been acting since I was eight,” said Christian. “When I landed my first lead role as John in
Peter Pan,
I knew I was hooked. When I get older, I want to be a professional
actor, so it was important to me to be able to develop my acting skills
in high school.”
When Christian came to Long Beach High School as a freshman, he signed
up for “Studio in Theater Arts” as his arts elective. He also tried out
for the high school musical, where he landed a lead role as Hero in
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
“When Christian came to auditions, he brought his resume with him—it
listed dozens of camp productions, middle school theater productions,
and his work with the Island Park Theater Guild,” recalled theater
teacher and musical director Vanessa Krywe. “He fit the part of young
Hero perfectly, and he also sang the part well. He had a real presence
on the stage.”
“I always try as hard as I can,” said Christian of his audition. “I was still amazed to get the part as a freshman.”
Being in the play not only helped Christian gain more vital theater
experience; it also helped him acclimate to a new school in a new town.
“It was great being in the play and taking acting courses—it’s like
having a bunch of family members away from home. My best friend from
Island Park was also in the play—that made it even more fun for both of
us.”
“I didn’t know anyone when I got here, but from day one I made so many
friends,” said Christian of his first days at Long Beach High School.
As he passes the halfway point in his freshman year, Christian is very
pleased with the choice he has made to come to Long Beach High School.
“The kids are friendly, all my classes are great, and I have a lot of
cool teachers.”
AMC Math Winners
Yasmine Resnick (grade 10), Nerio Rodriguez
(grade 11) and Michael Heiss (grade 10) finished in the top three of all
the Long Beach High School students who competed in the American
Mathematics Competition 12 (AMC). Their scores gained them recognition
by the AMC as having exceptional mathematics talent.
Long Beach High School administered the AMC in February 2012 to all
students who were interested in rising to the challenge. According to
the competition’s official website, AMC is dedicated to the goal of
strengthening the mathematical capabilities of our nation's youth by
challenging them to problem solve mathematical concepts beyond the scope
and sequence of their grade level, and by identifying, recognizing and
rewarding excellence in mathematics.
Friends of the Arts Committee
A "Friends of the Arts" committee has been
formed to promote the advancement of the arts in Long Beach Public
Schools and the surrounding community. The goals of the organization are
to further enhance and enrich the cultural life of students by
promoting student arts and cultural events, recognizing student
achievements and providing better communication between the district and
the community at large. The organization hopes to create new ways to
recognize, appreciate and support students’ practice and enjoyment of
the arts through special events and fundraising activities.
The committee recently held an organizational meeting to elect officers.
Superintendent of Schools David Weiss was the guest speaker. “I
appreciate everyone’s support of our students,” he told the group. “You
will play an important role in celebrating the successes of our students
and solidifying community support for the arts.”
The committee has already been active selling T-shirts and refreshments
at the recent high school musical production. Other fundraisers are
planned for the spring concert season. The goal of this year’s
fundraisers will be to raise money for scholarships and awards to be
presented at the high school Senior Award Night.
“We believe that all children possess talents and gifts that if left
untapped will create a void in our society,” said Friends of the Arts
Administrative Liaison Dr. Dale Johanson. “It is our hope that the world
will become a better place through the cultural enrichment of our
children who will someday give their talents to the world.”
The committee welcomes parents, community members, musicians and
concerned citizens to join them in this worthy cause. For more
information, contact President Bari Klirsfeld at 516- 815-7178 or
baripres@aol.com.
Anime Manga Art Forum Citation
A group of Long Beach High School students
representing the Anime/Manga Art Forum recently received citations from
the City of Long Beach in recognition of the work the club has done to
increase cultural understanding through the arts.
Now in its fourth year, the Anime/Manga Art Forum promotes cultural
awareness of Asian cultures through the popular Japanese graphic stories
and cartoons called Manga and anime. As part of the program, each year
students publish their own limited-edition compilation of original
graphic stories and Manga art, donating copies of the publication to the
Long Beach Public Library for public use.
The club, which is grant funded, was developed as an enrichment program
in alternative literature. Students draw on technology, art, literature
and social studies skills to create their Manga portfolios. The genre
includes a broad range of subjects, including everything from
action-adventure, romance and sports to historical drama, science
fiction and fantasy. The club is open to English language learners and
native English speakers and attracts students from a cross-section of
different social groups, proving that art truly can provide a bridge for
fostering cultural understanding.
“One of the biggest unanticipated benefits of this club is that students
have found an outlet to share their inner most talents in a secure
non-judgmental setting,” said Vivian Fiallo, Director of World Languages
and ELL Programs. “We are also pleased that first two editions of their
work have been copyrighted, making our students published authors.”
Junior College Night
The Long Beach High School Guidance Department
helped juniors and their parents jump-start the college search and
application process at Junior College Information Night. After an
introduction by guidance director Patricia Hausfeld, attendees headed
off to workshops conducted by representatives from Molloy College, New
York University, Adelphi University, SUNY College at Old Westbury, Stony
Brook University, Harvard Club of Long Island, Hofstra University and
CUNY (which CUNY schools?). Topics included College for the Athlete, The
Competitive College, College for the Learning Disabled Student,
Financial Aid, SUNY and CUNY Admissions, The College Essay, and
Financial Aid.
“Tonight we want parents and students to gather information, begin to
develop a plan, and understand the options available,” explained Ms.
Hausfeld.
In the weeks to come, juniors will begin meeting with their school
counselors for individual planning conferences to discuss post-high
school plans, graduation requirements, and the college application
process.
Morning Madness Fashion Show
To raise money and awareness for the annual
substance-free PTSA Morning Madness After-Prom Party Long Beach High
School seniors donned the latest in eveningwear and took to the stage
for the Morning Madness Fashion Show.
Morning Madness committee chairs Betsy Glazer, Rhonda Healy, Gina
Knauer, Randi Andosca, Linda Birnbaum, Gina Knauer, Maria Martin, Ann
Marie Scandole and Darlene Tangney saw to every detail, making sure that
this would be an unforgettable night for the seniors and their
families.
Before the show, parents and friends enjoyed an Aussie-style feast,
donated by Outback Steakhouse of Island Park, as the high school string
ensemble provided musical entertainment. While the seniors were busy
backstage completing their transformations from typical teenagers to
glamorous runway models, committee chair Betsy Glazer expressed
heartfelt thanks to the many local merchants and individuals who have
donated money, services and raffle prizes throughout the year.
“I would like to take this time to extend my thanks to Betsy Glazer and
the entire Morning Madness Committee,” said Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi.
“Prom night is known to be one of the most dangerous nights of the year
for teenagers, but this is not the case in Long Beach. Each year the
Long Beach PTSA takes this important step to make sure that our students
have a fun and safe place to enjoy themselves after the prom.”
Seniors Annie Winerip, Connor Sofield, Gavin Enright and Liz Gloeggler
acted as masters of ceremonies for the evening, announcing each couple
as they paraded down the runway in glittering gowns and tuxedos. More
than 90 seniors took part in this gala event.
Gowns and tuxedos were provided courtesy of Estelle’s of
Farmingdale, The Bridal World of Baldwin, David’s Bridal and Snider’s
Formal Wear. Teacher Maria Perrone once again choreographed the show,
including the surprise finale in which all 90 students gathered on the
stage together, providing a spectacular photo-op for family and friends.
Morning Madness is an alcohol and drug-free all-night party that
provides seniors with a fun, safe and absolutely free place to continue
their celebration after the prom. The party, which is open to all
seniors, features food, music and raffle prizes. The grand prizes,
raffled off at the end of the evening, are a Netbook, a flat screen TV
and a brand new car. Students must be present at the time of the raffle
in order to be eligible to win these grand prizes – a powerful incentive
to stay all night. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or making a
donation to Morning Madness is invited to contact the LBHS PTSA at
516-897-2012.
Helping Breast Health Alliance
When the Long Beach Medical Center’s Breast Health Alliance sent out a call to join a community fundraising campaign to raise funds to purchase the hospital’s first digital mammography machine, Long Beach students and teachers rolled up their sleeves and went into action, raising over $1,084 for the worthy cause. The hospital recently hosted a reception to thank students and staff for their efforts.
The Long Beach High School African-American Club, under the direction of Edwina Bryant, held a raffle that netted $600 for this cause. The Forensics Club, under the leadership of Gary Ribis, whipped up batches of homemade brownies, which they sold during Parent Teacher Night to net an additional $250 for the campaign. Teachers in the Long Beach Middle School Sunshine Club joined forces to donate another $234, bringing the total contribution from the district’s students and teachers over the $1,000 mark.
To help the hospital keep track of its fundraising efforts, students in the Long Beach High School wood tech class, working under the supervision of Eric Heck and Jim Johnson, built a fundraising barometer board, complete with a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon. In a feat of engineering wonder, the students designed the board with cutouts for the ribbon and barometer, which can be filled to higher and higher levels as each new fundraising plateau is reached.
“It is so great to see students engaged in the community and helping others,” said Long Beach Medical Center CEO Douglas Melzer. “I’m very proud of you for your involvement and support of this important effort to bring digital mammography into the community.”
The Breast Health Alliance was established to enhance and raise awareness about breast health services available to residents of Long Beach and the surrounding communities. The Alliance has focused on several initiatives, including patient-centered care for breast patients at Long Beach Medical Center, establishing a support group for women with breast health concerns, hosting education and awareness programs in the community, promoting the services of the Long Beach Breast Cancer Coalition, and raising funds for the purchase of a digital mammography unit. To date, the campaign has raised $33,000 toward its $200,000 fundraising goal.
The Breast Health Alliance will be hosting its next digital mammography campaign event, an art auction, on March 23, 2012 at St. Mary of the Isle Church. For ticket information, to make a donation or to join the Breast Health Alliance, please call LBMC’s Public Affairs Department at 897-1097.
Environmental Action
A group of Long Beach High School students recently met with the City of Long Beach Environmental Advisory Board to discuss a series of proposals. Seniors Jane Smyth and Arianne Papa presented their recommendations for a natural and cost-effective method of water remediation in Reynolds Channel. Another group of students proposed creating signage for the boardwalk that describes migrating birds, local fish and other natural items of interest.
Papa and Smyth, who have conducted chemical testing on the waters just east of the sewage plant that drains into Reynolds Channel, found that there were higher-than-expected levels of chlorine nearest to the point of water discharge. Chlorine is a substance used in sewage treatment to destroy harmful bacteria. While the levels found in the water were within regulated and accepted baseline standards, the two found that there was a dearth of aquatic life in the immediate path of the effluent. There is currently no de-chlorinating process in place to treat discharge from the plant.
The pair, which has been conducting award-winning research to test the use of Atlantic ribbed mussels as biofilters, discovered that the mussels digested chlorine at an exceptional rate, and not only survived but thrived in random samples of the discharged water. The girls proposed building a wooden structure in the water near the sewage plant that could be populated with mussels to act as a natural bio-filter for chlorine and other chemicals. These mussels, which are indigenous to Reynolds Channel, would have no impact on the natural ecosystem.
The second group of students presented two proposals for projects at the boardwalk. The first was for a mural at the boardwalk wall at the foot of Washington Boulevard that would depict an underwater seascape representing indigenous species. The second proposal was to create a series of permanent environmental signs to educate visitors about the geography and ecology of the barrier island. The signs would feature information about native and migratory birds and other organisms that make their home on the beach and ocean surrounding the barrier island.
The Long Beach Environmental Advisory Board, which was formed in August 2009, is comprised of seven members appointed by the city manager. The goals of the board are to advise, assist and make recommendations to the city manager and the city council in developing local programs to protect, restore and enhance the environment.
Badminton for Breast Cancer
Long Beach High School students participated in a night of lighthearted badminton to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The National Honor Society organizes this annual event, dubbed “Badminton for Breast Cancer.” NHS members Lila Martz and Brigitte Gilbert spearheaded the activities this year, keeping track of the competitive brackets as the friendly tournament advanced game by game. To add to the festivity of the event, teams were encouraged to dress in distinctive costumes for the occasion.
“It’s great when the students can get together to raise money for a great cause and have fun at the same time,” said National Honor Society advisor Nora Bellsey.
This one-night event raised nearly $1,200, with each two-person team donating $10 to the cause and the rest coming from local businesses and individual sponsors. There were six active courts hosting games at any given time. The varsity badminton team participated, and coach Andrew Rossi was on hand to help officiate.
National Honor Society members, who are committed to upholding the ideals of scholarship, leadership, character and service, organize a number of projects each year to better their school and local community. This is just one of many service activities spearheaded by Long Beach Public School students, as part of the district’s emphasis on promoting social-emotional learning.
Healthy Cooking and Eating
Students in the high school Life Skills Program received a hands-on lesson in healthy eating and cooking when they attended a cooking demonstration at the Oceanside Stop & Shop. The demonstration, entitled “The Power of Food,” was presented by Dr. Robert Dell’Amore, the chief nutritionist of The Healthy Kitchen, Inc., an organization whose mission is to educate and empower adolescents to lead healthier lifestyles.
Assisted by Chef Elaine Medine, Dr. Dell’Amore showed students how to combine power foods such as fresh vegetables, beans and olive oil to prepare delicious and nutritious salt and sugar-free dishes that are low in saturated fat and rich in vitamins, unsaturated fat and flavor.
He invited students to join him in preparing a natural salad dressing for a dish called “crazy kale salad.” While the students combined freshly squeezed lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, Dr. Dell’Amore extolled the virtues of fresh vegetables and herbs. After tasting all the foods they had helped to prepare, the students all agreed that preparing delicious, healthy food can be fun and easy.
“Our Life Skills program focuses on preparing our students for life after high school,” said Long Beach High School Special Education Coordinator Lois Jankeloff. “We are proud to offer students opportunities to participate in events such as this to hone their independent living skills. We also appreciate the support of our local communities in these endeavors.”
A Very Funny “Comedy Tonight”
From the moment that Pseudolus, played by
Russell Goetz, sang the first melodious strains of “A Comedy Tonight,”
the audience knew they would be in for a raucous ride into ancient Rome
as the Long Beach High School Theater Department presented Steven
Sondheim’s
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He
was joined by a fine ensemble cast of performers, whose comedic timing
was matched only by their melodic vocals and graceful dancing.
Doing a commendable job in the role Zero Mostel immortalized on the
silver screen, Goetz skillfully finagled a hilarious series of
misadventures as he played matchmaker for his young master Hero
(Christian Musto) and the beautiful virgin courtesan Philia (Alexandra
Brodsy) in exchange for his much dreamed-of freedom from slavery. In the
process, he had to outsmart Hero's parents, Senex and Domina, the slave
master Lycus and the feared Roman soldier Miles Gloriosus, who has
already purchased Philia for his own.
Musto and Brodsy emoted a charming chemistry as they embodied the
youthful enthusiasm of everyone’s first love. Although Musto made his
Long Beach High School acting debut in this role, it was apparent that
he was no stranger to the stage. In the role of Philia, Brodsy was given
a perfect opportunity to show off her exceptional vocal talent.
Senior Adam Goldenberg pulled out all the stops in his final performance
on the Long Beach High School stage as the loyal house slave Hysterium,
who had been charged with keeping Hero out of trouble while his parents
were away. But alas, things could not have gone more wrong for the
high-strung Hysterium. As the comedy of errors unfolded, he found
himself hiding courtesans in his master Senex’s home, arranging for
secret trysts, and ultimately appearing in drag, masquerading as Philia
to carry out Pseudolus’s ridiculous scheme.
Joseph Keiserman brought the perfect blend of arrogance and grandeur to
his portrayal of the pompous Gloriosus, belting out a booming baritone
rendition of “Bring Me My Bride.”
Gavin Enright, who has already made a reputation for himself as a
comedic actor playing an assortment of rapscallions and charlatans over
the years, did not disappoint in the role of Lycus, purveyor of fine
women. He was surrounded by his beautiful harem of dancing courtesans,
played by Chandler McMillan, Victoria Lombardi, Jhoselyn Alcivar, Ellen
Blas, Katie Murphy and Kayla McAvoy.
Vincent Pasqua and Annie Gloeggler gave well-matched comedic and vocal
performances as the less-than-happily married Senex and Domina. Carlos
Mejia did a convincing job as the blind and befuddled old man Erronius,
circling the hills of Rome in search of his long-lost children.
In the end, the cast, who was supported by a fine chorus of courtesans,
proteans and soldiers, did not disappoint in their promise to deliver “A
Comedy Tonight.”
The show was directed by Long Beach’s own master of comedic timing,
Vanessa Krywe, with Joseph Keiserman taking on the role of student
director. Marino Bragino III proudly directed the pit orchestra and
Michael Capobianco made his debut as musical director. Marcus Quiroga
once again dazzled with his creative choreography, and Eric Krywe was
the stage manager.
More Honors for Fragments
Once again, Long Beach High School’s literary magazine,
Fragments,
earned top honors in competitions sponsored by the National Council of
Teachers of English (NCTE) and the Empire State Scholastic Press
Association (ESSPA).
In the NCTE Program to Recognize Excellence in Literary Magazines, the
Fragments staff received the “Superior” designation for Highest Award ranking.
Fragments was
among only eight New York high school literary magazines to receive
this ranking. Of the 391 entries nationwide, only 96 qualified for this
designation.
At the state level,
Fragments was honored with the Gold All-New
York Award at the ESSPA annual competition. Students also earned a
total of 32 individual awards including eight gold, ten silver, seven
bronze and seven honorable mentions. Long Beach students dominated in
the poetry category, racking up 11 out of 16 total awards. They made an
equally strong showing in specialized content, winning six of the eight
awards in that category.
Individual gold awards went to: Sophie Corwin for artwork/illustration;
Emily Charleson, Eileen Kelly, Jane Smyth and Roxette Romanes for
layout; Sophie Corwin (two awards) and Jane Smyth for poetry; Alana
Costello for non-fiction; and Giovanna Raffa and Emily Charleson for
specialized content.
Individual silver awards were earned by: Kirsten Donovan for
artwork/illustration; Sophie Corwin and Alexis Romano for fiction;
Hillary Vinokur for photography; Grace Smith (two awards) and Benjamin
Weiss for poetry; and Kirsten Donovan (two awards) and Blaine Garde for
specialized content.
Six students earned individual bronze awards: Blaine Garde for
artwork/illustration; Joseph Sweeny for fiction; Scott Blumenfeld and
Emily Charleson for photography; Jane Smyth and Sophie Corwin for
poetry; and Emily Charleson for specialized content.
Honorable mention was given to: Marlena Howard and Eileen Kelly for
artwork/illustration; Eileen Kelly, Emily Charleson and Jane Smyth for
cover design; Kirsten Donovan for photography; and Sarah Ben-Moussa,
Eileen Kelly and Grace Smith for poetry.
Over the years,
Fragments writers, editors and artists have
consistently won top awards at national and state competitions for their
work. Students edit and write for Fragments as part of the high
school’s Talented Writers program, taught by Rachell Koegel. Submissions
are also accepted from students in a number of other writing and art
classes offered at the high school.
LBHS Pool Rededication
The Long Beach Board of Education held a special
ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of renovation work on
the high school pool. A new environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art
filtration system was installed this summer, and the renovation was
recently completed with the installation of new diving platforms and
tile restoration.
Board Vice President Roy Lester and Trustee Patrick Gallagher, who were
both varsity swimmers during their days at Long Beach High School,
presided over the ceremony. Also in attendance were Board President Dr.
Dennis Ryan, trustees Darlene Tangney and Gina Guma, Superintendent of
Schools David Weiss, Chief Operating Officer Michael DeVito, Director of
Athletics, Physical Education and Health Arnold Epstein and Principal
Gaurav Passi. Coaches John Skudin and Woody Davis and members of the
boys and girls varsity swim teams joined them for the ceremony, which
took place at the start of the January 27 boys meet against Jericho.
Connecting with the Environment
The lessons they had learned in their science
classes took on a new level of real-world relevance for Long Beach High
School students when they met with Dr. James Browne, an environmental
conservationist for the Town of Hempstead. He spoke to them about his
studies of coastline changes and water quality in local waters.
Dr. Browne detailed his work in the town’s program to restore shellfish
reefs in areas such as the shallow waters west of Island Park.
“Shellfish are a keystone species,” he explained. “They are natural
engineers. Other species depend on them. They clarify the water and
provide food for animals such as water fowl.”
He then went on to explain other aspects of his work, such as collecting
tide data and charting the changes in the marshland area in the South
Shore Estuary Reserve. Using aerial photography, he and his team have
been studying changes in the marsh islands, channels and inlets over
time. One of the long-term trends he has observed is a rise in sea
levels. “These studies are especially vital to coastline communities
such as ours because the depth of water can have an effect on waves. The
marsh shallows play an important role in absorbing wave energy and
limiting wave size during storms.”
The group, which included students in introductory, International
Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement biology and environmental science
courses, along with students from the Long Beach Science Research
program, listened intently as Dr. Browne passed around photos, charts
and maps detailing his work. They asked him questions about the process
he and his team are using to grow shellfish reefs and discussed
information they had read about the effects of the effluent produced by
the Bay Park Treatment plant on local waters. After the presentation,
students stayed behind to discuss some of their own environmental
experiments with Dr. Browne.
Alumni Day
Having survived their first semester of college
with much success, a group of a dozen graduates of the Long Beach High
School Class of 2011 returned to their alma mater to share advice with
this year’s juniors and seniors about everything from academics to dorm
life.
Although their experiences with roommates, class sizes and dining hall
food varied considerably, most students agreed that academics are more
rigorous at college. The alumni urged the younger students to take
advantage of the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, SUPA
and other college-level courses offered at the high school.
“Any subject you were good at in high school will become more
challenging in college,” said Ben Weiss, who is attending Georgetown
University. “AP English really helped me with college-level writing. It
will be a much harder learning curve for you at college if you don’t
take advanced writing classes in high school.”
“The outlining skills I learned in AP Government class also helped me in
college,” added Michele Asarch, who attends Binghamton University.
“College is a lot more work, a lot of studying, a lot of papers,” said
Damaris Swass, who is at Smith College. “As an art major, I also spend a
lot of time in the studio.”
Although they found their first semester of college challenging, most of
the alumni agreed that when they employed the organizational and study
skills they learned in high school and planned their class schedules
well, they were able to get their coursework done and still have time to
get involved in sports, clubs and campus social life. They said that
getting involved in activities outside of the classroom actually helped
them make friends and better acclimate to college life.
Operation Medicine Cabinet
While conducting studies of local bay pollution
for her Science Research class, Long Beach High School senior Arianne
Papa was surprised to find that water samples taken from Reynolds
Channel contained low levels of pharmaceuticals. Using a UV spectral
photometer to test for peak wavelengths of certain drugs in the water
samples, she discovered traces of over-the-counter and prescription
formulas that people dispose of every day were contaminating the waste
lines.
With the cooperation of the Long Beach Police Department, Arianne
organized Operation Medicine Cabinet to help stem the flow of these
drugs into our waterways and landfills. Working with fellow National
Honor Society members Jordan Jaffe and Andrew Hurst, NHS advisor Nora
Bellsey and Long Beach Police Detective Sergeant Karl Hayes and Officer
Angelo Peppe, Arianne set up a collection station for unwanted and
expired medicines at two recent High School concerts. The Long Beach
Police Department will ensure safe and proper disposal of the
medications.
“Sewage treatment plants are not testing for pharmaceuticals before
discharging the water in the environment,” noted Arianne. “People don’t
realize the impact on the environment.”
Artwork Published in Calendar
Eleven Long Beach High School art students entered their original photography in the Nassau County Bridge Authority’s 2012 Pass Card Contest. The judges were so impressed with the quality of the students’ work that they selected a total of twelve pieces for inclusion in the organization’s 2012 calendar. Christina Carvalho, Emily Cerda, Giovanna Deloca, Justine Smith, Kim Trabulsi, Lauren LiBrizzi, Mark DeGuzman (two pieces), Paola Servellon, Perri Steiner, Shauna Spruiell and Stephanie Lerner were honored at a breakfast at the authority’s board meeting on Dec. 20. Each student received a copy of the calendar as a keepsake. Students created the photos in teacher Sue Solomonic’s Studio in Photography class.
Exploring Healthcare Careers
Long Beach High School students in Carol Henck’s “Health Professions” course took a trip to Long Beach Medical Center to get a firsthand look at the career opportunities available to them in the healthcare profession. Students heard presentations from a registered nurse, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, a social worker and a pharmacist. Careers in medical billing, hospital administration, risk management and mortuary science were also discussed.
After the presentations, students broke up into groups to tour the hospital’s diagnostic imaging, dialysis and hyberbarics/wound care units.
“Start thinking about where you want your story to go,” advised Dr. Paula Rayo, the hospital’s coordinator of medical education, as she told the students the story of her career in medicine. After their day of touring Long Beach Medical Center, these young healthcare hopefuls will have many new ideas for building their own personal success stories.
Class of 2012 Top Two Named
Long Beach High School has officially named
Jonathan Klus the valedictorian of the Class of 2012. Jane Smyth has
been named the salutatorian.
Jonathan, who is a member of the National Honor Society, was named a
National Merit Commended Student and an AP Scholar with Distinction. He
has won multiple awards at state and international science competitions,
including gold and silver medals at the International Sustainable World
(Energy, Engineering and Environment) Project Olympiad, first and
third-place awards at the New York Science and Engineering Fair, and
highest honors at the Long Island Science Congress. A New York State
Scholar-Athlete, he competes on the Varsity Cross-Country, Track and
Swim teams. Jonathan is the vice president of the Israeli Culture Club
and president of the Future Physicians Club at Long Beach Medical
Center, where he is also a junior volunteer. Outside of school, he
participated in a summer internship at the Town of Hempstead Department
of Conservation and Waterways Laboratory. He is also a Running Club
coach at the Long Beach Recreation Center and a City of Long Beach Ocean
Beach Park gate attendant.
An International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate, Jane is an AP Scholar,
a National Merit Commended Student and a member of the National Honor
Society. She is vice president of the senior class and a Model Congress
executive board member. Jane was a two-time Finalist in the Intel
International Science and Engineering Fair and a three-time medalist in
the International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering and
Environment) Project Olympiad. She participated in the Simons Research
Fellowship Program at Stony Brook University and co-authored a research
paper that was published by the New York State Water Environment
Association in “Clear Waters.” Jane is an editor of “Fragments,” her
school’s literary magazine, and has won a certificate of superior
writing from the National Council of Teachers of English, as well as a
second-place award in the 2010 National French Week Essay Contest.
Outside of school, she practices ballet and
en pointe and has earned a third-degree black belt in tae kwon do.
LBHS Zumbathon
Camp Anchor, located in Lido Beach, is a
year-round not-for-profit camp for children and adults with
disabilities. Long Beach High School junior Shannon Romig developed a
special relationship with the camp after volunteering there over the
summer. To do something special to benefit the camp, she decided to
apply for a grant from the Cablevision Power to Learn and MSG Varsity
Charity of Champions program.
“Because the camp is so close to our high school, many students and
teachers volunteer there in the summer. There are also many students
from our school's Life Skills program that attend this camp, so it
seemed like a perfect cause to support,” said Shannon, who is an
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidate.
With the help of IB Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) advisor
Christine Graham, Shannon put together a proposal to adopt the camp for a
year by organizing a series of fundraising activities, including a
Zumbathon, a Masquerade Ball, pizza and bake sales, and sporting events.
Power to Learn was so impressed with her proposal that they awarded her
$500 in seed money for her school and a $1,000 grant for Camp Anchor.
By qualifying for the grant, she also put her chosen charity in the
running to win a grand prize award of $5,000.
With the seed money in hand, Shannon went to work to organize the first
charity event of the year, a Zumbathon. She enlisted the aid of fellow
IB Diploma candidate Harli Weitz to co-chair the event, and sought the
support of dance teacher Christianne Donohue, who agreed to be the
event’s faculty coordinator. Nearly 75 fellow students and staff members
showed up to support her by dancing the afternoon away, following the
lively international routines that have made Zumba the latest exercise
craze.
“This event would not have been possible without Ms. Donohue’s help,”
said Shannon. “She not only recruited her IB dance and gym class
students, but also encouraged faculty to attend. Having a teacher with a
professional dance background truly made the event.”
Camp Anchor’s Assistant Director Joseph Lentini was invited to the
Zumbathon to accept the $1,000 check, which was presented by
Cablevision’s Martha Turner at the beginning of the event. Town of
Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray also dropped by to present a citation
acknowledging the school’s efforts on behalf of the camp. In addition to
the grant money, the event raised an additional $1,165 for Camp Anchor.
This is just one of many special outreach projects that Long Beach High
School students plan to accomplish throughout the year as part of the
Creativity, Action and Service requirement for International
Baccalaureate Diploma candidates.
“One of the goals of this project is to have all the IB students
participate in one way or another,” said Shannon. “Ms. Graham wants to
encourage more students to take a leadership role at some of the
upcoming events. Our Masquerade Ball already has six student organizers,
which is great.”
All-County & LISFA Honors
A total of 54 Long Beach students in grades 4
through 12 qualified to perform in the New York State School Music
Association’s (NYSSMA) All-County Festival in January. They will join a
select group of musicians from all over Nassau County for a gala concert
series at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts featuring select
band, chorus, orchestra, vocal jazz and jazz band performances. Hundreds
of students auditioned for this honor at the NYSSMA Solo Evaluation
Festivals held last spring.
A total of 19 high school students, 17 middle school students and 18
elementary students from around the district will be participating in a
variety of performances at the festival over the course of two weekends.
For a complete list of the All-County participants, visit the
Comprehensive Arts page.
LISFA Musicians--Seven students were chosen to participate in the Long
Island String Festival Association’s (LISFA) Annual String Festivals.
Eighth grader Jonathan Kapilian (cello) and freshman Victoria Epstein
(violin), sophomore Dana Berman (violin) and juniors Joseph Keiserman
(string bass) and Alexandra Gruber (violin) performed at the LISFA
Secondary Festival, held at Massapequa High School on November 18-20.
Talia Fernandez, a fifth-grade violinist at Lindell School, and Lea
Jaffe, a middle school viola student, will both perform in the
elementary festival on March 2-4. All seven young musicians were
recognized as representing the highest quality string musicians at their
grade levels.
This is the second year that Joseph has performed at the LISFA Festival.
Among his other musical accomplishments, he is a six-time New York
State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-County musician and was
chosen this year to perform at the NYSSMA All-State Music Conference.
Alexandra is also a two-time LISFA participant and an All-County
musician. Dana has performed in two previous LISFA Festivals, in
addition to being a four-time All-County musician. Victoria has
performed in two previous LISFA Festivals and is a five-time All-County
musician.
The district was recognized as a 2011 Best Community for Music Education
by the NAMM Foundation, which acknowledges schools and districts across
the U.S. for their commitment to and support for music education in
schools.
Kicking It Up with Rockettes
A group of 35 students in Long Beach High
School’s International Baccalaureate Dance classes recently participated
in two unique dance experiences that most dancers only dream about. The
day began with a trip to the Ailey Extension Joan Weill Center for
Dance, where the students participated in a private Horton Technique
class with a live accompanist.
Then it was on to Penn Station, where the girls were invited to dance
with members of the legendary Rockettes as part of a special LIRR
holiday promotion. All 35 students also received free tickets to see the
Rockettes perform in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
“The look on their faces when they stepped into the studio for their
lesson was priceless,” said dance teacher Christianne Donohue.
“I am sure these experiences are ones that the students will remember
for some time to come,” added Director of Physical Education Arnold
Epstein. “This is a perfect example of the tremendous opportunities that
the International Baccalaureate program can offer our students.”
Fragments Wins National Awards
The American Scholastic Press Association has
awarded Long Beach High School’s literary magazine “Fragments” a First
Place with Special Merit award in the Association’s 2010-2011
competition. The magazine received a total of 960 out of 1000 points for
the overall publication. This is the second year in a row that
“Fragments” received top honors in this national competition.
At the 2011 Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Circle Award
Competition, Long Beach High School 2011 graduate Jacqueline Bokor and
junior Joseph Sweeny both received first-place awards in the poetry
category. Out of thousands of entries in this category, they earned two
out of three possible top spots. Jackie won for her poem entitled
"Although It More Often Rained"; Joseph’s winning poem was entitled
"Dust."
Students edit and write for “Fragments” as part of the High School’s
Talented Writers program, taught by Rachell Koegel. Over the years,
“Fragments” writers, editors and artists have consistently won top
awards at national and state competitions for their work.
HS Dedicates Bobis Memorial
To celebrate the life and legacy of their
teacher, coach, mentor and friend, Daniel Bobis, the Long Beach High
School Surf Club held a special ceremony in the Long Beach High School
commons to unveil a custom-crafted memorial in the shape of a surf
board. Mr. Bobis, a beloved high school math teacher, local
environmentalist and founder of the Long Beach High School Surf Club,
died in a tragic surfing accident this past August off the coast of
Indonesia.
The ceremony began with the viewing of an MSG Varsity video about the
Surf Club. Afterwards, Mr. Bobis’s wife, Rachel, and parents, Jasmine
and Bob, spoke eloquently about their beloved husband and son.
“Danny took a lot of pride in the Surf Club,” said Rachel. “He worked
for years to make this dream for his school a reality. I know how much
he loved working here and how much he cared for all of you. You are part
of something big.”
“Danny tried to cultivate openness and awareness in his students,” said
Jasmine. “Education is not putting something in, but drawing something
out. Coolness is about self-confidence. Danny was always true to
himself. I’m sure that he is looking down on us now, smiling that same
expansive smile.”
“This is an honor,” added Bob. “Jasmine and I were blessed with such an extraordinary son.”
At the end of the ceremony, Danny’s family officiated the unveiling of
the memorial surfboard, which was inscribed with the words “One Life Not
Wasted.”
Two LBHS Soccer Conference Players of the Year
Long Beach High School senior Dylan Palacio was
named the Conference Player of the Year in the boys varsity soccer AA-3
Conference. In the same season, sophomore Shannon Horgan was named the
Conference Player of the Year in the girls varsity soccer AA-3
Conference.
“It is a special honor to have one Conference Player of the Year,” said
Athletic Director Arnold Epstein, “but to have players named in both
boys and girls soccer is truly amazing.”
A five-year varsity player and team captain, Dylan is a four-time
All-Conference and three-time All-County player. Dylan scored 10 of the
team’s 19 goals this season and completed 10 assists.
This is Shannon’s fourth year as a varsity player. She was named an
All-County player in her freshman year. Shannon scored 11 of the team’s
20 goals and completed 6 assists.
LBHS Surf Teams Place in Top 20
Long Beach High School Surf teams finished
eighth and fifteenth at the National Scholastic Surfing Association
(NSSA) Northeastern High School Championships, held on October 30 in
Ocean City, NJ.
In the boys longboard division, Matt Kaplan advanced through a
combination of radical progressive maneuvers and classic longboard style
to the finals, where he placed sixth overall in the Northeast.
Jon Griefenberger surfed well into the third round, where he was stymied
by inconsistent waves during his heat. Max Esformes, Billy Pallazo and
Sean "Staples" Dublynn all advanced to the second round.
Although they did not advance to the semifinals, Hailey Weitz, Chandler
Gregor and Shannon Horgan also gave standout performances.
Last year, Long Beach High School became the first and only school in
New York State to form a district-sanctioned competitive surf club team.
The team was formed under the guidance of Coach Dan Bobis, who worked
tirelessly to make the dream of forming a surf team in Long Beach a
reality. When Bobis died this past summer in a tragic surfing accident
off the coast of Indonesia, his wife Rachel and fellow Long Beach
teachers Anthony Balsamo and Richard Rogers took over the team, so this
was a bittersweet competition for all involved.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Doug Kramer
Drama and Wit Served Up in The Dining Room
Audiences were drawn back to a time when family
life revolved around the dinner table, as Long Beach High School Drama
Department presented A.R. Gurney’s
The Dining Room. This series
of 18 different vignettes about the upper middle-class family life
earned a 1982 Pulitzer Prize nomination. The six-person cast of Joseph
Keiserman, Russell Goetz, Adam Goldenberg, Eileen Kelly, Kayla McAvoy
and Alexandra Brodsky played a revolving series of characters, including
husbands, wives, children, grandparents, lovers, servants and furniture
repairmen. Among the subjects touched on in the intimate setting of the
family dining room were class distinctions, infidelity, family values
and conflicts, the Great Depression and WWII. There were three regular
performances, as well as a free dress rehearsal performance for senior
citizens.
The show was directed by Vanessa Krywe. Eric Krywe served as the
technical director, and Joseph Keiserman was the student director. Sets
and lighting were designed by Kenneth Horgan, Corey Healy was the stage
manager, and Taylor Barje was the props mistress. Behind the scenes
making everything run smoothly were crewmembers Taylor Barje, Jordan
Brodsky, John Costigan, Brian Crosby, Alexandra Duffy, Corey Healy,
Nicholas Lao, Adam Madisen, Sinclair Mason, Alexander Passaro, Charlene
Rollins, Samantha Ronda, Luigi Rueda, Jesse Schaefer and Bryan Tipptree.
Swimmers Qualify for States
Under the guidance of swimming coaches John
Skudin and Lynn Tanaglia and diving coach Woody Davis, the Long Beach
High School Girls Varsity Swim team won the Section VIII Division B
Title meet, held at the Nassau Aquatic Center on October 26.
The team later finished fourth at the County Championships on November
2-5, with Cady Zawatson, Kellie Cannon and Emma Harris all qualifying to
compete at the State Championships on November 18 and 19.
Cady qualified in both the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle, with times
of 155.3 and 507.9, respectively. Kellie also qualified in the 200-yard
freestyle, with a time of 142.8. With a score of 418, Emma, who finished
fourth in the county, qualified in diving.
LBHS Leadership Training
Long Beach High School Student Government
representatives Gavin Enright, Ashita Patel, Victor Tarantino, David
Velez and Dylan Palacio attended a leadership conference at Hofstra
University with Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi. The conference was jointly
sponsored by the Nassau County High School Principals’ Association and
the Suffolk County High School Principals Association.
Participants received leadership training to help them facilitate
excellent relations between students and school administrators, enhance
avenues of communication, encourage school spirit, prevent bullying,
help at-risk students and foster community outreach.
The Long Beach participants noted that it was helpful to talk to
students from other schools and share ideas for community service
projects, fundraising activities and social events that could help unify
their school and encourage more students to feel like an integral part
of their school community.
One of the highlights of the program for the Long Beach students was a
motivational presentation about achieving goals. The presenter asked for
a volunteer to jump as high as he or she could to hit a mark on the
wall. Dylan, who is a Varsity athlete, volunteered. After he made an
impressive jump, the presenter marked the spot on the wall. The
presenter then taped a $100 bill a foot above that spot, and told Dylan
that he could keep the bill if he was able to grab it. With the crowd
cheering him on, Dylan rose to the challenge and plucked the money from
the wall. The presenter then told him that even with weeks of training,
it was statistically impossible for an athlete to improve his best jump
by that much.
“The lesson I learned that day was that sometimes it’s not just about
you,” said Dylan. “Knowing that someone else believes in you lets you go
above and beyond. Since then, I’ve been encouraging my teammates by
letting them know I believe in them. It’s definitely had a positive
effect on our performance.”
Long Beach High School Hosts College Mini-Fair and Junior Parent Meeting
The Long Beach Guidance Department recently hosted the
second of two Fall College Mini-Fairs, giving seniors and their parents
the opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from nearly 40
colleges, including SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY
Oswego, SUNY Potsdam, Adelphi University, Clarkson College, Iona
College, Lincoln Technical Institute, Manhattanville College, Molloy
College, Queensborough Community College, Sacred Heart University,
Rutgers University, St. John’s University, St. Joseph’s College, Vaughn
College of Aeronautics and Technology, and Utica College.
“These mini-fairs provide a relaxed, intimate atmosphere for students to
chat face-to-face with college representatives, explore the programs
offered at each school, and gather information that will help them make a
more informed decision about where to apply,” said Director of Guidance
Patricia Hausfeld.
The High School Guidance Department also hosted a special presentation
for Grade 9 and 10 students and their parents, entitled "Where Am I
Going after High School and How Do I Get There Starting Now." A panel of
college representatives from Nassau Community College, SUNY Oneonta,
SUNY Stony Brook, and Baruch College spoke about the difference between a
community college, a state college, a university and a private college.
They also gave students useful information about what they should start
doing now to prepare for college and careers.
Other upcoming guidance events include Financial Aid Night on December 8
at 7:00 p.m., the Grade 11 Parent/Student Meeting on March 1 at 7:00
p.m., and a college mini-fair for juniors on April 23.
52 AP Scholars Named
A total of 52 students at Long Beach High School have earned AP
Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP
Examinations during the 2010-2011 school year, including two students
who qualified as National AP Scholars. The College Board’s Advanced
Placement (AP) Program provides willing and academically prepared
students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses
while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced
placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. These
young scholars belong to a select group--only18 percent of the more than
1.8 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a
sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award.
Long Beach High School’s 2011 Valedictorian Jordan Ochs and senior
Ambrose Plante both earned National AP Scholar Awards—the highest honor
bestowed in the program—by earning an average score of 4 or higher on a
five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on
eight or more of these exams. Ambrose is one of the first Long Beach
students to qualify for this honor before completing his senior year.
A total of 14 students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction
Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken,
and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These
students are Lauren Chung, Robert Cornacchia, Sophie Corwin, Graham
Greene, Andrew Hurst, Jordan Jaffe, Brittany Kaplan, Jonathan Klus,
Jordan Ochs, Arianne Papa, Ambrose Plante, Griffin Shapiro, Benjamin
Weiss and Sophia Xu.
Another 10 students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by
earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and
scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are
Ayla Alvarez, George Ambrosini, Carlos Benavides, Andrew DiGiorgio,
Casey Harsh, Peter Morelli, Matthew Pisciotta, Roxette Romanes, Melanie
Simons and Annie Winerip.
An additional 26 students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by
completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher. The AP
Scholars are Jesse Adler, Jessica Amen, Jesse Arnaudd, Michelle Asarch,
Sarah Ben-Moussa, Christine Bertinetti, Joanna Cincotta, Danielle
Danoski, Kirsten Donovan, Liam Fitzpatrick, Jazmine Galarreta, Halie
Gates, Rebekah Geiselman, Hannah Gittler, Emily Graham, Aditi Gupta,
Lila Martz, Harris Pittinsky, Saira Ramessar, Eric Rubin, Brandon
Sadowsky, Alexa Salazar, Jane Smyth, Sophie Torres, Brian Whelan and
Cady Zawatson.
Of this year’s award recipients at Long Beach High School, 26 are
seniors. These students have one more year remaining to complete
college-level work and possibly earn a higher-level award. The other
recipients of AP Scholar Awards are graduates of the Class of 2011.
Long Beach High School offers a total of 14 AP courses, which are open
to any student willing to rise to the challenge. The AP Program is just
one of three college-level programs offered at Long Beach High School.
Students can select to participate in the world-renowned International
Baccalaureate Diploma Program, and can also choose from among 11 other
college-level courses offered through the Syracuse University Project
Advance and other colleges.
Research shows that students who take AP and International Baccalaureate
courses typically experience greater academic success in college and
have higher college graduation rates than students who do not avail
themselves of the rigorous curriculum offered by advanced-level high
school courses.
“Ryan’s Story” Addresses Bullying, Cyber Bullying and Youth Depression
John and Kelly Halligan lost their thirteen-year-old son, Ryan,
to suicide on October 7, 2003. It was later revealed that Ryan had been
ridiculed and humiliated by peers at school and online. Since then, Mr.
Halligan has become an outspoken advocate for the need for more
education and prevention of bullying, cyber bullying and teen suicide.
Mr. Halligan visited the Long Beach School District to tell his son’s
tragic story to Long Beach Middle School and High School students. He
also presented a special evening session for parents of children in
grades K-12. To make it possible for parents of younger children to
attend, babysitting was provided.
Mr. Halligan began with a video presentation of home movie clips and
pictures of Ryan. He then told the story of Ryan’s life and the factors
that led up to his son’s suicide. The audience gained a unique
perspective from inside the family of a child who was a victim of
bullying and cyber bullying. They also gained a deeper understanding of
the devastating impact that teen suicide has on a family. Through Mr.
Halligan’s very personal story, they also learned several life lessons
about the power of forgiveness and the importance of finding ways to
turn a tragedy into hope for others.
As his story unfolded, Mr. Halligan followed Ryan’s journey through
adolescence and his painful relationship with a bully, who over the
years taunted him, eventually befriended him, and ultimately betrayed
him by spreading vicious rumors in school and through social media. Some
children joined in with the bully, while others stood by and did
nothing, until ultimately the pain became too much for Ryan to bear.
“With the advent of social media, bullying has become more emotional
than physical,” he explained. “We can’t stop the problem without your
help. The bystander is a big part of the problem. If just one friend had
the courage to set that bully straight, Ryan might still be with us
today. Nothing will change until you make a change. Don’t be a
bystander. Be an upstander. Be a hero. You have the power.”
On the topic of depression, he offered students this advice, “If you are
feeling hopeless, I beg you to ask for help. Talk to your parents or
another adult you can trust. If you need help, ask; if you have a friend
who needs help, ask for them. Remember, all of you are loved more than
you will ever know.”
During the evening presentation, Mr. Halligan shared the lessons that he
learned too late to save his own son. He empowered parents with
strategies that they can use to take preventative actions with their own
children, including a handout with dozens of suggestions regarding the
safe use of technology.
"Conflicts can be resolved through negotiation. Bullying is something different.
Watch your kids and recognize the signs, take control of the gadgets,
and pay attention to the bystanders. They are the ones who need to start
standing up, to tell the bully that it’s not okay, to chip away at his
audience, to take away his power.”
In memory of his son, Mr. Halligan spearheaded the Vermont Bully
Prevention bill, which was signed into law (ACT117) in May 2004, only a
few months after Ryan’s death. He also successfully led the passage of
the law pertaining to mandatory suicide prevention education in public
schools (ACT 114) in April 2006. His son’s story and his
accomplishments in response to this tragedy have been told worldwide.
This presentation of “Ryan’s Story” is just one example of the
district’s ongoing work to support the social and emotional learning and
development of all Pre-K-12 students in an effort to make schools safe,
maintain a caring school climate, facilitate students’ holistic
development, and enhance motivation and high achievement.
Four LBHS Seniors Named National Merit Commended Students
Long Beach High School seniors Aditi Gupta, Jonathan Klus, Lila Martz, and Jane Smyth have been named Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), only 34,000 were named Commended Students, placing them in the top five percent of all students who took the test.
Aditi, who is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate, was also named an AP Scholar. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society. Active in science research, she qualified to compete in the New York Science Congress. An accomplished musician, Aditi performs in the Select Choir and the Chamber Orchestra.
Jonathan is a member of the National Honor Society and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. Active in science research, he has won multiple awards at international science competitions. Jonathan is the vice president of the Israeli Culture Club, president of the Future Physicians Club at Long Beach Medical Center, and is a hospital volunteer. As an athlete, he competes on the Varsity Cross Country team and the Varsity Swim team.
A National Honor Society officer, Lila organized the society’s annual Badminton for Breast Cancer Tournament. She is a two-year captain of the Varsity Tennis team. Lila also qualified to take the Chemistry Olympiad test. During the summer, she volunteers at Camp Anchor, a local camp for special-needs children.
An International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate, Jane is an AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. She is vice president of the senior class and is a Model Congress delegate chair. She has won multiple science research awards at regional, national and international science competitions, and participated in the Simons Research Fellowship Program at Stony Brook University. Jane also writes for “Fragments,” her school’s literary magazine, and has won local and state awards for her writing. Outside of school, she practices tae kwon do and ballet.
LBHS Senior Ambrose Plante Named National Merit Semifinalist
Long Beach High School senior Ambrose Plante has been named a
Semifinalist in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. As a
Semifinalist, he ranks among the top one percent of the more than 1.5
million students who entered the competition by taking the National
Merit Scholarship Corporation’s Preliminary SAT/National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test, better known as the PSAT. He will now have
the opportunity to advance and compete for some 8,200 National Merit
Scholarships to be awarded next spring. Semifinalists must fulfill
several requirements to continue to the Finalist level. About 90 percent
of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and
approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit
Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
Ambrose is a member of the National Honor Society, the Foreign Language
Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He was recently named a
National AP Scholar for his exceptional performance on Advanced
Placement exams. He is an All-County vocalist, has competed in the
NYSSMA solo evaluations in classical guitar, and is a member of the
Chess Club. A Varsity Tennis and Hockey player, Ambrose was a member of
the 2010-2011 State Championship Hockey team. He also works as a skate
guard and hockey instructor at the Long Beach Ice Arena.
Long Beach High School Senior Parent College Information Night
To get students off to a solid start in the college application process, the Long Beach High School Guidance Department hosted its annual Senior Parent College Information Night. Guidance Director Patricia Hausfeld welcomed students and their parents, promising to provide answers for the two most pressing questions on everyone’s mind: “What is the next step?” and “What do I need to do to get there?”
Ms. Hausfeld began by reviewing information about graduation requirements, SAT/ACT exams, college visits, upcoming college fairs, financial aid and the NCAA Clearinghouse. She also introduced parents to the 100% electronic transcript and application process that students will be using this year for the first time, facilitated through an online program called Naviance Family Connection. Students and teachers have already been introduced to the program and will receive continued support from the guidance staff to make sure all goes smoothly.
Hofstra University’s Director of Admissions Sunil Samuel was the evening’s guest speaker. He helped everyone make sense of what often seems like an overwhelming and confusing process. A few choice pieces of advice that he offered were to start early, visit colleges, sample the food and observe coeds going about their daily business.
“I always tell students to avoid what I call the ‘trophy school syndrome,’” he explained. “Don’t look for the college that looks best on the back window of your car. Look for the school that feels right to you.”
Mr. Samuel went on to explain the pieces of the puzzle that admissions officers examine to determine which students will contribute the most to their particular college community. He touched on the high school transcript, standardized test scores, the college essay, extra-curricular activities and interviews. He also cautioned that every college is different with regard to deadlines, financial aid and evaluation of transcripts and standardized scores, and advised students to visit each school’s admissions page, or call the admissions office to ask questions.
In conclusion, Mr. Samuel assured the seniors that “it will all work out in the end, if you go about it in the right way, ask the right questions and advocate for yourselves. Be aware and involved in the process.”
After the presentation, Mr. Samuel, Ms. Hausfeld and the entire guidance staff stayed to answer questions and offer further reassurance.
LBHS Homecoming Victory
The damp, rainy weather did not deter fans who filled the stands at Veterans Field to cheer the Marines on to a 34-7 Homecoming victory against Bellmore JFK. Peter Amabile had 78 rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries. Tom Rowley had 56 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well as 147 passing yards and two touchdown passes.
The Homecoming Carnival, sponsored by the Student Government Organization, attracted record crowds despite the inclement weather. Volunteers from many school clubs and honor societies provided the entertainment, which included international foods, a pie toss, a wedding booth, finger painting, a photo booth and other carnival games.
The inclement weather prevented the marching band from presenting their traditional halftime show, but the Varsity Cheerleading Squad braved the rain to entertain the crowd and inspire the athletes. Then members of the Long Beach Bulldogs youth football program charged across the field at lightning speed in the annual Bulldog Dash, before the football team returned to the field for the second half.
The Varsity Football team will be sponsoring the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation during the fall season. To support this cause, donations were collected at the gate and at the concession stand.
Homecoming weekend was capped off with a ceremony on Saturday morning to induct new members to the Long Beach High School Wall of Fame. This year’s inductees were esteemed professor and historian Eric Foner (Class of 1959), renowned doctor and cancer researcher Steven Libutti (Class of 1982) and Vietnam War veteran and retired Long Beach Police Detective Thomas Parker (Class of 1963).
Three New Honorees Take Their Place on the LBHS Wall of Fame
In what has become a time-honored Homecoming tradition, three new honorees were inducted into the Long Beach High School Wall of Fame. Eric Foner, Steven Libutti and Thomas Parker took their place among the 118 other distinguished graduates and community members whose plaques hang in the High School commons area as an inspiration to the youth of Long Beach.
Dr. Foner (Class of 1959) was on the tennis team, president of Arista and voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” After completing degrees at Columbia University and Oxford University, he went on to a distinguished teaching career at Cambridge University, City College of New York, Moscow State University, the University of London and Columbia. Among his numerous awards, he received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching from Columbia University and the Kidger Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship from the New England History Teachers Association. He recently won the Pulitzer Prize for History for his book entitled The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery.
Dr. Libutti (Class of 1982) was a member of the varsity soccer team, played in the jazz, concert and marching bands, and participated in the Key, DECA and Future Physicians clubs. He completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard University and went on to receive his M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. After completing his surgical residency at the Presbyterian Hospital in New York, he went on to serve at various hospitals, including the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, the Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. His research led to novel approaches for the treatment of cancer. He has received numerous honors for his work, including the National Cancer Institute Technology Transfer, Director’s Gold Star and Director’s Innovation Awards.
Mr. Parker (Class of 1963) excelled in football and wrestling, and was selected the Varsity Football MVP in 1963. After spending two years at Wesley College, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. During his tour of duty he received two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Air Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and an Army Commendation for Valor. In 1969, Mr. Parker became a Long Beach police officer and rose to the rank of detective, earning five commendations, fourteen Excellent Police Duty Awards and three Life Saving Awards. After retiring in 1990, he volunteered his time as a coach of football and baseball for the Long Beach Recreation Department.
The Wall of Fame was dedicated in 1996 by the Long Beach Booster Club in cooperation with the Long Beach Public Schools to serve as an inspiration for the youth of Long Beach.
“Over 1,300 students and 200 staff members pass by this wall every day,” Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi said in his address at the Wall of Fame dedication ceremony. “May it inspire them to go on to do great things like today’s honorees have done.”
“I am honored to be here to celebrate your accomplishments,” said Superintendent of Schools David Weiss. “May you serve as a source of inspiration as we continue with our efforts to bring pride to our community.”
“The attachment and affection of the people in Long Beach to one another is unique,” said Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, who helped obtain funding to create the wall. “This is a wonderful opportunity to thank and honor those whose achievements have made a difference in our lives.”
Longtime friend Betty Meron spoke fondly of the accomplishments of Eric Foner. “Growing up in the 50’s in Long Beach was a time of safety, but it was a dangerous time politically. Eric’s family was plagued by McCarthyism in the 50’s, but he rose above it to become an accomplished historian and scholar like his father.”
In one of the more touching moments of the ceremony, Dr. Libutti acknowledged his middle school science teacher Bruce Schneider, recalling a memorable lesson in chemistry that inspired him to pursue a career in research and medicine.
School Board trustee Pat Gallagher gave an emotional tribute to his longtime friend Thomas Parker, thanking him for his many years of service to his country and his community.
LBHS Students Bring the Constitution to Life at Lido School
In what has become an annual Constitution Day tradition, a group of Long Beach High School juniors and seniors in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program visited classrooms at Lido Elementary School to teach a special lesson about the role the Constitution plays in our system of government.
The high school students came armed with their advanced knowledge of U.S. History to discuss the functions of the three branches of government and the balance of power among them as ensured by the U.S. Constitution. After a brief introduction, students broke into groups to color pictures of the White House, the Capitol Building and the Supreme Court, and to complete a Constitution Day word search. While the younger children colored, the older students led them in lively discussions about the importance of the democratic system of checks and balances.
This is just one of many special outreach projects that these high school students plan to accomplish throughout the year as part of the Creativity, Action and Service requirement for International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates.