Long Beach High School

News Archive

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.

 

LBHS Students Earn All-State Music Honors

Long Beach High School juniors Russell Goetz and Joseph Keiserman have been selected to perform at the 2011 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Winter Conference in Rochester, NY. Russell earned the distinction of being accepted to both the Mixed Chorus and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He will perform with the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.  Joseph Keiserman, who plays double bass, was selected for the Symphony Orchestra. They will attend the annual All-State Conference from December 1- 4, 2011, performing at the renowned Eastman Theater under the direction of nationally prominent conductors.
 
Seniors Annie Winerip (jazz trumpet) and Grace Smith (flute) have been selected as alternates to the All-State Ensembles.
 
This is one of the highest honors bestowed on high school music students in New York State. Thousands of students auditioned for this honor at solo evaluation festivals held across the state last year.
 
Russell, who is a six-time All-County musician, is the first Long Beach High School student to be selected for the All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society and performs in the high school Jazz Ensemble, Select Choir, Chorus and Wind Ensemble. He has also played leading roles in the high school drama and musical productions.
 
Joseph is a four-time All-County musician who has played in the Long Island String Festival. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society and performs in the Select Choir, Chamber Orchestra and Concert Orchestra. He has also played leading roles in the high school drama and musical productions and will be the student director of both productions this year.
 
Annie, who is a five-time All-County musician, performs in the Nassau Suffolk Jazz Ensemble and has traveled to Europe with the Blue Lake Jazz Orchestra. She performs in the high school’s Jazz Band, Dixieland Jazz Band, Marching Band and Pit Orchestra. A member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society, she is an AP Scholar with Honor. An accomplished athlete as well, she is a member of the Varsity Softball and Swimming teams.
 
Grace is a two-time All-County musician who plays in the Marching Band and the Wind Ensemble. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She also participates in the Talented Writers Program and writes for “Fragments,” her school’s award-winning literary magazine.
 

Adelphi University Pre-College Jazz Combo
               
Long Beach High School junior Jesse Klirsfeld will be performing at the All-State Music Conference with the Adelphi University Pre-College Jazz Combo. Jesse is a four-time All-County musician who also plays in the High School Jazz Ensemble, Swing Band, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Pit Orchestra.
 

LBHS Student Gabriella Klein Named a Long Island Scholar Artist

Long Beach High School senior Gabriella Klein received an Award of Merit in Dance from the Scholar Artist Program. The program, which is sponsored by the Long Island Alliance for the Arts in cooperation with Newsday, recognizes talented students in the fine and performing arts. She was one of only 20 Long Island students to be honored with this award.

Gabriella was invited to a kickoff event at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, at which she and her fellow scholar artists attended a welcome reception, dinner and photo shoot. They also met with representatives from the arts programs of local colleges. She will also be honored at an end-of-the-year reception at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.

Gabriella was nominated for this honor by Long Beach High School dance teacher Christianne Donohue. As part of the application process, Gabriella was required to submit an audition tape and write an essay about how her involvement in dance has shaped her life.

“We recognize that you are dedicated to your art and that you are a very valuable asset to your school district,” said John J. Gallagher, Chairperson of the Scholar Artist Committee. “We commend you for your hard work, excellent scholarship and accomplishments.”

A student of Irish step dancing for ten years, Gabriella has competed with the Hagen School of Irish Dance in five world championships, and will be competing in this year’s World Championships in Belfast, Ireland in April 2012. Gabriella has also studied modern dance in the Long Beach High School dance program, which was introduced in the fall of 2010. She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Foreign Language Honor Society, and plays first violin in the High School Chamber Orchestra. Athletically, she is a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field teams.

LBHS Surf Team Participates in 9/11 Memorial Paddle Out

Long Beach High School Surf Club members joined forces with over 300 local surfers, firefighters, police, lifeguards, Quiksilver Pro surfers, and members of the military for the O’Keefe Foundation’s Annual 9/11 Memorial Paddle Out to honor those lost on that tragic day.

After a memorial mass and service, the participants lined the shore with surfboards in hand. Long Beach lifeguards placed a memorial wreath on a surfboard, as all the participants paddled out on the ocean together to form a memorial circle.

 All the participants wore black armbands emblazoned with the names of victims of the 9/11 attack. Long Beach High School social studies students had made these armbands earlier in the week as part of a joint venture with the Quiksilver Foundation. This was one of several cooperative activities between Long Beach High School students and the Quiksilver Foundation that took place while the Quiksilver Pro New York Competition was in town.

LBHS Students Pitch In to Help Clean Storm-Damaged Playground

Long Beach High School students joined forces with the Quiksilver Foundation to help the City of Long Beach clean up the Magnolia Street Park—a children’s playground at the boardwalk in Long Beach that was damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. The students participated in this cleanup as a living memorial to their Surf Club coach, teacher and local environmentalist, Daniel Bobis, who died this summer in a tragic surfing accident off the coast of Indonesia.

Long Beach High School Surf Team members and students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program teamed up with city and school district officials and representatives of the Quiksilver Foundation to shovel mounds of sand and remove debris, making short work of the cleanup job. World Champion surfer Kelly Slater and local legend Balaram Stack also dropped in to help out. Both were in town for the Quiksilver Pro New York Competition, which took place in Long Beach on September 1-11.

Students worked under the direction of IB Coordinator Dr. Andrew Smith and Surf Team coaches Anthony Balsamo, Rich Rogers and Daniel’s wife, Rachel Bobis. All are Long Beach teachers, and all share a special bond as his close friends and surfing companions.

“Giving back to the community has always been important to me, and it was important to Danny as well,” said Ms. Bobis. “ As coaches of the LBHS Surf Team, our goal is not only to teach the students about surfing but also about caring and contributing to our community and taking care of our environment. I am so proud of the team and how they have risen above such a great loss to follow in Danny's footsteps, as I strive each day to do as well.”

While the Quiksilver Pro New York Competition has been in Long Beach, the Surf Club also received VIP passes to the qualifying rounds, surfed with some of the pros, and participated in a 9/11 Memorial Paddle Out.

(PHOTOS: Courtesy of Joley Welkowitz)

LBHS Students Make Armbands for 9/11 Paddle Out

In cooperation with the Quiksilver Foundation, Long Beach High School social studies students did their part to commemorate 9/11 by making more than 300 black armbands decorated with the names of people who lost their lives on that tragic day.

The armbands were worn by Long Beach High School Surf Club members, Quiksilver Pro competitors, firefighters, police, lifeguards and military as they took part in the Annual O’Keefe Foundation 9/11 Memorial Paddle Out on Sunday morning at the Long Beach Ocean Park. More than 300 people took part in this event honoring the victims and heroes of 9/11.

Long Beach Public School students throughout the district will be participating in similar community service activities during the course of the school year as part of the district’s emphasis on promoting social-emotional learning.

The Quiksilver Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to benefiting and enhancing the quality of life for communities of board riders across the world by supporting environmental, educational, health and youth-related projects. The foundation teamed up with Long Beach High School students on other local community service projects—including a cleanup of the Magnolia Street Playground—during the Quiksilver Pro New York competition, which was held in Long Beach on September 1-15.

 

Olympic Snowboarder Torah Bright Visits Long Beach High School

In conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro New York Competition, Olympic snowboarder Torah Bright paid a visit to Long Beach High School to speak with physical education classes about her experiences. She told students how she developed her love for snowboarding as a 12-year-old in the mountains of Australia. Since then she has spent most of her life traveling the world to practice and compete.

Students asked her what life was like in Australia, how many times she was injured practicing this extreme sport, and what it felt like to win the Olympic Gold Medal in Calgary.

“When I crossed that green line, it was a feeling of total relief,” said Ms. Bright. “I had suffered three concussions, so I spent more time off the snow than on before the Olympics. That experience taught me how important it is to be mentally strong as well as physically strong. I am always in competition with myself. It was exciting to know that my personal best happened to be the best in the world that day.”

Ms. Bright emphasized the importance of hard work and effort it takes to be successful. When asked to put a number on it, she said that her success was 99% effort and 1% talent. At the end of her presentation, Ms. Bright stayed to chat with students and sign autographs before heading back to the festivities at the Quiksilver Pro New York Competition.

LBHS Literary Magazine Wins Columbia Scholastic Press Gold Medal

LBHS Summer School Success Story

Long Beach High School is pleased to announce that 18 twelfth graders were able to complete the requirements for graduation during the summer school session, bringing the 2011 graduation rate to 95% - a ten-year high for the school.

A total of 346 students sat for at least one Regents exam. A total of 87% of all students who took the English Regents passed. The only students who did fail did not come to summer school or attend any of the scheduled review sessions. The passing rate in the Global History August Regents increased from 39% in 2010 to 85% in 2011. The passing rate in Living Environment increased from 50% to 61%.

“The increase in both attendance and success rates is due in large part to an increased focus on the at-risk student population,” explained Summer School Principal Dr. Andrew Smith during a presentation at the August 30th Board of Education Meeting. “The overall goal was not simply to get students to take the exams, but to have them be successful.”

Over the past few years, Long Beach Summer School has been striving to re-envision summer school as a place to improve student learning well beyond the six-week program. Summer school now provides students with a way of extending their learning, gaining necessary credit, and receiving effective intervention and enrichment opportunities. “The ultimate goal is to help students change their behaviors to become more interested, invested and involved in school,” said Dr. Smith.

 

LBHS Students’ Research Published in Professional Journal

Long Beach High School students Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth had their joint research published in the Summer 2011 issue of Clear Waters Magazine, a publication of the New York Water Environment Association. As an added honor, one of the photos they submitted with their paper appeared on the cover of the magazine. The article, entitled “Mussels, a Natural Approach to Sewage Treatment: Evaluating Geukensia demissa as Biofilters of Local Bay Pollution,” can be viewed at http://nywea.org/clearwaters/11-2-Summer/.

Arianne and Jane developed their research in the Long Beach High School Science Research Program. During the 2010-2011 school year, the duo earned numerous awards for this same research, including a Second Place Grand Award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and a gold medal at the I-SWEEEP international science competition. They also qualified to represent New York State at the national level of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition. They spent the summer in the Simons Research Fellowship Program at Stony Brook University, working on the Western Bays Project to reduce pollution in Nassau’s marshlands.

Dr. Timothy Piciullo Named High School Vice Principal

At the July 19th meeting of the Long Beach Board of Education, board members officially appointed Dr. Timothy J. Piciullo to serve as Vice Principal of Long Beach High School, effective July 20. He replaces Cheriese Pemberton, who became the District Director of Mathematics on July 1. As the newest member of the High School administrative team, he will be working closely with Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi and fellow Vice Principals John Emmons and Thomas DePaola.

Having served previously as Principal of Wantagh Middle School, Assistant Principal of Hauppauge High School and Dean of Students at Bellport High School, Dr. Piciullo is an expert in middle to high school transition issues. He has also had extensive experience in all areas of instructional leadership, student management, discipline and building administration.

Dr. Piciullo started his career in education in September 2002 as a middle school technology teacher in Patchogue-Medford Public Schools. He later went on to teach middle and high school technology and business classes for Islip Public Schools.

Dr. Piciullo holds a doctorate in education, educational administration and technology, as well as a master’s degree in secondary education business, both from Dowling College. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Information Technology from Briarcliffe College.

“I am honored to join the Long Beach educational community, “ said Dr. Piciullo. “I am looking forward to working along with the students, staff, and parents to help ensure a successful school year.”  
 

LBHS Track Star Wins State Championship

Long Beach Varsity Track star Joshua Trone won the NYS Track Championship in the 100 m dash, at the state competition held on June 10-11 at Caledonia Mumford High School in Caledonia, NY. He finished first in all divisions in the state with a time of 10.84 seconds, beating out runners in Division 1, Division 2, Catholic schools and New York City schools. This was Josh’s best performance of the season, setting a new school record.

Under the guidance of Coach Greg Milone, the Boys Track team earned the Division Championship title - the team’s first division championship in over 30 years.

 

LBHS IB Students Plant Tree of Knowledge

When they discovered that a recent storm had downed a beloved old weeping willow tree on the school campus, students in the Long Beach High School International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program decided to plant a new tree to replace it on the east campus of the school. Students dubbed the tree, planted during the last week of classes, the Tree of Knowledge. The tree will commemorate the initiation of the Long Beach IB Program, which will graduate its first diploma candidates in June 2012.

“I was saddened by the thought that a tree that had witnessed so much history had been destroyed,” said junior Olivia Deschler, who initiated the idea for the tree planting ceremony with fellow IB scholar Emily Charleson. “Emily and I thought it was only natural that we, the first class of IB diploma candidates, leave our mark on the school. The Tree of Knowledge is a symbol of the first roots of the IB Program planted here by the Class of 2012.”

“The tree truly represents the IB Program and how Long Beach is turning over a new leaf by accepting this prestigious program,” added Emily. “As the first class to complete this program at Long Beach High School, we are planting the seeds of new ideas, allowing the tree’s rings to hold memories just like the old tree did.”

All of the other 2012 IB diploma candidates stood alongside Olivia and Emily as they marked this special occasion in their shared history. At the close of the ceremony, each of the students threw a ceremonial shovel of dirt to symbolize their unity and solidarity.

 

Long Beach High School Announces Top Two in Class of 2011

Long Beach High School has designated Jordan Ochs (left) as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011, and Ziyin Xu (better known as Sophia) as the Salutatorian.

Among his many honors, Jordan was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and received the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Award for Excellence in Science and the Rensselaer Science Medal. Jordan, who is co-captain of the Varsity Soccer team and a three-year starting goalie, was a 2010 All-Conference Soccer player. He was also named the Nassau County High School Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society.

An AP Scholar with Distinction, Sophie is a member of the National Honor Society and is active in her school's Science Research program. She is President and founder of the Asian Culture Club, Vice President of the Future Physicians Club, and Secretary of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. An accomplished pianist, she won a second place award in the Crescendo International Competition and earned a perfect score in her NYSSMA Level VI (most difficult) solo evaluation.

 

LBHS Science Symposium Celebrates a Banner Year

There was much to celebrate as students in the Long Beach High School Science Research program gathered one last time to present their work to family and friends at their annual Science Symposium. This year students competed in seven different regional, state and international competitions, earning prize money totaling over $100,000. All 29 students in the program earned at least one award.
   
Six students, in teams of two, qualified for Intel ISEF in Los Angeles, competing against students from around the globe. Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth earned a second-place Grand Award and $10,000 in prize money. The pair also qualified to represent New York State at the national level of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition in Chicago on June 23-25. In addition, the MIT Lincoln Lab will be naming a meteorite after them.

Three teams also qualified for the 2011 International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering, and Environment) Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP) in Houston, Texas. Competing against 450 top projects from 70 countries around the world, the team of Jackie Bokor and Hannah Berkowitz won both the grand prize and a gold medal in the Environmental category. Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth also won a gold medal, while Brandon Levokove and David Velez took home a silver medal.

At the Long Island Science Congress, four students won Highest Honors, six won High Honors and three were awarded Honors. One student, Aditi Gupta, was selected to represent Long Island’s Senior Division at the State Congress competition.
       
Long Beach High School students in grades 9-12 who participate in the Science Research program develop their projects under the direction of teachers Cody Onufrock and Veronica Ade. 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.

 

 

Two LBHS Students Accepted to Simons Summer Research Fellowship Program Will be working with researchers on Western Bays Project

Long Beach High School juniors Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth have been accepted to the Simons Summer Research Fellowship Program at Stony Brook University. They will be part of a select group of 31 students nationwide who have been accepted to this prestigious program from a field of 240 applicants. They are the first Long Beach students to qualify for this honor.
    
Arianne and Jane will work this summer under the guidance of Dr. Anne McElroy, Director of Graduate Programs in the university's School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences. Dr. McElroy and her associates are part of the team working on the Western Bays Project to reduce pollution in the marshlands along Nassau's south shore. When she read about the Western Bays Project, Arianne contacted Dr. McElroy to ask her to mentor Jane and herself, since they had been conducting their own research using mussels to filter pollutants from the waters of Reynolds Channel.
    
Arianne and Jane have been research partners for the past three years, working on environmental projects and devoting their summers to independent research. Last year's investigation centered on using mussels to filter DEET from runoff water from the local school pond. This past summer, they kayaked down Reynolds Channel to take samples of polluted water. Later they began to test treated sewage effluent as well, which led to their current project of using mussels as natural biofilters of local bay pollution.
   
The girls will be presenting their research at the International Sustainable World (Engineering, Energy & Environment) Project Olympiad in Houston on May 5. They have also qualified to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles on May 8.

 

LBHS Music Honor Society Inducts New Members

The Long Beach High School Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society welcomed 14 new members this year. At the ceremony, conducted by Long Beach Tri-M co-presidents Lauren Chong and Matthew Pisciotta and faculty advisor Marino Bragino III, new members Chris Abrego, Dana Berman, Alexandra Brodsky, Mary Deniston, Maxime Esformes, Daniel Feldman, Jacqueline Gropper, Eileen Kelly, Rachel Lee, Chandler McMillan, Ambrose Plante, Victoria Stewart, Nicole Toledo and Rachel Weiss were inducted into this international honor society that recognizes students for their academic and musical achievements. The evening program also included several musical performances by the Tri-M members.
    
"Tonight not only celebrates art for its own sake, but also for the important role it plays in supporting academics," noted Director of Comprehensive Arts Dr. Dale Johanson in her opening remarks.
    
"Remember this day of making memories and music," added Tri-M faculty advisor Marino Bragino III.
    
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. Tri-M members served as hosts for this year's NYSSMA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, which took place at Long Beach High School.

 

 

Three LBHS Students Win Awards in LI Italian Poetry Contest

Sophomore Joseph Keiserman won a first-place award in the Level 3 Division of the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI) Long Island Poetry Contest, held at SUNY Old Westbury on March 25. Sophomores Lucresia Cruz and Cassidy Kaplan won honorable mention awards, also in the Level 3 Division. Joseph recited "I Pastori" by Gabriele D'annunzio, Lucresia recited "Il Trionfo Di Bacco ed Arianna" by Lorenzo Il Magnifico, and Cassidy recited "L'accento Sulla" by Gianni Rodari. They competed against more than 100 students from all over Nassau and Suffolk counties. Students prepared for the competition under the direction of Italian teacher 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.

 

Six LBHS Students Qualify to Compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

A total of six students (three teams) from Long Beach High School qualified to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel/ISEF), which is recognized as the premier science competition in the world, exclusively for students in grades 9-12. The teams of Hannah Berkowitz and Jackie Bokor, Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth, and Elan Heller and Eric Rubin all qualified for this honor by earning first place awards at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF). They will be heading off to Los Angeles on May 8 to compete against students from around the world, for more than $4 million in prizes and scholarships.
    
Their original research projects will be subjected to several rounds of judging by a panel of doctoral-level scientists, alongside the work of 1,500 other students from 50 countries around the world. For the past four years, Long Beach High School has accounted for approximately one quarter of the Long Island teams that advanced to the international level of the ISEF competition.
    
A number of Long Beach High School students also won special awards at the LISEF competition. Jane Smythe, Arianne Papa, Hannah Berkowitz, Jackie Bokor Zak Klein, Andrew Hurst and Rob Cornacchia won US Air force Awards. Ben Weiss Won the American Metrological Award. Rioch Awards were earned by Jane Smythe, Arianne Papa and Rob Cornacchia. David Velez and Brandon Levokove won a second place award for their team project. Third place finishes went to Ben Weiss, Griffin Shapiro and Zak Seghrouchni. Zak Klein, Andrew Hurst and Robert Cornacchia earned Honorable Mention.
    
A total of 31 students in grades 9-12 participate in the High School Science research program. They work under the guidance of science research teachers Cody Onufrock and Veronica Ade.