Ilsi Martinez Euceda and Samuel Roberts are exceptional young people. The two Huntington High School Class of 2019 members captured the New York State Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award in recognition of their courage, character and commitment.
Ms. Martinez Euceda and Mr. Roberts were honored during the senior academic awards ceremony in the Huntington High School auditorium. School counselor Diana Bonilla made the award presentation on behalf of Attorney General Letitia James before an audience that included hundreds of students and parents.
Ms. Martinez Euceda plans to study business management at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood. She was among 200 students selected statewide to participate in the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany this past winter. She represented Assemblyman Steve Stern in the mock State Assembly and earlier met with him to get his point of view on the bills under consideration.
“I had such an amazing experience in Albany, meeting so many great people,” Ms. Martinez Euceda said. “I wasn’t afraid to talk in front of so many kids because I knew we all had a similar story, being Latinos, with English as our second language. It really was such an amazing experience to be sitting in an assemblyman’s chair in the chamber at the state capitol where bills are passed and laws are made. I felt like my voice and the voice of so many others was being heard.”
President of Huntington High School’s Science Honor Society chapter this past year, Mr. Roberts plans to study biology at the University of Rochester. He hopes to eventually be an MD in the United States Army.
Mr. Roberts was an integral member of the high school’s science research program. He participated in an internship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai through the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition.
Christine Moakley Appointed as Librarian
Christine Moakley has been appointed to serve as a school media specialist/librarian in Huntington UFSD effective in September.
Ms. Moakley obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communication at St. Joseph’s College in 2004 and earned a master’s degree in library and information science at Long Island University in 2012. She completed her state student teaching requirements in Bethpage.
Ms. Moakley most recently served as a leave replacement librarian at Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School in Bay Shore. She earlier worked as Holy Trinity High School’s librarian for three years.
District officials interviewed eight candidates prior to recommending Ms. Moakley for appointment to the district’s faculty.
Finley’s Top Band Students Recognized
Eight J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth grade graduates were recognized with Outstanding Achievement in Band Awards at this year’s moving up ceremony in the Huntington High School auditorium.
The honorees included Fiona Brosnan, Sarah Corwin, Aislyn Franciscovich, Emma Glascock, Emma Hannigan, Leigh Hepworth, Isabella Lima and Allison Malone were all presented with band awards.
Southdown Wraps-up Year with Splash Assembly
Southdown Splash Award recipients with retiring teacher Lynn Hefele and Principal Scott Oshrin.
Southdown Primary School wrapped up the 2018/19 school year with a Splash Award assembly in the gymnasium.
Retiring Southdown physical education teacher Lynn Hefele read a story to the school, wishing the students, teachers and support staff members well in the future.
“We had a staff game of rock paper scissor,” Principal Scott Oshrin said. “The third graders sang their graduation song, ‘Try Everything’ by Shakira. The gym was rocking.”
June’s Splash Award honorees included:
Kindergarten: Carlos Ulloa Caballero, Angel Sanchez-Alvarez, Mansa Muslim, Greta Wallace, Michael “Henry” Jessie; First grade: Krystal Ramirez, Isabella Mata-Soler, Oliver Fox; Second grade: Arielle Melendez, Nina Altarac, Lily Policastro; Third grade: Sharon Hernandez Blanco, Georgia Keely, Taylor Peters, Amyah Escalona, Yoselin Sanchez Hernandez
“Lynn Hefele was the staff Splash Award winner,” Mr. Oshrin said. “I am so proud of all of the boys and girls this year for their hard work.”
Christian Bellissimo to Study Broadcast Journalism at Penn State
Huntington Class of 2019 member Christian Bellissimo plans to study broadcast journalism at Penn State University.
Christian Bellissimo is headed to Penn State University to study broadcast journalism, business and communications. The Huntington High School Class of 2019 member played on the Blue Devil varsity soccer team, served on the staff of The Dispatch student newspaper and volunteered with the Interact Club.
Named a Distinguished Senior in recognition of his exceptional academic record over the past four years, Mr. Bellissimo was secretary of Huntington’s National Honor Society chapter as well as being a member of the Italian, English and Social Studies Honor Societies.
Mr. Bellissimo has traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic, Krackow in Poland, Budapest in Hungary and even Austria with his classmates and he’s been to Italy many times to visit family there. Family vacations have brought him to Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman Islands, Mexico, Spain and Canada.
The teenager credits his parents as the key to his success stating they have “supported and motivated” him to always strive to do his best.
Tyler Abedin Headed to Northeastern University
When Tyler Abedin graduated last month he was among the top members of Huntington High School’s Class of 2019. The teenager is headed to Northeastern University in Boston to study mathematics and business administration.
A member of the National Honor Society as well as the Italian, Science and Math Honor Societies, Mr. Abedin is an academic powerhouse. He also played on the Blue Devil varsity boys’ soccer team.
Encouragement from his parents to work hard and seek out continuous improvement and keeping focused were among the keys to Mr. Abedin’s success.
New Librarian Coming to Huntington
Huntington UFSD will have a new librarian when classes resume in September for the 2019/20 school year. The Huntington School Board has appointed Shannon Rucky. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English; multicultural literature at SUNY Old Westbury and is pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science at Long Island University.
Ms. Rucky worked as a substitute librarian at Huntington High School last spring and was an assistant school library media specialist in Half Hollow Hills from September 2018 to April 2019. She was the Long Island Maritime Museum’s educational director from December 2015 to April 2017. She worked as a paraprofessional in Half Hollow Hills from October 2007 to June 2015.
District officials extensively interviewed 12 candidates for the position before recommending Ms. Rucky for appointment.
Finley English Achievement Awards
Eight graduating J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth graders were presented with Outstanding Achievement Awards in English at this year’s moving up ceremony in the Huntington High School auditorium.
Victoria Befumo, Laurel Bonn, Stella Giorda, Rachel Morina, Margaret Morrisroe, Nikolai Seferian, Haileigh Smith and Soraya Ortega Salgado were all recognized.
Alum Mike Corcoran Appointed as Chemistry Teacher
Michael Corcoran is returning to his alma mater to work as a science teacher. The Huntington High School Class of 2009 member was appointed to the faculty at last Monday night’s meeting of the Huntington School Board.
Mr. Corcoran obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Coastal Carolina University in 2014. He obtained a master’s degree in education at CUNY Queens College in 2018. He completed his state student teaching requirements at Queens Collegiate: A College Board School.
Mr. Corcoran worked as a full-year leave replacement chemistry teacher at Smithtown East High School during the 2018/19 school year. He earlier worked as a substitute teacher at J. Taylor Finley Middle School and as a tutor at Huntington Learning Center in East Northport.
District officials reviewed more than 100 applications, pre-screened 48 applicants and interviewed 26 candidates prior to recommending Mr. Corcoran for appointment.
During his time as a Huntington High School student, Mr. Corcoran was a Natural Helper, assisting classmates while they worked through personal issues. He was known for injecting some humor into class discussions and was very well liked by his teachers. He was regarded as a “genuine friend and a trustworthy advocate” for his peers.
Finley Art Achievement Awards
Six talented “graduating” J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth graders were recognized with Outstanding Achievement in Art Awards at last month’s moving up ceremony in the high school auditorium.
Talia Addeo, Olivia Agosti, Laurel Bonn, Sofia Breskin, Aislyn Franciscovich and Emily Gershuny were all recognized.
Isabella Floro to Study at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Isabella Floro plans to study cyber forensics and law at CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The Huntington High School Class of 2019 member was named a Distinguished Senior last spring after compiling an academic grade average of at least a 90 during every semester of high school. She was on the high honor roll since her freshman year.
A member of the Italian Honor Society, Ms. Floro played four years of soccer with the Blue Devil team. She performed in the high school orchestra and was on the mock trial team for two years.
The teenager credits her success to the support she has always received from her family, friends and teachers. Ms. Floro said her achievements also “stem from having an open mind and learning to manage my time well.”
Outstanding Achievement in Accelerated Math at Finley
Four members of J. Taylor Finley Middle School’s Class of 2019 garnered Outstanding Achievement in Accelerated Math Awards. The group was recognized during this year’s moving up ceremony in the high school auditorium.
Laurel Bonn, Leigh Hepworth, Sarah Krisch and Mikah Schueller were all recognized for their exceptional performance in the accelerated math program.
Class of 2019’s Camille Moscato Headed to St. Joseph’s College
Camille Moscato is headed to the St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue to study English and business after graduating Huntington High School with the Class of 2019.
The teenager loved her high school English classes and also developed a close relationship with social studies teacher Camille Tedeschi, who she studied with in each of the past four years.
A member of the high school’s high honor roll, Ms. Moscato was recognized as a Distinguished Senior for her superb academic performance over the years. She has thoroughly enjoyed growing up in the community and socializing with her friends.
Ms. Moscato credits her success to “the teachers and staff at Huntington High School” who pushed her to strive to do her best. She worked hard and used the resources available to every student to maximize her experience and her own personal performance.
Finley’s Outstanding Achievement in PE Awards
They very well could be among the next generation of Blue Devil athletic stars. Eight J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth graders who are all headed to high school captured Outstanding Achievement in Physical Education Awards.
Joseph Algieri, Anthony Annunziata, Laurel Bonn, Gianna Forte, Michael Kline, Kaci McDonald, Emma O’Brien and Jack Uvena were all honored.
Eliza Engelsher to Study for Teaching Career
Eliza Engelsher enjoyed a wonderful, well-rounded experience at Huntington High School. She recently graduated with the Class of 2019 and will soon begin studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she plans to pursue a degree in elementary education in preparation for a career as a teacher.
Named a Distinguished Senior last spring after compiling an academic grade average of at least a 90 during every semester of high school, Ms. Engelsher was a member of the English Honor Society. She volunteered with Huntington’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, traveling with the group to New Orleans to tackle important projects there as the southern city continues to rebuild after being devastated by Hurricane Katrina more than a decade ago.
Ms. Engelsher also participated in the GSA club and pursued a challenging set of course studies. She credited her success to “working hard, staying on task and seeking extra help from teachers.”
