Huntington School Briefs
The Huntington School District's Superintendent's Cabinet includes Assistant Superintendents Dr. Kenneth C. Card, Jr., Dr. Joseph Giani and Sam Gergis. Superintendent James W. Polansky has also created an administrative council that includes principals and directors, as well as the three assistant superintendents.
Prom Odds and Ends
The Huntington High School prom drew a crowd of 290 students, making the event officially "sold out," said Donna Nugent, who along with Lauren Desiderio is co-faculty advisor of the Class of 2013. Ms. Nugent said the $70 ticket price was the lowest in at least five years. The event featured a photo booth for the first time.
The photo booth was similar to the ones that could be found in an old McCrory's, a chain of five and dime stores that once numbered 1,300 in the United States, including one at the Walt Whitman Mall.
The junior class prom prince and princess were Chris Schoen and Alexa Kaplan. The senior class king and queen were Brendan Higgins and Meghan Latini. Nominations are taken in classes in the days leading up to the prom with the top four in each category being voted upon at the prom itself.
This year's prom was held at the Woodbury Country Club and featured a "Sweet Dreams" candy theme. "We had a candy bar," Ms. Nugent said. Anthony Troffa was the DJ that had students on the dance floor all night long.
"The Class of 2013 worked very hard on this prom," Ms. Nugent said about the juniors, who traditionally put the event together. "Their goal was to make this the best prom ever and we think they did a perfect job!"
Biagi's Summer Plans
Huntington High School teacher Suzi Biagi will be busy this summer. She's working as a summer school ESL teacher, pursuing professional development to prepare for a "newly resurrected" business law class, volunteering with the local first aid squad as an emergency medical technician, doing outreach for the Grandfriends and A World of Difference clubs, traveling to see family members, spending time with family and friends at home and heading to the beach.
Mrs. Biagi also plans to participate in a family fun day on July 17 at Camp a Qua Tuc for the Rotary Club of Huntington. The Grandfriends club will be acting as hosts. The teacher hopes to go hiking upstate "for quiet time with my husband at the end of the summer," she said.
Finley Awards
J. Taylor Finley Middle School students Savannah Richardson and Samuel Weitzner were presented with the Lions Club Good Citizenship Award at Finley's moving up ceremony in late June.
Latoya Shand earned the Lucy Sammis Award given in recognition of the eighth grader's "passion for education." Taylor Moreno and Meghan Plant captured the Courtney O'Bryan Spirit Award for their "passion for school, sports and friends."
Dylan Delguidice grabbed the Matthew Marcazzolo Award while Justin Waite was honored with the PTA Good Character Award. Stacar Awards for "effort and passion for Spanish language" went to Bella Alvarez, Kintara Brewster, Kathleen Keys, Matthew McBride, Kevin McConnell, James Pugliese, Darle Riordan and Dylan Schedler.
The Principal's Award for "unwavering commitment under adversity" was presented to Adjoni Jones and Hunter Luckow.
Piffard is Traveling
Huntington High School photography teacher Pamela Piffard is traveling this summer. She left this week for Cali, in western Columbia to spend time with her boyfriends' family and will later visit Cabo, Mexico.
New Interim Post for Pastel
Former Huntington Superintendent Judith Pastel is staying active in her retirement. For the past six months she has served as interim superintendent of the Trumansburg Central School District. That appointment expires on June 30. Now she has just been appointed as interim superintendent of the Skaneateles Central School District for the 2012/13 school year.
Dr. Pastel is taking over from current Skaneateles Superintendent Philip D. D'Angelo, Jr., who has been hired as superintendent of the Wantagh School District in Nassau County. Skaneateles is located in Onondaga County in the eastern end of the Finger Lakes region.
Dr. Pastel lives in Ithaca, where she was superintendent for 15 years until retiring at the end of 2010. She expects to spend two to four nights a week in Skaneateles while serving as interim superintendent there. She will begin work on July 2 and will be paid $700 per day.
Dr. Pastel served in Huntington for three years. She left for the Ithaca City School District after the school year ended in June 1996. She was replaced in Huntington on an interim basis by David Nydick for the 1996/97 school year.
Dr. Pastel is a graduate of Syracuse area Liverpool High School. She received her master's degree in elementary education from SUNY College at Cortland and holds a doctorate in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia.
Sullivan's Prom Thoughts
New Huntington High School grad Michael Sullivan is headed to the University at Albany. He was one of 290 students to attend this year's prom. While he didn't give the food a high mark and wasn't particularly happy with the warm temperatures due to a faulty air conditioning system, he thought the "prom was excellent" and he "was very impressed."
Mr. Sullivan said the "turnout of people amazed me. It was a nice memory to cap off a wonderful year. I was very pleased with Brendan [Higgins] and Meghan [Latini] winning prom king and queen and I can say the overall experience was wonderful."
AIE at Engeman Theater on Aug. 15
The Huntington Arts-in-Education Committee invites community members to attend a special performance of the musical "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" on Wednesday, August 15, as the AIE Committee celebrates its new partnership with the Huntington PTA Council.
"The quality of the shows at the Engeman Theater is terrific," said Joan R. Fretz, Huntington's district director of fine and performing arts. Tickets for the Aug. 15 event can be ordered online using the discount code: "HAIE." Those ordering in this manner can save $5 per ticket while the Arts-in-Education Committee will receive $10 per ticket from the theater for AIE programming across all grade levels.
The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. on August 15 with a private reception for AIE supporters and cash bar. The show begins at 8 p.m. sharp.
Folks who cannot attend the August 15 show can still use the discount code for any performance, except those on Friday and Saturday nights.
Beck's a Blatt Fan
Huntington High School science teacher Deborah Beck is a fan of Class of 2012 member Brielle Blatt, who is headed to Tulane University in the fall.
"Brielle Blatt is an ideal student," Mrs. Beck said. "She is charismatic, intelligent and motivated. A memorable moment involving Brielle was when she composed biology themed songs for her end of the year project, inspiring a song writing competition among her classmates. Brielle's enthusiasm and energy is infectious."
During the 151st commencement exercises, Ms. Blatt introduced "honored" teachers Camille Tedeschi and Erik Bruckbauer, who in turn announced the names of each senior on their way to receive a diploma.
"Brielle is an excellent role model for her peers," Ms. Beck said. "She has mastered the time management skills necessary to be enrolled in rigorous courses as well as participate in many after school activities. Brielle has been very successful in her years at Huntington High School and I know she will also be successful at any and all future pursuits."