Leadership students from Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School recently returned from a trip to Fordham University, where they learned about future career paths within the justice system.
Under the guidance of School Counselor Laura Mesa, the students had the opportunity to speak with a panel of professionals who provided valuable information concerning possibilities in the field. The trip served as an outlet for those curious about pursuing studies and jobs in the justice system to learn more about their area of interest.
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MJHS Leadership Students Visit Fordham
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Nassau County Crime Investigator visits SHS Forensic Students
Valley Stream South High School Forensics students were treated to a visit from Nassau County Crime Investigator Sandra McNulty. During the presentation, McNulty shared a slideshow detailing DNA and blood spatter analysis before engaging with the students and responding to many questions.
The session also detailed the process of an investigation from the scene into the lab. Additionally, McNulty spoke with students about college and internship opportunities and their importance in pursuing a career in Forensic Science.
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Central HS FBLA Winners Advance to National Level
Valley Stream Central High School students earned six first place wins and one fourth place title in the Future Business Leaders of America New York State Leadership Convention, held in Rochester from April 13-15. A group of eleven Central students participated in this opportunity, with several working in pairs to present their work.
The Central students competed against nearly 700 students from throughout the state in a variety of business events. The winners are now qualified for the National Leadership Convention and will take on the higher level challenge in Atlanta, Georgia this summer when top honorees from all over the country will be in the running for awards.
First place awards went to Chinoye Okoli for the Basic Decision Making event, Ryan Andres and Carly St. Angelo for Digital Video Production, Collin Jones and Justin Mirville for Emerging Business Issues, Jason Paz for Public Speaking II, Sophia Grunin for Publication Design and Stephanie Burchell and Tyrese Haspil for Website Design. Gabriella Reyes placed fourth in the Job Interview event. All ten of these students will advance to nationals.
According to the FBLA, competitive events at the State Leadership Conference prepare students for successful careers in business by providing opportunities to apply classroom concepts in a workforce-simulated competitive environment. The events can involve both test and performance components.
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South High School Musicians Shine at Disney World
Valley Stream South High School’s Chamber Orchestra graced the patrons of Disney World with their talents and tunes during a trip held in early April. A first for the school and ensemble, the group performed at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot parks, and participated in other unique opportunities.
The South musicians attended a workshop at the Contemporary hotel, where they worked with a professional conductor and technician. Disney recorded the students playing music from the famous movie, Alladin, and set it to an actual scene.
The trip was coordinated by Chamber Orchestra Director Elizabeth Pichichero, who submitted a recording and completed the application process through the Disney Performing Arts Program. The group was accepted last June and began preparing and fundraising in September with assistance from the Parents Club.
“The students performed exceptionally!” Ms. Pichichero stated. “They were so appreciative during their stay at Disney. It was an amazing opportunity.”
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Seven VSCHSD Students Win with Writing
Six Valley Stream South High School students and one North High School student received honors in the Martin J. Kelly Writing Contest of the Irish Cultural Society, which drew 588 submissions.
South High School senior Allyce Yang and junior Jacob Libsman won second place awards, for which they each earned Prizes in the amount of $150. South senior Katherine Grygierczyk, junior Randy Kipnis, senior Dioncris Luyun and senior Liza Poserio, along with North sophomore Angelica Celis, were recognized with honorable mentions and $35 prizes.
The contest is modeled after the SAT’s new essay component, with an emphasis on a skillful introduction and closing, a wide variety of sentence structure, a formal style and objective tone and a command of the conventions of standard written English. This year’s theme involved a text called the Proclamation that focuses on Ireland’s right to be an independent nation.
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CHS Student Receives Gates Millennium Scholarship
Central High School student Mohammed Jafree Khan has received the Gates Millennium Scholarship for 2016 in acknowledgement of his exemplary leadership, community service and academic achievements. Of more than 53,000 applicants from around the country, Mohammed is among only 1,000 Gates Millennium Scholars.
This competitive and prestigious awards program provides its select pool of scholars with funds to attend any United States located, accredited college or university. It is a renewable scholarship with amounts determined annually, and further opportunities to obtain additional GMS funding for graduate studies in specified fields. The program also offers resources, services and events to support its scholars in their college and professional endeavors.
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program, established in 1999, was initially funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Mohammed was nominated by Central High School teacher Lissette Elezi and recommended by counselor Amy LaPersonerie.
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South HS Student Wins Award from County for Video on Important Topic
Valley Stream South High School sophomore Ariel Yeni was selected as a first place winner in the Nassau County’s Third Annual PSA Contest for his video on the topic of depression. Students were asked to focus their entries on issues commonly faced by young adults while delivering messages of hope.
Ariel created his PSA in his Video Technology Class, an elective course led by South High School teacher and Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare during the fall semester. The video, titled, “The Right Decision,” is 30 seconds long and underscores the struggles associated with depression while bringing about awareness and sharing helpful resources.
This opportunity, open to all Nassau County high school students, was held in recognition of Red Ribbon Week with an emphasis on positive alternatives to risky behaviors. Hosted by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and coordinated by his wife Linda Mangano, the contest featured four categories that included depression as well as bullying, stigma and destructive decisions. A winner was selected in each area.
Members of Mr. Fare’s classes have entered this competition since its inception, with South students earning second and third place awards as well as honorable mentions in previous years.
Ariel was formally recognized at an awards ceremony held on April 20 at the Ceremonial Chambers of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. This event, sponsored in part by Suffolk County National Bank, was attended by all involved officials and featured Matilda Cuomo, mother of Governor Andrew Cuomo, as the guest speaker.
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Valley Stream Guides the Light for Education
Valley Stream Central High School District hosted the Council of PTA’s 55th annual Lights On for Education on April 21 at Memorial Junior High School. The evening featured comprehensive displays and presentations on the academic, performing arts, visual arts and physical education programs throughout the fourteen Valley Stream elementary and secondary schools. This year’s theme was “Be the Guiding Light for Others to Follow.”
Valley Stream Districts 13, 24, 30 and the Valley Stream Central High School District were all represented at this event. The opening ceremony featured students from each district speaking on the theme, as well as remarks from each superintendent and a ribbon cutting by Board of Education members to officially kickoff the evening.
“We’re all here for one reason and one reason only…the children,” said Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education President/ Valley Stream District 13 Board of Education Trustee Dr. Frank J. Chiachiere. “You have all chosen to send your children to our schools, and as adults you have choices, and we thank you for choosing us.”
All visitors were urged to tour the school building, where interactive programs were featured in each of the first floor classrooms. Showcased programs included: culinary arts, family and consumer sciences, cosmetology, performance groups, physical education, STEAM-related activities, 3-D printing and Advanced Placement courses.
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South HS 5K Raises More than $2K in Donations
Hundreds of Runners Supported Third Annual Race
Valley Stream South High School held its third annual 5K race on April 16, organized collaboratively by the Athletic Honor Society and the Junior National Honor Society. More than 270 runners came out to participate in this charitable event, which exceeded $2,000 in funds raised for United States Cerebral Palsy and the American Cancer Society.
The race kicked off at South and continued down Mill Road into Mill Brook, onto Rosedale Road, and ended back at the school on the track. It drew alumni representing the last five decades who showed their support for South. Runners and spectators came from as far as Connecticut, New Jersey and even San Antonio.
The coordinators once again provided a successful event that connected the community and school. The Athletic Honor Society students worked under the direction of advisor Francesco Visone, while the JNHS members were directed by advisors Barbara Madigan and Roseann Valletti.
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North HS Ecology Club Cleans Up Seabury Avenue
Valley Stream North High School’s Ecology Club is conscientious about preserving the environment, and their efforts to make a difference span beyond their building’s boundaries. The group of students, who range from eighth-graders to seniors, regularly volunteers to clean up around the neighborhood to keep the streets, sidewalks and landscaping in good condition.
Under the direction of advisor Stephanie Restuccio, members of the Ecology Club typically participate in monthly clean-ups. On May 2, following on the heels of Earth Day, the group set out to pick up litter along Seabury Avenue in Franklin Square. They filled a large trash bag with wrappers, papers, cups and other waste that had not been properly disposed of as they made their way from North’s doors to the stores at the Dogwood Avenue intersection and back.
The Ecology Club coordinates other projects throughout the school year. Students created gift cards out of recycled cards around the holidays, and they have also facilitated battery recycling drives. Participants are dedicated to promoting environmental awareness in and outside of their school.
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Memorial JHS Students Explore Careers
Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School held its annual Career Day event on April 22, featuring opportunities for students to explore occupations and interests to potentially pursue in the future.
The day began with a keynote speech by Christopher Roberts, a graduate of Harvard University who attended Memorial and Central High School in his grade school years. He discussed his journey from student to Merrill Lynch Equity Market Risk Analyst and shared inspiring advice with the audience.
The remainder of the event featured various guest speakers who described their careers in the Career and Technical Education classes. Among the fields represented were finance, coaching, public relations, medicine, engineering, design, speech/language pathology, law, theater and government.
Career Day at Memorial was also recognized as “Dress for Success Day,” and students were encouraged to dress in professional attire to support the experience.
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Memorial Junior High School Team Takes Second Place Win in Photo Competition
Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School’s team of talented Olympics of Visual Arts students placed second in New York State for Photography at the 34th annual NYSATA Olympics of the Visual Arts Competition.
The winners, Maryam Bacchus, Hajra Munawar, Jennifer Marroquin and Amisha Mangal, will have their honored artwork showcased at the District Art Show on May 10 at 7 PM at Memorial.
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Memorial Junior High School Student Ranks Near Top in MathCON Finals
Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School ninth-grader Lance Lampert was ranked 37 out of 570 students who competed at the National MathCON Finals, held at the University of Illinois at Chicago on April 23. Approximately 45,000 participants from across the country initially entered the online round of this prestigious academic competition, hosted by Concept Schools.
Students took online assessments in order to qualify for the finals and put their knowledge of several mathematical disciplines to the test. Those who advanced used their algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, number systems and pre-calculus skills to answer questions and complete activities in hopes of earning cash prizes and national prestige. The event also featured a presentation from “mathmagician” Dr. Arthur T. Benjamin, a pizza party and STEM-related games. “We’re incredibly proud when any of our students earns recognition for their accomplishments, and we’re so excited to have Lance Lampert represented Memorial Junior High School and rank 37 at MathCON,” Principal Anthony Mignella said. “The STEM field is such an important part of the future, and we actively encourage our teachers and students to find fun ways to use STEM inside and outside of the classroom. This is a great honor not only for Lance, but also for Memorial.”
MathCON’s goal is to engage students in STEM outside of the classroom, and encourage more students to enter the STEM fields, which are currently some of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. Concept Schools is a nonprofit organization that provides rigorous STEM-focused curriculum and leadership development support to the schools, and also hosts a number of academic competitions and conferences throughout the year. “MathCON is our way of inspiring the future leaders in science, technology, math and engineering by engaging students at a young age, making STEM fun and demonstrating its real-world applications,” said Ayhan Caputlu of Concept Schools, which organizes the event. “The competition allows us to reach students from all over the nation and help them establish, improve and maintain skills that can lead to many possibilities throughout their educational careers and beyond.”
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North HS Wrestling Coach Makes National Hall of Fame
Valley Stream North High School Varsity wrestling coach Tom Maddock was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his successful career that has led to many team and individual victories. He was formally honored during a ceremony held at the Melville Marriot on April 29 along with his wife, Laura, who was inducted as well for her leadership roles with various wrestling associations and tournaments.
Maddock has been coaching the varsity and middle school teams at North for 31 years, which involved more than 800 dual meets -- 600 at the varsity level and 240 for junior high school. He has led 10 Conference Championship teams, 256 All-Conference wrestlers, 46 All-County wrestlers and 11 County Champion wrestlers. Prior to joining North, he served as head coach at South for seven years.
A North High School alumnus and accomplished wrestler himself, Maddock was North’s varsity team captain and was named All-Conference during his junior and senior years. He was inspired by his own coach, Ralph Jensen, in whose honor he later established a tournament.
Following his graduation from high school, Maddock went on to wrestle for Brockport State College’s team and earned the State of New York College Champion title, won the New York State Intercollegiate Invitational Championship and qualified for the final Olympic trials after competing in the regional trials.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Maddock is a physical education teacher and dean at North. A four-time Conference Coach of the Year, he has contributed to the Nassau County Coaches Association as a member, secretary and committee participant.
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Central High School congratulates Class of 2011 alumnus Victor Ochi
Central High School congratulates Class of 2011 alumnus Victor Ochi for
being signed as a free agent to the Baltimore Ravens! We wish him the
best as he graduates from Stony Brook University and takes on this
exciting new chapter.
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19 South HS Students Score Highly on National Spanish Exams
A total of 19 Valley Stream South High School students earned honors for their performance on the National Spanish Exams. They collectively received six silver distinctions, four bronze awards and nine honorable mentions based on their outstanding results.
Melanie Ingber and Nicholas Tarrant earned Gold awards. Silver awards went to Joseph Campbell, Isadora DeCarvalho, Andrew Lazzara, Virginia Maloney, Kelly Rodriguez and Victor Velez. Matthew Almonte, Nicolas Farias, Valerie Pascuzzi and Wesley Tsai received Bronze
recognitions. Honorable Mentions went to Gabriela Centurion, Nicholas Chen, Robert Espinal, Nicole Ayora-Gonzalez, Joshua Hernandez, Filip Konieczny, Lesly Tapia Ramos, Saptadip Sadhukha and Rodney Suarez.
The National Spanish Examinations, presented by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, are a motivational contest to recognize student achievement in the study of Spanish and to stimulate further interest in the teaching and learning of Spanish. They are recognized by many administrative and teaching associations and organizations at the local, state and national levels.
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South HS Centre Stage Club to Present Neverland on May 14
Collaborative Theatre Group Makes its Debut
Valley Stream South High School’s Centre Stage theatre club will present its first show, Neverland, on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. in South Hall. This debut performance will feature the collaborative skills and talents of both the life skills and general education student populations.
Center Stage was introduced at South earlier this school year, thanks to a grant from Atlantic Philanthropies that was obtained in its support. The students have been working together in order to prepare for a successful grand unveiling to other members of the school, district and community.
The club is unique from typical theatrical programs in that the life skills students assume the lead roles and their general education peers hold supporting roles. In addition to its annual theatrical production, the group engages in theatre games and other activities over the course of the year under the guidance of Co-Advisors Rita Vella and Regina Visone.
Neverland is an original play based on the story of Peter Pan. Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at the door on the night of the show. For any inquiries, please contact Ms. Vella at vellar@vschsd.org
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Memorial and Central Students Honored for Language Poetry
A total of 29 students from Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School and Central High School were named winners in the Long Island Language Teachers’ 2016 World Language Poetry contest.
Twenty-two students from Memorial were recognized for their original poetry. First place honors were earned by Anthony Brito, Anthony Cruz, Melissa Deller, Hennah Ramadhani and Marvin Salmeron while Cassandra Castillo, Elvy Castillo, Mark-Anthony Deller, Tyler Hwang and Megan Sharma received second place honors. Brianna Dela Cruz, Angelique Dorcely, Fernando Estrada, Miguel Giral and Lauren Jones were awarded third place distinctions and Jenelle Crawford, Renan Charles-Pierre, Destiny Diaz, Faria Faruqui, Paula Guevara, Angelica Morales and Nascha Saint Joie earned honorable mentions.
Central students received seven honors for their work. Nereyda Najera was awarded first place and Joanna Capellan received a second place distinction. Nayarani Leonardo and Jeenia Zaki earned third place awards and honorable mentions went to Deanna Bassaragh, Adelyn Corona, Nicole Portu
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South HS to Host Relay for Life
Valley Stream South High School invites students, families and other residents to come out and support its Relay for Life event on May 20, starting at 6 p.m. Those interested in being a part of this charitable event can register online at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=76969, or in person on May 20th between 4-6 p.m. at South, located at 150 Jedwood Place in Valley Stream. Donations are not required but appreciated, and will help students reach their goal of raising $75,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Participants are encouraged to create or join a team and fundraise if they plan to stay overnight. Relay for Life will kick off with an opening ceremony and special survivor dinner between 6-7 p.m., which will be followed by the first lap, dedicated to survivors, and a second one for caregivers.
Any cancer survivors and their caregivers in the community are welcome to enjoy the dinner and receive a T-shirt and sash. Please RSVP to American Cancer Society Coordinator Meaghan Neary at meaghan.neary@cancer.org if you plan to attend.
School performances, entertainment, games and fundraising activities will begin at 7 p.m., and a 9 p.m. Luminaria Ceremony will remember those who have been lost. Luminaria bags can be purchased through the above registration link for $10 and may be dedicated to someone In Honor, In Memory or In Support.
Please note that after 11 p.m., the South campus will be closed to all except for those who are registered to participate overnight.
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May 10 Board of Ed. Meeting Honors Valley Stream’s Young Artists
Students were applauded for an assortment of achievements in the arts at the Valley Stream Central High School District’s May 10 Board of Education Meeting. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bill Heidenreich and Board of Education President Dr. Frank Chiachiere presented certificates to dozens of talented and creative artists who have earned spotlight in various contests and events since September. Also recognized was Central High School Assistant Principal Robert Milani, who was named Nassau County Assistant Principal of the Year.
A number of Central High School students were honored. Matthew Santiago won first place in the student category in the Art Guild Exhibition: Line, Through Thick and Thin. Natalia Bermeo, Paul Cuellar, Jalani Johnson, Nicole Noel, Paola Parola and Dayra Santana had their work featured in the Art Supervisors All County Art Show, and Faleine Mauril, Khalil Oliver and Christian Rosario had pieces displayed in the LIATA Art in the Heart exhibit.
Natalia Bermeo, Nicole Noel and Kimberly Rambarran had their work selected for Long Island’s Best Young Artist Show at the Heckscher Museum of Art, and Nicole won Best in Show. Natalia Bermeo, Ayanna Gittens, Grey Lancaster, Cathleen Liang, Aaraa Motiwala, Nicole Noel and Kimberly Rambarran earned a first place award in Senior High Architecture in the Olympics of Visual Arts competition.
Grey Lancaster won first and second place distinctions for portrait and architecture entries in the Photographic Federation of Long Island, and Dayra Santana received second and third place honors in photojournalism and landscape. Kimberly Rambarran and Cathleen Liang received third place and honorable mention honors, respectively, in the Art Guild’s 2015 Nassau County Student Exhibition and Competition.
Next, students from Memorial Junior High School were commended. Aleena Abraham, Regina Dela Paz, Haire De La Rosa, Yvana Jolie Frayneld, Paula Guevara, Juliana Hernandez, Malaika Khan, Christina Mui and Sabrina Solaman were featured as artists in the Art Supervisors All County Art Show. Maryam Bacchus, Amisha Mangal, Jennifer Marroquin and Hajra Munawar placed first in middle school photography at the Olympics of Visual Arts competition.
North High School artists were also celebrated. Carla Perez won second place in the Art Guild’s 2015 Nassau County Student Exhibition and Competition this past fall and also participated in the Congressional Discovery event. Nicole Cayotopa, Giovanni Guarracino, Dylan McGoey, Alena Moreira, Kashmiraa Pandit, Carla Perez, Anthony Pisano, Jonathan Stiven and Katelyn Zamot had work featured in the Art Supervisors All County Art Show.
Melissa Bormann, Daniela Crimi, Katie Eng, Noah Feldman, Kevan Lang and Danielle Nunez had their art displayed in the LIATA Art in the Heart show, while Katie Eng’s work was also showcased in Long Island’s Best Young Artist Show. Noah Feldman, Emma Gibbons, Jackie Hawkins, Tyler Kiser and Tiffany Praimnath participated in the Olympics of the Visual Arts, and Tyler Kiser also took part in the Photographers Forum, for which he earned Finalist status.
Many South High School students were honored. Ricky Vargas earned an Award of Excellence in the Art League of Long Island’s Go APE event, and Nicole Ayora-Gonzalez, Wardah Aziz, Ann Ballesteros, Jamia Copridge, Virginia Maloney, Nazia Rhaman, Ashley Santiago, Lesly Tapia-Ramos and Ricky Vargas had work displayed in the Art Supervisors All County Art Show. Karen Alvarez, Virginia Maloney and Ricky Vargas participated in Congressional Discovery, and Maya Altschuler-Pierce, Nicole Castillo, Mariam Chaudhry, Alicia Mitchell, Gabriella Onesto, Nicholas Russo, Kristen Seager and Lindsey Smith were featured in the LIATA Art in the Heart event.
Ann Ballesteros and Ricky Vargas were honored as artists in Long Island’s Best Young Artist Show, while Isabella Secaira-Cotto earned a Distinguished Top Score in the NYSATA Portfolio Project. Kristen Seager placed first in color and Karen Alvarez placed third in landscape in the Photographic Federation of Long Island competition. Stephanie Bautista, Shanice Gosley, Taylor Santiago, Nick Tarrant and Ricky Vargas entered work in the Nassau Community College Honors Show and earned excellence distinctions in their respective categories of graphics, painting, illustration, photography and drawing. Eric Smalls was named a state finalist and special artist in the PTSA Reflections contest.
The district looks forward to celebrating event more excellent news in the arts, academics and athletics as the 2015-16 school year concludes.
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