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Community Corner

Board of Education Recognizes Student Achievements

Dozens of students cited for their efforts.

At the recent Sayville Board of Education administration meeting, dozens of students received citations for their science projects, artwork, community service and musical talents.

principal Ronald Hoffer began by presenting a citation to . Her flag design was selected to represent New York State in the National Youth Art Month Celebration. John Farese was also presented with a citation for his community service work. John founded Operation Sports Equipment, an organization that distributes gently used athletic equipment to student athletes who are less fortunate. John has collected and distributed more than 10,000 pieces of equipment. He was selected as a Distinguished Finalist in the 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

principal Dr. Stimmel presented the winners of the Science Fair with their citations. They are: Shane Sukow (kindergarten); Sarah Newman (first grade); Nathan Casaburi (second grade); Alexa Vargas (third grade); Donald Schweikert (fourth grade); and Abigail Newman (fifth grade).

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Dr. Michele LeBlanc, principal, also recognized the winners. They are: Nicholas Blanco (kindergarten); Daniel O’Doherty (first grade); Brayden Nickdow (second grade); Jayson Gensch, Ryan Gover, Mark Radzewsky and Michael Scoleri (third grade group project); Daniel Ziegler (fourth grade); and James Volpe (fifth grade).

Next up, Rose Castello, principal, presented the winners of the Science Fair with their citations. They include: Emily Andersen (kindergarten); Jillian Rastello (first grade); Samantha Young (second grade); Tyler Maslak and Joseph Vanderborgh (third grade); Ariana Annarumma (fourth grade); and Nicholas DiBene (fifth grade).

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Castello continued the recognition of Sunrise Drive students. A citation was presented the members of the UCP Trivia Challenge Team, which raised $486. They are: Thomas Faughnan; Julia Hodgkinson; William Shaw; Carleigh O’Donoghue; Jeremy Hirsh; Douglas Read; Amy Tomko; and Eric Foster. Members of the Math Olympiad Team were also cited for representing the school in the math tournament. They are: Nicholas Cameron; Amy Tomko; Thomas Faughnan; Douglas Read; and Matthew Cutolo.

Giavonna Rossi received a citation for her T-shirt design for the National Jump Rope for Heart Contest. Owen Ifferte was also recognized for his logo design for Dr. Harrison’s Animal Surgery Clinic. Several Sunrise Drive students were cited for their representation of the school at the SCMEA Festival for Chorus, Band and Orchestra. They are: Olivia Anderson and Julia Hodgkinson (chorus); Olivia Harrison (band); and Sean Haselton (orchestra).

Three Sunrise Drive students, Sadie Borruso, Anthony Borruso and Liam Conlon, received citations for their cleanup of the school grounds over the February break. Patrick Hill and Kevin Golka were recognized for raising close to $1,000 for children’s cancer research by shaving their heads. Lastly, Olivia Anderson was cited for organized a bake sale through the student council for Japanese tsunami and earthquake victims. Not only did she sell baked goods, but Olivia also collected spare change from students during lunch and has raised $760 to date.

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