Perspectives5

The Principal’s Newsletter June 12, 2015

Volume VII, Issue V

A Message From Dr. Woodberry

Principal’s Message.....Page 1

Dear High School East Community,

Student Spotlight.........Page 2

The 2014-2015 School Year has come to an end. It was a rollercoaster

ride, fortunately with more ups than downs. High School East is turning

over another group of young people to explore, challenge and change the world. I am confident that the Class of 2015, like the graduates before them, is prepared to be successful and thrive beyond the halls of High School East.

Thank you to the teachers, staff, parents and of course the students for a great year.

Remember Respect, Responsibility and Excellence in all you do!!

Sincerely,

J. A. Woodberry Principal

Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2015!

Scholarship Winners...Page 3 French Awards.............Page 3 “The Arts” News.....Pages 4-5 Art Visions....................Page 5 Research Trip...............Page 6 Computer Club.............Page 7 Key Club.......................Page 7 S.T.E.M. at H.S.E........Page 8 H.S.E. Heroes..............Page 8 Scholar Teams..............Page 9 ASCL............................Page 9 Spring Sports.............Page 10

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Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

Volume VII, Issue V

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: GIBRAN BOYCE

This summer, High School East junior, Gibran Caroline Boyce, will be participating in the Telluride Association Summer Program at the University of Michigan. Gibran was selected from a worldwide pool of over 1,100 applicants to be one of only 64 students offered a spot in this prestigious program for this summer (less than 6% selectivity rate).

Each year, Telluride provides full scholarships to this tiny group of young and intellectually bright high school juniors from around the world to participate in its highly selective program. The goal of the organization is to cultivate tomorrows leaders and create and foster educational communities. The organization hand selects students who are intelligent, thoughtful, and share a passion for learning. The humanities program also favors students with a passion and aptitude for writing, and Gibran has proven herself through successful interviews and a series of essays that were part of Telluride’s extensive application process. She has had many successes in the area of writing including being named one of the 56 final winning entrants in the New York Times Student Editorial Contest, which drew more than 4,500 applicants from around the world and winning two awards at the Long Island Press Newspaper Awards at Hofstra University for articles she wrote for the High School East Thunderbird Newspaper.

Little known outside of the most elite academic circles, TASP is a sixty-year-old program that is one of the most successful and prestigious academic summer programs in the nation. Its living alumni hold powerful positions in politics, journalism, academia, the sciences, education, medicine, business, and the arts. The program is an intellectually intensive experience, where students are split into two groups and assigned to one of two campuses (the University of Michigan or Cornell University). They also focus on a seminar topic identified as a good match for their demonstrated interests based on topics for that year. However, students will also be exposed to knowledge well beyond their own intellectual interests or the immediate seminar topic of their assigned group.

Gibran’s seminar for this summer is titled: “Paris and Edinburgh in the Enlightenment: Moral Challenge and the Ethics of Living, Learning, and Being.” A student whose passion lies in the liberal arts, straddling international affairs, journalism, and philosophy, Gibran is thrilled about this opportunity to be a part of this program and to learn and grow in this unique learning environment. The program’s faculty will include world–renowned professors from several international and elite universities, as well as mentors who attended TASP previously and are now attending elite colleges and universities nationwide. Students will live together in one house on each campus and will adopt an analytical immersion in their seminar, while learning from faculty and highly acclaimed guest speakers.

Gibran is looking forward to being part of this vibrant learning and analytical community and the opportunity to exchange ideas with a unique blend of critical thinkers (students and teachers) from around the world. High School East is proud to be represented at this fine program, for only the second time in the past decade. While at High School East, Gibran is the Vice President of Model UN, on the Speech and Debate Team, as well as a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Outside of school she is an avid violin player, participating in the Long Island Philharmonia Orchestra ensemble, and is involved in a number of other activities.

“I really feel as though TASP would give me an opportunity to be part of an unique educational and living environment that encourages multifaceted intellectual thinking and allows me to have agency over my educational pursuits. I am so excited to be part of this program and am truly looking forward to meeting some amazing students and teachers this summer.” - Gibran Boyce

Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

2015 National Merit Scholarship Program Winners

Volume VII, Issue V We would like to congratulate the following students for being named 2015 National Merit Scholarship Winners.

Justin Estreicher Divya Rao Jenny Truong Zachary Goldstein All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the Finalist group based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments.

Congratulations to these four fine students!

French Contest Winners

Congratulations to the following students, for placing in the prestigious Le Grand Concours French Contest!

More than 20,000 students participate in this event from New York State, and more than 90,000 nationwide.

Level II - Suffolk County Elias Kaul, 1st place - 5th place National Shivani Mishra, 3rd place - 7th place National

Annabelle Abelard & Shelby Donald, 4th place - 8th place National

Zachary Kaul, 5th place - 9th place National

Marley Jacobson & Isabella Hernandez, 6th place – 10th place National

Lauren Kornfeld & George Misthos, 8th place Ray Chang, 9th place Danielle Luntz, 10th place Level III - Suffolk County

Vishal Nyayapathi & Vaidehi Patel, 3rd place – 10th place National

Alia Rizvon & Danielle Roedel, 4th place Level IV - Suffolk County Katherine Thompson, 9th Place

Level V - Suffolk County William Ma, 4th place Arshita Pabbi & Jenny Truong, 5th place Anja Kenagy, 7th place Beauté Rose Dor, 8th place

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Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

“THE ARTS” NEWS

Volume VII, Issue V

Green Thumbs in Architecture Club

Architecture Club collaborated with the IPC class to design raised garden beds that are specifically tailored to the needs of the IPC students. According to several members of the club, the group was inspired by Mr. Miracolo’s raised tomato and vegetable gardens, which he designed this past summer to reduce bug and fungus infestation when growing plants.

Louis Prato, Jesse Siegall, Ryan Leonard, and Carson Traina designed the beds to fit square flower pots that the students could take in and out of the garden for planting and watering. Each bed will hold 12 pots, so each student will be able to have their own plant and flower pot to work with. The IPC teacher, Kerry Guarriello, is using this gift as a means to develop a horticulture unit for her students. The students will be able to use their skills to grow seasonal plants/ vegetables with the help of their many dedicated teachers and aides. Architecture Club students dedicated their after school hours toward designing, cutting and building these garden beds. Matthew Gillam and Nicolette Molloy helped to line the landscaping cloth on the bottom of the wood structure, while Ryan Levine drilled all of the pots to ensure proper drainage. Architecture club members put forth a great deal of effort in helping each other to succeed and this project is a testament to their dedication and compassion for their fellow peers. This project would not have been possible without the help of the Half Hollow Hills Foundation Mini Grant and we are grateful for their generous donation.

- Article submitted by Ms. Marianne Mead

2014-15 L.I. Scholar Artists Congratulations to the following students who have been recognized through the 2014-15 Long Island Arts Alliance Scholar-Artist Awards Program:

Brandon Kaplan- Scholar Artist in Theatre Lauren Holly- Scholar Artist in Dance Nathaniel Bear- Award of Merit in Music Page 4

Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

Volume VII, Issue V

2015 District-Wide Art Show A Success The High School East Art department hosted the annual district-wide secondary “Art Visions” art show this year in our East Gym. The show consisted of middle school and high school student artwork from a wide variety of mediums. Paintings, drawings, photographs, videos, and three-dimensional artwork were on display for parents, community members, and students to enjoy. The event was a success, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our committed Art department teachers and students.

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Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

Volume VII, Issue V

Houston Research Trip Three Half Hollow Hills students attended the annual I-SWEEEP competition in Houston this May, where

innovative projects were presented in energy, engineering, and the environment to create a more sustainable world.

From High School West, Tatum Ogata and Soram Kim won a bronze medal in the “Energy” category for their team

project titled “Enhancing Smart Window Design Through the use of Alternative Electrolytes to Augment Infrared

Reflectance”. From High School East, Anja Kenagy won a silver medal in the “Environment - Management &

Pollution” category for her project titled “Investigation of

Both Vertebrate and Invertebrate Species from Neritic and Pelagic Zones Demonstrates Both Latitude Dependent

Mercury Bioaccumulation and Species Specific Trophic Mercury Biomagnification. Congratulations to Anja!

- Article submitted by Ms. Rose Suarez

SCHOLARSHIP IN ITALY

Carson Barnes, a senior at High School East, has been named a

winner of a prestigious Italian scholarship by the Italian Embassy in

Washington D.C. To qualify for the scholarship, students must first have

taken a number of Italian courses as well as the 2015 Advanced Placement Italian Exam. The details of the scholarship include free housing and tuition for three weeks in Rome, specifically at the Istituto Dante Alighieri.

At the Institute, Carson will study multiple Italian linguistic

courses, as well as become involved in a number of extracurricular activities throughout the city. After graduation, Carson plans on

Majoring in Spanish and Minoring in French at SUNY Geneseo.

After college, Carson will continue his passion of international linguistics by getting his Masters Degree in Spain where he can become a full-time English teacher.

Congratulations to Carson on his scholarship award, we wish him the best in all of his future endeavors!

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Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

Volume VII, Issue V

Computer Club Wiz Kids This Spring, the Computer Club competed at the St. Joseph’s College Greater New York Regional High School Programming Competition. One of our teams, made up of Nicholas Petosa, Benjamin Edwards, and William Ma; finished in 5th place out of 48 teams. The team solved as many problems (5) as the 1st through 4th place teams, but ended up taking more time and losing out within the tiebreaker round.

Two additional teams also solved 4 problems, finishing in 12th place and 17th place overall. The 12th place team was made up of Daniel Giaime, David Morales, and Cory Laban. The 17th overall team consisted of Jonathan Bodian, Michael Weymouth, and Michael Wolf-Sonkin.

Congratulations to these students, and all that they have achieved!

HELPING OUR OWN

This Spring, the High School East’s International Key Club joined forces with Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern to collect supplies for the Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook. The Ronald McDonald House Charities is a home away from home for families of children with serious illnesses, and has helped support a H.S.E. teacher whose son was recently diagnosed with a serious condition. The students of the Key Club wanted to help, and collected pantry items, cleaning supplies, paper goods, as well as kitchen supplies for the charity. Legislator Stern stated “I applaud members of the Key Club and their advisor, Gabby Kramer, for their compassionate support for our Half Hollow Hills family member. Many family members caring for children with life threatening illnesses are forced to leave employment and spend time away from home. The Ronald McDonald House provides a critically needed service to these families and I am proud to join in the Key Club’s efforts to donate supplies for this important mission.”

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Volume VII, Issue V

Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

S.T.E.M. at High School East

There is always something interesting and exciting going on in Mr. Grunbeck’s Physics classes. Instruction in his classroom has a strong focus on “doing.” Of course there is traditional learning taking place but hands-on experiences in Physics are integrated throughout his lessons. The students engage in projects and experiments that go beyond the required lab hours and prescribed curriculum. He has the ability to teach students at a high level while fostering understanding.

The students in his classes learn the material in a variety of ways and he often incorporates several types of learning in lessons. For example he teaches students the science behind rolling a can along with social responsibility in his annual Can Rolling Contest/Food Drive.

The Can Rolling Contest is one of the many unique ways Mr. Grunbeck makes his students’ experiences more practical and memorable. He truly teaches in a classroom without walls. His classes are often seen in the hallways, in the auditorium, dropping items from windows, etc. Just recently, since the end of AP exams, he invited administrators and others into his classes to share in some of the learning experiences including constructing Spaghetti Bridges, building Hot Air Balloons and creating protection devices to prevent eggs from cracking. The various projects and activities that his students are exposed to are always valuable educationally, interesting, fun and inspirational.

High School Heroes

On Saturday, June 6th, Sydney Levine was honored by Congressman Steve Israel by being named a Long Island High School Hero. These awards, which are presented annually, are given to high school students who have volunteered their time and worked for the betterment of their community. Sydney, along side High School East junior Parker Siegel, created the Stand Up and Be Counted challenge to help find a cure for FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) and Nephrotic Syndrome. FSGS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children, which her loving brother has been diagnosed with since the age of two.

In honor of Kidney Awareness Month, (and Matthew’s birthday) Sydney posted a video on Facebook and Instagram, asking Long Islanders to make their own video stating that they’re “standing up and being counted” to find a cure for FSGS. Similar to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, participants nominate five people to do the same, encourage them to donate $5 or more to nephcure.org, and post a #SUBCselfie on social media. Through this campaign, Sydney and Parker have helped raise a large amount of money for Matthew and others, as well as spread awareness of FSGS and how it affects many children on Long Island. High School East is proud of their hard work and dedication towards a wonderful cause! Keep up the great work!

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Volume VII, Issue V

Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

Scolar Athlete Teams Congratulations to the following teams who have acheived academic excellence during the 2014-15 Fall sports season, and for winning a prestigious NYS Scholar Athlete Team Award.

Girls Cross-Country Boys Cross Country Football Boys Soccer

Girls Soccer Girls Tennis Girls Volleyball Gymnastics

Boys Volleyball Field Hockey Boys Golf Girls Swimming

American Computer Science League Yearly Success

The High School East American Computer Science League had another successful season under the advisement of Mr. Joe Del Giudice. Sabrina Gallego (Senior Division) and Tatum Ogata (Intermediate Division) got plaques for perfect scores during the regular season, with their respective teams earning 14th and 10th place during the season. Both teams were invited to the International All-Star Contest, which took place in Orlando, Florida this year. With 4 important members missing, they finished in 15th and 17th place, but Sabrina, Tatum, David Morales, and Benjamin Edwards earned individual top honors and were called up to the stage. Our All-Star team also included Daniel Giaime, Michael Weymouth, Nicholas Petosa, William Ma, Ravjot Sachdev, and Raymond Weisbrot.

Our Intermediate Division team received a plaque for finishing in first place in the regular season in the Metro Division (all NY and NJ schools). Our Senior Division team finished in second place in the Northern Division (All NY, NJ, and MA schools) by ONE point! I am so proud of them! Our top scorers who could not make the trip, but contributed to our regular season success included Cory Laban, Zachary Baumgartner, Jonathan Bodian and Karl Dill.

- Article submitted by Mr. Joe Del Giudice

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Perspectives: The Principal’s Newsletter

Volume VII, Issue V

SPRING SPORTS RECAP

Half Hollow Hills High School East 50 Vanderbilt Parkway Dix Hills, NY 11746 Principal’s Newsletter Volume VII, Issue V Produced by: Mr. Ben Wiley Assistant Principal High School East bwiley@hhh.k12.ny.us Phone: 631.592.3115 Fax: 631.592.3454

This spring sports season was an extreme success. We had a number of teams make the playoffs. The Boys Varsity Lacrosse team finished second in their division with an overall 15 and 3 record. Joseph Tesoriero and Richard Hogan earned All-League honors, while Jordan Eichholz, Andre Gomez, Joseph Wulforst, and Sean Lulley earned All- County honors.

The Boys Varsity Baseball team finished 15-8 overall, and 13-7 in league play. They made it to the quarterfinals and finished in the top 8 teams in the county.

All-League honors went to Brandon Bonomo (League III pitcher of the year), Matthew Forelli, Michael Palazzolo, Matthew Hogan, and Patrick Dooley. Thomas Oliveri won Academic All-League honors, while Richard Villa earned All-County honors.

Girls Lacrosse had a great season, and made the playoffs with a big win over Connectquot late in the season. Captains Mia Inserra, Jennifer Casadonte, Danielle Lulley, Casie Caiazza, and Paulina DiFatta led the team, as the leading scorers were Casie Caiazza and Jennifer Casadonte.

Girls Lacrosse was also named a Scholar athlete team, with a combined team average of 95.45.

Girls Varsity Softball’s Alexa Califano was an All-Conference player, while Maya ChinQuee and Angela Scurti were other standout players for the team.

The Girls Golf team had another successful season, as both Judy Chen and Molly Lennon were awarded All-Conference honors.

Boys Track finished 2nd place in League III, and also finished 3rd in the Counties. County champions include Sam Chimezie in the hurdles, Malik Turner in the discus, and John Natalone in the pole vault event.

Girls Track had a successful season with standout Mary Chimezie as a 200 meter champion and State qualifier, earning her 7th consecutive trip to the State tournament. Mary won the Suffolk County Division II 400 meter race, and placed 2nd in the 200 meter event at Divisionals.

Badminton had another championship season. The Girls team won the league championship, and the Boys team went undefeated 18-0 league and won the Suffolk County Championship. John Stanis and Aiden Lee earned All-County singles honors. Riley Cavanagh and Jacob Tuchinsky earned all county honors in doubles play with Stephen Lauria and Ryan Tuma. Connie He was an All-County singles player while Tiffanie Yang and Christa Keidaisch were Doubles All-County Champions for the girls team. Kara Rofe also earned All-League honors.

Lastly, Boys Tennis enjoyed another successful season, finishing 2nd in the Suffolk County Championship, with an overall record of 16-3.

Interested in submitting an article to Perspectives?

Want to share wonderful news about High School East?

Go to the High School East website, click on the Newsletter Tab found in the left column, and follow the link to submit.

You can also email Mr. Wiley directly.

All prospective articles and ideas will be reviewed, but not all submissions will be published.

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