BHS sweethearts at top of class New Hicksville Superintendent to start July 1st

BY GARY SIMEONE

On July 1st, a new school superintendent will take over in the Hicksville School District. Theodore Fulton, a resident of West Babylon, will take over for current School Superintendent, Marianne Litzman, who has served thirty-five years of distinguished service in the district. Fulton was selected through a rigorous search process, that included a number of qualified candidates.

Bethpage seniors Caio

DaSilva and Stephanie Pilnacek are not only at the top of their class; they are also a power couple.

Pilnacek was recently named valedictorian and DaSilva was named salutatorian of Bethpage High School. The two have been best friends and have been dating for a little more than nine months.

Pilnacek has an impressive, weighted grade point average of 109.04 and aside from academics, is a talented student-athlete. She is the varsity softball captain, was honored as the 2022 MVP and was named one of the top 100 soft- ball players by Newsday this year. Pilnacek is also the varsity tennis captain and works at Prospect Sports.

DaSilva has a weighted grade point average of 108.91 and has a strong passion for karate. He is a USA Karate team member, was named the Pan-American Champion in the World Karate Federation Continental Championship and was the National Karate Champion in 2022. DaSilva is an exceptional student. He took home a silver medal at the Long Island Math Fair this year and was selected to attend the Institute of

Creative Problem Solving at SUNY Old Westbury during his freshmen and sophomore year. DaSilva is also a member of Bethpage High School’s math team and marine fitness club.

Both seniors have worked extremely hard, supporting each other along the way, and will be attending Northeastern University in the fall. Pilnacek will be majoring in mechanical engineering, while DaSilva will be studying computer engineering/computer science.

Fulton, who is currently the Assistant Superintendent Curriculum/Instruction in the Bayport-Blue Point School District, said he was looking forward to his new role as Superintendent of Schools.

“My goals will be to build upon the districts long-standing reputation and traditions, immerse myself in the community with school district leaders, staff and parents and to provide staff and students with continued opportunities for success both inside and outside the school environment,” said Fulton.

He said that his initial focus when he takes over the position in July, will be to build relationships within the community and school district, earn the community’s trust and to establish transparent and honest practices.

Fulton, who is 48 yearsold, said that he was destined to be involved in the educational realm since he was in high school.

“I went to school in West Babylon, and was the only student in my high school class to teach a group of

See page 12