They’re Inducted!

To recognize students for their outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School’s Isabella M. Driscoll Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 27 new members. Throughout the ceremony, the inductees and their parents listened to words of advice and congratulations by Superintendent of Schools Charles Leunig, the executive board of the National Honor Society, their advisors Rose Ann Fuss and Denise Raimondi, and the special guest speaker, retiring band teacher John Wevers.

“These students represent the best that Copiague has to offer,” remarked Ms. Fuss. Added Mrs. Raimondi, “These students have all made good choices, and hopefully they continue to make those good choices.”

Congratulations to the newest members!

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In the (Fitness) Zone

The Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance sponsored the annual Physical Education Student Leadership Awards Ceremony at Bay Shore High School. Honored at the ceremony were Copiague Middle School students Myles Mills and Emani Orr; Deauville Gardens Elementary School students Jackson Bright, Olivia Pyke, and Kelly Odulio; Great Neck Road Elementary School students Nicholas Bena and Gabriela Ordonez; and Susan E. Wiley Elementary School students David Flores and Melanie Avila. Students who qualify for the award are recognized for their achievements in physical education, leadership, character, and academics.

Rangoli Art

As a way to celebrate the earth and utilize the art skills they’ve learned, students in Christie Ruppert’s studio art class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School created Rangoli art pieces. Rangoli is a form of sand painting decoration that uses finely ground white and colored powders from India. In ancient times, Rangoli patterns and designs were made on the entrances of Indian homes as a way to beautify them and welcome guests.

Ms. Ruppert’s students began their projects in class by creating various designs on paper. Once the designs were finalized, they outlined them in chalk in the front of the school building, before filling the open spaces with colored sand, flower petals, and bird seed.

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Author Visit

Members of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Book Club received a real treat for the culminating celebration of their latest book club selection when the author visited with the students. Following their completion of the young adult novel LIE, author Caroline Bock, a native of Long Island, met with the students to discuss their thoughts and opinions on the book. Ms. Bock also shared her experiences as a writer, including her dealings with her editor, publisher, and the marketing department. Book Club advisor and school librarian Beth Kattleman organized the visit.

Tying into the district’s college readiness initiative – College Day – Ms. Bock shared with the students her path to becoming a novelist, a journey that included stints in marketing and public relations. She also discussed the courses she took in college and the activities she was involved with in high school.

“When I was in high school, I wanted to be a writer,” said Ms. Bock. “I was actively involved with my school’s literary magazine. It’s a great way to gain experience and it's good to have on your college resume.” She continued by encouraging the students to hone their own writing and offered career options for students choosing to major in English while in college.

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Copiague Students Give Their Soles

Members of the Copiague Middle School Builders Club, along with their advisor Maria Ostrofsky, partnered with Give Your Soles to organize a sneaker and shoe drive. Give Your Soles is a charity that collects moderately worn athletic shoes at marathon races across the country and provides them to the less fortunate. In less than one month, the students helped raise 429 pairs of shoes, which is the largest single donation the charity has ever received. The shoes were donated to a local rescue mission on Long Island.

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Expanding Service

Congratulations to Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School business teacher Louise Curci and her students on receiving a $400 grant from Newsday’s FutureCorps program for their community service project at Dominican Village. The money will be used to expand the Sunday afternoon program, where the business students teach valuable computer skills to the residents.

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