Surrounded by family, friends, administrators, board of education members and faculty, the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Class of 2022 celebrated its commencement exercises at Suffolk County Community College’s arena on June 23.

The soon-to-be graduates marched into the arena to “Pomp and Circumstance.” Senior class president Paris DeFreitas led the Pledge of Allegiance and Copiague School District’s Board of Education President Brian J. Sales offered his congratulations to the graduating class. “On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to welcome everyone here this evening to the commencement exercises for the Class of 2022,” he said. “Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air: work, family, health, friends and spirit. And you’re keeping all these in the air. You will soon understand that work is one of the balls that if you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will forever be scuffed, marked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”

Copiague School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon offered her words of advice to the graduates. “Students, I have watched you grow over the last 13 years, and I know you are leaving us more than ready to embark on the next chapter in your lives, whether it’s college, work or the military,” she said. “I hope that as time passes, you can look back on your life and happily say ‘I did it all.’ Hold on to the excitement and the anticipation you feel tonight and look at every opportunity with that same excitement. Most of all, my wish for you is that each of you live your happiest life.”

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta addressed the seniors about how far they have come and his expectations for them as class. “When you look back and reflect, you will recognize that for much of these past 13 years you have been supported by loving families, caring and dedicated teachers and administrative staff and a board of education focused on providing you with the skills needed to reach your potential, stand on your own and take your place as productive world citizens,” he said. “Looking forward, I expect much from you and I know that the future will have great people working toward bringing our humanity together. I have great confidence that you will be the people making that change. The past few years, we have all faced many challenges. But those challenges are actually what has united us in so many ways. We are truly lucky to live and work in Copiague. It’s a place that we can all call home – a place where everyone is accepted. You may not see it now, but when you go out into the world and experience life you will reflect upon your time at the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School and how well you were prepared for all of life’s challenges.”

Salutatorian Devonie Rhoden challenged her classmates to be the best they can be in this world. “You are strong, you are worthy, you are loved, and you are enough,” she said. “Remember those four things anytime you doubt yourself. In this room, I see the next Academy Award winner, Nobel Peace Prize recipient or Hall of Fame athlete. I think you all get the point. All of you have the potential to do great things and make a lasting impact on this world. The sky has no limit, and your possibilities are endless. I am proud and honored to be graduating alongside all of you today.”

Class of 2022 valedictorian Joseph Falco Jr. spoke to his peers about overcoming challenges, most notably his diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome at a young age. “Every single one of you here has that same potential that I do to rise up and become your best self,” he said. “Effort and the drive to succeed is found in all of us, whether we’re brimming with strength and confidence or are too scared to put ourselves out there. I know there are times where all of us may feel like succeeding is impossible, whether it be from a couple bad grades or you may be going through a major loss, but never let that discourage you.”

Students were then called up one by one to receive their diploma and congratulations from Dr. Bannon and Mr. Agosta. Once the final name was called, Mr. Agosta instructed the students to turn their tassels to signify their status as graduates. Caps flew high in the air as the arena sounded with applause.

Date Added: 6/24/2022

After spending most of the school year connecting virtually, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School leadership students who are part of the High School Heroes program finally had the opportunity to connect with the youngest students at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School on May 31. Throughout the school year, the high school students have been working with the younger students virtually. During their in-person outdoor meeting at Deauville Gardens East, the high school students read books and played games with the kindergarten and first grade classes.

Date Added: 6/22/2022

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School honored the Class of 2022 at the senior awards ceremony on June 9. The soon-to-be graduates were recognized by members of the community and school administration. Gathered in the school’s auditorium, the seniors were acknowledged for their hard work and dedication during the last 13 years.

Following the national anthem sung by Jennifer Calderon, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta welcomed the audience and praised the students for their passion and motivation. “You are here today because of your unwavering drive for success every day,” he said. “Thanks to the help of these scholarships and support of the local community, these students are beginning their college careers with a solid foundation.”

Surrounded by family and friends, as well as members of the board of education, central and high school administration and teaching staff, more than $65,000 in local, memorial and organizational scholarships were presented to deserving seniors. To close out the evening, Mr. Agosta presented awards to the top 10 students in the Class of 2022.

Date Added: 6/20/2022

Copiague School District held its annual spring sports awards on June 1 in the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School auditorium to honor the accomplishments of its student-athletes on the playing field and in the classroom. The event is sponsored by the Copiague Booster Club.

Coaches, administrators, board of education members, friends and family gathered to share the notable accomplishments of the sports teams in varsity softball, girls track, girls lacrosse, baseball and boys track.

Coaches called athletes up front to be recognized and celebrated both their individual and team achievements during the season. They also distributed individual awards, including the Coaches’ Award, Most Improved and the MVP award, to worthy recipients.

Five Golden Eagle Awards were presented to students from each team with the highest cumulative grade point average. This year’s receipients were: Jillian McLaurin (girls track); Jakub Dobrowolski-Kosior (boys track); Luis Acosta Castro (baseball); Giselle Peralta (girls lacrosse); and Glorianni Pena Feliz (softball).Luis Acosta Castro received the Daniel O’Connell Memorial Baseball Award.

Four student-athletes were named Gold Key winners. The Gold Key Award is the highest honor in the section that an athlete can receive for sports participation. It is awarded to student-athletes who letter in eight junior varsity or varsity seasons in grades 10-12.Congratulations to Jakub Dobrowolski-Kosior, Jaheim Garcia, Samantha Maldonado-Jurado and Kuba Szulejko.

Date Added: 6/17/2022

The soon-to-be graduates of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Class of 2022 celebrated their last days in the school with a senior day on June 14. With their yearbooks in hand, the students donned their senior shirts as they gathered outside to enjoy the sunshine, barbeque and time with their classmates. Faculty and staff joined the celebration to sign yearbooks and connect with the students prior to graduation day.

Date Added: 6/16/2022

Celebrating the many successes of its students’ artistic talent, character, academic successes, leadership and citizenship, Copiague School District held its Superintendent’s Art Gallery Inductees and Student Recognition Awards ceremony prior to the May 23 board of education meeting in the Copiague Middle School auditorium.

District administrators, faculty and board of education members gathered with invited students and their guests to celebrate their successes.

The Superintendent’s Art Gallery inductees – 38 pieces of art – were on display for the audience to enjoy. Each student was presented with a certificate to acknowledge their achievement.

In 1996, the Superintendent’s Art Gallery began when the Copiague art teachers selected several pieces of student artwork to display. Through the years, the collection has grown to provide a showcase of student artwork in corridors and offices in each of the schools. Each of the framed pieces is identified by a brass plate noting the student-artist’s name, grade level and year the piece was completed.

The Student Recognition Awards highlight students for their outstanding achievements. They are presented twice a year to a small number of students for their special accomplishments.

“Publicly recognizing excellence is our way of celebrating some of the great successes of the Copiague schools’ programs and, at the same time, enabling us to showcase outstanding role models to our school community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon.

Thirty-seven students were honored during the ceremony, as board of education members read a brief description from teachers and principals on why the students were designated for the honor.

Date Added: 6/15/2022

The eighth annual Science Research Symposium at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School on May 19 celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of the high school’s science students.

“Even through the pandemic, our program has not only grown and developed, but it has managed to thrive,” said high school science chairperson Renee Locker. “We have made advancements and achievements in every area – from competitions to robotics, to Science Olympiad and on. Copiague science research students consistently leave their mark.”

Joined by district administrators, board of education members, representatives from the Town of Babylon, members of the science department and invited guests, the students in the independent science research program, the advanced science research program and the introduction to science research program showed off their award-winning works.

“Despite the educational challenges that all students faced these past few years, our science research students did not let anything get in the way of their passion for science and their dedication to their research projects,” said Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta. “Your research and the recognition you receive at competitive events speaks to the quality and timeliness of your projects. Your success also speaks to the support and guidance you receive from your mentors.”

Fourteen science research students presented a brief overview of their different projects, many of which have garnered notable awards throughout the school year. Projects were on display for a poster presentation walk following the ceremony, giving attendees an opportunity to speak with the students firsthand about their research.

The symposium’s keynote speaker was Dr. Allison Coffin, associate professor at Washington State University. A portion of the program was also dedicated to Copiague alumni, who spoke about how the science program impacted their life. Osazuwa Egahafona, Alexandra Saczawa and Leneshia Douglas all presented their perspectives to students.

Date Added: 6/10/2022

Three students from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School – Devonie Rhoden, Adriana Jiminez and Paris DeFreitas – were recently recognized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island during their virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony on May 5. The students received Building Bridges awards from the organization for their work in bettering their community by volunteering, building ties across different communities or working on intergenerational projects. The students were nominated for the honor by their social studies teachers.

Devonie is a member of the Key Club, One Mind Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Ecology Club, Bringing Unity Through Youth Club and Independent Science Research Club. She has organized numerous community service programs, such as annual blood drives for the Long Island Blood Center, food drives for Our Lady of Assumption food pantry, fundraisers for organizations such as UNICEF and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and clothing collections for the Madonna Heights Family Service Clinic and the Kiwanis Club of Copiague.

Adriana has been instrumental in leading the school’s Gay Straight Alliance Club, Student Council and the Class of 2022. Through these positions, she has proven that she is a reliable, consistent and conscientious individual as she has helped plan many events to create a better school community. As a cabinet officer in the Student Council, she has volunteered to help the advisers with multiple events and the organization of meetings. She is an active participant in many clubs including the National Honor Society and the Key Club.

Paris has been class president every year since the ninth grade and is the current president of the National Honor Society. An incredibly well-rounded, empathetic and kind student, she has not only led clubs, but also been an integral part of the school community. As a member of the Key Club since ninth grade, she has participated in a number of charity and community service events.

Date Added: 6/8/2022

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students Devonie Rhoden and Cathrine Sakin recently participated in an online student forum hosted by Western Suffolk BOCES for grades 9-12. Students, teachers and administrators – along with Regent Tilles– joined together for the discussion which included topics such as school climate, challenges posed since schools returned to in-person learning, stress, social justice and literature in the schools, among others.

Date Added: 6/6/2022

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School presents the 2022 literary magazine “Folio” featuring the talented poets and artists from our school.

Date Added: 6/2/2022

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students recently competed with students across Long Island in the 2022 Al Kalfus Long Island Math Fair. Students wrote a research paper and prepared a virtual video presentation on various mathematically based themes. Congratulations to the following medal winners: ninth grader Angelie Acosta – Geometric Constructions Applied to Corporate Logos (bronze medal); ninth grader Dwight Evans Jr. – The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (bronze medal); ninth grader Glorianni Pena Feliz – The Mathematical Mystery of the Titanic (bronze medal); and ninth grader Maya Tyszko– Probability and Genetics (bronze medal). Honorable mention was awarded to ninth graders Kaydee Bonilla (Logic and Its Applications) and Raymond Flores (Mathematics and Computer Programming) (not pictured).

Date Added: 5/31/2022

Copiague School District celebrated the accomplishments of its top 20 high school students in the Class of 2022 with a luncheon on May 14. Board of education trustees, central administration, invited faculty and family members joined the students for their special event. The event was punctuated with music played by the Tri-M Music Honor Society musicians.

Each top 20 student invited one special teacher from the district who had a positive influence on them. Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta welcomed guests and thanked family members and faculty for their support of these exceptional students.

“What matters foremost in life is that you be someone special; not just do something special,“ Mr. Agosta told the top 20 students. “To make a difference in the world, we have to be great people; not just great in what we do but great in who we are. As you move from high school to college to continue your education, I encourage you to challenge yourself to become a great person.”

Mr. Agosta then offered a brief biography of each student, noting their accomplishments, awards and future goals and endeavors for college and their career. Each student was called to the podium to express their gratitude to the teacher who inspired them during their time in the Copiague School District.

The district congratulates the top 20 students (in order beginning with No. 20): Jaheim Garcia, Gabriel Salgado-Mejia, Katelyn Gonzalez, Tania Bonilla, Donte Hinton, Jean Marcos Taveras, Luis Rodriguez, Myra Mendoza-Rodriguez, Tyler Palmer, Klara Thelusma, Roman Burrus, Deep Shah, Asiatul Hoque, Adriana Jimenez Bonilla, Cathrine Sakin, Jillian McLaurin, Stephanie Cortes, Sahil Parikh, Devonie Rhoden (salutatorian) and Joseph Falco Jr. (valedictorian).

The teacher honorees included: Rosa Benaburger, Eric Dobmeier, Cheryl Feldman, Kerri Hall, Flor Hernandez, Jessica Jablonski, Thomas Korn, Scott Kuhn, Dr. Daniel Lecesse, Renee Locker, Michelle Penyy, Kimberly Ruggiero, George Schroeder, Karen Swenson, Stephen Temme, Dr. Kaitlyn Thompson, Allison Weller, Tracy Wenzler and John Young.

Date Added: 5/25/2022

The Copiague community joined together to celebrate the accomplishments of the Copiague School District on May 14. After a two-year hiatus, community members, students, staff, administrators, board of education members, community organization representatives and local legislators once again gathered at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School to showcase and highlight the district’s successes for the community summit.

Wet weather conditions moved the first half of the program into the high school’s auditorium. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon welcomed guests to the community summit. “To see all that the students have accomplished over the last year is a very prideful moment for all of the teachers and administrators here today,” she said. “We are particular proud of the academics that we are offering our students.”

Board of Education President Brian J. Sales thanked everyone for their hard work to put the community summit together. “Community summit is an opportunity for us to share some of the things going on in our schools,” he said “We celebrate the success we’ve had, and we collaborate on ways we can do things better. For the board, administration and staff, our top priority is putting students first. We are extremely proud of these results.”

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta introduced the top 10 students in the Class of 2022. Later in the day, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School hosted its top 20 luncheon.

Outside the high school, students from the elementary schools, middle school and high school showcased their work for the community to enjoy. Some of the performances included the middle school step team, the Great Neck Road Elementary dance team, the Susan E. Wiley Dance team and the high school Zumba Club.

 

Date Added: 5/23/2022

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior Curtis Doxey recently participated in the regional SkillsUSA competition in Dix Hills. Doxey attends BOCES Career and Technical Education’s welding program. He competed in four different categories and placed first in all of them. This annual competition gives BOCES students the opportunity to compete against other schools from across Long Island in timed technical, trade and leadership contests.

Date Added: 5/19/2022

For their strong commitment to the arts, 38 students from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society or National Art Honor Society. Joined by family, friends, administrators and board of education members, the students pledged their commitment during an induction ceremony held in the school’s cafeteria on May 4.

Coordinator of Fine Arts Jennifer Ross-Troise welcomed guests to the ceremony and spoke about the talented musicians and artists who were honored into the respective societies and their dedication to both their school and community.

During the ceremony, honor society advisers shared examples of the high level of talent and community service contributions of their society members. Each society’s executive board members explained the criteria a student must exhibit to be inducted into the society. In unison, they were led in reciting the pledge of the Tri-M Music and National Art honor societies.

Honorary lifetime membership for the Tri-M Honor Society was given to Copiague Middle School music teacher Barbara Mayo, inducted based on student nominations. For the National Art Honor Society, Copiague Middle School art teacher Travis White received lifetime membership. In the cafeteria, an art show displayed the skill and talent of the many artists in the National Art Honor Society for all guests to enjoy.

The district congratulates the following students who were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society: Nicole Araujo, Kamar Birthwright, Stacy Bramble, Kayla Brown, Abner Carbajal, Valery Cedeno, Brian Chacon, Erica Charles, Milie Cisneros, Rhianna Coleman, Simeon Cooper, Jazline Diaz, Richard Fagan, Chris Garcia-Martinez, Alexa Gourdette, La-Von Green, Penelope Greenfield, Tierre Jones, Vaiva Keen, Daniel Kister, Mariska Kroog, Adam Lacz, Mykelle Moore, Janee Nicholson, Mercedes Novell-Gillard, Linda Paiz, Abigail Rodriguez, Allyson Shaw, Alyson Tenebro and Ethan Zheng.

The district congratulates the following students who were inducted into the National Art Honor Society: Hadasa Argueta Botzoc, Merary Duran, Francheska Guzman, Shannon Higgins, Amber Ramirez, Alice Sztabinski, Mariely Vinas Marte and Sofia Weiss.

Date Added: 5/18/2022