Showing their appreciation and dedication to the arts, 30 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. 

Copiague School District’s 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 band director Timothy Gavin, inducted based on student nominations. For the National Art Honor Society, Susan E. Wiley Elementary School art teacher Jeanne Daly received lifetime membership.

In the hallway outside 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: Ryan Bott, Sophia Bright, Jennifer Calderon, Anna Carvajal, Eitan Chervony, Isabella Galarza, Jayleen Garcia, Katelyn Gonzalez, Sophia Gonzalez, Samantha Gonzalez, Vanessa Gonzalez, Adrianna Michal, Jeremiah Moya, Edinelly Peguero Rosario, Kyree Scott, Andrew Szabo, Kayla Urban and Morgan Weeks.

The district congratulates the following students who were inducted into the National Art Honor Society: Arlin Alvarez Almonte, Rachell De Lamar Sime, Rebecca Demonaco, Asiatul Hoque, Sarah Hussain, Jade Jones, Jillian McLaurin, Yosselin Medina Licona, Blanca Reyes, Marlin Valerio, Angie Vasquez Sanabria and Natalie Unger. 

Driver’s education students at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School had a hands-on lesson in the dangers of driving under the influence from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s S.T.O.P.P.E.D. program uses simulation driving carts to teach the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. Students drove a pedal car through a cone maze while wearing goggles that impair their vision and balance. After the simulated driving portion, students then had to wear the goggles and walk through the maze with a partner, trying to avoid the cones and get home safely.

The Walter G. O’Connell Copiague girls track team participated in the 2019 Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The 4x100-meter team took second place, running a personal best of 52.33. The relay team consists of freshman Jillian McLaurin, junior Alivia Lawrence, senior Ajhani Carroll and sophomore Trinity Roberts. 

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students in Diana LaSpina’s computer skills for the 21st century class recently were transported to another reality during a lesson from the Copiague Library. A librarian recently visited the classes throughout the day to offer a look into the world of virtual/augmented reality. 

Students learned about the history of virtual reality during a short video presentation. They also spoke about the differences between virtual reality and augmented reality and some future uses for both technologies. Using their smartphones, students downloaded a variety of virtual reality apps – such as a roller coaster, maze walk, Apollo 13 and maze solver – and had the chance to use the viewfinders to transport into one of the virtual reality worlds. 

The varsity club from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School attended the AHRC Suffolk’s second annual Polar Splash on April 13 at the Bay Shore Marina. The club raised $200 to donate to the AHRC Suffolk by selling coffee and hot chocolate during parent-teacher conferences. The student-athletes who attended were able to brave the bay in 40 degree temperatures for a good cause.

Students in Louise Curci’s fashion class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School spent three days in New York City getting acquainted with the fashion industry. The students competed in a design competition at Mood Fabrics, home of Project Runway and did a personal styling session at Topshop in Chelsea. They visited a material maker and studied how garments are cut and styled from sketch to completion. They also participated in a marketing seminar at a Vans boutique shop in Soho. The students toured Schmalberg, a100-year-old flower design studio and were taught about the production process.

Copiague School District seniors Aleksandra Bugajczyk and Adam Wiszowaty have received AAA’s Driver Education Awards as the outstanding students in the Walter G. O’Connell High School Driver education course. The students were presented with a plaque on April 10. 

The two students were selected on the basis of demonstrated driving skills, knowledge of the rules of the road, and a mature attitude and approach to driving.

AAA instituted this award in 1936. Its purpose is to not only recognize outstanding high school driver education students, but to also encourage all young drivers to develop the skills and attitudes that will contribute to their being safe drivers. 

The third annual Business Olympics were held on April 2 and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School business students went head to head for a chance to be named the winning team. Three teams of students competed in this year’s event, which focused on mobile businesses, in front of a panel of more than 15 judges including board of education members, administrators and local business owners.

Team Vivacity, Team Mobifuel and Team P.U.S.H. each presented their ideas during a 10-minute pitch. The judges had an opportunity for a question and answer period following the presentation. Each team created a commercial along with supporting marketing and promotional materials.

The winning team was Team Vivacity for their mobile spa business. Team members were Aleksandra Bugajczyk, Kriyal Patel, Iris Romero, Abigail Romero and Owen Rosenberg. All of the teams will share more than $3,000 in prizes.

Students in the World Affairs in Foreign Films class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School recently finished watching “Spirited Away,” a Japanese animated film. The class screens different foreign films and then studies the geography, customs, holidays and social issues associated with that country. After viewing “Spirited Away,” the students made origami and tried their skills using chopsticks by picking up marshmallows and M&Ms.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School held its fourth annual Voice to Voice empowerment session in the school’s library on March 27. The goal of the initiative is to motivate and empower one another through teamwork and conversation. It was developed to provide opportunities for young women to gain awareness of their individual and collective skills, experiences and professional goals.

Assistant Principal Tamika Eason welcomed the attendees and introduced the school’s women’s Madrigal Choir, under the direction of Gina Occhiogrosso, who performed “Rise Up.” The theme of this year’s event was resilience as showcased through the guest speaker and the reflective activities. 

This year’s guest speaker was Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School speech and language teacher Valarie Williams. Ms. Williams shared her life story and spoke about how resiliency has helped her persevere through some trying life lessons.

“My goal is to enlighten, encourage and inspire you with my story,” she said. “I’m sharing my story to show you all that you can overcome every obstacle in your way. You have the power to live your life with resiliency.”

After a brief question and answer session, the students worked in teams and reflected on the lessons learned. Each team created a poster board and shared their thoughts in a brief presentation with their peers. 

Nine student-artists from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School attended the Long Island Media Arts Show at Five Towns College on March 22. Three photos taken by Copiague students – Jaleel Foster, Arianna Tirino and Oleksa Klymovets – were selected as Best in Show.

Thirty-six new members from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School were inducted into the Isabella M. Driscoll Chapter of the National Honor Society during a ceremony in the school’s auditorium on March 26. Administrators, board of education members, family and friends were on hand to witness the induction ceremony.

To be inducted into the National Honor Society, students must exhibit the society’s four pillars: scholarship, leadership, service and character. The four National Honor Society officers – Marvin Pineda Lobo, Faith McCombs, Melinda Mercedes and Abigail Romero – spoke about each of the pillars and their importance.

National Junior Honor Society members chose the evening’s guest speaker, Matthew Miles, high school English teacher. “For me, Copiague is more than a school district; this has become my second home,” he said. “I have watched all of you mature from insecure ninth-graders to confident young men and women who are ready to take on the world. The certificate you are about to receive is just a symbol. This certificate symbolizes the four requirements for membership into the National Honor Society in which you have excelled.”

Miles spoke about the four pillars and their meaning. “Scholarship is more than straight As and more than the requirement to get into the National Honor Society,” he said. “It is the desire that each of you have to learn more. Leadership is not about being appointed to office. Leadership is an attitude; leaders see progress, not power. Community service gives us a chance to practice altruism and give back to the community that has given us so much. And the true definition of character is what you do when no one is looking.”

After each of the newest inductees was called to the stage for recognition, Principal Joseph Agosta led them in the National Honor Society Oath. 
The district congratulates the following students: 

Grade 11: Esdras Canales, Vincent Cipriani, Luisiana Colon Sanchez, Destiny Delacruz, Darlene Ferreira, Erhumwunse Eghafona, Carolina Gonzalez, Nolan Johnson, Jaime Kister, Michelle Kumah, Arianna Lipari, Naryman Lounici, Amy Moskowitz, Patrice Noel, Carol Rodriguez, Gianna Torres, Brithney Urena Hiciano and Tamara Washington.

Grade 10: Jada Angel, Ryan Bott, Sophia Bright, Anna Carvajal, Eitan Chervony, Brayan Espinal, Jayleen Garcia, Elizabeth Garrovillas, Samantha Gonzalez, Jasmine Jimenez, Sofia Lounici, Yessica Ortiz Max, Zuri Milliner, Edinelly Peguero Rosario, Morgan Weeks, Aniyah Woods, Genesis Yanes and Oktay Yildiz. 

The boys winter indoor track team won the Suffolk County League II Championship. This is the first time the school has won a team title. Individual champions also helped play a part in the win. They include: James Holland in the long jump, Jackson Bright in the high jump and Khalil Chester in 300 meters. The 4 x 400 meter relay team – James, Jackson, Khalil and John Jerrick – also claimed the championship title. 

The varsity club at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School held its coffee and hot chocolate café on March 7 and 8 to raise money for the AHRC's annual Polar Splash. The club raised $140 during the two days and enjoyed making hot chocolate and delivering coffee for their teachers. Club members will attend and participate in the Polar Splash on April 13 at the Bay Shore Marina.