Amityville Memorial High School seniors returned to their roots for the annual Senior Walk on June 7, in which they visited the district’s elementary schools and middle school.

After departing from the high school on six buses, the seniors arrived a short time later at Northwest Elementary School. Clad in their red caps and gowns, they walked through the halls as “Pomp and Circumstance” played over the public address system. Students and teachers lined the halls to cheer the soon-to-be graduates. Many children displayed their handmade congratulatory signs and held out their hands for high fives, while teachers snapped pictures and hugged many of their former students. 

Accompanied by Principal Maria Andreotti, Dean of Students John Cardone and several teachers, the seniors then traveled to Northeast Elementary School where they got their starts as either pre-K or kindergarten students. Following trips through Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School and Edmund W. Miles Middle School, the seniors returned to the high school for lunch. 

The Senior Walk was one of many celebratory activities leading up to graduation including the senior and sports awards ceremonies, college athlete celebration day and the senior prom.

Sixteen of the district’s finest senior athletes will continue their athletic pursuits as they take their talents to colleges and universities on Long Island, regionally and across the United States. During College Athlete Celebration Day, held in Amityville Memorial High School’s library on June 1, administrators and coaches congratulated the seniors on their next step.

“Today is a celebration of their decision to continue their sports on the college and university level,” said Evan Farkas, director of athletics, physical education and health. “They have worked hard their whole lives to get to the next level and have paved the way for future Amityville athletes.”

The district congratulates the following athletes:

Jala Coad, football, SUNY Brockport  

Julius Goddard, basketball, SUNY Oneonta

Deandre Harding, football, Morrisville State College

Nyleek Hendricks, football, Utica College

Bri’Anna Jones, basketball, Nassau Community College

Jacob Marrero, track and field, Norfolk State University

Damion McPhaul, football, Jacksonville University

Deonte Palmer, football, Hampton University or Clark Atlanta University

Donte Palmer, football, Hampton University or Clark Atlanta University

Jayson Robinson, basketball, Springfield Commonwealth Academy

Joshua Serrano, basketball, Iona College 

Kacey Smith, volleyball, Suffolk County Community College

Sabrina Tobin, track and field, Niagara University

Enroy Toney, football, undecided

Ashley Wilson, dance, SUNY Brockport 

Deonte Wilson, wrestling, North Carolina State University

Nearly 200 awards and scholarships were presented to members of Amityville Memorial High School’s senior class on May 31. The Senior Awards Ceremony was an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the soon-to-be graduates.

The seniors were joined by administrators, board of education trustees, teachers, guidance counselors, families and fellow students. Also on hand were representatives of the dozens of organizations that sponsor awards and scholarships. Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly said that the Class of 2018 is receiving approximately $1.5 million in scholarship money, “a very significant contribution to our young men and women.”

Awards recognized accomplishments in academics, the arts, athletics, community service and leadership. The honored seniors were called up one by one, and guidance counselors announced each individual’s awards and scholarships. A video presentation featured the top 25 graduates, who spoke about their college plans and what they would miss most about Amityville.  

“Members of the Class of 2018 have been positive role models whose outstanding achievements are cause for celebration,” Principal Maria Andreotti said. “Their dedication, hard work and commitment to success in all areas the school are truly appreciated by the Amityville school community.”

Amityville Memorial High School students learned about dozens of job possibilities in the healthcare field during the first Medical Career Day on May 24. The fair was coordinated by Northwell Health’s Plainview and Syosset hospitals.

At a medical career fair in the gymnasium, students were able to visit tables to learn about different healthcare departments including radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, patient experience, human resources, marketing and communications, food and nutrition, dental and many more. 

“What makes Medical Career Day unique is that students have the opportunity to learn about so many different careers in healthcare, not just clinical ones,” said Christine Patti, Plainview and Syosset hospital’s community relations director. “Any position that they can think of can relate back to healthcare and is featured at Northwell Health.”

There were several interactive activities. At the dermatology station, students could look into a DermaScan machine, which used a LED black light to show sun damage on their skin. The occupational therapist table had a game of Jenga in which students had to use their non-dominant hand to remove the pieces. They could also practice hands-on CPR on dummies, and see the various instruments used by doctors and nurses.

South Oaks Hospital of Amityville had information about its art therapy program and Project C.A.R.E., its team-building adventure course. Doctors, nurses and other professionals led workshops in the library and auditorium on various topics such as healthy lifestyles, coping with anxiety and how to obtain careers in nutrition, pharmacy and healthcare finance. Students heard from people with military backgrounds who have transitioned into healthcare and from a doctor who immigrated to the United States and became one of the nation’s leading cardiologists. 

“The range of options out there for our students is amazing, and they were recently able to learn about these opportunities from the experts,” said Principal Maria Andreotti. “Students took advantage of this hands-on experience to engage in conversations with some of the leading healthcare professionals. They learned that they can achieve anything if they work hard and set their mind to it.” 

Amityville Memorial High School’s girls lacrosse team recently finished its inaugural season, as the popular sport was added for the spring 2018 schedule. 

The junior varsity team was coached by a pair of Amityville teachers with experience playing at the collegiate level. Northwest Elementary School third-grade teacher Nicole Bass was part of three NCAA championship teams at Adelphi University and high school social studies teacher Margot Howard was an inaugural member of St. Joseph College’s women’s lacrosse team. 

The Warriors played a 13-game schedule from late March through early May against Suffolk County opponents from Lindenhurst to Hampton Bays. Homes games were held at Lou Howard Field. 

Coach Howard said the team was more competitive as the season went on, and successfully increased their goal-scoring ability. It also continued to gain players as word spread about the new team, finishing with about 20 players. Senior captains Gaby Alberto, Kimberly Bonilla and Allison Martinez led the group of mostly freshman, sophomores and juniors. Next year’s team will have many returning players with a full year of playing experience. 

“It’s a young team and we have a lot of potential,” Coach Howard said. “The girls were so amazing and so dedicated. I’m just really excited about the future of this program.”

Coach Howard said she was extremely proud of her players, who added lacrosse to their rigorous academic schedules. They committed themselves to learning the rules and strategies, and played well together as a team.  

Evan Farkas, the district’s director of athletics, physical education and health, said the hope is to expand the girls program to include a varsity team in the near future. Amityville will introduce intramural boys lacrosse next year to eventually grow into a full program.

“We’re incredibly proud of the girls and the coaches,” Mr. Farkas said. “It’s a challenge to start up a new team. I think this is going to be one of our great programs in Amityville. Watching a game, it felt like lacrosse was always here.”