This summer the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) released the 2017-18 Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction winners, and Elwood-John H. Glenn High School was selected along with nine other Suffolk County schools! This is the second year in a row the high school has received this distinction.

In order to be granted this award by the NYSPHSAA, each of the high school’s varsity teams must have earned a “Scholar-Athlete” title that year, which requires 75% of the team’s GPA to have an average of 90.00 or greater.

“Our student-athletes’ dedication to academic success in the classroom has carried over into their athletic success,” said David Shanahan, director of athletics and physical education, “and we are so proud of all the hard work they put into achieving excellence daily.”

Led by Board of Education trustees, administration and faculty, the Elwood-John H. Glenn High School class of 2018 stepped onto the field for the last time at the district’s 56th annual commencement held on June 22. Students proudly processed to their seats as family and friends cheered, and the high school band performed “Pomp and Circumstance”.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by class president Brendan Bouzas, and the high school band playing the national anthem under the baton of Vicki Henson, Principal Carisa Burzynski welcomed and thanked the families, the Board of Education, fellow administrators and the community for their support. She also praised the graduating class on their various accomplishments, calling them “true leaders” and a class that was “inclusive from the start.” During her address to the Class of 2018, Mrs. Burzynski took a moment to advise the students on being true to themselves.

“Listen to the voice inside you,” she urged them, “because that is truly who you are.”

Class of 2018 graduation speaker Ruben Saint Paul took the podium to reflect on the class’ four years at John H. Glenn, and remarked that he did not expect the day to be so bittersweet. “We are all sharing a collective tear of reminiscence,” he noted. “Glenn has been a catalyst for our intrinsic change.”

Salutatorian Catherine Reyes-Ordonez encouraged her classmates to make positive contributions to the world, and to be unafraid of prompting change. “Stop just saying,” she implored them, “and start doing.”

Valedictorian Kathryn Browne stepped up to the podium with a smile. She urged her peers to face change, and challenges, with faith. “We must learn from the unfamiliar things we encounter,” she said. “Try to relax, and trust the timing of your life.”

Seniors then joined the band and the chorus for the last time to play musical interludes, which included Samuel Hazo’s “Solas Ane (Yesterday’s Joy)” and Tedder and Zancanella’s “I Lived.”

After Mrs. Burzynski, the Board of Education and administration confirmed that the seniors had met the requirements for graduation, they presented diplomas to each graduate. Led by members of the student council, the seniors concluded the ceremony by moving their tassels from right to left to signify their commencement. Blue and white caps filled the air as the graduates were introduced as alumni of the Elwood Union Free School District.

Congratulations to Kathryn Browne, who was named valedictorian of the Class of 2018. Along with being an active member of the school community, which she likens to a family, Kathryn excelled both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. She was inducted into the National and World Language honor societies, was a member of the Independent Science Research Club and was awarded multiple academic distinctions, including the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award.

The top-ranked graduate also lent her talents to helping others, as she assumed mentoring and leadership roles in Natural Helpers, the Freshman Buddy Mentor Program and the Independent Mentoring Club and actively participated with Habitat for Humanity. Rounding out her busy schedule, she enjoyed involvement on both the varsity track and soccer teams and was named a Scholar-Athlete by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for each of her four years in high school. She attributes her success not only to her hard work and dedication, but also to the incredible support system provided by her friends, family and teachers.

Reflecting on her time in the district, Kathryn said, “As I look forward to expanding my horizons and discovering more about myself, I know that wherever I end up, or whatever I end up doing, I am so lucky to always have this incredible community to come back to and to call home.”
Kathryn will attend Boston College in the fall to pursue nursing.

Not only has Catherine Reyes-Ordonoz risen to the top as the Class of 2018 salutatorian, she has also been pursuing the family tradition of nursing throughout her high school career and is already a certified nursing assistant. During high school, she received the National Academy for Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence and a New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence, in addition to being named a three-time recipient of the National Spanish Exam Gold distinction.

Catherine complemented her rigorous dedication to excellence in her studies with altruism. She has been an active member of her school and local community, volunteering as a homework helper, a tutor for both children and adults, and a volunteer at a local clinic. She credits a large part of her success to the exceptional examples of her parents, as well as the values they instilled in her as a child to be determined and look ahead in the face of hardship.

“I will miss home and this community,” she said, “but I’m so excited to begin a new chapter in my life, filled with greater knowledge and new friends and experiences.”

Catherine will attend LIU Post on a full scholarship to study nursing.

The district held its annual Board of Education reorganization meeting on July 2 in preparation for the 2018-19 school year.

Board trustees Heather Mammolito and James Tomeo, both re-elected by the community in May, were sworn in for their new terms by district Clerk Mary Lou Janelli.

Julia Fried was elected to once again serve as president of the Board of Education by a unanimous vote and James Tomeo was also unanimously elected to continue his tenure as vice president.

 

Elwood Middle School held a special ceremony for eighth graders moving on to Elwood-John H. Glenn High School on June 20. Principal Christina Sapienza, who is wrapping up her first year of service as the EMS principal, initiated this new tradition that will continue on for years to come.

Students entered the middle school auditorium to upbeat music as family members, teachers, administration, and Board members looked on, ready to celebrate the students in this special time. After the pledge, the select chorus, under the direction of Laura Fisher, led all in attendance in a beautiful rendition of God Bless America.

Dr. Sapienza welcomed all those in attendance, and thanked the district for a wonderful first year as principal.

“Since day one, I’ve felt so embraced by this community, and from the bottom of my heart I thank all of you,” said Dr. Sapienza. “And to my first eighth-grade class—each and every one of you is so special and unique, especially in the way you take care of one another. Never stop. And,” she added, “I’m so lucky to have felt taken care of by you all, as well.”

In addition, she encouraged them to take chances in every opportunity possible in the future, and remarked that even though the EMS community will miss them, they’re beyond excited to see what chances each student will choose to take.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert, Board of Education President Julia Fried, and Assistant Principal Dawn Valle addressed the graduating class, and wished them the best in all of their future endeavors as well, and offered many words of wisdom.

Student council president Alexandra Haddad also took a moment to congratulate her classmates, and to encourage them to take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves in the future.

“As we leave this place, we’ll continue to learn and grow,” she said, “and it’s up to us to choose the best direction to steer our lives in.”

Departmental and character awards were given to deserving students, and when it came time to receive recognition for moving up, students walked proudly across the stage and received a blue carnation from Dr. Sapienza or Mrs. Valle. The room was buzzing with excitement as each student stepped towards the new season of life as a high school student.

Congratulations to all Elwood student-athletes and coaches who were recognized by Section XI for Outstanding Sportsmanship for the Spring 2018 season!

Recognized teams:
JV Baseball
EMS baseball
JV Lacrosse
Varsity Softball
Varsity Tennis
JV Tennis
EMS Track
Varsity Boys' Track