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Official Publication of the Sachem Central School District • www.sachem.edu
2011-2012 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Robert Scavo, President • Sal Tripi, Vice President • Terry Ahearn • Douglas Duncan Jr. • Anthony Falco • Michael J. Isernia, Esq.
Christine Lampitelli • Dorothy Roberts • Michael J. Timo • Superintendent James J. Nolan
SUMMER 2011
****ECRWSS****
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WALTER C. DUNHAM
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
245 Union Avenue
Holbrook, NY 11741-1890
Sachem Central School District
Non-Profit Org.
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Congratulations,
Class of 2011!
Thank You, Sachem Community Members!
Graduation
photos
courtesy
of Island
Photography
On May 17, community residents came out to the polls, approving the 2011-2012 school budget by a 4,960 to 3,034 margin.
The Board of Education and district administration extend thanks to the entire community for being involved and making the
school budget vote a priority. Approval of the budget will allow the district to continue to provide the kinds of high-quality
educational programs and services that have benefited our children and will ensure their continued success.
Our Valedictorians …
Valedictorian Janine Perri
Sachem East High School is proud to recognize Janine
Perri as valedictorian of the Class of 2011. A National
Merit finalist, Janine excelled in 12 Advanced Placement
(AP) and 13 Honors courses in her high school career,
earning a 104.27 GPA. She developed leadership skills
as a class government representative and president of the
National History Honor Society, and was also an active
member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, National
Science Honor Society and Foreign Language Honor Society. For two years
running, Janine represented Sachem East alongside fellow outstanding academics
on News 12 Long Island’s quiz show, The Challenge. She exercised her passion
for writing by serving as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and frequently
contributed to Reflections, the school’s literary magazine. In addition, she
volunteered her time to work in the school library. Artistically talented as
well, Janine excelled in the performing arts as a member of East’s drama
club, participated in the string ensemble and is a talented pianist. Janine will
be attending Villanova University in the fall to major in history and English.
Valedictorian Amanda Valdes
Sachem North Valedictorian Amanda Valdes is ranked
first of 547 students after concluding a magnificent
high school career. Accumulating a104.44 weighted GPA
while taking one of the most difficult course loads offered
at Sachem. Amanda was inducted into the Business and
Marketing Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Foreign
Language Honor Society and National Honor Society.
Amanda’s brilliance in the sciences has been evident
through her participation in various science contests and fairs. Placing first in
the Behavioral Science category at the Nebula Science Fair, Amanda received
overall honorable mention. Additionally, she was awarded third-place honors at
the Long Island Science Congress. Her desire to excel is evident by her participation
in a wide variety of clubs and activities at Sachem. Having served as both student
government president and vice president, Amanda continued to display strong
leadership skills as president of the Spanish Club, and she showed her flair
for the camera as an active member of the Sachem North TV Club. Amanda’s kindhearted nature and warm personality are apparent in her philanthropic efforts. As a
member of the Sachem CARES club, she worked with special-needs students and
volunteered her time to help sick animals. She continued to donate her time to others
by raising funds for diabetes, muscular dystrophy and breast cancer, and volunteered
at the Special Olympics as well. Amanda’s selflessness is revealed in all she does
for her school and community. Accepted into Stony Brook University with a full
academic scholarship, Amanda will continue her education in computer science.
Our Salutatorians ...
Salutatorian Varun Bhuchar
Varun Bhuchar completed 15 AP courses during his
time at Sachem East High School and earned the title
of AP Scholar, garnering the maximum score on a total
of six exams. Varun, who graduated with a 104.19 GPA,
also completed 12 Honors courses throughout his high
school career, scored a perfect 1600 on the math and
critical reading section of the SAT. He was a National
Merit finalist and was selected as a candidate for the
United States Presidential Scholars Program. A leader among his peers, Varun
served as president of the Italian Honor Society. He has been an active member
of the math team, and participated in News 12 Long Island’s televised academic
competition, The Challenge. Varun also wrote articles for the school newspaper,
Eastside View. An athlete as well as an academic, he played varsity tennis at
Sachem East. Varun will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall and plans
to study political science/history.
Salutatorian Krystal Cheng
Sachem North Salutatorian Krystal Cheng is a truly
remarkable young woman who has maintained an
impressive 104.08 weighted grade-point average while
tackling 11 Advanced Placement and 18 Honors-level
courses in her high school career. Krystal is the complete
student, leaving her mark on all aspects of the Sachem
North community. An outstanding academic, she served
as vice president of the Foreign Language Honor Society
and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor
Society. She has excelled in our science research program for four years and has
taken coursework in Foundations of Computer Integrated Surgery and Introduction
to Biological Molecules at Johns Hopkins prestigious Summer Precollege Program.
Krystal is dedicated to the goal of becoming a physician in the future. In addition to
her academic achievements, Krystal is also a talented musician. An accomplished
violinist, she earned high honors at NYSSMA and performed at many charitable
functions and was selected as a section leader for the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
for a concert at Carnegie Hall. She has also displayed strong leadership qualities as
a member of the spring track and field team for the past three years. Krystal is a
young woman of tremendous poise and intelligence who moves on to Cornell
University, where she will study biochemistry.
Members of the Class of 2011
Comment on Their Education in Sachem Schools
“Sachem East has been an extraordinary experience for me. I am so happy to have been a
part of such a great school where I was surrounded by great peers and faculty. I am proud
to be a Sachem East graduate, and I will truly miss it!”
- Brittney Kelly, 2011 Sachem East graduate
“I can honestly say I
have enjoyed my time
“Sachem East is more then
at Sachem North. I
just a great high school. It is
value the connections I
a place where each student
have built, the friends I
is just as important as the
have made and the great
next. There are so many
teachers
I have worked
opportunities for any kind of
the years!”
with
through
student to learn and grow.”
- George Lambadis,
- Casey Keenan, 2011
2011 Sachem North
Sachem East graduate
graduate
“Sachem East has been a nice
“I have had so many great experiences at Sachem North. Everyone is great
place to learn and become a young
here, from administrators, to teachers, to all of the staff members! All of
adult. The teachers have prepared
the friendships and memories I have made here can never be broken and
me for college, and I will continue
will always have a place in my heart!”
to use what I’ve learned.”
- Brian Ford, 2011 Sachem North graduate
- Jessica Alessi,
2011 Sachem East graduate
Music News
Sachem Groups Take Gold in NYSSMA Festival
This May, Sachem’s performing groups were assessed at the annual New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Major Ensembles Assessment Festival.
A record 32 Sachem ensembles were judged, with one group receiving a rating of Gold with Distinction and 13 groups receiving gold ratings. Congratulations to
our winners, and to all who participated.
Gold with Distinction: North Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Irina Pustovoit
Gold Rating: North Wind Ensemble under the direction of Justin Comito; North Symphonic Choir under the direction of Nicole Morace; East Chamber Orchestra
under the direction of Dorie Down; East Symphonic Choir under the direction of Robin Macy; Samoset Middle School Jazz Ensemble, 6th Grade Orchestra, 7th
Grade Orchestra and Select String Ensemble under the direction of William Gerrity; Samoset Middle School 6th Grade Band under the direction of Jennifer Fischer;
Sagamore 7th and 8th Grade Band under the direction of Kerry Rubenstein; Seneca Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Chorus under the direction of Melanie
Dominick; Tamarac Elementary School Fifth Grade Band under the direction of Jason Macy
Sports News
2010-11 Sachem Athletic Awards
Jeff Stone Memorial Scholarship
Mary Cipriano (North)
Charles R. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Philip Rascona (East)
Bernard E. Brisson Memorial Scholarship
Thomas Klingel (North)
Colleen McNeece (North)
Lance Hugelmeyer Memorial Scholarship
Michael Scanlon (North)
Charles R. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Keira Wood (North)
Mishaina Joseph (North)
Sachem North’s Michael McCarthy and Andrea Licostie
accept their end of season honors. (Photo courtesy of
Chris R. Vaccaro.)
Michael A. Mignone Memorial Scholarship
Lucas Brum (East)
Joseph Mignone (East)
Fred Fusaro Football Alumni Scholarship
Nicholas Iannello (North)
Jeff Stone Memorial Scholarship
Meghan Walsh (East)
Sachem North Touchdown Club
Scholarship – Matthew Cosgrove (North)
Award – James Thompson (North)
Bernard E. Brisson Memorial Scholarship
Timothy Doherty (East)
Kelsey Ferguson (East)
Victoria Hassett (East)
All Star Awards Memorial Scholarship
Nicholas Teta (North)
Lance Hugelmeyer Memorial Scholarship
Philip Rascona (East)
Gold Key
Sachem East
Ashley Ayers
Zachary Bradley
Lucas Brum
Kristen Chiovari
Brittany Christiansen
Krystle Grygo
Charles Hafner
Sarah Hansen
Victoria Hassett
Anthony Kmiotek
Gregory Markfelder
Kara Mc Cabe
Megan Power
Philip Rascona
Alex Saavedra-Burgos
Thomas Schultz
Meghan Walsh
Gold Key
Sachem North
Dana Castro
Kayla Cataldo
Mary Cipriano
Matthew Cosgrove
Deanna Hauswirth
Nicholas Iannello
Andrea Licostie
Michael Mc Carthy
Amanda Miller
Paige Paternostro
Louis Piccirillo
Stephanie Richer
Allison Riss
Michael Scanlon
Christopher Schulz
Samantha Swift
Lauren Waka
Christopher Weilbacher
Keira Wood
Linda Otten Outstanding Senior Female Athlete
Victoria Hassett (East)
Andrea Licostie (North)
Richard Van Norr Memorial Award
Outstanding Senior Male Athlete
Alex Saavedra-Burgos (East)
Michael McCarthy (North)
Thomas J. Sabatelle
Senior Scholar Athlete Award
Ashley Ayers (East)
Thomas Schultz (East)
Christopher Weilbacher (North)
Keira Wood (North)
For the first time in 24 years, the Sachem North varsity boys’ baseball team
captured a Suffolk County title! (Photo courtesy of Chris R. Vaccaro.)
Sachem North Scientists Are Excelling!
• Congratulations to the two Sachem North students who participated in the New York State Science
and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) this April. Ruchi Shah placed first in the biochemistry category,
and Garima Yadav placed first in chemistry. The students’ submissions represented two of ten
projects from New York State that advanced to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
(Intel ISEF) in Los Angeles in May. Intel ISEF, the world’s largest international pre-college science
competition, provides an annual forum for more than 1,500 high school students from 65 countries,
regions and territories to showcase their independent research. At the event, Ruchi earned second
place in the special awards category, winning $500 from the AVASC (Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati
Subbaraya Chetty) Foundation. Ruchi also placed third internationally in behavioral science physiology, and won $1,000.
• For the seventh consecutive year, a Sachem North team placed first in Suffolk County at the
New York State Regional Envirothon. Congratulations to Jessica McGlinchey, Kimberly Kanakos,
Ruchi Shah, Sharon Luebs, and Peter Amato, who placed 17th in the state. The Envirothon tests
students in five major areas of environmental science and on their oral presentations.
• On June 1, Sachem North science research students attended the school’s annual research
symposium. Guest speaker Dr. Kenneth Shroyer, from Stony Brook University, discussed pathology
and careers in the medical field. Following his address, awards were given to several students who displayed outstanding performance in science research
this year: Katherine Michta and Patricia Romano, grade 9; James Brako-McComb, grade 10; Garima Yadav and Ruchi Shah, grade 11; and Amir Rashed
and David Miao, grade 12.
Sachem East
Encourages Safe Driving
The Sachem East
SADD (Students
Against Destructive
Decisions) Club,
advised by Patricia
Broderick, has
taken on many
challenges
throughout this
past school year to
encourage students
to think about the
consequences
of their actions.
Most recently,
our SADD
Club members
SADD Club members Jen Lam and Victoria Provini pose with
committed
the new sign at Sachem East.
themselves to
spreading the word about the harms of driving under the influence of alcohol and
of texting while driving. To remind the Sachem community of the dangers of texting
while driving, and driving under the influence, students created the sign pictured
above, which is permanently mounted near a car that was involved in a DWI
accident and is exhibited in the student parking lot.
Farewell – and Thank You!
– to Our Retirees
The end of the
2010-11 school
year marked
an important
milestone for the
26 staff and faculty
members in the
Sachem Central
School District
who retired this
school year. Their
dedication to the
students and
families of
this district was
recognized at a
Board of Education
meeting earlier this
Seven of our 26 retirees pose for a photo at a recent
year, where all
Board meeting; (L-R) standing: Theresa Stasky, Edmund
retirees received
Paquette, Maria Bronzino and Nancy Flynn; seated:
certificates in
Jo-Ann Nevins, Susan Snider and Antonia Toscano.
recognition of their
years of service. We acknowledge with sincere appreciation the numerous
contributions of these men and women, and wish each of them the best in
the years ahead.
Heroes Overseas and Heroes at Home
This May, the Tecumseh Elementary School faculty and student body participated in the second “DVDs For
Overseas” drive to collect donations for U.S. soldiers at a base in Bagram, Afghanistan. Fifth grade teacher Tara
Meade oversaw the districtwide drive by reconnecting with a student’s father who is a Navy commander serving
in Afghanistan. In total, Sachem School District sent 500+ DVDs, as well as care packages full of handmade cards,
energy drinks and sports and movie posters, to our service men and women. Under the supervision of music teacher
Robert Normandeau, the children wrote and recorded an original
version of Shakira’s “Waka, Waka” to include in the care package.
The students received a letter from Captain Lance Giannone,
chaplain, thanking them for being such heroes. Sachem School
District’s appreciation for the Armed Forces continued when
Sachem East’s National Honor Society sent care packages to the
men and women of the U.S. Air Force 737th Expeditionary Airlift
Squadron who are currently stationed in Kuwait. Technical Sergeant Christopher Esposito, father of Sachem East
graduating senior Chris Esposito, is a member of the squadron. In appreciation for the students’ efforts, he sent
them a flag that was flown over a mission in Iraq and Kuwait. On Flag Day, members of the Farmingville
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 400 raised the flag at Sachem East.