Connetquot Central School District congratulates Charles Brown, Jaime Derenches, Shan Hussain and Xavier Wirtenson-Robinson, who recently graduated from the district’s Regional Alternative High School. The graduates received their diplomas at a ceremony held in Connetquot High School’s courtyard, which was attended by proud family members and followed by a reception in the school cafeteria.

Members of the Connetquot High School music department and kickline team recently performed a dynamic show in honor of the school’s graduating seniors. The event began with a rousing rendition of the national anthem by the Long Island Voices’ choir and was followed by an outstanding joint performance by the school’s marching band and kickline team featuring the music of Earth, Wind and Fire.

The 36 Connetquot High School student-athletes who have committed to pursuing athletics at the collegiate level were recently recognized during a ceremony at the school. With parents and coaches in attendance, each student-athlete was honored individually for their accomplishments both in and out of sports. Peter Melore, district director of physical education, health, athletics and recreation, also reminded the students that they are an inspiration to the district’s younger students and have been a great source of pride for the coaches, the community and their families.

Connetquot Central School District congratulates the following student-athletes:

Division I
Katherine Cuozzo - lacrosse, University of Massachusetts
Morgan Elliott - soccer, Stony Brook University
Kayla Hansen - cheerleading, Hofstra University
Katie Hickey - volleyball, Stony Brook University
Nicolette Pasquarella - soccer, Stony Brook University
Anna Thornton - lacrosse, Arizona State University

Division II
Ryan Appell - baseball, St. Thomas Aquinas College
Oliva Blas - track, Seton Hill University
Kevin Campbell - track, St. Thomas Aquinas College
Micah Cooper - track, Holy Family University
Erin McLoughlin - lacrosse, University of Tampa
Sean Mileti - baseball, Molloy College
Sarah Moussa - gymnastics, Southern Connecticut State University
Angelica Polcini, bowling, Roberts Wesleyan College
Benjamin Taylor, lacrosse, Caldwell University

Division III
Matthew Brennan - baseball, SUNY Canton
Jordan Cole – softball, SUNY Herkimer College
Matthew Coleman - lacrosse, SUNY Geneseo
Isabella Cottone - track, SUNY Geneseo
Mike DiFilippo - baseball, St. Joseph’s College
Liam Doyle - baseball, Russell Sage College
Jenna Drapala - swimming, SUNY Geneseo
James Engley - lacrosse, Farmingdale State College
Christian Figalora - track, Marywood University
Sydney Gabay - softball, Johnson & Wales University
Tyler Goldofski - track, Alfred State University
Brett Harvey - wrestling, SUNY Cortland
William Immel - football, Utica College
Amelia Laible - swimming, Utica College
Michael Monahan - lacrosse, SUNY Maritime College
Nicholas Rizzuto, lacrosse, Farmingdale State College
Anna Stahurski, swimming, SUNY Cortland
Grace Wichelns, lacrosse, SUNY New Paltz
Kylie Wixted, volleyball, Springfield College
Tyler Youmans, football, Endicott College
Julia Kurzrock, softball, University of Toronto

More than 50 students at Connetquot High School recently entered a resume writing contest, sponsored by the school’s chapter of the National Business Honor Society. The first round of the competition was judged by the business curriculum directors and chairperson and the final round by Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi. Connetquot Central School District congratulates first-place winner Julia Leddy, second-place winner Jenna Pellicano, and third-place winner Isabella Truglio, all of whom are seniors.

While leading their ninth grade English students in a reading of “The Miracle Worker,” the story of Annie Sullivan's journey of teaching language to Helen Keller, Connetquot High School teachers Ross Castaldo and Melissa Koster used segments of the ABC television show "What Would You Do?" to reinforce the importance of acceptance and understanding. This hidden camera show puts people in various morally conflicting scenarios to examine how the unknowing participants will behave and what choices they will make. Watching these clips provided the ninth graders with much “food for thought” and sparked interesting conversations amongst them.

Through the use of social media, Castaldo was able to contact John Quinones, the show’s host, who happily agreed to engage in a virtual conversation with the ninth graders via Google Meet. Gathered in the school’s library media center, the students took turns asking Quinones questions about his experiences filming the show, which he answered with great detail and passion. While they were excited by the opportunity to speak with a celebrity, more importantly, the students were impacted by Quinones’ fundamental message: people need to look out for one another.