Five district employees earned SCOPE Awards for Excellence this year, and were recognized at the annual SCOPE awards dinner, held on March 18. Dr. Eliana Levey, the principal of Robert Frost Middle School, won in the Administrator Service category. The other winners were DC Raymond Downey Charity/Scholarship Fund founder Rosalie Downey (Community Service), Deer Park High School special education teacher Laurie Osbern (Teacher Service) and districtwide Food Service Director Barbara Stabile (Support Staff Service).

The high school celebrated 17 remarkable students at the annual spring Breakfast for Champions in the library on April 4. Recognized in front of their proud families for their exceptional qualities and achievements, the school champions are chosen every fall and spring by each department in the school, alongside principal’s and teacher’s champions. Principal Charles Cobb congratulated the students and his staff to conclude the ceremony.

Breakfast for Champions honorees for spring 2019 were Rafid Ahnaf (family and consumer science), Huda Ameen (guidance), Logan Fontana (technology), Adriana Harrilal (English language arts), Jasleen Kaur (business), Julianna Knice (athletics), Kylie Kuhn (physical education), Ryan Leon (Teacher’s Award), Dylan Monserrat (health), Michael Nacchia (art), Thanh Binh Phan (English as a new language), Jordan Rios (Principal’s Award), Scott Rodgers (world languages), Kelly Schwarz (performing arts), Jada Smith (science), Lloydine St. Martin (social studies) and Diondra Talleyrand (math).

The high school held its 14th annual College & Career Fair on March 25, providing essential guidance for student seeking choices for their futures. For the first time, the attendance list included local trade unions in addition to approximately 100 different colleges, organizations and military branches. Members of the school’s National Honor Society assisted in running the event, which also featured a talk by consultant Andrew Herman on college admission for student-athletes.

“Every year, our goal is to continue to build on our past success and include organizations that meet the needs and interests of our students,” said college and career counselor Jessica Negron. “It is so rewarding to see our event come together for students and their families as they explore opportunities for life after high school.”

The district’s music program earned recognition again as one of the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education. The annual designation, now in its 20th year, rewards exceptional achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

“Deer Park is very proud to be honored as one of the best communities for music education by NAMM for 2019,” said Bradley Murphy, the district’s curriculum associate for fine and performing arts.

Diligence was rewarded at the high school’s World Language Honor Society induction ceremony on March 28, welcoming 73 new members. A total of 111 of the school’s students are enrolled in the school’s French, Italian and Spanish honor societies for 2018-2019. Inductees are required to earn an average of 92 or higher in their world language classes, demonstrate an overall GPA of 85 or above, receive outstanding recommendations from school staff, and act as peer leaders.

“In addition to maintaining exceptional grades in their world language courses, these students are dedicated to helping Deer Park’s multilingual and multicultural community,” said Ashley Rosenberg, the district administrator for ENL and world languages. “They have worked diligently to earn this tremendous achievement.”

“When I was a high school principal, this was always one of my favorite nights,” said James Cummings, the district’s assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services and the incoming superintendent of schools. “It is an opportunity to congratulate a group of students who I always felt held a special place in my heart and in the high school. So many students are looking for the easy way out, doing the minimum amount they can do, but the kids we honored did a couple of things. They kept going with a foreign language when a lot of students stopped. Not only did they keep going, they excelled at it. Communication is crucial, and as our world shrinks, being comfortable communicating with other cultures and human beings who might not have the same background or history is the most important skill we can teach our kids today.”

The packed audience of proud families was entertained by music from band director Jerry Cannarozzo and the school’s jazz ensemble, a perfect touch to complete an evening of candle lighting and congratulations.