The high school’s undefeated boys cross-country team won its first League IV championship title since 1995 on April 6, going 5-0 in league competition. Junior Aidan Neilson, the individual league champion, was also undefeated individually, winning every race, while Daniel Thomas finished sixth in all of Division II at the division championship meet and earned a spot in the county championship as the second seed. Neilson, Thomas and fellow runners Dan Catano, Justin Petrizzo and Dorian Pino earned All-League recognition, giving Deer Park the most All-League honors out of the 14 allotted within the league.

“Our team was so close to this accomplishment the past few years,” said Coach Thomas Brouillard. “We were runner up the previous two seasons. It has personally been extremely rewarding to watch the athletes’ growth and see the hard work these young men put in – and past athletes before them as well – pay off in bringing the program to the next level.”

The high school’s World Language Honor Societies and Black Student Union helped JFK students celebrate Diversity Week this month by reading books written by authors from different ethnicities, including Maria Dismondy’s “Chocolate Milk, Por Favor,” Dorina Lazo Gilmore’s “Cora Cooks Pancit,” Mae Jemison’s “Mae Among the Stars,” Hena Khan’s “Under My Hijab,” Lina Maslo’s “Free as a Bird” and Richard Michelson’s “As Good as Anybody.”

After being away during his first year as an U.S. Marine, Deer Park High School Class of 2020 graduate Daniel Busa paid a surprise visit on April 7 to his younger brother, sophomore Dominic Busa, while the latter was sitting in teacher Joe Mucci’s art class.

“I told Dominic that he was in trouble and had to step outside the class, but nothing could have been further from the truth,” said Associate Principal Craig Evans. “It was a heartwarming event to witness. With all of the negative in the world going on with the pandemic, it was nice to see these brothers reunite.”

The high school’s orchestra and chamber orchestra have been meeting with professional musicians on Virtual Wednesdays, including two Juilliard School graduates, harpist Karen Lindquist-Spyer and cellist Bernard Tamosaitis. The guest artists, both current members of the Canta Libre Chamber Ensemble, demonstrated their instruments, played several pieces and answered questions about practicing and performing in professional orchestras.

“We are excited to meet with more guests in the future and have our students learn from these outstanding musicians,” said Kathryn Attard, the director of both orchestras.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to host musicians of this magnitude in a new format,” said Bradley Murphy, the district’s fine and performing arts administrator. “Our students are truly receiving a one-of-a-kind experience.”

The Deer Park School District’s music program has earned another Best Community for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation. This prestigious annual recognition, now in its 22nd year, honors districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students.