Rohan Murphy, a double amputee and former Penn State Division I wrestler, spoke to High School students about the importance of perseverance, resilience and determination – traits that will carry them in their personal and professional lives.  

“You have a choice in life to be average, good or great,” Murphy said. “I hope from here on out that you choose great.” 

During the assembly, held in the auditorium on January 8,  Murphy told the students about his leg amputations at an early age, of his lifelong love of sports, and the coach who changed his life by suggesting he try out for the wrestling team. To the delight of students, he also challenged ESM athlete Cole Scesney during a demonstration of his wrestling abilities. 

Murphy also revealed to students that every person deals with adversity in their lives, and how they handle that adversity essentially reveals a person’s strength. Everyone must question what is holding them back.  

“If I can overcome this and become successful, why can’t all of you,” Murphy asked the students. “There are no excuses.”

 

Date Added: 1/13/2026

 

 

Jr.-Sr. High School classes and clubs united in their efforts toassistcommunity organizations during the holiday season by hosting the school’s annual Stuff-A-School Project, held in the school’s rotunda on Dec. 19.

Throughout the month, nonperishable food, clothing, arts and crafts, toiletries and babyitems were collected for those in need and displayed in the rotunda. Tenth grade English classes also set up a booth to make Holiday Hope cards to Oasis Rehabilitation Center, and toiletries were collected to support the communities local military.

In recognition of thestudents’and community’s hard work and generosity, members of the performing arts groups performed throughout the day, with holiday music and cheer resonating throughout the school hallways in preparation of the impending holiday.

Click here to view the Jr.-Sr. High School Hosts Annual Stuff-a-School Project slideshow.

Date Added: 12/18/2025

Since 2017, Jr.-Sr. High School research students have  collaborated with the Brookhaven National Laboratory Laboratory’s SPARK program, which provides students access to advanced research facilities such as the NSLS-II. This collaboration has produced several publications to BNL’s protein database. 

Over the weekend of Dec. 5-7, Rachel Neville’s spectroscopy research students collected data on microplastic samples from mussels, clams and oysters. The students worked at the IR microscope, using infrared spectroscopy to successfully analyze the types of microplastics in each sample. 

Robert Bolen’s protein crystallography research students also collected data from the protein dihydroorotaseat the NYX beamline.The students cryogenically prepared protein samples and then collected data using X-ray diffraction to determine the overall structure of the proteins.These proteinshave unknownstructures that students are working to determine using diffraction and crystallography techniques. 

Mr. Bolen and Ms. Neville said the students received valuable hands-on research experience in the laboratory and would like to thank BNL for its generosity in providing invaluable research opportunities for Eastport-South Manor students.

 

Date Added: 12/11/2025

 

Jr.-Sr. High School students enrolled in Megan Murray’s and Katherine Dodenhoff’s Life Science classes have been exploring sustainability through an unexpected lens – alternate protein sources. As part of their learning, students researched the environmental benefits of insect-based proteins and wrote persuasive letters to companies requesting samples of cricket snacks. 

Why crickets, someone might ask. The students learned that crickets are packed with protein, require minimal resources to raise and represent a highly sustainable food option for the future. 

A company called 3 Cricketeers generously provided the students with an exciting assortment of their cricket-based products, which were enthusiastically taste-tested by the classes. Through their support, 3 Cricketeers helped to bring real-world science learning to life. 

 

Date Added: 12/8/2025

The Jr.-Sr. High School Natural Helpers Club members recently attended a three-day retreat at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island where they learned how to become a trusted friend, allowing them to create a helpful network of peers throughout the school.  

The Natural Helpers program trains and empowers students to support peers, recognizing that young people will often confide in friends first when something is wrong in their lives. The members learned listening and helping skills, as well as when to refer a peer to a professional.  

During the month of November, the club also collected candy donations, which are being sent to the troops through Operation Shoebox, boosting the morale of the brave military service men and women.    

 
Date Added: 12/5/2025