It is with great pride that Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School announces the acceptance of three musicians into the National Association for Music Education All-National Honors Music Ensembles.

Benjamin Isaacson (clarinet), Lennon Lotardo (bass 2 – mixed chorus) and Aidan Young (double bass) were selected from the top 1% of students from all 50 states. Benjamin is only one of two clarinetists chosen from New York State, while Aidan is just one of four double bassists and Lennon just one of 11 bass 2s from the state. Selection to participate in All-Nationals is based on New York State School Music Association solo evaluations on which all three students acquired a perfect score.

Additionally, Benjamin, Lennon and Aidan are only the fifth, sixth and seventh students in the history of Eastport-South Manor Central School District, pre- and post-merger, to be named to an All-National Honors Ensemble. This school year also marks the first time in the district’s history that three students were selected. Past representatives have been band members Bryan Filetto and Rebecca Nelsen and vocalists Lizzie Arnold and Megan McGuiness.

The All-National Honors Festival will take place in Baltimore, Maryland on Nov. 2-6, with performances on Nov. 5-6 at the Gaylord National Convention Center.

The district congratulates the students on this outstanding accomplishment and extends wishes for success at the NAfME All-National Honors Festival.

Date Added: 9/27/2022

Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School student Samantha Bruno was selected as one of 64 New York State Education Department members of the Blue Ribbon Commission for Graduation Members.

This prestigious commission, under the direction of Vice Chancellor Josephine Finn and Regent Judith Chin, will be tasked with the exploration into what a state diploma should signify to ensure educational excellence and equity for all of New York State’s students. Commission members encompass diversity in backgrounds, ethnicity, areas of expertise and geographic regions and include educators, school administrators, researchers, school counselors, business and higher education professionals, parents and students. The Blue Ribbon Commission will start meeting this fall and regularly through spring 2023 with the goal of developing recommendations to the Board of Regents on learning and achievement measures that can better serve the state’s diverse student population in preparation and readiness for college, career and civic life. The Commission’s final report will be presented to the Board of Regents for consideration in late spring or summer 2024.

A student of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Samantha graduated from the physical therapy aide program in the top of her class and is now pursuing her personal training certification. She is a third-place winner in the Emerging Leaders competition hosted by St. Joseph’s College and recently addressed the NYS Legislature regarding the importance of career and technical education. Samantha is also a member of the National Technical Honor Society and plans on pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Principal Salvatore Alaimo said, “This achievement truly demonstrates what amazing young lady Samantha has become. I am so happy she has found her passion and is continuing to set new goals for her future.”

Date Added: 9/29/2022

Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School students learned that they can become Carriers of H.O.P.E. (Hold on, Possibilities Exist!) during attendance of the kickoff assembly for the Sweethearts & Heroes program, held in the school auditorium on Sept. 9. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Sweetheart & Heroes, a student empowerment and empathy activation team that prevents bullying and suicide, will work with teachers and students.

During the assembly, the students met Tom Murphy, Sweethearts & Heroes co-founder, and retired U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a HOPE expert who was severely burned while serving in Iraq. Both speakers offered ways in which students can jump into action like superheroes by following the five Bully Buttons, which include perspective, HOPE, becoming a Sweetheart who gives others hope, by jumping into action and becoming a superhero to others who are being bullied.

“You may not recognize it yet, but you possess the HOPE that many seek,” Mr. Yarosh said. “You can change and save lives. You have to choose to give HOPE by becoming a Sweetheart.”

The Sweetheart & Heroes program will return to the district for two days a month for five months to train teachers and ninth grade students in Circle, a method of teaching empathy based on the ancient ritual of communicating in a circle.

“I look forward to continuing our partnership with Sweethearts & Heroes,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. John Christie. “Over the last decade I have seen the impact Sweethearts & Heroes has on the lives of students and teachers. Their message of empathy and HOPE is what this world needs more of, and the entire Sweethearts & Heroes team provides Empathy and HOPE in abundance.”

Date Added: 9/14/2022