The Board of Education recognized several teachers and students to begin the April
12 meeting at Robert Moses Middle School. Superintendent Glen Eschbach said it was a
time to “acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing students and
staff.”
The Middle School’s saxophone quartet, which includes Jordan Iglio, Michael Kilono,
Taylor McFarlane and Jordan Peck, was recognized for achieving a perfect score at the
recent NYSSMA festival. The students, under the direction of Teacher Teresa Pino, played
their piece, “Irish Suite,” prior to the meeting.
North Babylon High School’s string quintet also performed before the meeting. The
ensemble, consisting of seniors Wilensky Coleau, Spencer Mace and Amanda Quintanilla,
along with juniors Gavin Aquino and Ashley Campos, was selected to participated in the
Long Island String Festival Association’s Chamber Festival. They are led by Music Teacher
Nicole Verderosa.
High School student Haylee Fox was one of four recipients of the Scholar Artist
Award in theater, presented by the Long Island Arts Alliance. Her winning submission was
“Out Here On My Own” from the musical film “Fame” as well as a monologue from “Dreams
in Captivity.”
Student-artists Marc DiVito and Jasmine Westin had their work selected for the New
York State Art Teachers Association’s annual Legislative Exhibit, which was held virtually
this year. Marc’s work features a storm scene with a mythical sea serpent diving in and out
of waves, while Jasmine’s piece portrays a woman revealing that underneath her clothing,
she is a skeleton.
Belmont Elementary School Library Media Specialist Jennifer Olsen was recognized
for receiving a Model Schools grant award for technology innovation. Her submission, Blue
Bot’s Big Problem, is a MakerSpace activity that focuses on problem-solving.
High School Theater Teacher Lisa Drance received the Rod Marriott Award from the
New York State Theater Education Association. It is a lifetime achievement award that is
also the association’s highest honor.
