Through the South Country School District’s Clipper Literacy Leaders initiative, high school English language arts students recently visited Frank P. Long Intermediate School to read to fourth graders.

The students read “Watercress” by Andrea Wang. Following the read aloud, the high school students spearheaded a discussion and activities related to the themes in the book, including family, food and culture.

The Clipper Literacy Leaders, which kicked off during the 2023-2024 school year, aims to create connections between high school and younger students while also promoting literacy and a love of reading. Each month, the Leaders visit a district school to read books that tie into the district’s social and emotional learning curriculum and connect with cultural/identity celebrations.

Date Added: 12/12/2024

Bellport High School seniors Malena Gomez and Keshavi Shah have earned full four-year college scholarships through the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship Program.

The seniors are two out of thousands of applicants to earn a QuestBridge scholarship, which connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to the nation’s best colleges.

Through the scholarship program, Gomez will be heading to Smith College in the fall to study biology, while Shah will be attending Rice University to major in mechanical engineering.

In addition to being academically talented, Gomez is a member of her school’s National and Tri-M Music honor societies. She also performs on the flute in band and in flute choir. Additionally, she participates in her school’s art and theater programs and is a stage manager. She selected Smith College based on its close community of students.

Equally involved in school, Shah is president of her school’s Science Bowl team, vice president of the Math Honor Society, and a member of the National, Science and English honor societies. She also participates in Key Club, the Multicultural Club and the WISE Program. Outside of school, she conducts research through the MITES STEM program. She selected Rice University for its research opportunities.

The South Country Central School District congratulates both seniors on this outstanding academic accomplishment.

Date Added: 12/6/2024

Thirty-five Bellport High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society during a recent candle-lighting ceremony.

To be eligible for membership, the students were required to maintain a GPA of 90 or better, meet the standards of leadership, service, citizenship and character, and complete six hours of community service.

The South Country School District extends its congratulations to the following inductees:

Sophomores

Logeen Baslious, Barbara Bautista Castellanos, Colin Capuano, Daniel Day, Rebecca DeLillo, Lily Ferguson, Sajdah Hayat, Menaal Hussain, Sarah Lewis, Avery Loeffler, Matthew Manitta, Caitlin Maragioglio, Nayla Ortiz Macas, Joelle Petretti Mylonas, Kenya Rouse, Jordan Saliba, Kayla Schneider, Cooper Scotti, Taylor Truce, Troy Turuta, Emiy Uyi and Gabrielle Waller

Juniors

Sofia Almeyda, Gabriel Andre, Jayden Andrews, Izel Cruz, Jennifer Fernandez, Gabriella Gordon, Jason Nichols and Samuel Sorto

Seniors

Briahnna Eason, Flor Mendoza Pineda, Rosemarie Okorafor, Athena Propfe and Reginald Watkins

Date Added: 12/4/2024

A new district logo was unveiled at the South Country School District’s Nov. 14 Board of Education meeting. The logo, designed by Bellport High School senior Luke Graser, was selected as part of a districtwide contest.

Graser designed the logo in his computer graphics class using Adobe Illustrator. It incorporates the district’s nautical roots with an image of a clipper ship and a ship’s steering wheel with updated school colors.

The contest was inaugurated as part of a revamping of the school district’s website. The new site is expected to launch in the summer of 2025. In the meantime, the new logo will be used on the district’s newsletters, stationery and social media.

“I think it is pretty cool that my design was selected,” said Graser. “I like that it is going to be around for a while.”

Graser plans to attend college following graduation to study business. He is a member of his school’s varsity football team and took part in his school’s culinary program.

Date Added: 11/18/2024

During a ceremony on Dec. 14, 33 Bellport High School students were officially inducted into the school’s Center for Excellence Club.

Run by advisers Nicole Colao and Colleen Oates-Robesch, the Center for Excellence provides support and experiences for students who are on the path to college but do not have someone in their home lives with experience on that path. Club activities aim to develop a network of support that students can rely on as they work toward their college and career goals. They are inducted following an application and interview process.

Ceremony speakers included Superintendent of Schools Antonio Santana and Board of Education Vice President Joseph Barry.

The district extends its congratulations to the following inductees: Abigail Abaldonado, Sofia Arratia, Diego Arriaza, Karley Baldwin, Sabrina Canales Umanzor, Jackson Connor, Dominic DeCaro, Madilyn Gordon, Sofia Guardado, Ammie Guzman, Bianca Henn, Joshua Hernandez, Gavin Klein, Maite Lojano, Michael Nunez, Angie Penaranda, Emily Pesantez Tapia, Shayla Remache, Avery Retuerto Acuna, Marian Rivas Gamero, Natasha Salavarria Laines, Pablo Saquicaray, Vinicio Saquicela Iniguez, Nehemiah Smack, Christopher Sorto Hernandez, Joslyn Toledo, Alexa Ulloa, Jaime Umanzor, Keyla Vaca Bello, Estefany Velasquez Umanzor, Jessika Villa Calle, Alexander Wanser and Samantha Wick.

Date Added: 11/15/2024