Ann MacArthur Primary, Bayville Intermediate and Locust Valley Intermediate school students celebrated the end of the school year with their field days last week. Students at each school got to display their athleticism, school spirit and sportsmanship in front of family and friends in games set up by school staff and physical education teachers. The Bayville and Locust Valley elementary parent councils helped students refuel with water stations at each field day.
As the year winds down at Locust Valley Middle School and High School there has been a lot to celebrate. The middle school held its awards ceremony on June 1, while the high school celebrated the Senior Academic and Community Awards on May 25, the IB Diploma Ceremony on May 31 and the Senior Athletic Awards on June 7.
At the middle school ceremony, Acting Principal Mike LoGerfo and Acting Assistant Principal Amy Watson honored the top 10% of students in each of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Three students also took home state awards, with Alexandra Armhein and Tallulah Lamb attaining the Triple C Award honoring students’ courage, character and commitment and Ann McAree receiving the New York State Comptroller Student Achievement Award.
At the high school’s Senior Academic and Community Awards, students were commended for their remarkable work in school and for making their hometowns even better places to live.
The IB Diploma Ceremony honored the 34 high school students who completed the rigorous two-year program, which included a final extended essay where students wrote on topics that interested them.
Finally, the Senior Athletic Awards highlighted the athletes who have stood out as performers and leaders on the field. The athletic department also presented coach Michael Guidone with the coach of the Year award.
Each ceremony celebrated the dedication and commitment our incredible students have shown in the classroom, on the field and in the community this school year.
As part of their library class’s gardening unit, Locust Valley Intermediate students planted vegetables outside the school in March with librarian Anne Joyce. On June 2, students harvested the radishes and lettuce and on June 7 they had a feast during their library class while Mrs. Joyce read to them.
Life Skills students at Locust Valley High School and Middle School showed family and friends the incredible musical and artistic skills they have developed this year in the auditorium on June 9. Students played famous songs such as “The Final Countdown” and “A Sky Full of Stars” on the drums and with rhythm sticks and showcased their art pieces from the school year. Some students told jokes to the crowd to keep them entertained in between performances.
Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors of Locust Valley High School competed in the annual Battle of the Grades in the gymnasium on June 6. Students competed in a free-throw contest, three-legged race, capture the flag, tug of war and obstacle course and raced to complete puzzles and play Pictionary for points while waiting for the next activity. In a tight contest, the junior class captured this year’s title.
Seniors will take part in a graduation rehearsal on Wednesday, June 21, at 1 p.m. on the football field or the auditorium in case of rain. Members of the Class of 2023 must return their Chromebooks by Tuesday, June 20, in order to receive their cap and gown for rehearsal.
Locust Valley High School sophomore Celeste Field took home the National Champion Award for vaulting at the 2023 USA Gymnastics Women’s Development Program National Championships in Oklahoma City in May and is ready for when the college recruitment period starts on June 15.
Field, 15, prepared a new vault with her coaches for the competition over the past few months and was not sure what to expect going into the championships.
“I was so happy it paid off and I think my coaches’ reactions were probably the best part of the experience,” Field said. “I’m really proud of myself, my coaches and my parents for all the work and dedication we put in to the process.”
Field has spent the year preparing for the competition with coaches Kevin Budney, Amanda Depaola and Rob Wing at Apex Athletics in St. James. She travels to the practice facility every day, leaving school around 1 p.m. and getting home close to 8 p.m. most nights.
“All of my teachers have been very helpful,” Field said. “I miss a lot of school during meet season and they’ve empowered me to go for it. The school has been very accepting of what I’m doing and everyone has helped me a lot.” Field makes up her work and studies often when she’d on the road to events.
After placing ninth in the country in her age group, Field is going into college recruitment with and open mind.
“With my other teammates that have gone through that, it seems like a cool experience,” Field said. “Right now, I’m just excited and grateful that any school might have interest in me.”
Earlier this quarter, 46 Locust Valley Middle School eighth grade students traveled to New York City to participate in the GCI Model U.N. Conference for the first time since 2019. Over the course of three days, 300 students met in committees to debate, negotiate and write resolutions to be voted on. The closing ceremony was held in the U.N. headquarters’ conference rooms and General Assembly Hall.
Ollie Tomlinson and Caitlyn Capobianco’s position paper “Children’s Mental Health in the Crises of Our Time” won best position paper in their committee. The experience helped students develop their critical thinking and research skills, as well as their public-speaking abilities. It was an unforgettable experience for all involved.
Locust Valley Middle School eighth graders took to the fields on June 2 as part of their class picnic, organized by the Middle School Parents Council and class coordinators Susan Beers and Nicole Santoli. Students received pizza, snacks, drinks and class towels when they arrived, got to play soccer, lacrosse, football, spikeball and cornhole and enjoy music from a DJ.
Five Locust Valley High School spring teams attained NYSPHSAA scholar-team status. The girls golf, lacrosse, tennis and track teams and boys tennis team qualified for the feat by having three quarters of the team achieve a 90 average. It was a great season in the classroom and on the field for each team.
“We are so proud of our student-athletes who have successfully balanced their time, effort and energy in athletic activities with their highly challenging academic responsibilities,” Acting Superintendent of Schools Janine Sampino said.
Bayville Primary students competed in activities like obstacle courses, volleyball and crab soccer for field day on June 2 at the Bayville Intermediate Field. Students started the fun with a rehearsed dance for their parents, family and friends before running over to their stations where Bayville Intermediate students and staff helped run each game. After the games concluded, students headed back to the primary school for a barbeque to finish off a great day in the sun.
Bayville Intermediate fifth graders made their way to West Harbor Beach on June 5 for a day of fun as the school year winds down. The Bayville Elementary Parents Council provided a dunk tank, inflatable slide, taco truck and healthy food and beverages for the beach party, and students took advantage of the perfect weather by playing on the beach and in the water.
Locust Valley High School’s talented music department students traveled to New Jersey on June 2 to compete in the Music in the Parks Festival.
Participants and ensembles were graded by judges from across the country, and Locust Valley students took home several awards before heading to Six Flags for the rest of the day.
The high school string orchestra, concert band and concert chorale all took home first place and superior rating, while senior Elizabeth Neumeyer was named overall outstanding vocalist out of all participating high schools.
“We are incredibly proud of the talent, teamwork and dedication of our students and staff,” the district’s Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Fine and Applied Arts AnnMarie Buonaspina said. “What a wonderful way to celebrate our high school performing ensembles and close out a great year! Bravo to all!”
Locust Valley High School media and communications teacher Roger Boucher has been named a Nassau Association of School Technologists Award Recipient (NASTAR) by the district for his innovation, ability to integrate technology and for his exemplary technology leadership.
Boucher has helped the high schoolers make Locust Valley TV a fantastic production that sees students get hands-on experience in front of and behind the camera. Additionally, his work putting together Monday Night at the Movies and the annual film festival has given ambitious student-film makers in Locust Valley and beyond an opportunity to showcase their works to a large crowd of their peers. Boucher inspires his students to push the boundaries of what they thought they could do.
Boucher will be honored at the NASTAR Awards Luncheon in Uniondale on June 8.
Bayville Intermediate students in Mikele Galligan’s class had family come in to participate in music class with them on May 24. Music teacher Nicole Kelly led family members through the some of the class’ favorite songs and used rhythm sticks, maracas and xylophones.
Four Locust Valley High School student-athletes signed their National Letter of Intent to continue their career into college during a ceremony at the school with friends and family present on May 31.
Evan Shriberg and Brandon Villanueva; who received All-County and All-State honors in wrestling and soccer this year, respectively, plan to attend Ursinus College and Five Town College in the fall. Charles Ehni and Jolie Pye will attend SUNY Potsdam and the University of Albany for basketball and soccer, respectively.
Locust Valley High School seniors were honored for their academic dedication and community work on May 25. Each department of the high school celebrated students’ excellence, and dozens of outside organizations awarded scholarships and awards for students who donated their free time to better their communities.
Elementary school students throughout the district spent May learning about Long Island’s soil, plants and animals as part of the LI Native Pollinator Garden Library Research Project. Last week, students got hands-on experience planting flowers, vegetables and more with their teachers and librarians.
Students throughout the Locust Valley Central School District honored those who gave their lives in service to the United States during ceremonies at Ann MacArthur Primary School and Bayville Village Hall on May 26 and Locust Valley High School on May 30. Wearing red, white and blue, students performed patriotic songs, laid flowers and dedicated wreaths to honor the fallen.
Today, the district remembers and thanks those brave individuals who gave their lives in service of our country.
