Locust Valley Central School District

Aspiring medical professionals from Ms. Ciampi’s high school pre-health class recently welcomed several guest speakers to learn more about the path to entering the industry and the differences between different fields of work. Local health professionals, including school alumni, discussed and answered questions about their schooling and work experiences and the demands of their jobs. In addition, students had the chance to take part in hands-on activities, including practicing taking vital signs and drilling into fabricated bones to replicate orthopedic surgery.

Seven Locust Valley High School students have worked hard throughout the school year to become certified emergency medical technicians. Between their studies, sports and extracurriculars, these students have devoted themselves to learning how to save lives, taking two, three-hour courses each week to learn how to respond to emergency situations. As part of their studies, the students recently traveled to the Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy in Old Bethpage to participate in hands-on training scenarios, including assessing the scene after a mock car crash. Students took on different roles and organized themselves to provide care to those in need. Later in the week, the students welcomed personnel from the Locust Valley Fire Department to the school and had a chance to learn about the features in their ambulance. The dedicated students are now finishing up their course work and preparing for the state exam to become certified. Congratulations to Alison Acosta, Molly Bowden, Nicholas Chi, Addison Edwins, Isabella Iodice, Elizabeth Madden and Elizabeth Watson on their efforts.

Locust Valley High School honored the top 15 students in the Class of 2025 for their dedication to academic pursuits on April 28. Each student invited teachers and staff members from throughout the district who helped them become the successful young people they are today and gifted them flowers. “Tonight, I want you to take these moments in and give yourself credit for the work you have done,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow said. “What each of you has done in balancing your academics with extracurriculars, sports, work in the community and more is an incredible accomplishment.” Congratulations to Inshaal Abid (Valedictorian), Addison Edwins, Jack French, John Gambino, Maeve Germans, Isabella Iodice, Elzbieta Kungys, James Martyn, Abigail Maselli (Salutatorian), Grace O’Mahony, Sienna Singe, Gianna Werle, Andrew Wieman, Olivia Wilde and Sam Zarou on their accomplishment.

Locust Valley High School senior Abigail Maselli was selected as a Stage Management Fellow for the 2025 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance from May 16-19. Maselli, Locust Valley High School’s Class of 2025 salutatorian, will gain professional work experience as part of this year’s production team and will be awarded a one-year membership to the Stage Managers’ Association and access to this year’s Broadway Stage Management Symposium. Additionally, Maselli has been invited to partake in a virtual information session for Florida State University’s Stage Management program. Maselli has worked as the student stage manager for Locust Valley Jesters’ shows throughout her high school years, learning from stage managers Nicole Stiegelbauer and Leigh Engels. She has been a dependable force for the drama department, helping to put on incredible high school productions of “Into the Woods,” “Chicago,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and “Once Upon a Mattress.” An accomplished film student, as well, Maselli has long been interested in assembling creative projects with her classmates. “Abigail Maselli’s selection is a testament to her remarkable leadership, organization and passion for the performing arts,” Locust Valley Coordinator of Instructionsal Technology and the Fine and Applied Arts AnnMarie Buonaspina said. “We are so proud of her continued dedication behind the scenes and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make as part of this prestigious production team.” The Roger Rees Awards, presented by The Broadway Education Alliance, is a regional showcase and honors program designed to promote the value of arts education in schools and to celebrate emerging talent on stage, backstage and off stage.

Student musicians of all ages have been hard at work perfecting new selections over the past few months, and are excited to showcase their skills at the 2025 Spring Concert Series. The high school will kick off the series on April 30, followed by the middle school’s sixth grade concert on May 5, the seventh and eighth grade concert on May 6 and the co-curricular concert on May 8, concluding with the Locust Valley Intermediate concert on May 13 and the Bayville Intermediate concert on May 15. All concerts will be in the MS/HS auditorium and start at 7 p.m. If you cannot attend the performances in person, you can watch from home on the LVTV YouTube Channel by scanning the QR code or visiting the link below and in our social media bios. We look forward to seeing our community fill the auditorium for these incredibly talented artists. https://youtube.com/@locustvalleyhsfilmandtv7373?feature=shared

To celebrate Earth Day, high school students and members of the Art Club, Acts of Kindness Club and the Animal and Environmental Club painted designs onto rocks to spread around the school. Staff members also wore their Earth Day T-shirts from the past few years.

Locust Valley middle and high school Model U.N. students brought home eight awards, including two for the top delegates, from the Malverne High School conference on April 5. Ann McAree and Asher Zito were named Best Delegates; Mia Dessner, Kristy Martinez Montoya, Thomas Simon and Julia Velez were designated Outstanding Delegates; and Oliver Dostalek and Alex DiFilippis achieved honorable mentions. The 23-member team continues to show incredible progress with each conference.

Locust Valley High School seniors donned a variety of styles from local boutiques for the annual fashion show at the Howard A. Schmock Auditorium on April 8. Students took to the runway for a fun night that also acted as a fundraiser for their prom in June in outfits provided by Ask Alice Boutique, Victor Talbots, Valley Sports, Royal Native, the high school store, Max & Gino’s, Interstyle, The Spot Boutique, Encore Une Fois and J. McLaughlin. The student models were encouraged by an audience of their classmates, friends and family.

Dedicated district staff members Kathleen Reilly and Katy Sege were recognized at the SCOPE Educational Services 24th Annual School District Awards Dinner on March 24. Locust Valley Intermediate Principal Kathleen Reilly earned the Administrator Service Award, and Katy Sege won the Support Staff Service Award. Congratulations to these incredible staff members!

Locust Valley High School welcomed aspiring student filmmakers from 13 other long island high schools to the Howard A. Schmock Auditorium on April 3 for its 19th annual film festival. High School filmmakers from across Long Island created projects in the animation, comedy, commercial, drama, horror, music video, public service announcement and trailer categories that were judged by industry professionals Kory Diskin, Rob Graydon, Colin Hickey, John Marean and Debra Markowitz. The first-place winners in each genre, as well as the cinematography, directing, editing and sound design categories all received full scholarships to the 2025 Summer Scholars program at Five Towns College. The students spent the day watching their peers’ films, before enjoying lunch and dessert made by the Locust Valley High School culinary club and then voting on their favorite project for the audience choice. Locust Valley students took home 19 of the 41 awards this year, including the Audience Choice Award winning PSA “Say No to Nic!” and Best in Show “Pianissimo." “Pianissimo” creator Abigail Maselli will have the film screened at the 28th Annual Long Island International Film Festival in July.

The Falcons had successes on and off the field in the winter 2024-2025 season, with the boys swimming, girls track, bowling, and boys and girls basketball teams all attaining Scholar-Athlete team status from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. Each of the teams maintained a cumulative grade point average of 90 or above. “Balancing rigorous coursework with the demands of athletics is no easy task, and our students continue to rise to the challenge with excellence and integrity,” athletic director Dr. Danielle Turner Cosci said. “It’s a testament to their hard work, the support of our coaches, teachers and families and the culture of high achievement we are building here in Locust Valley.”

Locust Valley Middle School inducted 97 new members of the National Junior Honor Society on April 1. Family and friends filled the MS/HS auditorium to congratulate the inductees for their hard work, and were also serenaded with a beautiful rendition of Impromptu No. 2 in Ab Major by Franz Schubert by one of the new honor society members Jack Kelly. As the inductees were called up, the audience heard about their ambitions and goals for the future, such as attending Ivy league schools, becoming the leaders of their generation and discovering what makes them happy. Current chapter leadership lit candles that represent the pillars of membership in the honor society: scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship, and the new inductees lit electronic candles and recited the pledge to officially enter the NJHS.

Locust Valley Middle School honored 13 students for helping classmates, teachers and staff members around the building throughout March as part of the Caught Being Kind program on April 2. Khloe Crawford, Chloe Cutler, Declan Habermehl, Jayson Harrison, Casimere Michalski, Seeah Park, Astrid Rivas Plata, Desmond Sahai, Sophia Stern, Andrew Themis, Jasmine Thomas, Dylan Vaughan and Lillian Zatwarnicki performed acts of kindness around the school that were noticed by their peers and teachers.

The high school will host a college fair on Thursday, April 10, from 7:30-9 p.m. in the gymnasium. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk to admissions representatives and learn about campus life and special programs. Prior to the fair, there will be a financial aid presentation with Gene Rodgers, senior financial aid counselor at Molloy University, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

Locust Valley Middle School honored 13 students for helping classmates, teachers and staff members around the building throughout March as part of the Caught Being Kind program on April 2. Khloe Crawford, Chloe Cutler, Declan Habermehl, Jayson Harrison, Casimere Michalski, Seeah Park, Astrid Rivas Plata, Desmond Sahai, Sophia Stern, Andrew Themis, Jasmine Thomas, Dylan Vaughan and Lillian Zatwarnicki performed acts of kindness around the school that were noticed by their peers and teachers.

Locust Valley Middle School inducted 97 new members of the National Junior Honor Society on April 1. Family and friends filled the MS/HS auditorium to congratulate the inductees for their hard work, and were also serenaded with a beautiful rendition of Impromptu No. 2 in Ab Major by Franz Schubert by one of the new honor society members Jack Kelly. As the inductees were called up, the audience heard about their ambitions and goals for the future, such as attending Ivy league schools, becoming the leaders of their generation and discovering what makes them happy. Current chapter leadership lit candles that represent the pillars of membership in the honor society: scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship, and the new inductees lit electronic candles and recited the pledge to officially enter the NJHS.

The district is now hiring for instruction and school leader positions for the 2025-2026 school year. You can be part of our incredible team and the tight-knit community. Go to the Human Resources page of the district website to apply today. https://locustvalleycsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/human-resources-appr

Locust Valley Intermediate School fourth grade students grew and cared for phlox flowers from January to March in their LEAP Library program and gave the flowers to local healthcare workers on March 28. Since sowing the seeds in January, students and librarian Anne Joyce have utilized the indoor grow system brought to the school through a grant in February 2024 to monitor the plants’ progress. Throughout the week of March 24-28, students created thank you cards and attached them to the potted plants with ribbons. The parents of two students who work in the healthcare field picked up the flowers to bring to their coworkers on March 28.

To help forge connections with the student body and engage in conversations about programs, school culture and more, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow recently hosted a series of Superintendent Roundtable discussions. During the meetings, she spoke with district eighth and twelfth grade student leaders to hear first-hand what they enjoy most about their schools and suggested areas the district can help to enhance. The participating students gave extremely thoughtful feedback, and the suggestions will help to guide the future of our Locust Valley scholars.