Bellmore School District Hosts Student Recognition Night

The Bellmore School District hosted a Student Recognition night Tuesday at Winthrop Avenue School to celebrate the accomplishments of high-achieving children.

Held prior to the monthly board meeting, this event highlights recognizes students for their contributions in the classroom and extracurricular activities. Over 200 people attended the event at which the board presided over the festivities and bestowed accolades and awards.

Thirty students from Reinhard Early Childhood Center received an Achievement in School Service award, bestowed upon those who provided an outstanding contribution to the school community as Student Advisory Council Reporters.

Winthrop Avenue School student Kevin Ivers was recognized for winning the third grade Spelling Bee and Tyler Jarzabeck was runner-up. In the fourth grade competition, Sarah Porcellini won the event and Robert Silva was runner-up.

Student Advisory Council President Dylan Judd, Vice President Ashley Romeo and Secretary Ian Kranis were honored for their achievement in school service.

"Students receiving recognition have provided an outstanding contribution to the school community as Student Advisory Council Leaders," Board President Janet Goller said.

Fourteen Winthrop students selected to participate in the Eugene Reichenthal Recorder Festival received commendation for attaining a high level of proficiency in playing the recorder and general musicianship.

Dylan Krauss won the CAPS Bully Prevention Poster Contest.

"His artwork will be featured in the CAPS 2010 calendar," Board Member Steven Traum added.

Markela Bouris, Jillian Chirico, Alexandra Frankel, Jenna Greenwald and Azaria Vargas were recognized for participating in the Nassau Reading Council Young Authors Contest by submitting personal narratives in either prose or poetry format, derived from their own experience, in which feelings are expressed and events are recreated.

Jillian Chirico, Alexandra Frankel, Jenna Greenwald, Anthony Lodispoto and Danielle Polirer were honored as Poetry Contest Participants.

"These students participated in a poetry contest in creative communications," Goller said. "Their work was published in 'A Celebration of Poets.'"

Jenna Greenwald and Jacob Van were named PTA Reflections Winners in Literature, while Jason Spiller and Gianna Tsolkas were recognized in Photography and Visual Arts, respectively.

Shore Road School's Emma DeBobes won the Spelling Bee, while Lauren Katz finished as the runner-up.

Noah Atsidakos received a PTA Reflections award in Photography, Melissa Gurvitz in Visual Arts and Matthew Montera in Music.

Josh Corwin, Bianca Liriano and Vanessa Rodriguez were mentioned for their participation in the Long Island String Festival. Jake Abrams, Joseph Bernstein, Brandon DeSatnick, Jillian Goldhirsch and Mariah Simone were recognized for their participation in the Young Author's Contest.

Sara Hoey finished in first place in the Shore Road Photo Contest; Emma Westbay and Vonn Brickmeier finished in second and third.

Benjamin Krochmal won the Art Stamps Award. Several school officials were honored for their contributions to the district during the event.

First, long-time Winthrop Avenue School secretary Margaret Stamm was recognized for her contributions. (Editor's Note: A feature on Margaret Stamm will be published on Bellmore Patch next week.)

"Margaret Stamm has been a valued member of the Bellmore Union Free School District for 27 years and has demonstrated outstanding dedication, loyalty, and commitment to the union free school district," Goller said. "The board of education takes public notice of years of devoted service."

Rose Mary Brophy was also honored for 25 years of outstanding achievement to the district.

"Colleagues and co-workers have taken great pleasure in association with her over the years and hundreds of children have developed and grown thanks to her work," Goller said.

Goller, completing her sixth year as president, was presented with a plaque from the board. 

"This plaque is given in recognition of [Janet's] dedication and commitment to the district," Vice President Jay LT Breakstone said.