POWERful STUDENTS

Sixty-two Hauppauge High School students recently were recognized for their Perseverance, Optimism, Work Ethic, Empowerment and Resilience (POWER) by administrators and staff members. The POWER of One Award was created last year by the Student Empowerment Subcommittee of the Youth and Community Alliance Committee. The brainchildren of the POWER of One Award were a group of students who believed in the importance of recognizing extraordinary students who displayed the qualities found in the POWER acronym.

Hauppauge High School Assistant Principal Joy Ferrara described “what make the recipients extraordinary is their ability:

•To persevere in the face of adversity;

•To remain optimistic in spite of encircling negativity;

•To be intrinsically motivated to work hard while others play;

•To empower others by simply remaining true to themselves; and

•To have the special ability to fall seven times and get up eight.”

“These are the students who make the Hauppauge school community a valuable place to learn, lead and make a difference,” added Principal Christine O’Connor. Hauppauge High School staff members selected students who stand out as individuals who have demonstrated one or more of these qualities and who have had a positive impact on the school community.

The 2015 P.O.W.E.R. of One Award recipients were: Marcus Arasmo, Ethan Blumenthal, Craig Bottner, Tyler Caffrey, Ashley Casiano, Jonathan Castro, Marissa Ciminera, Jaclyn Cotter, William Crovatt, Lauren D’Alfonso, Sharon Dang, Kelli DeMonte, Ronald Dickerson, Katelyn Dorchak, Sara Elmonshed, Catherine Federico, Jeremy Fedner, Katrina Finn, Gianna Giaquinto, Elaiya Gonzalez, Jordy Guntur, Timothy Harker, Steven Holder, Heebin Im, Lauren Jacobsen, Maria Johnsen, Andrea Keltos, Ashley Lagrasta, Brooke Langella, Brittany Loughlin, Joseph Luongo, Deanna Lupo, Julia Makboulian, Robert Martino, Sophia Mastandrea, Michael Maynard, Candice Medina, Taylor Mohlenbrok, Derek Morales, Francesca Paduano, Danielle Pertusiello, Amy Petrocelli, David (Miki) Pokryvailo, Nicholas Prahalis, Rebecca Proscia, Caitlin Rivera, Peter Sanderson, Tyler Sanderson, Felicity Santos, Casey Savage, Norma Serbellon, Reid Smith, Melissa Stein, Kathryn Trunz, Chianna Vecchio, Ilana Weinberg, Matthew Weinberg, Samantha Weinstein, Max Weinstein, Bill Yang, Stephanie Zajac and Elise Zhao.