Islanders Visit Merrick Birch School

From Syntax: Members of the New York Islanders National Hockey League team recently visited Birch School in Merrick to talk with students about their life experiences, including the importance of working hard in school, teamwork and making smart choices.

Islanders John Tavares, Nick Leddy and Jordan Eberle began the program by introducing themselves and speaking about their lives. Throughout the nearly 90-minute assembly, players reinforced to students the importance of being respectful of others, taking care of their bodies by eating vegetables and other healthy foods and paying close attention to their teachers while working to the best of their abilities in school.

Students presented many thoughtful questions during the Q&A session, and in turn, the Islanders players gave great responses. Before closing the session, Birch Principal Kerri Galante asked the players to leave the students with one final thought. Each player agreed that students should follow their dreams, but most importantly, whatever they chose to pursue in life, work hard at it and put forth their best effort.

Birch students and staff showed their appreciation by donning Islanders attire and creating welcoming signs to be posted throughout the building. The players returned the favor by signing autographs and taking photos with students. Each student also took home an Islanders folder stuffed with pencils and Blades for Grades forms, a rewards program that provides students who earn good grades the opportunity to win complimentary tickets to an Islanders game.

Photos courtesy of the Merrick School District