Rocky Point Middle School Pays Tribute To Local Veterans

Press release from the Rocky Point School District:

Nov. 16, 2021

Rocky Point Middle School hosted an assembly in honor of Veterans Day organized by eighth grade teacher John Mauceri. To keep it socially distant, all eighth grade students attended and the program was streamed throughout the building so other students and staff could view it. Mauceri was pleased to be able to also have it streamed for residents of the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook, where his own father lived.

Eighth graders Karen Otero and Angelica Smiech read essays they penned to the audience. English classes wrote essays for a VFW scholarship contest, and social studies classes wrote more than 600 thank-you letters, some delivered to the Long Island State Veterans Home and the others earmarked for Operation Gratitude.

Joseph Cognitore of the veterans of Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 was in attendance and spoke on behalf of his fellow veterans. The school also honored Rocky Point High School social studies teacher Rich Acritelli for his numerous efforts on behalf of veterans.

Fifth graders in Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School created a virtual celebration to honor veterans. Under the direction of Laurie Berretta, members of the Technology Club created a digital A-to-Z presentation, “M is for Military,” to share information and express gratitude to the country’s veterans. Student Council members, advised by Jean Costa, collected “Treats for Troops” and donated a generous amount of Halloween candy to local veterans. The students also created some images displayed in the video. Alongside these images, the voices of JAE’s High Notes, directed by Craig Knapp, can be heard singing both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Veterans March.”

This press release was produced by the Rocky Point School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.