Riverhead High School Key Club Presents Riverhead Town Board With Life Ring for Grangebel Park

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK—As a culmination of the Riverhead High School Key Club’s mission to enhance the safety of Riverhead’s riverfront, the club presented the Riverhead Town Board with a life ring to be installed at Grangebel Park, also known as Milton L. Burns Park. This life ring will be available to assist anyone who falls in the water.

“Each fall, Key Club participates in the Making Strides Against Beast Cancer Walk based out of Grangebel Park,” said Garrett Moore, Riverhead High School’s Key Club advisor. “While doing the last two walks, we noticed life rings were absent along the riverfront. As a club, we took it upon ourselves to make this project happen, and through coordination with the Heart of Riverhead Civis Association, we were able to bring this issue to the attention of the Riverhead Town Board.”

The Key Club attended meetings to discuss water safety along the riverfront, and its voice was heard, with notable support from Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerome Halpin and Riverhead Chief of Police Edward Frost. The Town of Riverhead installed life rings along the riverfront, increasing the safety of the waterfront.

To further support the community’s safety, Saf-T-Swim of Riverhead donated a life ring to the Riverhead High School Key Club, whose members decorated it to showcase Blue Waves spirit and state, “RHS Key Club Saves Lives.” The decorated life ring was presented to the town by Riverhead High School Key Club members Daniela Alvarez, Ryleigh Copenhaver, Mia Escobar, Grady Moore, Irene Panagopoulos, Andrea Rangel, Sophia Segovia, and Daria Sokolova.

“Riverhead is a tourist destination and popular location, so I hope people notice these life rings, especially with little children running around at the park and playground here,” said Sophia Segovia, a rising Riverhead High School junior and the incoming Key Club president.

Key Club is an international organization in high schools that empowers students to become impactful leaders through service. According to Key Club International’s website, over 40 countries have Key Clubs that collectively contribute over 1,500,000 service hours each year.

“Key Club is the ‘key’ for getting students involved in school and the community,” said Mr. Moore. “It provides them with good experiences to become leaders in college and all future endeavors.”

During the 2025–2026 school year, the Riverhead High School Key Club had more than 140 members. Riverhead’s Key Club leads and participates in a number of community service initiatives, including running Safe Halloween for elementary school students, supporting local pantries and cancer walks, and assisting with elementary carnivals.

“It warms my heart to see the community come together, across all ages, at events such as Safe Halloween,” said Sophia Segovia. “Giving back to food pantries and helping local people in need is a great feeling.”

For more information about the Riverhead Central School District, please visit the district’s website at www.riverhead.net. Happenings in the district can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverheadCSD. #BlueWavesPride.