Hampton Bays Elementary School Students Win Guide Dog Naming Contest

During an assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 5, four lucky third-graders at Hampton Bays Elementary School learned that they had won $25 each after participating in a guide dog naming contest.

The contest, held by the Hampton Bays Lions Club, asked third-grade students to name four guide dogs that the Lions Club is sponsoring through funds raised at the annual Over the Bridge run.

The four dogs will be trained by the Smithtown Guide Dog Foundation. Two will be given to returning soldiers who are in need of assistance and the other two will be donated to two people who have visual impairments.

Before the winners were announced, Assistant Principal Richard Triandafils reminded students about the importance of always being involved in community service and pointed to the Lions Club members, who, in addition to sponsoring the guide dogs, also support the school’s vision screening program.

The winning students were: Samantha Kraycar for her name, Chief; Dylan Moraga for his name, Charlie; Dominique Sharifi for her name, Buddy and Metzli Vasquez for her name, Jerry.