Month: May 2026

The Middle Country Central School District is proud to recognize an exceptional group of students whose academic excellence, leadership, service, and character exemplify the very best of the district’s schools. The district recently honored its May Students of the Month from Dawnwood Middle School and Selden Middle School, as well as the valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2026 at Centereach High School and Newfield High School.

Centereach High School’s Valedictorian, Lukas Wolpiuk, earned an outstanding weighted GPA of 103.5 and a 1550 SAT score while completing 13 AP courses and two college-level classes. Lukas is president of the Environmental E-STEM Club and SAAD Club, a member of the National Honor Society, and a participant in the district’s Cohen Strong Mental Health Team. He has also represented the district in advocacy efforts in Albany and Washington, D.C. Lukas will attend Brown University to study Urban Studies.

Salutatorian Zarif Khan achieved a 102.4 weighted GPA and a 1520 SAT score. He is a National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, earning scores of 5 on all AP exams taken to date. Zarif is active in the Philharmonic Orchestra, History Club, and several honor societies, while also volunteering at the Middle Country Public Library. He plans to study biomedical engineering at Stony Brook University.

Newfield High School’s Valedictorian, Justin DeRosalia, earned a 103.8 weighted GPA and completed 14 AP and college-level courses. A talented musician and athlete, Justin participated in marching band, jazz band, varsity soccer, and multiple honor societies. He has received numerous music and academic honors, including the Long Island Scholar Artist Award. Justin will attend the University of Virginia to study mechanical engineering.

Salutatorian Julia Zabinsky achieved a 103.5 weighted GPA while balancing rigorous academics with leadership and community service. Julia is active in several honor societies, environmental stewardship programs, and community beautification efforts throughout Suffolk County. She plans to attend LIU Post to pursue Veterinary Technology and Pre-DVM studies.

Dawnwood Middle School proudly recognizes Sophie Larcher as its May Student of the Month. Sophie has earned a remarkable 96.9 average this school year and maintains a 97.2 overall average across sixth and seventh grades. Teachers praise Sophie for her maturity, creativity, and intellectual curiosity. She is a member of the eighth-grade orchestra, art club, and National Junior Honor Society, while also volunteering for beach cleanup and beautification efforts at Cedar Beach and West Meadow Beach. Sophie enjoys horseback riding, drawing, reading, and writing, and is currently working on a book of her own. Inspired by famed primatologist Jane Goodall, Sophie hopes to become a zoologist in the future.

Selden Middle School has named Elizabeth Charles its May Student of the Month in recognition of her outstanding academic performance and exemplary character. Elizabeth currently holds a stellar 95.8 GPA and is admired by her teachers for her focus, perseverance, and kindness. Teachers describe Elizabeth as hardworking, thoughtful, and eager to learn. She excels academically, particularly in mathematics, and has already set her sights on becoming a surgeon. Outside of academics, Elizabeth enjoys swimming, listening to music, drawing, and painting. Faculty members praise her quiet determination and positive attitude, noting her willingness to challenge herself and support those around her.

The Middle Country Central School District congratulates all of these remarkable students for their achievements and contributions to their schools and communities. Their accomplishments reflect the district’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership, creativity, and service.

Fourth-grade students at Holbrook Road Elementary School recently embarked on an inspiring journey into space as they explored NASA’s Artemis II mission, gaining a deeper understanding of space travel and the possibilities of lunar exploration.

Although the class did not watch the launch and splashdown live, students viewed recordings of both events, allowing them to closely observe and reflect on this historic mission. The experience sparked engaging discussions about the breathtaking views astronauts encounter and the unique challenges of living and working in a zero-gravity environment.

Leading up to the viewing, students tapped into their creativity through art and writing activities centered on the theme, “If I traveled to the moon.” They imagined life as astronauts by drawing scenes of Earth from space, designing their own rocket ships, and composing letters describing their lunar adventures. These hands-on projects helped build excitement and deepen their understanding as they prepared to watch the mission unfold.

During the viewing, their teacher, Mrs. Garcia, guided students through the experience by explaining key terms and concepts in real time, ensuring they could fully grasp what they were seeing. This connection between classroom learning and a real-world event created a meaningful and engaging educational experience.

NASA’s Artemis II mission marks the first crewed journey to the moon in more than 50 years, carrying astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a planned 10-day mission around the moon. For the students of Holbrook Road, witnessing the launch and splashdown created a lasting memory that brought science to life and inspired curiosity about space exploration.

The lesson also held special personal meaning for Mrs. Garcia, who recently lost her grandfather, John, an accomplished aerospace engineer. John dedicated 51 years to Thiokol, often referred to as the “Rocket Factory,” where he played a pivotal role in designing the solid propellant recipe used in NASA’s Space Shuttle boosters. His work helped ensure the success of countless missions, and he took great pride in documenting the critical ballistic and mechanical properties essential to each launch.

Sharing this experience with her students became a meaningful tribute. “This lesson and my students’ incredible engagement were exactly what my heart needed,” Mrs. Garcia shared. “It was a special way to honor my grandfather’s legacy and pass along his love of space to my classroom family.”

Through this unique combination of science, creativity, and personal connection, the students of Holbrook Road Elementary not only learned about space exploration but also experienced the powerful impact of passion, perseverance, and discovery.

The Middle Country Central School District is proud to recognize three outstanding students as April’s Students of the Month: Centereach High School senior Brianna Brennan, Dawnwood Middle School student John Hacker, and Selden Middle School student Kerilynn Turner. Each student exemplifies excellence in academics, character, and commitment to their school communities.

Centereach High School student Brianna Brennan is, by every measure, an extraordinary student whose achievements reflect a rare combination of intellect, determination, and character. Ranked fifth in her senior class with an impressive weighted GPA of 102, Brianna will have completed 13 Advanced Placement courses along with two college-level classes by the end of the year. Her academic record speaks not only to her intelligence, but to her deep intellectual curiosity and tireless work ethic.

Beyond the classroom, Brianna is fully immersed in school life. She is a member of the National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society, and actively participates in the Leaders Club, ESTEM Club, and Best Buddies. Remarkably, she balances these commitments while excelling as a three-sport athlete in field hockey, basketball, and softball. In an era of specialization, Brianna’s ability to thrive across multiple sports highlights her competitiveness, versatility, and dedication to her teammates. While softball is her primary passion, her performance across all sports reflects her unwavering commitment to giving her best in every endeavor. Brianna will attend Wagner College, where she plans to study biology to become an anesthesiologist. She will also continue her athletic career as a Division I softball player. The district proudly congratulates Brianna on this well-deserved recognition.

Dawnwood Middle School student John Hacker has distinguished himself as an exceptional student, consistently achieving academic excellence. With an impressive average of 99.25 for the first three quarters of the school year, John continues a pattern of high achievement established throughout his middle school career.

John’s talents extend well beyond academics. He plays travel baseball with the Middle Country Mustangs and is an active musician, participating in SCMEA and NYSSMA as a trombone player. He has also taken on the challenge of learning piano, demonstrating his commitment to personal growth and creativity. Outside of school, John values time with his family, whether playing sports with his father or helping his mother at home. He credits his inspiration to his baseball coach, Coach Walsh, as well as his parents, who encourage him to strive for improvement each day. Looking ahead, John aspires to become a math teacher, combining his academic strengths with a passion for helping others succeed.

Selden Middle School student Kerilynn Turner truly represents the very best of the school. She stands out not only for her academic dedication but also for her exemplary character. Kind, respectful, and supportive, Kerilynn consistently contributes to a positive and inclusive school environment. Her teachers describe her as thoughtful, hardworking, and mature beyond her years, a student who leads by example in every setting. In the classroom, Kerilynn’s enthusiasm for learning is evident. She actively participates in discussions, eagerly contributes ideas, and approaches each subject with curiosity and critical thinking.

Kerilynn aspires to attend Stony Brook University, where she hopes to major in history and pursue a career as either a history teacher or historian. Her passion for learning and her commitment to excellence position her well for future success.

 The Middle Country School District proudly hosted its 4th Annual Goals for Giving Lacrosse Game recently, bringing together students, families, and staff for an evening centered on community, inclusivity, and support for special education programs.

The event, featuring the Middle Country Girls Varsity Lacrosse team, continues to grow as a cherished district tradition. Its primary mission is to raise funds for special education students while fostering a spirit of unity and inclusion throughout the community.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Boys Lacrosse program and numerous district teachers organized a lively carnival for children attending the game. The event drew enthusiastic support from both the boys’ and girls’ youth lacrosse programs, whose members came out in full force to cheer on the varsity team.

A highlight of the evening included students of all abilities taking center stage to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. On the field, the varsity girls delivered an impressive performance, securing a victory over Brentwood. Leading the charge were Gianna Giambone and Ashley Bagnasco with three goals each, Madi DiFrietus contributing two goals, and Ava Ceparo anchoring the defense with nine saves.

The evening proved to be a success both athletically and philanthropically, reinforcing the district’s dedication to supporting all students and strengthening community bonds.