J. Taylor Finley Middle School’s Class of 2017 was a powerhouse. The group spent the past two years distinguishing itself in every possible way, setting new standards of academic, artistic, athletic and community service and leadership excellence.
Before concluding their two-year course of study, dozens of Finley eighth graders captured a wide assortment of awards for their sensational performance.
Chloe Wheeler and Grace Wildermuth claimed the Libutti Jewelers Music Service Award. Stefany Soto Castillo and Tess Stanley won the Lions Club Good Citizenship Award. Sahar Nadi garnered the New York State Comptroller Award.
Marina Durand captured the Courtney O’Bryan Spirit Award for Passion for School, Sports and Friends. Jamie Flores-Adrade and Briana Arias won the PTA Good Character Award. Torin Bograd and Jordan Forte were honored by the Suffolk Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Finley eighth graders were happy following June's moving up ceremony.
The Lucy Sammis Award for Passion for Education went to Katie Bonilla. The award is presented in honor of a former Finley English teacher who taught in the district for more than three decades.
Jorge Parada-Cisneros captured the Suffolk County Executive’s Public Service Award. Isabelle Grenier claimed the Principal’s Award. Sophia Severine and Miles Tierney won the American Legion Citizenship Award for Strong School and Community Spirit.
Lily O’Heir and Ella Siepel earned the American Legion Most Outstanding Musician Award. Briana Arias and Chad Rowe garnered the Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award for Character, Courage and Commitment. Emma Vaughan won the Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Citizenship, Patriotism and School Involement.
Taylor Case captured the Cissy Frost Friendship Award. It is presented annually in memory of a longtime Finley teacher aide. It goes to a student displaying outstanding friendship, tolerance and spirit.
Brian Callery, Niurca Chabla-Leon, Vivienne LaVertu, Joseph Manaker and Andrew Spina claimed the bELIeve Mollineaux Spirt Award, presented in memory of former Finley student Eli Mollineaux.
The Joseph Cane Memorial Band Award was presented to Lauren Gooding. Thomas Rosselli won the Huntington Fire Department’s Ex-Chief Louis Solomon Award for High Moral Character.
Departmental Outstanding Achievement Award recipients included:
Art: Taylor Case, Grace Kenny, Aidan Lefebvre, Andrew McKenzie, Ella Siepel and Grace Wildermuth.
Physical education: Isabella Algieri, Johanna Campos, Kyle Green, John Krisch, Aidan Lefebvre, Charlotte Maggio, Chad Rowe and Ella Siepel.
English: Isabella Algieri, Alexandra Bellissimo, Mia Brown, Niurca Chabla-Leon, Alex Gonzalez, Valerie Rogel and Ella Siepel.
Foreign language – French: Katie Bonilla, Mia Brown, Grace Kenny, Rebecca Hoffmann and Gemma Pellegrini.
Foreign language – Italian: Isabella Algieri, Joshua Bailin, Alexander Bellissimo, Isabella DiBenedetto, Lily O’Heir and Timmeree Koepele.
Foreign language – Latin: Chloe Buffone and Ella Siepel.
Foreign language – Spanish: Jailyn Fuentes and Jaden Italiano.
Foreign language – Native Spanish: Katerin Alvarez Sorto and Ivania Velasquez-Rodriquez.
Native Spanish Grammar: Zachary Gordon, Maren Grosso, Alexa Rind and Grace Wildermuth.
English as a New Language: Katerin Alvarez Sorto and Ivania Velasquez-Rodriquez.
Mathematics: Grace Kata, Justien Williams and Robin Zheng.
Accelerated Mathematics: Alexander Bellissimo, Kyle Colleluori, Grace Kenny and Andreas Seferian.
English as a New Language Mathematics: Keyla Maldonado-Molina and Emerson Flores Villalta.
Band: Aaron Chin, Nicholas Danseglio, Caroline Kilgour, Sam Levine, Sahar Nadi, Gemma Pellegrini and Tess Stanley.
Chorus: Mia Brown, Chloe Buffone, Katherine Eichenberger, Rebecca Hoffmann, Marianna Jackson and Catherine McCooey.
Orchestra: Jackson Dunn, Jessica Erhardt, Ethan Mcguinness, Julie Rogel, Valerie Rogel and Ashley Visser.
Science: Valerie Rogel and Bryan Wong.
Physical Science: Torin Bograd, Juan Interiano, Dyson Lopez and Rosa Rivera.
English as a New Language Science: Katerin Alvarez Sorto and Keyla Maldonado Molina.
Social Studies: Adora Colay, Daniel Granados, Timmeree Koepele, Gemma Pellegrini and Grace Wildermuth.
English as a New Language Social Studies: Katerin Alvarez Sorto and Dennis Anariba-Funez.
