Huntington School Briefs
Huntington High School senior Joseph Dillhoff plans to study business at SUNY New Paltz in the fall. This spring, the teenager is starring on the Blue Devil baseball team. He was recently honored at Huntington's 10th annual Distinguished Seniors dinner.
"The key to my success has been my desire to work to the best of my ability," Mr. Dillhoff said. "I feel there is no reason to complete work unless you give 100 percent, otherwise you are only depriving yourself of your talent."
Mr. Dillhoff has maintained a remarkable focus on his goals throughout high school. "I'm positive that I inherited this tremendous work ethic from my mother, who works hard on a daily basis."
HUFSD Transportation Figures
This year's Huntington School District transportation budget reflects the costs associated with transporting 5,016 eligible students residing within the district's boundaries. A large percentage of the students are being bused to one of the seven public school buildings in the district, but others are being transported to 29 parochial and private schools and 19 special needs schools on Long Island, as required by law.
The district currently contracts for 54 large buses and 67 vans to transport students. The 2012/13 budget, which maintains all current mileage eligibility limits, includes $9,233,918 for transportation expenses.
SEPTA Grocery Totes
The Huntington School District's Special Education Parent Teacher Association is selling insulated large grocery totes. SEPTA said the reusable totes, which measure 16"x 12" are the solution to one-use plastic bags.
SEPTA said the bags are "good for your school district, good for SEPTA, good for the environment and good for you!"
To order a bag (one for $6 or two for $10) send a check payable to SEPTA to Huntington SEPTA, 50 Tower Street, Huntington Station, NY 11746.
Senior Has a Motto
Huntington High School senior Andrew Phelan has a motto: "Work hard; Play Hard." He plans to attend Boston University in the fall where he intends to study operations management.
Mr. Phelan has been quite active these past four years. He's earned varsity letters with the Blue Devil swim team, served as a treasurer of the student government, been a member of the Key Club and A World of Difference and won over Huntington's teachers and students.
Known for his impressive time management skills and steely determination, Mr. Phelan has displayed the ability to juggle many activities and do them all well. He's earned many friends over the past four years and gained the respect of teachers, administrators, coaches and everyone else the teenager has crossed paths with.
Mr. Phelan's winning combination of personality, energy and hard work has served him well throughout his time at Huntington High School.
Finley Ballerinas
J. Taylor Finley Middle School seventh graders Caroline Tonks, Alexandra Smith, Ashleigh Katigbak and Katya Danziger and eighth grader Olivia Stamatatos will perform in the Lynch Ballet Company's production of Coppelia on the Huntington High School stage on Saturday and Sunday May 19 (6 p.m.) and May 20 (3 p.m.)
Final Thoughts on FH Daddy (VIP) Night
This year's Daddy (VIP) and Me Night at Flower Hill School was a worthy successor to earlier editions of the evening. "Daddy (VIP) and Me Night started in 2007 with the idea of having a special night for the students to bring their dads or other special person to the school to build a craft and spend some time together," said parent Edie Pulizzotto, who coordinated the event for the PTA.
Turnout at the recent event virtually insures there will be another one in 2013. "It has been a popular event every year bringing in a lot of kids and dads, grandfathers, uncles, etc.," Mrs. Pulizzotto said. "The kids seem to really enjoy bringing their dads and you can see the look of pride on their faces as they are there with their dads showing them their school. The dads always look intent on correctly completing the wood crafts, this year a model of a space shuttle, complete with stand, suitable for both play and display!"
Annual attendance at the night has been remarkably consistent over the years. "This event also gives our dads a chance to meet and mingle after the craft and snacks," Mrs. Pulizzotto said. "The evening always ends with happy kids and dads leaving with their creation. It is a very rewarding evening to see so many attend."
MSG Recognition
MSG Varsity honored Huntington High School junior Stephen Caruso as a 2012 Regional Finalist in the network's annual video competition. Mr. Caruso was honored in the "Original Production- Under five minutes" category for his film, Online Posting.
"He produced and edited the video under the direction of video teacher Heather Swan," said Huntington MSG Varsity advisor Amy Smith. "Stephen is also a member of the MSG Varsity community club at Huntington High School, which is how the video was submitted."