Six talented string students from Port Jefferson High School were recently selected to perform in the prestigious Secondary Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA) at Hauppauge High School. This outstanding achievement recognizes their exceptional musical abilities and dedication to their craft.

The students selected for this honor are Mari Fukuto (grade 11), Nicholas Hogan (grade 10), Kevin Hong (grade 11), Joshua Kwon (grade 10), Evan Monaghan (grade 12), and Ava Sexton (grade 10). These young musicians were chosen based on competitive evaluations that included NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) scores and teacher recommendations, alongside other students from across Suffolk County.

The LISFA festival provides an opportunity for top student musicians to perform in an ensemble setting and collaborate with other accomplished musicians from the region. The event showcases the level of musical excellence found within Long Island’s secondary schools, and the wonderful performances stood as a testament to the hard work and passion of these students and their music educators.

“We are incredibly proud of our students who were selected for LISFA,” said Dr. Michael Caravello, Director of Music and Fine Arts. “Their dedication to their music is inspiring, and their selection speaks to the high standard of excellence in our school’s music program. Congratulations to Mari, Nicholas, Kevin, Joshua, Evan, and Ava on this well-deserved recognition.”

The Port Jefferson School District extends heartfelt congratulations to these talented students and their families. We wish them the best of luck as they continue to grow as musicians and represent the district at the LISFA festival.

Date Added: 1/15/2025

Date Added: 1/14/2025

Members of the Earl L. Vandermeulen Leo Club recently completed their annual Blizzard Bag event in support of the Three Village Meals on Wheels program. Under the guidance of advisors Brian Chalmers and Ann MacIntyre, the Leo Club hosted several fundraising events throughout the fall, with proceeds going toward the purchase and assembly of Blizzard Bags. These essential packages, filled with shelf-stable meals, were delivered to local seniors to ensure they have food on hand when winter weather causes regular meal delivery to be delayed or canceled.

Each Blizzard Bag contained four non-perishable meals, including boxed or canned items, designed to be easily stored and prepared by seniors in case of weather-related service disruptions. The bags are distributed by Three Village Meals on Wheels to clients who rely on the program for daily meal delivery.

“The Leo Club members recognize the real need for this program, and delivering food to the Three Village Meals on Wheels’ clients is a true community outreach event,” said Mr. Chalmers. It's a great opportunity for the students to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our seniors.

Deborah Blair, the coordinator of the Three Village Meals on Wheels program, praised the ongoing support from the Leo Club. Last week, while going through our archives, I was amazed to see the years of dedication from the Port Jefferson High School Leo Club in supporting our Blizzard Bags initiative,” Ms. Blair said. “Their consistent community service has been invaluable to us and our homebound neighbors. The Leo Club has made a significant difference in the past, especially when extreme weather forces us to cancel meal deliveries. Thanks to their efforts, our clients have a reliable source of food when they need it most. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support and hope they can assist us again this year.

The Three Village Meals on Wheels program provides vital services to seniors in the community, and the partnership with the Earl L. Vandermeulen Leo Club is a testament to the power of community collaboration.

Date Added: 1/13/2025

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School is proud to announce the resounding success of its Holiday Helpers Program and the 4th Annual Stuff a Locker Drive, which together raised nearly $6,000 in support of families in need this holiday season. This year’s initiative was made possible through the outstanding support of the Port Jefferson community, including local clubs, faculty, staff, and new contributors from Theater Three.

The Holiday Helpers Program, spearheaded by social worker Kristin Britt, has been an annual tradition for 21 years, providing families in the Port Jefferson area with essential items and holiday cheer. This year, with contributions from the community, the program was able to support 18 families, offering them a mix of gifts, gift cards, and bountiful food baskets.

“Having had the privilege of running the Holiday Helpers Program for 21 years, I can honestly say that each year, everyone helped turn my vision into a reality.” Ms.Britt said, reflecting on the success of this year’s efforts. “We provided 18 families with gifts, gift cards, and food items. I was deeply moved by the compassion, kindness, and generosity shown to our students and their families.”

The Stuff a Locker program, which was held in tandem with the Holiday Helpers initiative, continues to be a major component of the school's drive to make the holiday season brighter for those in need. The program encourages students, faculty, and local businesses to fill donation lockers with non-perishable food items, gifts, and more. This year’s efforts saw an increase in participation, thanks to generous contributions from local clubs and the unwavering support of the faculty and staff.

In addition to the usual support, the school received an outpouring of generosity from Theater Three staff and cast members, who joined in to provide additional backing for the cause. With this extra support, every family participating in the program received a food basket, ensuring that no family was left without a festive and fulfilling holiday meal.

Date Added: 1/7/2025