Ava Romonoyske and Sean Grossman flanked by members of the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Tri-M Music Honor Society

Ava Romonoyske (front) and Sean Grossman being inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in the Port Jefferson School District hosted its 18th annual Modern Music Masters (Tri-M) honors recital and induction in April. Sophomore Sean Grossman and junior Ava Romonoyske were presented with membership in the school’s library, in front of their music classmates.

Sean and Ava were chosen to be inducted into Chapter 2172 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society based on the society’s points of distinction. The music students maintained a high level of academic achievement, showcased leadership in their school, participated in service activities, and demonstrated high character.

“Sean and Ava have both showcased excellence as budding musicians,” said Port Jefferson Director of Music & Fine Arts, Dr. Michael Caravello. “They have undoubtedly deserved this honor, and I look forward to seeing what they will contribute to the Tri-M Music Honor Society.”

Port Jefferson cross country athlete Max Joyner recognized at the Town of Brookhaven’s Night of Champions.

Port Jefferson fencing athlete Magdalena Layne-Stasik recognized at the Town of Brookhaven’s Night of Champions.

Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Pacino speaking at the Town of Brookhaven’s Night of Champions.

Seven teams from the Port Jefferson School District represented the District at the Town of Brookhaven’s inaugural Night of Champions athletic ceremony in April. The teams were honored at Brookhaven Town Hall for their successful, championship-winning winter seasons.

A total of 59 Earl L. Vandermeulen High School students, across seven teams, were recognized at the Night of Champions. The girls volleyball team was honored for winning league, county, and Long Island championships for the third consecutive season. The boys cross-country team won its eighth consecutive Suffolk County Championship and the NYSPHSAA Class D State Championship, while the girls cross-country team also captured the Suffolk County Championship. The competitive cheerleading team won the county championship, as did Magdalena Layne-Stasik, a member of the fencing team that the Port Jefferson School District shares with Ward Melville and Rocky Point.

Track athletes Evan Monaghan and Alexa Jacobs were also honored at the event. Evan was the Suffolk County Small School Champion in the 55-meter hurdles and broke the school record in the event with a 7.73 time. Alexa was the overall county champion in both the 55-meter and 300-meter events. She broke the school record in the 300-meter with a time of 39.35 and in the 55-meter with a 7.02, which also stands as a Section XI record.

“In the Port Jefferson School District, our students are offered every opportunity to excel in both academics and athletics,” said Port Jefferson Superintendent of Schools Jessica Schmettan. “Every one of these students earned the right to be recognized in front of the entire Town of Brookhaven, and I hope this is a moment they appreciate moving forward.”

: The Earl L. Vandermeulen High School JV Academic Team.

: The Earl L. Vandermeulen High School JV Academic Team.

The Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Junior Varsity (JV) Academic Team from the Port Jefferson School District recently concluded a very successful season, finishing second overall on Long Island.

This year’s JV academic team included freshmen Samuel Perez-Flesler, Clara Pearce, Lucas Smirnov and Luca Thomsen. The team went undefeated in their Regional Quiz Bowl competitions and made the final tournament at Plainview Old-Bethpage High School. The squad went on to finish in second place on Long Island and received a trophy recognizing their great accomplishment.

“I am so proud of this group,” said academic team advisor Matt Sefick. “To finish second on Long Island in the Regional Quiz Bowl Final Tournament in their first year of competition is quite impressive. The future is bright!”

Port Jefferson Middle School’s Science Olympiad Team

The Port Jefferson Middle School science Olympiad team recently had a successful trip to the Suffolk County Regional Division B Science Olympiad Competition. Across the A, B, and C teams, Port Jefferson students received a total of 22 medals to go along with a third-place finish overall.

Port Jefferson students from grades six through nine competed against 32 teams in events that tested students’ study skills in biology, chemistry, earth science, engineering, physics, and scientific problem solving. Medal winners included:

·        Ninth graders Lucas Smirnov and Luca Thomsen, first place in Dynamic Planet

·        Ninth grader Sam Perez-Flesler and eighth grader Dean Zaltsman, first place in Fossils

·        Ninth graders Sam Perez-Flesler and Luca Thomsen, first place in Reach For The Stars

·        Eighth graders Austin Nam and Nathan Rubenstein, second place in Anatomy

·        Ninth graders Lucas Smirnov and Luca Thomsen, second place in Meteorology

·        Eighth grader Austin Nam and ninth grader Lucas Smirnov, third place in Ecology

·        Ninth graders Bryan Hyrycz and Oliver Rhame, third place in Mission Possible

·        Ninth graders Sam Perez-Flesler and Oliver Rhame, third place in Write It Do It

·        Eighth graders Kieran Browne and Kai Gronenthal, fourth place in Metric Mastery

·        Seventh graders Violet Perez-Flesler and Alice Turner, fourth place in Mission Possible

·        Eighth grader Milo Gugliucci and ninth graders Oliver Rhame and Lucas Smirnov, fifth place in Code Busters

·        Eighth graders Klea Mehmeti and Kaho Sugimoto, fifth place in Optics

·        Ninth graders Gayathri Abhilash and Veronica Shterengas, sixth place in Ecology

·        Ninth grader Phoenix Coleman, sixth place in Meteorology

·        Ninth graders Bryan Hyrycz and Luca Thomsen, sixth place in Road Scholar

·        Ninth grader Gayathri Abilash, seventh place in Anatomy

·        Ninth graders Brian Hyrycz and Sam Perez-Flesler, seventh place in Crime Busters

·        Eighth grader Ruari Hogan and ninth grader Oliver Rhame, seventh place in Entomology

·        Seventh grader Timothy Amadio and eighth grader Rahym Khan, seventh place in Road Scholar

·        Ninth grader Brian Hyrycz and eighth grader Klea Mehmeti, seventh place in Tower

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·        Eighth grader Jacob Fulton and seventh grader Alice Turner, eighth place in Dynamic Planet

·        Eighth graders Klea Mehmeti and Kaho Sugimoto, eighth place in Potions and Poisons

The Port Jefferson Middle School team also included ninth graders Hayden Chesler and Elizabeth Yin; eighth grader Avery Devine; seventh graders Bridget Grossman, Gloria Monaghan, and Claire Gearns; and sixth graders Jonathan Kogan, Alexandru Pittinsky, and William Wardhana. The team was coached by Adam Bouchard, the middle school’s Earth Science teacher. He was assisted at the competition by teachers Mrs. Garcia, Mr. Gorniok, Mr. Maletta, Mrs. Perovich, Ms. Sklar, Ms. Weaver and teaching assistant Mr. Holland.

“These students have truly proven themselves as Port Jefferson’s scientists of the future,” said Mr. Bouchard. “I am incredibly proud of all of their hard work leading into this competition.”