By Bob Harris
Hillcrest High School held its first Science Fair under the supervision of Pre-Med Small Learning Community Director Nelcia Skobelsky, featuring submissions by the Health Science Nursing Small Learning Community, Software Engineering students, and Pre-Med students who had performed NASA, STEM, and hydroponics research.
Students gathered in the college office to display signs listing the colleges to which they have committed.
Martin Van Buren High School held the Richard Dellacona Memorial Blood Drive to celebrate the legacy of the man who was a student, teacher, assistant principal, and athletic director at the school. He was also a volunteer at the Westbury Volunteer Fire Department for 33 years, and fire chief there. Fifty pints of blood were collected at this site.
The Francis Lewis High School JROTC drill teams, Patriot Pride and Patriot Guard, took first and second place, respectively, at the National Drill Team championships. The event took place in Daytona, Fla., with 35 schools from all over the United States participating in five events: Platoon Exhibition, Squad Exhibition, Regulations, Inspection and Color Guard.
Social studies students from the High School of Applied Communication visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Manhattan. The students saw many vivid artifacts of the tragic event, watched video clips, and attended a workshop on the repercussions of 9/11. They also saw a crushed fire truck from Ladder Company 3 in which 11 firefighters died on that day.
Newtown High School students attended a CTE Industry Appreciation Gala at the Tweed Court House in Manhattan to see new business concepts and old-time business brands and companies that have withstood the test of time. Students learned about industry partners who work with schools throughout the five boroughs. The group, called Infinity Love, works with girls to break the cycle of poverty, broken families and teen pregnancy in the four small schools in the Campus Magnet Complex with mentoring, support services, guidance and self-esteem building.
Additionally, the Math, Science Research and Technology High School took students to Six Flags Great Adventure to have a Physics Experience Day. With rides and classroom activities the students learned about Engineering.
The Benjamin Franklin High School for Finance and Information was given a workshop by members of the FDNY. By learning about the benefits of being a firefighter, and the requirements to join the force, the students were exposed to the world of adulthood.
Two famous Forest Hill High School graduates returned to their school to talk about their achievements at an Alumni Symposium. Jack Lew, who had been the editor of the school newspaper, became the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Ron Chernow is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author who wrote the biography of our first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, which inspired the hit Broadway musical.
Students from Grover Cleveland High School had a visit from the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, which brought advanced camera and musical equipment for the students to work with. A $1,000 check and a donation of musical instruments was given to support creativity and digital media education.
The administration of the Pan American International High school in the Elmhurst Educational Campus realized that the 3rd floor central entrance area of their school made a perfect place for a library/recreation area for the students. Plush couches, chairs with desks attached and bookcases created a large usable area for the students, and an area where the faculty could hold meetings.
The Maspeth High School held its fourth annual talent show in a full auditorium. The girl’s varsity tennis team enjoyed an undefeated season. The school’s debate team achieved recognition at the NYCUDL Debate. The Kew Club donated $1,000 to Camp Abilities which serves blind children.
