Ward Melville’s Claudine Weiner was named a recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from Stony Brook University. Photo courtesy of The Three Village Central School District
The Three Village Central School District recently congratulated Claudine Weiner of Ward Melville High School on being named a recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from Stony Brook University.
Mrs. Weiner has long been a valued member of the Three Village school community, serving with distinction as both a science teacher and athletic trainer. Her unwavering commitment to students and athletes has earned her the admiration and respect of colleagues, families and the broader school community, according to a press release.
From the classroom to the athletic fields, Mrs. Weiner’s dedication, compassion and expertise have left a meaningful and lasting impact. Her recognition by Stony Brook University is a testament to the remarkable contributions she has made in education and athletic training.
“The district proudly celebrates this honor and extends sincere thanks to Mrs. Weiner for her continued service and excellence,” read the release.
Professor Jennifer Cano. John Griffin/Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy Jennifer Cano was named a Chancellor’s Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship. This inaugural award from the State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King, honors early career tenured and tenure track faculty whose scholarly or creative activities have already achieved significant recognition and crucially, hold strong promise for field-defining impact in the future. This award was given to 10 professors throughout the SUNY system.
Professor Cano is a theoretical physicist whose research focuses on the emergent properties of quantum materials; specifically, topological phases of matter. This includes study of the fundamental principles such as classification, as well as predicting new material platforms to realize exotic quantum phases. Professor Cano developed the theory of topological quantum chemistry, which combines group theory, topology and chemistry, to predict new topological materials.
“I am so pleased to see Professor Cano and her work recognized as one of the top early-career researchers in the SUNY system,” said Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost. “Professor Cano’s ongoing research is a critical part to building a quantum future, and I am proud to say that many of our Stony Brook faculty, across disciplines, are part of this significant ongoing effort to uncover the secrets and possibilities of quantum technologies.”
“While I am exceptionally delighted that Jen is recognized by the SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Award for her outstanding work in condensed matter physics, I am not surprised by the recognition,” said Chang Kee Jung, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “Jen’s brilliance is so evident that I fully expected she would receive this award. Her work is already shaping and leading her research field and I have no doubt that it will continue doing so. Jen also excels in teaching, mentoring and her presentation at the Stony Brook Discovery Prize competition was one of the best academic presentations I have ever seen. It is truly a pleasure to have Jen as a colleague and she is an inspiration for all.”
Candidates’ portfolios were reviewed by Distinguished Academy faculty who made recommendations to the SUNY Provost. Going forward, up to 10 awards will be conferred each year.
Professor Cano was also the winner of the Stony Brook University’s Discovery Prize 2025 for her research proposal, “Theoretical Framework for the Discovery of Topological Moiré Materials.” The Discovery Prize is an early-career faculty prize given to those at Stony Brook pursuing innovative and potentially groundbreaking scientific research. It was established and is funded by the Stony Brook Foundation.
The East Setauket resident earned her PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2015. She subsequently was a postdoctoral fellow at the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. She came to Stony Brook in 2018 as an assistant professor and holds a visiting scholar appointment at the Flatiron Institute.
Emma Samghabadi at the New York Marine Rescue Center. Photo courtesy Jennifer Samghabadi
By Daniel Dunaief
The odds haven’t always been in favor of Emma Samghabadi.
The Comsewogue High School senior and Port Jefferson station resident was born under two pounds and spent over a month in the neonatal intensive care unit at Stony Brook Hospital.
After maneuvering through a period her parents Jennifer and Pedram Samghabadi described as “touch and go” for a while, she flourished and is poised to graduate from high school in June and enter college this fall.
Emma Samghabadi after singing with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra in 2022. Photo courtesy Brian Kacharaba
A gifted singer and performer, Samghabadi, who recently played Velma Kelly in a teen edition of “Chicago,” applied for the Live Más scholarship through Taco Bell, where she has been working since last summer.
Samghabadi spent close to three months putting together a two minute video describing her passions, which include performing, singing, and serving as a conservationist.
On April 25th, Samghabadi, 18, was working at the drive through window at Taco Bell and learned that she had won a $10,000 scholarship, which she will use at the University of Rhode Island.
“It was a complete surprise to me,” said Samghabadi, who was thrilled when her managers and coworkers celebrated her scholarship with balloons and congratulatory posters in the dining room of the restaurant. “All my managers were there and my regional managers were there as well.”
Indeed, Samghabadi called her mother, who works as a registered nurse and her father, who is a social worker, to celebrate.
Jennifer Samghabadi was “overjoyed, proud, grateful and also humbled” with the scholarship.
“The odds [of winning] are very, very low,” her father said. “This was her exhibiting her unique mix” of passions.
Out of 500 scholarship applications from New York, Taco Bell awarded 13 at this level, which is just over two a half percent of the state’s entries.
The Taco Bell Foundation has been awarding these scholarships for 10 years, with some notable past winners including Mato Standing Soldier, a film and TV composer who was named to Forbes 30 under 30 List for 2023 and Brooke Taylor, who is dancing on Broadway in Moulin Rouge.
Samghabadi gave her scholarship entry considerable thought. The scholarship is based on a student’s passions, social impact, personal presentation and educational goals and does not include any reference to a grade point average or standardized test scores.
“As soon as I started finding pictures, I was already thinking about what I wanted to talk about,” Samghabadi said.
Editing the presentation to under two minutes was a “struggle,” she added.
The work paid off, as a Taco Bell Foundation spokeswoman suggested that Samghabadi’s video embodied the key traits they seek in an applicant: strong passion, a focus on social impact, clear educational goals and compelling storytelling.
Samghabadi, who has a weighted grade point average above 100, has impressed her high school teachers.
Rosa Antelo, who teaches Samghabadi’s Advanced Placement Class and was also her instructor for Advanced Spanish in 10th grade, described her student’s potential as “unmeasurable.”
Antelo suggested that Samghabadi is “not just a great student, but she’s truly an amazing person.”
Antelo, who wrote a college recommendation for Samghabadi, recalled a time when her student helped her manage through the strain of a stressful situation.
“She’s so positive and is looking for the best of everything,” said Antelo, who has been teaching for 26 years and believes Samghabadi stands out among her many students.
An early curiosity
When she was five, Samghabadi found a large green caterpillar in a hibiscus bush, which she brought home.
She and her parents looked up how to care for it. The caterpillar formed a cocoon and emerged as a moth.
After that, Samghabadi was hooked, establishing a monarch butterfly way station where she has released over a hundred of the orange and black insects that, while not endangered are threatened by a loss of habitat, pesticide use and climate change.
Dedicated to conservation and marine biology, Samghabadi has worked as a volunteer at the New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead.
She tells visitors about the only effort in the state to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles and seals. She has also helped with beach clean ups and, in 2023, became scuba certified.
Samghabadi’s favorite animal is the manta ray, which she hopes to study in college.
From ‘The Lion King’ to community theater
Around the same time that she found the green caterpillar, Samghabi, saw her first broadway show.
Watching “The Lion King” sparked an interest in performance and theater.
Samghabadi has been an extra in short films and commercials as well as in the movie “Uncut Gems.”
As a 10-year old, she spent a day on set as an extra, sitting behind Adam Sandler in a movie theater.
She has performed in several shows and goes through cycles of singing different Broadway songs in the house.
These days, she’s using her soprano voice to belt out “Sweeney Todd” in the house.
Samghabadi is open to combining her interests in conservation and music. At some point, she would like to conduct research on bioacoustics. She could also envision using music as a part of public outreach for conservation.
Despite all her commitments, including working with second graders to help teach them Spanish, Samghabadi is able to enjoy leisure activities with her friends by organizing herself.
“I have a set plan for what I need to do each day,” she said.
Multiple scholarships
Samghabadi’s talents and dedication have earned her other competitive scholarships.
She will receive $84,000 over four years as a part of the inaugural Schilling Scholars Program at the University of Rhode Island. She will also receive $68,000 from the presidential scholarship at the university.
The New York Elks Association recently awarded her a $1,000 scholarship.
Samghabadi is the second generation in her family to work at Taco Bell, where her favorite meal is the Cantina Chicken Bowl.
When he was earning money for college, Samghabadi’s father Pedram worked at the restaurant chain.
Samghabadi’s parents are grateful for the life their daughter has lived and the energy and passion she brings to her interests.
“You can’t be thankful enough,” said Pedram Samghabadi. “We still cannot believe what we went through” in the first year of her remarkable life.
Their daughter. whose singing they will miss when she attends college, gave them a preview of what was to come early in life.
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Sophie Reed, senior second baseman, hit a grand slam homer. Photo by StevenZaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Signs dedicated to Gabby Petito adorned the grounds near the Ward Melville softball field. Photo by Steven Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
The Ward Melville softball team held their 5th annual charity game on May 3 for the benefit of the Gabby Petito Foundation and to bring awareness to domestic abuse.
For the past five seasons, the team has chosen a different charity to support and, for 2025, the team selected the Gabby Petito Foundation.
Petito, who attended Bayport-Blue Point High School, was 22 years old when she was murdered by her fiancé in 2021 during a cross-country road trip. The foundation’s mission is to address the needs of organizations that support locating missing persons and to provide aid to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence situations through education, awareness and prevention strategies.
Purple balloons, bunting and petals of lilac and lavender festooned the grounds near the softball field and, although it was only 10 o’clock in the morning, the strengthening whiff of fire-grilled hot dogs tantalized the taste buds.
Posters of Petito stood on easels near the backstop and an ice sculpture rested on a purple-and-pink draped table that was protected from the morning sun by a canvas tent. Two banners devoted to Petito and her namesake organization hung on the centerfield fence.
Dana Powell, mom of senior star player Emerson Powell, who is currently on the injured list, organized much of this event, which has raised more than $10,000 so far.
“We felt it would be great because this is a team of young ladies to bring awareness to domestic abuse and teach them — and the community — that it does start young. We want everyone to look for the signs,” said Powell, who is the head of the team’s booster club. “The Gabby Petito Foundation is doing amazing things to protect not just young women but also young men and missing persons.”
Members of Petito’s family participated in the pregame service and entered the field through the third-base fence, passing through a welcoming line of players holding their bats in an overhead V formation. The procession was led by Petito’s grandmother, Mary Wickman, and the family of about 10, who were all greeted by warm applause as they took their place near the middle of the diamond. Ward Melville head softball coach Joe Burger addressed the crowd near the third-base bleachers.
“There are times when our athletes need more than coaching,” Burger told the crowd. “They need to be lifted up, be seen, heard and supported. When the pressure of life and the game becomes too heavy, they need to know that we are standing right beside them and that we believe in them.”
Ward Melville players, coaches and most of the parents wore special purple shirts for this game that promoted the event on the front of the shirt and Gabby Petito Foundation. On the back, the phrase Love Doesn’t Hurt was written inside a heart-shaped border. Bellport donned similar shirts, but theirs were mostly white with purple trim.
Lady Patriots players Isabella Parente, Sara Kropp, Cate Scolaro and Kaitlyn Morales spoke to the crowd about how much they have learned about the many forms of domestic abuse and what can be done to help.
“I have learned that there are many resources and support available,” said Scolaro, who is an 11th grader. “Hotlines, shelters, counseling services and legal assistance are some of these and it is important to know that you are never alone and there is always help to escape the cycle of abuse and rebuild a safe life.”
Mary Wickman closed the oratorical portion of the ceremony with a heartfelt thank you to the team, the school and the Three Village community. Petito’s cousin, Bubba Wickman, a middle schooler in the Middle Country Central School District and a grandchild of Mary, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Patriots catcher Haley Mauser, as last-minute hugs were shared on and around the field up until the very last moments before the umpire shouted “Play Ball.” During this time, the team presented Mary Wickman with a bright yellow, glass-encased softball signed by every member of the team, along with a bouquet of pink and white flowers. As she posed for photos and hugged each player, Wickman was awash with emotion.
“Being a team isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about fighting for something bigger,” said Mary Wickman. “And these young women have done just that. To the coaches and the players and the school and the community, I say thank you for taking the time, energy as a force for good. For the love of Gabby, keep leading, keep caring and using your voice to make a difference.”
On the field the Lady Patriots certainly made a difference too, as they beat Bellport by a score of 17-5. Senior second baseman Sophie Reed hit a grand-slam home run in the first inning and Ward Melville raced out to a 7-0 lead after just one inning. Starting pitcher Makenna Steinberg struck out 10 Bellport batters for the win.
Tom Theodorakis holds a West Point football jersey with Number 31 at his introductory press conference. Theodorakis was named Black Knight’s 31st Athletic Director in February and is a graduate of Ward Melville High School. Photo Courtesy West Point Athletics
By George Caratzas
After a long career as a collegiate athletic executive, Ward Melville graduate Tom Theodorakis was recently named the athletic director of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Theodorakis — who attended Ward Melville from 2000 to 2002 — was a standout on the lacrosse field, eventually going on to play at the collegiate level at Syracuse. As a member of the Orange, Theodorakis made four NCAA tournaments, making three final four appearances and won the national championship in 2004.
“Lacrosse afforded me a lot of opportunities,” Theodorakis said. “To go to a place like Syracuse as a student-athlete just had a really profound impact on my life … I don’t know where I’d be without them. I came in as a proverbial punk kid and left school as an adult.”
Still, Theodorakis credits much of his start to the place where he spent his early years.
“I am very fortunate to grow up in a fantastic part of Long Island that afforded me a lot of great opportunities,” Theodorakis said. “One of those was going to Ward Melville High School. Not only was I surrounded by great teachers, but also first-class athletics.”
Fast forward 20 years, Theodorakis was named West Point’s 31st Athletic Director in February of this year. Previously, he served as a deputy director under Mike Buddie who he credits as an instrumental piece in his transition into the new role.
“It was a sudden change,” Theodorakis said. “I was fortunate that Mike empowered me on a lot of initiatives and responsibilities in our department. He really helped prepare me for this role.”
Working at a service academy poses a unique set of challenges, especially on the athletic level. While some of Theodorakis’ career stops have prioritized athletic excellence, West Point’s top goal remains to prepare cadets for future military experience.
“You have to recruit the right individuals that are thinking long-term,” Theodorakis said. “It takes a special type of individual that is able to say, ‘this is the sacrifice that I want to make.’ Ultimately, these individuals want to serve their country and set them up for success.”
West Point is not the first service academy that Theodorakis has called home. In fact, his first job out of college was an internship in the athletic department of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. This role gave him all sorts of different experiences, including some not so glamorous ones.
“Air Force is definitely a smaller athletic department which let me have my hands on a lot of things,” Theodorakis said. “Sometimes this included cleaning out the closet or being the mascot, but those are the things you do in an entry level position. For me, I just loved all of it because I was just so excited to be a part of college athletics.”
His tenure in Colorado Springs was a jumping off point for various roles at the University of Arizona, UCLA and Harvard, before landing in the Hudson Valley.
“I knew that if someone’s going to give me an opportunity — or at least crack the door open — I am going to work my tail off to turn that into a full-time job,” Theodorakis said. “I grew up in New York, went to school in New York. I think getting out of my comfort zone personally and professionally was a really good thing and that came from moving out west.”
All along, Theodorakis’ plan was to return to the East Coast, a move he made in 2022.
“Ultimately, I always had the goal of moving back to New York, but I realized that it may take some time,” Theodorakis said. “These careers are not linear, and for me it took close to 15 years to get to Harvard and get back to the East Coast.”
Despite a lengthy career, Theodorakis stays true to his roots on Long Island’s north shore.
“It’s hard for me not to look back on my time growing up on Long Island and not to thank the amazing moms and dads that understood the value of sports,” Theodorakis said. “Whether it be coaching teams or volunteering, I still rely on a lot of those lessons today. It had such an impact on my life and they believed in the community and what we were doing.”
George Caratzas is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
From left, Board VP Karen Roughley, President Susan Rosenzweig, Superintendent Scanlon and Dr. Kerman. Photo by William Stieglitz
By William Stieglitz
The April 30 Three Village Central School District Board of Education meeting began with updates on the question of whether to arm school security guards. The district surveyed around 1,400 employees, with 55% saying they were for armed security and 45% saying they were against. Of the 55% in favor, 81% wanted security armed both inside and outside of the school. The board plans to survey the community next and said that, when ready, they will likely make the survey available through either an online link or the student database system Infinite Campus.
The board also announced that the ZeroEyes security system, an artificial intelligence weapons detection software that the district has been looking into since October, is finally up and running. The system connects school cameras to AI that scans the footage firearms and alerts the district and authorities in a matter of seconds if something is found.
“We got a chance to do some calibration and test it at this building and Mount Elementary,” said security coordinator Jack Blaum, speaking from the North Country Administration Building. “And I will tell you, I am absolutely impressed with the system.” He said that while the technology is only one part of a solution, he is confident it will act as a deterrent and that other local districts have expressed interest in implementing ZeroEyes as well.
In school funding news, the board announced that following their April 9 decision to remove earlier high school start times from this year’s planned budget, they were left with $1,014,000 to spend on other programs, as well as an additional $100,000 from savings in the textbook code. The board unanimously chose to use $760,000 from this to restore seven elementary school teachers and thereby reduce class sizes, which left around $340,000 to discuss.
One option was to use $100,000 to restore fourth-grade science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Unlike the district’s previous STEM program, which ended during COVID and had allowed a STEM teacher in every building for every grade level, this would start smaller by having a STEM teacher go to each school for one day a week. Another option would be to restore the Intellectually Gifted Program, though with $100,000 costs for both staffing and transportation, this would be twice as expensive. A third option was to use an estimated $70,000 to restore summer reading programs, which would also require a new program coordinator.
Following debate, the board voted 5-1 (David McKinnon was absent) for using the funds to restore STEM and summer reading, with the rest being saved for future costs. While funding for fourth-grade IG was also discussed, this only received two out of six votes. “Whereas IG services a smaller number, the STEM program would service an entire grade level,” Superintendent Kevin Scanlon said when weighing the benefits of each. “We’re talking over 400 students being addressed there.”
The board also reviewed the district’s success in programming for Autism Acceptance Month. Schools such as Arrowhead, Minnesauke, W.S. Mount and Murphy elementary schools and Gelinas Jr. High school held assemblies, fundraisers, schoolwide walks and other related activities. “I think it’s important that we recognize all the students that we have in our district,” said Scanlon. “The population of autism has been diagnosed more readily in the more recent years, and I think that’s where we excel in this district, because of our attention to our students with special needs… I think this is a way of recognizing them in a special way.”
Another kind of assembly, exclusive to eighth graders at Gelinas, was a live performance of “From the Fires: Voices of the Holocaust,” which included a discussion with the cast. This was paired with interactive classes, led by Principal Corinne Keane and social studies teacher Christina Cone, on how to identify and combat antisemitism and other hate speech.
One more thing that brought students to school theaters this month was the spring musicals. These included performances of “Finding Nemo Junior” at Minnesauke, “Seussical the Musical” at Mount, “Beauty and the Beast” at Nassakeag Elementary School, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Setauket, “Newsies” at Gelinas and “Anastasia” at Murphy.
For more information visit the school website: www.threevillagecsd.org.
The federal government took them away and has, for now, returned them.
Amid a national crackdown on international students throughout the country, the federal government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program removed the visas of 11 international students at Stony Brook University on April 10, without providing any public information about the reasons for the decisions or the process that would follow.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine
Early this week, the downtstate flagship university announced that the student visas, which are necessary for work and, in some cases, to remain in the United States, were reinstated.
“We are delighted to share that all 11 Stony Brook students whose immigration status was terminated by the federal government several weeks ago had had their status reinstated,” Provost Carl Lejuez, Vice Provost for Graduate Educate Celia Marshik and Senior Associate Provost for Global Affairs Lindsi Walker announced in an email to faculty, staff and students.
The 11 Stony Brook students were among the 1,500 students nationwide whose visa status was terminated. Most of those students have also had their visas restored, although the government indicated that it was creating a new system to review and terminate student visas.
At the University of North Texas, 28 international students had their visas restored on Tuesday, while Rutgers students also had their visas restored this week.
Judges in numerous juridsictions had temporarily restored student record amid lawsuits challenging the decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Program (SEVIS) withdrawals.
District Judge Ana Reyes in the District of Columbia on Tuesday called the withdrawals “arbitrary and capricious” and suggested that the terminations “showed a lack of concern for human individuals,” according to ABC News.
In their joint email, Stony Brook officials expressed appreciation for the community support for these students.
“Stony Brook is deeply enriched by the perspectives and contributions of our global community, and we are proud to learn, teach and conduct research alongside exceptional international students and scholars,” the officials wrote in their email.
The reversal comes as litigation against the federal government mounts, with student arguing that the revocations were unconstitutional.
After Stony Brook University announced the visas had originally been removed, students gathered to express their support for the students affected and to urge the university to help defend against deportation and the loss of any work study efforts.
Stony Brook officials indicated that students had continued with their academic pursuits amid the shifting visa process.
“We are not aware of students missing classes as a result of their status being revoked,” Lejuez explained in a written message, “and now, with this restoration, they are able to simply continue in their studies without further distractions.”
Political support
Local politicians from both parties welcomed the administration’s decision to allow these students to continue with their educational programs.
“I am pleased that the visas of the international students at Stony Brook were restored,” County Executive Ed Romaine (R) explained in a written message. “Educating international students in the U.S. helps those around the world better understand our country and apprecaite the many good things and freedoms we enjoy.”
New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay
Democratic State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, whose district includes Stony Brook, Setauket, Port Jefferson, Port Jeffferson Station, Mount Sinai and Coram, appreciated the support of the university and of the office of Sen. Charles Schumer (D).
As soon as she learned that these student visas were revoked, Kassay connected with Stony Brook University’s Associate Vice President for Government Relations Carl Mills and with Schumer’s office.
Once the students had legal representation, Schumer’s office was able to ensure that the appeals process proceeded fairly, Kassay said.
At the time, and as a part of her ongoing responsibility to the district, Kassay urged anyone with concerns to reach out to her office to “make sure you are getting the calls back” from any of the various entities involved in the process, she said.
Kassay suggested that her staff works to make sure constituents are getting service from all levels of government.
Kassay recognized that this visa issue could return for international students in the area.
“We stand at the ready to help navigate whatever might come about with issues resulting from federal executive orders or policies,” Kassay added.
To be sure, Kassay suggested that students on visas don’t have the freedom to break laws or to violate the terms of their time in the country.
“If individuals are found to have a criminal background, or to have cause for removal from our country and that is proven by due process, then so be it,” she said. “We all deserve due process. Now is the time to make that clear.”
Kassay suggested that she felt sympathetic to students who didn’t face any public charges and whose futures had suddenly become uncertain.
“My heart goes out to the individuals and their families,” Kassay said.
Suffolk County Community College students: Udya Dewanamuni; Carolina Hernandez Alvarez; Julia Heller-Bomba;Nancy Lorme; Nina Kezys and Brianna Calle Boror. Photos courtesy of SCCC
Six Suffolk County Community College students have been named 2025 PTK All-State Scholars. The students are: Brianna Calle Boror, an Eastern Campus Education major from Shirley; Udya Dewanamuni, an Ammerman Campus Physics major from Ronkonkoma; Julia Heller-Bomba, a Michael J. Grant Campus Creative Writing major from East Northport; Carolina Hernandez Alvarez, an Eastern Campus Accounting major from Riverhead; Nina Kezys, a Michael J. Grant Campus Psychology major from East Northport and Nancy Lorme, an Ammerman Campus Accounting major from Holtsville.
Among them, Nina Kezys, was recently selected for the prestigious 2025 All-USA Academic Team, one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this distinction. This honor recognizes her outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community engagement. As an All-USA Academic Team member, she receives a $5,000 scholarship and a special medallion. Nina was also named a 2025 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar, earning the highest score in New York State in the All-USA Academic Team competition. This honor comes with a $2,250 scholarship, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Nina recently traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, where she received her awards during the American Association of Community College’s annual convention.
Udya Dewanamuni, Carolina Hernandez Alvarez, Julia Heller-Bomba, and Nancy Lorme have also been named 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars based upon scores the students earned in the All- USA Academic Team competition.
The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to service. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion and is recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies. The program is administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Ammerman Campus student Udya Dewanamuni and Eastern Campus student Carolina Hernandez Alvarez were named Gold Scholars and will each receive a $1,500 scholarship. Michael J. Grant Campus student Julia Heller-Bomba was named a Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. Ammerman Campus student Nancy Lorme was named a Bronze Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of these students, who embody the spirit of academic excellence and community service,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. “Their hard work, leadership, and dedication to their communities exemplify the very best of what Suffolk County Community College stands for.”
About the Students:
Brianna Calle Boror, an Education major from Shirley, NY, maintains a 3.7 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the past two years. She serves as a Peer Mentor, Co-President of Phi Theta Kappa, Vice President of the Honors Club and Latina Elite, Public Relations Chair for the Student Government Association, and is an active member of the Outdoor Adventure Club. Brianna regularly volunteers with Ruta 27, a nonprofit organization offering classes to non-native English-speaking adults. She also created a bilingual peer-tutoring network that provides academic support to ESL students.
Udya Dewanamuni, a Physics major from Ronkonkoma, NY, holds a 4.0 GPA and has been consistently named to the Dean’s List for the past two years. Serving as Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), a Senator in Student Government, and President of the Math Club, she is also a STEM Scholar and a Chemistry and Physics tutor. Udya’s interdisciplinary research in physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and computer science reflects her dedication to academic rigor, innovation, and learning through mentorship.
Carolina Hernandez Alvarez, an Accounting major from Riverhead, NY, has a 3.9 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester. A member of the Honors Program, Carolina has received the Honors Program Academic Excellence Award, Outstanding Service Award, and Emerging Student Leader Award. She serves as President of the Latin Elite Club and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and is also a Peer Mentor and ESL Student tutor, demonstrating a strong commitment to both leadership and academic excellence.
Julia Heller-Bomba, a Creative Writing major from East Northport, NY, holds a 3.6 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List for the past two years. Julia is President of the Woman’s Club, Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa, and a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. A TRIO Student Support Services Scholarship recipient, Julia’s nomination for the PTK All-USA/All-State competition recognizes her exceptional academic achievements and leadership abilities.
Nina Kezys, a Psychology major from East Northport, maintains a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition for the past two semesters. She was recently selected for the prestigious 2025 All-USA Academic Team, one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this distinction. This honor recognizes her outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community engagement. Nina was also named a 2025 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar, earning the highest score in New York State in the All-USA Academic Team competition. A Women’s Soccer Team player, Nina serves as Vice President of the Rotaract Community Service Club and Vice President of Membership for Phi Theta Kappa. She is also a member of the Honors and Psychology Clubs and serves as a Peer Mentor overseeing the Michael J. Grant Campus Food Pantry.
Nancy Lorme, an Accounting major from Holtsville, NY, maintains a 3.6 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors each semester. She is President of PTK, Rotaract Club, and the Student African American Sisterhood. A Get There From Here scholar, Nancy serves on the SGA Finance Committee, Conduct Board, and as a regular volunteer at the Food Pantry. Her leadership extends through mentoring roles, including being an Orientation Leader and Peer Mentor, embodying both academic and service-oriented excellence.
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About Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 140,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school, to college, and into careers.
About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
Cold Spring Harbor High School proudly congratulates senior Ryan Smith on earning the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon civilian youth by the United States Congress. This esteemed recognition celebrates Ryan’s exceptional commitment to community service, personal development and civic engagement. In addition, Ryan received special distinction as a STEM Star, highlighting his outstanding contributions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Established by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award is a nonpartisan, voluntary program designed to recognize initiative, achievement and service in America’s youth. Gold Medal recipients must complete a rigorous set of requirements, including a minimum of 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness and a five-day, four-night expedition or exploration to foster cultural awareness and growth.
Ryan dedicated over three years to meeting these requirements. His accomplishments include work at Northwell Health’s 3D Design and Innovation Lab, where he developed an application to monitor oxygen levels in portable tanks used for patient transport—enhancing both safety and efficiency. To further his knowledge, Ryan pursued advanced studies in computer science, artificial intelligence, and mathematics through summer coursework.
As part of his recognition, Ryan has been invited to attend the 2025 Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C., from June 11–13. During the summit, he will engage with Members of Congress, national leaders in business and public service, and fellow Gold Medalists from across the country. His itinerary will include meetings with New York legislators and a formal reception with the Vice President of the United States.
Ryan exemplifies the values of leadership, service and intellectual curiosity. The Cold Spring Harbor Central School District commends him on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to his continued success.
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame will host two free TeachRockworkshops at its Stony Brook location (97 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY) on Wednesday April 30th and Wednesday May 28th at 6 pm. The workshops are free for teachers and eligible for New York CTLE hours. Also included is free access to the LIMEHOF museum prior to the workshop and light dinner/refreshments will be provided.
“TeachRock brings music’s rich history and cultural power into the classroom, and I’m proud that LIMEHOF is helping Long Island educators tap into this inspiring, free resource,” said Tom Needham, LIMEHOF Education Chairman.
These workshops are made possible by BMA Architects. Teachers who wish to attend this free workshop at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame must register in advance at: https://teachrock.org/LIMEHOF/
Details of the workshops:
TeachRock Methods for All Classrooms
Wednesday, April 30th at 6:00 PM
This workshop introduces The TeachRock Method, which empowers educators to connect music, history, and critical thinking to engage and inspire students of all backgrounds. Participants will explore TeachRock’s unique approach to fostering active learning, meaningful discussions, and creativity in the classroom.
Designed both for music teachers seeking to bring more culture and historical context into their classrooms, as well as history and ELA teachers looking to enhance engagement through music, this course provides practical strategies to make learning more dynamic and relevant for all students.
TeachRock Methods for Music Classrooms
Wednesday, May 28th at 6:00 PM
This workshop introduces TeachRock’s method of creating more culturally responsive Music classrooms. Participants will explore how to connect historical events, cultural movements, and social issues to musical content, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.
Teachers will walk away with standards-aligned lessons that integrate music with subjects such as history, social studies, language arts, and even STEAM.
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook, New York. To date, the organization has inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.
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