Amityville Memorial High School students had a chance to explore their futures during the annual spring college fair on March 29. Representatives were in attendance from more than 100 colleges and universities on Long Island, in the city, upstate and throughout the Northeast. Attendees could also earn about opportunities in the military and law enforcement.

Students traveled throughout the gymnasium and were able to ask questions about academic programs, athletics and extracurricular activities, scholarship opportunities, on-campus housing and more. For underclassman, the college fair gave them a chance to understand admissions requirements, while seniors could learn about the next steps in the application process. 

Amityville Memorial High School sophomores Jared Davis and Alexa Victor were selected to receive the Students Building Bridges Award from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island. 

They were nominated by social studies Chairwoman Dawn Mizrachi, their Advanced Placement world history teacher. The award recognizes students for their efforts in bridging the community, teaching tolerance and completing services that aim to advocate change and improve lives of others.

Jared and Alexa will be publicly honored at Suffolk County’s Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Day program on Thursday, May 3, at Suffolk County Community College. They will each receive a citation from an elected official and a certificate from JCRC-LI.

The National World Language Honor Society at Amityville Memorial High School welcomed 53 new members at its March 27 induction ceremony.

New members were recognized for their achievement in learning new languages and embracing other cultures. Membership was offered to students with an average of 85 or above in Spanish or French classes. 

Each inductee received a certificate and a medal. Teachers Elisa Castro and Sandra Whitney introduced the 43 Spanish language students who were selected for membership, joining 10 students from Brooke Prestano’s French classes. 

New members of the Spanish Honor Society are Cedric Agenor, Albiery Amaya, Jasmine Ambrose, Celian Aracena, Karina Aracena, Kayla Barrett, Olivia Bennett, Makhai Barton, Daniela Campos, Bryan Canales, Nayeliz Canas, Hasson Cantarero Hernandez, Mary Dexter, Jeffrey Garcia, Ariel Graham, Natalya Grant, Andrea Grijalva, Chantel Hinds, Krystian Hobson, Aaliyah Hunt, Marco Iorio, Maksymilian Kiec, Aleyna Kokoglu, Mert Kokoglu, Nathalie Larin, Jessica Licona, Rachelle Louisjean, Jasmin Lucero, Meghan Luders, Ryan McPherson, Nidia Mendoza, Odalys Murcia, Brayan Nieto, William Orellano, Nil Patel, Ashley Pico, Chelsie Rodriguez, Stephanie Rodriguez, Gleny Inoa Rodriguez, Jazmin Ruiz, Ameila Tisk, Katirya Tyson-Cardona and Z’Dhanne Williams.

New members of the French Honor Society are Stephany Carbajal, Brianna Mazzilli, Ernesto Monzon, Amaya Pelzer-Covington, Aatyra Robinson, Ava Sutherland, Anneth Taylor, Jordan Tobin, Trinity Tobin and Alexa Victor. 

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance in English, French and Spanish. There was a merengue dance presentation, candle-lighting ceremony and recognition of senior honor society members. Congratulatory remarks came from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary T. Kelly, Director of ENL and World Languages Mary Stephens, and high school Principal Maria Andreotti.

“Being multilingual will prepare you to be successful in a global community,” Ms. Andreotti told the inductees. 

New York State wrestling champion Deonte Wilson has brought great pride to his school and community with his athletic prowess and kind heart, and he was fittingly honored during a special ceremony at Amityville Memorial High School.

The Town of Babylon declared March 29 Deonte Wilson Day and Supervisor Richard Schaffer presented him with a proclamation. Deonte was joined by his family, coaches, high school and district administrators, and board of education trustees, who all attended to personally congratulate the senior. Among the words and phrases used to describe him: “determination,” “amazing young man” and “role model.”

One of the top ranked high school wrestlers in the United States, Deonte was the state wrestling champion in the 285-pound weight class and became a three-time All-American Wrestler as he finished second in the country at the wrestling nationals on March 25. He plans to continue wrestling in college and is currently in the process of selecting a school.

“It feels pretty good when people call you one of the best in the nation,” Deonte said. “Knowing I accomplished so much, it means something to me and to the community.”

Deonte, a member of the varsity team since eighth grade, said he wouldn’t have been able to make his dream come true without the support from his coaches and family. After winning the state title, he called his mother to wish her a happy birthday before sharing his news. 

He also discussed the importance of having a strong work ethic and maintaining good grades. In addition to wrestling, he plays football in the fall and runs for the track team in the spring.

“Aside from being an outstanding athlete, he’s the kindest, most caring person you would ever want to meet,” Principal Maria Andreotti said. “Deonte represents the best of what we have to offer as a school and as a district.”

Speakers at the ceremony included Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Health Evan Farkas, head wrestling coach Greg McCoy and volunteer assistant coach Billy Maisel. 

“He’s worked extremely hard toward this goal and has put in so much work when it comes to his sport,” said coach McCoy. “He has reignited the Amityville wrestling program.”

The characters from more than a dozen Dr. Seuss books came alive on the Amityville Memorial High School stage as the Drama Club hosted its spring musical, “Seussical,” with four performances from March 23-25.

The show featured 35 students from the high school, Edmund W. Miles Middle School and Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School, along with two alumni. It was based upon the works of the renowned children’s author, and followed the adventures of Horton and Jojo as they traveled through the Jungle of Nool and Who-ville, as the Cat in the Hat narrated.

Lead actors included senior Shival Sohan as the Cat in the Hat, sixth-grader Ayden Carton as Jojo, fifth-graders Arianna and Brianna Cuevas as Thing 1 and Thing 2, senior Jacob Marrero as Horton the Elephant, freshman Colleen Compitello as Gertrude McFuzz, sophomore Trinity Tobin as Mayzie LaBird, sophomore Alexa Victor as General Gengus Khan Schmitz and freshman Alexander Diaz as the leader of the Wickersham Brothers.

Shaakirah Nazim-Harris played Sour Kangaroo, Tiffany Asbell was Young Kangaroo and Daniel Lutz and Imagine Halyard starred as Mr. and Mrs. Mayor. There was also Amber Palmer as Yurtle the Turtle, Johnatan Blanchard as the Grinch, Kyra Lee as the Lorax and DeAsia McCorvey as Vlad Vladikoff. 

The show was directed by Melissa Asbell and Megan Ashe, and the pit orchestra director was Jolene Maccarone.