The Deer Park School District’s Board of Education honored one of its own at the June 17 meeting, paying tribute to esteemed trustee Anthony Henkel, who is retiring from the Board after two terms and relocating to Tampa, Florida. In a heartwarming ceremony attesting to his impact, the Board and administrators recalled Henkel’s remarkable journey from student to board member with fondness and admiration, recounting his many contributions and successes as a trustee.
A lifelong Deer Park resident, Henkel graduated from Deer Park High School in 2017. During his high school career, he was inducted into the National Honor Society, participated in DECA, served as editor-in-chief of the yearbook, and explored his passion for theater by participating in many of the school’s plays and musicals. Through the early college program, which he started as a high school junior, he graduated with honors a year later from Suffolk County Community College, and at age 19, earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY New Paltz. In 2020, he successfully ran for the Board of Education, and was handily reelected in 2022. During his tenure as trustee, Henkel also served as a board member of the Deer Park Arts Council and worked with the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying.
Board President Donna Marie Elliott read aloud a statement from Superintendent Jim Cummings, who was unable to attend in person.
“Anthony is completing his service on the Board of Education after two terms marked by genuine dedication, steady leadership and a clear passion for our schools,” Cummings said. “His commitment to our students has always been front and center, whether it’s advocating for academics, supporting mental health initiatives or championing extracurricular opportunities. But if you know Anthony, you know that the arts hold a special place in his heart. He has been a true champion for the music, theater and visual arts programs that shape the creativity and confidence of our students. Because of his efforts, our arts programs have not only endured, but thrived, earning recognition across the region and giving students a place to express themselves and shine. Anthony brought a unique perspective as both a trustee and an alumnus. His love for Deer Park didn’t begin in the boardroom, it began in the classrooms and hallways of our schools, and that perspective has been a powerful reminder to all of us of the longlasting impact this district has on the lives it touches. Anthony, on behalf of the entire school community, thank you for your years of service, your steady presence and your belief in our students. We wish you nothing but the best in whatever comes next.”
Other heartfelt tributes came from Executive Director for Instructional Technology and Innovation Jay Murphy, Fine and Performing Arts Director Bradley Murphy and each member of the Board.
“I want to thank the Deer Park community for trusting me to represent our town on the Board,” Henkel said. “I hope I lived up to the high standards of this incredible community. For the people of Deer Park put their trust in a 20-year-old kid, someone who didn’t have much real-world experience but knew that he wanted to give back, says a lot about the fabric of our community. It was truly my honor to serve you. Being a member of this Board has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The lessons I’ve learned and the people I met will stay with me forever. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Date Added: 6/23/2025