At the Deer Park School District’s April 22 Board of Education meeting, Deer Park High School celebrated the top 10 academically ranked students of the graduating Class of 2025. With their proud families attending, school administrators and guidance counselors honored valedictorian Reza Zorakhsh, salutatorian Adib Shaikh and the remaining top 10 ranked seniors: Shubat Alam (third), Matthew Flores (fourth), Valerie Ponte (fifth), Gloria Min (sixth), Lissha Varghese (seventh), Utku Uysal (eighth), Hassan Rehman (ninth) and Naeil Alim (10th).

“You’re obviously here for your academic qualifications and accomplishments,” Principal Charlie Cobb told the seniors. “But it’s all the other little things that have rounded you out as a student to get to this point in time. Many of you will go on to college, some will work in the workforce, or may have other plans after high school. Know that what you’ve accomplished here is just a stepping stone for what you look to do after Deer Park High School.”

“To our valedictorian, salutatorian and the other top eight students of the Class of 2025, you have been an exemplary example of hard work, true grit and personal success,” Board President Donna Marie Elliott said. “You have been an important part of life in Deer Park, navigating tough days and celebrating great days during your high school careers. Once you graduate, you will be part of the Deer Park Falcons alumni. To be a member of this group is to feel a sense of pride that you are a part of a great community who from far and wide, still have devotion to Deer Park and to each other. No matter what road you travel, no matter what experiences you have, during your worst days and during your best days, never forget that you are a Falcon and that you have a group of people cheering for you and ready to support you whenever you need it.”

John Quincy Adams Primary School first grader Joshua Cyrius was also recognized for finishing in second place countywide in the Suffolk County Bicycle Safety Poster contest. Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly was on hand to present Cyrius with a certificate.

In staff recognition, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School aide Tina Caruso was honored for her expertise in saving the life of a choking student by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

“Tina demonstrated incredible bravery and quick thinking,” Superintendent James Cummings said. “Thanks to her fast response and calmness under pressure, the student was able to recover safely. Because of Tina’s diligence and heroic actions, what could have been a tragic situation, had a happy ending. We are incredibly grateful for her presence, professionalism and care for our students.”

Date Added: 4/24/2025

Robert Frost Middle School’s ENL department hosted its ENL Family Fun Night on April 10 in the school’s cafeteria. This annual event serves to encourage new ENL families who have moved to the community to connect with each other. Students and their families brought delicious popular food from their countries for all to enjoy, played games and listened to music. 

“Our students also created projects about their countries to display for all to see how diverse and beautiful our district is,” ENL teacher Christy Villalobos said.

Date Added: 4/17/2025

Cody Ciolino, who will take over as Deer Park High School’s new varsity football coach this August, held the first ever Commitment Day on April 8 for Robert Frost Middle School eighth graders who plan to play football in high school. During the event, held in the Frost cafeteria, the incoming football players were introduced to the varsity and JV staff, received varsity jerseys for the day, learned about team expectations and rules, and signed commitment letters to the Falcons football program.

“Getting the title of head coach is something I take great pride in, and I am looking forward to working with the kids here in building the program,” said Ciolino, a seventh-grade special education teacher at Frost and past varsity football assistant. “We are going build it from the middle school up, and we are going to make this program a community property. We are going to be focused on each step of the process. You’ll never hear my coaching staff or myself talk about wins and losses. It’s not important right now. What’s important is laying the foundation the right way, so when Sept. 12 comes, we’re in a situation that we win a football game.”

“This is your first introduction to Deer Park High School from both an academic and an athletic standpoint,” Principal Charlie Cobb told the eighth graders. “Tonight really begins your journey as student-athletes. There are three things I want to talk you about that are going to propel you from middle school to Deer Park High School: hard work, perseverance and dedication. These three characteristics will allow you to be successful in whatever you do in life. If you can hone in on those things right now, as young eighth graders who are are going be ninth graders next year, you are going to be successful, not only athletically on the playing field, but academically as well. I see most of you guys and a lot of parents here tonight have Deer Park colors and gear on. You wear it with pride and when you wear it, remember that you’re not only representing yourself, you’re representing your school, your family, your team, your program and your community. We are looking to build here, starting tonight, so take pride in what you do, because pride leads to good character and good character in life is going to get you where you want to be.” 

Date Added: 4/16/2025

During March, students and staff at Deer Park’s John Quincy Adams Primary School and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School teamed up once again to collect and donate Play-Doh to the children at Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Following last year's successful initiative, over 1,000 cans of Play-Doh were donated. Play-Doh is often used therapeutically in hospitals to offer comfort, provide a creative outlet for expression and serve as a distraction during challenging times. 

“We are grateful to the students and families in the Deer Park community who donated to this wonderful cause,” teachers Kristen Alo and Kathryn Outcault said. “Thank you for helping to make a difference.”

Date Added: 4/16/2025

Deer Park High School’s Library Leaders Club, at the direction of librarian Evan DeNaro, have been busy working to give back to the community. Students recently spearheaded a clothing drive that benefitted Go Green Textile Recycling, whose mission is to redirect clothing to people in need, second hand stores and even overseas. Students worked with teachers and other clubs to collect clothing and work with Go Green to give them a second life. One club member, Genesis Osorio, was inspired to establish the clothing drive and use the proceeds to make donation baskets of sensory books for use in the sensory rooms at John Quincy Adams and May Moore primary schools.  

“We are incredibly grateful to Genesis for organizing a heartfelt fundraiser to provide sensory books and toys for our young learners,” May Moore Associate Principal Kim Essig said. “The students of May Moore will benefit greatly from her dedication and compassion, and this generous donation will continue to support our students for years to come.”

Date Added: 4/15/2025