Five Deer Park High School students – Sasha Khellawan, Brandon Lanaro, Katia Papailler, Luis Rodriguez and Sidra Syed – attended DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida at the end of April. They were among more than 20,000 students from across the country and around the world participating in a variety of business and marketing events.

Syed,a freshman, was an international finalist in Principles of Marketing, placing her in the top 20 worldwide in that event. She was one of only 24 students from New York State to earn this distinction.

Date Added: 5/16/2023

Deer Park High School seniors Arianna Jones and Joseph Sciurca were recently named winners of this year’s Suffolk Zone Awards. Both have maintained a 100 average in physical education.

The Suffolk Zone Chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance annually gives awards to one male and one female student in each Suffolk high school, selected for excellent achievement in physical education, outstanding character and leadership in schoolwide activities.

Jones is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and Science Honor Society. Besides being a leader in the classroom, she is involved in many extracurricular activities including track and cross-country, sound crew, and Dungeons and Dragons Club. Outside of school, Jones is involved in the Civil Air Patrol and the New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead, and studies theater and dance at the Vic D’Amore Studio of Dance as well as Brazilian jiu jitsu.

A class leader because of his consistent effort and positive attitude, Sciurca has been on the Gold Honor Roll each quarter since sixth grade. Outside the classroom, he is involved in numerous sports and clubs. He has been a member of the track program since his freshman year as well as the soccer team. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Math and Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and marching band. He is also a junior member of the Deer Park Fire Department.     

Date Added: 5/8/2023

Deer Park High School held its annual College and Career Week from April 24-28, providing students with the opportunity to meet and speak with over 15 different colleges, universities, trades, unions and military services each day of the week.

“We had an amazing turnout from our students, who loved being able to meet with representatives from various institutions during their lunch breaks,” Associate Principal Dina Pannone said.

Date Added: 5/5/2023

Deer Park High School’s English students continued the Book Buddies program by promoting reading with fifth graders from John F. Kennedy Intermediate School. The younger students chose books to peer-read with sophomores and juniors from the high school. After an initial virtual meet-and-greet, students met in person for the first time at JFK, where they discussed characters they loved, literary concepts and social-emotional lessons raised in the books.

The Book Buddies met two more times over the project, including a final meeting where the fifth graders visited Deer Park High School and had a final discussion about their books. The “Buddies” loved the project, sharing their love of choice reading and discussing the challenges of growing up. The high schoolers developed leadership skills throughout the project, leading discussions, making reading plans and identifying key concepts.

“I was impressed by my students embracing their mentor roles, demonstrating their ability to peer deeply into texts, to make authentic connections and to find value in the reading and sharing process,” 11th grade teacher Teresa Greco said.

“There is no greater academic skill than reading, and to see the passion and exuberance displayed by all of our students solidified the importance of this tremendous activity,” Deer Park High School Principal Charles Cobb said.

“This project was a great way to motivate and encourage readers, build confidence and make connections,” JFK Associate Principal Marilin Gutierrez said.

“I have been participating in the Book Buddies program for three years now, and every year the kids absolutely love it,” JFK fifth grade teacher Nina Ragone said. “The fifth graders always want to impress their partners with new ideas and they really take pride in their work.”

Date Added: 5/3/2023

Deer Park High School’s Class of 2023 top 10 students were honored at the Deer Park School District’s April 25 Board of Education meeting. With their proud families looking on, school administrators lauded the success of these outstanding students, recognizing valedictorian Sophia Zorakhsh, salutatorian Sarah Naqvi and the remaining top 10 ranked seniors: Steven Mendell (third), Brett Patrick (fourth), Jimmy Jiang (fifth), Ryder Min (sixth), Tiffany Bala (seventh), Gabriella Ortiz (eighth), Kayley Eising (ninth) and Ryan Klivansky (10th).

“Regardless of what topic you are talking about, the top 10 is signified with one common theme,” Principal Charles Cobb said. “We are talking about the best of the best, the elite. In this instance tonight, we are here to recognize our academic elite, our top 10 students at Deer Park High School. Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment. We are proud of you and look forward to all that you are going to accomplish in the future.”

“Congratulations to all of you and your families,” Board President Donna Marie Elliott told the seniors, “No matter where your endeavors take you, we wish you great success and much happiness.”

Date Added: 5/3/2023