Large murals created by high school students enrolled in the school’s mural painting class were recently installed in the hallways. The student-artists worked with a new material called CanvasTac that is traditionally used for large billboards and trade show banners. This very durable and flexible canvas has a very sticky back. Once it is installed on the walls, it is permanent until it ever needs to be removed, and then it can be peeled off and installed in a new location. Using this material allowed the students to be able to work in class and then roll their canvas up to take home and continue to work on. The mural students are also currently working on a second series of paintings that will be installed prior to the end of the school year.

 

The high school’s Gay Straight Alliance club, directed by Victoria Rosenthal, sponsored the Day of Silence on April 23. A national, student-led movement, the Day of Silence features students standing up against LGBTQ discrimination, harassment and lack of inclusivity by taking a vow of silence for the entire day. 

Deer Park’s Spanish Honor Society, French Honor Society and many in-person and virtual high school students supported this important movement and pledged their silence for the day. All participants received a GSA-created pin recognizing their vow.

The high school honored its top 10 graduates of the Class of 2021 at the district’s April 28 Board of Education meeting. Recognized were valedictorian Jasleen Kaur, salutatorian Matthew Heinen and the remaining top 10 ranked seniors: James Hope (ranked third), Ushima Chowdhury (fourth), Sameem Ahmadzai (fifth), Gianna Giffone (sixth), Taylor Korsiak (seventh), Isabella Coon (eighth), Steven Shames (ninth) and Victoria Mung (10th).

“Your accomplishments here are based on the last four years of academic success you’ve had here at Deer Park High School, but in all actuality, it began much earlier than that,” Principal Charles Cobb told the seniors. “It is important to recognize not only your accomplishments, but those of your parents, guardians and the teachers that you’ve had along the way from every building in the district. This is just the start. There’s no doubt in my mind that you will continue to achieve vast and amazing accomplishments in whatever you go on to after high school. Remember what you’ve accomplished here and use it as a base and foundation as you move forward, but always continue to strive for more, to better yourself and your community.”

 

The high school’s Class of 2021 valedictorian and salutatorian are Jasleen Kaur and Matthew Heinen, respectively.

Kaur, who serves as president of Deer Park’s Red Cross Club, earned a perfect score on the ACT. As a member of DECA, she is a four-time state award winner and four-time international competitor, and was elected president of New York State DECA. She is a member of the school’s varsity girls soccer and track teams, and also interned on Jackie Gordon’s congressional campaign. Kaur will attend Harvard University, majoring in physics.

Heinen is a member of Deer Park’s National Honor Society and Sanish Honor Society member. As an athlete, he has played on the school’s varsity and JV soccer teams and participated in CYO travel basketball. He will attend Haverford College, majoring in computer science.