The East Meadow Board of Education recognized district administrators, their staff and retiring staff members at their meeting on June 16.

First, each building principal, along with Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics Kristi Detor, was introduced by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Card. Then, Board of Education President Mr. Matthew Melnick and Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration Mr. Anthony Russo commended the administrators on their steadfast devotion to their students and staff during this past year.  

“Truthfully, the world threw a pandemic at you and you didn’t flinch,” Mr. Melnick said. “In fact, you took every regulation, rule and guidance with grace and did incredible things to offer the best possible education to our students this year.”

Additionally, administrators Parkway Elementary School Principal Jamie Mack and Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services Patrice Dobies were honored for their years of committed and excellent work for the district. Both outstanding administrators will be retiring at the end of the year. 

“Thank you both, for the times when the most difficult of situations were solved because of your expertise and depth of understanding,” Dr. Card said. “Thank you for caring, for always being there and most of all, thank you both for just being you.”

The W.T. Clarke High School ASL Honor Society hosted a 5K to benefit the Guide Dogs Foundation on June 15. Students in Maria Kaminsky’s class raised money through fundraising in the community and donated more than $2,700 to the foundation. Special thanks to the local East Meadow businesses who donated funds for the worthy cause.

W.T. Clarke High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 at Nassau County’s Mitchel Field Athletic Complex on June 27. The field, adorned with accents of Clarke’s signature maroon, was the chosen location for the ceremony to safely accommodate all of the graduates and their families in one event.

The graduates proudly processed onto the field to the sound of the classic “Pomp and Circumstance.” They were accompanied by the East Meadow Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth A. Card Jr. and members of central administration, Principal Timothy Voels, members of the building administration and W.T. Clarke faculty and staff.  

Following a moving patriotic rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the senior chorus, salutatorian Saniya Gaitonde, valedictorian Justin Guo and senior class president Catherine Posillico kicked off the student speech portion of the ceremony. Justin and Saniya, top two graduates of the Class of 2021, reflected on a year like no other in their addresses.

“Perhaps the most resounding lesson that we can take away from this year is that we can always adapt to the situation in which we are thrown,” Saniya said.

“Today we celebrate the conclusion of one of Clarke’s most challenging years,” Justin said. “My fellow graduates, you fought through two of the most arduous and demanding academic years in history and absolutely excelled.”

Following the graduates’ addresses, Superintendent Dr. Card and Board of Education President Matthew Melnick each gave commencement addresses. Dr. Card echoed the sentiments of the students, acknowledging the perseverance required by students to successfully complete the 2020-21 school year.

“You are the class we have been waiting and hoping for, the class that will change the world because of your experience,” Dr. Card said. “You have triumphed over the last 13 years with us, and the past 15 months have tested you and you have emerged stronger than ever.”

The presentation of diplomas followed, with each student being called by name to be recognized for their successful completion of high school. As the students began their recession from the field after receiving their diplomas, the crowd roared with applause for the new W.T. Clarke High School alumni.  

The district would like to extend their most sincere congratulations to each of these students and their families and wishes them success and luck in their future endeavors.

Katelyn Diaz, a junior at W.T. Clarke High School, was recently recognized for her positive contributions to the community with the Nassau County District Attorney SHIELD Award. The award, created by former District Attorney Madeline Singas, is presented to a high school junior who, selected by their school, showed an outstanding strength of character, commitment to self-growth and the spirit and initiative.

Academically, Katelyn is an incredibly strong student with an organized and strategic work ethic.

"From the time I've known her, she has consistently made appointments with me to ask questions about her future, college options, the best courses she should take, and ways for her to get even more involved in school and within her community," guidance counselor Rachel Tufano said.
"Overall, she is one of the humblest students I have encountered in my career. She is exceptionally kind, caring, genuine, and open minded. Despite the multiple personal challenges she has encountered this year, she has continued to persevere and come to school every day with a smile on her face and positive and optimistic attitude."

A team of students from W.T. Clarke High School recently captured first place in the Junior Achievement of New York Business Plan Competition. Seniors Anjali Aggarwal, Ryan Faude, Jeena Trinh and Raheem Sheikh created a product called the CerebroTech LLC, a tool that connects to an app that can be used to strengthen concentration, boost memory and ease anxiety. Similar to a fidget spinner, the cube can help users to remain focused while working or learning.

The theme of the competition was COVID-19, and the idea for the CerebroTech came naturally when the team began discussing what they should create.

“We designed it specifically with students in mind, because we can get distracted during online learning,” Raheem explained. “With our product, they not only can focus better but they can also train their brains so they can improve mental capability in the future.”

The team competed in the intensive entrepreneurship experience against more than 100 other teams throughout New York State. The competition included several rounds of virtual competition, starting at the school level and culminating at the state level.

Anjali, Ryan, Jeena and Raheem created a 3D prototype of the CerebroTech and printed it using the school’s 3D printers. Additionally, Raheem and Jeena hand drew designs for the packaging and app pages, which they then presented to the judges during an engaging presentation. Along with the visual components, the team believes what truly set them apart in the competition was their ability to work together seamlessly.

“We work really well as a team and we all helped each other in the process,” Anjali said. “This resulted in us knowing every aspect of the business inside and out and having really good chemistry during our presentation.”

Business teacher Joe Pavia praised the students for their hard work and success, especially with the challenges they faced during the 2020-21 school year.

“Even the pandemic couldn’t stop this team,” he said. “It seems as though no obstacles were going to keep them from their entrepreneurial destiny!”

The district congratulates these students on their impressive achievement.