W.T. Clarke High School’s music department in the East Meadow School District is proud to recognize three student standouts, seniors Athina Petkanas and Nikhil Panickssery, and junior Ryan Giannitelli.

Petkanas was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical by the Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance. She qualified for the award after her performance of Maria Rainer in Clarke High School's production of “The Sound of Music” on Feb. 11-12. It is currently the only student award in the New York metropolitan area that recognizes distinction in student performance and outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre programs.

“I’m glad that younger kids in the district can see that it’s possible to achieve stuff like this,” Petkanas said. “What means the most to me is being a role model for those students and I’m happy that they now have the inspiration to do well for themselves and give back to this program.”

Earlier this year, Panickssery received the Long Island Arts Alliance Scholar Artist Award of Merit. Each year, top high school seniors who are nominated by their school districts, and then selected for the honor by arts educators and community leaders, are recognized as “the best of the best” on Long Island.

“I’ve put a lot of time into music and my studies,” said Panickssery, who is a member of Clarke’s Wind Ensemble. “I like to take a lot of challenging courses, so between my academics and music, they both end up taking up a lot of my time. Putting in all that work and getting recognized for it is pretty cool.”

Giannitelli, who plays the viola and sings tenor in Clarke’s chorale, was accepted to the Robert L. Poster Apprentice Conducting Program through the New York Youth Symphony. Under the guidance of NYYS Music Director Michael Repper, this program gives aspiring orchestral conductors the opportunity to study the art of conducting through rehearsal technique, stick technique, score analysis, podium time, observation and guided talkback sessions. Through this program, Giannitelli learned about the art of conducting and had the opportunity to conduct small ensembles through the Youth Symphony.

“It meant a lot to me to earn this internship,” Giannitelli said. “Getting the opportunity from Ms. Shenker to do the workshops, I understand that not too many people get the opportunity to do something like that. It made me really excited to be a part of this.”

The district congratulates W.T. Clarke High School’s music department and their outstanding students on all of their success.

Date Added: 6/17/2022

On June 15, the East Meadow School District’s Board of Education honored W.T. Clarke High School Rams wrestlers Jordan Soriano, Justin Soriano and Jack Forte with certificates of excellence for their performance at the 2022 NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships.

Jordan Soriano became the school’s first New York State wrestling champion, while Justin Soriano and Jack Forte earned third-place honors at the state tournament on Feb. 26. East Meadow School District Athletic Director Kristi Detor recognized W.T. Clarke High School Athletic Director Joshua Friedman and wrestling coaches Michael Leonard Sr. and Michael Leonard Jr. for their efforts in guiding these student successes.

“The amount of time they put into the wrestling program is unbelievable,” Ms. Detor said. “The commitment that they put in and the relationships that have been formed are the reasons these kinds of athletic programs succeed.”

The district commends the Rams’ wrestling team on an historic season.

Date Added: 6/17/2022

W.T. Clarke High School in East Meadow held a Career Seminar on June 3 in the school’s Art Gallery.

The event served as a wonderful way to celebrate Clarke's seniors in Career Seminar with people who matter so much to them, and to show the younger grades what they can look forward to. Most want to work at Party City, by the way! Thank you just doesn't seem enough for our appreciation to every one of you for playing a part in these students' education and lives. To hear them say "This was the best day ever!" warmed our hearts and confirmed that we all are helping to make a difference.

Pictured are the four students who presented and shared their resumes with guests with two of their teachers, Ms. Lori Polansky and Mr. John Manzella.

Date Added: 6/9/2022

Nicholas Espinosa, a senior at W.T. Clarke High School in the East Meadow School District, was awarded $2,500 as a finalist in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Espinosa, W.T. Clarke’s valedictorian, was one of only 2,500 scholars in the nation to earn a National Merit scholarship. All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the finalist group based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments — without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference.

“Nicholas is in an elite group of high achieving students,” said W.T. Clarke High School Principal Timothy Voels. “He is humble, kindhearted and a young man of incredible integrity.”

National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a nonprofit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

Date Added: 6/3/2022

W.T. Clarke High School's Careers Seminar senior class cleaned out the three flowerpots in front of the high school and planted flowers that were donated by the PTSA. Additionally, their amazing Careers & Finance freshmen self-contained students planted the remaining PTSA-donated flowers in the front of the high school by the flagpole.

Date Added: 5/25/2022