Commack HS Student Wins LI Music And Entertainment Hall Of Fame Scholarship

COMMACK, NY — The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) recently awarded $1K scholarships to 10 graduating students from Long Island, the hall of fame announced.

Dara Gordon from Dix Hills, a graduate of Commack High School, was one of the scholarship winners.

Gordon said she is "ecstatic to begin studying musical theater in the fall at Shenandoah Conservatory."

"I would like to thank my teachers, coaches and friends for their time and support and especially my parents for the long trips to auditions and their incredible dedication," she said. "My heart is full."

The full list of LIMEHOF scholarship winners were:

• Cooper Arbisi (Massapequa, Massapequa High School)
• Stephen Buff (Center Moriches, Center Moriches High School, Flute)
• Cody Chelune (Levittown, Island Trees High School, Vocal, Tenor)
• Jocelyn Chiu (Albertson, Herricks High School, Instrument: Harp)
• Giuliana Gallone (Kings Park, Kings Park High School, Vocal/Bass Clarinet, Guitar & Piano)
• Dara Gordon (Dix Hills, Commack High School Vocal/Musical Theater)
• Emily Helbock (Sayville, Sayville High School, Instrument: French Horn/Piano)
• Ryan Loughlin (Farmingdale, Farmingdale High School, Vocal, Bass/Baritone, Cello/Piano)
• Aidan Passaro (Mt. Sinai, Mt. Sinai High School, Vocal, Tenor/Piano)
• Julian Zuzzolo (Sea Cliff, North Shore High School, Percussion)

For the second year in a row, a Pat DeRosa Memorial Scholarship was awarded in memory of LIMEHOF inductee Pat DeRosa.

Peter Hoss from Greenlawn, a graduate of Harborfields High School who plays tenor saxophone, won the scholarship.

"We are thrilled to award these scholarships to such talented and dedicated young musicians," said Tom Needham, LIMEHOF’s educational programs director, in a news release. "Supporting the next generation of music students as they embark on their college journeys is at the heart of our mission. These scholarships not only recognize their hard work and passion but also reinforce our commitment to nurturing musical talent and education within our community. We can't wait to see what these young people will accomplish in their musical careers."

This is the first year that LIMEHOF has expanded its scholarships to include not only music but also the performing arts. This also marks the largest number of scholarships awarded in a single year since the program began.

LIMEHOF has awarded tens of thousands of scholarships to Long Island high school students since its inception. The students submit applications that are judged by LIMHOF’s education committee, chaired by board member Needham.

This year had a record number of applications received. Students from schools in Queens and Brooklyn are eligible to apply in addition to those from Nassau and Suffolk counties.