South Huntington School District Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary In Grand Style

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY — Heartfelt sentiments of pride, community and tradition resounded throughout the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Walt Whitman High School as the South Huntington School District celebrated its 100th anniversary, the district announced in a news release.

The district’s Dec. 10 board meeting was turned into a "momentous celebration" with student performances, history displays, school memorabilia, and, of course, a birthday cake.

The evening paid tribute to the generations of students, teachers, administrators, board members, and families who have walked the hallways of the district’s 12 schools — some that no longer exist — over the last 100 years and have helped shape South Huntington into the top-rated school district it is today.

A "Then and Now" display in the PAC lobby highlighted how the people and places in the district have changed over the last century. The Walt Whitman Art Gallery featured a collection of district artifacts including photos, artwork, and school memorabilia. Guests were able to view the displays and enjoy hors d'oeuvres served by South Huntington’s School Nutrition Services while the Walt Whitman High School Chamber Orchestra performed.

When the school board meeting officially began at 7:30 p.m. in the PAC auditorium, the audience was treated to special performances by students from all seven of the district’s current schools. Oakwood Primary Center got things off to a great start with their performance of the song "Unstoppable" by Sia followed by Countrywood Primary Center students’ rendition of "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars.

Maplewood Intermediate School continued the party with their performance of "Celebrate Tonight." And no birthday is complete without singing "Happy Birthday to You." Birchwood Intermediate School’s dual language students performed the song in both English and Spanish, accompanied by musicians from Birchwood’s Fifth Grade Band.

Silas Wood’s Sixth Grade Band took the stage to perform "Dance Celebration," and Walt Whitman High School’s Jazz Band took the audience back to the 1930s with Cole Porter’s "Begin the Beguine."

The trip back in time continued with a newspaper report from the 1920s that was researched and written by Stimson Middle School’s 7th Grade Research Class.

Then, performers from Walt Whitman’s dance program danced attendees through the decades with a special choreographed number featuring popular dance trends including Hip Hop, the Floss, Voguing, Running Man, Disco, Swing, and the Charleston.

Following the video presentation "100 Years of Memories," board members presented the 100th anniversary cake.

Superintendent Dr. Vito D'Elia said this centennial marks the enduring spirit of a community dedicated to the well-being of its children.

"In the beginning, this district had a handful of small, one-room schoolhouses and has now blossomed into a school community that focuses on education, culture and equitable opportunity for all," D'Elia said. "Previous generations of Wildcats laid the foundation of excellence, instilled values of hard work, inclusivity and a passion for learning. These conditions continue to guide us today. They’re evident in our classrooms where students thrive academically and personally."

The South Huntington Union Free School District was created on Dec. 10, 1924 with a vote by 140 taxpayers to merge South Huntington Common District #12 and West Hills Common District #13 with the goal of building a new, large school to accommodate the community’s rapidly-growing population. That school, which was called Central School, opened in 1928.

Today, South Huntington is one of the Top 10 school districts in Suffolk County, according to Niche.com.