School Notebook: LVC Team Honored, Student Performances, Healthy Living

Here's a quick round-up of recent student achievements, projects and happenings within the school district.

Performance, Honors and Cheerleading
There were many accolades handed out at the the Board of Education Community Forum at .

The Varsity Girls Cheerleading team and its coaches Michele Corcoran and Anne Wishniak were honored for placing at the team's at in Orlando, Florida in .

Jackie Buddenhagen, and senior this year and one of the LVC team's captains, spoke at the meeting, commeding her coaches for their belief in the team.

"Without the leadership of the coaches, we couldn't have done it," she said. "Thank you for helping put Lindenhurst on the map at Nationals."

She also thanked everyone who back the LVC team: "You have no idea what this meant to us."

She and her teammates presented Corcoran and Wishniak with yellow roses, bringing tears to their eyes for the unexpected recognition.

Music teacher Elyse Gellert was recognized by the district and the BOE for her work with the (LISFA).

Custodian was honored for quickly alerting authorities to - the Lindenhurst man who was earlier on after to gain access to the school.

Attendees were also treated to a performance of two songs - Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 and another selection by Tito Puente - by fifth- and sixth-graders from around the district who participated in the annual at the LHS on .

Sharing the Music
The Jazz Band and Select Chorus visited the AHRC
School for Developmentally Disabled children in Brookville for the annual Share the Music, Raise Your Voice performance.

The Jazz Band, under the direction of Kelly Hayes, performed two selections that'll be played at the upcoming Spring concert in May.

The Select Chorus, under the direction of Kathleen Reilly and Candice Rice, shared three pieces that'll also be performed at the Spring concert.

After the LMS students sang, they interacted with the AHRC students. “It was a wonderful day of sharing music,” explained Miss Reilly.

“Our students showed true compassion and kindness,” she added.

Great White Way in Lindy
Actor and actress Michael and Jillian (Jill) Zygo impressed LHS drama students in ’s classes with their talent and enthusiasm, according to school officials.

The couple has performed together for more than 10 years.

Jill is an actress and singer, and Michael is making his Broadway debut in March in Once, a new musical celebration of life and love that's based on the Oscar-winning film by the same name.

The Zygos sang a duet to Falling Slowly, an Oscar-winning song from Once and Maybe Leavings Not the Only Way to Go from Big River.

Jill advised the young thespians, “You must have a diverse life to bring something to the theater. Take risks and learn by doing.”

School Champions
The LMS once again recognized students for their hard work and dedication at the school's monthly Breakfast for Champions at the .

Students honored this time included Steven Balkam; Aidan Downey; Kayla Geyer; Patricia McCarren; Danielle McInerney; Elianny Montilla; Talia Rea; Briana Reichelt; Oz Rodriguez; Brandon Rosenberg; Billy Sims; Max Sims; and Christie Van Florcke. 

Health Smart
Christine Bentley from the recently presented LMS seventh-graders with an environmental awareness program entitled Be Smart About Your Health.

The program challenged students to review perceptions about their home environment, and introduced them to the world of organics, pesticides, label reading and plastics, according to school officials.

Students explored foods that are deemed lowest in pesticides such as onions, corn and pineapple, and those that deemed highest like apples, celery and strawberries.

Students also learned about non-toxic alternatives to household chemicals, such as using red chili powder or Tabasco sauce to get rid of ants and club soda to remove fresh food stains.

Photos and information submitted by Carol Hauser.

Editor's Note: Take a peek through the at the photo highlights.