School Notebook: 'Souper Bowl' in Lindy a Success

While the New York Giants' at Super Bowl XVLI this Sunday has grabbed headlines across the country and in our own backyard in Lindenhurst, a smaller super bowl also took place this weekend that deserves its own headline.

Students at - with the help of Principal Dan Giordano and Caroline Naluai, who teaches culinary arts, career and management, and work-based learning (work-study) classes - put on the charity cook-off on .

The students who put together this year's event - which raised $1,869 for Island Harvest and Habitat for Humanity - are involved in the LHS Character Education Program - or Character in Action (CIA).

The program was started four years ago by Vice Principal , who moved to this year to become .

It was Cirone who pushed the program at the LHS, said Naluai, who explained that it's more of a national movement by youth that teaches Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship.

"What's nice is that in this program you have students of all different walks of Lindy life who participate," Naluai said. "There are no academic requirements. It's about students who want to give back and do the right thing."

She further noted that, "Since it was initiated four years ago, we've seen a drop in disciplinary problems at the high school. It's given kids a focus."

This year, with Cirone gone, the CIA program was without a set advisor, but that didn't deter students who've been participating in the program since its inception.

One student in particular stepped up to push for the charity event, whose proceeds help send LHS students to local Long Island builds for Habitat for Humanity.

That student was Ecco Matlak. She's a senior who's very involved in the performance and visual arts at the high school, and is a member of the LHS Drama and Science Clubs, according to Naluai.

"She went to Mr. Giordano right after the New Year to see if the school could put together another 'Souper Bowl,'" Naluai told Lindenhurst Patch. "Since she started in CIA as a freshman, she wanted to finish out her four years with one last 'Souper Bowl.' She enjoyed the event that much."

Naluai said that Matlak's enthusiasm provided the spark for this year's event - though the school had only mere weeks to line up donations for raffles, get everyone in place for the event and promote it.

Together, Giordano, Naluai, Matlak and the approximately 50 CIA student volunteers pulled together, and their tenacity paid off. On Saturday the LHS cafeteria was filled with approximately 250 attendees that included students, parents, friends and family over the course of two-hour .

Many of them participated in the cook-off, which had a tasting category for chili, soup and desserts that was open to students and adults.

Mike Panarello won in the soup category with his Buffalo Chicken Chowder. Amy Vershure won in the chili category for Uncle John's Spicy Chili. And Donna Mauro won in the dessert category for her Harry versus Voldemort cake.

At the end of the event, 200 pounds of soup, chili, bread and canned goods were also donated to Island Harvest, which immediately transported the food to a soup kitchen in Copiague.

Local businesses also came together, donating time, food to eat and items for the many raffles.

Lindy-based firms included Keystone Tire and Auto (two gift certificates for car care); Outback Steakhouse (six $25 gift certificates); Duffy's (wings); (two gift certificates); ($25 gift card); Darshana Yoga Center (yoga basket for raffle); and Mike on the Mic (donated his time and served as the event's DJ).

Other bigger names included the Long Island Ducks, New York Jets and Mets and the Theater at Westbury.

In addition, Rainbow Rosie's Children's Parties, a new member of the , naturally donated a children's party. The namesake of the Lindy business, Rainbow Rosie, also donated her time and face-painting services, and, according to Naluai, she attracted quite a following.

"The event started at 12 p.m. and lasted until about 2:15 p.m., but Rosie had quite a line, and she stayed until every face in the line was painted," Naluai noted.

The LHS Photo Club also pulled together a silent auction of some of their work for the charity cook-off fundraising event.

Take a look at the highlights of the event.

Photos submitted by Carol Hauser.