Schools

Volly For Val Event Held In Smithtown Student's Memory

All proceeds from a raffle benefitted the family of Valerie Kratochvil, who died in 2024. Check out photos from the bittersweet day.

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Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0440___05164059026.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0436___05164103618.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0460___05164117079.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0428___05164122932.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0475___05164154882.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0468___05164206025.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0477___05164226170.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0481___05164238565.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/dsc-0478___05164249084.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20250305/044417/styles/patch_image/public/img-4230___05164254776.jpg
Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament held at Smithtown High School East and in honor of former student, Valerie Kratochvil, on March 5. (Courtesy of Smithtown School District)

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Smithtown Central School District community came together on Wednesday to honor the memory of beloved student Valerie Kratochvil, who died in 2024, the district announced.

Students and faculty faced off in a "Volley For Val" volleyball tournament at Smithtown High School East, featuring former field hockey and track teammates of Valerie, as well as athletes from Smithtown High School West.

Valerie was involved in field hockey, track, the club Athletes Helping Athletes and was an All-County musician.

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The High School East Chamber Choir started the event with a beautiful rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Smithtown High School East student Maggie Worontzoff addressed those in attendance.

Find out what's happening in Smithtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Let’s play today with the same passion and spirit that Valerie had, and let’s carry her spirit with us always," she said.

A raffle was held with all proceeds benefitting the Kratochvil family.

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