🌱 Patch AM: Lights, Camera, Learning: Casting Director Gives Advice To Theater Students

Hi there, Syosset! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Syosset arts students get insider audition tips from top casting director
• How did Syosset Hospital join the nation’s nursing elite?
• Syosset honors Mikey Rampanelli with new scholarships and a heartfelt run

Also on today's calendar: Children's Orchestra Society The 57th Annual Winter Concert and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; colder, with a high of 38 and low of 34 degrees.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and windy, temps: high: 47, low: 26.
• Monday: Colder; windy in the morning, with a high of 37 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Lights, Camera, Learning: Casting Director Gives Advice To Theater Students (patch.com) — Students at the Syosset-based Long Island High School for the Arts sharpened their audition skills when veteran casting director Michael Cassara led a master class focused on monologues, song choices, and professional materials. Principal Lindsay Rogan and participating students said the hands-on feedback and low-pressure setting made the professional audition process feel more attainable and less intimidating.
   

2. Syosset Hospital earns Magnet Designation with Distinction for first time (longislandpress.com) — Syosset residents can take pride that Northwell’s Syosset Hospital has earned Magnet Designation with Distinction for nursing excellence for the first time, placing it among an elite group of U.S. hospitals. The Jericho Turnpike facility was awarded 17 exemplars for outstanding patient outcomes, safety, satisfaction, and nurse engagement, adding to prior honors in stroke, diabetes, and orthopedic care.
   

3. Family dedicates Turkey Trot run to Mikey Rampanelli (syossetadvance.com) — Syosset families are rallying around the Rampanelli family, who dedicated this year’s Oyster Bay Turkey Trot to 21-year-old Mikey Rampanelli and are creating scholarships for Syosset High School seniors who reflect his spirit. With strong support from Syosset and his former wrestling teammates, the new foundation will fund local awards and a NEPPA trade-school scholarship while welcoming community donations.
   

4. Newsday's All-Long Island boys volleyball team 2025 (newsday.com) — Syosset volleyball standout Arkaidiy Rivkin has been named to Newsday’s All-Long Island first team after anchoring the Braves’ offense as one of Nassau County’s most feared hitters. The feature spotlights him alongside top players from Massapequa, Eastport-South Manor, and other Long Island schools, recognizing a dominant season across the region.
   

5. Obituary: In memory of Donald Pawluk (tbrnewsmedia.com) — Longtime Port Jefferson resident and former Syosset child resident Donald Pawluk has died at 77, remembered for his humor, warmth, and love of daily coffee and crosswords. After growing up in Syosset, he became a familiar face at Village Board meetings, known for his sharp eye on government spending and his civil, good-humored advocacy for good governance.
   

📸 Around Syosset

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Syosset

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• Children's Orchestra Society The 57th Annual Winter Concert
  36 Church St, Syosset
  4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• You're Invited to a Little Medical School Open House!
  Calvary Lutheran Church , 36 Taylor Ave , East Meadow
  11:30 am
• Celebrando Pre Navidad- Orquesta Peruvian Nights
  J Nazca Palace , 35-16 Junction Blvd , Corona
  9:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Handel Messiah Holiday Concert with Oratorio Society of Queens, NY — Eddie Zheng, Organist
  Queensborough Performing Arts Center , 222-05 56th Ave , Bayside
  4:00 pm

Friday December 26

• 2 Hours of Open ZEN STEM
  ZEN STEM , 505 Jericho Tpke , Syosset
  10:00 am

📣 Syosset Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• Jericho Cup Wrestling Tournament
  Jericho UFSD Jericho, NY 11753
  9:00 am
• Saturday STEM Programs - Hicksville, NY 2025
  Trinity Lutheran School , 40 W Nicholai St , Hicksville
  10:00 am
• Empire Safety Council Driving Course -In Person ON SITE at POB Library
  Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library , 999 Old Country Rd. , Plainview
  10:00 am
• Tarot or Tea? with Andrija
  Twin Flame , 329 1 Broadway , Bethpage
  12:00 pm
• Tarot or Tea? Readings with Andrija
  Twin Flame , 329 1 Broadway , Bethpage
  12:00 pm
• Saturday Open Swim
  Jericho UFSD Jericho, NY 11753
  12:00 pm
• Eglevsky Ballet
  Tilles Center , 720 Northern Blvd , Greenvale
  1:00 pm
• Sketch & Stretch
  Plainview-Old Bethpage Library , 999 Old Country Rd , Plainview
  3:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Syosset PatchAM possible:

• The Children’s Orchestra Society — (718) 888-0635
  Teaching Children the Language of Music

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• NY Staffing posted a job opening for Pro Customer Service Sales in Syosset. Apply here.
• Lifetime posted a job opening for Aquatics Swim Instructor in Syosset. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Syosset here.

Ok Syosset! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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