High School Coaches Surprise Senior Athletes With Lawn Signs

WEST ISLIP, NY — As a gesture to celebrate the senior year of graduating student athletes, West Islip High School coaches had lawn signs made as a surprise. The signs, reading "senior strong" have senior athletes named printed on them and the West Islip school colors.

West Islip resident Jennifer Mercurio runs a photography business out of a Bay Shore studio and she came up with the design. Her business, Lasting Impressions Studio, is now making the signs for families who want to honor their graduating senior during the coronavirus school shutdowns. She has also designed lawn signs for other districts including North Babylon, Bay Shore, Sachem, Sayville and Babylon.

"It's been good for everybody," Mercurio told Patch, noting that it's a way to stay in business while her normal family and portrait photography has been on hold.

"It supports my business, supports the sign maker, and also feels good for the kids."

Jeanette Hampel's daughter Jaden Hampel received her surprise sign from girls lacrosse coaches Brian Cameron and Nicholas Nicolosi. The coaches left the sign in the family's garden Thursday night.