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Kennedy’s Grace Ham Named Coca-Cola Scholar

Kennedy’s Grace Ham Named Regional Finalist in Coca-Cola Scholars Program thumbnail263507
Grace Ham, a Kennedy senior, has been named a 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar.
Ham is one of 150 regional finalists selected to receive a $20,000 scholarship. She will travel to Atlanta in April to attend the Scholars Weekend.
In the fall, she was chosen from more than 105,000 applicants nationwide and named a semifinalist, along with classmates Dylan Bazelnov and Jayden Simon, and Calhoun senior Ian Klimov. Ham was later among 250 individuals named regional finalists in January. 
Students are evaluated based on community and leadership skills, academic achievements and service.

Teams Place in VEX Robotics Competition

Students at the VEX High Stakes competition . thumbnail264001

Robotics teams throughout the Central High School District have been competing throughout January, with Kennedy High School hosting an exciting VEX V5 Competition on Jan. 25, with 16 teams representing all three of our high schools.  

There were 42 teams in the VEX High Stakes competition from around the county and NYC which came to together in an impressive display of engineering design and robot driving skills. 

“The teams were judged on their innovative robot designs, robot capabilities on the skills field, autonomous programing, and driver-controlled matches,” explained Rob Soel, the district’s STEAM chairperson.“Our students excelled in many categories.” 

 Mepham had two teams advance to the elimination rounds with one team competing in the finals. Calhoun had one team advance to the elimination rounds which competed in the quarterfinals. Kennedy had seven teams advance to the elimination rounds, with two teams competing in the quarterfinals and one in the semifinals. Kennedy also had a team earn the Judges Award trophy. 

More than 100 students in total from throughout the district participated.  

“They are innovative designers, builders and programmers,” Soel said. “Our students displayed great teamwork and sportsmanship in the fast-paced rigorous and fun competition.” 

 

Click here to view the Teams Place in VEX Robotics Competition slideshow.

Date Added: 2/3/2025

 

 

Two Students Crowned Wrestling Champions

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Two students from the Central High School District won their respective weight classes at the first Nassau County girls wrestling championships held on Feb. 2 at Bethpage High School.  

Kennedy High School senior Gabriella Schechtman pinned an opponent from Uniondale for the 145-pound title.  

Taylor Brock, an eighth grader at Grand Avenue Middle School, won the 132-pound title.  

Both girls wrestle as part of a combined all-female team of neighboring districts. They convene at Levittown’s MacArthur High School. 

 

Date Added: 2/5/2025

VIDEO: District Hosts Second Annual STEAM Expo

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The robust science, technology, engineering, art and math departments within the Central High School District were on display for the community on Jan. 30 at the second annual STEAM Expo. 

The interactive event, held at Grand Avenue Middle School, truly showcased our dynamic STEAM curriculum, as well as co-curricular, competition and club offerings. 

From coding drones and NAO robots to operating Sphero bots and student-built robots, to creating 3D art and learning about advanced science research opportunities, and even eSports and gaming, the evening drew families from across Bellmore-Merrick’s elementary component districts. 

Co-organized by Danielle Caliendo, a math and computer science chairperson, and Rob Soel, a science and technology chairperson, nearly 20 teachers and dozens of students collaborated to make the evening an engaging and interactive success. They included; Kiana Barrett, Michelle Biancardo, Ed Catapano, Jessica Conte, Tami Cruz, Barbi Frank, Caitlin Greubel, Ciara Joseph, Taylor Lodespoto, Erin Magliano, James Ng, Deanna Ocampo, Alan Pedisich, Matt Russell, Madison Stapleton, Dan Stiglitz, Rob Tobia, Brad Vogel and Jack Wrobel. 

“The STEAM Expo would not have been the incredible event it was without the dedication of our teachers and the enthusiasm of our students,” Caliendo noted. “Their hard work and passion truly brought STEAM to life. It was inspiring to see our students and future students come together and have fun exploring all that Bellmore-Merrick STEAM has to offer.” 


Click here to view the District Hosts Second Annual STEAM Expo slideshow.

Date Added: 1/31/2025

MAMS Spelling Bee Winners

Congratulations to all the classroom winners who participated in the school wide Scripps Spelling Bee at Merrick Avenue.  thumbnail263958
Congratulations to all the classroom winners who participated in the school wide Scripps Spelling Bee at Merrick Avenue.  thumbnail263959

Congratulations to all the classroom winners who participated in the school wide Scripps Spelling Bee at Merrick Avenue. 

Top winners: in second place was 8th grader, Andrew Militello from Ms.  Richemond’s class, and in first place was 8th grader, Marcus Cilibrasi from Mr. Fallon’s.  Cilibrasi became a two-time champ after 17 rounds by spelling “conciliatory” correctly.  He will move on to the next step of the competition where he will try to qualify for the regionals in March. 

“Thanks also to the entire English department for organizing the classroom competitions and for playing important roles during the bee,” noted Kim Serpe, an English chairperson.

 

Date Added: 1/30/2025

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