Students from Merrick Avenue and Grand Avenue Middle Schools faced off against Wisdom Lane and Salk from Levittown School District on April 4 in a Super Smash Bros. tournament.

Each school held its own individual tournament to determine its top eight players, and this competition was to determine the best of the best.

It was a clean sweep, with the GAMS Grizzlies and MAMS Rams clinching all four top spots.

Emilio Pico from Grand Avenue took first place, with Kingston Lambre from Grand Avenue, Matias Cabrera Mariscal from Grand Avenue and Michael Schmerfrom Merrick Avenue taking second through fourth. Mr. Ng leads Grand Avenue’s Esports Team, while Merrick Avenue’s team is led by Mr. Stiglitz.

Esports started at John F. Kennedy High School and Merrick Avenue Middle School during COVID as a way to keep students engaged in the school community. Now these programs are flourishing in all school buildings.

Today, all five schools in the Central High School District have their own esports clubs and compete both in person and online in their respective leagues.

“Students participating in esports learn valuable skills like those on the basketball court or lacrosse field,” noted David Prince, the math chairperson for both MAMS and Kennedy High School. “They learn problem-solving, critical thinking, strategy, and quick reactions, and they always practice good sportsmanship while representing their schools. All that time playing video games is well spent—talented players can become professional gamers, earning sponsorships, prize money, and even scholarships to top universities.”

Looking ahead, Kennedy plans to debut its esports lab, featuring six top-of-the-line gaming computers for students to play on.

“After winning a grant from AMD Processors and Generation Esports, the Esports Lab will make JFK one of the premier Esports schools on Long Island,” Prince added.

Last year, Merrick Avenue eighthgraders Derek Lee, Joseph Poplardo, Matt Kearney and Adam Swerdloff finished out an undefeated season in the Generation Esports National Tournament for Splatoon 3, taking the title of Atlantic LeagueChampions.

Across the district, as more and more students get involved each year, the number of teams and games played continues to grow.

Click here to view the Middle School Esports Teams Face Off in Digital Showdown 2024-2025 slideshow.

Date Added: 4/8/2025

Students in the upcoming production of Annie, Jr. at Grand Avenue Middle School have been rehearsing for months and were recently visited by a seasoned star who shard personal stories, industry secrets, and advice, in hope of inspiring this next generation of performers. 

Taylor Iman Jones is a Broadway performer whose theater resume includes ”Six,” “Hamilton” and more. She visited the cast and crew on March 14 “to help student performers take the incredible work they’ve been doing to the next level,” according to English teacher/Grand Stages director Rebecca Levy. 

“Jones encouraged them to experiment and find moments where they could give their characters big moments of reaction to play off of each other and really create the different worlds that Miss Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks inhabit,” explained Levy. 

Annie, Jr. is being presented Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at Grand Avenue Middle School, located at 2301 Grand Ave., Bellmore. Tickets are $5. 

Additionally, it is musical season throughout the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. 

Merrick Avenue Middle School’s Drama Club presents “13!” Jr. March 20 & 21 at 7 p.m. The Calhoun On Tour Company presents “Carnival” March 22, 28 & 29 at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy’s Drama Club presents “Mean Girls” and the Mepham Skull & Bones Drama Club presents “The Wizard of Oz” March 28-29 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or ahead of time by contacting each school. 

Click here to view the Broadway Performer Visits Grand Avenue Drama Club slideshow.

Date Added: 3/18/2025