Every season the academic averages of all varsity sports teams are taken collectively and each team whose average is greater than 90 percent is honored with the Scholar/Athlete Team distinction by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
The girls’ tennis team led the pack with an impressive team average GPA of 96.37, followed closely by girls’ field hockey team with a 96.49. Girls’ soccer also excelled with a 95.09 average, as did girls’ volleyball with 93.77. Rounding out the field are boys’ cross country with a 93.59 average, and boys’ soccer with 92.02.
The two teams that did not make it were football, with a composite grade point average of 89.80, and girls’ cross country, which did not have the required seven athletes on the team roster. That meant that all the players needed a grade point average of 90 or above but one student had an 88.38.
What makes these accomplishments even more impressive is that Oyster Bay High School athletes take time from their studies and extracurricular activities to pursue charitable endeavors.
“The fall cheerleaders did an amazing effort to raise money for breast cancer awareness. As a team we held two bake sales and also sold breast cancer novelties such as pins, bags and bracelets,” Cheerleader Gabby Cornelious said. “Some of the cheerleaders attended the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach. All 15 of the cheerleaders did their own individual fundraising and when you add that together with the bake sale money, you get a grand total of $1,200, which we donated to breast cancer awareness.”
Other cheerleaders echoed her thoughts. “Doing something small for a big cause can make all the difference,” said Emily Kelly. “That’s why I choose to volunteer with my team.”
Giulia Miceli added, “Being a part of a great cause, one where I can really help people, made me feel proud of my team and myself.”
Cassie Archdeacon said, “The bake sales were a great way to raise money and support breast cancer awareness while also unifying our team.”
“To be a part of something this huge was great and extremely fun. I’m very proud of our whole team for raising a great sum for this cause,” commented Cinthya Cisneros.
Oyster Bay High School quarterback Ryan Hauser noted that “during the month of October, the Oyster Bay High School Football team ran several fundraisers to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Our coach, Mr. Joe Knoll, designed pink shirts with our logo in order to support the cause. All players were given a shirt, and the rest were sold to students and teachers after school. During all lunch periods, players would wear their shirt and collect change in a pink cup. At our games, JV players collected change from our fans. The team raised well over $500 towards Breast Cancer Awareness.”
The Oyster Bay High School Field Hockey team did a car wash and donated $400 to the Great Neck Special Olympics. They also raised $300 for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer research foundation.
The Vernon Leaders Club sponsored a “Holiday Mail for Heroes” by collecting homemade holiday cards for soldiers.
The girls’ lacrosse team raised $2,000 for autism research last year at the LAX day.
The Oyster Bay High School GSA Club participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention “Out of the Darkness Walk.” They are still fundraising. They currently have raised $100 and are having a bake sale to add to the donation.
The Peer Partners Program has been writing letters to the military through “Operation Gratitude.” In the letters, they talk about their families, school and express gratitude to the men and women who serve our country. Going to war for our country is a very selfless and courageous task. The students learned the importance of supporting others in a time of emotional need.
The student council raised $500 for pediatric cancer research in September. On open house night, they sold yellow ribbons and raffle tickets for a gourmet basket from Christina’s Epicure. All proceeds went to the Anthony Petrovic Memorial Foundation.
During the seventh- through 12th-grade Winter Band Concert, Antonia Woodman’s seventh-grade home and careers class displayed gingerbread houses in the lobby and people bid on them through a silent auction. There were 20 houses and the bidding started at $25. Proceeds went to “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer”. Last year’s seventh grade made $1,400. They are hoping for more this year.
The Oyster Bay High School Interact Club is a club that works to create a more service-minded student body, and cultivate a better community with the help of the Oyster Bay Rotary Club. They regularly hold fundraisers and clothing drives. Most notably, club members participate in the annual Salvation Army bell ringing at Stop and Shop in East Norwich.
In addition to the bell ringing, the Interact Club sponsored a coat drive, collecting gently used coats for adults and children to donate to the Salvation Army so those less fortunate can keep warm during the harsh New York winters.
These are just some of the charitable efforts performed by the students of the Oyster Bay–East Norwich School District in all the schools.
At the December Board of Education meeting, many individual athletes were recognized for going one step further in achieving additional honors. They were Halsey Quinn, Field Hockey Scholar Athlete; Lindsay Sweet, Field Hockey All-County; Celeste Matute, Girls’ Tennis All-County; Thomas Carchietta, Boys’ Soccer All-County; Nicole Giannetti, Girls’ Cross Country All-County and All-State; Rebecca Layne, Girls Soccer All-County and Scholar Athlete; Ryan McEvoy, Boys’ Soccer Scholar Athlete; and Caroline Kelly, Volleyball All-County and Scholar Athlete.
