WantaghHigh School

For Wantagh High School’s Class of 2027, the next four years will feature the most challenging work of their lives. That’s why they didn’t have to feel guilty about a few hours of fun on Sept. 15.

A pair of Wantagh High School seniors were recognized for their exceptional vocal talents with selections to the New York State School Music Association’s 2023 All-State festival. Anthony Lerro will perform with the Mixed Chorus, and Sean Hill-Hotz was named an alternate.

Wantagh High School’s Class of 2027 is beginning a new and important chapter in September, one that will prepare them for life after high school. Likewise, the Class of 2030 also is beginning a new journey with the start of middle school.

Although they will work across all five buildings, the 22 new teachers who gathered in the Wantagh Middle School library on Aug. 28 will always share a special bond. Their careers in the Wantagh School District began together in 2023.

On Wednesday, August 23rd, approximately 100 students and chaperones from Wantagh High School got a glimpse into the events of September 11, 2001 while visiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in NYC courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation founded by actor Gary Sinise known for his roles in Academy-Award winning film Forest Gump, and Apollo 13.

More than half of the graduating seniors in Wantagh High School’s Class of 2023 earned the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness on their diplomas. The new initiative was launched for the 2022-23 school year.

Madeline Rose, a rising senior at Wantagh High School, was recently named a recipient of the SHIELD Award from Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. The award recognizes students who demonstrate service, honesty, integrity, excellence, leadership and duty.

The scoreboard in the Wantagh High School gymnasium on June 23 may have suggested the Warriors were down 20 to 23, with 20:23 left to go in the game. But it was actually lit up to honor the Class of 2023, as 221 graduates received their diplomas during the evening ceremony.

Wantagh High School thespians Anthony Lerro and Abigail Ardelean were recognized in a prestigious theater competition for their performances this year. They were recently invited to the 13th annual Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance at the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan.

The Wantagh High School Business Education Department announces that 19 seniors have earned the Career and Technical Education endorsement. A total of 15 students received the Entrepreneurship endorsement and eight students earned the Accounting endorsement, including four students who earned both. They will receive the CTE seal on their Class of 2023 diplomas.

Dozens of students from the Wantagh High School Class of 2023 were recognized for their accomplishments over the last four years during the annual Senior Awards Night on May 30. More than 50 awards and scholarships were presented during the festive ceremony, which brings the school and community together.

Three Wantagh students were recognized for their achievement on the National Italian Exam, an annual contest offered by the American Association of Teachers of Italian. Students took the exam in April and results were recently announced.

Audience members were in for a treat when they attended Wantagh High School’s spring concert on May 18. They enjoyed a performance by the Wind Ensemble, which included a song composed by renowned musician Erik Morales to premier at the show.

Ten prestigious high school science scholars were inducted into The Science National Honor Society which is a prominent scientific organization that engenders a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research, and scientific exploration for America. Those selected demonstrated achievement in science learning, are service minded, and present excellent personal character.

For his research work and overall passion for science, Wantagh High School senior Evan Thole will be honored by the Nassau County chapter of the Science Teachers Association of New York State. He will receive the Outstanding Science Student award at the upcoming recognition dinner on May 16.

For 20 Wantagh High School students, accompanying their country’s greatest heroes to the National World War II Museum was the honor of a lifetime. Juniors and seniors were paired with World War II veterans for a trip to New Orleans from April 19-21, and it was an experience they will never forget.

The Wantagh High School National English Honor Society Alchemist Chapter held its 4th Annual Induction Ceremony on April 25 where 27 students were welcomed as its newest members in front of a backdrop of the library’s fiction and non-fiction literature befitting an occasion such as this. The ceremony began with a greeting from NEHS Honor Society President Emma Caputo, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by member Charles Albano, and continued with speeches from Vice President Kylie Masterson, and President Emma Caputo.

When they graduate in June, 20 Wantagh High School seniors will have the Seal of Biliteracy affixed to their diplomas, a sign that they are highly skilled in two or more languages. Wantagh High School has been awarding the Seal of Biliteracy since 2018, and students get their names added to a plaque that hangs on the second floor.

Broadway hit “The SpongeBob Musical” makes its way to Wantagh High School, where the drama club will tell the tale of the fictional character who lives in a pineapple under the sea. There are four performances from March 31 through April 2.

The Wantagh High School Business Education Department held its National Business Honor Society (NBHS) Induction and Awards Ceremony March 15th in front of an audience of parents, friends, faculty, staff, school administrators, and Board members.

The Harvard Club of Long Island recognized two Wantagh High School educators with the Distinguished Teacher award. Math teacher Jason Apfelbaum and art teacher Natalie Douglas were nominated by a Wantagh graduate from the Class of 2021, who now attends Harvard University.

Whether they were preparing for a future career or just looking to take a trip down memory lane, it was a successful day for Wantagh High School students who participated in Shadow Day on Feb. 2.

If there’s a concert happening in the Wantagh School District, Matthew Lin is probably there tickling the ivories. It is unique for a student to serve as a piano accompanist for school concerts, but the Wantagh High School senior has leant his talents for more than a dozen elementary, middle school and high school performances for the past four years.

Whether it’s having her students construct and destroy gingerbread houses to test the forces of wind or do scavenger hunts around the school, Wantagh High School science teacher Samantha Gordon is known for her exciting, hands-on projects.

Youngsters who attend Wantagh High School’s play group were in for a treat on Dec. 20, with a visit from some popular holiday characters. The Child Development class hosts a program for preschool-age children in the community every Tuesday and Thursday. There are morning and afternoon sessions, which provide Wantagh High School students with valuable teaching experience.

Wantagh High School’s boys volleyball players set the bar high for good sportsmanship, and that did not go unnoticed this past season. The team received the Sportsmanship Award from the Nassau County Volleyball Officials Association and were presented with their trophy at an end-of-season dinner.

Wantagh High School celebrated National Signing Day with a celebration for 16 college-bound athletes on Nov. 9. They were joined by administrators, coaches and family members who proudly watched as the seniors signed their letters of intent.

The fall drama production will be a new show on the Wantagh High School stage, as student-actors are getting ready for the upcoming production of “Radium Girls,” which will feature four performances from Nov. 18 to 20.

The event was a partnership between the high school, the middle school and the 6-12 Association. Sean said that more than 25 student clubs from the high school participated and each came up with a unique idea for the Halloween celebration. He added that the Spooktacular was modeled after similar safe trick-or-treating events that other high schools on Long Island host for children in the community.

Wantagh High School sophomores Jayla George and Kayla Spisto wanted to do something to help others, so they partnered with the Crayon Initiative to provide coloring supplies to children in hospitals. Jayla and Kayla first reached out to Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone, who was thrilled to support their project so they could begin collecting crayons at school.

In September 2010, Katherine Killian and Nora Toscano entered the same kindergarten classroom at Forest Lake Elementary School. Nearly 13 years later, they will graduate together as the top-ranked students in Wantagh High School’s Class of 2023.

Under bright sunshine, the Wantagh homecoming parade glided triumphantly past thousands of supporters on Oct. 15. Led by a color guard and the Wantagh Pipe Band, the parade featured the Wantagh High School marching band, cheerleading squads and the creative floats designed by each class based on this year’s theme: music genres.

Five Wantagh High School seniors were honored in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program, including one semifinalist and four commended students. Natasha Meagher was named a semifinalist for her outstanding academic achievements. She was one of approximately 16,000 students nationwide to be selected as a semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Wantagh High School ninth graders took a short break from their studies to get some exercise and fresh air, bond with their classmates and enhance their teamwork abilities during Freshmen Field Day on Sept. 23. The turf field inside the track was the center of the action, in which the high school’s newest students rotated through 10 stations.

Every year, two Wantagh High School students get the privilege of sitting up on the stage during board of education meetings, tasked with informing the community about the school’s vast array of programs, events and accomplishments. This year, that honor has gone to general organization co-presidents Sean Browne and Nyla Lester.

Wantagh High School’s graduating Class of 2022 included 25 recipients of the Advanced Placement Capstone diploma, which acknowledges their success in challenging college-level courses. Nine students in the current senior class have also qualified for the diploma when they graduate in June 2023.

The 189 graduates of Wantagh High School’s Class of 2022 will be remembered for their many achievements, their perseverance in the face of adversity and, most importantly, their value.

More than 70 seniors were recognized at Wantagh High School’s senior awards night on May 31, with school and community leaders coming together to celebrate the Class of 2022. The soon-to-be graduates earned awards for their academic successes and community service, along with dozens of scholarships.

Wantagh High School Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone was recognized with the Administrator of the Year award by the Nassau Counselors’ Association for his support of the guidance program. He was nominated by Wantagh’s director of guidance, Frank Muzio, and was honored at the association’s end-of-the-year dinner on June 6.

Two students from Wantagh High School were recently recognized for their successes in business education classes. Senior Jennifer Rosen received a scholarship, while junior Ashlee Favata earned an award for a video submission.

A study on the memory of fruit flies earned Wantagh High School senior Julia Froese recognition from the Nassau County chapter of the Science Teachers Association of New York State. She will accept her award at a dinner on May 17.

Acceptance is the theme for Autism Awareness Month at Wantagh High School, with an educational campaign spearheaded by the general organization. The morning announcements every Monday and Friday in April include facts and myths about autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, students and staff learn about the accomplishments of different celebrities who are on the autism spectrum.

The winter 2022 sports season at Wantagh High School featured some of the best individual athletic performances in school history, including its first individual Nassau County champion bowler, Seth Braum. It capped an undefeated season for the senior.

After raising more than $110,000 in 2021 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Warriors for a Cure team is determined for another big year. Two of the team leaders, Skyla Marchesi and Joey Labo, are seniors at Wantagh High School and say they are well on their way to meeting and hopefully eclipsing this year’s fundraising goal.

“Crazy For You,” which made its debut on Broadway 30 years ago, is coming a little closer to home, with upcoming productions at Wantagh High School from April 8-10. A cast of 35 student-actors will perform the feel-good musical comedy.

In a few months, Andrew Diano will graduate from Wantagh High School as one of the most accomplished swimmers in school history. As a senior, he set three school records, including breaking his own marks in two separate events.

A creative photo of a friend turned into an award-winning venture for Wantagh High School senior Brooke Bellia. A picture for her Advanced Placement Photography class, “Euphoria,” was accepted into The Art Guild’s Into the Light photography competition and exhibition, earning third place in the student category.

More than 30 Wantagh High School students got a glimpse of education through a different lens, as they were paired up with elementary teachers throughout the district for shadow day on Feb. 2.

Readers of all ages came together in the Wantagh School District to celebrate World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 2. Elementary students were treated to virtual guest readers from Wantagh High School and Wantagh Middle School throughout the day.

The Wantagh High School football team continues to shine on an off the field. Not only did the team advance to the conference semifinals in the fall 2021 season, the players were also recognized for their community service work with two awards.

There are so many good things happening at Wantagh High School, that it is hard to list them all. But seniors Emma Alexander and Angelina Maciak do a pretty good job during their monthly reports to the board of education and the Wantagh community.

A partnership between students, an animal rescue group and a coffee shop are helping cats and dogs find new homes. About 40 student-artists from Wantagh High School created portraits of animals up for adoption at Last Hope Animal Rescue, right across the street. And those drawings and paintings are on display a mile up the road at Starbucks.

Wantagh High School’s cross-country team wants everyone to stay healthy and fit. Knowing that some children might face physical limitations to do so, students recently held a fundraiser to help them overcome these challenges.