Students and staff members at Lee Avenue Elementary School in the Hicksville Public School District participated in a Scrabble tournament and collected canned goods to donate to St. Ignatius Food Pantry.
Members of the school community qualified for the tournament by bringing in items to donate, and then playing the classic word game against each other in groups of four. Fourth-graders Dylan Seemangal and Div Patel were the winners of this year’s Scrabble tournament, which served as a fun and educational way for the school to continue its altruistic initiatives.

Photo Caption:

Students and staff at the Scrabble tournament.

Photos courtesy Hicksville Public Schools

Fifteen members of the Bronxville High School Habitat for Humanity Club and their advisors, Chris Doyle and Zhanna Cabrera, volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity store in New Rochelle on March 6 to restore the building and organize various items brought into the store.

“It feels terrific to help a community in need, especially one that is so close to ours,” ninth-grader Kirsten Ircha said. “We are so fortunate, and that is why it is important to give back.”

The students unloaded trucks of donations, painted the store and removed unwanted goods from it. The Habitat for Humanity store sells donated furniture and other home furnishings. Proceeds from the sales benefit the organization and help benefactors build homes for people in need in Yonkers, New Rochelle and other areas of Westchester.

In addition to restoring the building, the students unpacked boxes of items used in the Oscar-winning movie “Bridge of Spies” and “The Girl on the Train,” filmed in Westchester. The movie memorabilia, which included tape recording devices, furniture, home furnishings, books, files and a Photoshopped picture of Tom Hanks, was sorted and will be available for purchase at the store.

“Habitat for Humanity does an amazing job making sure that any extra items, like furniture, are put to great use,” junior Sasha Ircha said.

Doyle said he’s proud of his students for donating their time to serve the local community through their work with Habitat for Humanity.

“There are many people in the Westchester area who need help with housing, and our students rise to the challenge,” he said.

In April, members of the club will help build a home in the area and also raise money for the organization through an egg hunt.

Photo captions: Members of the Bronxville High School Habitat for Humanity Club volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity store in New Rochelle on March 6 to restore the building and organize various items brought into the store.

Photo courtesy of the Bronxville Union Free School District

The John F. Kennedy High School Student Government has been working hard to raise money to donate to the American Cancer Society.

On March 3, they hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Teams were able to sign up for the chance to compete and donate to the cause. The teams of 3 competed all afternoon as spectators and members of student government came down to support the fundraiser.
When the tournament started, there were 18 teams which slowly dwindled down to one. After hours of hard work and friendly competition, Team Moose (Nico Racalbuto, James Ferry and Mikey Schwartz) became the tournament champions. With the help of the participants and the spectators, student government was able to raise more than $250 to add to the Relay For Life donations.

The Kennedy Student Government also hosted a Super Smash Brothers tournament in the GI room on March 2. Forty students came down to participate, each paying a $5 entrance fee, which raised about $250. After hours of competition, Zach Stone came out on top.

Between the two events, more than $400 was raised for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

An annual tradition at Meadow Drive School in the Mineola Union Free School District, the Jump Rope for Heart program not only raises funds for the American Heart Association, but raises student awareness on the importance of heart health.

Each year, Meadow Drive raises thousands of dollars for the cause and this year is no exception. In a new record for the school, a donation of $8,600 was made to the Association. Pictured is second-grader Dylan Couture who, with a donation of $400, was the school’s top fundraiser this year.

Photo courtesy of the Mineola School District

To assist in finding a cure for juvenile diabetes, the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s Student Organization held its fifth annual Dodge to Cure Diabetes Event on March 4.

The pay-to-play event, led by senior Matteo DeVincenzo and freshman Phoenix Jampol, raised $320 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and an additional $320 to support future Student Organization events.

“It was a wonderful event for a great cause,” said advisor Sarah Ogden, who extended special thanks to student volunteers and teachers who volunteered as referees during the event.

Out of the 80 participates in the event, 70 were student athletes. The co-organizer, Matteo DiVincenzo, is the state wrestling champion. Teams also represented at the event were the NYS Girls Championship soccer team, football, volleyball, tennis, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, track and cheerleading.

Photo Caption: Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s Student Organization coordinated a dodge ball fundraiser to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Photos courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District