Copiague Middle School students were recognized by members of the Knights of Columbus for their participation in the organization’s annual essay contest.

This year’s essay contest focused on the importance of religious freedom to teach the students about tolerance. From Copiague Middle School, this year’s Knights of Columbus essay contest winners were: Anamaria Espinoza (first), Rhianna Coleman (second) and Sara Mierzejewski (third.) Honorable mentions were given to Louis Garcia, Dwight Evans Jr. and Joy Scrivano.

Walter G. O’ Connell Copiague High School 12th grader Jada Angel has been named a recipient of the 2021 Billy Michal Student Leadership Award from the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The national honor is awarded annually to one student in every state who has maintained a strong record of volunteerism, demonstrates school and community activism, and helps implement creative solutions to recognized problems. Each honoree will be virtually recognized at the Museum’s American Spirit Awards program on June 18.

Jada is the Class of 2021 vice president, One Mind Club co-president, and the PTSA student representative. She also participates in National Honor Society, Voice to Voice Women’s Empowerment, varsity and All-Star cheerleading and varsity track. Jada is the president of her local churches young people’s division and is teen leader for the teen ministry as well. She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and does many service activities. While participating with Junior Achievement of New York’s High School Heroes Program and the Copiague District Saturday School Program, Jada taught elementary school children about monetary decisions and the English language.

“It’s extremely gratifying to recognize students throughout the nation for the wonderful contributions they make to their local communities,” said Stephen J. Watson, president and CEO at the National WWII Museum. “During World War II, our country needed everyone to come together for a common goal of securing freedom and democracy around the world. Much like Billy Michal’s contribution more than 75 years ago, our student honorees prove that their positive actions, no matter how big or small, can make a difference in their communities. We are proud to honor their accomplishments.”

Great Neck Road Elementary School combined its kindness initiatives with its Parents as Reading Partners celebration during the week of March 22. This year’s theme was “Great Neck Road Reads All ‘Kinds’ of Books.”

Some of this year’s spirit days included “tie reading into kindness” with a tie-dyed shirt day, read a shirt day, hats off to kind readers and wear a favorite sweatshirt because kindness is no sweat.

There was also a mystery reader and drop everything and read day. As students entered the building on the first day, a bubble machine filled the room with bubbles to show they were “bursting with kindness.” Staff members throughout the building joined together and created a read aloud video of the book “Happy Love Sprinkle.”

The school also created a kindness wall and a kindness chain, where students wrote notes of kindness to their classmates. Each student also posed as the “I” in the word kind.

Fifth graders in Mrs. Maggio’s class at Great Neck Road Elementary School learned about the work of abstract artist Alma Thomas in celebration of Women’s History Month during their art class with Ms. Haughney.