Prior to the pandemic, the annual New York State Field Band Conference Championship was held the last weekend in October at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. Although the in-person conference was canceled this year, they recently hosted a virtual championship performance for interested students. Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School band members participated along with hundreds of other student-musicians from across New York State. Representing the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School marching band were: Ryan Bott (12th grade, tenor saxophone); Jennifer Calderon (11th grade, baritone horn); Ari Chervony (10th grade, percussion); Eitan Chervony (12th grade, percussion); Daniella Kroog (9th grade, tenor saxophone); Jason Majano (10th grade, trumpet); and Brianna Sammy (11th grade, tenor saxophone).

AP English literature students at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School in Ms. Wanzer’s class added a little creative fun and competition to their study of “The Crucible” this week. They created “poppets,” their version of an important symbol from the play, and the class will vote for the best one!

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior Aidan Murphy has been selected as a 2020-2021 National Hispanic Recognition Scholar by the College Board National Recognition Program.

To be eligible as a National Hispanic Scholar, Aidan was one of approximately 5,000 of the highest-scoring students from a nationwide total of 250,000 high school juniors who took the PSAT exam and designated themselves as Hispanic. Aidan earned the recognition based on his academic achievements and performance on the test.

In late October, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School announced the top 10 students for the graduating Class of 2021. With a weighted GPA of 103.64, Kiran Ahmad has been named the valedictorian. Sofia Lounici has been named salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 103.58.

The district congratulates the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School graduating Class of 2021 top 10 students: Kiran Ahmad (valedictorian); Sofia Lounici (salutatorian); Edinelly Peguero Rosario (third); Anna Carvajal (fourth); Ryan Bott (fifth); Aidan Murphy (sixth); Samantha Gonzalez (seventh); Sophia Bright (eighth); Jayleen Garcia (ninth); and Aniyah Woods (10th).

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School achieved high marks both in the classroom and on exams. The College Board recently recognized 66 current seniors and Class of 2020 graduates as Advanced Placement Scholars.

With an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams, Alfred Barredo, Erhumwunse Eghafona, Nolan Johnson, Marvin Pineda-Lobo and Argeny Tavarez were named National AP Scholars.

Twenty-six past and current students were named AP Scholars with Distinction for earning average scores of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. They are: Kiran Ahmad; Adam Antosiak; Alfred Barredo; Kiara Bennett; Ryan Bott; Jonah Breskin; Christopher Canenguez; Ann Carvajal; Jarrett David; Erhumwunse Eghafona; Darlene Ferreira; Melanie Garcia; Carolina Gonzalez; Samantha Gonzalez; Nolan Johnson; Castillo Lazo; Sofia Lounici; Henry Molina; Aidan Murphy; Edinelly Peguero; Marvin Pineda-Lobo; Allison Reyes; Argeny Tavarez; Marcela Torres; Analise Valdes; and Aniyah Woods.

Eight students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams were named AP Scholars with Honor. They are: Sophia Bright; Esdras Canales; Destiny Delacruz; Gabrielle Diegue; Lucien Pavone; Devonie Rhoden; Oktay Yildiz; and Thomas Zito.

Thirty-two students were named AP Scholars based on earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. These students are: Joseph Andreotti; Ajaz Chaudhry; Eitan Chervony; Diego Espinal; Delia Exantus; Isabella Galarza; Jayleen Garcia; Elizabeth Garrovillas; Patric Gudel; Johnell Hankerson II; Joanna Hernandez; Nicole Hernandez; Adriana Jimenez; Jasmine Jimenez; Austin Loo; Steycie Louis; Naryman Lounici; Jillian McLaurin; Alexa Mendez; Zuri Milliner; Amy Moskowitz; Blanca Reyes; Trinity Roberts; Carol Rodriguez; Edric Rosario; Tyler Rosario; Gabriel Salgado; Kristina Sloane; Andrew Szabo; Jensy Vasquez Santiag; Tamara Washington; and Maya Wilson.