Copiague School District honored the memory of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School student Carmyne Payton during the first Carmyne Payton Classic varsity basketball game on Nov. 29. Administrators, teachers, staff and students came together to celebrate the life of Carmyne, who tragically passed away two years while trying out for the varsity basketball team. The Copiague basketball team and coaching staff wore the “Love Big” shirts in his honor as well. Bracelets and snacks were on sale during the event to raise money for scholarships that will be presented to a varsity female and varsity male basketball player.

Date Added: 12/4/2023

Copiague Middle School and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Spanish language students recently participated in the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook’s virtual field trip. The trip highlighted the works of art from Latinx community members. The exhibition “SOMOS/We Are: Latinx Artists of Long Island” featured more than 80 artists.

Some highlights from the virtual trip included a viewing of Ofrenda, which represented the celebration of the Day of the Dead and incorporated the history behind the person who created the Ofrenda. In addition, students were able to view Neon Bunny (Bad Bunny), a portrait of the artist Bad Bunny created with spray paint, acrylic and gold foil on canvas.

Spanish teachers Evelin Chavez and Karla Umanzor felt that one of the most important parts for their students during the virtual trip was the presentation of the Caja de Memoria Viva III. This was a living memory box dedicated to a survivor of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. In class, students had learned about Hurricane Maria and the devastation that it caused in Puerto Rico. Through this artwork, students could see the effects of the hurricane, the history behind the woman presented in the box and the objects that people preserved during and after the hurricane.

This field trip was incorporated into the students’ family tree, where they identified and described one tradition or celebration they have with their own families. Like the art pieces viewed, students used images, pictures and music to represent their traditions.

Date Added: 12/5/2023

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School has announced the top 10 students for the Class of 2024. With a weighted GPA of 105, Kemmora Simmons has been named the valedictorian. Jonathan Singh has been named salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 104.97.

The district congratulates the top 10 students in the graduating of Class of 2024: Kemmora Simmons (valedictorian); Jonathan Singh (salutatorian); Rebecca Alara (third); Shenn Barredo (fourth); Shawn Smaldon (fifth); Jorge Villatoro-Amaya (sixth); Theresa Soraire (seventh); Victoria Wheby (eighth); Giselle Peralta (ninth); and Andrew Falco (10th).

Date Added: 11/30/2023

On Nov. 14, Copiague School District held its annual Fall Sports Awards to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of its fall varsity student-athletes. Sponsored by the Booster Club, student-athletes in gymnastics, girls soccer, boys soccer, field hockey, girls tennis, volleyball, cross-country, cheerleading, swimming and football were recognized for their dedication to their sports by family members, coaches, Copiague School District administrators and members of the board of education.

Throughout the night, coaches praised the student-athletes for their success and distributed individual awards, including the Coaches’ Award, Most Improved and the MVP award, to worthy recipients. Six special memorial awards were handed out to outstanding athletes for demonstrating leadership on and off the field. Jonathan Valle (cross-country) was presented with the Christopher Urban Award, and Kennedy Hodges (gymnastics) was the recipient of the Dolores Sandefur Award. The Barbara Day Award was given to Julianna Milonas (field hockey), and Jocelyn Teel (volleyball) received the Debra Tekosky Award. Millie Cisneros (girls soccer) was presented with the Michael S. Cohen Award and Ashley Matute (girls soccer) was the recipient of the Brittany Walsh Memorial Award.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 11/20/2023

The members of the Advanced Criminal Justice class at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School now have the chance to participate and witness the justice system in action. Last year, the school unveiled a new mock trial room where the students can participate in a simulated trial and moot court competitions.

Taught by Stephanie Rafuse, students learn about the law and criminal justice system but also can work on their public speaking, debating skills and evaluate the effectiveness of the current criminal justice system. Students work on research projects and form oral arguments, which they can then present in moot court and mock trial competitions.

This month, the class will take a field trip to the federal court and witness a naturalization ceremony and get a tour of the facilities by a federal judge. The students also have plans to visit the Town of Babylon’s new courthouse this winter.

Date Added: 11/6/2023