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Copiague School District celebrated the 22nd annual Hall of Achievement induction ceremony by recognizing alumni who have made a positive impact on the school and community. Invited guests and honorees gathered in the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School cafeteria following the homecoming festivities on Oct. 19. The five new inductees – which brings the total number of members to 105 – are: Anthony Cipriano, Class of 1988; Richard Lynch, Class of 1982; Kelly Mooney, Class of 2000; Nadia Pepe, Class of 2000 and Yaniriz Rodriguez, Class of 1999. “Each inductee will serve as a source of inspiration for the students of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School,” said Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta. “Each inductee will serve as a positive example for our students, building a sense of pride for the Copiague graduates past, present and future.” “This year’s inductees, like those before them, are outstanding individuals, each of them have many memories of growing up in Copiague and going through our school system,” said Brian Sales, Board of Education president. “They have continued the tradition of Eagle pride throughout their lives and careers.” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon welcomed guests and honorees to the ceremony. “In honoring successful past graduates of Copiague School District, the Hall of Achievement’s primary purpose is to introduce these alumni as positive and motivating role models to our entire school community,” she said. “We keep these role models connected in a variety of ways to our schools and students. By the nature of their accomplishments and service, the inductees of the Hall of Achievement inspire our students to reach for high goals. As students of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School pass through our main hallway and the Hall of Achievement every day, they can stop and read about the accomplishments of our inductees.” Mr. Cipriano coaches the wrestling team at Copiague and teaches physical education at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School. Through the years, he has coached four county champion wrestlers, 25 All-County wrestlers, 130 All-League wrestlers and has had county finalists for the last three years. He currently serves as the Suffolk director of U.S.A. Wrestling. Mr. Lynch joined the New York City Police Department in 1986, working in the anti-crime unit and robbery squad. In 1996, he was promoted to detective 3rd grade. During his time as detective in the next 10 years, he received citations for excellent policy duty as well as meritorious and honorable mentions and a Silver Star. Since his retirement in 2006, Mr. Lynch has been a security guard in the Copiague School District. Ms. Mooney has been involved with Copiague School District in some capacity since kindergarten. After graduating from Quinnipiac University with a communication degree, she joined Syntax Communications as an assistant account executive and was assigned to Copiague School District. Now an accounts director, Ms. Mooney still oversees the district, in addition to several other school districts and account executives. Ms. Pepe has also remained an active member of the Copiague School District and community. She began working at the Copiague Memorial Public Library in high school and still remains an employee there today as a library assistant. Ms. Pepe graduated from Dowling College with a degree in psychology. With three children in the Copiague School District, she is actively involved in volunteering at Susan E. Wiley and Copiague Middle School’s PTA, extracurricular activities, fifth grade booster club and is a Girl Scout troop leader. Ms. Rodriguez came to the Copiague School District at the age of 7 from the Dominican Republic and credits her teachers for helping her learn English. In high school, she was a member of the Spanish Club, Humanities Club, Intercultural Club, National Honor Society and vice president of the senior class. She graduated from St. Joseph’s College with a bachelor’s degree in education and received a master’s degree in education from LIU/Post. Since 2003, Ms. Rodriguez has been an English Language Learners teacher at Babylon School District. In 2018, she was awarded the New York Sen. Boyle Teachers of Excellence Award.
Copiague School District celebrated its 24th annual Hall of Achievement induction ceremony by recognizing alumni who have made a positive impact on the school and community. Invited guests and honorees gathered in the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School cafeteria following the homecoming festivities on Oct. 16. Since there was no ceremony last year, the district inducted both the 2020 and 2021 members together. The eight new inductees – which brings the total number to 113 – are: Brenda Bryant, Class of 1980; Michael Hodgson, Class of 1979; Henry Jackson Jr., Class of 2007; Dominick Nuzzi, Class of 1992; Christopher O’Connell, Class of 1972; Dr. Jessica Royce, Class of 2009; Dennis Scully Jr., Class of 1989; and Dr. Ewa Stelmach, Class of 2005. “This year’s inductees, like those before them, are outstanding individuals; each of them has many memories of growing up in Copiague and going through our school system,” said Board of Education President Brian J. Sales. “They have continued the tradition of Eagle pride throughout their lives and careers.” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon welcomed administrators, Board of Education members, guests and honorees to the ceremony. “In honoring successful past graduates of Copiague School District, the Hall of Achievement’s primary purpose is to introduce these alumni as positive and motivating role models to our entire school community,” she said. “We keep these role models connected in a variety of ways to our schools and students. By the nature of their accomplishments and service, the inductees of the Hall of Achievement inspire our students to reach for high goals. As students of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School pass through our main hallway and the Hall of Achievement every day, they can stop and read about the accomplishments of our inductees.” Ms. Bryant became a New York City parole officer following her graduation from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. From December 1998 to 2021, Ms. Bryant worked as a security guard with the Copiague School District. She enjoyed speaking to students about her work history and her experiences in Copiague. After graduation, Mr. Hodgson attended Hudson Valley Community College and eventually entered the U.S. Air Force, training to be a National Fire Protection Association-certified firefighter. After serving for 20 years, he retired as an active duty technical sergeant. He currently serves as an assistant/battalion fire chief at Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia. Mr. Jackson attended SUNY Old Westbury, receiving a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. After spending time as an emergency medical services volunteer, he found a passion for dentistry. He was accepted into the New York University College of Dentistry and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He continued his postgraduate clinical training at the Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn. Mr. Nuzzi continues to serve the Copiague community where he was raised. He attended college at both Farmingdale State College and New York Institute of Technology, where he studied advertising art and design and art education. His desire to serve humanity led him to volunteer with the Copiague Fire Department and eventually join the New York City Fire Department. He currently serves as the chief of the Copiague Fire Department. Mr. O’Connell has remained closely tied to the Copiague community and has assisted at a variety of events in the community and the high school. After graduation, he went on to work at CBS TV in its engineering department for 35 years. He has served as a member and president of the Copiague Library’s board of directors since 2008. Mr. O’Connell also serves his church as an ordained deacon and youth group leader. Dr. Royce attended the University of Saint Joseph where she majored in chemistry. With career aspirations of becoming a pharmacist, she was accepted into an accelerated program in 2015 to earn her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. In 2018, she passed her board and was offered a position as a pharmacist at Stop & Shop, where she was recently named pharmacy manager. In May 1998, Mr. Scully enlisted in the U.S. Navy and is still serving on active duty after more than 22 years. He advanced from airman to chief petty officer in 10 years. He has held the rank of lieutenant commander since 2021. He received his Bachelor of Science in human services in 2008 and a Master of Science in education in 2017, both from Old Dominion University. He is attached to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 where he is serving as assistant maintenance officer. Dr. Stelmach arrived in Copiague from Poland as a high school junior with only a rudimentary knowledge of the English language. After much encouragement from her teachers, she continued her education at Suffolk County Community College and then earned her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Stony Brook University. She went on to earn her master’s degree in applied mathematics from Hofstra University and began teaching at Queensborough Community College. While continuing to work at Queensborough teaching mathematics, she went back to school to earn her Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics education from Columbia University in 2019.
Copiague School District recognized its alumni who have made a difference in their community and had a positive impact during the Hall of Achievement induction ceremony following homecoming festivities on Oct. 13 at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School. The four new inductees – which bring the total number to 100 – are: Dawn Michelle Hardy, Class of 1992; Scott Kuhn, Class of 1990; Dagmar Groy Marino, Class of 1970; and Viscel Welch Moore, Class of 1988. “Tonight’s inductees carry on the tradition of giving back whenever and wherever they are,” said Copiague Board of Education Vice President Doris Fischer. “It is due to their efforts and the combined efforts of the administration, staff and everyone associated with the Copiague School District that Copiague is a great place to live and learn.” “In honoring successful past graduates of Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, the Hall of Achievement’s primary purpose is to introduce these alumni as positive and motivating role models to our entire school community and to keep those role models connected to our school and students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon. “By the nature of their accomplishments and service, inductees in the Hall of Achievement inspire our students to reach high goals.” Ms. Hardy is an award-winning publicist and publishing consultant who graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She formed Dream Relations PR and Literacy Consulting agency, where she aids authors in promoting their books. She serves as the executive director of public relations for the Love Fellowship Tabernacle and completed the NYC Marathon as part of Team of Kids. Mr. Kuhn holds a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and began working at a small insurance agency in Manhattan. In 2001, he left his investment job and decided to pursue a career in teaching, enrolling in graduate classes at Dowling College. A year later, he was hired as a math teacher at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, where he remains today. Ms. Marino came to Copiague School at the age of 10 from Vienna, Austria, unable to speak English. After quickly learning the language, she graduated high school in three years and went on to attend beauty school. Shortly after, she opened her first hair salon in the community. She is an active member and has served on the Board of Directors for the Copiague Chamber of Commerce. After losing her son tragically in 2012, Ms. Marino co-founded the Copiague Community Cares organization to support and assist those who have lost loved ones or are struggling with substance abuse. Ms. Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and economic from SUNY Empire. For the past 30 years, she has worked for ADP. She has been recognized as a Woman of Distinction, is a trustee at Bethel AME Church, serves as director of Bethel’s Young People’s Division, volunteers for the Youth Night program and conducts workshops on the importance of voting and civic engagement. She is a member of several PTAs, booster club, director of community relations for the Family & Community Media Group, serves on the executive committee for the central Long Island branch of the NAACP and is a member of the Copiague Chamber of Commerce.
June 15, 2019 American Legion Huntington Post 360 1 Mill Dam Road Huntington, NY 11743 7 pm - 11 pm Open Buffet and Bar Tickets can be purchased online at Copiague High School Class of 1979 (40th Class Reunion) - $90.00 $100.00 at the door Cut off-date for online purchase is June 1, 2019 Organizer Michael Hodgson
As a way to recognize and honor the accomplishments and positive impact of its alumni – as well as inspire a future generation – Copiague School District inducted four alumni into the Hall of Achievement during the 20th anniversary ceremony following homecoming festivities on Sept. 16 at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School. The four inductees were nominated for their contributions to both the school and the community. They are: Silas W. Kelly, Class of 1971; Dr. Corinthia Price, Class of 1993; Ken Urban, Class of 1993; and Dave Colford, Class of 1994. “In honoring past graduates of Copiague High School, the Hall of Achievement’s primary purpose is to introduce these alumni as positive and motivating role models to our entire school community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon. “Then we keep these role models connected in a variety of ways to our schools and students. By the nature of their accomplishments and services, inductees into the Hall of Achievement inspire our students to reach higher goals.” Colford is the president and chief revenue officer of Hanley Wood in Washington, D.C. Volunteering is his passion, as he is active in Boy Scouts, serving as an adult volunteer and executive board members of the Suffolk County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Capital Partners for Education, Kiwanis Club and the Lindenhurst PTA. Kelly graduated from Brooklyn College with dual bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism and public communications. He graduated with honors from Adelphi University School of Social Work and is a licensed master social worker. Kelly presently serves as a mental health social worker at Concern for Independent Living Inc. and is a substance use disorder social worker for the Town of Smithtown’s Horizons Counseling and Education Center. He is a youth lecturer and inspirational public speaker and serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Social Workers. Dr. Price holds a bachelor’s degree in professional studies from New York Institute of Technology, a master’s degree from LIU Post and a doctorate in educational administration from Dowling College. She is the founder and CEO of Workforce Career Readiness, which specializes in workforce and economic development, 21st century college and career readiness, transition planning and re-entry programs for women and incarcerated veterans and youth. She currently serves as chief workforce development strategist and grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor. Urban has been the manager of a real estate firm in Syosset for the past 15 years and is also a senior litigation specialist throughout New York State. Over the years, Urban has held various positions on the PTA throughout the Copiague School District. For the past 11 years, he has served as president of the Copiague Youth League Baseball/Softball program. He is the treasurer of the District 34 Little League and director of the District 34 imitational tournament.
In continuing its mission to inspire students, the district inducted three former graduates into its Hall of Achievement at a ceremony following homecoming celebrations on Sept. 24. The three new inductees were selected for their accomplishments and contributions to the community following their respective graduations through a nominating process. Those inducted include Class of 1984 alumnus Jim Konen; Class of 1998 alumna Dr. Leslie Marino and Class of 1977 alumnus Craig Stadelman. Konen, who holds a master’s degree from Stony Brook University, is employed as a full-time physical education teacher at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School. He previously taught at Copiague Middle School and coaches varsity soccer, varsity wrestling and JV lacrosse. He holds Coach of the Year honors for both lacrosse and soccer and has been voted Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association’s Man of the Year. Dr. Marino holds a psychology degree from Boston College, a post-baccalaureate in premed from Columbia University and a medical degree from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. While working toward her degrees, she took time to participate in a HIV/AIDS awareness program in Tanzania; spent a year working for Dr. Mehmet Oz running a pilot program to bring health education into city schools and studied epidemiology at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. During her residency, she received numerous awards, including the Perry Research Award, the Barbara Liskin Award and was selected by her peers as a chief resident. She is currently a research fellow in the Division on Substance Abuse and works on initiatives with the state and city Department of Health to increase access to treatment for addiction. Stadelman works at the New York Blood Center as a donor specialist and was previously employed as a phlebotomist at Brunswick Hospital Center. When not at work, he is serving as the fire coordinator for the Town of Babylon and assists fire chiefs at the scenes of major structural fires. He is also a detective with the Suffolk County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a member of the Copiague Fire Department, where he served as chief and is an EMS instructor and a first aid teacher. He has been honored with the EMS Educator of the Year for Suffolk County and New York State and is a member of the Suffolk County REMAC committee. On 9/11, he served as a triage officer for the FDNY-EMS service.
As the culminating homecoming activity on Oct. 18, two district alumni were inducted into the Hall of Achievement in an evening ceremony. “The goal of the Hall of Achievement is to introduce positive role models to our school community,” said Superintendent of Schools Charles A. Leunig. “Such models, by their very nature, inspire students to adopt high aspirations.” This year’s inductees were Toni Newman Clemens (Class of 1981) and Clare A. Hochreiter, M.D. (Class of 1968).