On April 3, Ward Melville High School’s mock trial team captured the Suffolk County Regional Championship in a hard-fought battle against rival Huntington. After many months of determined preparation and countless Saturdays learning about all aspects of criminal procedure and arson investigation, the “mockers” from Ward Melville brought the trophy home.

Led by senior captains Ella O’Connor and Anna Potekhin, the team made a remarkable run through the Suffolk playoffs, culminating in their arguments before the Honorable Caren Loguercio, a sitting Suffolk Supreme Court judge. The judge gave the highest praise to Ward Melville High School after a hard-fought victory. The team is coached by Gelinas teacher Doug Elliot and local attorney volunteer and Ward Melville alumnus, Joseph Prokop, Esq. The team will travel to Albany in May for the New York State Bar Association finals.

Date Added: 4/9/2024

Students taking American Sign Language III at Ward Melville High School visited elementary classes in the district to share what they’ve been working on in the classroom. The high school students recently wrote and illustrated children’s books. They signed the books to elementary students during their visits. Students were eager to interact with each other and learn some of the basics of ASL.

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Date Added: 4/1/2024

Ward Melville High School English teacher Jessica Dilorio received a commendation letter from the Harvard Club of Long Island, a prestigious honor that attests to her work in the classroom. Acting principal Dr. Paul Gold described Ms. Dilorio as “caring, compassionate, creative, compelling and challenging” at the March 20 Board of Education meeting where she was recognized.

Current undergraduate students at Harvard University have the opportunity to nominate their former teachers for Harvard Club of Long Island honors. It is a testament to the lasting impressions teachers have on students’ lives.

Date Added: 3/26/2024

At the March 20 meeting of the Board of Education, several winter season student-athletes were honored for their respective post-season awards. Athletes representing boys swimming, boys track, girls track, wrestling, girls basketball, girls fencing and cheerleading were celebrated by their coaches and Director of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Kevin Finnerty. Additionally, members of the field hockey team were honored at the March meeting since they couldn’t be in attendance for the fall season recognition. A special congratulations was given to the girls fencing team for its Suffolk County championship and to the cheerleading team for its state championship win.

The Board of Education also recognized Suffolk Zone Award Winners Andrew Desimone and Emily McGinley for displaying excellence in physical education and health. Not only do award winners have to excel in these areas, but they must also achieve outstanding grades in all subjects, have exceptional character, leadership skills and act as a role model for other students.

The final athletics recognition of the evening honored the late Douglas McLaughlin. Mr. McLaughlin was a Three Village community member who was an avid supporter of the district’s athletic department. At the time of his passing, it was asked for family and friends to make donations in his name to the Louis J. Acompora Foundation. The funds were used to purchase Three Village an exterior AED cabinet and an AED for outside the Ward Melville High School concession stand. Mr. McLaughlin’s family was presented with a plaque that will be placed next to the donated equipment.

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Date Added: 3/26/2024

Fourteen students from Ward Melville High School have qualified to compete at the International DECA Competition in Anaheim, California. The Ward Melville High School team had 41 students take part in the state competition in Rochester earlier this month. Those moving onto the international competition will compete individually or on a team of two, in various business and marketing topics against students from nearly all 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Germany.

Congratulations to the following students: Alexandra Duan, Katie Duong, Madeena Jalili, Tegan Jarnagin, Lijia Lin, Genevieve McGee, Ava Perrotta, Alexandra Potekhin, Max Schoolman, Ethan Tam, Vincent Vinceguerra, Oliver Wu, Shirley Xiong and Vivian Ye.

At the international competition, more than 22,000 high school students, teacher-advisers, business professionals and alumni will gather for several days of DECA excitement to determine which students are among the best of the best. This is the 22nd consecutive year that the Ward Melville High School business department has had the honor of their students advancing to national and international competitions.

Date Added: 3/22/2024