South Huntington School District Board of Education President Nicholas Ciappetta was honored by the Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force (HHATF) for “informing, guiding, and encouraging” our youth and his “undeniable support for the Huntington Hispanic Community” through education.  Mr. Ciappetta was honored at the HHATF’s scholarship fundraiser on May 3rd at the Huntington Senior Beach House in Centerport.  Funds raised at this important event are used to offer $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in the Town of Huntington. The Task Force serves as a liaison between local government and the community and advises the Town Board with respect to the needs of the Hispanic community. 

In selecting Mr. Ciappetta, the Task Force cited his leadership saying “Your dedication to serve students has been demonstrated in the special attention the school board pays to creating most needed programs with instruction delivered by an excellent and most caring faculty. The excellence in education offered by your district allows your graduating students to pursue a higher education either in a university or trade school…Your work in the schools has deeply inspired the community.”     

A lifelong member of the South Huntington community and a proud graduate of Walt Whitman High School, Mr. Ciappetta has been a member of the South Huntington School Board since 2004. He was elected vice president in 2012 and has been president of the school board since 2017. He also serves as an Executive Committee member of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. “I am so grateful to the Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force for this recognition. This is a testament to the hard work of many people in South Huntington and the district’s commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, is provided with all the tools and opportunities necessary to succeed. The South Huntington School District is a microcosm of the diversity of our country and, even as our population has grown more diverse, our district rankings have improved. Despite our success in South Huntington, we never rest on our laurels and are always thinking about what all our students will need in the future to thrive and prosper,” said Mr. Ciappetta.

“Mr. Ciappetta's dedication and commitment to this community as the Board of Education President is commendable. His leadership is always cognizant of the diversity of our school population and how we can optimize learning opportunities for all students. The diversity of our district is an absolute strength of our school community. We thank the Task Force for recognizing Mr. Ciappetta's efforts,” said South Huntington Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia.

After graduating with honors from Walt Whitman High School, Mr. Ciappetta attended Vassar College before earning a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Hofstra University School of Law in 2004.  Mr. Ciappetta values public service, believes that education is the pathway to equal opportunity, and admits that he “bleeds maroon and white.” “I became a member of the school board because I wanted to make sure future graduates had even more opportunities than I had,” said Mr Ciappetta. “It’s gratifying to be part of something that can change a student’s life.”

Congratulations, Mr. Ciappetta!