At the last Board of Education meeting of the 2024-25 school year, we were proud to host numerous recognitions, from honoring Walt Whitman students and athletes, to acknowledging our longstanding teachers and administrators. 

The first presentation recognized Walt Whitman High School principal Dr. John Murphy for being named School Administrators’ Association of New York State (SAANYS) Building Administrator of the Year. Dr. Murphy was recognized as the 2025 Building Leader of the Year for Region 1, which is all of Suffolk County.  Each year, SAANYS recognizes educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and have made exceptional contributions to the educational process. Walt Whitman and the entire school district are fortunate to have Dr. Murphy, both in his leadership role and within the South Huntington community!

We recognized and wished the best of luck to WWHS Senior Gracie DeMarinis who served as the 2024-2025 Ex-Officio Student Member of the Board of Education. Her contributions to the Board were invaluable and we wish her the best of luck as she graduates and continues her studies in the fall at the University at Buffalo. Congratulations and thank you, Gracie!

We were proud to recognize two Suffolk County Champions from Walt Whitman High School at this meeting. With much pride, we took the opportunity to congratulate senior athletes Samuel Lopez Cardenas and Justin Keogler. This spring season, Samuel was named the Section XI Boys Tennis Individual Suffolk County Champion, and Justin was named the Section XI Boys Track & Field Suffolk County Champion in the Discus Throw. Congratulations to these incredible athletes!

As part of the Board of Education’s array of presentations, we were very fortunate to recognize Walt Whitman High School students Shaiza and Shazaib Cheema. As Walt Whitman’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) co-presidents, the sibling pair helped host 15 high schools at the fourth annual Day of Unity conference this year. This growing annual event at the high school earned the district its third Champions of Change Award. Congratulations and thank you, Shaiza and Shazaib!

The evening presentations continued with South Huntington’s annual Tenure and Retirement Recognition, where we took the opportunity to congratulate each of our 2025 retirees and newly tenured administrators and teachers throughout the district. Each one of you is a valued member of our South Huntington family. Congratulations to all our newly tenured staff! And congratulations to this year’s retirees! We wish you health, happiness, and great vacations when school is in session!

We were fortunate to celebrate the amazing staff all around South Huntington with the Above and Beyond awards at the June Board of Education meeting. These individuals, while they feel they are just doing their jobs, deserve recognition for going the extra mile to make our school community an even better place. Congratulations to Maureen Christensen, Cynthia Selley, Lisa Pellegrino, Emily Chodon, Tyquan Pearson, Myrianthi Akapnitis, Anne Heavey, and Eileen Sheehan, and thank you for all that you do to make our district so bright!

To conclude the evening’s presentations, the Board of Education recognized the 100 Year Committee members for their incredible dedication and hard work during the district’s centennial. The commitment to organizing a year’s worth of memorable events, including puzzle pieces, BOE celebrations, Time Capsule openings and sealings, Adventureland fun, and so much more, ensured that this historic milestone was celebrated with pride, unity and joy. Thank you to the committee for your collective efforts in helping to bring our community together and create lasting memories for all!

Congratulations to all and thank you to our community who came out in celebration of our beloved students and staff! To view last night’s BOE meeting and special recognitions, please click here.

The first presentation recognized Walt Whitman High School principal Dr. John Murphy for being named SAANYS Building Administrator of the Year.

We recognized and wished the best of luck to WWHS Senior Gracie DeMarinis who served as the 2024-2025 Ex-Officio Student Member of the Board of Education.

With much pride, the BOE took the opportunity to congratulate senior athletes and Suffolk County Champions Samuel Lopez Cardenas and Justin Keogler.

As Walt Whitman’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) co-presidents, Shaiza and Shazaib Cheema earned the district an additional Champions of Change Award.

South Huntington School District’s 36 newly tenured staff members.

Congratulations to all of our retirees!

We were fortunate to celebrate the amazing staff in South Huntington with the Above and Beyond awards at the June Board of Education meeting.

To conclude the evening’s presentations, the Board of Education recognized the 100 Year Committee members for their incredible dedication and hard work during the district’s centennial.