Congratulations to the newest inductees into the South Huntington Hall of Fame! As part of Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, October 14th, four Walt Whitman alumni were officially inducted during a special breakfast at the high school: Eliot Lonardo, Class of 1996; Dara Reid Croft, Class of 1997; Ed Wu - Class of 2006; and Brittany Schiavone - Class of 2007.
Celebrated by their family, friends, South Huntington Board of Education members, faculty, administrators, and Town of Huntington elected officials, each honoree was presented with the “key” to the school district, and a crystal award commemorating the honor engraved with a paw print. They also each received several proclamations from town, New York State Assembly and Senate representatives. In addition, a plaque featuring each inductee’s photo, name and graduating class is now hanging on the Hall of Fame wall directly across from the Main Office at Walt Whitman High School.
The South Huntington Hall of Fame honors alumni who have had a significant impact in their chosen field, their community, and/or on society as a whole. The first members were inducted in 2008. These individuals represent the best qualities of our alumni, serving as role models for future generations to emulate. Prospective candidates can be nominated by anyone, and had to have graduated from Whitman for at least 10 years. New members to the Hall of Fame will be inducted every two years. Calls for this year’s nominees went out this past spring, and the semi-finalists and winners were voted on by former graduates of Walt Whitman High School who recently joined the newly-formed alumni group.
Eliot Lonardo (Class of 1996) serves many roles within the community, generously giving his time and sponsorship to many events for various organizations throughout the South Huntington School District. He has served our community as a realtor for almost 20 years. Among his numerous leadership roles on both the State and local level, Eliot serves on the Town of Huntington’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board. On a community level, Eliot actively works with the Tri CYA, Townwide Fund and the Walt Whitman PTA among other school-based and local organizations.
Dara Reid Croft (Class of 1997) is a United States Immigration Judge who works to change lives for the better. She is hardworking and is often asked for advice from fellow judges as an influential voice in government and law. Dara takes the values that she learned through her time in the South Huntington School District and implements them into her professional and personal life every single day.
Ed Wu (Class of 2006) is a cinematographer who has found great success in the film industry. Ed was the former Chief Editor of Video Yearbook at Walt Whitman High School and is currently a cinematographer working on a project with Brooke Shields. Ed has had the opportunity to work in a variety of formats for companies in feature films, television, music videos, and commercials.
Brittany Schiavone (Class of 2007) was born with Down Syndrome and created her own non-profit organization called Brittany's Baskets of Hope. She receives donations from all across the country and puts together 'baskets of hope' to send to new parents of children born with Down Syndrome. Brittany has gained national recognition, including being named the L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth National Honoree in 2019.
Back left to right: BOE Vice President Linda LaCara, BOE Trustee Bill Biangasso, Superintendent Dr. Vito D'Elia, BOE President Nicholas Ciappetta, and BOE Trustee Sidney Joyner, joined to congratulate this year's inductees.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductee, Ed Wu (left), with Video Yearbook Advisor, Roger Paquette (right), who Ed gives much credit to his early experiences in film making. The cinematographer was the VY chief editor at Walt Whitman High School in 2006.
Kelly Smith (left) from the Town of Huntington nominated Brittany Schiavone (right) for the South Huntington Hall of Fame, as an inspiration to her and to the many lives she's touched through her organization, Brittany's Baskets of Hope.
Each honoree received several proclamations from town, New York State Assembly and Senate representatives. Attending the celebratory breakfast were Councilman Dr. Dave Bennardo, Councilman Sal Ferro, and Deputy Supervisor John McCarron.
Each inductee had the opportunity to share a few words with all in attendance at the induction ceremony. Dara shared how she's implemented the values that she learned through her time at Walt Whitman High School into her professional and personal life everyday.
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Board of Education President, Nicholas Ciappetta, and Vice President, Linda LaCara, presented the Key to the District and a special Hall of Fame crystal award to each of this year's honorees. Top left to bottom right: Eliot Lonardo, Dara Reid Croft, Brittany Schiavone, Ed Wu.
2023 Inductee, Eliot Lonardo, shared a moment of celebration with his family and good friend and BOE President, Nicholas Ciappetta.
Thank you to WWHS Senior, Anthony Maraboli, for sharing his musical talents during the celebration breakfast.
The morning festivities also included a wonderful performance from Walt Whitman's Dance Team.
Thank you to the South Huntington School Nutrition Services and custodial staff at Walt Whitman High School for serving up and setting up this year's special event!
Inductees Ed Wu and Eliot Lonardo joined Walt Whitman's Varsity Football Team Captains for the Homecoming game coin toss.