Recognitions
2025-2026
BOE Recognitions 2025-2026
Mrs. Dawn Sharrock, Board President, thanked and acknowledged both Assemblyman Doug Smith and Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay for their support and guidance to our students. Assemblyman Smith and Assemblywoman Kassay are not able to be with us this evening. Ms. Emily Murphy, Chief of Staff, accepted the Certificate of Appreciation of behalf of Assemblywoman Kassay.
Ms. Amy Pacifico, Director of World Studies K-12, presented Jose Gomez, Jr., a sophomore from the Computer Graphics in Art & Design 2 class at Newfield High School, with a Certificate of Recognition for designing the winning "I Voted" sticker. Also, Ms. Pacifico acknowledged the Middle Country Education Foundation for funding the 4th Annual "I Voted" Sticker Contest.
Ms. Amy Pacifico and Dr. Kyrie Siegel presented Certificates of Merit on behalf of Assemblyman Doug Smith and Middle Country Certificates of Pride to the following students who attended the Student Lobbying Day in Albany on February 3, 2026. Forty-five students attended and had the invaluable opportunity to express their school funding ideas and concerns with eight of our New York State legislators.
A Certificate of Pride was awarded by BOE President, Dawn Sharrock, to Ms. Alyssa Hughes, first grade teacher from New Lane Elem School. Alyssa was awarded a grant through Tanger Outlets for the purchase of outdoor recess equipment.
Mrs. Dawn Sharrock, Board President, presented plaques of appreciation to Board Trustees Mrs. Doreen Feldman, Mrs. Deborah Mann-Rodrigues (not pictured) and Ms. Laura Talamo (not pictured), in recognition of their passionate, diligent service, and unwavering commitment to the students of Middle Country.
Mrs. Dawn Sharrock, Board President, presented Certificates of Appreciation to Ex Officio Student Board Members, Rose Miller and Dyllon Blake, in recognition of their dedicated time and service on the Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year.
Mrs. Liz Scott Pothier presented Certificates of Pride to the Career Exploration Challenge participants and winners.
| Riley Anson | CHS |
| Chloe Carr | CHS |
| Megan Clark | NHS |
| Julianna Ituarte | NHS |
| Justina Lee | NHS |
| Ella Nichols | CHS |
| Jax Prokop | CHS |
| Farhan Rafique | CHS |
| Jeremiah Rivera | CHS |
| Abigail Squires | NHS |
Dawn Sharrock, BoE President, presented Certificates of Pride to two Science teachers from Newfield HS
- Ann Marie Hassett, Chemistry
As part of Women’s History Month in March, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay hosted the second annual Assembly District 4 Women of Distinction Award Ceremony. Newfield High School Chemistry Teacher, Ann Marie Hassett was recognized in the Law Enforcement/First Responder category for service to the community as a firefighter with the Coram Fire Department. She is currently the only female firefighter and was identified as a role model for young girls and women.
- Donna D’Auria, AP Environmental Science & Biology
Newfield High School Biology and AP Environmental Science Teacher Donna D’Auria received the LISTEMELA STEM Star Award for being a beacon of light for her students. Ms. D’Auria, a New York State Master Teacher, was nominated for her unwavering commitment to our students and innovative teaching practice. Ms. D’Auria also teaches our most vulnerable students including ENL, inclusion, and our Alternative Learning Center where she continuously strives to reach all learners and make science relatable and interesting.
Student interns from Centereach and Newfield High Schools as well as the inaugural advisors, Ms. Angelina Saladino and Ms. Margaret Derasmo were presented with Certificates of Pride to the Cohen Strong Mental Health Program to make the program a success.
Pictured from left to right:
- Ms. Saladino
- Lukas Wolpiuk – CHS
- Anisha Nur – CHS
- Mustafa Lodhi – CHS
- Emerald Compton – CHS
- Janiah Forthe – NHS
- Jada Matthias – NHS
- Rebekkah Peltz – NHS (not pictured)
- Sreya Roy – NHS (not pictured)
- Ms. Derasmo
Mr. Nick Cangero introduced the DECA winners, SkillsUSA, and College Virtual Enterprise winners and presented them with Certificates of Pride.
| DECA Honors Achievements | |
| Yusuf Atamy | CHS |
| Jessica Dezendorf | CHS |
| Angelia (Gia) Hirsch | CHS |
| Cemal Tastan | CHS |
| SkillsUSA Winner | |
| Priscilla Ragusa | NHS |
| Caitlin Reynolds | NHS |
| College Virtual Enterprise | |
| Damian Borawski | CHS |
| Molly Butler | CHS |
| Adrianna DiMondo | CHS |
| Jack Kiernan | CHS |
| Ty Passanisi | CHS |
Mr Joseph Mercado presented Certificates of Pride to students who received the NYS AHPERD Suffolk Zone Health & Physical Education Leadership Award.
CHS – Cemal Tastan & Madelyn Madrigal (not pictured)
NHS – Jason Krol & Lily Kolasinski
Mr. Mercado presented Certificates of Recognition to 3 seniors for their “Distinguished High School Lacrosse Careers”.
| CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL |
| Joseph Farrugia |
| Jake Mikochik |
| NEWFIELD HIGH SCHOOL |
| Dominic Otis |
Mr. Robert Vecchio, N-SSBA’s Executive Director, presented Ms. Kathleen Walsh, former Board Trustee, the N-SSBA Outstanding School Board Service Award.
Mr. Robert Vecchio, NYSSBA’s Executive Director, presented Mrs. Dawn Sharrock, Board President, the Level 4 Lifetime Achievement Award under the NYSSBA’s Board of Excellence Recognition Program.
Mr. Robert Vecchio, NYSSBA’s Executive Director, presented Mr. Robert Feeney, Board Vice President, the Level 3 Board Mastery Award under the NYSSBA’s Board of Excellence Recognition Program.