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Friday, January 12, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 2
Syosset Forensics Society ranked 49th in the nation
Officers of this year’s Syosset High School Forensics Society display a sampling of trophies won in 2016-17. Adviser and NSDA Hall of Fame member Lydia Esslinger joins the group in the back row. Photo courtesy of the Syosset School District The Syosset High School Forensics Society has done it again! Keeping with tradition, the team has been ranked among the best in the country by the National Speech and Debate Association. They are presently
ranked 49th in the country in member strength for the 2016-17 school year out of more than 3,000 participating schools in the United States. Every year NSDA ranks teams based on points
and degrees earned in competitive and service-based activities. Year after year, the organization recognizes Syosset as one of the top teams in the country. Syosset Forensics Society coach and high school English teacher Lydia Esslinger, who is a member of the NSDA Coaches Hall of Fame, credits the team’s consistent success to motivated students who know that “focus, determination, and effort pay off. Yes, trophies and scholarships are nice rewards, but knowing how to research, to write, to think deeply, and communicate effectively are skills that return their investment over an entire lifetime.” Currently comprised of over 150 students, Syosset Forensics has a long tradition as a standout co-curricular, interscholastic activity at Syosset High School, with multiple Long Island and New York State championships among its successes. Students participate in competitions to demonstrate their public speaking, acting, debating, and writing skills, as well as their knowledge of philosophy and ethics, government and current events. They are constantly researching, seeking out new material to use and practicing to stay sharp. Syosset Forensics scored big at last year’s New York State Forensic League Championship Tournament held at Hofstra University, as the team won first place in the Speech events division, placed second in both the Debate events and Student Congress divisions, and won the award for Best Overall team in the state. The team produced four individual state champions as well: Ronit Dhulia (Lincoln/Douglas debate- novice level), Jahnavi Arora and Aram Moghaddassi (co-champions in Lincoln/Douglas debate- varsity level), and Iree Mann (Oral Interpretation- varsity level).
Town approves new Inspector General
The Town of Oyster Bay has approved the hiring of an Inspector General who will be charged with standardizing the Town’s procurement and contract administration, and monitoring compliance with state and federal laws. The Inspector General will have the authority to review the records of all Town departments as he or she may deem to be for the best financial interest of the Town, of the accounts, financial methods and financial
activities of each department, office or agency of the Town and report to the Supervisor and Town Board. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said, “To restore the public’s trust in government, the Town Board and I took swift action to install a new, independent Board of Ethics with real and meaningful oversight. We have instituted disclosure requirements for contractors, vendors and high level employees to prevent conflicts of interest and improprieties. A
former Federal prosecutor was appointed to serve as Town Attorney and employees – as well as elected officials - have been mandated to attend an ethics training seminar.” “Building upon these initiatives to restore ethics, honesty, integrity and transparency, the Town will hire an Inspector General to administer all aspects of the Town’s contracting processes,” he added.
Syosset students share ideas PAGE 6 Kosher Gospel Music at Synagogue PAGE 7