January 18, 2023 Deer Park

TRAINER’S TABLE TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP - Deer Park High School runner Evan Attrino had a fantastic 2022 cross-country campaign, being named captain of the team, earning All-County, All-Division and All-League honors, and qualifying for both the New York State Public High School Athletic Association State Championship and the New York State High School State Federation Championship. Photo courtesy of Deer Park School District

After several years of frustrating injuries that held him back, Deer Park High School runner Evan Attrino had a fantastic 2022 cross-country campaign. Attrino was named captain of the team, earning AllCounty, All-Division and All-League honors, and qualifying for both the New York State Public High School Athletic Association State Championship and the New York State High

School State Federation Championship. He was a top runner in League 4, winning all his races except one. He was the Town of Babylon Championship Meet individual champion and ran the fifth fastest 5k time in Deer Park boys cross-country history at the Six Flags Invitational.

“This was a remarkable turnaround from the previous cross-country season, where Evan was

barely able to make it to the start line due to over a year of injuries,” coach Thomas Brouillard said. “Evan worked tirelessly to rehab from his injuries, putting in countless hours at night at the school pool, going to physical therapy several times a week, and still being involved with the team all while doing so. Despite the frustration, disappointment and setbacks, Evan never gave up and showed what happens to those who want something bad enough and never give up no matter how difficult the road ahead is. Evan is a great kid and has developed into a team leader. I don’t know if I have ever been more thrilled for an athlete’s success as much as Evan’s. He truly deserves it.”

FROM

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for January is Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a local non-profit organization that began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. They grew from having two programs, eight horses and 80 students per week to 11 programs, 25 horses and 400 students per week - and they continue to grow today!

“2023 will be a year of physical growth with our new educational center and treatment clinic, as well as spiritual growth by continuing to serve the many who need our 13 acre farm and herd to help them heal from trauma, grow in personal strength and learn new things to brighten their future,” said Lisa Gatti, Founder of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. The organization will be o ering various events throughout 2023, some of which are noted below.

February 15th they will kick-o a 3 month virtual Hay Drive Fundraiser. “We’ve been holding this Fundraiser once a year for 3 years now because in the last few years the cost of hay has tripled,” said Lisa. “Every penny donated through this fundraiser goes directly to helping us buy hay for our herd. I’d like to warmly thank everyone in advance for their support and donations, it truly helps us more than you know.” This year they are proud to o er a new text to donate feature. More information is available on their website (www.pal-o-mine.org).

Additionally, May 3rd through May 7th from 9:30AM-2:30PM they are holding their annual J-STEP Spring Craft Fair at their farm, located at 829 Old Nichols Road in Islandia.

J-STEP, which stands for Job Security Through Equine Partnership, is their Vocational Program. The program o ers a paid internship that runs 5 days per week for people with disabilities who are 18 years or older. Every item showcased at this fair is handcrafted by the J-STEP interns.

Lastly, May 4th from 6PM-9PM they will hold a Stable Spirits Art Show and Auction in their barn. This will be a night you won’t want to miss, filled with local wine and cheese, creativity and philanthropy!

Pal-O-Mine will proudly feature up and coming artists in individual “stalls” in the barn and proceeds from each sale will go towards building their new educational center and clinic.

Knights Of Columbus Donation Brightens Christmas For JFK Students

BRIGHTENS CHRISTMAS - The

recently donated for the Christmas holiday to a family of four children, all students at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School. The organization’s Columbiettes, women members of the auxiliary council affiliated with the local Knights of Columbus council, organized a large donation of gifts that put a smile on the faces of the four students on Christmas morning. “We at JFK would like to say a special thanks for the generosity of the Columbiettes who helped brighten this Christmas for one of our families in need” Principal Kelly Benson said. Pictured left to right: Carol Miller Douglas, Social Worker, Sue Wright, Teachers Aide.

If you are interested in finding out more about their J-STEP Program or learning about the opportunity to have your art displayed at the Stable Spirits Art Show, contact Tessa at TessaVF@pal-o-mine. org. For more general information about Pal-O-Mine, call 631-348-1389, visit their website (www.pal-o-mine.org), Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Instagram.

Deer Park Knights of Columbus

Deer Park High School recently celebrated its athletes during the fall sports awards, held in the school auditorium. Athletic Director Dominick Fontana congratulated the athletes on all of their accomplishments and thanked the parents

Deer Park High School Recognizes Athletes

for their dedication and unwavering support.

The nine varsity teams’ members were called to the stage to be recognized and four athletes per team were awarded plaques for the most improved player, sportsmanship award, coach’s award and most valuable player.

Congratulations to the following award winners:

Boys Cross-Country: Evan Attrino (MVP), Berk Bas (most improved player award), Ayush Manchanda (coach’s award) and Burak Tuzun (sportsmanship award)

Girls Cross-County: Kayla Beaumont

(most improved player award), Ava Capone (MVP), Kaliyah Hull (coach’s award) and Brianne Vasconcellos (sportsmanship award)

Varsity Football: Joseph DeSimone (most improved player award), Jovani Elysee-Holloway (coach’s award), Hayden Lovinsky (MVP) and Christopher Rodriguez (sportsmanship award)

Boys Varsity Golf: Nicholas Fedrich (coach’s award), Michael Hodgkiss (MVP), Joseph Linken (most improved player award) and Dylan Rhodes (sportsmanship award)

Boys Varsity Soccer: Jesse-Daniel Ediale (coach’s award), Michaelangelo Giuliano (most improved player award), Isaiah HarrilalJamison (sportsmanship award) and Anthony Miller (MVP)

Girls Varsity Soccer: Isabella Colon (coach’s award), Taylor Gabel (MVP), Eadie Liu (most improved player award) and Fiona Stapleton (sportsmanship award)

Girls Varsity Swimming: Alexa Flores (MVP), Gloria Min (most improved player award), Hailey Quinn (coach’s

award) and Theresa Tiernan (sportsmanship award)

Girls Varsity Tennis: Emily Franciscovich (MVP), Dimitra Pavlatos (most improved player award), Riya Shah (coach’s award) and Morgan Sinclair (sportsmanship award)

Girls Varsity Volleyball: Raidiris Burgos (MVP), Kayley Eising (coach’s award), Allyssa Skeen (most improved player award) and Mikayla Williams (sportsmanship award)

Photos courtesy of Deer Park School District

Deer Park HS Women’s Choir Kicks Off County Legislature Meeting

The Deer Park High School Women’s Choir recently performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a start of a general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge,

on the invitation of Legislator Tom Donnelly.

The women’s choir, directed by Catherine Singer,

be performing

first time

three

VARSITY SOCCER ATHLETES - From left, Deer Park High School varsity soccer athletes Eadie Liu, Isabella Colon, Taylor Gabel and Fiona Stapleton were recipients of fall sports awards.

TOP HONORS FOOTBALL PLAYERS - From left, Deer Park High School football players Hayden Lovinsky, Christopher Rodriguez, Jovani Elysee-Holloway and Joseph DeSimone received top honors during the fall sports award ceremony.

VARSITY GOLF TEAM MEMBERS - Deer Park High School varsity golf team members, from left, Michael Hodgkiss, Nicholas Fedrich, Joseph Linken and Dylan Rhodes received plaques for their exceptional accomplishments on the golf course this fall season.

WOMEN’S CHOIR KICKS OFF COUNTY LEGISLATURE MEETING - The Deer Park High School Women’s Choir recently performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a start of a general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge. Photo courtesy of Deer Park School District

will

for the

in

years at the Music in the

Parks competition in Hershey, Pennsylvania in June 2023 after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deer Park Welcomes 74 New National Honor Society Members

Deer Park High School recently welcomed 74 new members at its 61st annual National Honor Society induction ceremony. Class of 2023 valedictorian Sophia Zorakhs led the pledge of allegiance, while NHS President Ryan Klivansky administered the society’s pledge to the inductees.

“Tonight is a culmination of hard work and dedication that should be celebrated,” Associate Principal Garret Noblett said. “For the last 11 years, these inductees have worked tirelessly to become members of the National Honor Society. Inductees and their ongoing accomplishments foster educational spirit, community pride and personal expectation that all improve our school and our surroundings.”

Noblett went on to directly address the new members.

“On behalf of the building, administration, teachers

and your peers, thank you,” he said. “You contribute an intangible factor that every secondary school wants. You shape Deer Park High School’s culture. Schools like ours that boast diverse, involved, academically minded young leaders are inspiring and serve as a model to how society should operate. Students who want to learn and have constructive experiences change classrooms, hallways, athletic arenas and communities. You set the bar and establish a special expectation for your peers. We rely on your role modeling and assistance on, and your open-mindedness in confidence, and most importantly, on your ability to challenge us as leaders, to think creatively and encourage your peers to do the same. This is a tall order for teenagers, and you handle it with finesse and enthusiasm. Tonight’s

induction ceremony provides a moment of pause to recognize and praise you, but tomorrow it’s back to business positively impacting Deer Park High School. Your parents, guardians, friends and teachers eagerly anticipate your moves and your successes. This is only the beginning. Universities are awaiting your arrival with experience that will allow you to indulge your passions and enrich their campuses. Congratulations on your demonstration of character, leadership, scholarship and service, and thank you for contributing so positively to your school and our community.”

Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly – a lifelong Deer Park resident whose daughters attended Deer Park High School, two being National Honor Society members – was in attendance to congratulate the students.

Retiring Early

According to Gallup’s 2021 Economy and Personal Finance survey, the average individual in the United States is retiring earlier than many people might expect. Gallup found that the average retirement age was 62, which is two years earlier than the working respondents

indicated they planned to retire. Canadians are retiring a little bit later than their American counterparts, as Statistics Canada reports the average retirement age in Canada is just over 63 and a half. The average retirement age is worth noting, as studies routinely find that many

working professionals greatest concern about retiring is that they won’t have enough money saved to meet their needs. By recognizing that they may end up retiring earlier than they initially planned, professionals can make a concerted effort to save more money in the years ahead.

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Debunking

(NAPSI)—Buying a home can seem daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers facing record housing prices, tight supply, and rising interest rates. Quite often, misconceptions about homeownership discourage prospective buyers from starting a search even before it begins.

The good news is homeownership can be much closer than you think. Lisa Frison, Head of Financial Inclusion and Racial Equity at Citi, recalls that growing up her parents rented their home for years before eventually becoming firsttime homebuyers. “Even so, I found myself struggling to understand what I needed to do and what resources were available to me when I was ready to buy my first home nearly a decade later,” she says. Here Frison debunks these Top 5 Myths to help you get on track to building generational wealth through homeownership.

1. I Don’t Have Credit (a FICO Score). Nearly 11% of Americans (50 million people) are “credit invisible,” according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, meaning they have no or limited credit history. This disproportionately affects diverse and underserved communities. To help, Citi’s

Hints For Home Buyers

The Five Myths That Deter Homeownership

HomeRun mortgage program offers non-traditional ways to demonstrate credit readiness, such as providing proof of paying rent, utilities or other monthly payments.

2. I Don’t Have Enough Money Saved. You may have more money than you think. Many banks offer programs for new homebuyers that do not require mortgage insurance for those qualifying. Also, HomeRun has some mortgages for as little as 3% down, with a minimum 1% borrower contribution. This, along with the bank’s Lender Paid Assistance, which provides up to $7,500 closing cost funds that do not need to be paid back, saves qualifying borrowers thousands of dollars in closing costs, helping them afford more house. These programs are offered only in select markets and have income limitations.

3. I Should Start House Hunting with a Realtor. It seems logical to begin with a real estate agent but your best bet may be to start with your lender, who can explore homebuyer assistance programs with you and give you a realistic view of what you can afford through a prequalification or pre-approval. A real estate agent will then narrow the search to help you find the right home for you and your budget.

4. I Earn Too Much to Qualify for Assistance. Lender assistance programs may be more expansive than you think, especially in response to inflation and rising home prices. For example, Citi has increased lending assistance to borrowers with income up to 120% of median income— up from 80% of the median local income. The bank’s loan officers can tell customers where their income is relative to the local median family income and also whether a property is located in an eligible census tract.

5. I Should Keep

Renting

Because I Missed the Market and Now I’m Priced Out. Firsttime or affordable homebuyer programs can help you get on the path to buying a home you can afford. Remember, a home is more than a place to live and build memories—it is a way to build wealth that you can pass on to future generations. That’s something you can’t achieve by renting.

Learn More

For more information, visit www.citi.com/mortgage/ community-lendinghomerun.

Recycling Is Good For The Economy

The statistics are in… recycling is not only good for the environment, but also for the economy. And a standout economic success story in recycling is HELPSY!

The environmental benefits of recycling are well documented and by themselves warrant a more sustainable lifestyle. With information gathered by the Recycling Economic Information Project (REI), an organization created in 2001 to encourage the development of an economic market for recycling and supported by the EPA, it is proven beyond a doubt that recycling not only conserves natural resources

but recycling also strengthens our economy by creating jobs, wages and creating tax revenue.

A 2020 REI report showed the recycling industry (including glass, paper, plastics, rubber, electronics, organic and construction and demolition materials) across the board created 681,000 jobs, $37.8 billion in wages, and $5.5 billion in tax revenue. Furthermore, on average… 1.17 jobs were created for every 1000 tons of recycled materials.

Rising above the rest by comparison, with 270 employees, HELPSY is the largest clothing collection

company on the East Coast and collects 15,000 tons of textiles every year…amounting to 18 jobs for every 1000 tons.

“HELPSY’s environmental mission is to radically change the way people think about clothing reuse and recycling. In the process of serving this mission, it has created hundreds of living wage jobs, saved municipalities millions of dollars in disposal fees, and has reduced the enormous environmental burden of the second most polluting industry in the world,” says Dan Green, Co-Founder and CEO of HELPSY.

Over the past year, HELPSY has worked with 113 municipal

recycling departments and collected approximately 1.7 million pounds of textiles from those collaborations. Through a combination of clothing drives, home pick-ups, thrift store partners and clothing receptacles located in 10 states, HELPSY diverts nearly 30 million pounds of textiles from landfills every year. Considering those numbers, recycling clothes makes sense both environmentally and financially. For additional information about HELPSY or to join in our environmental preservation efforts, contact info@helpsy.co.