8 from Herricks at honors fest 12 Herricks students honored for kindness

Herricks Special Education Parent Teacher Association recently hosted the 2023 Student Peer Awards.

Students, family members and staff were invited to the ceremony that was held in the Herricks Middle School cafeteria. Herricks Superintendent Tony Sinanis opened the event that celebrated 12 Herricks students for their kindness and compassion to their peers with different learning abilities.

Awards were presented to the following students representing each of the district’s schools:

· Millie Adhvaryu-Valente from Denton Avenue Elementary

· James Haddock from Herricks Middle School

· Panagiotis “Peter” Katehis from Herricks High School

· Camryn LaRock from Herricks High School

· Abby Mannino from Searingtown Elementary

· Harshee Patel from Denton Avenue Elementary

· Eduardo Santana from Herricks High School

· Zohra Sohail from Herricks High School

· Willow Umlauf from Center Street Elementary

· Daisy Van Groningen from Herricks Middle School

· Cocona Wang from Searingtown Elementary

· Allen Xiang from Center Street Elementary

The district wishes to congratulate all the Student Peer Award recipients and extend special thanks to the SEPTA for hosting the event.

Herricks High School had eight students selected to perform at the 2023 Eastern Division Honors Festival that was held in Rochester, New York. The Herricks students who participated in the mid-April event were:

· Riddhe Ahluwalia for soprano

· Kristina Apostolatos for alto

· Franciscus Chang for the oboe and English horn

· Aaron Chu for violin

· Devon Lee for cello

· Dylan Lee for bass

· Jeylin Lee for viola

· Ethan Thway for bass clarinet

The event was sponsored by the National Association for Music Education and hosted by the New York State School Music Association. The Herricks students performed among the more than 200 students selected from school music programs across the state. Approximately 700 students were participants from schools across the East Coast. Students rehearsed and performed with renowned conductors including Dr. James Tapia of Syracuse University (All-Eastern Symphonic Band), Rachel Lauber of the Eastman Community Music School and University at Buffalo (All-Eastern Symphony Orchestra), Jason Max Ferdinand of the University of Maryland (All-

Eastern Mixed Chorus), Brian Powell of Montclair State University, NJ (All-Eastern Modern Band), Dr. Kristina MacMullen of University of North Texas (All-Eastern Treble Chorus) and jazz tubist Bob Stewart conducting the All-Eastern Jazz Ensemble.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our students,’’ said Director of Fine and Performing Arts Anissa Arnold. “Our students worked collaboratively with other young musicians from schools outside of New York and gained valuable experience by working with renowned master conductors concluding with stellar performances.”

NYSSMA, the New York State School Music Association, is the largest state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education. The Mission of the New York State School Music Association is to advance music education across New York State for its membership and students in member school programs.