Community

Shoreham-Wading River: Student artists paint container bound for Kenya children’s fund

The Family Festival fireworks display on Route 25A in Wading River on Aug. 20 was quite nice. Newton Shows lit up the sky for all those who attended. Witnessing fireworks during the summer seems really American. Perhaps we’re conditioned to think of “the rockets’ red glare” and “the bombs bursting in air” as strictly an American theme. It certainly had the feel of summer and the scent of America and we were proud that it happened in Wading River.

Times/Review Newsgroup came up with a list of the area’s top 20 athletes and some of them are native to our community. Congratulations are in order for the following athletes:

Keri Bettenhauser of Shoreham-Wading River High School was named 17th on the list for her outstanding abilities in field hockey, basketball and softball. Today she is said to be the greatest female athlete to walk the halls of Shoreham-Wading River.

Jesse Jantzen, fourth on the list of the area’s 20 best, is a SWR wrestling legend who won four state championships, had unbelievable success for Harvard University and, if not for an ill-timed sickness, would most likely have been named to the United States Olympic team.

And finally, Keith Osik, a SWR High School baseball player who continued to the major leagues, was voted second seed in the list of the top-20 athletes.

You have all been major players in your chosen sports and your dedication, passion and skills that you have developed have placed you in the forefront of so many. We are so proud to have called you our own.

In preparation for summer’s end, there’s a story of two SWR High School students who joined Mr. Mann’s Global Awareness class because they were interested in other cultures and wanted to positively influence people around the world. When Mr. Mann asked for two artists to complete a painting project, Anya Uzo and Emma Stoll volunteered right away. The project was to decorate the huge receptacle on the grounds of the school, used to hold all kinds of nonperishables and supplies, to be shipped to Africa. All of the paint used was rust-resistant. The design given to them was from past students of the class. “We don’t know who came up with the original sketch, but Anya and I used that as a basis for the painting, while adding our own details and inspiration to create something beautiful and hopefully intriguing,” said Emma.

Although the time was over a period of months, Emma and Anya spent about five or six weeks on the container, an amount difficult to break down into hours. The container has wild animals painted on it and is very colorful and interesting. It holds donations from students, parents and other community members who were willing and kind enough to help with the club’s efforts involving Hope Children’s Fund and the children in Kenya.

Until we meet here next week, be well.