Community

Shoreham-Wading River: Twenty-two students from Albert G. Prodell honored with Principal’s Award during moving-up ceremony

As you begin your first day of high school at Shoreham-Wading River, you might notice the new addition to the front entrance: the wood-carved wildcat statue donated and created by Robert Caskie. It stood in front of the high school prior to graduation, but it’s now an important part of the entrance. Let’s hope it sparks Wildcat enthusiasm for future SWR generations.

Twenty-two of the students who graduated from Albert G. Prodell Middle School during a “moving up” ceremony were recognized for their academic accomplishments. They received the prestigious Principal’s Award, a high school honor for maintaining a 90 percent grade point average in sixth and seventh grade and the first semester of eighth grade. Principal Dr. Linda Anthony and assistant principal Peggy Grasso congratulated the students and thanked the parents for their support. Good luck to all the middle school students who begin their high school days this week at Shoreham-Wading River.

Speaking of new beginnings, Dr. Steven Cohen was selected as the new superintendent of Shoreham-Wading River schools, to replace Dr. Harriet Copel. Dr. Cohen comes to SWR from the Rye City School District, where he was the assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction. “I look forward to the opportunity to begin learning about the district’s aspirations for the students of the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District,” he stated. We welcome Dr. Cohen.

Shoreham-Wading River students have been participating this week in all the sports tryouts. Whether you got on junior varsity or varsity or didn’t place at all, as long as you gave it your all and it was your best shot, you’re already a winner.

I hope you didn’t have too rough of a time throughout Hurricane Irene. I have to thank Gary and Virginia Hampel, who helped my family and me in our hurricane cleanup. Thanks also to Tim Murphy for bringing over his strong industrial chainsaw that helped us to get rid of eight trees that fell in our backyard. We have very fine neighbors in my area and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

If you have a story you’d like to share of a Shoreham-Wading River neighbor who helped you make it through those tough days, please share it with us. We all want to celebrate the good people who surround us.

Until we meet in these pages next week, be well.