At the district’s March Board of Education meeting, two outstanding groups of students were recognized for their recent academic accomplishments, along with two outstanding Elwood Middle staff members who jumped into action, while showing such compassion, for a student in a recent moment of crisis.

A group of Elwood-John H. Glenn research students were commended for receiving the “Best Presenters” award at the Northwell Hospital-Feinstein Institute’s annual Medical Marvels Competition. The team, advised by Dr. Arnold Kamhi, included Sasha Jamal, Julia Mady-Aguiar, Devin Lee, Rithika Narayan, Brennan Finnegan, and Jake Haddad, and each student was presented with a certificate from the Board for this accomplishment.

John Glenn’s Mock Trial team, also known as Knight Court, was recognized by the Board for making it to the county’s “Elite Eight” round of the New York State Mock Trial Tournament. After four previous rounds of competition and just as many victories, they entered as the top seed in the county. Though Knight Court did not make it to the final round of the competition, they had an impressive season that marked the fourth year in a row making the county’s “Elite Eight”.

Additionally, Mock Trial advisor Ms. Megan Geiser was honored for her dedication to the team, and helping them reach the “Elite Eight” for the past four years.

“These students are some of the hardest working at John Glenn,” said Ms. Geiser. “Not only do they practice several hours a week, but they are active during school break and weekends as well; honing advocacy skills whenever they can.”

Lastly, Elwood Middle School Assistant Principal Dawn Valle and nurse Lisa McNamara were commended for expertly and compassionately taking care of a student in a moment of crisis.

“What an honor it is to work alongside professionals who treat Elwood’s children with the same love, dignity, and support they would give their own children,” said middle school principal Dr. Christina Sapienza as she presented them to the Board, “and we are so lucky to have professionals like them protecting and loving the students of our middle school.”