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.”