May 18, 2015

CONNETQUOT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION HOSTS 9TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY

CTA President Tony Felicio, Jr. (c) congratulated the students for their winning essays, and the teachers who ‘made a difference’ in their lives.

Bohemia, NY --- On Monday evening, May 18th, Mr. Tony Felicio, Jr, President of the Connetquot Teachers Association (CTA) hosted a reception and awards ceremony for the winners of the organization’s annual essay contest. Held at the colorfully decorated library at Connetquot High School, Felicio and CTA committee members, welcomed the selected students, their parents and the teachers “… who made a difference …” in their lives. Each of the six winning students received an attractive certificate, a copy of their winning essay, and a check for $500.

Felicio said “… on behalf of the members of the Connetquot Teachers Association, I would like to express how proud we are of our teachers for being chosen by former students as the teacher who has made a positive difference in their lives. I would also like to congratulate the students and their parents for their commitment and dedication toward academic excellence.” The topic of the essay was The Teacher Who Made a Difference in my Life; the teachers themselves were humbled by the students’ kind words.

Over 200 essays were read and graded by a committee of CTA members from Connetquot HS, as well as the middle and elementary schools. Essays submitted by the following Connetquot students were selected as the six winning entries: Elaina Batista (Mr. Michael Murphy), Jonathan Forberg (Mrs. Laurie Schwartz), Lawrence Brett (Mrs. Rosemary Riegger), Steven Crescenti (Mrs. Eileen McGinnis), and Katlyn Boodram (Ms. Jennifer Paroulo).

The Connetquot Teacher’s Association has been increasingly involved in community events such as providing financial support of both boys’ & girls’ local sports teams, collecting clothing & snacks for the needy, raising funds to for cancer research, as well the financial awards for graduating Connetquot students. The latest Connetquot Teachers Association project has been partnering with the Education & Assistance Corporation to provide healthy snacks, fruit drinks and bottled water for youngsters waiting for the parents at the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip. The New York State United Teachers Association has recognized the CTA with the prestigious NYSUT community Service Award.

Mr. Felicio and CTA Vice President Mr. Chris Dolce personally congratulated each of the winning students, and their families, for submitting quality essays. The kind words the students used to describe the impact Connetquot’s professional educators have had on their lives touched the hearts of the teachers being recognized, and brought at least one of them to tears. Mr. Felicio also thanked the following CTA members who helped organize the evening’s award ceremony: Chris Dolce, Joanna Zaleski, Christine Dassler, Cathleen DiPeri and Robert Bachisin.

CTA Scholarship Committee members (l-r): Cathleen DiPeri, Christine Dassler, Tony Felicio, Jr., Chris Dolce and Joanna Zaleski (missing from photo is Rob Bachisin).