The district held its second annual Hispanic Heritage recognition event on Oct. 23, honoring five students – one per each of the district’s schools – who are Hispanic, Hispanic-American or of Hispanic heritage and have demonstrated outstanding civic and community engagement.

The honorees for 2018, chosen by a committee of Islip language teachers from each school, were Kayley Guzman Morales of Islip Middle School, Adrian Lopez of Wing Elementary School, Amanda Mardones of Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School, Bianka Morales of Islip High School and Isabella Sarmiento of Commack Road Elementary School.

The recognition ceremony, held in the middle school library with the students’ families in attendance, coincided with National Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.