Middle school life skills students and high school work experience students recently visited a local Stop & Shop supermarket. During this educational field trip, the students enjoyed locating different items during a scavenger hunt, participated in a tour where they learned about different types of food and even had the opportunity to work the register.

Continuing to honor distinguished members of the school community while instilling pride, the Islip High School Hall of Fame inducted its second set of distinguished members at a Sept. 22 brunch prior to the homecoming parade. The presentation recognized the late Stephen Mark Abrams, C. David Ruvola, Thomas Zummo and the 2007-2008 high school football team, all permanently honored on Islip’s Hall of Fame Wall. The initial five honorees - Fred Biangardi, Dr. Jeffrey A. Goldstein, Michael Patrovich, John Veryzer and Tom Veryzer – were inducted last Dec. 7.

Abrams, a 1957 Islip graduate and class valedictorian, began a long career as a beloved chemistry teacher at Islip High School in 1963. He also worked as a professional pianist.

Ruvola, a 1975 alumnus, retired as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years of active duty service with the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing at Gabreski Airport, where he currently works as a civilian contract helicopter pilot. He also served as commander of the U.S. Air Force’s 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron in Baghdad International Airport.

Zummo, a 2001 graduate, was team captain and an All-Leaguer for Islip’s soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams. Playing lacrosse at the New York Institute of Technology, he earned numerous awards including NCAA All-American, NCAA champion, USILA Midfielder of the Year and LIMLF Player of the Year. He later played professional lacrosse for the Long Island Lizards, San Francisco Dragons, Boston Cannons and New York Titans, earning All-Star and Sportsman of the Year accolades.

The 2007-2008 varsity football team had the first undefeated season in Islip history, with a record of 11-0, and won the school’s first Long Island Championship title as well as numerous individual honors. Honored were head coach Jamie Lynch; assistant coaches Nick De Lapi, Lee Dwyer, Brian Gurney and Keith Scheidel; and players Keith Bascone, Casey Biasi, Malcom Brown, Julien Byron, Tyler Casalaro, Joe Catalanotto, Edgar Cesar, Nick Cooley, TJ Cordone, Jeffrey Craig, Anthony DeCaprio, Jordan Delaney, Gavin Donahue, Matthew Egan, Kevin Estrada, Frank Finno, Patrick Grant, Mike Grilli, Kyle Hickey, Cody Hinrichs, Frankie Jimenez, Louis Jocks, Carlos Johnson, Glen Johnson, Chris Keller, Mike Keller, Chris Kmieciak, Matt Kriss, Tom Kriss, John LaMonica, Dan Lyons, Sean Mackey, Kyle Miller, Rob Mirra, Tim Morgan, Daniel Perez, Chris Ponce, Stephen Provenzano, Frankie Provenzano, Tim Rampiaray, Jason Schlittenhardt, Nick Uher, Anthony Villani and Karl Weiss.

Speakers at the event included Stacey Murray, Debby Merrell, Assistant Principal Curt Juengerkes and Lynch.

“Each of our inductees have made sacrifices and great contributions that can be described as exceptional, outstanding and extraordinary,” said Juengerkes. “They are a part of Islip tradition that is draped in a commitment to excellence and a love for our community.”

With English Language Learner students and families in attendance representing 23 different nations and 17 different languages, Islip’s annual ELL Parent Orientation on Sept. 26 provided parents with information on the programs and services their children are entitled to, based on New York State Department of Education regulations.

This year’s event, which kicked off in the school’s auditorium with a welcome from Priscilla Zarate, Islip’s coordinator of ENL and world languages, also gave the parents an opportunity to meet with their corresponding English as a New Language teachers and ask questions.

Meanwhile, the students gathered in the cafeteria for an enjoyable session of board games, books, and arts and crafts, and all who attended left with backpacks filled with school supplies, books and other goodies donated by the Town of Islip Youth Bureau, Book Fairies, Panera Bread and Kid to Kid.

Exceptional high school music students Nicholas D’Auria (bass), Joseph Leo (bass) and Masin Ryerson (alto saxophone) were chosen as All-State musicians by the New York State School Music Association, based on their performances at last year’s NYSSMA Solo Festival. Two other Islip students – Meaghan Lawrence (flute) and Gregory Warnokowski (alto saxophone) were selected as alternates.

The annual NYSSMA Winter Conference will take place at the in the Eastman Theater in Rochester from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, with performances on Dec. 1 and 2. D’Auria and Leo, prepared by chorus teacher Dr. Rich Harris Jr., will perform with the All-State Vocal Jazz ensemble, while Ryerson, prepared by band teacher Steve Campanella, will perform with the All-State Symphonic Band.

“Being selected as a participant or alternate for an All-State ensemble is a rare honor,” said Vincent Green, Islip’s director of fine and performing arts. “It is the culmination of years of hard work and training. I am continually impressed with the work of our students and staff.”

Homecoming proved triumphant for Islip on Sept. 22, beginning with a celebratory parade down Main Street highlighted by a sea of purple jerseys cheering on the marchers and an array of creative class floats, followed by a fun carnival for the younger attendees and a brilliant performance by the varsity football team.

The Bucs won big against Hauppauge, cruising to a 42-14 victory. Quarterback Joe Juengerkes put Islip on the board with an early touchdown, while running back Bailey Kolovich ran for 149 yards including 60-yard and 35-yard touchdown runs. Islip’s ground game proved decisive, earning 350 yards in total.

The Bucs were ahead 28-0 by the time the halftime show came around, which featured strong performances by the cheerleaders, kickline and marching band, and the presentation of homecoming queen Mayra Sanchez and homecoming king Daniel Canales.