POINTS OF PRIDE

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2010-2011 Points of Pride

Students in Mr. Bowker’s Prep American History and mathematics classes and students in Ms. Rosslee’s Freshman Seminar classes create children’s books

Throughout the second marking period, students in Daniel Bowker’s Prep American History and mathematics classes collaborated with students in Julie Rosslee’s Freshman Seminar classes to create children’s books. Each book created examined elements of civics or mathematics, depending on the group of students involved and the course in which they were enrolled. Once the high school students completed their projects, they visited Old Mill Road School for its annual Community Readers Day and shared their children’s books with the elementary school’s first, second and third graders.

Calhoun seniors thank the community for an immensely successful collection for foster care children

In early December, our seniors were inspired by a student presentation of the My Stuff Bag Foundation, which provides necessary personal items to children who are uprooted from their homes and forced into the foster care system. They then endeavored to host a collection drive to assist local foster care facilities, specifically the Education & Assistance Corporation (EAC). EAC is a not-for-profit human service agency with a network of 66 programs throughout Long Island and New York City. Hundreds of child victims of abuse and neglect are helped by EAC each year and EAC helps children in foster care secure a permanent home.

We are pleased to report that our collection drive was immensely successful; we collected over 300 personal items to donate to foster children and that is due to the thoughtfulness and generosity of the Calhoun community. On behalf of our seniors, we would like to thank you for your meaningful contributions. Happy New Year!
Sincerely, Jennifer Hahn and Tanya Di Mambro

The Special Education Department at Calhoun High School has received an iPad.

Ms. Paluseo, Special Education Chairperson and Ms. Natof, Speech and Language teacher applied for and were chosen to receive the iPad through a grant from the NSASA: Autism Society of America. The Outback Steak House in Merrick in conjunction with Heineken With a Heart provided the funding for the iPad. The owner of the Merrick Outback, Mr. Jeff Abate along with representatives from NSASA were at Calhoun on Friday, January 6th and presented the iPad to Mr. Felicciardi, Director of Special Education & PPS and Ms. Paluseo. Mr. Abate also provided a luncheon for (chicken fingers and fries) the students.

We are honored and excited to be the recipients of this great instructional tool and look forward to implementing it to enhance the learning experiences of our students.

Alumni speak to the Junior class about their college experiences

The Junior class was assembled for the annual Alumni Day on Friday, January 6. Fourteen alumni from the Class of 2010 spoke to the juniors about their transition to college and about their experiences negotiating the first year and a half of their college lives.

Congratulations to Dawn Meltzer, principal flute chair Div IV All County Band

Calhoun 10th grader, Dawn Meltzer earned the principal flute chair in the Div IV (9th and 10th grade) All County band. That makes her one of the best flautists in Nassau County. Congratulations to Dawn and her teacher, Ed Tumminelli.

Congratulations to Asia Brown, semi-finalist in the annual Intel Science Talent Search contest!

Asia Brown has been recognized as an Intel Semi-Finalist. She is one of 61 Long Island high school seniors who are among the 300 semifinalists nationally in the Intel Science Talent Search 2012. Semifinalists are awarded $1,000 and their high schools each receive a matching $1,000. Forty finalists nationwide will be announced Jan. 25. They will travel to Washington, D.C., in March to compete for the top ten, with a first prize of $100,000.

Mah Jongg Tournament raises $600 for Challenge Day

David Denenberg presented a citation to Alana Baard and Rochelle Battersby this past Friday for organizing a Mah Jongg tournament to raise money for Challenge Day. Eight tables of players raised about $600!

Kickline Places 1st in Pom and 2nd in Kick at L.I. Kickline Competition

The Calhoun Kickline placed 1st in Pom and 2nd in Kick this past Sunday at the Long Island Kickline Competition at Nassau Community this past Sunday. This is the first in a series of 3 competitions to determine the Long Island Kickline Champions.

Leadership Class and Bellmore-Merrick Bulldogs Ice Hockey team raise fundsfor the Purple Hearts Pups organization.

Mr. Joyce's Leadership Class along with the Bellmore-Merrick Bulldogs Ice Hockey team have been fundraising for the Purple Hearts Pups organization. The groups worked together at the Newbridge Arena on Monday, January 9 to sell raffles, t-shirts, and gather donations to help train dogs to aid disabled veterans. Here at Calhoun, the Leadership class is hosting days like Festive Friday and Pajama Day for students to donate $1.

Senior Asia Brown has been named as a co-author on TWO research papers submitted to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Senior Asia Brown has been named as a co-author on TWO research papers submitted to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers International Conference of Computational Advances in Biomedical Sciences (IEEE ICCABS). The aim of IEEE ICCABS is to bring together leading academic and industry researchers to discuss the latest advances in computational methods for medical sciences. The articles submitted are: Comparison of RNA-Seq with microarray analysis of the transcriptional response in HT-29 colon cancer cells to 5-Aza-deoxycytidine and Genome-wide expression profiling reveals epigenetic and microRNA-mediated gene regulations in colorectal cancer.

An Evening of Fun Raising

On Friday, 9 December 2011, Calhoun High School hosted an evening of activities for the Prep students, from 6-8 pm. The night, "An Evening of Fun Raising."consisted of a variety of indoor athletic competitions. Over twenty Prep students participated, including those from Calhoun's population to others from neighboring districts, and over twenty student volunteers from Athletes Helping Athletes, World of Difference, and the winter track team.

Funds raised from this event, totaling $360, were donated to the Tommy Brull Foundation on behalf of Calhoun High School's participation in the Charity Champions, a contest that Calhoun High School has qualified for through Power to Learn and MSG. (For more information about the Tommy Brull Foundation, please visit this site: http://tommybrullfoundation.org/joomla/) In addition to the money raised through student participation, Charity Champions donated $500 to Calhoun High School, to pay for any costs incurred by this or any future events for the Charity Champion endeavor, and $1,000 to the Tommy Brull Foundation.

Congratulations to Mr. Rob Kaefer for being selected as Nassau County Coach of the Year in Section 8 swimming

Girls Swim Team Honored at Coaches' Dinner

Seven members of the Girls District Swim Team were recognized by the Nassau County Girls Swim Coaches Association for their outstanding accomplishments this season. Members of the Bellmore-Merrick Sharks that were recognized included Dina Sutherland (All-County, All-Conference), Sarah Greco (All-County, All-Conference), Paige Kaplan (All-County, All-Long Island, State Qualifier), Natalia Wilkins (All-County, All-Long Island, State Qualifier), Kerry Giovanniello (All-County, All-Long Island, State Qualifier), Jessica Arana (All-County, All-Long Island, State Qualifier), and Gabbie Toback (All-County, All-Long Island, State Qualifier).

Gabby Toback is the County Champion in both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke. Her backstroke time qualified her for All-American consideration. Kerry Giovaniello is the County Champion in the 100 Freestyle. Members of the 400 Freestyle Relay (Giovaniello, Wilkins, Arana, and Toback) and 200 Freestyle Relay (Giovaniello, Kaplan, Arana, and Toback) both finished as County Champions as well. The 200 Free Relay also set a new county record.

The accomplishments of these exceptional athletes, as well as the other members of the team that swam in the County Championships, enabled the Sharks to finish as Runner-up at the County Finals this year, their best finish in the history of the team.

Congratulations to their Head Coach, Rob Kaefer.

Congratulations to Bradley Michalakis and Brie Cronin

Senior Bradley Michalakis and Junior Brie Cronin have been named as co-authors on a research abstract submitted to the The American College of Cardiology’s (ACC's) 61st Annual Scientific Session & Expo. Abstracts selected will be published in a March 2012 online version of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

Brad and Brie looked at the correlation between left ventricular dyssynchrony and blood flow. Left ventricular dyssynchrony, or the inability of the left ventricle to properly contract in time with the rest of the heart, is important in determining the prognosis of heart failure. The level of left ventricular dyssynchrony can be measured using 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Myocardial blood flow can be measured with positron emission tomography (PET), a type of noninvasive nuclear imaging. PET and STE data from 77 patients were analyzed to find the standard deviation of segmental bloodflow, myocardial bloodflow, coronary flow reserve, and the level of dyssynchrony in each patient. These values were compared among patients both with and without left ventricular dyssynchrony. Results showed that left ventricular dyssynchrony is associated with abnormal myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve.

Congratulations to Senior Forward KRISTINA GANDOLFO for being selected by Newsday as a 1st TEAM ALL-LONG ISLAND PLAYER for 2011!!!!!!

Congratulations to Rob Rinck, Defensive MVP in the Nassau County HS Football All-Senior game

Congratulations to Rob Rinck for being named as Defensive MVP in the Nassau County HS Football All-Senior game. Rob had 11 tackles, he forced a fumble and had an interception. Rob, who was selected as an All County football player, is a finalist for the Pinor Award, which is awarded annually to the best linebacker in Nassau County. Congratulations to Rob. Joe Bianca is Rob’s football coach.

Congratulations to the Calhoun Girls Soccer Team

At the annual girls' soccer dinner, Calhoun was well decorated in recognition of their great season. The student-award winners are noted below.

Coach Lori Biscardi was recognized at Conference AA2 Coach of the Year. Congratulations Lori!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following girls who received Awards at the Nassau County Soccer Dinner:

ALL-COUNTY
Kayla Cappuzzo
Kristina Gandolfo
Taylor Sipos

ALL-CLASS
Alissa Battaglia
Michelle Iacono

ALL-CONFERENCE
Nora Charidah
Jessica Foley
Mary Hijazi

SCHOLAR ATHLETES
Talia Charidah
Tessa Patti

DAN DEAGAN AWARD- UNSUNG HERO
Lea Sanders

SUE LINK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (in memory of a soccer player from Island Trees-awarded to a senior who demonstrates high academic achievement, exceptional athletic ability, and an overall commitment to excellence)
Talia Charidah

Congratulations to the BM District Swim team and their coach Rob Kaefer.

Five members of the Lady Sharks traveled to Buffalo to swim in the State Championship meet. Junior swimmer Gabby Toback finished 5th in the 100 yard Backstroke and 11th in the 50 yard Free Style. Freshman Jessica Arana finished 9th in the 500 yard Free Style, breaking her own school record and finished 17th in the 200 yard Individual Medley. Freshman Paige Kaplan finished 18th in the 200 yard Individual Medley. Freshman Kerry Giovannello and senior Natalia Wilkins joined Toback and Arana on the 400 yard Free Style Relay team, finishing 9th while breaking their own school record.

Congratulations to Coach Kaefer, our State Finalists and the County Runner-up Champs Lady Sharks.

Congratulations to Elan Maduro and Ryan Goldband (seniors) who won the Nassau County Championship in the 2nd doubles category for badminton

Music Students Score High in Solo Competition, will represent Calhoun in All-County, All-Long Island, and All-State Festivals-

Each spring, thousands of area music students take part in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival. Essentially a music solo competition, students are judged on their performance and sight reading based on 6 levels of difficulty. The top scoring students are selected to participate in the Nassau Music Educators Association (NMEA) All-County Concert Series, held at CW Post’s Tilles Center in January. The top scoring students who make it to the All-County level compete against musicians from NY State, hoping to be selected to participate in the NYSSMA All-State Concert Series, held in Rochester in December. In addition, the top scoring All-County string players (violin, viola, cello, string bass) are selected to participate in the LISFA All-Long Island Concert, held in November.

This year, TWENTY TWO Calhoun HS music students scored high enough to be selected to the NMEA All-County Concert Series:

-Rachel Aberman- Chorus/ Soprano
-Allison Battaglia- Band/ Clarinet
-Celia Bittman- Orchestra Cello
-Rebecca Bittman- Orchestra/ Violin
-Kelly Bogart- Chorus/ Soprano
-David Braunstein- Band/ Trombone
-Rebecca Friedman- Chorus/ Alto
-Leanne Gallati- Chorus/ Alto
-Alyssa Garbarino- Band/ Trumpet
-Michael Korins- Chorus/ Tenor
-Alix Kozin- Chorus/ Soprano
-Lauren Lamonsoff- Chorus/ Alto
-Jason Leigh- Band/ Euphonium
-Sarah Losner- Chorus/ Alto
-Dawn Meltzer- Band/ Flute
-Sophia Mullins- Chorus/ Soprano
-Robert Rosen- Chorus/ Tenor
-Jeralayne Ruiz- Chorus/ Alto
-Ian Silverman- Chorus/ Tenor
-Brendan Tucker- Jazz Band/ Trumpet
-Brice Vadnais- Jazz Band/ Trumpet
-Kimberly Uckele- Chorus/ Soprano

TWO Calhoun HS string students scored high enough to be selected to the LISFA All-Long Island Concert:

-Celia Bittmen- Cello
-Rebecca Bittman- Violin

and FOUR Calhoun HS music students scored high enough to be selected to the NYSSMA All-State Concert Series:

-Michael Korins- Chorus/ Tenor
-Sarah Losner- Chorus/ Alto
-Sophia Mullens- Chorus/ Soprano (alternate)
-Robert Rosen- Vocal Jazz Ensemble/ Tenor

Calhoun Blood Drive, Nov. 3, 2011 a huge success!

The NY Blood Center collected 66 pints of blood from 7:30 am until 1:30 pm during the Blood Drive in the auditorium. Ms. Montera and the Key Club officers worked diligently in explaining the process to the donors, as well as keeping an organized sign-in book so that all students were accounted for and moved along. Many students enjoyed the bagels and juices that the Key Club provided prior to donating, and it was heartwarming to see teachers giving the gift of life as well. It is also appreciated that so many teachers excused the students from class in order to be able to donate. Thanks to Laurie and the Key Clubbers for organizing, and Cindy Johnson for helping with donor registration.

Congratulations to the Girls' Soccer Team for finishing their regular season as the undefeated Conference II Champions!

Pictured below are the team's seniors at their senior day pre-game celebration.S eniors, (from left to right) Kristina Gandolfo, Chandler Baltazar, Rachel Tyson, Carla Miguel, Agustina Miguel, Tessa Patti, Talia Charidah, Mary Hijazi, and Jessica Rappaport, have helped the Calhoun Girls' Soccer program become what it is today. As they move on to the next stages of their lives, they leave their mark behind as well as their contributions towards what Calhoun represents. We wish them he best of luck and they will be missed!

Congratulations to Asia Brown and Tiffany Minors Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program

Calhoun has two seniors who are named as Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Asia Brown and Tiffany Minors were both referred to over 1500 colleges as recipients of this distinction. These students scored in the top 3% of more than 160,000 Black Americans when they took the PSAT. The National Achievement Scholarship Program was initiated in 1964 specifically to honor academically promising African American high school students.

Congratulations to Asia and Tiffany!!

155 Calhoun High School Students Are AP Scholars

One hundred and fifty-five current students and recent graduates at Calhoun High School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) Examinations...more