After defeating Jericho High School (No. 2) in five sets on Nov. 8, the Calhoun boys' volleyball (No. 5) team cliched the Nassau County D2 Championship.

This is the team's third County Championship in four years. 

The player of the game was Max Jose.

They now advance to compete for the Long Island title on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at Center Moriches High School against West Hampton Beach.

They are coached by Ryan Pastuch.

"It was an outstanding accomplishment for this team after the loss of so many seniors last year to not only get back to the County Championship but to win it," he noted.

Salon Belle Mer, a state-of-the-art working salon housed at Calhoun High School, kicked off another school year with students enrolled in the two-year program.

There are currently 26 juniors in cosmetology I and 21 seniors in cosmetology II.

“The seniors are currently working on their fall hair color transformations,” explainedJaime Pendl, the program’s director. “In addition to formulating their own color, and applying it, the students are making a video marketing their skills that they can share on their business socialmedia.”

Senior Jack Malcangi said the program is a “great way to start the day.”

“You can walk in looking one way and leave looking and feeling so much better,” he added.

Juniors just completed their first haircutting unit. Students will also be practicing makeup and hair techniques, in addition to special effects on mannequins.

The program’s partnership with De La Mer Salon & Spa of Merrick continues, with owners/employees visiting at least twice a quarter to offer cutting-edge classes.

“This month De La Mer will be teaching students the client experience, backbar etiquette, brush curl, blow dry styles and a root smudge, melt and tone class,” added Pendl.

The salon is now open to the public, offering various beauty services from colors, cuts, blow outs, manicures, waxing, make up and more on Fridays.

They offer online booking on their website,https://salonbellemer.square.site/and through their Instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/salon_belle_mer/.

Juniors and seniors from any high school in the Central High School District can apply for the program. They attend daily training at the Calhoun-based salon.

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Date Added: 10/24/2023

Ashleigh Coyne, a senior at Calhoun High School, recently arranged to shadow Laura Lane, the global public affairs officer at UPS for a day on Oct. 3.

Coyne’s leadership teacher Brian Joyce said he is impressed with her compassion for others, her drive to succeed and her overall positive attitude.

“She embodies the absolute best of what Calhoun has to offer and I know that she will succeed unequivocally at anything she sets her mind too,” he added.

Coyne said she has always found herself stuck between the private and public sectors.

“I have always wanted to work in service as was born into a family of nurses and teachers,” she added. “My father then reminded me that I have a connection with someone who was very successful in both fields, so I thought maybe I could follow Mrs. Lane around for a day to see if she is able to fulfill her need for service in a corporate job. I took a chance and emailed Mrs. Lane.”

Throughout the day, Coyne attended meetings and was able to experience real-life corporate interactions.

“It was clear that Mrs. Lane’s success sprouted from her innate ability to communicate and connect with her clients,” Coyne added. “She does an amazing job of making a person feel important and respected.”

Lane visited Voices of the Past students at the district’s administrative building in September 2022 and spoke about her involvement in service and humanitarian rights, as well as how she harnesses her corporate role to assist others in need.

During her day of shadowing, Coyne attended a Reuters sustainability panel, in which Lane and other individuals discussed their efforts to eliminate emissions.

“I learned so much from my day with Mrs. Lane but the most important lesson she taught me was to believe in the possible,” she added. “She explained that as long as I put in hard work and take care of myself, I can be successful in any field.”

In a LinkedIn post about the day’s experience, Lane wrote that she “loved getting to know her and expect anyone reading her college applications will be as impressed as I was by her intelligence and commitment to advancing solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges, like poverty alleviation and climate change.”

“Whatever field of study or career she eventually pursues, she is an inspiring young leader with so much talent to share with the world,” Lane continued.

After spending the day with Lane, Coyne said she can see herself pursuing a career in business and foreign affairs in the future.

“She emphasized that no matter what career I choose, I can always use my position to make a change in the world,” Coyne added.

Date Added: 10/19/2023

Joseph Darcourt, a Calhoun High School senior and class of 2024 salutatorian, was named a 2024 Coca Cola Scholar Semifinalist.

This is an achievement-based scholarship that recognizes students for their capacity to lead and serve as well as for making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

Darcourt was one of 1,514 students were among the 1.45 percent selected from over 103,800 applicants from across the country. He will now become a part of a pool of applicants from which 150 will be chosen to receive a $20,000 scholarship.