HERRICKS HIGH SCHOOL

On November 30, the ENGLISH 12 classes had the incredible honor of welcoming seven WWII veterans to their event. In small groups, each veteran shared stories about their motivations to enlist in the military, their experiences during service, and their careers and lives upon their return home.

Thank you to teachers – Mr. Tom Baier, Ms. Jenna Caggiano, Ms. Stephanie Nelson and Ms. Brittany Ruisi – for your tireless work in organizing this event and to our English 12 students for warmly welcoming our guests.

Our student reflections below demonstrate how meaningful and impactful these exchanges between the generations can be!

“I felt his hands, the wrinkled limbs that fought hard for my ability to live here today. Meeting him changed my perspective; there are thousands of people in the world that provide me freedom and opportunity. I should always be grateful.”

“The veterans all seemed like they just wanted the best for us, and it was noticeable in the way they spoke to us. They told us to be alert, but also to be grateful for what you have.”

“They weren’t physically stronger, they weren’t physically faster, and they weren’t innately built to fight for your freedom; they chose to do it because they are simply amazing, selfless human beings. Go out there with respect because these are the people who would have died for you. As obvious as that sounds, sometimes it feels like we may be overlooking that.”

On November 29, the HERRICKS MOCK TRIAL TEAM, under the guidance of Ms. Michelle Kaplan, participated in the 5th Annual Long Island Mentor Moot Court Competition held in the Federal Courthouse in Islip, NY.

Four students represented the team, including Senior Reena Gupta and Juniors Melina Apostolatos, Tina Pathak and Celine Young. The students were privy to their very own courtroom for the day to prepare for their mock case. The team won one of their two matches, flexing their knowledge of First and Fifth Amendment rights.

"STUDENTS AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE DECISIONS" is a national non-profit dedicated to the safety and wellness of all students. SADD was founded on the simple philosophy that young people, empowered to help each other, are the most effective force in prevention. Remi is the Herricks High School Chapter President and was nominated for her tireless efforts on behalf of her peers. Congratulations, Remi, on being selected for this national award!

Herricks students participated in the 20th Annual Huntington Chamber of Commerce's EMERGING LEADERS COMPETITION on November 30.

Juniors Prisha Agarwal and Aralyn Geevarghese won First Place in the Not-For-Profit Category crafting a fundraising campaign to attract visitors to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building in Huntington, NY.

Juniors Jocelyn Chiu and Connie Huang won First Place in the Tourism Category creating a historical site tour for Going Local Tours & Experiences, a small business located in North Babylon, NY.

Seniors Carolyn Lau and Lauren Lui won Third Place in the Entrepreneurship Category pitching a food truck idea with a focus on Asian cuisine. Senior Carolyn Lau was also awarded the Huntington Chamber of Commerce's "Emerging Scholar" Scholarship.

Special thanks to Liam O’Brien and Claude Commisso for their assistance and coaching of our student entrepreneurs!

Congratulations to Sophomore SANVI PATEL on earning a third-place win and a $1,000 scholarship to the university of her choice in Hofstra University's "Celebration of Suburban Diversity 2022" student essay contest. Sanvi's creativity and sincerity in her writing demonstrated knowledge and keen interpretation of diversity issues facing Long Island for future generations.

Junior AIESHAH ASHFER has two poems in the much-anticipated Blooming Moons, an online anthology of poetry by nine Muslim youth poets, published by the LOS ANGELES REVIEW.

To read Aieshah's work, click on the link below.

If you didn't have a chance to stop by the high school on December 1, please enjoy this sampling of artwork which was on display from our elementary, middle school and high school students. Thank you to all participants. Your artwork is simply beautiful!

For a virtual visit, click on this link for a ten-minute video of our art gallery produced by Mr. Christopher Brogan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5usfqJ8k_jE

A word of thanks, too, from our HERRICKS ART BOOSTERS ASSOCIATION:

We congratulate our student artists whose artwork was selected for the exhibition! A huge thank you to our Art teachers and staff who curated the beautiful Art Walk to inspire new artists and celebrate our talented student artists. Thank you to our lovely resident harpist, Jocelyn Chiu, who welcomed everyone and made a chilly Thursday afternoon much warmer! To view candid snapshots from the evening's gathering, please view this gallery link.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zz4sbmnTA8wKoJSQ8

The following Herricks High School musicians participated in a NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble in Rochester, NY on December 1 through December 4, 2022. Students rehearsed and performed among the top musicians in New York State with a culminating concert at Eastman Theatre. Congratulations to all!

Kristina Apostolatos - Mixed Chorus (Alto)

Franciscus Chang - Symphony Orchestra (English Horn, Oboe)

Edwin Chen - Symphonic Band (Clarinet)

Aaron Chu - Symphony Orchestra (Violin)

Meredith Daly - Symphonic Band (Flute)

Devon Lee - Symphony Orchestra (Cello)

Jeylin Lee - Symphony Orchestra (Viola)

Patrick Leu - Symphony Orchestra (Trumpet)

Kaylee Luo - Symphony Orchestra (Violin)

Ethan Thway - Symphonic Band (Bass Clarinet)

Senior Robert Symanski, #48, was our representative for the NASSAU COUNTY EXCEPTIONAL SENIOR GAME which was played on Thanksgiving morning. Robert played a good game at outside linebacker and the Conference 2/3 All Stars beat the Conference 1/4 All Stars. Congratulations, Robert!

Thank you to Tom Graef, Head Football Coach, and Coach KJ Davis for their strong leadership with our football athletes throughout the season. Congratulations for being selected to coach in the Exceptional Senior Game!

Anjali Cherian and Jason Egre were selected by the Health and Physical Education staff at Herricks High School as this year’s recipients of the OUTSTANDING PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENT AWARD presented by the Nassau Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYS AHPERD). This award recognizes two outstanding students in the 2023 graduating class who exemplify exceptional physical performance, scholastic ability, and leadership qualities. Congratulations, Anjali and Jason!

Hiba submitted a poem to Senator Anna Kaplan's invitation on reflections of qualities to be grateful for during the THANKSGIVING season.

Congratulations, Hiba, on your acknowledgement from Senator Kaplan's office!

On November 18, OUTDOOR EDUCATION students of Mr. Joe Caruso and Ms. Tara Krinsky enjoyed a field trip to the Adventure Park Long Island. The students participated in several challenging courses through the park which included climbing, swinging and zip lining.

Congratulations to the Herricks High School Orchestras, under the direction of Ms. Catherine Birke, for an outstanding concert on Wednesday, December 7. The 9th Grade Orchestra, Concert Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra performed to a full and enthusiastic audience. The concert culminated with a grand finale of Let It Snow where all 210 orchestra students performed together.

We look forward to the upcoming band and chorus concerts as we continue to share music at Herricks High School during the holiday season.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT/TEACHER ASSOCIATION

SEPTA is an active group of parents and guardians of children receiving support services. Working together collaboratively as parents, teachers and administrators, our goal is to improve the quality of students' education and personal development. SEPTA is a place to meet people with similar experiences and to get helpful information.

If you'd like more information about upcoming SEPTA programs and events, please email Jenny Yang, SEPTA Co-President, at info.herrickssepta@gmail.com.

Herricks High School hosted Challenge Day 2022 on December 1. Challenge Day is designed as a transformational day of fun, leadership and empowerment aimed at changing the way teachers and students view each other. Students are selected for this program through recommendations from teachers in their classes, club advisors, coaches and other areas where they have had a positive impact on our school community.

The goal of Challenge Day is to help stop the teasing and alienation that have become a part of the school experience for so many young people. Through a variety of games, trust-building activities and presentations, students and teachers have a unique opportunity to see themselves and the people around them through a new lens.

Thank you to our student and staff participants for your engagement in this program!

Hello SENIORS,

📷 IT IS TIME FOR CLUB PICTURES TO BE SUBMITTED! 📷

We will be collecting ALL club photos from NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 19.

This should give many of you plenty of time to plan to take a photo and send to me via email ASAP!

This photo will be included in the Class of 2023 YEARBOOK. Our goal is to highlight ALL the clubs that make HERRICKS special 💙

Monday, 12/12

G JV Bball home vs. Oyster Bay 5:00

G V Bball home vs. Oyster Bay 7:00

B/G Bowling away at Roslyn 4:15 (Herrill Lanes)

B/G Fencing away at Manhasset 5:00

B Swimming practice at Tully 4:30

Tuesday, 12/13

B Swimming home vs. Bellmore-Merrick 7:30 (GNS MS)

B/G Bowling practice at Herrill Lanes 4:15

Wednesday, 12/14

G JV Bball away at Port Washington 5:00

G V Bball away at Port Washington 7:00

B JV Bball home vs. Port Washington 5:00

B V Bball home vs. Port Washington 7:00

JV Wrestling home vs. Baldwin 6:00

V Wrestling home vs. Baldwin 7:00

B/G Bowling practice at Herrill Lanes 4:15

B Swimming practice at Tully 4:30

Thursday, 12/15

B/G Bowling match at Herrill Lanes 4:15

B/G Winter Track away at St. Anthony's 6:30

Friday, 12/16

B Swimming away at Long Beach 5:30

B/G Winter Track away at St. Anthony's 6:30

JV Wrestling away at VS North 3:30

Saturday, 12/17

G JV Bball home vs. East Meadow 10:00

G V Bball home vs. East Meadow 12:00

B JV Bball away at East Meadow 10:00

B V Bball away at East Meadow 12:00

Competitive Cheer away at Bethpage TBD

B/G Winter Track Home Invitational 10:00

Wrestling Tournament away at CSH 7:00 AM