Community Corner
Good News: Big Turnout for Special Olympics; Students Honored
Some stories put a smile on your face. Here's our wrap-up from around northern Suffolk and the East End.
As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.
Hundreds Compete in Special Olympics
More than 800 athletes participated in the 2013 Special Olympics Spring Games at Commack High School on Sunday. The athletes took part in nine different sports, including track, softball tosses, long jump, shot put and more.
Soccer Standout Chosen for Elite Training Camp
Alicia D'Aoust, 13, of Smithtown, is one of 48 girls selected nationwide to work with the U.S. Soccer coaching staff for eight days in May at the University of Portland. She will join the U-14 Girls National Team Camp.
Setauket Doc Awarded for Research
Anthony M. Szema, a professor at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, a Setauket doctor and an attending physician at Mather Hospital who studies lung injuries in soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been selected to receive the 2012 Albion O. Bernstein, MD Award from the Medical Society of the State of New York.
4 Students Selected as Alternates for State Music Conference
Four musicians from the Kings Park High School Music Department have been selected as alternates in the 2012 New York State School Music Association All-State Conference.
Kristina Dejuri and Max Freeman, both trumpet players and Elizabeth Palmiotti and Brianna Munch, both flute players, were evaluated through their performance of collegiate-level solos for an adjudicator in May 2012 and were selected as alternates in August 2012.
Miller Place Alum Accepted into National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Miller Place alumni Lautaro Ezequiel was recently accepted as a new member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, an achievement that provides students with opportunities to build their future careers through networking resources, scholarships, travel and service projects both on campus and within the community.
Grad Lights Up College Lax Field
Hauppauge High School graduate Lauren Descalzo is on fire. Not only did the college freshman lacrosse player help the Bryant Bulldogs reach the Northeast Conference (NEC) tournament for the first time in program history on Sunday, but she was also named the NEC Rookie of the Week for her efforts. It’s the third time she’s been awarded the title in one year.
Local Honored at Citi Field
Hauppauge resident John Panaro will be honored next month at Citi Field for his efforts to help children with special needs.
Panero will be awarded by the New York Mets and the Center for Wealth Preservation, a General Agency of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), on Special Needs Awareness Night, May 8 when the Mets play the Chicago White Sox.
