Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Huntington Station) joined enthusiastic Half Hollow Hills (HHH) School District students, parents, teachers and board members in honoring National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists, many student athletes and two staff members at the District’s March board meeting, the first in-person recognition event in more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the meeting held on March 21 in the HHH High School East lecture hall in Dix Hills, the district recognized eight 2022 National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists, with Legislator Donnelly presenting proclamations to Dylan M. D’Agate, Amir H. Estejab, Chase A. Keskinyan and Alana B. Zinkin.
Later in the program, more than two dozen student athletes were honored for their exceptional performances. Among them were members of the Suffolk County Champion High School East Varsity Basketball and Girls Tennis Teams and individual members of the Half Hollow Hills cross country, fencing, girl’s gymnastics, boys and girls swimming and diving and winter indoor track teams.
Also honored were HHH Athletic Director Debra Ferry and Certified Athletic Trainer Caitlyn Bucco who administered CPR and used an AED to aid a community member who went into sudden cardiac arrest at a Hills East basketball game in February.
“It was great to be back in person to honor these outstanding students for their academic and athletic triumphs, as well as thank the two staff members who jumped into life-saving action and were instrumental in averting a tragedy,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I applaud them for their achievements, commend them for their dedication and congratulate them on a job well done. All of them bring even more pride to the Half Hollow Hills community.”