Russo’s Newsletter
George W. Hewlett High School
May 2013
Dear Parent/Guardians of Hewlett High School Students:
The 2012-2013 school year is winding down and the weather is finally feeling like Spring. We
had a very busy May. Students worked very hard for their AP exams.
Now that they are behind us, they are preparing for their finals and Regents. The next month
brings very exciting events to Hewlett High School. Seniors are getting
ready for Prom and Graduation and thinking about their future in college.
Congratulations to Benjamin Kramer on being named a National Merit Scholarship winner.
This prestigious award is given to the nation’s most academically talented
students. Ben will be receiving a $2500 scholarship to be used to continue his studies.
Congratulations to Sarah Green and Elissa Candiotti for going to Cooperstown to compete in
the New York State History Day competition.
On May 1, Destiny Joes and Jack Verschleiser competed in the Theodore Roosevelt Speaking
Competition. Destiny Jones won 3rd place, $250 and a medal.
Congratulations on a job well done.
The students in Mrs. Cornell’s class are working very hard in making the Reflections Garden in
Hewlett High School beautiful. They have restored and planted
in the reflections garden, started vegetables and flowers from seeds and will be having a plant
sale in the next few weeks. They are doing such a fantastic job and
it looks beautiful. Please support their plant sale. Great job students, we are so proud of you.
The Hewlett Theater Company, under the direction of Ms. DeMaio, produced Jane Austen’s
Sense and Sensibility on May 1st-4th. The classic tale was brought to
life by over 35 students working on and off stage. The set and costumes were beautiful. Mr.
Kilkenny and Mrs. Gabel were co-producers and Mrs. Csorba was
the set coordinator. The production was a HUGE success.
On April 25, 2013, the G. W. Hewlett High School students from Computers Technology and
Careers (CTC) classes dressed to impress their interviewers for their
mock interview for a position in sales. Approximately 120 students participated in this year’s
interview day held in the library. This opportunity gives the students
the ability to practice their interview skills and experience the atmosphere of an interview. To
prepare for the interviews students created a resume, practiced frequently
asked questions, and filled out an application for the mock position.
Students were exposed to interviewers with many different backgrounds. Interviewers are all
members of the Hewlett-Woodmere community including district employees,
school board members, parents, and local business people who dedicate their time to helping the
students. The occupations of the interviewers varied and included bankers,
lawyers, managers, entrepreneurs, and teachers.
In addition to mock interviews for CTC classes, interviews were also held for the Business
Advisory Board Scholarship (BAB), and for Virtual Enterprise (VE). In order
to determine who is going to receive the scholarship and enter VE for next year, it is vital that the
students are interviewed by the BAB and present students to assure that
they are the best suited to receive the scholarship and position respectively.
This event was organized by Ms. Mattes, business department chair, Rachel Fisher, student
intern, and Lindsay Wasserman, student intern. The goal of the event was to
give the students an opportunity to perfect their interview skills. Overall the day was a success
and the students found it enriching to their education.
In Attendance:
Pete Behan
Dr. Joyce M. Bisso
Rosemary Dirks
Fran Federman
Brian Fern
Ken Gewanter
Mitchell Greebel
Melissa Kamlet
Tony Kejriwal
Michelle Kinhackl
National Grid
Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools
Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools
Farmingdale State College
Pearsall Station
Kralstein & Associates, Inc.
Greebel & Greebel, Esqs.
Project Designer
Avazon Bpo Services Ltd
Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools
On May 16th the International Thespian Society proudly welcomed 20 new members to troupe
2838. Students earn membership by gaining points for participating in various
theater activities such as the Hewlett Theater Company productions, the High School Musical,
Theater Class showcases, Thespian performance events and the Senior Theater
Project One-Acts. The goal of Thespian Society is to provide opportunities for performance
events in educational theater and to honor students who have dedicated themselves
to theatrical work - onstage and backstage- at the high school. Advisor, Dawn DeMaio,
organized the ceremony and reception with the help of the Thespian Society officers
Emily Rebenstock, Andrew Krinick, Sana Ansari, Samantha Gates, Jaime Krasner, Sarah
Lamsifer, and Lisa Gluzman.
The Hewlett Theater Company proudly presented Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility on May
1st- 4th. The classic story based on Austen’s first full-length novel involves the
Dashwood sisters who are left, after their father’s death, with no property and no estate and
therefore difficult marriage prospects. Although billed as romantic fiction,
it is just as much a love story between the two sisters, Marianne and Elinor, as it is about
romantic love and marriage. It is the love between the members of the Dashwood
family that drives the play. All the characters experience their own inner conflicts about “sense
vs. sensibility” (or sound judgment vs. emotional sensitivity) and this is highlighted
through the symbols of those very ideas in the form of the two sisters. The youthful Marianne,
the epitome of a romantic, and the older sister Elinor, the model of rationality,
pursue and are pursued by men who are searching for their own place in the world. As the
Dashwood women find themselves orphaned from the home they love and without
the comforts they’ve known after the death of their patriarch, the men also find themselves
struggling with the social and marital expectations placed on them.
Over forty students participated in the production onstage, backstage and in the stage crew. The
cast/production staff list follows:
Cast List for Sense
and Sensibility (in order of appearance)
Mr. Henry Dashwood/ Mr. Palmer……………………………..Ben Piperno
Mr. John Dashwood…………………………………………….Daniel Smith
Fanny Dashwood……………………………………………..…Kat Gueli
Mrs. Dashwood……………………………………………….…Caroline Smyth
Marianne Dashwood…………………………………………...Sarah Lamsifer
Elinor Dashwood…………………………………………….…Samantha Gates
Edward Ferrars………...…………………………………………Andrew Krinick
Sir John Middleton……………………………………………....Leor Ginzburg
Mrs. Jennings…………………………………………………….Destiny Jones
Lucy Steele…………………………………………………..…...Nicole Lentini
Colonel Brandon……………………………………………..….Alex Benary
John Willoughby……………………………………….………..Jason Leonhard
Mrs. Charlotte Palmer…………………………………………..Jillian Feuerstein
Daisy……………………………………………………………....Mia Shmariahu
Violet………………………………………………………………Sabrina Popilevsky
Robert Ferrars……………………………………………………Matthew Silberger
Production Staff:
Student Directing Interns:
Emily Rebenstock, Jaclyn Andes
Stage Managers:
Adi Itzhak, Kim Moyal, Matthew Silberger
Student Production Interns:
Ifrah Ansari, Shira Peretz
Prop Manager:
Allison Locker, Noelle Masone
Lighting / Sound Team:
Leor Ginzburg, Christina Marino, Jessica Choi,
Emily Rebenstock
Congratulations to Ms. DeMaio and the entire cast and crew on a job well done.
This year three students from G.W. Hewlett High School were selected as regional finalists to
participate in the Intel ISEF, “the world’s largest international
pre-college science competition.” Samantha DiSalvo, Ryan Kenny and Amy Vitha were
among the 1,611 high school students from more than 70 countries,
regions, and territories (www. societyforscience.org/isef). The three students represented the
region of Long Island (LISEF), NY, competing in the category
of Plant Science (PS). The students’ project was entitled: The Characterization of the LPSInduced Hypersensitive Response in Ceratopteris richardii. For their
research, Samantha, Amy and Ryan developed a model system to study how parts of bacteria
can induce cell death. Their research can lead to development of
plants with greater resistance to bacterial pathogens. The students conducted their research at
the high school under the mentorship of Dr. Terrence Bissoondial.
At 2013 Intel ISEF, Samantha, Amy and Ryan won first place in Plant Science and Best in
Category. They also won The Philip V. Streich Memorial Award which
enables them to attend the London International Youth Science Forum, a two week program
held annually for 300 young scientists from more than 50 countries.
As first place winners, the students may also have asteroids named after them by the MIT
Lincoln Laboratory.
We are so very proud of Mr. Bissoondial and these outstanding students for their
accomplishments and hard work.
Michael Kreisman and Lindsey Cohen finished in first place in the school in the Stock Market
Club’s Spring Stock Contest. In the Stock Market Club, students
team up to compete against other high school teams across Long Island and New York State.
Each team gets $100,000 of virtual money to invest in stocks, bonds
or mutual funds in a 10 week contest. Michael and Lindsey had a 10% gain in ten weeks and
finished in the top 3% of the state. Great job!
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS
SPRING 2013
GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD
Division Champions
Conference Champions
County Champion Runners-up
The senior girls on track and field team have had a tremendous career.
The girls are graduating UNDEFEATED for their CAREERS!
52-0
28-0
4 Time
4 Time
In Conference Meets
In Division Championship Meets
Division Champions
Conference Champions
4x100 Relay
Cynthia Debranche, Nicole Sellino, Erika Kaminer and Katie Hochberg
COUNTY CHAMPIONS ! DIVISION CHAMPIONS ! ALL-COUNTY !
Nicole Sellino
Shari Weiss
Gabby Leon
Katie Hochberg
Shana Farkas
Shari Weiss
Emily Cooperstein
Shari Weiss
Shari Weiss
Shari Weiss
Natalie Weintraub
Natalie Weintraub
Nicole Sellino
Nicole Sellino
Amanda Kaufman
200 Meter
Pole Vault
Discus
Pole Vault
Pole Vault
100 Hurdles
400 Hurdles
400 Hurdles
Triple Jump
100 Hurdles
1500 Meters
800 Meters
100 Meters
200 Meters
800 Meters
COUNTY CHAMPION
COUNTY CHAMPION
ALL-COUNTY
ALL-COUNTY
ALL-COUNTY
ALL-COUNTY
DIVISION CHAMPION
ALL-DIVISION
DIVISION CHAMPION
ALL-DIVISION
ALL-DIVISION
DIVISION CHAMPION
ALL-DIVISION
DIVISION CHAMPION
ALL-DIVISION
Gabby Leon
Gabby Leon
Gabby Leon
Katie Hochberg
Erika Kaminer
Laurie Antoine
Laurie Antoine
Shana Farkas
Shiraz Levi
High Jump
Discus
Long Jump
Long Jump
Triple Jump
Discus
Shot Put
Pole Vault
Pole Vault
ALL-DIVISION
DIVISION CHAMPION
ALL-DIVISION
ALL-DIVISION
ALL-DIVISION
ALL-DIVISION
ALL-DIVISION
DIVISION CHAMPION
ALL-DIVISION
GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD (Cont’d.)
SCHOOL RECORDS
Gabby Leon
Natalie Weintraub, Amanda Kaufman, Emily
Cooperstein, Nicole Fudrini
Gabby Leon & Laurie Antoine
Discus
4 x 800 Relay
113’ 7”
10:09:2
Discus Relay
202’ 2”
Class Records
Emily Cooperstein (Freshman)
Cynthia DeBranche (Freshman)
Natalie Weintraub (Sophomore)
400 Hurdles & Pentathalon
100 Hurdles
1500 Meters
1:12.2
17.2
5:13.2
Hewlett’s girls have done an awesome job keeping their streaks alive. The girls have been an
impressive 130 – 2 since 2003. Girl’s have been 53 – 1 at home since 2002.
VARSITY GIRLS’ LACROSSE
A tough playoff loss in overtime to Levittown Division showed the team’s heart, playing hard to
the final play.
All County:
Emily Cohen - honorable mention
Val Denapoli - Third consecutive year
All-Conference:
Ivy Greenbaum
Allie May
Gabby Korin - as a sophomore
Katie Hochberg will receive a Scholar Athlete Award at the county
Samantha Belluccia will receive the Long Island Metro Lacrosse Foundation Unsung Hero
Award at the county dinner.
VARSITY BOYS’ TENNIS
Brandon Remer, Josh Stein and Ankur Kejriwal went to the Nassau County Championships and
made it to the 3rd round. Brandon Remer and Josh Stein went 12-0 and 9-0 respectively.
BOYS’ SPRING TRACK & FIELD
The team set record after record this year from the number of post-season honors to class or
school records, to team championships, including the County “AA” Championship. Despite the
tough loss of this year’s seniors, next year looks to hopefully be another bright one for the track
and field team.
BOYS’ SPRING TRACK & FIELD (Cont’d)
All-Division
Ayodele Akinnawonu
Zeerak Ansari
Dimitri Baptiste
Alex Bellucia
Nick Bellucia
Windell Blake
Brian Chambers
Rafael Cohen
Kevin Dehaney
Andrew DeProssino
Josh Goldenberg
Dan Goodelman
Kevin Martinez
Tom Rizzo
Joe Tansey
Rodrigo Ulloa
All-County
Ayodele Akinnawonu
Alex Bellucia
Windell Blake
Rafael Cohen
Kevin Dehaney
Dan Goodelman
OTHER NOTES/RECORDS
 8 class (grade level) records
 6 school records
Shot Put (Champion), Discus (2nd place)
4x100 (Champion)
800m (Champion), 4x400 (Champion)
Pole Vault (Champion), 110HH (3rd place)
Triple Jump (2nd place), Long Jump, (3rd place)
4x100 (Champion), 4x400 (Champion)
1600m (2nd place)
Pole Vault (2nd place), 4x400 (Champion)
Triple Jump (Champion), Long Jump
(Champion), High Jump (2nd place)
Shot Put (2nd place), Discus (3rd place)
Pole Vault (3rd place)
4x100 (Champion)
Triple Jump (3rd place)
4x400 (Champion)
4x100 (Champion)
3200m (3rd place)
Shot Put (2nd place), Discus (2nd place)
Pole Vault (Champion)
400m (Champion)
Pole Vault (2nd place)
Triple Jump (Champion), High Jump (2nd
place), Long Jump (3rd place)
Pole Vault (3rd place)




Undefeated 13-0
Division IIIA Champions (3rd year in a row)
Conference III Champions (3rd year in a row)
County “AA” Champions (2nd year in a row)
VARSITY SOFTBALL
The Hewlett softball team had outstanding leadership from seniors Nicole Rizzo, Samantha
Cancellarich, and Sydney Rosenblum. We won 3 out of four games in one
week which featured a 16-14 win over Roslyn highlighted by a Sammy Kenny’s grand slam in
the bottom of the seventh inning.
VARSITY SOFTBALL (Cont’d.)
Amy Vitha
Nicole Rizzo
Elisha Maloney and Carly Rivlin
Sydney Rosenblum
All-County
All-Conference
All-Division
Senior Scholar Athlete
VARSITY BOYS’ LACROSSE
the Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team had a number of standout victories including our first round
playoff game against Jericho. The bulldogs completed their season by
playing in the Quarter Finals of the Nassau County Playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
Our team was led by a group of terrific seniors: Zach Richman, Logan Calman
, Jordan Davis, Justin Issacs, Spencer Posner, Joe Curiel, Mark Shweitzer, Jason Greenvald,
Woodly Augustin, Austin Brown, Brently Letts, Jordan Krasner, Alec Alsofrom,
and Lucas Candella.
VARSITY BASEBALL
The Bulldogs won their last 3 games to not only clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time
since 2006, but to earn a home playoff game for the first time since 2004.
The team was led by its seniors: Jason Cecchetelli, Luciano Morello, Tyler Schanker, Matt
Isaacs, Zach Stempler, Zach Smilowitz, and pinch runner extraordinaire, Mike Hammer.
VARSITY GOLF
Mike Kreisman received Honorable Mention All-County.
Jason Brodsky and Nick Imas both received All-Conference
Spring 2013 Scholar Athlete Team Awards
Girls’ Track & Field
Girls’ Lacrosse
Boys’ Tennis
Boys Track & Field
Girls’ Softball
Boys’ Lacrosse
95.56
94.71
94.25
94.45
93.51
92.05
Boys’ Baseball
90.36
Steve Jones, Hewlett’s Varsity Wrestling Coach was awarded with the Rookie Coach of the Year
Award April 10th. Congratulations Steve!
In addition both Simon Greebel & Robert Rosenberg won Nassau County Section 8 Wrestling
Scholarships.
Zach Richman, Received the County Award: National Football Hall of Fame, “Golden Eleven”
Varsity Boys Lacrosse
The 2013 season was a strong one for the Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team. This year’s team had a
number of standout victories including our first round playoff game against Jericho.
The bulldogs completed their season by playing in the Quarter Finals of the Nassau County
Playoffs for the first time in four seasons. Our team was led by a group of terrific seniors:
Zach Richman, Logan Calman, Jordan Davis, Justin Issacs, Spencer Posner, Joe Curiel,
Mark Shweitzer, Jason Greenvald, Woodly Augustin, Austin Brown, Brently Letts, Jordan
Krasner,
Alec Alsofrom, and Lucas Candella. We are proud of the accomplishments of this team and
we are looking forward to building on them next year.
Girls’ Track & Field Team finished their regular season undefeated at 13 - 0. Congratulations
to a great bunch of seniors who will be graduating with a perfect “run” throughout their
high school careers. Our seniors are undefeated thru all four years of high school. A perfect 520 !!
Congratulations Gabby Leon, Nicole Sellino, Erika Kaminer, Amanda Kaufman, Nicole
Fudrini, Katie Hochberg, Kayla Sippin, Liza Ganz!
MAY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Name(s)
Hiram Velez
Lester Enriquez,
Nominated by
Mrs. Papazis
Mrs. Feeney
For
Compassion & Kindness
Honesty
Alan Germain
Windell Blake, Jacob Shereck
Ali Bezalel, Rachel Fisher
Samantha Walter, Monay Cowan
Jenna Medina, Penina Fiber
Matthew Silberger
Richard Lyons
Ashley Ruta
Mrs. Feeney
Mrs. Mangieri
Mrs. Skellington
Mrs. Moore
Honesty
Mr. Morelli
Ms. Padilla
Ms. Stillman & Ms. Moore
Kindness and Good character
Honesty
Honesty
Honesty
Mrs. Sperling
Conscientious
Kindness
Dedication
Important Dates:
June 1st…………………..SAT
June 3rd…………………..HS Spring concert III 8:00 pm
June 4th…………………..Community Recognition Awards 7:30 pm
June 6th…………………..Last day of Classes – high school
HHS Athletic Awards Night 6:00 pm
th
June 7 …………………..HHS Finals Regents begin
June 8th…………………..ACT
June 10th…………………Tri-M Music Honor Society 7:00 PM
PTA Meeting - 9:30 am
June 11th…………………Music Department Senior Awards Night – 7:00 pm
June 12th…………………Tri-M Music Induction – HHS
…………………High School Graduation Rehearsal – CW Post Tillis Center – 6:45 am
th
June 16 …………………Father’s Day
June 19…………………..HS Senior Prom – Chateau Briand
June 20th…………………High School Graduation – CS Post Tillis Center – 6:30 pm