Bethpage High School team wins regional ethics bowl

A Bethpage High School team is the region's best when it comes to matters of ethics.

The five-student team -- Gina Aliberti, Ayesha Asif, Lindsey Chan, Michelle Cirillo and Martina Morris -- took first place out of 24 local teams in the 2015 Long Island High School Ethics Bowl. The sixth annual competition challenged teams to contribute to a civil discussion on a series of predetermined moral dilemmas.

"There has been nothing more satisfying in my high school career than our victory," said Cirillo, a Bethpage senior. "It was the culmination of four years of hard work."

A team from Collegiate School in Manhattan placed second, while teams from Jericho and Roslyn high schools tied for third. A team from Farmingdale High School and a second team from Bethpage received honorable mentions.

"I'm incredibly proud," Bethpage philosophy teacher and team coach Wendy Way said. "It's all about the value of your team's argument and the continued use of logic and reason."

This year's contest included topics such as the morality of a racist comment made under the influence of alcohol, and the morality of a Louisiana doctor who euthanized several patients in a storm-ravaged hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Way said.

Bethpage goes on to the national level, competing against 22 other top teams. That event is April 10-11 in North Carolina.

The local bowl was sponsored by the Squire Family Foundation in East Northport.

LEVITTOWN: Paint the principal

Students at Summit Lane Elementary School covered Principal Keith Squillacioti in paint earlier this month as a reward for exceeding the school's fundraising expectations for the American Heart Association.

A total of $6,530 was raised as part of the school's participation in the Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart events, which challenge students to solicit pledges based on their involvement in cardiovascular activities during physical education classes. It was the school's largest amount raised in its 15 years doing the programs.

The top three fundraisers from each grade level were permitted to choose a color of dry paint to throw at Squillacioti. The top fundraiser was Chris Pelletier, who collected $325.

SEAFORD: Lifesaving lessons

More than 60 student athletes from Seaford High School have learned to administer CPR and work automated external defibrillators (AEDs), thanks to a $1,500 grant from Anyone Can Save a Life, an emergency room action program.

The teenagers received two hours of training conducted by Hofstra University medical students, learning the differences between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest, as well as risk factors and warning signs.

They took turns applying the lifesaving techniques to mannequins issued to the school in conjunction with the grant.

EAST ISLIP: Wax museum

Third-graders at Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School put a fun twist on history last month by dressing as important figures from the past as part of the school's first-ever mock wax museum. Costumed characters included Harry Houdini, Albert Einstein and Elias Disney, the father of Walt Disney.

During the exhibit, students stood alongside timelines they created on poster boards that chronicled their figure's contribution to society and significant achievements.

Teachers and parents were invited to push "buttons" that animated characters to deliver a speech before reverting back to "wax," school officials said.

PORT JEFFERSON: Friends of Karen

Port Jefferson Middle School hosted a student talent show last month that raised about $1,200 for Friends of Karen, a Port Jefferson-based nonprofit that provides support to critically ill children and their families.

This year's show, titled the "10th Annual Act of Kindness," included 16 performances of song, dance and instruments. It was held at the district's Earl L. Vandermeulen High School.

"When I first started the show 10 years ago, I never could have imagined we would have raised over $12,000 for such a wonderful organization," said Allison Giannusa, the talent show coordinator.

ISLANDWIDE: Disaster preparedness contest

Submissions are being accepted for a first-time Facebook video competition titled "Got Preparedness?" that is designed to engage youth in natural disaster preparedness.

The contest, open to grades 7-12, was created by Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide, a 2014 Roslyn High School graduate who is a member of FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council.

Winning videos must gain the most "likes" in the following categories: 7th grade, Creating a preparedness kit; 8th grade, Tornadoes; 9th grade, Earthquakes; 10th grade, Hurricanes; 11th grade, Planning for a disaster; 12th grade, What not to do in a disaster.

For entry guidelines, visit gotpreparedness.com. The deadline for submissions is April 30.

The winner receives a certificate signed by the chair of FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council as well as FEMA's youth preparedness director.