Teams from Great Neck South, Syosset and Ward Melville high schools have won first place in the high school division of this year’s Long Island Regional Science Olympiads.

Nearly 150 teams competed in the Nassau East, Nassau West and Eastern Long Island regional tournaments during January and February. The three first-place teams, along with 16 other top-performing teams, have qualified for the state tournament in Syracuse on March 21-22.

Thirteen high school regionals were held statewide, with teams of up to 15 students competing in more than 20 events that tested learning, lab and building skills. Among this year’s event categories were “Disease Detectives” and “Geologic Mapping.”

“This team is truly amazing and dedicated to excellence,” said Syosset’s coach, Mildred Castaneda. “What makes them successful is an intrinsic drive to accomplish. On nights, weekends and even during school breaks, these students work on ‘build’ events, which range from self-propelled planes to robots.”

Other local high school teams qualifying for the state tournament: Chaminade in Mineola; Division Avenue in Levittown; Half Hollow Hills East in Dix Hills; Hicksville; Jericho; John F. Kennedy in Bellmore; General Douglas MacArthur in Levittown; Manhasset; Miller Place; Paul D. Schreiber in Port Washington; Roslyn; Smithtown East; Smithtown West; The Stony Brook School; Earl L. Vandermeulen in Port Jefferson; and West Babylon.

“The students have dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort toward preparing for this competition,” said Great Neck South’s adviser, James Truglio. “Their hard work, perseverance, dedication and power of friendship is paying off.”

MINEOLA

First-place flag

Mineola Middle School eighth grader Penelope Ambrose has won the middle school category of the New York State Art Teachers Association’s 2025 Youth Art Month Flag Design Contest, which received about 2,440 submissions statewide. Participants created original artwork based on this year’s theme of “Healing Through Color.”

Ambrose’s piece, titled “Change Under the Trees,” featured an overalls-clad female strolling down a street alongside a tree-lined park while holding a bag that reads “I love New York.” For winning, she received art supplies for herself and her school.

The competition was held in celebration of the Council for Art Education’s Youth Art Month in March.

DEER PARK

roboTIC counselinG HELP

The Deer Park School District has introduced a new robot dog named Loona that will help during one-on-one counseling sessions with students. The robot, which was developed by robotics company KEYi Tech, recognizes facial expressions and responds to voice commands to create a sense of connection and support, according to the district.

The district learned about the robot through a research initiative led by Jay Murphy, its executive director for instructional technology and innovation.

“Our desire is to see Loona support social workers and psychologists in their important roles,” Murphy said. “Loona is fun, interactive and great at helping students feel comfortable while sharing their thoughts and feelings.”

ISLANDWIDE

Distinguished teachers

Ten Long Island educators have been named 2025 Distinguished Teachers by the Harvard Club of Long Island for their positive impact on students’ lives. They were nominated by Harvard University undergraduates who went to local schools.

Winners and their schools: Kevin Allo, William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach; Alejandro Elena, Roslyn High School; Christine Hult, Wantagh Middle School; Kathleen Stuart, Wantagh High School; Thom Johnson, Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington; Winifred Kuemmel, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson; Susan Lewis, Brentwood High School; Karyn Libretto, Northport High School; Eric Ragot, Great Neck North High School; and Lauren Walbroehl, The Wheatley School in Old Westbury.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.