7 LI students recognized at 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and 24 Nassau school technologists honored

Seven Long Island students were named among the “Top 300 Junior Innovators” in one of the nation’s premier competitions for science, technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM.

The middle schoolers received the designation in September based on their projects for the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, a program of the nonprofit Society for Science. They were selected out of nearly 2,000 students nationwide, as well as from several U.S. territories.

The local students’ projects, which aimed to solve problems of the future, included exploring what materials work best for creating biodegradable plastic. Another project involved the analysis of the impact of febrile seizures on a type of epilepsy that affects the inner part of the brain’s temporal lobe.

“The next generation of scientists and engineers emerging from middle schools today is remarkable,” said Society for Science chief executive Maya Ajmera. “Their projects tackle real-world problems with creativity and rigor beyond their years.”

The winning Long Island students and their schools are Gabrielle Arboleda, Alisa Mary Babu and Manaal Hassan Pramanik, W.T. Clarke Middle School in Westbury; Andy Zhuang and Eric Zhuang, Great Neck South Middle School; and Vaibhavi Hegde and Mihir Sathish Kumar, Hauppauge Middle School.

They were each awarded $125 from DoD STEM, a program run by the U.S. Department of Defense that focuses on developing a diverse STEM talent pool, as well as a prize package that includes a one-year subscription to software from Wolfram Mathematica.

“I feel proud knowing that my ideas and projects are making a difference,” Kumar said. “It motivates me to keep thinking of new ways to solve problems.”

BOHEMIA

New principal

Erin Papadopulos has been appointed principal of Sycamore Avenue Elementary School in the Connetquot Central School District. She replaced Tom Sheehan, who is now principal of Glen Head Elementary School.

Papadopulos previously was the summer school’s intermediate principal for the Half Hollow Hills Central School District in Dix Hills. Before that, she had been assistant principal since 2017 of that district’s Signal Hill Elementary School, as well as a special-education teacher in West Islip.

“I look forward to working with teachers, students and their families to create a supportive learning environment that addresses our students’ needs,” Papadopulos said. “Together, we will ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and grow.”

DIX HILLS

New principal

Steven Vitolano has been named principal of Paumanok Elementary School in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District. He replaced Kendra Cooper, who retired.

Vitolano had been the assistant principal of Paumanok Elementary. He was also the district’s summer school principal for the grades 3-6 intermediate program in 2022 and 2023.

“I have seen firsthand the dedication and passion of our students, staff and community,” Vitolano said. “I am committed to continuing our tradition of excellence and fostering an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and empowered. Together, we will work to ensure Paumanok remains a special place where children come first.”

LINDENHURST

New principal

Matthew Boccanfuso is the new principal of Lindenhurst High School. He replaced Candice Brodie, who is now assistant superintendent for human resources in the Cold Spring Harbor school district.

Boccanfuso has spent his entire 23-year educational career at Lindenhurst High. He had been the assistant principal for the past decade. His other positions have included social studies teacher, alternative school teacher and peer leadership instructor.

“In a constantly changing world, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the skills, knowledge and mindset they need to succeed in their future endeavors,” Boccanfuso said.

MINEOLA

New principal

Rory Parnell has been named principal of Mineola High School. She replaced Edward Escobar, who held the position on an interim basis.

Parnell served the past two years as assistant principal of William A. Shine Great Neck South High School. Before that, she was an instructional lead for the executive superintendent of the New York City Renewal Schools Program, an initiative to improve the city’s lowest-performing schools.

“I am most excited to carry the strong legacy of a community so deeply rooted in excellence, authenticity and love,” Parnell said. “My goal is to cultivate an environment where our learners can be free to explore learning opportunities that they are passionate about, while striving to reach their greatest potential.”

NASSAU

NASTARS

Twenty-four local educators were recently named Nassau Association of School Technologists Award Recipients — NASTARS — by Nassau BOCES and the Nassau Association of School Technologists. They were selected by their school districts based on innovation, leadership and support of technology initiatives, according to Nassau BOCES.

Winners and their districts were Zachary Levy, Bethpage; Jerry Pokrywka, East Williston; Jason Hutter, Franklin Square; Michael DeGennaro, Freeport; Lauren Lavelle, Garden City; Victoria Galante, Glen Cove; Leslie Dalis Watnik, Great Neck; Lisa Dunn-Lockhart, Hempstead; Michelle Villa, Locust Valley; Meghan Ceglie, Lynbrook; Alison Morgan, Massapequa; Diane Nodell, Mineola; Shannon Gnatowski, New Hyde Park-Garden City Park; Linda Casillo, North Merrick; Brian Donohue, Oyster Bay-East Norwich; Gillian Candelaria, Plainview-Old Bethpage; Safak Ozsut-Giray, Port Washington; Eric Besendorfer, Rockville Centre; Allison de Onis, Syosset; Teresa Eberle, Valley Stream 30; Kelsey Elias, West Hempstead; and Melissa Galvin, Westbury. Virginia D’Alonzo of Nassau BOCES and Karla Vasquez of Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead also won.

“I feel so fortunate to have the privilege of recognizing the educators who work tirelessly to promote technology programs in our Nassau County districts,” said Laura Pollak, the data privacy and security service specialist for Nassau BOCES.

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.