Way to Go! East Islip student beautifies church property

An East Islip High School student recently spearheaded a project to beautify the property around a statue at a local church.

Joseph Norrby, a sophomore, led the effort that included weeding, mulching and planting shrubs around a statue of Mary outside St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in East Islip. He also built a new kneeler and removed an old concrete path the behind the statue.

The makeover was part of a project for Norrby’s Eagle Scout Award, the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of Troop 205.

“My life purpose is to provide strong examples and to be a good role model for others younger than me,” Norrby said. “I want to share my stories and accomplishments to inspire others. I also want to help others break my records, and push others to always do the best that they can.”

Norrby is an avid runner and has accumulated many first-place finishes at track and cross country meets — including having placed first in both the high jump and the 1,000-meter dash last school year at the Suffolk County Boys Frosh/Soph Winter Track Championships, hosted by Just-In-Time Racing in Longwood. He also placed first last school year in the all-division high jump, all-league high jump and all-county high jump.

He also plays the trumpet in his school’s band and has been on the honor roll since middle school.

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.