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Overcast A night for the students in District 24
Board of Education honors art, essay contest winners
Before the District 24 Board of Education got down to business on May 24, it took time to recognize the most important part of its schools — the students.
Awards were presented to more than 50 children for a variety of essay contests, art projects and even an athletic competition. The 45-minute presentation included several rounds of applause from proud parents and siblings who filled the gymnasium at the William L. Buck School.
The George Shebitz Essay Contest for fifth-grade students was established following the death of District 24’s long-time school attorney. Shebitz, described Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale, was a champion for the civil rights of children.
The fifth-grade social studies curriculum is United States history, and students completed the essay after studying Thomas Jefferson. They were asked to write at least 150 words about Jefferson’s greatest accomplishment. Shebitz was a scholar of the third president and kept a library with many books about Jefferson. The essays were judged by a team of administrators and faculty as well as Shebitz’s son, Adam.
The winners, Arian Soofi from the Brooklyn Avenue School, Krystian Paultre from the William L. Buck School and Richard Gonzalez from the Robert W. Carbonaro School, each received a certificate and $100 savings bond.
Sixth-graders participated in the Friends of Bridge Diana Pirrone Memorial Essay Contest. This was the third year of the contest, named for the former assistant superintendent and Buck School principal who died in 2009.
Pirrone was a member of Friends of Bridge, a Valley Stream-based substance abuse treatment and prevention facility, for five years. She was also instrumental in the development of District 24’s character education and conflict resolution programs. “Diana always intended to make a difference in the lives of others, especially the children,” Fale said.
Students were asked to write about making positive decisions. Filip Konieczny, the winner from Brooklyn Avenue, wrote why people should choose a healthy lifestyle and avoid substance abuse. “It’s their choice for life,” he said, “so they have to use it correctly.”
