The presidential election may be the most widely talked about, but students at Amityville Memorial High School got a taste of other races happening that are just as important. Juniors and seniors recently participated in a Zoom videoconference with representatives of two candidates vying for the local congressional seat. 

Social studies teacher Matt Greiss and transition coordinator Karen Gross reached out to the campaigns of Republican Andrew Garbarino and Democrat Jackie Gordon, who are both vying for the 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Peter King, who is retiring. The district includes the communities that comprise the Amityville Union Free School District. 

Field director Olivia Ingrassia, from Garbarino’s campaign, and field director Casey Sabella, from Gordon’s campaign, each spoke for a half-hour through Zoom on topics that included organizing a local campaign, the role of campaign volunteers, the importance of participating in the political process and how students can get involved. All juniors and seniors were able to watch the presentations during their seminar periods.

The speakers offered opportunities for students to familiarize themselves with the Democratic process through internships. They learned that interns are often tasked with reaching out to potential voters, help plan events and draft social media posts and press releases, among other responsibilities.

Mr. Greiss, who teaches government and public policy courses, said that over the years he has had many guest speakers in his classes from the Town of Babylon, Suffolk County Legislature and New York State Assembly and Senate. This year, since the COVID-19 pandemic meant speakers could not visit in person, the opportunity was opened up to all junior and seniors, who could watch either from school or home. 

“There is more going on than just a presidential election,” he said. “Whatever election is going on, I try to bring people in.”

Mr. Greiss explained that it is important for students to know who represents them locally. He said that although many students are not old enough to vote yet, there are still other ways for them to be politically active. Those experiences, he said, can help students develop lifelong skills such as data collection and analysis, networking, organization, public speaking and research.

Amityville Memorial High School senior Alex Diaz, a member of the school orchestra, has added two more items to his already impressive list of musical accomplishments. He was selected to the New York State School Music Association’s All-State Symphonic Orchestra and received an Award of Merit from the Long Island Arts Alliance.

This is Alex’s second selection to NYSSMA’s All-State music festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual music conference will be held online this year. A virtual concert will be recorded at the conclusion of the scheduled rehearsals in early December.

Alex’s selection to the highly-competitive ensemble was based on evaluation scores and comments from the spring 2019 NYSSMA assessment as well as a detailed recommendation from his orchestra teacher, Bianca Ferrante. He is skilled on both the violin and viola, the latter of which he will play with the All-State Symphonic Orchestra.

The Long Island Arts Alliance honored eight music students with the merit award this year. Alex was selected because of his musical accomplishments which include All-County, All-State and All-National music honors. He plays the violin in the school orchestra and the viola with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and New York Youth Symphony chamber music program. Additionally, he attends the Mannes Prep School of Music and participated in a summer program with the Kinhaven Music School.

“When you succeed in something you really enjoy, it feels good,” Alex said, adding that these latest accolades are a tremendous honor.

Alex plans to continue his musical pursuits after high school. He said he would like to double major in music performance and a science field – possibly biology or nursing.

Ms. Ferrante, who has taught Alex since he was in seventh grade at Edmund W. Miles Middle School, said he is not only an extremely talented musician, but also has great character and strong leadership abilities.

“Alex will always go above and beyond what is asked of him, and he sets very high expectations for himself,” she said. “He always has such as positive attitude and is the true definition of an Amityville Warrior.”