High School students had a unique opportunity to showcase their end-of-semester project when they competed for the title of Best Food Truck Startup. Ms. Linda Moran’s Career and Financial Management class set up their presentations in the high school library where other students were able to browse their businesses, sample the food offerings and vote for their favorites. In the classroom, the students assumed the role of a food truck entrepreneur and utilized word processing, spreadsheets and presentation applications to create and design all of the documents that an actual food truck would need to market itself and start serving its food to the public. The students created a logo, menu and a recipe card for their signature dish in addition to learning about actual permits that they would need to run the business. “The simulation provided the students with an in-depth, real-world view of what it is like to use their creativity, business and computer skills to run their own business,” Ms. Moran said.

As a first-place winner of the American Protégé International Vocal Competition, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School music student Peggy Yin was recently featured as a vocal soloist at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. A junior, Peggy performed Italian composer Antonio Cesti's “Intorno all' idol mio.” Peggy submitted a video recording for her audition and was selected for the very competitive event among solo and group vocalists of all ages, nationalities and countries.

Thanks to the six ELVHS students – Hana Ali, Sinan Ates, Kyle Onghai, Royce Perrera, Logan Schaffer and Peggy Yin – who volunteered their time to help mentor students in the new elementary-level science club. The students and science teachers Ms. Amanda Brideson and Mrs. Melissa Garcia ventured to the elementary school to help the younger students in engaging scientific investigations. The academically focused relationships between the high school students – who are in AP classes and on the Science Olympiad team – are a new endeavor for Port Jefferson’s young practicing scientists. Headed by fifth grade teachers Mrs. Megan Roth-Ueno and Mrs. Kari Costanzo, the club members are generating ideas for their April 1 science fair projects as they embark on developing them, both at home and in the club. According to Ms. Brideson, it was wonderful to see the studious skills of the high school students in action and in a different setting with the younger students.