The Bulldog Blast March 2025

Roslyn High School is pleased to announce that Lily Rosof has been named Valedictorian and Mia Streiner has been named Salutatorian of the Class of 2025!

Valedictorian Lily Rosof earned a stellar 105.989 weighted average while taking six Advanced Placement courses in her senior year. As a section editor of the school newspaper and a published children’s book author, she has demonstrated a deep passion for writing and education, using her talents to inform and uplift others. Beyond academics, Lily’s dedication to service is equally impressive—she has been a leader in the Young Adult Advisory Council at the local library, organizing events and collaborations with nonprofits. As a long-standing member of the RHS Medical Explorers, Lily has worked tirelessly as President to direct many aspects of the club. She will embark on the next chapter of her academic journey with a focus on Science as a Pre-Med major.

Salutatorian Mia Streiner earned a grade-point average of 105.975. She serves as president of DECA and president of the Autism Awareness Club. Outside of school, Mia founded To Infinity & Beyond, an organization that provides services to individuals with special needs. Additionally, Mia is the President of the Sid Jacobson JCC’s Executive Teen Leadership Board, Vice President of B’nai Brith Youth Organization, Head Content Editor for the Journal of Secondary Psychological Studies, and volunteer and parent liaison at St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center. She is also truly enjoying her role as a Behavioral Neuroscience Research Intern at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center. She will attend the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University in the fall.

Throughout March, the Parent Faculty Association (PFA) and Roslyn School District elementary schools hosted a series of multicultural events, celebrating the diverse backgrounds and traditions within the community. These events provide students, staff, and families with opportunities to engage in cultural activities, learn about different heritages, and foster a greater sense of inclusion. Through performances, presentations, and interactive experiences, the district highlighted the rich diversity that makes its schools vibrant and welcoming for all.

Heights celebrated Multicultural Week with exciting presentations and performances from around the world. Students learned about India, Greece, Belgium, Israel, and Australia, exploring their festivals, food, and traditions. They were also treated to a musical performance by Darius Kaufman, showcasing instruments from various countries. Wednesday featured presentations on Belgium and Australia, where we discovered famous foods, animals, and cultures. It was a week full of learning, music, and fun, bringing our school closer together by embracing the diversity of cultures around the world!

East Hills transformed into a cultural hub, spotlighting Belgium, Japan, and Jamaica in an interactive fair. The festivities culminated on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, with a dazzling multicultural show featuring dance performances, rhythmic drumming, and a colorful fashion show.

Harbor Hill took guests on a journey through Australia, Jamaica, and Taiwan with their multicultural fair. Their grand showcase on Friday, March 7, 2025, included a lively fashion show, a high-energy martial arts demonstration, and a series of dynamic dance performances—highlighted by a special routine from the teachers.

Thanks to tremendous planning by the Parent Faculty Association (PFA), Roslyn Middle School celebrated World Language Week with a variety of cultural activities that brought students together through dance, food, crafts, and global awareness. On Wednesday, students were treated to a lively Mexican Ballet Dance Performance. On Thursday, students sampled foods from different cultures during lunch. Friday was crafting day, where students got the chance to create hands-on projects inspired by global traditions.

Throughout the week, the World Language Club led special activities, including the Pulsera Project, where students sold handmade bracelets to support artisans in Nicaragua and Guatemala. In previous years, RMS students sold 800 bracelets, raising $4,000 for education and healthcare initiatives. A poster contest encouraged creative expression, and daily World Language Fact Announcements over the loudspeaker helped students learn something new about languages and cultures around the world. The week was a fun and meaningful way to celebrate global connections and cultural appreciation!

From March 17-21, 2025, the PFA and Roslyn High School embraced language and culture during World Language Week, uniting students through music, food, and interactive activities. The week kicked off with Music Monday, filling the hallways with international songs and ending with an after-school Bachata lesson. On Tuesday, classrooms competed in a door-decorating challenge, showcasing languages and cultures, with a pizza party awarded to the most creative display. Wednesday’s Multicultural Food Day invited students to share and enjoy dishes from around the world while learning about their cultural significance through student-created presentations. Thursday highlighted ASL, with historical facts, student-led activities, and interactive displays promoting American Sign Language awareness. The week wrapped up on Friday with a celebration of language and linguistics, featuring a Scattergories-style trivia game in all language classes, where winners earned prizes from the World Language Honor Society. Through music, food, and interactive learning, World Language Week brought the school community together, reinforcing the values of acknowledgment, respect, and unity in language learning.

In partnership with the PFA, Heights Wellness Week, held from March 10th to 14th, brought a fun and engaging focus on health and well-being for students. The week kicked off with Movement Monday, where students wore athletic gear and took part in energizing movement breaks. On Tech-Free Tuesday, they unplugged from screens and enjoyed activities like board games, nature walks, and crafts. Sun Safety Wednesday reminded everyone to wear sunscreen before heading to school to protect their skin. Thirsty Thursday encouraged hydration, with students aiming to drink 6-8 cups of water to stay refreshed. The week wrapped up with Fuel Up Friday, where students received healthy recipe cards to take home and try with their families. With so many fun activities promoting movement, mindfulness, and nutrition, Heights Wellness Week was a great success!

The fifth-graders at East Hills Elementary School had a week of thrills and excitement as they dove into a week-long circus skills workshop in late February. From juggling to balancing and mastering some seriously cool tricks, students learned new skills that tested their coordination and timing. The best part? They worked together as a team, helping each other pull off some truly amazing feats! On Friday, February 28, 2025, all their hard work paid off as they wowed the school with a dazzling circus performance.

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the talented third-graders at East Hills showcased their musical skills in a lively recorder concert for their families. Held in the school gym, the performance filled the space with cheerful melodies as students proudly demonstrated their hard work and dedication. Families enjoyed an evening of music, celebration, and heartfelt applause for the young musicians.

Students in Ms. Favara's third-grade class learned about legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and his bold, expressive style. Inspired by his unique approach, they created their own masterpieces using vibrant oil pastels. This project helped students explore the power of color, texture, and self-expression, while also gaining an appreciation for contemporary art!

Harbor Hill Elementary School hosted National Read Across America Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. More than two dozen administrators and staff from across the district participated as guest readers. They visited classrooms to read aloud the book, The Sandwich Swap, by Queen Rania. The book follows two girls, Lily and Salma, who come from different cultural backgrounds.

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, second-grade students from Harbor Hill Elementary School sang a wonderful medley of songs for their families during a morning chorus performance.

Harbor Hill’s fourth graders had a fun and tasty lesson on non-renewable resources. They were tasked with creating a coal mining company and digging for “coal” (chocolate chips) in cookies while managing a budget, buying supplies, and hiring workers. Just when they thought they were done, they got hit with a surprise fee for cleaning up the mess, leading to a discussion about the effects of mining on the environment. In the end, they added up their costs to see if their company made money or went broke. Learning about science has never been so sweet!

The Roslyn Middle School Spotlight performers presented Seussical the Musical Jr., a vibrant and whimsical production that brought the beloved characters of Dr. Seuss to the stage. Under the direction of teacher Julianna DeAngelis, and with musical direction by teacher Brian Villegas, students worked tirelessly to bring this imaginative world to life. Performances took place from March 6–9, 2025, showcasing the talent, creativity, and dedication of the middle school cast and crew.

The Roslyn School District earned the prestigious platinum honor in the recent AP (Advanced Placement) Honor Roll, solidifying its place among the top-performing districts on Long Island. This elite recognition—the highest distinction awarded—reflects Roslyn’s dedication to academic excellence.

The AP Honor Roll features four levels: platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, with rankings determined by both AP exam participation and success rates. With this latest recognition, Roslyn continues to set the standard for academic excellence, preparing students for success in college and beyond. Only 17 districts across Nassau and Suffolk counties earned this distinction.

The excitement was high at Roslyn High School on March 1, 2025, as it played host to the VEX V5 High Stakes Challenge, a thrilling competition bringing together 52 talented robotics teams from across Southern New York. The event offered an intense showcase of skills, with high school students battling it out in a series of challenging robotics tasks. Two Roslyn teams qualified to be in the elimination rounds of the top 16, with one winning their first elimination round match.

Members of the Roslyn High School Students United for Safer Schools Club and Diversity Club joined students from various schools to participate in the Breaking Borders program held at Syosset High School on February 27, 2025. The event brought together 150 students from Baldwin High School, Elmont High School, Mepham High School, JFK High School, Herricks High School, and Syosset High School for an inspiring day of connection and collaboration.

Roslyn High School junior Jihoon Shin has been recognized for his exceptional talent in composition with the selection of his original work, "Impromptu No. 1, Op. 1 (Abridged)," for the 2025 Eastern Division Conference Young Composers Showcase. Sponsored by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division, this prestigious showcase highlights outstanding works by young composers from across the Eastern United States.

Twelve Roslyn High School students won awards at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF)—held March 13, 2025 at Crest Hollow Country Club. LISEF is a competition for the most advanced high school projects and gives students the opportunity to present to professionals in their subject areas from local universities, scientific institutions, and professionals in the field.

Roslyn High School transformed its lobby into a pop-up barbershop and beauty salon, welcoming the Barber and Beauty Institute of New York (BBINY) for an exciting hands-on event. Professional stylists and student barbers provided free haircuts and styling during lunch periods, sparking interest in the trade.

Five Roslyn High School physics students teamed up to compete in the Physics Olympics at Farmingdale State College on March 20, 2025 — a one day competition that brings together teams of five students from high schools across Long Island. The team included Ethan Berkowitz, Krish Sharma, Justin Marguiles, Ethan Lee, and Zachary Davidson. The event was full of exciting challenges, from testing their physics trivia knowledge to rolling a bowling ball with nothing but a flimsy broomstick. The Roslyn team earned a trophy after winning “Torque of the Town,” where they determined a mystery mass with an impressive 0.6% error, and securing 2nd place in “Slow Roller,” where they precisely calculated the timing for two wheels to reach the finish simultaneously.

On Tuesday, March 4th, Roslyn High School students had the unique opportunity to hear from Carl Wilkens, the only American who remained in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Thanks to the efforts of Social Studies Chair Kristy Faulkner, Wilkens shared his powerful experiences, emphasizing the importance of compassion, resilience, and taking action in times of crisis. His presentation explored how people can repair broken relationships, create a culture of belonging, and build sustainable communities.

Eight Roslyn High School students qualified for the second round of the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, and all eight walked out with awards.

Leading the pack was junior, Hua Lin, who won 1st place in Physical Science. Second Place awards were garnered by Riley Lenson and Tessla Chan Life Sciences. Zachary Davidson earned 3rd Place in Physical Science, while Mia Streiner took 3rd in Life Sciences, and Honorable Mentions were awarded to Matthew Lin (Physical Science) and Taylor Goldberg and Lily Rosof (Life Science).

Six students—Hunter Chen, Tessla Chan, Hailey Hwang, Serin Jo, Hana Zheng, and Laraine Cheng—recently represented Roslyn High School in the USA Biolympiad (USABO), a premier national biology competition. This year, over 11,000 students from 44 states registered for the USABO.

Tessla Chan and Serin Jo distinguished themselves by qualifying as semifinalists; they are slated to compete in the next round later this month. The USABO, administered by the Center for Excellence in Education, serves as a pathway for students aiming to represent the United States at the International Biology Olympiad, which will be held in Quezon City, Philippines, from July 13 to 20, 2025.

Roslyn High School’s Royal Crown Players brought the beloved musical Mamma Mia! to life with three live performances from March 27-29 for the Roslyn community. Directed by vocal music teacher Christina Cinnamo and co-directed by teacher Jill Fedun, the production captured the heart and fun of this iconic show.

Mamma Mia! is set on a beautiful Greek island, where the story follows Sophie, a bride-to-be, as she tries to discover the identity of her father by inviting three men from her mother’s past to her wedding. With unforgettable ABBA songs and plenty of twists and turns, the musical was a delightful blend of love, laughter, and catchy tunes.

Roslyn High School proudly celebrated its student-athletes at a college athlete signing day ceremony on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in the Roslyn High School Cafeteria. This special event honored athletes who have committed to continuing their athletic careers at the NCAA Division I, II, and III levels. Dr. Michael Brostowski, Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, hosted the ceremony, which was attended by families, friends, faculty, and administrators.

The Roslyn Challenger Basketball team just completed their exciting second season! Challenger Basketball is an inclusive, co-ed league where differently-abled secondary-level students come together to compete with modified game rules, ensuring a fun and accessible experience for everyone. It was a wonderful opportunity for athletes of all abilities to shine, and many supporters came out to cheer them on as they demonstrated their skills and sportsmanship.