Rocky Point Students Raise Money for American Heart Association, Madagascar Anziky Fund

Students in the have been busy; from raising money for the American Heart Association and Madagascar Anziky Fund to participating in the Brookhaven National Laboratory Science Bowl.

Students at raised $7,770 for the American Heart Association through the annual Jump Rope for Heart event held in the school's gymnasium. Around 150 students in third, fourth and fifth grade competed in class-level contests where winners earned a trophy. Third-grader raised the greatest amount of funds totaling $1,795. Snacks were also donated and a Chinese Auction also took place.

“This is a great event," Phys-ed Teacher Maria Amoscato said. "Not only do the students demonstrate a commitment towards physical fitness, but they raise money for a great organization.”

Madagascar Anziky Fund

Eighty JAE students and their parents participated in a read-a-thon to not only promote reading for students, but also raise money for the Madagascar Anziky Fund.

Participants lined the gymnasium with pillows and dressed in comfortable clothes and pajamas for a quiet reading session which culminated three weeks of recorded reading. Students earned one penny for every page read, raising a toal of $1,600.

“For each of those children you are helping, you are making a huge difference,” said Madagascar Ankizy Fund Chef des Opérations Cornelia Seiffert, who was on hand to congratulate the students at the event. “When you can’t get an education, you see what a resource it is.”

The fund was started by Stony Brook University paleontoligist Dr. David Krauss to build schools and provide health care to those who live in remote areas of Madagascar. Since 2000, JAE students have remarkably raised over $30,000 for the fund, enough to build the Rocky Point School in Madagascar which houses five teachers and 252 students.

Science Bowl

On Jan. 29, students  attended the United States Department of Energy and Brookhaven National Laboratory’s (BNL) Regional High School Science Bowl.

Davon Carangelo, James Leonard, Zachary Myslinski, and Alan Rozet, under the direction of Science Club advisor Joe Gabrinowitz, competed in a “Jeopardy!” style contest with other high school teams.

“These students have been preparing for such a competition for their entire high school careers,” Gabrinowitz said. “Although the team did not place in the competition, they showed a strong standing with two wins.”

The students knowledge was tested on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth science, computer science, and general science.