About 130 Hampton Bays Middle School students participated in the school’s first World Music Concert on May 19. Under the direction of Carolanne Mazur, three groups of students entertained the audience by playing the ukulele and three groups of world drumming students performed on the marimba. “The concert was a huge success and I'm so proud of all my students,” said Mazur.

Date Added: 5/25/2022

High school seniors from the Hampton Bays, Southampton and Westhampton Beach school districts who have committed to entering the military upon graduation were honored at a fourth annual ceremony at Southampton High School on May 19.

During the formal event, the seniors — who represent the 1% of graduates who commit to the military each year — were presented with proclamations and accolades. Their families were given blue star flags.

The ceremony included musical military tributes and several speakers who offered congratulations and well wishes.

The Hampton Bays school district congratulate the following seniors who will be entering military service:

Date Added: 5/24/2022

A research project conducted by Hampton Bays High School science research student Lily Simpson-Heavey has been selected by the Long Island Science Congress to represent Long Island at the New York State Science Congress Competition on June 11.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Lily, for Hampton Bays and for our science research program,” said science research teacher Dr. Stephanie Forsberg. “I am beaming with pride. Lily’s determination, hard work and academic excellence have brought her innovative research to the next level and put another star on the map for our East End schools.”

This is the first time that a student from Hampton Bays has earned a spot in the New York State Science Congress Competition. Simpson-Heavey’s project was one from only two schools in Suffolk County and 21 from Long Island to be selected out of over 1,000 entries Islandwide.

Simpson-Heavey has been working on her project, “Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T Cell therapy CAR T Cell immunotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL),” for the past four years through her school’s science research program and with assistance from her mentor, Dr. Jan Joseph Melenhorst from the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She clocked numerous hours in the lab working on her project during and after school. In the summer of 2021, she was in the lab eight hours a day, six days a week.

Her research, which examines a leading treatment for combating cancer, was inspired by her late uncle who suffered from cancer, as well as the many loved ones across the world who battle the disease.

“Being selected to present on the state level is an honor I truly never expected,” said Simpson-Heavey. “I am always excited to get the chance to present on my research and advocate for something I believe will have a lasting impact on the medical community.”

When not working on her research, Simpson-Heavey can be found on the field as part of her school’s varsity lacrosse team. She is also the president of her school’s science club.

In the fall, she will attend the University of Pennsylvania to study biology on a pre-medical track.

Date Added: 5/23/2022

Hampton Bays High School student Jhon Esteban Arias Leon recently earned third place in the Suffolk County “Writing the Wave” creative writing competition, sponsored by Bay Street Theater.

Esteban Arias Leon earned the spot for his poem “Te Amo.” He read his work at Bay Street Theatre on May 6 along with the other writing competition finalists. His teacher, Kathleen McErlean, read the English translation for him.

Esteban Arias Leon was one of 50 students from across Suffolk County to participate in the writing competition for students ages 13 and up.

“I was very happy to win a writing competition,” he said. “I enjoy writing and used to write a lot when I lived in Colombia.”

When not writing, Esteban Arias Leon can be found on the soccer field.

Date Added: 5/20/2022