Deer Park High School proudly celebrated its seniors on Decision Day, held May 1. Students showed off their next steps in life by wearing apparel representing their chosen paths, including college, military service, trade programs and employment. Seniors gathered in the school’s Rock Gym for a fun and memorable celebration featuring music, a photo booth with school flags, and themed snacks such as “Smart Cookies” and “Honor Roll” treats. Activities included a “Guess the Teacher” slideshow with baby and high school photos submitted by staff, as well as games like Jenga and an interactive spin-the-wheel station where students could win prizes such as college swag and stickers, or participate in mini challenges and “Would You Rather” prompts. The event created a lively and meaningful opportunity for students to celebrate their achievements together.  

“Decision Day celebrates that every student’s path is unique,” Associate Principal Dr. Dina Pannone said. “We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to all the great things they will accomplish in the future.” 

Click here to view the Deer Park HS Celebrates Seniors and Their Paths on Decision Day slideshow.

Date Added: 5/6/2026

Deer Park High School senior athlete Brandon Bailey has been selected as a Scholar-Athlete by the Suffolk Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He was honored at the NFF’s Scholar Athlete Brunch, held last month at the Marriott Melville Long Island.

This recognition serves as a capstone to Bailey’s outstanding athletic and academic career with the Falcons. A team captain, he earned first-team All-Division honors in 2024 and second-team recognition in 2025, and maintains a weighted GPA of 95.58. He is also the recipient of the Deer Park Football Falcon Award.

Beyond athletics, Bailey is an active member of the National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society, Black Student Union, Student Booster Club and Falcon Leaders Club. He also volunteers as a PAL youth football coach and with his local church youth group.

“Brandon has shown tremendous pride and commitment to the Deer Park football program,” head coach Cody Ciolino said. “He has represented himself both on and off the field with class and is the perfect example of what we look for in a player. We are very proud of Brandon and extremely excited to see his accomplishments at the University of Delaware.” 

Date Added: 5/4/2026

Deer Park High School seniors Giovanna Luppy and Thomas Wesnofske were recently chosen as the winners of the 2026 Suffolk Zone Awards. The Suffolk Zone Chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance annually gives awards to one male and one female student in each Suffolk high school, selected for excellent achievement in physical education, outstanding character and leadership in schoolwide activities.

Luppy is a member of Deer Park’s girls cross-country, girls winter and spring track, and Unified basketball teams. She serves as president of the school’s Patriot Club and vice president of the International Culture Club, and is a member of the Falcon Leaders, Best Buddies, Art Club, Student Booster Club and SADD Club.

“Physical education has taught me the importance of how new experiences can build confidence, teamwork and a greater appreciation for staying active,” Luppy said. “By supporting and motivating others, we can help create a positive environment where everyone feels comfortable learning and improving.”

Wesnofske is a member of Deer Park’s boys cross-country, boys swimming and boys spring track teams, earning All-League honors in swimming and track. An AP Scholar and Scholar-Athlete, he is a member of Deer Park’s National Honor Society, Math and Science Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and DECA member, earning a trophy at this year’s DECA’s State Career Conference in Rochester.

“Physical education has taught me to be more open to trying new things and how to interact with students across the whole school,” Wesnofske said. “I have developed a greater appreciation for the importance of building inclusive communities where every student feels valued and supported in their learning journey.”

Date Added: 4/21/2026

Deer Park High School held its annual World Language Honor Societies induction ceremony on April 16, proudly welcoming 90 new members – six for French, 24 for Italian and 60 for Spanish – who have excelled at achievement in these languages.

“Tonight, we celebrate the diversity and cultural richness that language learning brings the Deer Park community,” Director for ENL and World Languages Ashley Rosenberg said. “Learning a language is a powerful tool that opens doors to new perspectives, cultures and ways of life. It connects us with people from all over the world, and allows us to appreciate their unique customs and traditions. It broadens our minds and deepens our understanding of the world. Tonight, we are so proud to honor those students who have gone above and beyond in their pursuit of language excellence. Their dedication and commitment to learning a new language have made them role models and leaders in our community. As we induct these exceptional students, we invite them to continue to pursue their passion for language learning and to promote the value of cultural diversity, not only here in Deer Park, but beyond.”

Additional speakers included French Honor Society President Bertrand Mondelus and adviser Susan Bollag, Italian Honor Society Vincent Vela and adviser Josephine Conway, and Spanish Honor Society President Lucas Di-Vanna and adviser Nicole Bjarnason. 

The school’s Phoenix Club opened the evening with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by musical performances from Caleb Pierre (Rosny Kayib’s “Mon ame soupire”), Sophia Sheeler (“Voce di donna” from Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda”), Heidy Gonzalez Morales (Natalia Lafourcade’s “Hasta La Raiz”) and the school’s string quartet of Payton Barr, Amaiyah Elsee, Madelyn Kleiber and Mikaela Ponte.

Click here to view the Celebrating Diversity Through Language at Deer Park HS Induction Ceremony slideshow.

Date Added: 4/17/2026

Last month, Deer Park High School librarian Evan DeNaro and Robert Frost Middle School library media specialist Anne Lotito-Schuh took their Library Leaders clubs on a field trip to Hofstra University’s Axinn Library. Students toured the stacks and explored the library’s graphic novel special collection. They also viewed rare archival items, including a geometry book from the 1500s, a map of Long Island from the 1600s and a copy of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland: from the 1800s with painted edges.

Following the tour, students created their own accordion journals, reflecting on their experiences as Library Leaders.

Click here to view the Deer Park’s Library Leaders Explore History and Creativity at Hofstra slideshow.

Date Added: 4/16/2026