The James Wilson Young Middle School RoboPhantoms FIRST Robotics Lego team earned the First Finalist Champion’s Award at the FIRST Long Island Championship Tournament, held in Hicksville on March 5, ranking the team as second on Long Island. The team will now head to the Razorback Invitational, an international competition, to be held on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville on May 18-21.

Team members are enrolled in the middle school’s eighth grade science research class, which participates and competes in the FIRST Robotics Lego League as the RoboPhantoms, under the direction of Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Brinkman.

What is so remarkable is that the RoboPhantoms are a rookie team who first qualified as a contender in the FIRST Lego League as winner of the Innovation Project Award at the qualifying tournament, held in Huntington on Feb. 4. Additionally, rookie adviser Joseph DeSantis was named FIRST Lego League Long Island Robotics Team Coach of the Year at the March 5th event.

During the March 14 board of education meeting, the robotics team was recognized by the trustees and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Hearney. The team also gave a presentation about their Innovation Project on solar energy, called Solar Drive, the team’s core values as well as their robot design process.

Ms. Brinkman praised the team and said, “We give them the tools and the time, but this is all their work. We are very proud of the team.”

Date Added: 3/23/2023

Four James Wilson Young Middle School students were winners in the Peace Poster Contest sponsored by the Brookhaven Great South Bay Lions Club. Under the direction of art teachers, Samantha Burns and Samantha Raiten, and in conjunction with Lion club member Susan Henke-Brinkman, who is also the library media specialist at JWY, the students shared their vision of peace through poster art.For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring this very special art contest in schools and youth groups.

Seventh grader Dillon Bowen was a first-place winner for the Brookhaven club, as well as a Lions District 20-S winner. Dillon will now compete against entries in the New York State Lions Club Peace Poster Contest. Makayla Alliegro, a seventh grader, took second place with eighth grader Anna Gibson garnering third place. Catie Cunningham, an eighth grader, received an honorable mention.

The district congratulates the students on this outstanding accomplishment and sends best wishes for success to Dillon in the New York State Lions Club Peace Poster Contest.

Date Added: 2/10/2023

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to advocating for nonviolence was the inspiration for nine James Wilson Young Middle School students whose artwork was chosen for exhibit in the New York State 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition. Sixth graders Raye L. and Emma R. and seventh graders PJ B., Elizabeth C., Jordan D., Scarlett F., Isabella K., Ella L. and Angelina M. submitted their artwork along with 3,920 students from 100 public and private state schools.

Each year, NYS invites schools to honor Dr. King’s memory through the submission of original student art and essays that reflect Dr. King’s teachings, and which illustrate his six principles and steps of nonviolence. The entire exhibit is on view at the Empire State Plaza North Concourse and is posted on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Observance website: Click Here

The Bayport-Blue Point School District congratulates these students on their fine work.

Click here to view the slideshow.

Date Added: 2/8/2023

James Wilson Young Middle School seventh and eighth grade students now have a better glimpse of some of the career opportunities that will be available to them in the future. The students attended a career fair in which each of the speakers gave their perspective on careers in policing, coaching, small business ownership, education, being a pilot and hospitality, and offered valuable advice on getting started in the workplace.

Coach Toni Mulgrave told students that coaching takes leadership skills to help people succeed, while American Airlines captain Eric Magnusson encouraged the students to try to determine as early as possible the type of career they want to pursue. He also noted that employers will look at their social media pages to make sure if they are a good fit for the job.

“If you have a passion, you can get a job doing it and excel,” Mr. Magnusson said.

Principal John Andruszkiewicz also spoke with students about his career as a teacher and administrator and explained that education was third on his list of possible careers.

“We have a vested interest in seeing all of you do well,” he told the students.

Date Added: 2/1/2023