Students Meet with Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame President Christopher Vaccaro

Miller Place High School’s new Sports History class recently kicked off its first semester with a visit from special guest speaker Christopher Vaccaro, the president of the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame who is also a journalist, professor and author.

“Our new Sports History program is off to a great start,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “Mr. Vaccaro enlightened our students about the importance of local history and the impact made by their neighbors and the student-athletes who came before them. We are appreciative for this partnership with the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame and the opportunities that lie ahead for our students.”

Mr. Vaccaro shared with students his love of storytelling through the lens of local sports history. His presentation detailed the impacts Long Island residents made on athletics both on a local level, like high school football fields, and on a global setting, such as the Olympic Games. 

His presentation emphasized the importance of having hometown pride and preserving the rich stories that come from Long Island. He referenced Miller Place High School’s own Athletic Hall of Fame and encouraged students to get to know the names, faces and stories they pass each day in their school’s main lobby.

Mr. Vaccaro’s engaging and educational presentation set the tone for a successful start to the high school’s Sports History program, which launched this semester through a partnership with the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Vaccaro’s presentation opened student’s minds to the power and persistence of local history and hometown pride. The Miller Place School District thanks Mr. Vaccaro for inspiring and enabling our students to see the significance of sports history, and the many ways they can pursue the field as a potential career.

Miller Place High School Social Studies Teacher Bryan Vaccaro, who teaches the class has organized special guest speakers, unique research projects and interactive experiences to inspire students to become future historians, teachers and sports business leaders while honoring local sports history.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page. 

Lucy Chang and Sean Pepe Will Advance in the 70th National Merit Scholarship Competition

The Miller Place School District is excited to announce that two Miller Place High School students have been recognized as semifinalists in the 70th National Merit Scholarship competition. Lucy Chang and Sean Pepe are among just 16,000 students in the nation being considered for about 6,870 awards worth a total of more than $26 million that will be offered in the spring.

“We are incredibly proud of Lucy Chang and Sean Pepe for their pursuit of excellence,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “We are thrilled to celebrate this exciting achievement with them.”

Semifinalists can advance in the competition by completing several further requirements. About 95 percent of the students recognized as semifinalists are expected to achieve finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will earn a National Merit Scholarship and Merit Scholar title. The National Merit Scholarship Committee has allocated over 423,000 scholarships valued at nearly $1.7 billion to more than three million students nationwide.

Over 1.3 million students across 21,000 high schools in the country entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by completing the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The highest scoring students, representing less than one percent of those who entered, advanced in the competition as semifinalists.

Students could become a finalist by submitting a detailed scholarship application that includes an exemplary academic record, involvement in extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and any honors and awards they’ve earned. Semifinalists must also submit a personal essay and a recommendation from a high school official, in addition to SAT or ACT scores that match their performance on the qualifying test. Semifinalists will be notified in February if they advanced in the competition.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page. 

Staff and students begin a new school year with confidence and pride

The Miller Place School District recently welcomed back over 2,000 students across its four schools for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The first day of school was full of excitement and cheer as students met their teachers, reunited with peers and made new friends with their classmates as they prepared for the year ahead.

“Our staff at all our schools did an amazing job helping our students become confident for the new school year,” said Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie. “We are thrilled for our students to excel and experience a successful year ahead.”

Elementary students at Andrew Muller Primary School and Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School came off buses with beaming smiles as they met their teachers and greeted their principals and staff. Students at North Country Road Middle School and Miller Place High School reunited with their peers and made their way to their classrooms for the first day of school.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page. 

Matthew Nicoletti appointed to new role in the district

The Miller Place School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Nicoletti as Curriculum Specialist for Humanities.

“As a teacher, Mr. Nicoletti’s classroom was dynamic with rich discussion,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “He has brought so much to the Miller Place community over the past 12 years as a teacher, coach, mentor and leader.”

Mr. Nicoletti began his educational career in 2012 as an English teacher at North Country Road Middle School in the Miller Place School District. His work outside the classroom included coaching track and field and directing the Miller Place High School Panther Players.   

Two years ago, Mr. Nicoletti became the Dean of Students at North Country Road Middle School and supported and enhanced instruction by facilitating professional development workshops.

He was also a member of the School Improvement Team and led fundraising efforts to create the Chris Pendergast Memorial Garden at North Country Road Middle School.

Mr. Nicoletti grew up in the Miller Place community and graduated from Miller Place High School. He studied English Education at SUNY Oneonta and spent his summers at Eastern Suffolk BOCES as a Teacher’s Assistant for students with special needs.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page. 

Christine Mangiamele appointed to new role leading NCRMS

The Miller Place School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Christine Mangiamele as the new principal of the North Country Road Middle School.

“The Miller Place community has gotten to know Ms. Mangiamele very well over the past 19 years and we are excited to see her excel in her new position leading North Country Road Middle School,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “She has served the district with pride and dedication in many roles and we are confident in her ability to foster an environment for student success.”    

Ms. Mangiamele has served the Miller Place community since 2005, when she began her educational career as a World Language teacher at Miller Place High School. She furthered her career at Miller Place High School in 2010 when she became the school’s assistant principal and dean of students. In 2019, she became the assistant principal at North Country Road Middle School and, this past year, she was appointed the curriculum specialist for Humanities.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page. 

Board members are sworn in as district prepares for the year ahead

The Miller Place School District recently held its annual organizational meeting, at which time Brian Makarius was sworn in for his new term as a trustee.

Lisa Reitan was re-elected by the Board of Education as President and Bryan Makarius was re-elected by the Board of Education as Vice President. Lisa Reitan was first elected President by the Board two years ago for the 2022-2023 school year and served as the Board’s Vice President in the 2021-2022 school year. Bryan Makarius was first elected Vice President two years ago for the 2022-2023 school year and served as a trustee in the 2021-2022 school year.
The 2024-2025 Board of Education also includes trustees Johanna Testa, Andrea Spaniolas and John Galligan.

“Our District is excited to go into another year with such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people leading the Board of Education,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie, who was also sworn in at the meeting for his third year.

The District wishes a warm welcome to the 2024-2025 Board of Education as it prepares for the school year ahead.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.

Jean Marie D’Aversa joins the Miller Place School District community

The Miller Place School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jean Marie D’Aversa as the new principal of Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School.

“I am grateful and excited to serve the Miller Place community,” Dr. D’Aversa said. “Miller Place is where I was born and raised, which laid the foundation for who I am today. I look forward to guiding our young learners during this crucial time in their development as well as creating a positive and effective learning environment that is safe and secure for all.”

Dr. D’Aversa is a distinguished educator and administrator with extensive leadership experience. She began her professional career as an elementary world language teacher. Her administrative career includes serving as the coordinator of ENL K-12 across four elementary schools in the East Islip School District.

Dr. D’Aversa has six years of experience as a building administrator, most recently as assistant principal at Islip Terrace Middle School.

Additionally, she was the principal and assistant principal of the Eastern Suffolk BOCES summer school program. Dr. D’Aversa earned her doctoral degree in educational administrative and instructional leadership from St. John’s University. She earned her master’s degree and an advanced degree in school building/school district leadership from Long Island University Post College and her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and history from Hofstra University.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page. 

Community Holds a Dedication Ceremony for the Don Pranzo Field, Named After Beloved Former Coach

Following a March 2024 resolution by the Miller Place School District Board of Education, the Miller Place High School Varsity Baseball Field has been renamed Don Pranzo Field, in honor of the legendary former Miller Place baseball coach who launched the district’s first athletic program in 1969.  Recently, the District community gathered for a dedication ceremony, during which Mr. Pranzo shared words of inspiration to the current varsity baseball team.

 “As a District and a community, we are honored to recognize the impact Mr. Pranzo has had on our athletic program,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “As a pioneer for athletics in Miller Place, Mr. Pranzo coached and mentored so many athletes during his time as coach of the varsity baseball team. His determination and dedication paved the way for our future successes and established Miller Place as a baseball powerhouse in Suffolk County. It was a pleasure to have him back for the dedication ceremony. He shared his wisdom and insight before generations of Miller Place athletes. His legacy will live on forever in our community.”

Mr. Pranzo started his career at Miller Place in 1955 when Miller Place was a K-8 school district and during his time here he coached twelve different sports at the junior high level, became the first Athletic Administrator for the Miller Place School District in 1969, and served as the first coach of the varsity baseball team for 20 years. He coached the team starting in the early 1970s through 1989 and again from 2003 through 2006. Under his leadership, the team won seven league titles, two county championships, one Long Island championship, and finished second in the state in 1985. Mr. Pranzo was also named Coach of the Year seven times for his unwavering dedication and coaching successes.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page. 

Students excel at Long Island Regional Trade Show and Business Plan Competition

Students in the Virtual Enterprise class at Miller Place High School recently excelled at the Long Island Regional Trade Show and Business Plan Competition. Students worked in groups to showcase their businesses, each of which generated over $100,000 in sales and won multiple awards throughout the competition.

“Our Virtual Enterprise students did an amazing job and were part of a very successful field trip. Everyone who participated represented Miller Place with pride and enthusiasm and exceptional skill,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “Congratulations to all of the students who participated at the trade show for the professionalism and passion they demonstrated while promoting their ideas to investors.”

Student CEO Lindsey Galligan and student COO Grace Flammia presented their company Fits4Fans, a celebrity-inspired clothing line with a goal of boosting the confidence and styles of their customers. The company had a successful trade show and placed gold in multiple categories, including “LI Regional Trade Show Sales Material Competition” and “LI Regional Trade Show Best Booth Competition.” The company saw 90 sales transactions and generated over $100,000 in sales.

Student CEO Jake Ryan and student COO Lucas Damon ran Memory Lane Toy Co., a retro toy store that sold rare and exclusive toys from across past generations. The company aimed to combat the negative effects of social media and overstimulation of technology by providing a means of re-engaging in real world play and connections. The toy firm placed gold in the category of “Booth Design,” silver in the “Newsletter Competition,” and silver in the “Sales Pitch Competition.” The company generated over $170,000 in sales and showcased exceptional networking skills with their fellow entrepreneurs. 

Technology LLC AI Aid, led by student CEO John Leen and student COO Samuel Cangelosi, sought to assist individuals through the implication of AI. They placed gold in the category of “LI Regional Trade Show Best Booth Competition” and silver in “LI Regional Sales Pitch Competition.” The company brought in $105,609 in sales presented their business plan to judges for a chance to advance to the next level of Virtual Enterprise competition.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.

Students honored for exceptional character and academic excellence

Miller Place High School recently recognized a group of outstanding students at its 23^rd annual OAK (Outstanding Acts of Kindness) and OAR (Outstanding Academic Recognition) ceremony. Students were recommended by staff members for performing inspiring acts of kindness or demonstrating excellent work ethic in their classes.

“Students chosen to be honored at our OAK and OAR ceremony have shown exemplary behavior through their compassion and kindness or through remarkable academic progress and performance,” said Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie. “They represent our community with outstanding pride and are excellent role models for their peers. We are so proud to honor them at our OAK and OAR ceremony.” 

OAK award recipients are recommended for performing gestures of kindness and displaying compassion without expecting anything in return. OAR award recipients are recommended for achieving academic excellence by maintaining high scores, improving their scores or taking harder courses and rising to educational challenges that may be outside of their comfort zone.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.