Heartfelt sentiments of pride, community and tradition resounded throughout the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Walt Whitman High School as the South Huntington School District celebrated its 100th anniversary.  The district’s December 10th board meeting was turned into a momentous celebration with student performances, history displays, school memorabilia, and, of course, a birthday cake!

The evening paid tribute to the generations of students, teachers, administrators, board members, and families who have walked the hallways of our district’s twelve schools - some that no longer exist - over the last 100 years and have helped shape South Huntington into the top-rated school district it is today. 

A “Then and Now” display in the PAC lobby highlighted how the people and places in the district have changed over the last century. The Walt Whitman Art Gallery featured a collection of district artifacts including photos, artwork, and school memorabilia.  Guests were able to view the displays and enjoy hors d'oeuvres served by South Huntington’s School Nutrition Services while the Walt Whitman High School Chamber Orchestra performed. 

When the school board meeting officially began at 7:30 pm in the PAC, the audience was treated to special performances by students from all seven of the district’s current schools.  Oakwood Primary Center got things off to a great start with their performance of the song “Unstoppable” by Sia followed by Countrywood Primary Center students’ rendition of  “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars.   

Maplewood Intermediate School continued the party with their performance of “Celebrate Tonight.”  And no birthday is complete without singing “Happy Birthday to You.”  Birchwood Intermediate School’s dual language students performed the song in both English and Spanish, accompanied by musicians from Birchwood’s Fifth Grade Band.  Silas Wood’s Sixth Grade Band took the stage to perform “Dance Celebration," and Walt Whitman High School’s Jazz Band took the audience back to the 1930s with Cole Porter’s “Begin the Beguine.”  

The trip back in time continued with a newspaper report from the 1920s that was researched and written by Stimson Middle School’s 7th Grade Research Class. Then, performers from Walt Whitman’s dance program danced us through the decades with a specially-choreographed number featuring popular dance trends including Hip Hop, the Floss, Voguing, Running Man, Disco, Swing, and the Charleston. 

Following the video presentation “100 Years of Memories,” board members presented the 100th anniversary cake. The video can be seen in its entirety at the bottom of this page. 

Superintendent Dr. Vito D‘Elia said this centennial marks the enduring spirit of a community dedicated to the well-being of its children. “In the beginning, this district had a handful of small, one-room schoolhouses and has now blossomed into a school community that focuses on education, culture and equitable opportunity for all. Previous generations of Wildcats laid the foundation of excellence, instilled values of hard work, inclusivity and a passion for learning.  These conditions continue to guide us today.  They’re evident in our classrooms where students thrive academically and personally.”

The South Huntington Union Free School District was created on December 10, 1924 with a vote by 140 taxpayers to merge South Huntington Common District #12 and West Hills Common District #13 with the goal of building a new, large school to accommodate the community’s rapidly-growing population. Today, South Huntington is one of the Top 10 school districts in Suffolk County, according to Niche.

Watch the recording of the 100 Year Celebration here

See more photos here

The South Huntington History and Art Gallery Walk captivated guests with an array of artifacts, pictures, and historical pieces. 

Music was played by Walt Whitman High School’s Chamber Orchestra in the Performing Arts Center Lobby during the gallery walk.

Cheers and thank you to the South Huntington School Nutrition Services for providing refreshments during the History and Gallery Walk!

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Carlo Giordano, WWHS Alumni Class of 1977 and Commander of American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244.

The National Anthem was performed by Walt Whitman High School Junior Lucia Maniatis.

100 years of excellence calls for a celebration with Countrywood Primary Center’s performance of “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars. 

Birchwood students had so much fun singing Happy Birthday to our beloved school district in English and in Spanish. 

Oakwood’s performance showed us just how unstoppable South Huntington School District is!

The Maplewood 5th Grade Chorus performed "Celebrate Tonight" under the direction of Music Teacher Ms. Jenn Belisle.

Silas Wood Sixth Grade Center, under the direction of Music Teacher Frank Cannella, did a Band Performance of “Dance Celebration.” 
 

Stimson Middle School’s 7th Grade Research Class presented their 1920’s Newspaper Report.

WWHS Jazz Band performed “Begin the Beguine” under the direction of Music Teacher Mr. Greg Modelewski.

Everyone in attendance was so impressed by the high school’s dance performance and decades tribute.
 

Stephanie Gotard (right), WWHS Class of 1984 and Executive Director HHS, and Lorraine Kelley (left), President Board of Trustees HHSA, gave us a look into our 100 Year History from the Huntington Historical Society.
 

Robert Vecchio, Executive Director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association, presented a celebratory gift to our current Board of Education. 

Dr. Dave Bennardo (left), Superintendent from 2013-2021, and Ms. Marilyn Zaretsky (right), Superintendent from 1998-2001, provided memories as former superintendents of “How We Got Here.”
 

Current and former Board of Education members gathered around the 100 year cake to top off the evening of celebration. 

Please enjoy the full video presentation below of “100 Years of Memories!”