Congratulations to the Girls Leaders Organization (GLO) at Walt Whitman High School as they celebrated the 76th year of Girls Sports Night (GSN) on Friday, February 27th!  This year, it was “Grooves” versus “Grunge.” The bleachers were packed on both sides of the North Gym as family and friends showed up to support the girls in pink (Grooves) or the girls in purple (Grunge). 

 

What began as a unique opportunity for young women to participate in athletics at a time when those programs were limited has evolved into one of South Huntington’s most cherished traditions. While opportunities for female athletes have expanded significantly since GSN's inception, Principal Dr. John Murphy noted that the event remains vital for its sense of community in a school district that just celebrated its 100th anniversary. “We have a lot of second, third, even fourth generation families in the district now. I talk to parents who remember participating in Girls Sports Night, and I think that’s kinda cool. This is nostalgic for them. They're able to say, ‘Wow, I remember when I did these things,’ so it’s a great night for them to see their children be a part of it. Plus it focuses on our female students which is great because I don't think they get enough nights where this happens,” said Dr. Murphy. 

 

Months of hard work go into putting this event together.  It started back in December with cheer tryouts. Then there was music to be chosen, routines to be choreographed, and costumes to be designed.  And there were weeks and weeks and weeks of practice!

 

After the official welcome and the Opening Cheer, the teams competed against each other in volleyball, tug-of-war, welcome cheer, dodgeball, calisthenics, basketball, fight cheer, and senior musical chairs. The cheer and dance performances are scored by a panel of secret judges. While the "Grooves" took top honors in the welcome cheer and calisthenics (which is really a highly-choreographed dance performance), the "Grunge" team dominated in volleyball, tug-of-war, dodgeball, basketball, and the fight cheer, ultimately securing the overall victory for the night.

 

It was a bittersweet night for GLO advisor Ms. Kim Mahoney, who has been a driving force behind Girls Sports Night for the last 15 years. After 32 years of teaching, she’ll be retiring at the end of this school year. “This was an opportunity to help young girls to see the best in themselves, even when they didn't think they could do it. I just knew that I had to be a part of it, because they do so many great things, but they just needed somebody to bring it out for them,” said Ms. Mahoney. 

Congratulations to GLO President Ella Fischer and Vice President Emily Cary for running an incredible Girls Sports Night event!  It’s one that reminds us why Whitman is such a great place.  Also congratulations to our new GLO/GSN leaders for 2026-27: President Caroline Tulipano and Vice President Victoria Krywak! Best of luck to you both next year.

 

Girls Leaders Organization is an academic and athletic honor society. The criteria for being a GLO member includes high academic achievement, participation in varsity athletics, hours of community service, as well as dedication to the club and its activities and events. Some of their community services include the Homecoming Carnival and Bonfire, Breast Cancer Awareness “Flocking” fundraiser, Autism Awareness Walk, Thanksgiving food drive, the District Holiday Winter Wonderland, and a pajama drive and holiday gift cards for hospitalized children.

 

A big thank you to all of the custodial staff who made this night possible, Mr. Rogers and the Robotics Club for generously rebuilding and constructing the cheer boxes, all of the amazing proctors, and the Secret Judges Panel who determined the winners of the choreographed events. And a special thank you to the boys helpers, known as the “Khaki Boys,” who worked tirelessly to keep the night moving with speedy equipment changes in between each competition and color commentary. It was a night that will surely become a cherished high school memory for many!

See more photos here!

 

The Grooves Cheer Team was dressed and ready in front of the themed cheer boxes constructed by Mr. Rogers and the Robotics Club.

 

 

Senior Lucy Maniatis beautifully sang the National Anthem to start off the evening.

 

 

Volleyball served as the first sports event of the night!

 

 

The Grunge cheerleaders performed their welcome cheer with pep.

 

 

It’s always fun to see the stength and end result of Tug-of-War!

 

 

Basketball between these two teams was a perfect mix of athleticism and entertainment.

 

 

Thank you to the boys helpers who worked tirelessly to keep the night moving with speedy equipment changes in between each competition.

 

 

The Grooves cheerleaders brought color to their routine. 

 

 

Grunge Calisthenics participants were in sync for their routine. 

 

 

 Grooves took top honors in calisthenics for this year’s event. 

 

 

Senior Musical Chairs always brings out real competitive nature amongst the high school participants!

 

 

(left to right) Congratulations to GLO President Ella Fischer, Vice President Emily Cary, and Ms. Mahoney for running an incredible Girls Sports Night! A very special congratulations to Walt Whitman’s new GLO/GSN leaders for 2026-27, President Caroline Tulipano and Vice President Victoria Krywak!