Herricks High School was presented with an award on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education for being named a Blue Ribbon School.
James Ruck, Herricks High School principal, went to the White House for a ceremony honoring the prestigious schools on Nov. 7. Ruck presented the award to the Board of Education at Thursday’s meeting.
“This really represents the entire district but it was an honor to represent the district there with a lot of other really special schools,” Ruck said. “It’s a very special day for Herricks High School and for the Herricks district, on behalf of all of us at the high school, congratulations.”
Herricks High School is one of 19 schools in New York and four schools on Long Island to win this year’s award.
Board of Education President Brian Hassan, congratulated Ruck, but said the award is “truly a reflection of the community.”
“Like we always say, it’s not about the board,” Hassan said. “It’s about the teachers and the administrators and the parents – and most of all the kids.”
During the meeting the board also recognized students for academic achievements.
The board recognized Jeremy Barrios and Nicole Garcia, two recipients of the National Hispanic Recognition Program Honors, based on their performance on the PSAT. The program recognizes about 5,000 of the 250,000 Hispanic and Latino students who take the PSAT in their junior year.
(Photo by Rebecca Klar)
The board also recognized the 24 National Merit Commended students from the district, which Superintendent Fino Celano said is the second-largest group in the district’s history.
“While most districts are very happy if they get maybe one or two or four, we have 24 [National Merit Commended] seniors,” Celano said. “In addition to exhibiting academic excellence these 24 students participate in a whole range of programs, organizations and activities. They are amazing students.”
The board also recognized six Siemens semifinalists, two of whom are finalists in the competition.
