LATEST NEWS
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Summer-Deep Breath moment:
Orient Point Lighthouse
Orient Point Lighthouse was built in 1899 to guide mariners through the riptides and strong currents in Plum Gut. The circular cast-iron and brick-lined structure, dubbed “The Coffee Pot,” was scheduled to be torn down in 1970 but was saved by the public. Today, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as an artist's residence
MEMBER NEWS
HAPPY NEWS
Camille and Mark Lupa are proud to share the athletic and coaching accomplishments of their son. Mike started the girl's Flag Football program four years ago at the Half Hollow Hills School District. During this time, he has managed to bring prominence by winning the past four years as the Suffolk County Division Championships, four Suffolk County Championships, two Long Island Championships and in 2025, his team was a finalist in the New York State Flag Football Championship game. This year, the team won the 2026 NYS Class A Championship Tournament held in Cortland, New York on June 6-7!! His team is also ranked 19th in the Country.
Mike has received personal accolades as the coach. Last year he was named the Suffolk County Coach of the Year and was further recognized by the New York State Flag Football Association as the New York State Coach of the Year. In the past Mike was inducted in the Long Island Flag Football Hal of Fame.
As his parent's, Camille and Mark couldn't be prouder of Mike's athletic and coaching accomplishments!
Mary Lou Cancellieri is the Co-Founder of the volunteer, non-profit organization, RVC Blue Speaks. It is a coalition of community members, government officials, business owners and makers-of-change, that are laser focused on helping families affected by Autism.
The RVC Blue Scholarship is awarded to a hard working WHS student, on the Autism spectrum, who tries their best and is kind! The student should be planning to attend college or a trade school. Teachers and guidance counselors select the student and submit their name. Mary Lou says, "It is so rewarding to see the students receive this award. Often, they have not been acknowledged.".."".
Retirees (from left) Suzanne Massaia, Ann Sela, Donna Sabella and Kathleen O’Shea at Donna and Tom Sabella’s 50th Anniversary party June 2024 at Bayview on the Water in Freeport, NY. Congratulations Donna and Tom!!
Shortly before her passing, retiree Natalie Schwartz published 2 new books: My Kosher Parodies and Love Remembered. They are sold on Amazon, Walmart and Barnes and Noble and available as an audiobook.
Congratulations Natalie! (We miss you)
For Mike Marrin retirement means starting a new career as a Life Coach! He is currently taking on new clients. He also enjoys spending time with his wife who is also retired. They are busy with their 3 children, Sean, Wil, and Laura.
David Dahle: Wanderlust Retiree!
Since retiring from WHS in 2000 I have done the following:
2022: Three weeks of car travel in Alaska.
2008: Six months of van camping from NY to Seattle, down the West Coast,, then across the South to Florida and back to NY. I have been to all 50 states.
2004/2007: Two trips to India, 6 weeks each time.
2009: Six weeks in Australia and New Zealand.
2010: One month in Peru.
2014: One month in Cuba.
2006: Five years in a row to Mari Gras in New Orleans, beginning with the first Mardi Gras after Katrina.
2010: Six times to Burning Man.
Since 2000 I have been to over a hundred music festivals.
For the last ten years I have lived in the Dominican Republic for 6 months each year"
The Town of North Hempstead recently renamed a portion of Swalm street in Westbury in honor of Lonnie Harris, a valued member of the Westbury community who passed away in February, 2025.
Lonnie’s wife, Mary Harris who retired from Powells Lane in 2018, was in attendance along with her family, friends and members of the Westbury community. The ceremony, which took place on May 23, was presided over by Town Councilman Robert Troiano.
SAD NEWS
I*It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Rita Brandon, who died peacefully on November 14, 2025, at the age of 98 in Melbourne, Florida.
Rita retired after twenty years in Westbury where she taught Kindergarten and First Grade at Dryden,
Drexel and Park.
Rita was instrumental in developing the Major Achievement Program (MAP) in Westbury.
Rita's son, Brumsic Brandon, retired from Westbury High School in 2019.
*It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Natalie Schwartz on April 19, 2026
Natalie was a teacher at Powells Lane and Park Ave Schools.
Please see the attached obituary notice below, which contains details regarding service arrangements.
https://www.donohue-cecere.com/obituaries/Natalie-Schwartz?obId=48179948
*We recently learned of the passing of Marie Gaffney on March 19, 2025.
Marie was a Reading teacher at the High School for many years. She is survived by two stepdaughters and a stepdaughter in law.
June 2026: Retirees!!
1. Carmelina Alessi
2. Doyna Badillo
3. Rich Canalini
4. Olga Castro
5. Myra Cruz-Vasquez
6. Andrea Cucchiara
7. Arianne Edmund-Henry
8. Jo-Ann Gallagher-Rodriguez
9. Charmaine Gardner
10. Dwight Gibson
11. William Gray
12. Sheila Haliburton
13. Rhinda Hernandez
14. Zulma Hernandez
15. Percy Holmes
16. Iris Nieves-Brull
17. Jennifer Schneider
18. Silvia Sherwood
19. Vincent Suozzi
CONGRATULATIONS!!
NYSUT LI Regional Conference Oct. 2025
WSR Exec Board member Carol Gardniner attended
Westbury Middle School/Junior High staff
back in the day!
Do you
recognize
anyone?
Do you recognize yourself?
photo submitted by
JoAnn Cohn :)
CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS
For their years of retirement!!
5 yrs/2021: Brenda Bluestone, Janet DiPietro, Sharon Greco, Tina Kaiser, Judith Kerner, Mary Lago, Jim Nicklaus, Angela Summer, Lisa Tintle
10 yrs/2016: Valerie Burke, O’Neil Eastman, Isabel Eisenberg, Nancy Hall, Ann Kogitz, Susan Tazzi, Marc Lupa, Kathi Matthews, Rosann Meehan, Kathy O ‘Shea, Stan Zwick
15 yrs/2011: Carl Armenia, Laura Broder, Yvonne Cunningham, Carol Gardner, Arlene Golub, Hilda Rodriquez, Kathy Totman, Veronica Tramposch
20 yrs/2006: Marguerite Britton, Steve Nordell
25 yrs/2001: Roberta Estrin, Chickie Kaufman, Donald McIntosh
30 yrs/1996: Fred Brunnemer, Nancy Doran, Chuck Laufman, Bernie Strauss
35 yrs/1991: Anthony Fay, Irene Hilton, Doris Sias, Connie Wilkens Smith
40 yrs/1986: Louise DeBiase
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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2026 Scholarship Winners!
The winners of the 2026 WSR Annual Scholarship are the following WHS seniors:
Abigail Majano
Valery Martinez Acosta
Jayden Merino
Mekiyah Parker
Carmen Sanchez
Hannah Silva
Brian Torcios
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