Tanya Davis, house principal, recognized by ASAIH
Tanya Davis, House Principal, at the high school was recognized by the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASAIH) chapter in Sullivan County. Awards were presented to those who have embarked on useful careers and have made an impact on the community, according to the chapter. Davis was one of three Sullivan County High School graduates given the Community Recognition Award.

MHS students recognized at Renaissance Breakfast
MARCH 2007—MHS students, in grades 9-12 piled, into the school's cafeteria for the second Renaissance Breakfast this year, which recognizes students for making the honor roll. Over 500 students were recognized.

High school administrators, as well as Dr. Ken Eastwood, Superintendent, Vincent Crescenzo, Board of Education President, and Board members Linda Knapp and John Perrino, joined students for the breakfast on March 7, 2007.

Students recognized are awarded with a discount card that can be used at local businesses throughout Middletown and several students won gift certificates and discount cards as part of a raffle held at the breakfast.

At left: Board President Vincent Crescenzo address students at the March 7, 2007, Renascence Breakfast.

Nothing found during drug sweep
MARCH 2006—A drug sweep was conducted by various K-9 units on March 7, 2007, at Middletown High School. According to Ken Harverlan, Director of Safety for the district, nothing was found.

This was the second sweep conducted at the high school this year in an effort to help keep buildings, students, and staff safe. It was conducted randomly and not in response to a tip or any suspicions, Haverlan said.

High schooler gets offers from Naval Academy, among other top schools
MARCH 2007—Neha Athavale, a Middletown High School student, has been accepted to the Naval Academy Preparatory School. In addition, she was also offered a full, four year Navy ROTC scholarship.

"This is, as far as I know, the first time a MHS graduate has been selected to either an academy or an academy prep school," said Andrew N. Wall, CDR, USN (ret.), Senior Naval Science Instructor. "The preparatory school is a 10 month course that provides an intensive review of physics, chemistry, math, English, and information technology.  Graduates of the prep school are then enrolled as midshipmen at the Naval Academy for a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science and a commission as either a second lieutenant." Athlvale will receive 30 percent of the pay of an ensign, or second lieutenant, and her education will be free. 

At the raffle drawing held on Jan. 12, 2006, at the Galleria, three top raffle winners were named. They are as follows: Colleen Balmos of Port Jervis won a cruise for two to the Caribbean; Mike Turturro won $1,000; and Karlean Grey-Allen won $500.

Academy Director John Gerace was present for the raffle as were Paul B. Halpern, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Academy of Finance and the Academy of Information Technology, Advisory Board Members Sean Donovan (M & T Bank), Chris Fiorillo (Provident Bank) and Julie Wight, among others.

MHS honor roll students recognized at winter Renaissance Breakfast
DEC.2006—Middletown High schoolers were honored at the Renaissance Breakfast on Wed., Dec. 20, 2006, in recognition of making the high honor roll and honor roll this marking period. A total of 561 students were honored.

"This is quite an accomplishment," said Karen Liparulo, House 3 Principal. "We're all very proud of you."

Executive Principal Alan Gonzalez also congratulated students, adding, "Twenty-five percent of the population at Middletown High School met or exceeded the honor roll expectations this marking period. This breakfast is a great tribute to you, the staff and your parents."

Students received a discount card that can be used at local businesses throughout Middletown and several students won gift certificates and discount cards as part of a raffle held at the breakfast. District administration and Vincent Crescenzo and John Perrino, of the Middletown Board of Education, were on hand eating breakfast and congratulating students.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the breakfast.

Students get taste of Chinese traditions while on field trip
Contributed by teacher Mr. Liam O'Neill
DEC.2006—Dragons, emperors and fairies from China—not exactly images conjured at this time of year but 50 students from the high school began celebrating the holidays early by seeing just these.  “Holiday Wonders” opened at Manhattan’s Beacon Theater on Tuesday, December 22 with authentic cultural themes from the Tang Dynasty, (618-907 C.E.) arguably China’s grandest period.

The show’s sponsor, a non-profit television station called New Tang Dynasty, together with its recently formed Educational Outreach Program and corporate sponsorship, made the field trip possible. Students were left with only the cost of a theater surcharge and part of the transportation costs. Student council picked up the rest. "This was a great opportunity to combine culture, NYC, the holidays and Broadway all into one little package for our students," said Virginia Morse, MHS English teacher and head of student council.

The show consisted of over 200 dancers, musicians and actors, including a live orchestra. All of the pieces were choreographed expressly for the show. A similar show will be performed in February to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Radio City Music Hall.

“It would be great if our students could see the next show too,” said teacher Liam O’Neill, one of the field trip organizers. “The response was quite overwhelming right up to and then after the deadline. We could have easily filled two busses.” The Educational Outreach Program attempts to make student trips to the show more educational with free multi-media lesson plans available online.

Drug sweep sending positive message to deter drugs in school
DEC.2006—Middletown High School was the site of a drug sweep on Dec. 13, 2006. The sweep turned up nothing, and was conducted randomly and not in response to a tip or any suspicions but instead in an ongoing effort to help keep buildings and students, staff safe.

The building was searched by K-9 police units from the City of Middletown, City of Newburgh, New Windsor and Saugerties while on lock-down/lock-out mode for about 45 minutes.

"The use of police K-9 units to conduct drug sweeps sends a positive message to both the students and the community that the district is working diligently to deter drugs from coming into our schools," Ken Haverlan, Director of Security, Health and Safety. 

Dogs were alerted only once during the sweep—one locker at the school was opened due to suspicion, but turned up nothing.

School administration along with Haverlan, as well as a School Resource Officer, were on hand for the search which was conducted in accordance with the City of Middletown Police Department, and Lt. Paul Rickard.