Mattituck-Laurel: Promgoers and teachers shine

The front lawn of Mattituck High School last Thursday evening resembled the crowd you’d see at a concert. Paparazzi, made up of friends and families, covered the grass, snapping pictures as the student promgoers, all looking incredibly gorgeous, were announced one by one. Special thanks to the PTSA for hosting the pre-prom party and the custodians for helping with all the details.

Elise Kroll is so proud of her brother, Steven, that she dropped me an email about his graduation from Stony Brook last week with a B.A. in English. He’ll begin work on his master’s this fall at Columbia University.

Meanwhile, Elise is in graduate school in the Buffalo area, working on a degree in mathematics.

Teachers do more than just teach, inspire and encourage our children. They are our neighbors, friends and helpers in times of need. Cutchogue East Elementary School rounded up over 22 teachers and support staff to participate in this weekend’s Southold Relay for Life. This motivated group calls itself “Cutchogue East Building Hope.” Good luck and thank you!

Our teachers also donated recently to the Carla Timpone Scholarship Fund and the MCTA Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors by paying twice to wear jeans to school. In addition, the English Department will acknowledge a senior who loves to write by presenting him or her with a Vincent Ferrer Scholarship at graduation.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Matt Wilsberg on June 2; Jeff Smith and Michael Lentini on the 4th; Cory Dolson on the 6th; and Anne Smith and June Schait on the 7th.

Belated birthday wishes to Christian Montgomery, who turned 15 on May 24.

It’s a busy time of year but some topics are too important to ignore. Mark your calendars for June 7, when parents and youth are encouraged to attend a 7 p.m. presentation at the high school library by John Venza, clinical director of the Outreach Project. He will discuss signs of and trends in substance abuse and gateway drugs such as marijuana and alcohol. The event is sponsored jointly by the North Fork Alliance, Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Town of Southold Youth Bureau.

65 years of marriage is a milestone worth celebrating. Congratulations to Peg and Bill Killian, who toasted 65 years as husband and wife on May 18.