Exemplary Character Honored at 2022 Breakfast of Champions

On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, Sayville High School convened the Breakfast of Champions celebration to honor thirty-three outstanding students for their exemplary character.

In the High School’s large cafeteria, decorated with balloons and a Breakfast of Champions' banner, Assistant High School Principal Sabine Loriston opened the student-recognition program—now in its seventeenth year—welcoming the honorees and the families, staff and administrators, including Superintendent Dr. John Stimmel, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Dr. Christine Criscione, Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Sam Gergis, and High School Principal Ron Hoffer along with Board of Education President John Verdone and retiring Trustee Norm deVenau.

First, Mrs. Loriston began her "favorite school  activity"  by addressing the students. She explained that the nominating faculty saw in them the qualities of persistence, strong work ethic, resilience despite challenges, dependability within the school community, as well as kindness, empathy, and the ability to encourage others with smiles. “You may think your teachers don’t notice these things,” Mrs. Loriston said, “but they do and it makes a difference….you make coming to Sayville High School every day a pleasure. We congratulate you.”

This long-standing tradition continued with each student called up, one by one, and joined by the nominating faculty member who had prepared a personalized statement (see list on right) about the student’s character. After, the students were given Breakfast of Champions plaques—their portraits provided by Jo-Art Studios that had been photo-shopped by Tech teachers Chad Cross and Bill Vogel onto a Wheaties Box background.  

The celebration ended with delicious breakfast fare, prepared by the Sayville Food and Nutrition department, that included scrambled eggs, pepper-and-cheese eggs, pancakes, sausages, ham, roasted potatoes, juices, pitchers of cucumber or lemon water, along with coffee and tea.

Thanks also to members of the High School strings orchestra: Riley Lapine-violin, then piano, Skylar Collins-violin, and Alayna Pavao-cello for providing the soothing musical accompaniment at the celebration.

Congratulations to the following students who were honored this year: