In honor of being named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, Ward Melville High School held a ceremony. District administrators, Ward Melville High School staff, local leaders and their representatives, board of education members and students gathered at the building on Nov. 28 to celebrate the accomplishment.

Ward Melville High School Student Government President Mikaeel Zohair kicked off the ceremony by introducing wonderful performances by the school’s Camerata, Honors String Quartet and student Ava Della Pietra. Principal William Bernhard welcomed the crowd and congratulated students and staff on this honor. He thanked Ward Melville High School teachers for their dedication to excellence in education.

“I stand before you today and dedicate this great recognition to the faculty of Ward Melville High School,” Mr. Bernhard said.

He welcomed the keynote speaker, Executive Vice President-Provost of Stony Brook University Mr. Carl Lejuez, who touted the school for its success.

“Only 297 schools nationally received this designation from the U.S. Department of Education. That puts your school in rare company and it’s truly amazing,” Mr. Lejuez said to the crowd. “It’s amazing because of how hard I know everyone has worked to achieve this. That’s particularly where it’s important for us to acknowledge the great students here and their parents.”

Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn addressed the crowd along with representatives from Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich and New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s offices. Local leaders presented Ward Melville High School with citations noting the Blue Ribbon designation.

After the ceremony, members of the Ward Melville High School community gathered outside the building for a flag raising. The clock tower bell rang proudly as the 2022 National Blue Ribbon School flag was lifted.

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Date Added: 11/29/2022