Ward Melville student wins silver at International Biology Olympiad

A student from Ward Melville High School in East Setauket has earned a medal in the country’s premier biology competition for high schoolers for the second consecutive year.

Senior Eric Liu was one of four students nationwide to win a silver medal at the 2026 USA Biolympiad National Finals, which brought together 20 students this summer at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This year, more than 12,000 students registered to compete from 46 states and 35 international schools, according to competition officials.

Last year, Liu earned a gold medal in the national finals, which secured his spot as one of four students to represent the United States at the 2025 International Biology Olympiad in the Philippines.

“Winning a silver medal was a truly meaningful experience for me,” Liu said. “It represented a great deal of hard work, persistence and support from the people around me. What made it especially meaningful was not just the result itself, but the chance to challenge myself against some of the strongest biology students in the country and to learn from the experience.”

To reach the USA Biolympiad National Finals, Liu participated in two rounds of online exams earlier this year that yielded 20 finalists from across the country. Those students participated in a 10-day residential training program where they learned “advanced biological concepts and exacting lab skills” at Harvard, according to competition officials.

The training program was followed by two days of testing that determined the nation’s representatives for the international level, the officials said.

VALLEY STREAM

New principal

Fabian Jara has been appointed principal of Memorial Junior High School in the Valley Stream Central High School District. He replaced Bret Strauss, now principal of the district’s Central High School.

Jara previously served as assistant principal of Valley Stream North High School since 2021. Before that, he was the school’s dean of students as well as a Spanish language teacher for 16 years.

“I look forward to building strong relationships with our students, families, staff and community while continuing the outstanding work and tradition of excellence established by Mr. Bret Strauss and the Memorial team,” Jara said.

“Together, we will continue the work to ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.”

HEWLETT

New principal

Reina Hall has been appointed principal of Ogden Elementary School in Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools.

Hall, who replaced Nicola Lynch, was previously assistant principal at the district’s Hewlett Elementary School since 2024. She also spent 16 years as a special education teacher in the district and served as assistant principal of the district’s summer learning academy as well as technology integration lead teacher.

“I am excited to build upon the school’s strong foundation while working collaboratively with our exceptional staff and supportive families to ensure every child feels challenged, supported and empowered to reach their fullest potential,” Hall said in a statement.

FLORAL PARK

New principal

Penelopi Kikis has been appointed principal of Floral Park-Bellerose School. She replaced Lauren Quezada, who is now principal of Homestead School in Garden City.

Kikis previously served as assistant principal and principal designee of P.S. 143 The Louis Armstrong School in Queens, where she oversaw instruction for grades K-5, special education programming, school operations and student support systems

“In my first interactions with the students, staff, families and community members of Floral Park-Bellerose, it became immediately clear that the strong sense of community, collaboration and pride is what makes Floral Park-Bellerose School so special,” Kikis said in a statement.

BAYPORT

New superintendent

Robert E. Haas has been appointed superintendent of the Bayport-Blue Point School District. He replaced Timothy Hearney, who retired.

Haas, who graduated from the district in 1997, previously served as the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and before that was an assistant principal, middle school principal and high school principal in the district. He began his career in the district as a social studies teacher.

“It is a privilege to continue serving this extraordinary community,” Haas said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside our board, faculty, staff, students, families and community to build upon the tradition of excellence that defines Bayport-Blue Point.”

EAST ISLIP

New principal

Gavin Rodgers has been named principal of Connetquot Elementary School in the East Islip Union Free School District. He replaced Nicholas Bilotti, who retired.

Rodgers was previously assistant principal at Brookhaven Elementary School in the South Country Central School District. He has also been an assistant principal at Hillside School in Queens, dean of Robert F. Wagner Middle School in Manhattan and a middle school math and math exploration teacher at the Manhattan Academy of Technology.

“I am looking forward to sharing my passion for early elementary education and supporting teachers, families and students,” Rodgers said in a statement. “Early elementary education is where the foundation for learning takes shape, and my goal is to give every student a strong start.”

NORTHPORT

New principal

Tara Gaiss has been named principal of Pulaski Road Elementary School in the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District. She replaced Lori Beekman, who retired.

Gaiss was previously an assistant principal at East Northport Middle School and before that spent 14 years as the district’s K-12 coordinator of reading, academic intervention services, response to intervention and multitiered system of supports.

“I look forward to upholding the high standards of excellence our community expects by working alongside our talented teachers and inquisitive students to reach even greater heights,” Gaiss said in a statement.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.