Suffolk: LI's "Challenge" winners named

The two schools were recently named Nassau and Suffolk county champions, respectively, in "The Challenge," an academic competition televised on MSG Varsity that tests knowledge of history, current events, math, science, arts and literature in front of a live studio audience. In total, 192 high schools from throughout the tri-state area vied in this year's competition.

To become county champs, Oceanside and North Babylon teams beat out 31 other schools in their respective regions and earned $2,500 for their schools. They also qualified for the tri-state playoffs against five other regional champs.

"This team is very dedicated, and this is something they take seriously," said North Babylon social studies teacher Erin Casserly, who advised the team with co-worker Tim Pescatore. Of the competition's importance, she said, "It's so visible. People can watch at home on TV and see what our children can achieve scholastically."

"These are busy, well-rounded students," said Oceanside social studies teacher Stephanie Bragman, the team's adviser. "It was hard to get them together once a week to practice."

HUNTINGTON

Huntington High School had six students — the most of any school in Suffolk County — receive $1,000 college scholarships this spring through the Burger King Scholars Program coordinated by the Burger King McLamore Foundation. Nearly 2,000 scholarships were issued to students in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico based on grades, extracurricular activities and community service.

MADD role models

Sarah Haiken of West Hollow Middle School in Melville and Will Banks of Southampton High School are among 10 students nationwide named to the first Power of You(th) National Teen Influencer Group created by Mothers Against Drunk Driving along with State Farm Insurance.

Haiken was nominated based on her "significant contributions" to underage drinking prevention. Banks was selected for being a winner in a video contest themed around the topic.

They received an all-expense paid trip to the National Teen Influencer Summit in Dallas to share insight on an underage drinking prevention initiative.

COUNTYWIDE

"Books 4 Our School"

Ten of the winning schools rallied parents to garner votes, and 10 others were selected at random, program officials said.

ISLANDWIDE

SkillsUSA winners

Seventeen Long Island students were first-place winners in various categories at the 2012 New York State Leadership Conference & Skills Championship in Syracuse hosted by SkillsUSA, a nonprofit that prepares teens for careers in trade, technical and skilled services.