Students recognized for community projects

Eight groups of students were recognized by U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop on Monday for a series of community service projects they took on throughout the school year.

The students elected to participate in Bishop’s Civic Engagement Project, a 5-year-old program that challenges high schools in the First Congressional District to create student-run projects that benefit their communities.

“It’s designed to get young people focused on the fact that they can make a difference, and that there are people in the world that need our help,” said Bishop (D-Southampton).

This year, more than 20 projects were organized by students from Mount Sinai High School, Bellport High School, Center Moriches High School, Kings Park High School, Newfield High School, Shoreham-Wading River High School, Westhampton Beach High School and the Southold-Mattituck-Greenport Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.

The projects included volunteering at the Special Olympics, food drives, beach cleanups, a holiday gift drive for the needy, a peer support club and historic site preservation.

Bishop attended a ceremony at Mount Sinai High School on Monday, where students from each school presented their projects and were given a certificate.