Westhampton Beach High School Advanced Science Research student Nicholas Borruso impressively placed first in the environmental category in the Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium semifinals. The win earned him an invitation to the regional finals on Feb. 22 at CUNY York College.

“Watching Nick present his research in front of the audience and judges, I felt like I was at a scientific conference watching a university professor,” said science research teacher Dianna Gobler. “He was polished and confident and explained his research with the perfect balance of technical terms while still making it relatable and understandable. He has a very bright future ahead in science, and I am so proud of him.”

Borruso is one of only 16 high school researchers from Long Island to advance to the next level. To earn the spot, he competed against 320 of his peers. He will now vie for one of five spots to compete in Washington, D.C., for scholarships and other awards.

“Winning first place in my category is a tremendous honor,” said Borruso. “It’s especially meaningful considering the incredibly talented pool of students who participated.”

Borruso was selected to compete in the Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium after submitting a research paper that showcased his findings from an individual research project, “Assessment of the Behavioral Impacts of PFAS on Danio rerio.” He said he selected the project, in which he studied the effects of forever chemicals on zebrafish, because he has always been interested in neuroscience and pollution of environmental health. His research was conducted over the summer as part of a Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University, where he served as a fellow in Dr. Howard Sirotkin’s lab in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior.

Aside from participating in his school’s science research program, Borruso volunteers at a local emergency department and is vice president of his school’s robotics team, for which he inaugurated a mentor program for robotics in the middle school. He is also co-editor of his school’s “Seascapes” publication, participates in Key Club, and is a member of his school’s National, Language, Math and Science honor societies. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and has earned an AP Capstone designation on his diploma.

He plans to study neuroscience in college on a pre-med track.

Date Added: 2/17/2025

In recognition of Black History Month, Westhampton Beach High School business students have been engaging in lessons related to black entrepreneurs. Business Management students conducted a study on Chris Gardner, founder of Gardner Rich and Co., and created a mural in their school’s hallway featuring black entrepreneurs and CEOs. Accounting students watched “The Banker,” which tells the story of two African American entrepreneurs who built a multimillion-dollar banking and real estate portfolio in the 1960's and fought for housing integration. Virtual Enterprise students worked to create Instagram posts featuring successful black entrepreneurs.

Date Added: 2/14/2025

Members of Westhampton Beach High School’s 11th and 12th Grade Symphonic Band recently hosted members of the Quogue Elementary School Band. During the traditional event, the high school ensemble performed Pops concert pieces and then invited the elementary school musicians to join them on the stage. Together, they performed part of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and John Williams’ “Raiders March,” which the elementary school students will play at their spring concert.

Date Added: 2/14/2025

Talented musicians from Westhampton High School recently participated in the Hampton Music Educators Association’s annual music festival.

To participate, the students were nominated by their music teacher and then selected by the festival committee. Rehearsals and performances took place at Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School.

The Westhampton Beach School District extends its congratulations to the following student-musicians:

Band

Jackson Caputo

Brett Geller

Ruby Higinbotham

Cameron Hipp

Ava Kuklis

Vincent LaGatta

Matthew Moran

Channing O'Neil

Lucas Palmer

Meghan Pomroy

Bella Ruggiero

Ari Schneider

Brady Schultz

Elizabeth Sultan

William Sultan

 

Chorus

Allie Barry

Dylan Fitzgerald

Maggie Gilbride

Emilia Harrington-Matros

Madison Klammer

Jordan Kolsin

Alex Sfyroeras

Emmy Shea

Grace Smith

Sophia Zaleski

Ryan Zollweg

 

Jazz Band

Brett Geller

 

Orchestra

Amiya Jones

Date Added: 2/13/2025

Westhampton Beach High School’s “Seascapes” literary arts magazine has been named a Superior Magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English in the annual Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines Contest. The competition included over 400 student magazines from 46 states and five countries.

The publication earned the award for students’ impressive poetry, short stories and personal essays.

“The students involved in this publication are passionate about promoting the literary arts and sparking creativity in their school community,” said adviser Joyce Schmieder.

The student magazine is published once a year in June, with students meeting biweekly to perfect its content. Currently, there are 20 student writers involved in the publication, along with four editors — Nicholas Borruso, Ava Kuklis, Meghan Pomroy and Chloe Sword.

The Westhampton Beach School District extends its congratulations to the student writers on a job well done.

Date Added: 2/12/2025