PRESS RELEASE
Longwood Central Schools
35 Yaphank Middle Island Rd., Middle Island, NY 11953-2373
Debra Winter, Asst. Superintendent
for Student and Community Services
For further information contact:
Pam Donovan, Public Relations Specialist
(631) 345-2949
[email protected]
For Immediate Release:
LHS Seniors Receive President’s Volunteer Service Award
Pictured l-r: High School Guidance Counselor Justin O’Malley, Marissa Bisaccio, Dunya Hamdan,
High School Guidance Counselor Jessica Hawkins and High School Principal Dr. Maria Castro.
Middle Island, NY, April 13, 2015 - Two Longwood High School seniors have received the President’s
Volunteer Service Award for their commitment to strengthen our nation and communities through
outstanding volunteer service. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered
significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama.
Marissa Bisaccio, an excellent student and dedicated member of student government, volunteered at the
Empire State Victory Games, coordinated the high school blood drive, assisted at the annual character
breakfast, organized the Survivor Breakfast at Relay for Life and raised money for various local charities.
Among other volunteer activities, Dunya Hamdan assisted third and fourth grade students with reading
and writing at Stony Brook University’s Freedom School, taught Arabic to younger students at the Selden
Mosque, served as an interpreter for ESL students and taught English to Palestinian students.
“Both Marissa and Dunya have given back to the Longwood community with their tireless volunteer
work,” said Principal Dr. Maria Castro. “Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an
important part of life. It means so much to see two Longwood students not only demonstrate excellence
in the classroom but also in the community as well.”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school
students across America for outstanding volunteer service.
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