The district celebrated Poetry Madness Contest winners and tenure recipients during its April board of education meeting.

The Poetry Madness Contest honorees were Junior-Senior High School students Sofia Bertolotti, who took first place; Madeleine Prucha, who took second place; Gianna Mancusi, who took third place; and Daniella Pedi, who took fourth place. Every year, East Rockaway students are asked to write an original poem, with this year’s theme “healing.” The poems are submitted to judges within the English department. These judges review the works and make selections in five rounds, starting with 64 selected students.

Celebrations continued as the board and administrators honored tenure recipients Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics David Barth and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Mona Hecht. Superintendent of Schools Lisa Ruiz spoke to the hard work and dedication these recipients have devoted to their roles in the district and congratulated them both on this significant steppingstone in their careers.