Twenty-seven students from William Floyd High School were recognized for their academic achievements at the Town of Brookhaven's 11th annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The event celebrated students who have maintained a grade point average of 95 or higher. These students represented nearly 20 percent of the honorees, with a total of 160 high school students from 15 districts across Brookhaven being acknowledged.
The honored student-scholars include Nia Alicea, Geovanni Alvarez-Lopez, Glendy Ayavaca, Emilio Balbuena, Brooklyn Barnes, Stephanie Bernales Velez, Joseph Cabrera, Milton Calderon-Suriel, Lynette Cardona, Daniela Chacon, Briant Fuentes, Gabriela Galan, Lily Gomez-Rodriguez, Ana Guerra Vasconez, Carlos Hernandez Parias Jr., Aviana Higueros, Victoria Juarez, Ivory Lezama Santana, Abigail Lizzol, Zariel Macchia, Jakeline Molina Sandoval, Michael Pedra, Nicole Peralta Maza, Axel Pesantez-Medina, Kevin Quiroga Nugura and Alan Remache Sinchi.
William Floyd High School principal Philip Scotto joined many of the honorees in celebrating this achievement. Students and their families attended an event that included cultural performances and art displays. Calvin Arancibia was one of several keynote speakers honored during the celebration. A 2016 alumnus of William Floyd High School and former United States Marine Corps member currently studying music education and Japanese at Ball State University in Indiana.
Calvin Arancibia was among several speakers recognized for his community service contributions.
The Brookhaven Town Hispanic Advisory Board was created in 2013 to foster cultural understanding between the Hispanic community and local civic leaders. The board aims to discuss issues relevant to the Hispanic community and make legislative recommendations to the Brookhaven Town Board.