Bellport High School Multicultural Student Association President Alyssa Vargas and Secretary Rosemarie Okorafor were recently named recipients of the Building Bridges Award presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island.
The students were recognized at the Suffolk County Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration for demonstrating a commitment to fostering inclusive, compassionate and civically engaged communities.
“To earn the recognition, Vargas, a senior, demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication, working diligently to unite students through various multicultural initiatives. Her efforts have been instrumental in the planning and execution of the school’s Hispanic Heritage and Black History that fostered cultural awareness and appreciation,” said a District statement
For the Hispanic Heritage celebration, Vargas organized a panel of guest speakers, all of who were alumni of Bellport High School and graduates of the English as a New Language program.
During the Black History celebration, she played a key role in coordinating a groundbreaking, entirely student-led program — the first of its kind at the school.
Romelo Green, a Bellport High School social studies teacher said, "Alyssa and Rosemarie are two astounding young ladies. It has been a complete joy working with them throughout the school year. They represent multiculturalism well and truly have a gift in bringing our students together. I was proud to nominate them for this award."
Alongside her peers, she helped organize a Black History talent show featuring student dancers, poets and singers. Faculty and administrators alike were deeply moved by the energy and unity displayed throughout the program.
Okorafor, also a senior, earned accolades for her academic and leadership roles. She is an accomplished Advanced Placement student who is actively engaged in both her school and community. She is a dedicated participant in the Women in Science and Engineering program at Stony Brook University, where she advances her studies in STEM, and volunteers at both the South Country and Brookhaven public libraries.
At South Country Library, she contributes to beautification projects in the community garden and assists in sorting and distributing seeds to local farms. At Brookhaven Library, she creates bookmarks for nursing home residents, assembles treat kits for local families, and designs birthday banners for individuals receiving treatment at the local oncology center. Beyond her volunteer work, she supports Lighthouse Mission, a local charity organization that provides food and clothing for families in need.
As an active member of the Multicultural Student Association, she helps organize school events that celebrate and highlight the achievements of students of color. One of her most significant contributions was leading the development of the “Diversity of Thanksgiving Awareness” video, a student-created and edited project showcasing the cultural diversity of Thanksgiving traditions. This initiative aimed to foster awareness and appreciation for the varied ways people celebrate the holiday. Additionally, she played a key role in planning Bellport High School’s Hispanic Heritage and Black History Month celebrations.
The South Country School District extends its congratulations to Vargas and Okorafor for working to make a difference in their school and community