This year, 112 student-musicians from the William Floyd School District were selected by the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA) to receive All-County honors for the 2025-26 school year. The SCMEA All-County program brings together over 2,000 student-musicians from across Suffolk County in grades five through ten to perform in a series of concerts. This marks the second consecutive year that more than 100 students from William Floyd have been chosen and is the second-highest total in district history.
The district’s music program continues its record of achievement, with students also receiving recognition such as NYSSMA All-State, NYSCAME All-County, SCMEA Jazz, LISFA, and NYSBDA honors. The program has earned the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from the NAMM Foundation for each of the past three years and nine times overall.
“Congratulations to the honored students, their teachers and ored students, their teachers and the entire William Floyd music department, which is led by Coordinator of Music, Dr. Amy Sckipp!”
Students from various schools within the district were recognized across band, orchestra and chorus categories:
At William Floyd High School, instructors Diana Brown Hoppe, Garry Helbock, Kimberly Hyland, Michelle Seifert and Sarah Weber guided students who participated in all three musical groups. At William Paca Middle School under Kaylee Cardone, Joseph Cordaro, Lauren Farrell, Gabriella Forgit and Kailey Randazzo; at William Floyd Middle School with Dawn Conefry, Abby Dinstell, Lauren Farrell, Amanda Gardner and Leanna Ozman; at Tangier Smith Elementary School with Jessica Marks and Garrett Rode; at William Floyd Elementary School with Juliana Asselta, Garrett Rode and Maria Rueda; at John S. Hobart Elementary under Katelyn Levine; and Moriches Elementary with Julia Bellante—students earned spots in SCMEA ensembles.
The full list of honorees includes musicians playing a variety of instruments such as tuba, trumpet, clarinet or violin as well as vocalists recognized for their contributions to chorus performances.
The William Floyd School District operates ten schools including a high school and several middle and elementary schools serving more than 9,400 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. According to its official website (source), alumni have been recognized for contributions in scholarships and community service. The district’s collaborative approach involves educators working closely with parents and community members to support student development intellectually as well as emotionally.
In addition to achievements in music education—which has garnered accolades both locally and statewide—the district’s business department was named Department of the Year by the Business Teachers Association of New York State (source).
The continued success in music reflects ongoing efforts by staff throughout all levels of schooling within the district.