Campus shootings raise high school safety issues
By: Kyle Reitan
Published in Newsday February 22, 2008
We committed to memory the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999. We remember the Virginia Tech shootings on April 16, 2007, and the killings at Northern Illinois University on Feb. 14. School shootings are unfortunate, but more can be done to keep students safe. Many colleges and universities have been improving their emergency alert systems on campus. Upon the discovery of a threat, instantaneous text messages and e-mails are sent to the student body, faculty and staff. Brilliant. What about high school students, faculty and staff on Long Island?As a senior in high school, I have discovered the true meaning of freedom. I have a senior parking spot and can often leave campus to go home to do homework or grab a bite. It's a relaxing privilege to be able to leave campus during the day. But suppose an armed intruder enters the school during my lunch break while I'm off campus. How would my peers and I know whether it was safe to re-enter the building? Though cellular devices are banned from school, most students still carry them. If students received a message, they would be likely to spread the word quickly and tragedy could be prevented.
At MacArthur High School in Levittown, several students didn't attend school on Feb. 15 because of a threatening note. In November, my school received a similar message, effective a few days later. According to my district's spokesman, attendance that day was down 38 percent. Both schools experienced a heavy police presence on the day the threat was to occur. I can't quite fathom why students wouldn't attend school those days. With the heavy police presence, wouldn't it most likely be the safest day of the school year?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
White Sentencing Postponed
White sentencing postponed
Racial tensions still running high as convicted killer remains free
By: Kyle Reitan
The Village Beacon Record Online Edition - 02/21/2008
In the eyes of Joanne Cicciaro, it was as simple as this: The man who killed her son was going to jail today.But Miller Place resident John White, convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of 17-year-old Daniel Cicciaro Jr., was not sentenced to prison this morning at Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverhead. In a surprise move, Judge Barbara Kahn postponed sentencing until March 19.In a tense courtroom packed with supporters of both the White and Cicciaro families, White's legal team requested more time to review pre-sentencing documents, and the judge granted it. When she did, Cicciaro family members and their supporters appeared dumbfounded — and Joanne Cicciaro was in awe."This man killed my son," she said during an impromptu press conference outside the courtroom. "And he's been out living his life."Fred Brewington, one of White's attorneys, said outside court the postponement was "crucial."Now, "We have the opportunity to give information about John White the man," Brewington said.After long and intensive jury deliberations, White was convicted Dec. 22 of second-degree manslaughter. Cicciaro, a Caucasian teen from Port Jefferson Station, and other Caucasian youths had shown up at night at the White household to confront Aaron White, the convicted shooter's teenage son.White, who is African American, shot Cicciaro in the family driveway, mortally wounding him.During a pro-White rally held Jan. 5 outside the Riverhead court complex, the Rev. Al Sharpton described the Caucasian youths as a "lynch mob," and cited eyewitness accounts that claimed Cicciaro and the other teens who came to the White household had been drinking and had followed Aaron White home after racially berating him.Despite what Sharpton — and White's lawyers — portrayed as a clear case of self-defense, the convicted shooter faces five to 15 years in prison.After his sentencing was delayed this morning, White addressed reporters on the courthouse steps, noting he's been "fully blessed" by the support he's received from friends and family."I will remain prayerful," White said. "I know that justice will be served."
Racial tensions still running high as convicted killer remains free
By: Kyle Reitan
The Village Beacon Record Online Edition - 02/21/2008
In the eyes of Joanne Cicciaro, it was as simple as this: The man who killed her son was going to jail today.But Miller Place resident John White, convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of 17-year-old Daniel Cicciaro Jr., was not sentenced to prison this morning at Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverhead. In a surprise move, Judge Barbara Kahn postponed sentencing until March 19.In a tense courtroom packed with supporters of both the White and Cicciaro families, White's legal team requested more time to review pre-sentencing documents, and the judge granted it. When she did, Cicciaro family members and their supporters appeared dumbfounded — and Joanne Cicciaro was in awe."This man killed my son," she said during an impromptu press conference outside the courtroom. "And he's been out living his life."Fred Brewington, one of White's attorneys, said outside court the postponement was "crucial."Now, "We have the opportunity to give information about John White the man," Brewington said.After long and intensive jury deliberations, White was convicted Dec. 22 of second-degree manslaughter. Cicciaro, a Caucasian teen from Port Jefferson Station, and other Caucasian youths had shown up at night at the White household to confront Aaron White, the convicted shooter's teenage son.White, who is African American, shot Cicciaro in the family driveway, mortally wounding him.During a pro-White rally held Jan. 5 outside the Riverhead court complex, the Rev. Al Sharpton described the Caucasian youths as a "lynch mob," and cited eyewitness accounts that claimed Cicciaro and the other teens who came to the White household had been drinking and had followed Aaron White home after racially berating him.Despite what Sharpton — and White's lawyers — portrayed as a clear case of self-defense, the convicted shooter faces five to 15 years in prison.After his sentencing was delayed this morning, White addressed reporters on the courthouse steps, noting he's been "fully blessed" by the support he's received from friends and family."I will remain prayerful," White said. "I know that justice will be served."
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Mighty minds on display at BNL's Science Bowl
Mighty minds on display at BNL's Science Bowl
Brooklyn brainiacs top Ward Melville, RP and MP squads
Published in the Times Beacon Record Newspapers 02/07/2008
By: Kyle Reitan
The New England Patriots weren't the only team to be upset this weekend.Several school districts, including a heavy local favorite, put on their thinking caps, but couldn't overcome some big brains from Brooklyn. With defending champion Ward Melville battling them to the wire, Brooklyn Technical High School was crowned champion of Brookhaven National Laboratory's annual Regional Science Bowl, held Saturday at the Upton laboratory.Brooklyn Tech's big win broke Ward Melville's four-year Regional Science Bowl winning streak, according to Ward Melville coach Robert Spira, and topped off a day featuring high-speed question-and-answer rounds — with quizzes ranging from biology to chemistry to astronomy to math — between teams from 18 Long Island and New York City high schools.Also participating in the event, which was part of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Science Bowl competition, were squads from Miller Place and Rocky Point high schools. The regional competition was sponsored by Brookhaven Science Associates, the Long Island Science Center and Teachers Federal Credit Union.The members of the champion Brooklyn Tech team received $500 in gift certificates and were invited to participate in the National Science Bowl, slated for May 1-6 in Washington, D.C. East Setauket's Ward Melville team earned $250 in gift certificates for its runner-up performance, while the third-place team, from Port Jefferson Station's Comsewogue High School, took home $125 in certificates.Joseph Gabrinowitz, coach of the Rocky Point team, said his brainy players "expected to do a little better than they did," but he still considers Saturday's event a "learning experience" for both himself and Rocky Point's futurecompetitors."What I learned was that I have to prepare better," noted Rocky Point team member Daniel Potaznick.Since the national tournament's inception in 1991, more than 130,000 high school students have participated, according to a BNL press release."It's always nice to go to competition," noted coach Lauren Gentile, who led Miller Place High School's first-ever Regional Science Bowl squad: "It's nice just to be representing Miller Place."
Brooklyn brainiacs top Ward Melville, RP and MP squads
Published in the Times Beacon Record Newspapers 02/07/2008
By: Kyle Reitan
The New England Patriots weren't the only team to be upset this weekend.Several school districts, including a heavy local favorite, put on their thinking caps, but couldn't overcome some big brains from Brooklyn. With defending champion Ward Melville battling them to the wire, Brooklyn Technical High School was crowned champion of Brookhaven National Laboratory's annual Regional Science Bowl, held Saturday at the Upton laboratory.Brooklyn Tech's big win broke Ward Melville's four-year Regional Science Bowl winning streak, according to Ward Melville coach Robert Spira, and topped off a day featuring high-speed question-and-answer rounds — with quizzes ranging from biology to chemistry to astronomy to math — between teams from 18 Long Island and New York City high schools.Also participating in the event, which was part of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Science Bowl competition, were squads from Miller Place and Rocky Point high schools. The regional competition was sponsored by Brookhaven Science Associates, the Long Island Science Center and Teachers Federal Credit Union.The members of the champion Brooklyn Tech team received $500 in gift certificates and were invited to participate in the National Science Bowl, slated for May 1-6 in Washington, D.C. East Setauket's Ward Melville team earned $250 in gift certificates for its runner-up performance, while the third-place team, from Port Jefferson Station's Comsewogue High School, took home $125 in certificates.Joseph Gabrinowitz, coach of the Rocky Point team, said his brainy players "expected to do a little better than they did," but he still considers Saturday's event a "learning experience" for both himself and Rocky Point's futurecompetitors."What I learned was that I have to prepare better," noted Rocky Point team member Daniel Potaznick.Since the national tournament's inception in 1991, more than 130,000 high school students have participated, according to a BNL press release."It's always nice to go to competition," noted coach Lauren Gentile, who led Miller Place High School's first-ever Regional Science Bowl squad: "It's nice just to be representing Miller Place."
Vive l'Antoniou!
Vive l'Antoniou!
French honor for Miller Place's WWII hero
Published in The Village Beacon Record 02/07/2008
By: Kyle Reitan
World War II veteran Anthony J. Antoniou, 84, can still describe every photo and piece of war memorabilia in the album in his bedroom closet.Some of the memories still elicit laughter from the former paratrooper: a photo of a girl he knew during the war, or a 1940s black-and-white shot of his younger self, drink in hand. Others still upset him.No stranger to military honors, Antoniou will soon add another to his impressive collection: Last month, he received a letter from the Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis, the French embassy to the United States, notifying him he has been named a chevalier, or knight, of the Legion of Honor.The Legion of Honor was founded more than 200 years ago by Napoleon Bonaparte to acknowledge services rendered to France.Antoniou served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. He went to jump school in Fort Benning, Georgia "to learn how to jump and all kinds of stuff." Turning a page in the album, he found a few pieces of the parachute that landed him in Sicily and Italy in 1943.Enclosed in a case hanging on the wall of his living room are the 25 or so combat medals he earned during the war. Antoniou doesn't recall the exact number, but they include a Silver Star, five Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, an Occupation Medal, two PresidentialCitations and many others.The letter from the Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis was read aloud on a recent Sunday during Mass at the St. Louis de Montfort Church, where he and his wife Olga sing in the choir. Together, the couple participates in community service activities affiliated with the church. They are also members of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson. As well, Antoniou belongs to veterans organizations such as Fischer-Hewins VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point.Antoniou recalled how he came by some of his medals. His first jump was at night and the conditions were very windy; he hit a tree while landing and broke his ankle. "That was my firstPurple Heart," he said.The second came after a jump into Italy when Antoniou was accidentally shot in the knee. After the mission in Italy, Antoniou's outfit returned to North Africa for training, then jumped in Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion.Antoniou recalled how his plane was shelled and many soldiers wounded. As one of only four men not hit, he helped the wounded: "We patched them up, gave them a shot of morphine and went back to England."When Antoniou finally did jump into France, he saw three German soldiers shooting at him.He was able to land, take cover behind a tree and get his chute off. He assembled the bazooka he had jumped with, and remained still.Antoniou said the enemy relaxed and walked over toward him. When they came close enough, he fired for effect. Later, Antoniou and others in his group walked to a farmhouse where they found shelter. After the Normandy mission, Antoniou parachuted into Holland.Calling her father a hero, Maria-Alaina Antoniou, one of Antoniou's three adult children, along with Helen and Nicholas, described him as "honorable, honest and giving."Antoniou could not quite fathom why he is receiving France's highest award 60 years later, but said, "It's really fantastic. It's an honor. I didn't expect anything like that."Several years ago, Antoniou and Olga visited Normandy. "The French really treat us better than the rest," Antoniou said. "In Holland too."During a second, civilian trip to Normandy, Antoniou took his son.
French honor for Miller Place's WWII hero
Published in The Village Beacon Record 02/07/2008
By: Kyle Reitan
World War II veteran Anthony J. Antoniou, 84, can still describe every photo and piece of war memorabilia in the album in his bedroom closet.Some of the memories still elicit laughter from the former paratrooper: a photo of a girl he knew during the war, or a 1940s black-and-white shot of his younger self, drink in hand. Others still upset him.No stranger to military honors, Antoniou will soon add another to his impressive collection: Last month, he received a letter from the Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis, the French embassy to the United States, notifying him he has been named a chevalier, or knight, of the Legion of Honor.The Legion of Honor was founded more than 200 years ago by Napoleon Bonaparte to acknowledge services rendered to France.Antoniou served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. He went to jump school in Fort Benning, Georgia "to learn how to jump and all kinds of stuff." Turning a page in the album, he found a few pieces of the parachute that landed him in Sicily and Italy in 1943.Enclosed in a case hanging on the wall of his living room are the 25 or so combat medals he earned during the war. Antoniou doesn't recall the exact number, but they include a Silver Star, five Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, an Occupation Medal, two PresidentialCitations and many others.The letter from the Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis was read aloud on a recent Sunday during Mass at the St. Louis de Montfort Church, where he and his wife Olga sing in the choir. Together, the couple participates in community service activities affiliated with the church. They are also members of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson. As well, Antoniou belongs to veterans organizations such as Fischer-Hewins VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point.Antoniou recalled how he came by some of his medals. His first jump was at night and the conditions were very windy; he hit a tree while landing and broke his ankle. "That was my firstPurple Heart," he said.The second came after a jump into Italy when Antoniou was accidentally shot in the knee. After the mission in Italy, Antoniou's outfit returned to North Africa for training, then jumped in Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion.Antoniou recalled how his plane was shelled and many soldiers wounded. As one of only four men not hit, he helped the wounded: "We patched them up, gave them a shot of morphine and went back to England."When Antoniou finally did jump into France, he saw three German soldiers shooting at him.He was able to land, take cover behind a tree and get his chute off. He assembled the bazooka he had jumped with, and remained still.Antoniou said the enemy relaxed and walked over toward him. When they came close enough, he fired for effect. Later, Antoniou and others in his group walked to a farmhouse where they found shelter. After the Normandy mission, Antoniou parachuted into Holland.Calling her father a hero, Maria-Alaina Antoniou, one of Antoniou's three adult children, along with Helen and Nicholas, described him as "honorable, honest and giving."Antoniou could not quite fathom why he is receiving France's highest award 60 years later, but said, "It's really fantastic. It's an honor. I didn't expect anything like that."Several years ago, Antoniou and Olga visited Normandy. "The French really treat us better than the rest," Antoniou said. "In Holland too."During a second, civilian trip to Normandy, Antoniou took his son.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Long Island Wrestling Championships
On Saturday, February 09, I'll be on assignment at the Suffolk County wrestling championships at Miller Place. In preparation for the championships, Miller Place High School set up the necessary equipment by canceling physical education classes today. How the high school is going to squeeze many districts and their family and frineds in the gymnasium is beyond me, but it should be a great time.
For updates, one may check back here or http://www.pantherpix.com
For updates, one may check back here or http://www.pantherpix.com
Touring 66 AM WFAN
As an aspiring journalist, I've found networking is key in the business. Throughout my experiences, I have met numerous talented writers, editors, engineers, broadcasters, authors, and photojournalists. During WLVG's Rockin' New Years Eve Party hosted by Long Island Native Scotty Hart, I met an engineer for WFAN. After re-scheduling the tour many times, I finally arrived at the studio today in Astoria, New York. On the way to the studio, we stopped for "Big Gulps" from 7-eleven which turned out to be regretful for me at least. I had to badly use the restroom. Luckily the traffic wasn't too heavy.
We arrived at the studio, set-up the satelites for the Nets and NJ Devils games and anxiously waited for the first game to start. After the show started, I recieved a full blown tour of the studio, home of the award winning sports show, "Mike and the Mad Dog." Everything looks gigantic on television, especially when the network is broadcasted in high definition on a 52" plasma. Unfortunately, Mike Francesa and Chris Russo weren't in today. They were performing a live remote at Mohegan Sun. Although they weren't in, I made the best of it. I entered the room where the producer and board operator works. It was amazing because they were speaking to Mike and Chris via microphones during the countdown to go on-air. Later, I met sportscaster, Steve Somers who has been with the station since the beginning. Next, the engineer showed me the former office of Imus' producer at WFAN. When I stepped in the office and glared at the empty desk and shelves, I felt a sense of history. The only piece of history that proves of Imus' existence in the office are his airchecks or logs of the shows.
We arrived at the studio, set-up the satelites for the Nets and NJ Devils games and anxiously waited for the first game to start. After the show started, I recieved a full blown tour of the studio, home of the award winning sports show, "Mike and the Mad Dog." Everything looks gigantic on television, especially when the network is broadcasted in high definition on a 52" plasma. Unfortunately, Mike Francesa and Chris Russo weren't in today. They were performing a live remote at Mohegan Sun. Although they weren't in, I made the best of it. I entered the room where the producer and board operator works. It was amazing because they were speaking to Mike and Chris via microphones during the countdown to go on-air. Later, I met sportscaster, Steve Somers who has been with the station since the beginning. Next, the engineer showed me the former office of Imus' producer at WFAN. When I stepped in the office and glared at the empty desk and shelves, I felt a sense of history. The only piece of history that proves of Imus' existence in the office are his airchecks or logs of the shows.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
18-1!!!
NEW YORK GIANTS - SUPERBOWL CHAMPS
Forget the school spirit. Students at Miller Place High School Monday had pride in their Giants after they won the Superbowl against the New England Patriots. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors dug out their Giants apparrel and wore it to school in celebration of the win. I believe their was one Freshman wearing a New England jersey, but I haven't been able to track him down for an interview. (I haven't seen him in the building lately.) New York ruined New England's record of 18-0, leaving it at 18-1 for the season.
Forget the school spirit. Students at Miller Place High School Monday had pride in their Giants after they won the Superbowl against the New England Patriots. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors dug out their Giants apparrel and wore it to school in celebration of the win. I believe their was one Freshman wearing a New England jersey, but I haven't been able to track him down for an interview. (I haven't seen him in the building lately.) New York ruined New England's record of 18-0, leaving it at 18-1 for the season.
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