Category: Stories

By Zeydi Guerra
Hempstead High School

On the cusp of realizing his baseball dreams, Ray Weber made the dramatic switch from the baseball field to pitching for a New York State senator.

Weber is serving as Sen. Anthony Palumbo’s director of community affairs, but what many don’t know is his past in baseball.

He described his experience working on a competitive team and getting his start into baseball in his youth. This expanded his horizons and he went on to play professionally. He played at the University of Albany as a right-hand pitcher, showcasing his skills to the world — but he still had a craving for more.

After playing for the university, Weber moved on to playing for a summer team named Trenton Thunder, part of the MLB summer draft leagues. This area of the league specializes in showing off players who are ready to be drafted into the ranks of bigger household-name teams. Weber said he was fortunate enough to be included — he was even able to play with some very popular players.

At a news conference with the Greene Team, he recalled those days — and friends — fondly.

“I get to watch TV and see a lot of my former teammates on TV playing baseball,” Weber said. “So, I’d say seeing them succeed now, it’s a pretty cool feeling, being able to text someone on TV.”

Although his career was on the up, Weber had some conflict with his path.

“It’s tough to make the major leagues,” he said. And through this realization, he would find another passion and make the switch of a lifetime.

Weber traded his uniform and baseball cleats for a business suit and dress shoes, leaving baseball to get involved in politics.

“I got an internship with Cong. (Andrew) Garbarino through a friend of mine, actually through baseball, who had worked for the congressman in D.C.,” he said. “Just working in D.C. for a few months, I realized I loved it. I wanted to stay down in D.C. with the congressman.”

It was love at first sight when it came to working in politics. Weber said.

“I stayed there for a few more months, and really [it was] just the most impactful thing for me and the reason why I decided to stay with politics,” he said. “It’s one of those jobs that you can really see a difference in your work.”

His career in politics is just starting, but he plans to stay for a while. He said he plans to leave some sort of mark because of how much he enjoys what he does.

“What kept me going was seeing that you could actually make a difference for people in politics,” Weber said, adding, “and that was why I stayed.”

By Adrie Quinn
East Hampton High School

Where are the heroes to go when the battles are over and the years grow long? For many veterans, that answer lies in the quiet dignity of a state-run veterans home. It offers not only shelter, but a sense of belonging, care, and gratitude from the country they served.

“We’re one of the 172 state veterans homes in the United States of America,” said Fred Sganga, the executive director of the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University, as he showed the space where veterans will enjoy a new recreational space including an entertainment area, a kitchen, and movie screen.

“This home was founded in 1991, so we’re about 34 years old. We’re a 350-bed nursing home facility, completely dedicated to our military veterans,” he said

The state veterans home provides a range of services for former members of our armed services. Currently serving 318 residents, it offers short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, Alzheimer’s and dementia treatment, and palliative and end-of-life care.

Residents told the Greene Gazette stories about their time in the military and their lives at the veterans home.

“I joined the Army to go to West Point, and I was subsequently picked to go to West Point,” said Mark Sheridan, a resident who served in the Vietnam War. “And I obviously spent time becoming a cadet and then four years at West Point. And then, approximately five years after I graduated, I was shot in the back and the spine and the stomach, and as a result, I’m a long-term care resident.”

He added: “I’m one of two airborne Rangers, and the other one is my classmate who graduated from West Point, a year ahead of me.”

Chuck Kurtzke, a former Marine who served in Vietnam and also received a Purple Heart for his service, said that the veterans home changed his life for the better.

“I was 124 pounds when I got here,” he said. “And I’d just be locked in my apartment, day after day. My daughter would say, ‘Are you OK?’ I would say I was fine, when I was not fine, but I’d just be stupid and stubborn, thickheaded . . . Then I came here and here is where I changed,” he said.

Kurtzke also takes pride in helping out with small tasks in the veterans home.

“It’s my job to water all of the flowers and the saplings on the patio,” he said. “I was never much of a gardener, but I enjoy doing this task very much.”

Kurtzke won’t be able to water his flowers much longer. Fortunately, it is for a good reason. The courtyard will be going through a major renovation to better utilize the space in the yard, and to make it more accessible for residents and their families.

“They can’t wait for it to happen,” he exclaimed. “We’re gonna have more space. More space for more activities. You’re gonna have movies, you’re going to have a place where they set up a grill, for hamburgers, hot dogs and stuff, and then they’re going to have another side with soda and stuff like that on one side.”

When asked what his favorite part of the renovation would be, Kurtzke said that he is most excited about the movies that will be shown in the courtyard.

He isn’t the only one excited about the revamp of the courtyard. Numerous members of the Veterans Home’s adult daycare program, one of only three of its kind in veterans homes, also said they looked forward to the project.

“It will be beautiful!” said Chris Klein, a member of the adult daycare program.

As the Long Island State Veterans Home prepares for its next chapter, it’s clear that this home is far more than a facility — it’s a community built on service, resilience, and care. It’s complete with fresh flowers, movie nights, and the laughter of families gathered in a revitalized courtyard,

For veterans like Sheridan and Kurtzke, it represents a second chance at connection, comfort, and dignity. And for all of us, it stands as a quiet reminder that while the battles may be over, our duty to those who fought them is never done.

By Lisseth Hernandez
Central Islip High School

Stony Brook’s nursing simulation center houses a unique, crucial classroom that serves as the stepping stone to treating patients, and it’s about to get its biggest upgrade yet. 

The world is currently facing a nursing shortage. However, in a large room filled with eight identical stations, realistic cadavers, IV units, the future of teaching nursing is actually expanding.

The nursing program at Stony Brook University already houses an extensive program that ensures every student nurse can practice their skills hands-on in the classroom. As one of three New York State institutions housing regional nursing simulation centers, Stony Brook’s program enables aspiring nurses to apply their learning while also considering how to communicate effectively and maintain positive patient-student relationships. 

“Learning by having a simulation center like this enables us to really place more students in more environments to get the training, then we may be more available in the community,” said Debra Giugliano, who’s been practicing nursing for the last 35 years and has a doctorate in nursing. “So, it’s a great opportunity to train even more nurses.”  

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed off on an initiative to support the expansion of simulation programs at the three centers. This incentive totals over $62 million, of which Stony Brook will receive almost $20.5 million in funding to expand its center. The simulation center is already sizable, able to teach two groups of nurses at once. The center features eight stations that resemble hospital cubicles and is roughly 1,500 square feet.

Expanding the financial support to these centers will increase their size tenfold. 

“It gives us the opportunity to train even more nursing students to fill the nursing shortage to help take care of the health of our communities, and without that funding, we would not be able to do it so it’s absolutely critical.” Giugliano said

With the nursing shortage expected to continue, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 23% of registered nurses in the field have or plan to retire in the next five years. Students coming out of the simulation spoke about how this project affected them.

“I feel like the resources that we have are pretty good with alleviating my anxieties in the clinical setting.” Elizabeth Harvey, a first-year nursing student, said. “I feel like a new nursing student. The only thing you can do is gain as much exposure as you can. So, I’d say the lab does that for us as well as it’s just clinicals once a week.”

Harvey said the practical clinical situation offers her a good opportunity to learn what it is to act as a medical professional.

“Obviously it’s a bit of an uncomfortable situation, walking up to a mannequin in front of your classmates and talking to it like a real patient, but it does gives you the opportunity to be like patient facing or feel like you’re speaking to a patient, so it sort of just alleviated that anxiety of the first time being in a clinical setting,” she added. 

Stony Brook’s resources have provided many nurses with security in their practice along with secure jobs after graduation, as mentioned by School of Nursing Dean and Professor Patricia Bruckenthal, who also has a doctorate in nursing and has practiced for the last 44 years.

“Ninety-five percent of our nursing students pass the nursing certification exam,” she said. “Routinely, that’s a very, very high score that’s one of the top in New York State, and so we’re very proud of that. But I think that this will even accelerate or advance our reputation even more, and that’s really exciting.”

The increase in these programs excites both Bruckenthal and Giugliano as they raved about how much this investment will allow them to expand such an established, prestigious program that’s already affected its community for the better. 

“I think another way to say that too is all the technology that nurses would use when they’re working in the hospital or in any other settings is available here or will be available if we don’t have it, we will with this new funding to have all of the technological equipment that is the same as they would be used to using when they go into the hospitals” Giugliano said.

“With a 19 percent increase expected in enrollment,” Bruckenthal added.

It’s undeniable what this support will do for the future of Stony Brook nursing and the expansion of such a crucial stepping stone in medical service. 

By Layla Gentles
Baldwin Senior High School

Hundreds of families and Long Island locals were sitting on the grass in anticipation for what film there was to come. They gathered under the evening sky at LaValle Stadium for a memory that will last forever.  Moana 2 played loudly through the stadium speakers as families with young kids and Stony Brook students lounged on the green turf field to watch the film. 

On Tuesday, July 15, Stony Brook Athletics hosted their second annual Movie Night and transformed the football field into a laid-back, open-air theater. Movie buffs cast votes online to choose one out of four films to see — and Moana 2 won out.

“We have a two-month planning process,” said Jack Clark, Director of Athletic Communications at Stony Brook. “We set up the poll, people vote, and once we get the movie, it’s just a ton of promotion.”

He highlighted the goal of consistent improvement.

“If that means we can get 5 percent more people each year, that would be awesome,” he said, adding that this year, that growth was noticeable. “I think we said it was somewhere between, like, 1,200 and 1,500 [attendees].”

It was his second time working Movie Night.

Using his own experience growing up on Long Island, Clark compared the evening’s atmosphere to something familiar.

“I know what it looks like when you go to the beach and you see people wheeling their wagons and carrying chairs on their backs,” he said. “That’s associated with going to the beach and seeing people get off the ferry at Fire Island. But that’s what we see coming to our stadium and down to the field.”

Around the field, student volunteers from Stony Brook and staff from local businesses like Ralph’s and Mickey’s handed out stickers, coupons, and free ices to guests. “This is my first time working this event, and I think it’s pretty fun,” said Rose, a Ralph’s Ices employee. “We gave out a bunch of ices for people to sample, and we’re giving out coupons as well.”

Families also made the trip from nearby towns to enjoy the evening.

“We live in Smithtown, and we heard about this,” said one attendee, Gabriella Reynolds. “Our kids really wanted to see Moana.” 

Others came just for the community feel. “It’s a great fun night for the family,” said another guest, Leslie Granger. “The vendors that they set up around here for the giveaways, and the kids come here, play sports, and just hang out. It’s a nice, fun summer night.”

Even younger viewers had opinions on the film — and its predecessor

“Moana one, only because I have a love for Manuel,” said Christina, referencing famed director Lin-Manuel Miranda’s contributions to the soundtrack.

Whether it was the movie, the field games, or the atmosphere, the night offered something for almost everyone. As Sam, a student volunteer, summed up: “It’s a good idea. I think it’s like the most wholesome thing that everyone’s just sitting on the field, watching.”

By Allisson Paz
Brentwood High School

Suffolk County health officials have announced that blue-green algae were discovered at Roth Pond at Stony Brook University and other locations on Long Island, prompting health officials to warn the public to stay cautious.

Residents were told to keep their children and pets away from these waters and not to swim or wade in them.  When the algae becomes more abundant they bloom in shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red , health officials said. Those who come in contact with these waters should immediately rinse off with clean water.

The county has put in a lot of time and energy trying to slow down and manage this growing problem, according to Grace Kelly-McGovern, Public Relations Director at Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Over the past few years, the county has taken several steps in hopes of making a difference, whether it’s organizing clean-up efforts, or putting up signs to raise awareness.

 

“In Suffolk County, a new one-eighth percent sales tax was passed to fund a septic improvement program aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution in local waterways,“ she said. “The tax increase, approved in November by voters as Proposition 2, will generate an estimated $3.1 billion through 2060. Half of the revenue will go towards upgrading county-owned sewage treatment systems, while the other half will be allocated to homeowners for septic system replacements with nitrogen-reducing technology.”

This type of algae usually shows up in small amounts in lakes, ponds, and streams, and when it’s at normal levels, it doesn’t really cause any harm. It’s just part of the natural ecosystem. But when the algae starts to bloom and spread out of control, that’s when it becomes a problem. The overgrowth can mess with the balance of the water, blocking sunlight, lowering oxygen levels, and making it harder for fish and other animals to survive, according to the Suffolk County Health Department.

What was once a small, harmless part of nature quickly turns into something that’s damaging to everything living in and around the water. “Under favorable conditions of sunlight, temperature, and nutrient concentrations, they can form massive blooms that discolor the water and often result in scum and floating mats on the water’s surface.” according to the Suffolk County Health Department.

Health officials have also determined that the blue-green algae was found in other locations including  Wainscott Pond in Wainscott,  Lake Agawam in Southampton, Pond Lane and Swan Pond in East Hampton, Babylon Town Hall Park in Babylon, Maratooka Lake and Wolf Pit Lake, both in Mattituck.

According to Kelly-Mcgovern,  there are many actions residents can take to help reduce the impact of blue-green algae 

“To reduce cyanobacteria blooms, we must reduce nutrient concentrations. People can reduce fertilizer use, maintain their septic systems, manage stormwater runoff, and create natural buffers along shorelines,” she said.

Thursday afternoon, the Roth Pond looked especially uninviting, as it usually does. The water was intense, almost neon lime green, and completely murky. You couldn’t see even an inch below the surface.

Scattered across the top of the pond were all kinds of debris, including strange black clumps, piles of soggy leaves, and tiny creatures barely visible to the eye. It looked as if the pond hadn’t been cleaned or cared for in a while.

It was surprising to see turtles swimming around in that mess. The blue-green algae is ordinarily  harmful to animals, but they moved through it anyway. It’s not clear how the condition of the pond might affect the wildlife that still calls it home.

Roth Pond is an artificial pond located in the heart of Stony Brook University’s campus. Over time it has become a spot many students recognize and visit. 

Several years ago, the bottom liner tore and the pond completely drained, leaving behind a nearly empty, muddy mess. Most of the animals living in it didn’t survive, but after the university fixed the liner and filled it back up, wildlife like turtles and fish were slowly brought back in or returned on their own. 

Now, the pond is not only a place for ducks and turtles to hang out, but it’s also home to one of the school’s most popular traditions, the Roth Pond Regatta, where students build their own boats and race them across the water every spring.

Blue-green algae has become a growing problem around Long Island, including at Roth Pond , where it continues to show up during warmer months . Although it occurs naturally when it blooms too much, it harms both the environment and the animals that live there.

By Emily Soriano
Westbury High School

In a world where a single text can mean the difference between life and death, schools in New York are apparently ignoring this danger, say critics of a new statewide ban on phones in schools.

While the intention may be pure and created to improve focus, many students and parents argue that removing access to phones puts them in danger during emergencies. During a lockdown, students rely on their phones to alert family, contact authorities, and receive updates. Without these devices, students are left in the dark and unaware of what may be going on. 

“The NYC Public Schools plan follows the State’s new Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul this year, which requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year,” reads the New York State governor’s website. This has sparked controversy. 

The Pew Research Center recently did a study on how parents feel about this phone ban. The majority of parents agree that they should be able to reach their child at any moment of the day. In the graph below three of the four categories demonstrate that phones are important in their students’ day-to-day lives at school. 

“They should limit the usage of phones but it shouldn’t be that strict to ban it throughout the school day,” Jake Taduran of Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington said. Although Taduran agrees with the limit of phone usage, he also disagrees with the complete ban on the device.

“I have asthma,” he said. “My priority is to call my family and not wait for the office to call my mom.” 

Besides medical emergencies like Taduran notes, Ray Weber, community affairs liaison for state Senator Anthony Palumbo, mentions “the ability to contact emergency services, parents, in the case of an emergency. So, the idea that you need to ban phones from school is somewhat of a nuance issue that needs to be discussed a little further before we start banning cellphones altogether.”

What could be the most heartbreaking emergency to hear about from your child over the phone? School shootings have been on the rise year after year, raising public concern. 

A student from Division Avenue High School in Levittown, Caleb Cheng, expressed his concerns: “I can’t make that split-second decision of letting someone know that could either save my life or kill me, it doesn’t sit right in my head.” 

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), an independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, demonstrates how shootings have grown to be a great danger. 

The importance of having cellphones for security needs to be taken into account. Although security is a top priority, so is education. The distraction it has on students is undeniable. Students tend to depend on these cellular devices throughout the day, whether by just looking at them for the time, to shoot a quick text, or to play a game in between classes. “Though school cell phone policies can vary significantly, 97% of 11- to 17-year-olds used their phones during the school day,” according to K-12 Drive , an educational media outlet. 

Banning cellphones may increase productivity in the classroom for students but could be putting them at risk during an unfortunate predicament. It’s necessary to consider the bigger picture. Cutting off a student’s quickest way to reach for help can have deadly consequences. The goal is to create progress, not punishment.

By Faith Welch
Greenport High School

Indigenous language and culture have come alive through art in a new multimedia exhibition at Stony Brook University’s Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery.

“Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds: The Power of Indigenous Language in Contemporary Art” officially opens Sunday, July 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a special reception featuring a drum processional and welcome remarks by guest curator Jeremy Dennis of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. The show features the work of 24 Indigenous artists who incorporate Native languages into contemporary visual forms such as beadwork, painting, digital art, and sculpture to explore memory, resistance, and cultural survival.

“This exhibition has been years in the making,” said Karen Levitov, director of the Zuccaire Gallery. “It’s about how Indigenous artists are using language — not just to preserve culture, but to continue evolving it in powerful, visual ways.”

Levitov said the idea grew out of conversations around Indigenous language revitalization on campus. “At a time when many Native languages are endangered, this show asks: how do we support artists who are using language not only in their work, but in their daily lives?”

Dennis, a 2013 Stony Brook alumnus, curated the show and contributed artwork of his own. “My inspiration came from the amazing work already happening at Stony Brook around Indigenous language and cultural revitalization,” he said. “It’s an incredible honor to return to my alma mater and contribute in this way.”

A central theme of the exhibition is the connection between Indigenous language and land. “Language encodes entire worldviews — relationships with time, land, ancestors,” said Dennis. “Contemporary art becomes a space where those relationships can be reactivated — not just in words, but in gesture, form, and symbolism.”

The exhibit includes archival maps, documents, and texts from Stony Brook’s Special Collections to provide historical context. One standout piece is a large map marking the original thirteen Indigenous tribes of Long Island. “It’s meant to be a visual land acknowledgment,” Dennis explained.

Visitors are also invited to interact with the show by adding Post-It notes with phrases written in Long Island Algonquian languages. “That evolving wall installation invites participation,” Levitov said. “It reminds us that language is not static — it’s living, spoken, and shared.”

She emphasized that the show is both personal and communal. “These artists are telling stories that have been historically silenced, and they’re doing it through language, texture, sound, and color,” said Levitov. “It’s emotional. It’s political. And it’s deeply human.”

“Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds” runs through Nov. 22 and includes several public events, including an artist panel on Sept. 11, a Kelp Farmers presentation in October, and a Native American Heritage Month celebration in November. Summer gallery hours vary; beginning Aug. 25, the gallery is open Monday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m.

These scenes from the “Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds” exhibit offer a preview of the work of 24 artists from around the world. Photos by Faith Welch