Newfield High School

Newfield High School
Address
145 Marshall Drive Selden , New York United States
Information
Type	Public
Established	1959
School district	Middle Country
Principal	Theodore Q Fulton
Teaching staff	108
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	~ 1700
Campus	Closed
Color(s)	Red & White
Mascot	Wolverine
Accreditation	State of New York
Newspaper	Phoenix
Website	http://mccsd.net/Newfield.cfm?subpage=8

Newfield High School is a public high school in Selden, New York, which is located in Suffolk County, Long Island in the United States. It is located 1 mile north of Middle Country Road (Route 25) on Marshall Drive.

History and Overview

Newfield opened its doors in approximately 1959, as suburban growth spread into central Suffolk county, to serve students previously sent to Port Jefferson High School. Newfield's name is derived from the former names of both Centereach (which adjoins Selden and is part of the same school district) and Selden; New Village and Westfield.

It has always served as secondary school, currently educating students from the 9th through 12th grade. In the past, students from the 9th grade were educated at Selden Junior High School, and this changed when the Junior High formally became Selden Middle School and the 9th grade was passed on to Newfield.

Newfield went through a major renovation in the early 1990s, upgrading some of the school's features that had deteriorated over time. A new senior hallway and courtyard were redesigned after years of neglect, transforming the popular courtyard into the current library. The sporting fields and lot areas were also updated.

Throughout the last few years Newfield, like the other schools in the district, has undergone a new set of renovations thanks, in part, to a New York State Bond Issuance. The bonds are responsible for a new press box, turf field, auditorium and sound system renovation, ceiling replacements, mansard installations and upgrades to the schools electric, internet and fire systems as well as new parking facilities.

The official school colors are red and white, and the mascot is the "Wolverine".

Academics

According to 2007 data, 98.7% of Newfield graduates earn a New York State Regent's diploma. 50.8 percent graduates plan to attend 4 year college, and 42.2% plan to attend a 2 year college., such as nearby Suffolk County Community College.

In recent years, Newfield High School has considerably revamped its science program to include a research organization that encourages students to participate in programs at nearby Stony Brook University. Newfield has recently had several participants in the nationwide Intel Science Talent Search.

Athletics

Newfield fields a number of varsity and junior varsity athletic teams, in Section 11, Division 2 of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, including Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball (Girls), and Wrestling.

Although team uniforms use the school's red and white colors, in the late 1990s, varsity teams began using black as a third color to distinguish from junior varsity.

Football. The Wolverines were in the bottom echelon of Division 2 football for many years since the 1980s. Before the 1980s, the team enjoyed some success, and won four league titles. In recent years the Newfield football team has experienced a resurgence, and have not a losing season since 2003.

Fencing. Newfield is widely recognized for its varsity fencing program, which began in 1964. Noted as the most successful athletic program in the school's history, it is also one of the most storied fencing programs in the nation. Alumnus, Edward D'onofrio was a member of the 1974 Olympic Fencing Team; Robert Piraino and Joseph Amodemo both have gone on to become US National Foil Champions. The program has also sent many athletes to represent Long Island in The Empire State Games, the largest amateur athletic games in the nation, earning Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals.

Van Wolosin. Van Wolosin served as the teams coach for over 30 seasons, through 2001. Wolosin, an alumnus of Newfield HS himself, had garnered more League and County Championships than any other boys fencing team on Long Island. He was also chosen as Coach of the year more times than any other coach in Suffolk County history. Wolosin coached well over 100 All-County Athletes, dozens of County Champions and finalists, and earned over 300 dual meet wins, an unbelievable accomplishment. The Newfield Boys Varsity Fencing Team finished as a County Medalist almost every year under Wolosin's guidance, and had even beaten collegiate teams. In his last two seasons, Wolosin led the team to two consecutive undefeated seasons, winning the League Championships and County Championships, earning Coach of the year both seasons, and finishing with multiple Individual County Champions, 8 of 9 starters earning All-County Honors, and almost a dozen Individual County Finalists.

Recent fencing accomplishments. In the 2001-2002 season, Jerome Cordero took over after the retirement of Van Wolosin. Cordero continued the fencing team's success earning silver, gold, and another silver medal at the Suffolk County Championships, respectively in his first three seasons. In 2004, Cordero left the program, leaving the position to teacher Keith Gillespie, a former lacrosse and former football coach. Gillespie, who lacks experience in the sport, tied for 3rd (in his first season with the team), and has not been able to return the program to its past glory. With 4th and 5th place finishes over the past two seasons, and less than a 50% winning record, the team has entered its worst slump in over 3 decades. As Gillespie begins to step down handing the program over to the Assistant Coach, Gregory Klein, has nothing but high expectations for the Newfield Fencing Team. Klein (a Newfield Alumni Epeeist) steps up this season (2008-2009) as the Head Coach for the Newfield Boy's and expects big things from the squad he's been training with for the past 3 years. Expect Newfield to reclaim its past glory as the team and coaches are set to finish in the top 3 this year and many years to come. As expected, the Newfield Boy's finished 3rd in league this season (2008-2009) and wasn't finished there. At the county championship Newfield tied with Commack (2nd in league) for 2nd place at counties and Newfield pulled the upset of the season by being the only team to defeat the undefeated Ward Melville (1st in league 14-0, 1st at counties).

Girl's Fencing. Newfield Girl's Fencing team has started to make a name for themselves under the instruction of Don Bahr. Bahr took over the girl's team in the 2001-2002 season, with no fencing background. He studied the sport and has become one of the top coaches in the county. His coaching lead Jenna Ellis to become the county champion in both 2003 and 2004 In his last 5 seasons, starting with the 2003-2004 season, his team has finished in the top 4, with one 4th place finish, three bronze medals and this year's 2007-2008 silver medal. In Bahr's seven seasons with the team he has a winning percentage over 50%, coached over ten girls into the county finalists and coached two county finalist champions.

Some notable Newfield fencing alumni are currently fencing coaches in Nassau County. Those alumni are: Kyle Schirmer (Jericho HS; 2007 Nassau Boy's Coach of the Year), Robert Piraino (Great Neck South HS; President-Nassau Fencing Coaches Assoc., 2008 Div. III National Foil Champion) and Jeremy Goun (Manhasset HS). Some notable Newfield fencing alumni are currently fencing coaches in Suffolk County. Those alumni are: Gregory Klein (Newfield HS) and Justin Gebhardt (Brentwood HS). Robert Soria coached at Great Neck South HS from 2006-2008 (2007 Nassau Girl's Coach of the Year). Referees also include, Christopher Zebuth, Nicole Schirmer, Matt Laudicina, Dave Rabinowitz.

Girl's varsity softball. The varsity softball program has struggled for years, failing to make playoffs in 5 years. Talented players have fared well with County and Division honors though winning as a whole has eluded the ladies.

Track and Field. Newfield’s Track and Field athletes compete as a single team together with sister school Centereach High school under the name Middle Country. The 2007-2008 year was among the team’s best, especially in the 4X100 relay event

Music and Drama

Music. Newfield houses a music and theater education department. In 2006, the Music Department had its annual Music In the Parks trip; receiving 3 1st Place In Band, Orchestra, Chorus, and Jazz Ensembles and 2 Superior ratings. The Music department also participated and hosted the NYSSMA Major Ensemble Festival receiving, gold, silver, bronze and Gold With Distinction.

Drama. The Newfield High School drama department is one of the top 45 in public schools of Long Island, New York. The music and theatre programs are widely recognized on Long Island. Most recently, Newfield High School had garnered 16 nominations and 9 wins at the 1st Annual GPJNB Arts Council's 2008 Teeny Awards, more than any other high school involved in the progam. Newfield's success at the awards ceremony helped Newfield establish a respected reputation in the high school theatre community on Long Island.

Recent Newfield High School Theatre Productions include:

• The Music Man (1999)
• A Christmas Carol (1999)
• South Pacific (2000)
• Father of the Bride (2000)
• Guys and Dolls (2001)
• Cry Innocent/Spoon River Anthologies (2001)
• Peter Pan (2002)
• Dracula (2002)
• Annie Get Your Gun (2003)
• Amadeus (2003)
• My Fair Lady (2004)
• Heaven Can Wait (2004)
• Cabaret (2005)
• The Crucible (Fall 2005)
• Les Misérables (Spring 2006)
• The Man Who Came To Dinner (Fall 2006)
• The Wiz (Spring 2007)
• Fools (Fall 2007)
• Anything Goes (March 2008)
• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (Fall 2008)
• Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Spring 2009)

Events of note

Pierson/Pica Homicide Case

Newfield gained significant notoriety in the mid 1980s, when junior Sean Pica was arrested for the shooting death of the father of his homeroom classmate Cheryl Pierson, which occurred on Feb. 5, 1986. Ms. Pierson alleged that her father had committed incest, and Mr. Pica agreed to help by killing the father in return for $400.

The event garnered substantial attention from the national press, and spawned a TV-movie, A Deadly Silence (1989)[1], which followed the book of the same name by New York Times reporter Dena Kleiman.. Ms. Pierson ended up spending 3 1/2 months in jail, while Mr. Pica was incarcerated for 16 years and released in December 2002, and began working as a counselor for former convicts.

2004 Senior Prank

Newfield was also in the national news in Spring of 2004 for a decidedly less serious matter, when, as part of a senior prank, a letter was sent to the homes of all seniors stating that hotel rooms, lubricants and contraceptives (a "protection package") would be provided for the students at the senior prom if they wanted them, for a "fun, yet safe night". The hoax letter had apparently been slipped in with the normal bulk mail in the school's main office, and was condemned by the school administration. Although it is worth noting that at the 2004 graduation ceremony, the principal mused that "life doesn't come with a protection package" in direct reference to the aforementioned prank.

Notable alumni

Some notable Newfield attendees include:

• Brian Beedenbender (1998), Suffolk County Legislator, District 4, elected 2007.
• Nick Bruckner, Former NFL Jets player
• Bob Burnett, Former NFL Football Player, member of 2000 Super Bowl Winning Baltimore Ravens
• Thomas K. Campagna, Divorce attorney for a number of high profile celebrities. Most recently, Christie Brinkley's co-counsel in her New York divorce action. Also, attorney in landmark NY Court of Appeals case
• Joseph Caracappa (1986), former Suffolk County Legislator for District 4.
• Linda Cohn (1977), ESPN Sportscenter Anchor
• Mike Denimarck (1969), All-American football player for Emporia State University, drafted by Detroit Lions.
• Edward Donofrio (1969), Member of US Olympic fencing team, and 1976 US National Men's Foil Champion
• Harold 'Hal' Klein (1972), Lead (Judas/John) in Godspell on Broadway (1973-73), editor of The New York Native, author of The Night The Everard Burned
• Jillian Lewis, Designer on Project Runway (season 4).
• Chris Mezzolesta (1981), Musician, commercial voice actor and member of comedy rock band Power Salad, oft played on the Dr. Demento radio show.
• Sean Pica, Killed Mr. Pierson in 1986. Story gained national notoriety.
• Cheryl Pierson, Paid to have her father killed by Sean Pica due to allegations of incest.
• Jeanne Vogt, SMSgt, (1983), USAF, First enlisted female to be awarded the William Cheney Award for Valor, in 2000.
• Kathleen (Timms) Walsh (1977), Town of Brookhaven Council Woman
• Louis Young, Channel 7 News, WABC-TV (1980-90)

Miscellaneous

Located adjacent to Newfield on the north side is Selden Middle School, separated by a fence & athletic fields. There also is a back road through the sports fields that staff can use to shuttle between schools. Some teachers have classes in both schools and "commute". The road closed down to auto traffic and gated off by the early 1980s because it was a 1/4 mile straight strip and sometimes used as a "drag strip".

External links

• Newfield's website