8 Photos
Ten Bridgehampton School students took a field trip to LTV on Monday, December 1, World AIDS Day, to view 40 Quilts from the National AIDS Memorial on display in the annual Hamptons Pride observance. They toured the studio and watched and discussed the Oscar-winning 1993 film "Philadelphia." Teacher Tom House said, "The students conducted themselves throughout the day with such admirable respect, open-mindedness, and empathy; we could not have been more proud." Co-teacher Allison Shafer and a representative from the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center also participated and helped facilitate the after-film discussion. It is reported that 700,000 people in the U.S. have died of AIDS. COURTESY TOM HOUSE
Ten Bridgehampton School students took a field trip to LTV on Monday, December 1, World AIDS Day, to view 40 Quilts from the National AIDS Memorial on display in the annual Hamptons Pride observance. They toured the studio and watched and discussed the Oscar-winning 1993 film "Philadelphia." Teacher Tom House said, "The students conducted themselves throughout the day with such admirable respect, open-mindedness, and empathy; we could not have been more proud." Co-teacher Allison Shafer and a representative from the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center also participated and helped facilitate the after-film discussion. It is reported that 700,000 people in the U.S. have died of AIDS. COURTESY TOM HOUSE
Westhampton Beach High School senior Topher Ramos earned recognition as a rising pianist showcased in Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege performances. COURTESY WESTHAMPTON BEACH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Hampton Bays Elementary School fourth grade students shared their love of reading by creating cereal box book reports as part of their fiction reading series. Each student came up with a unique name for their cereal based on the book they read, and all students presented their reports to the class. COURTESY HAMPTON BAYS SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Southampton High School Mariners Patriot Club, under the direction of Thea Fry, delivered 250 turkey dinners to local veterans and active military personnel and their families ahead of Thanksgiving. The donation effort involved weeks of planning and fundraising and ensured that those who served the country could enjoy a warm holiday meal with their families. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Hampton Bays Middle School established a new student leadership initiative: Raising Student Voices and Participation. COURTESY HAMPTON BAYS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Two hundred members of the community celebrated the blessing and lighting of the Christmas trees at the Our Lady of the Hamptons School Family Advent Service. They were led by lectors Prep 8 Teddy Fulweiler, Robert-Randolph Vici, Lochlan Kenny, Cooper Beaton and Tucker Ward with music provided by the Joyful Noise, Hamptones and Hamptonix. Members of the Dance Company presented the tree, Advent wreath and creche. Second-graders Sofia Cruz Cabrera and Easton Parry presented the Baby Jesus at Advent ServiceCOURTESY OUR LADY OF THE HAMPTONS SCHOOL
Two hundred members of the community celebrated the blessing and lighting of the Christmas trees at the Our Lady of the Hamptons School Family Advent Service. They were led by lectors Prep 8 Teddy Fulweiler, Robert-Randolph Vici, Lochlan Kenny, Cooper Beaton and Tucker Ward with music provided by the Joyful Noise, Hamptones and Hamptonix. Members of the Dance Company presented the tree, Advent wreath and creche. COURTESY OUR LADY OF THE HAMPTONS SCHOOL
Westhampton Beach High School senior Topher Ramos has combined academic excellence with remarkable musical talent, earning recognition as a rising pianist in the Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege performances.
Most recently, Ramos performed at the conservatory’s gala before an audience of accomplished musicians and shared his experiences in the precollege program. “The program has offered me numerous opportunities,” he said. Last year, he performed with the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Philharmonic Orchestra. Ramos studies privately under Carmel Lowenthal and has attended classes and lessons every Saturday since seventh grade.
A piano prodigy since age 3, Ramos also accompanies his school chorus and sings as a member of the group. Beyond music, he serves as an editor of his school’s publication, Seascapes, and is a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar. He also volunteers with the Westhampton Ambulance Junior Company.
Ramos plans to continue his musical journey in college this fall while exploring the business side of the music industry.
Hampton Bays Middle School has introduced a new student leadership program, Raising Student Voices and Participation, giving students in grades five through eight an opportunity to share meaningful feedback about their school experience.
Created by Principal Dennis Schug and Assistant Principal Jonathan DellaSperanza, the initiative encourages students to provide input on topics ranging from school culture to student needs. In the first panel meeting, students completed a survey and discussed the school’s food services. They praised the cafeteria overall and suggested improvements, such as adding more flavor to mac and cheese and incorporating a yogurt bar.
Panel meetings will continue throughout the year, providing students a platform to share ideas for enhancing their school community. “If we want a school that truly works for students, the best place to start is by listening to them,” said DellaSperanza.
Staff Writer on Dec 9, 2025