Baldwin Union Free School District honors students and athletes at awards night

Baldwin Union Free School District students, families and staff filled the high school auditorium on May 13 for an awards ceremony that recognized spelling-bee champions, AP scholars, top-10 seniors and multiple championship athletic teams.

"It's absolutely amazing seeing so many people here this evening," said the assistant who opened the program, who welcomed families and announced district recognitions and community events, including an art exhibit May 19 at 6:30 p.m. and the Memorial Day parade on May 25.

Presenters walked the audience through school and district honors. The program included naming school-level champions for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a large roll call of AP Scholars and AP Capstone diploma recipients, and individual profiles of the district's top 10 seniors. Among students singled out were Kylie Hopkins, Alexandra Francois and the valedictorian Ludo Cattellus; presenters noted each student's academic awards, extracurricular leadership and college plans.

Athletics and performing-arts recognitions followed. Coaches and directors called up members of conference- and county-champion teams, and the district highlighted students who earned all-state and all-county honors in music and athletics.

Superintendent-level remarks and administrative announcements were part of the program. The district introduced Joe Rafael as the identified next director of fields of education, health education and athletics following a district interview process.

Certificates for honorees were available in the commons after the ceremony, and the event concluded with a brief recess for refreshments before the board returned to public session.

The district said it will hold its budget vote and board election on May 19 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; an accompanying K–12 art exhibit will open at 6:30 p.m.