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Connetquot Central School District

Academic Excellence, Creativity, Mutual Respect And Self-Reliance

October 29, 2026

Connetquot Board Applauds Student-Musicians County and State Honors

A group presents certificates of recognition during an event in a school auditorium.

Connetquot student-musicians have earned recognition at the county and state levels, with students selected to participate in upcoming SCMEA, NYSCAME and NYSSMA ensembles. The students were recognized by the Connetquot Central School District Board of Education during its Oct. 27 meeting for their achievements.

Three students were chosen for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association All-County Jazz ensembles, which bring together musicians from across Suffolk County. Luke Giordano was selected to perform trombone with the SCMEA All-County Intermediate Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, while Gia DePasquale and Michael Johnson were selected for the SCMEA All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble. The students were nominated by their teachers and chosen to participate in the annual All-County Jazz Concert.

Seventeen Connetquot students were also selected to participate in the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education All-County Concert for top 11th and 12th grade musicians in Suffolk County. Students qualified based on their NYSSMA solo performances last spring and were nominated by their teachers before being chosen by a selection committee.

Connetquot’s NYSCAME All-County selections are Kayleigh Bjertnes, Treble Choir; Ella Cardone, Mixed Chorus; Morgan Cilibrasi, Treble Choir; Kaitlyn DeLuca, Treble Choir; Dylan Dowdell, Mixed Chorus; Mikayla Garcia, Treble Choir; Kylah Getty, Mixed Chorus; Margaret Papendick, Mixed Chorus; Brynn Burke, Mixed Chorus; Casey Miller, Mixed Chorus; Belle Demling, Treble Choir; Josana Koch, Mixed Chorus; Anthony De La Rosa, Mixed Chorus; Anthony Kauffmann, Band; Noah Huff, Band; Riley LaRocca, Band; and Abigail Endres, Orchestra.

At the state level, four Connetquot students earned selection to the New York State School Music Association All-State Music Festival. Thousands of students in grades 10 and 11 auditioned last spring, with approximately 800 musicians from across New York selected to participate. Abigail Endres was selected for Mixed Chorus, Casey Miller for Treble Chorus, Noah Huff for Wind Ensemble and Anthony Kauffmann for Symphonic Band.

Congratulations to all of the honorees, and best of luck as they represent Connetquot at their upcoming performances!

A group stands together holding certificates of recognition in front of a presentation stage. A group stands together, holding certificates of recognition in a school auditorium setting.