Good News: Big Turnout for Special Olympics; Students Honored

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Hundreds Compete in Special Olympics
More than 800 athletes participated in the 2013 Special Olympics Spring Games at Commack High School on Sunday. The athletes took part in nine different sports, including track, softball tosses, long jump, shot put and more.

Soccer Standout Chosen for Elite Training Camp
Alicia D'Aoust, 13, of Smithtown, is one of 48 girls selected nationwide to work with the U.S. Soccer coaching staff for eight days in May at the University of Portland. She will join the U-14 Girls National Team Camp.

Setauket Doc Awarded for Research
Anthony M. Szema, a professor at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, a Setauket doctor and an attending physician at Mather Hospital who studies lung injuries in soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been selected to receive the 2012 Albion O. Bernstein, MD Award from the Medical Society of the State of New York.

4 Students Selected as Alternates for State Music Conference
Four musicians from the Kings Park High School Music Department have been selected as alternates in the 2012 New York State School Music Association All-State Conference. 
 
Kristina Dejuri and Max Freeman, both trumpet players and  Elizabeth Palmiotti and Brianna Munch, both flute players, were evaluated through their performance of collegiate-level solos for an adjudicator in May 2012 and were selected as alternates in August 2012.