Sagamore Middle School students are constructing a beautiful working lighthouse as a legacy to the Sachem district’s positive stance on leadership.
“Since Mr. Nolan brought The Leader in Me program to Sachem, the increased focus on leadership is clearly evident at Sagamore, thanks to the continued efforts of staff and students alike,” explains Mrs. Patty Scaturro, math chair and Leadership Club co-advisor.
Shining a light from the front of the building, this 12 foot tall lighthouse was designed and is being built by students in grades 6 – 8. With the guidance of the Leadership Club members, and technology teacher, Mr. Ryan Theiss, the students took the project from an idea to the creation of a shining beacon for our district. The progress is amazing and is documented through this slideshow.
Mrs. Heather Stumpf, English chair and Leadership club co-advisor with Mrs. Scaturro and Mrs. Christine Carrieri, math teacher, enjoyed guiding the students from the very beginning. Over 200 students participated from the inception, from figuring out the meaning of the lighthouse in September to setting the monument on its concrete base in June.
“Under Mr. Theiss’ leadership Sagamore’s students were really able to shine,” says Mrs. Stumpf. “To watch an idea grow from a collaboration of student sketches to the beautiful lighthouse out front illustrates perfectly how much students can achieve when supported and encouraged. It’s a wonderful symbol of the emerging leadership at Sagamore.”
Of the many impressive design ideas, the drawing by Katie Gallagher was selected through a school-wide vote of students in grades 6 – 8. The designs were inspired by research on existing lighthouses with a focus on deciding which materials students could use, including solar panels. A motto was developed though much discussion of positive words, like “believe” and “achieve” with the final selection of “Learn, Lead, Succeed” inscribed on the lighthouse tower.
Using the sketch by Katie Gallagher as a guide, Natalie Kalmanowitz used the Google Sketchup program to design a 3-D model of the lighthouse which Mr. Theiss printed using a 3-D printer. The tiny model was exactly what the students had envisioned, and this got the students started on the next phase of gathering materials for the project. Mikaella Sparacio and Samantha Sofoklis both pulled through with generous donations from their dads.
Mike Sparacio, from MKS Installations in Bohemia, generously donated all the wood materials while Andreas Sofoklis, from Florence Building Materials in Huntington, was able to donate all the siding materials. Through funds raised by Student Government, the concrete and paint were purchased, and the building began.
For several weeks, students in their Technology classes were busy building the frame, with many coming in during their lunch period to continue the work. In June, students in both Sagamore Tech Clubs, Mr. Thiess’ and Mr. Thomas McGrath’s, to get the job done. The club members pre-painted the pieces of siding after school, filling the technology room with excitement. With the help of some students, Mr. Theiss created a form out of scrap wood.
Securing the frame, leveling everything, and anchoring the frame were the next steps. Before the concrete was poured, a group of students signed the inside of the base, with one writing, “You know it’s there and you’ll remember it!” Pouring the concrete was a huge step toward completion. Mr. Theiss borrowed a cement mixer, and it generated a lot of interest as it stood in front of the school. After the concrete was poured, a few students left their handprints, which will be there for as long as the lighthouse stands.
A group of seventh grade girls added a final touch by pouring glitter on the concrete and the handprints, representing the sparkling creativity and positive energy felt by all students working on the project.
The beautiful Sagamore Leadership Lighthouse will be completed in the fall, with an installation of a solar light. Solar panels will be installed inside the top of the lighthouse, allowing the light to glow throughout the night using sustainable energy.
Mr. Eric Berman, Sagamore math teacher fondly known as “The Bermanator,” sums it up by stating, “Our lighthouse symbolizes everything Sachem stands for. It is something all Sagamore students can be excited about.” The students and staff at Sagamore Middle School hope that the entire Sachem community will enjoy the lighthouse as it comes to represent the leadership and positive energy felt across the district.
–Submitted by Elizabeth Gennosa, English teacher at Sagamore Middle School