$1
Friday, October 10, 2025
Vol. 84, No. 41
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
Oyster Fest returns October 18–19
6 JFK seniors named Natl. Merit Semifinalists Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) has announced that six members of the class of 2026 have been named semifinalists in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program. The students are Matthew Fitzgerald, Soha Jhaveri, Seok Hoon Lee, Claire Lim, Dylan Stal, and Ethan Torres. They are among 1.3 million entrants nationwide and entered the competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The POBJFKHS semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and have scored among the highest in the state.
“Congratulations to these students on this incredible academic accomplishment,” said Dr. Heather Dvorak, Principal of John F. Kennedy High School. “It is not only a testament to the hard work of these students, but also that of the collective efforts of our entire Plainview-Old Bethpage educational community in nurturing these talented students’ abilities.” In February 2026, roughly 15,000 of the 16,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to finalist standing. These finalists will then be eligible to compete for nearly 6,390 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $26 million.
Members of the Oyster Bay Town Board, togehter with members of the Oyster Bay East Norwich Chamber of Commerce and several sponsors gathered to announce the returen of Oyster Fest on October 18 and 19. The East Coast’s largest waterfront festival will return this fall to the streets of Oyster Bay. The Town of Oyster Bay, organizers and sponsors of the 42nd Oyster Fest announced the return of the iconic seaside festival this October 18th and 19th. “The Oyster Fest showcases our beautiful Town and historic sites in Oyster Bay while helping to raise charitable funds for local non-profit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. So
when you’re eating an oyster from our waterways, drinking a beverage from the local brewing company, or shopping in our downtown, you can feel especially good knowing that a portion of your dollars supports local charities,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We’re also putting the local oyster back in Oyster Fest, and we are thrilled that over a dozen Long Island oyster farmers are participating in this year’s festival.” See page 6
The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
Six members of the POBJFKHS Class of 2026 have been named Semifinalists in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program. They are with Principal Dr. Heather Dvorak (far left) and Director of Guidance Laurie Lynn.
Generals Nation dominates Homecoming PAGE 4 BHS expands peer leadership program PAGE 6