Earl L. Vandermeulen High School and Port Jefferson Middle School students participated in the Special Olympics Suffolk County Youth Summit. This trip was organized by Port Jefferson’s Unified Sport coaches, Michelle Landetta, Gina Fedler, and Kristen Wendel.

This event included a series of student-led conferences designed to unite high school students from across Long Island. The summit aims to bring together students with and without disabilities to learn, connect, and collaborate on building more inclusive and supportive school communities.

During the event, student attendees joined peers from across the region to hear from youth leaders who are actively creating more inclusive school environments. These inspiring speakers shared their experiences, strategies, and personal stories, offering participants meaningful insights into how they can help strengthen acceptance and belonging within their own schools.

In addition to keynote sessions, students took part in a variety of interactive leadership activities. These hands-on experiences encouraged teamwork, creative problem-solving, and open dialogue, while reinforcing the importance of empathy, advocacy, and collaboration. The activities were designed to empower students to understand their own leadership potential and to inspire them to make positive changes in their communities.

By participating in the Special Olympics Suffolk County Youth Summit, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School and Port Jefferson Middle School continue their commitment to fostering an environment where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to lead.

Click here to view the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School and Port Jefferson Middle School Students Attend Special Olympics Summit slideshow.

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School is proud to announce the continued success of its Physical Education Mentor Program, an initiative developed by the school’s physical education department to foster leadership, mentorship, and community among students.

Originally piloted last spring as an alternative to a second lunch period or study hall, the program allows high school students to “push in” to middle school physical education classes to assist and mentor younger students. After a highly successful trial, the program has been expanded for the 2025–26 school year.

This rare opportunity enables high school students to share their skills, experience, and enthusiasm for fitness while serving as positive role models. As mentors, they develop valuable leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, gain volunteer experience that strengthens college and job applications, and earn community service hours for their contributions.

Middle school students, in turn, benefit from the encouragement, guidance, and example of older peers by helping them build confidence, motivation, and a deeper appreciation for teamwork and sportsmanship. This year’s physical education helpers include Ava Reilly, Jameson Roeber, Lucas Sweeney, Mekenzie Rogers, Kevin Johnston, Bennet Furjanic, Madilyn Peterson, and Kieran Casey (Sport Event Management). Through this ongoing initiative, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School continues to empower students to lead, inspire, and give back—promoting a culture of support, responsibility, and shared success across grade levels.

Date Added: 12/10/2025