West Islip Foundation honors two from community at PAWS event

Pictured at the Venetian Yacht Club are (left to right) PAWS President Tom McAteer, PAWS Secretary Katherine Fix, Dr. Beth Blau, honoree Barbara McAteer, PAWS Treasurer Mary Beth Jacaruso, former PAWS Vice President Annmarie LaRosa, honoree Norm Wingert, and dinner-dance chairperson Jamie Winkler.

The third annual PAWS (Partners Assissting West Islip Students) Education Foundation Dinner-Dance was held recently at the Venetian Yacht Club with 275 guests in attendance. Community member, school activist and former Board of Education Vice President, Barbara McAteer, was honored with the 2008 PAWS Outstanding Community Member Award and West Islip High School teacher and Student Senate Advisor Norm Wingert was presented with the PAWS 2008 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.

During the cocktail hour, student-donatedartwork, a plasma, flat screen TV, and a variety of businessdonated offerings were raffled as a major fundraiser for PAWS, which in the last several years has purchased approximately $200,000 of equiment to enhance students' learning experiences. PAWS'gifts include a Baby Grand Yamaha piano for the high school Performing Arts Theatre, SMART Boards for classrooms, a Mobile Bio Technology Station, a Laser Engraver/Cutter, and new equipment for the MST (Math, Science and Technology) Labs.

Pictured are scenes from the gala, including honorees Ms. McAteer and Mr. Wingert with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Beth Virginia Blau, PAWS President Tom McAteer, and the Dinner-Dance Committee Chairperson Jamie Winkler, Annmarie LaRosa, Mary Beth Jacaruso, and Katherine Fix, who oversaw the PAWS Gala Journal.

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