Owls Celebrate Homecoming Victory While Honoring Barbarino

There was much to celebrate at Lynbrook High School’s annual PTA Scholarship Football Game as the Owls, who were playing their first homecoming game on the district’s new turf field at Marion Street School, pulled off a 26-13 victory over Glen Cove. 

All of the scoring action happened in the second half, with the gamed decided in the last quarter. Quarterback Joe Grossi scored the go-ahead touchdown with 11 minutes to go. After a failed punt attempt by Glen Cove, Nick Roepken recovered the ball in the end zone, assuring the win for Lynbrook. 

Harrison Conn ran for 81 yards to score the team’s other two touchdowns. Matt Hargadon and Kevin Lann led the defense with 14 tackles between them.

The festivities began with a parade featuring the high school marching band, cheerleaders and kickline. Homecoming Queen Angela Criscuolo and her court waved to the crowd in royal style, while her king, Owls lineman Myles Finkelstein, was back at the locker room preparing for the game. Bringing up the rear, representatives of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes showed their school spirit by carrying homecoming banners created especially for the occasion. Then in a time-honored tradition, senior cheerleaders, kickline members, football players and their parents were escorted onto the field for recognition.

Directly before the start of the game, Board of Education President Alice Marie Bresnihan presided over a ceremony to officially name the sports complex at Marion Street in memory of past Superintendent Dr. Santo J. Barbarino, who passed away in August of 2012. 

Accompanied by the Lynbrook Owl, drum majors Vivek Shah and Jordan Walsh marched down the 50-yard line to unveil a banner that read “Santo J. Barbarino Athletic Complex.” In a touching gesture, they presented the banner to Dr. Barbarino’s mother, who was seated at the sidelines.

“In memory of Dr. Santo J. Barbarino’s dedication to the students of the Lynbrook Public Schools for 32 years, the Board of Education voted at its October meeting to recognize him in a very special way,” said Bresnihan. “His unparalleled support for the athletes in our community makes it quite fitting to honor his memory by naming the sports complex at Marion Street Field the Santo J. Barbarino Athletic Complex. It will serve as a gathering place for our community for many years to come, which is what Dr. B would have wanted.”

At halftime, the varsity cheerleaders, varsity kickline and marching band put on a memorable show, complete with lively music, precision footwork and high-flying acrobatics.

As part of a longstanding tradition, proceeds from ticket, food and T-shirt sales will go toward scholarships for graduating seniors. The PTA Council greatly appreciates the generosity of the Lynbrook community. Anyone still wishing to make a contribution can send a check, payable to Lynbrook PTA Scholarship Fund, to the Lynbrook PTA Council, Central Administration Building, 111 Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook, NY 11563.