Senate Resolution No. 1518

BY: Senator PALUMBO

CONGRATULATING the Southampton Intermediate School
students upon the occasion of capturing first place
in Cornell University's New York Agriculture in the
Classroom Mac and Cheese Challenge

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend outstanding achievements of young people whose accomplishments
reflect initiative, creativity, and academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, The Southampton Intermediate School students distinguished
themselves by capturing first place in the middle school division of
Cornell University's New York Agriculture in the Classroom Mac and
Cheese Challenge, a highly competitive statewide contest that received
more than 260 submissions from across New York State; and

WHEREAS, Competing under the team name Mac Island Mariners, these
eighth-grade students earned top honors for an innovative mac and cheese
chicken pot pie, which was recognized by judges for its exceptional
culinary skill, originality, and thoughtful integration of agricultural
and nutritional knowledge; and

WHEREAS, As part of the challenge, participating students were
required to develop an original recipe, design a marketing component,
and create a slogan, thereby demonstrating a broad range of skills
extending beyond the kitchen to include teamwork, creativity, and
communication; and

WHEREAS, The team's marketing effort included the design of a custom
T-shirt with a fishing theme that reflected the East End of Long Island
and the community's longstanding connection to the water, further
showcasing the students' pride in their local heritage; and

WHEREAS, To deepen their understanding of agriculture and food
systems, the students visited Mecox Bay Dairy Farm, where they learned
firsthand about dairy farming and the milking process, and they also
participated in a nutrition workshop led by the Southampton Union Free
School District's Director of Food Services; and

WHEREAS, The winning team was guided and supported by dedicated
educators, including a culinary arts and family and consumer science
teacher whose leadership fostered student engagement, perseverance, and
collaboration throughout the project; and

WHEREAS, The members of the award-winning team are eighth-grade
students Cole Collins, Gabe Galvis Mejia, Chris Glorioso, Kiran Hedge,
Charlie Holle, Bryce McGowin, Edwin Pina Bonilla, Luka Pisano, Kabir
Vivanco, Matthew Vivanco, and Read Wilutis, all of whom demonstrated
exceptional effort and teamwork in achieving this statewide distinction;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Southampton Intermediate School students on their

first-place victory in Cornell University's New York Agriculture in the
Classroom Mac and Cheese Challenge; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the aforementioned Southampton Intermediate School
students.