Education

Pierson High School's senior class graduated on Saturday in a ceremony that recognized their intellect, accomplishments, and resilience in the face of adversity over the past year-plus, and that celebrated Sag Harbor's history and place in their lives.

For many of East Hampton High School's 231 graduates, one obstacle that defined the last two years of school was merely a postscript to the graduation festivities. Instead of the masks, social distancing, and other limitations that were for many months necessary because of Covid-19, there were high-fives, hugs, and smiles in abundance.

The Long Island Community Foundation's Long Island Racial Equity Donor Collaborative has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center. The center plans to use the grant to support the Teach Me How to Fish program, an initiative that aims to tackle the wealth equity gap by supporting Black communities on the East End.

East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Pierson High School were all well represented among the nominees for 2021's Teeny Awards, given by East End Arts to high schoolers who have distinguished themselves in the performing arts. The awards ceremony, on July 11, will be held at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center and streamed on Facebook. Nominees will be there in person, not only for the celebrations, but also for live performances.

Jester Jim will return to Guild Hall on Wednesday afternoon to kick off KidFest with juggling, comedy, and music. Two shows, one at 3 and one at 5, will be preceded by fun workshops for kids. Tickets are $15 for children, $30 for adults; masks are mandatory for all attendees over the age of 2. Guild Hall has suggested taking beach chairs or blankets to the outdoor performance.

In a year where nothing was for sure, Bridgehampton High School's 110th graduation on Saturday celebrated the big and small, from the class of 2021's achievements to the very fact that the graduates and their families could gather together under the same tent.

Activities at SoFo 

The Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center will lead a full-moon hike tonight at 8:30 p.m. to observe the Strawberry Moon, the nickname given to the full lunar phase in June. Free and open to all ages, but registration is required at [email protected].

Following a robust discussion during a June 15 meeting of the East Hampton School Board, the decision was made not to change a policy barring seventh-grade athletes from moving up to varsity-level teams in most sports.

Not long after receiving favorable construction proposals for a new playground for children in prekindergarten through the second grade, the Springs School District has found itself unable to complete the project in time for the start of school in the fall.

John J. Finello has been hired as superintendent and principal of the Sagaponack School, and Christine Schnell has been named its district treasurer. The school board unanimously voted on Tuesday to appoint them.

Open Mike and More

Burn the Stage is a monthly open mike night at Guild Hall for kids ages 13 and up in which they can perform music, comedy, dance, poetry, and other forms of live art. The in-person event, to be held tomorrow at 8 p.m., will be hosted by Naomi, a drag queen whose nickname is "Crown Jewel of the Hamptons."

The Bridgehampton School's Future Farmers of America Club and its adviser, Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz, have designed a memorial dedicated to transportation workers who died during the pandemic.