Long Beach student named finalist in Junior Innovators Challenge
Hanna Ryan Heitefuss of Long Beach Middle School is one of 30 finalists in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Credit: Long Beach Public Schools
A Long Beach Middle School student has been named a finalist in a national science challenge for her idea to solve a problem of the future, and three other Long Island students were among the competition's top 300.
Hanna Ryan Heitefuss, an eighth grader, is one of 30 finalists in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge for her project exploring “how different amounts of salt in water could affects plant growth and aquatic organisms,” according to competition officials. She and her fellow finalists are competing for more than $100,000 in awards, including the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award, which will be announced Oct. 27.
Aditri Arun of Hauppauge Middle School, Ethan Butov of Jonas E. Salk Middle School in Levittown, and Emilia Syvertsen of Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School in Uniondale were among the top 300.
“Our island community faced devastation in the past with severe weather events such as Hurricane Sandy,” Hanna said of saltwater intrusion into freshwater areas. “Living so close to a real-world problem makes me want to protect not only mine, but all coastal regions in the future.”
The Junior Innovators Challenge, which is run by the nonprofit Society for Science, received nearly 2,000 entries this year with the top 300 students representing “the best and brightest middle school STEM talent in the U.S.,” according to competition officials. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.
For being a finalist, Hanna receives $500 and her school receives $1,000 to be used toward STEM activities. The three other local students received $125.
CENTEREACH
Hero garden
Oxhead Road Elementary School recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a hero garden that serves as a “lasting tribute to the lives lost” on 9/11 and to the "brave firefighters, police officers, and first responders who continue to protect and serve our communities," according to the Middle Country Central School District.
The garden features a stone walking path outlined with hand-painted rocks that students decorated with messages such as "You matter" and "Never forget." It is intended to be "a place of quiet reflection," the district said.
“This special tribute will serve as a lasting reminder of the courage, compassion, and selflessness that continue to inspire our community,” Oxhead Principal Phyllis Saltz said in a statement.
MIDDLE ISLAND
New principal
Christopher Foster has been appointed principal of Longwood High School in the Longwood Central School District. He replaced Sam Ahmed, who is now the district’s director of technology and information systems.
Foster previously served as principal of the district’s Ridge Elementary School since 2024. Before that, he was the district’s special education coordinator and a special education teacher at Longwood Middle School.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, families, faculty and staff of this incredible community,” Foster said in a statement. “I look forward to working together to ensure every student is supported, challenged and prepared for success beyond graduation."
PLAINVIEW
New principal
Brian Campo has been named principal of Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School. He replaced Kerry Farrell, who is now assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Herricks school district.
Campo previously served as the school's assistant principal since 2022. Before that, he was assistant principal of mathematics at John Bowne High School in Queens and a tenured math and special education teacher at the High School for Construction Trades, Engineering and Architecture in Ozone Park.
“I look forward to building on our successes and continuing to foster an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed," Campo said in a statement.
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
