Welcome back from the desk of Sheila Buhse

My name is Sheila Buhse and I am the Chairwoman of SHEF, more formally known as the South Huntington Educational Foundation. South Huntington has been the place I call home for most of my life. I am a proud graduate of WWHS and my husband Tom and I raised our two children,Patrick and Lauren, here as well.

I have had the pleasure of working in the South Huntington School District for the last 26 years... most currently as the District Purchasing Agent and the Director of School Nutrition.

South Huntington has so much to offer our community families and SHEF has been a big part of that enthusiasm and growth.  Our promotion of events (small and  large) helps to support the  Arts, Dance, Music and Technology programs for our students.

The SHEF Foundation is a valuable one. When you have a moment please visit our website to learn more about the wonderful events we are involved in that support our children.

Join us!

WELCOME BACK FROM THE LANTIER FAMILY

My name is Heidi Lantier and I am an Executive Board member of the South Huntington Educational Foundation. I am excited to begin another year serving  you and our school community. 

As a teacher in a local school district, I know how important it is to have community support in fundraising for programs, grants and resources that can bring your creative and innovative instruction to life. That is why as a graduate of South Huntington and a parent of  two children in the elementary schools, it is my honor to volunteer with SHEF to raise funds on behalf of the school district that I have always called home. 

Please take the time to visit the SHEFinc.com and learn about all of the great work that we are doing. I look forward to seeing you at our future events. Have a great year!

Welcome back from the desk of Andrea vasquez-madrid

My name is Andrea Vasquez-Madrid and I am a volunteer and huge supporter of SHEF. My husband and I have 4 children, 2 of which are graduates of Walt Whitman and 2 who will graduate in 2024. 

I am proud to be a part of an organization that my children have benefitted from in so many ways. SHEF supports the music, arts, and technology programs in the South Huntington UFSD. Our organization has made donations for everything from music instruments to computers for after school clubs, purchased mats for the dance team/classes, and annually we award scholarships to Seniors to assist in their quest for higher learning. 

Kindly support us in our efforts to enhance the learning experience for all students. We welcome your monetary support and would appreciate any time you can give to become a member of our group or participate in our many events held over the course of the school year. If you have been supporting us all a long, we thank you. Please check out SHEFINC.ORG to learn more. Enjoy your day and thanks for taking the time to read about our organization.

Welcome back from the desk of Fred Scragg

Hello! My name is Fred Scragg. I have served as a pastor and lived in South Huntington for the past 16 years; I am a newly elected trustee on the South Huntington Board of Education; and I am the chairperson for Arts In Education on the South Huntington Council of PTAs. 

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I am proud to be a member of SHEF, a group dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of all the students in our district including my two sons Fred and Ben. I’m looking forward to a great year and getting to know my Wildcat family  better! See you around!

WELCOME BACK FROM THE LONARDO FAMILY

Hello South Huntington teachers, and welcome back to another exciting year ahead!  My name is Eliot Lonardo, and I am a lifelong resident of our school district. I have been a Realtor in our community for over 18 years. My wife Rebecca is a Veterinarian, and our two daughters attend Countrywood and Maplewood. Over the past decade I have been proud to support our community on all levels and am involved with many organizations when called upon to help.

I am proud to be a Trustee for SHEF. It's been an honor to help raise money and awareness for programs, grants, and projects that benefit the students and faculty. SHEF has truly been an organization that I encourage everyone to get behind. As an Alumnus and Wildcat, I will continue doing my part to support the teachers and students of our wonderful school district!  Have an excellent year, and I look forward to seeing everyone at future events supporting SHEF! 

Welcome back from Margie shepherd

Hi, I am Margie Shepherd, and I guess you could say South Huntington is in my blood. My husband graduated from here; my three kids all did the same; I taught for 21 years at Silas Wood and Birchwood; and when I retired two years ago, I wanted to do something to help support this home I had found and loved. So I joined SHEF in support of their mission and continued efforts to support students K-12, faculty and district initiatives.

I now have six lovely grandchildren, whom I love to babysit, while they keep me young exploring. When home, I enjoy gardening and reading, but I seek out any opportunity to travel as well.

May we accomplish an enterprising school year together. Please help support events hosted by SHEF, which helps us grow our community's children.

Welcome back from charles ciravolo

I am Charles Ciravolo and I have been involved with SHEF for the past 21 years and served as president for 17 years. SHEF is a great organization that financially supports the district as a whole, in all aspects of education, development, arts and special programs that are outside the school’s budget. SHEF supports students and staff, K through 12, which is why I got involved. 

As a Financial Planner and Financial Advisor for over 35 years, I work with many staff and community members helping them to achieve their financial goals . I am a proud Walt Whitman Graduate (class of ‘85), I live in the district and raised my 2 sons; Thomas and Steven, both Whitman Graduates. I encourage people to get involved to support SHEF’s mission and goals… I invite you to join us!

Welcome back from the desk of Andrea Lopez

Hello! My name is Andrea Lopez. I am a member of S.H.E.F. and a teacher in the South Huntington School District. 

For over a decade, while working with the students and families in the South Huntington School District, I have been able to see the many positive results from S.H.E.F.’s initiatives in our schools. Whether it be through sponsoring student events, funding teacher grants, hosting events, or partnering with community businesses, S.H.E.F. does it all! I am proud to be a part of this organization and I look forward to continuing to accomplish more for our schools in years to come. 

If you are new to the South Huntington School District, or if you are looking for ways to get more involved, we would be happy to share more information with you! Scan or subscribe to our mailing list at shefinc.com.

Welcome back from the desk of Renee Schumm

Welcome back everyone!! My name is Renee Schumm and I have been an active member of SHEF for 5 years. As the Assistant Principal of Birchwood Intermediate School, and a resident of South Huntington, I am so proud of all of the work SHEF does for our students, staff and community. Please let any member of SHEF know if you have any questions. I look forward to another wonderful school year with you all!

WELCOME BACK FROM THE DESK OF ELENA TONNA

My name is Elena Tonna and I am a member of the South Huntington Educational Foundation. I am in the unique position of being an alumni, a parent of 3 boys in the district, as well as a teacher at Whitman.  

Years ago when I was looking for a way to give back to the district that I call home, SHEF members came knocking on my door at the right time! I am happy to support and promote SHEF as it touches the lives of ALL children at EVERY level district-wide. 

SHEF seems to be the unsung hero for so many departmental and school improvements as well as the supplemental support for teachers who would otherwise lack the funds to enhance their lessons. I encourage you to check out SHEFinc.com to learn more about us!

Welcome back from the desk of keith gunsel

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year everyone! My name is Keith Gunsel, my wife and I are lifelong residents of South Huntington. After graduating from Walt Whitman in 1994 I enlisted in the United States Navy. After receiving my Honorable Discharge in 1998 I moved back to South Huntington and began attending Stony Brook University. I was hired as a Social Studies teacher at Stimson Middle School for the 2002-2003 School year and would be starting my 21st year in the classroom this year! 

Since moving back to South Huntington I always look for ways to give back to the community. In 1999 I joined the Huntington Manor Fire Department. I also have been involved in many food drives supporting the St. Hugh Food Pantry and Stimson’s legendary Penny Wars competition! I strongly believe that the SHUFSD is one of the most diverse districts around and would not want my children attending anywhere else on Long Island. I have a seventh grader starting at Stimson Middle School and a fifth grader at Birchwood Intermediate School. I became a member of SHEF as Stimson’s Ambassador and am starting my second year as a member of this great organization. I look forward to a successful year and hope you all support the SHEF fundraising events this year.

Welcome back from the desk of Daphne PaTillo

Hello! My name is Daphne Patillo. I am a member of the South Huntington Educational Foundation and the Behavior Specialist at Birchwood. I’ve had the pleasure of watching SHEF enhance the learning environment for our students over the course of several years. I’m excited to work with an organization that supports all aspects of our school community!

Welcome back from the Whitman Dance Studio

I have been teaching dance in K-12 public schools and colleges for twenty seven years, twenty one of them at Walt Whitman High School. In 2003, SHEF’s generosity and innovation, enabled the construction of a professional dance studio, I was hired, and the fabulous Whitman Dance Program was born.  Today it is the premier program in New York state.  I also direct and choreograph the musical and dramatic productions at Whitman and Co-Advise the Theatre Honor Society. 

I am passionate about including the dance, theatre, art, and music in public schools!  Everyday I witness the transformative power of dance and the arts, and I know that for many students it is essential to their personal growth and well being.  I am grateful for the opportunity to help SHEF expand the arts programming for our South Huntington students and empower them to develop their unique creative voices and identities.