Day Two
On the second day of school (September 1st, 2022), we had a special guest speaker come to the school. The Speaker's Name was Rohan Murphy and he came to the school to inspire students and teachers with his amazing story. You see, Rohan was born with a condition where his knee caps were facing the wrong way and he had to get his legs amputated at a very young age. Despite his handicap, he was able to learn how to wrestle. Now Rohan feels like it’s his purpose to travel around the country to tell his story and encourage others to never give up and follow their dreams even if those dreams seem impossible.
But how you might ask? How was Rohan able to overcome his disability to Wrestle? Well, things did not start out that way and in fact, Rohan did not even participate in sports until 8th grade when the coach made him the manager of the tennis, soccer and wrestling teams. After seeing how much work he put into being Manager and Gym Class his coach suggested that Rohan should join the Wrestling team. Rohan and his coach trained the whole summer and by the time Rohan was in freshman year he was ready to join the Wrestling Team. He lost his first match but that did not stop him. He ended up training harder and harder and eventually he became one of the most accomplished wrestlers in East Islip High School history. After high school Rohan went on to wrestle at Penn State and also became a successful Paralympic weightlifter, winning a bronze medal in the 2006 IPC World Powerlifting Championships.
Currently, Rohan Murphy travels the country as a motivational speaker. He speaks to many school-aged students and others about overcoming adversity and never giving up on your dreams even if those dreams seem impossible. Rohan Murphy has lived his life motivating others to do their best through his accomplishments and now motivates the young people of America with his speaking. Rohan’s story is about overcoming adversity, dedication to pursuing your dreams, and living life with purpose.
Following Rohan Murphy’s visit to Comsewogue High School we interviewed people, asking them to reflect on how they felt after hearing him speak. Overall the feedback was very positive and all of the people we spoke with were impressed by Rohan Murphy. High school assistant principal, Mrs. Prinz stated that the best part about Rohan Murphy is, “positivity”. Adding that his message, “is something we all can relate to, it’s not what happens in your life, but what you do with it”. When asked why he felt that Rohan Murphy was invited to speak to Comsewogue students, high school security guard Dennis shared that he hoped the visit would “inspire the kids to do something special”. Junior Isabella was impressed with Rohan “not caring what others thought”. Fellow 11th grader Jamie said that Rohan Murphy “put a lot of things into perspective for me, like challenges in your way, you can still accomplish what you always wanted to”.
Rohan Murphy is an inspiring person, who travels the country speaking to young people and sharing his message. In speaking with students and faculty after his visit to Comsewogue High School, it is clear that Rohan Murphy’s motivational speaking skills had a positive impact on our school community.
Rohan Murphy
By Dan Casalini and Harrison Martino
Video by: Juliana Manteiga
The DJ was outside playing music during all the activities that afternoon. It was not the biggest hit among the students, since there were only a few people dancing and enjoying the big space in front of the DJ. But students agreed that the DJ made the rest of the activities more delightful because of the music in the background. One of the activities included a Bouncy house with a slide, which was very popular among the students. Students were all waiting in line to go down the slide.
The games brought students closer together, with team building and cooperation. Some students enjoyed it more because they said that the activities still made it feel like summer, and friends hung out during a summer camp. And other students expressed that they wanted the school to already start and were not participating the same in the activities. Different thoughts and opinions were shared during the day two events of school, the majority of students and teachers can agree that our school should keep having the first day of school events in the upcoming years too.
Photos by Ms C. O'Hara
Video by: Cristalie Genao Estrella
Day two activities
Fun in the sun on the second day of school!
by Alex Cross and Emilia Franti
On September 1st, the second day of school after the summer break, we had some exciting events to get together and all be one warrior. We had all the students and teachers, as well as principals, come together and hang out and bond to get to know each other for the year/ years to come. It was a great way to lean into the upcoming school year, we had shortened periods and then an assembly on an aspiring speaker Rohan murphy.
After Murphy shared his story the freshman and sophomores went to watch the presentation, while the juniors and seniors went outside and to all the events, we had the two bouncy slides, a DJ, outdoor games, and much more. We also tie-dyed shirts in our gym periods on the shorter days, we now wear those tie-dye shirts every Friday! I think that was an awesome way to get the community together as well as the elementary schools participating in the tie-dye shirts as well.
