Board of Directors
Parents, guardians, sponsors and the public may email the directors below. Students should write to their program’s teachers or mentors from their school email account. To report a concern about safety or conduct, anyone, students included, may write to Info@BS-STEAM.com or to any director.
Richard Louis Varone II
Director, President, and Treasurer
Email: Rich@BS-STEAM.com
Richard Louis Varone II, a Bay Shore High School alumnus and graduate of the Class of 2009, is a passionate advocate for STEAM education and a lifelong supporter of the FIRST Robotics community. As a student, Richard was deeply involved in Bay Shore High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, serving as Team Captain and learning from industry mentors who shaped his career path.
While in high school, Richard worked as an IT employee at the Bay Shore Brightwaters Public Library, further honing his technical skills. His outstanding achievements with the robotics team earned him a half-tuition scholarship to Rochester Institute of Technology, where he pursued a degree in Computer Science. Remarkably, this scholarship was awarded without an application, a testament to his dedication and success.
Richard has built a distinguished career in the defense and aerospace industry, currently serving as a senior engineer at North Atlantic Industries. Despite his professional achievements, he has remained committed to giving back to his community. For over a decade, he has mentored Bay Shore High School’s robotics team, helping students secure scholarships and internships, including opportunities at his own company.
In 2024, Richard founded Bay Shore STEAM Corporation to expand access to STEAM education across Bay Shore, Long Island, and the Greater New York area. As Director, President, and Treasurer, Richard embodies the spirit of “paying it forward,” working tirelessly to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators.
Samuel Reed Preston
Director
Email: Sam@BS-STEAM.com
Samuel Reed Preston, a Bay Shore High School alumnus and graduate of the Class of 2016, is a dedicated advocate for STEAM education and mentorship. During his time as a student, Samuel was an active member of Bay Shore High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, where he was mentored by Richard Varone and William Claiborne.
Samuel’s hard work and commitment to the program earned him an internship at North Atlantic Industries, facilitated by Richard, providing him with invaluable real-world experience in the defense and aerospace industry. Since graduating, Samuel has continued to give back to the community that shaped him by mentoring Bay Shore High School’s robotics team, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Buffalo State University, Samuel brings his firsthand knowledge of the transformative power of STEAM education to his role as a Director of Bay Shore STEAM Corporation. His passion for teaching and problem-solving drives his mission to expand opportunities for students in Bay Shore, Long Island, and beyond.