_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD A hero runs for heroes
Programs for mental health
Two doctors, one school
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Vol. 30 No. 28
JUlY 6 - 12, 2023
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Protected from floods, and now open to all By MARK NolAN mnolan@liherald.com
Courtesy New York State Parks
A VIEw oF the Northern Ponds area of Hempstead Lake State Park with new wetlands.
Hurricane Sandy caused immeasurable grief and destruction nearly 11 years ago. That devastation, however, has spurred a few positives. State officials last week announced the completion of a vast $47 million improvement project at Hempstead Lake State Park. in West Hempstead, that will reduce flood risk and improve access to the 737acre park. The project includes two miles of new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant trails and an observation deck. In addition, the 150-year-old Hempstead Lake Dam was repaired and renovated to proContinued on page 2
Malverne welcomes Bascombe as new principal By NIColE FoRMISANo nformisano@liherald.com
Kesha Bascombe, who has served as assistant principal of Malverne High School for the past 10 years, has been named the school’s new principal, succeeding Vincent Romano. Bascombe said she has lofty ambitions for the students of Malverne. “The Malverne School District — with the amount of kids that we have and the love that we have and the nurturing that we put into our community and our kids — I can see that we will take this to different heights,” Bascombe said. “There’s nothing we
can’t do.” An educator for 23 years, Bascombe said her goal is to encourage students to become the best versions of themselves by being lifelong learners and having the confidence to challenge themselves. “That’s part of my philosophy,” she said. “Just stretch yourself a little bit, challenge yourself to something new, because you’d be surprised what you’re c ap abl e o f d o i n g at t h at moment.” Bascombe began as a middle school English teacher in New York City. Her passion for literature was the perfect avenue to help kids become knowledgeable
w
ith the amount of kids that we have and the love that we have . . . There’s nothing we can’t do.
KEShA BASCoMBE principal, Malverne High School
and adaptable, setting them up for future success. She also worked as a literacy coach, and discovered she had a knack for collaborating with fel-
low teachers to hone their craft and curriculum. She found her calling as an educator working in a high school setting. Bascombe said she enjoys high school students’ level of maturity, and added that she is most effective working with that age group. Her passion for helping students expand their horizons comes from a desire to see them
succeed academically, athletically and in other arenas. Becoming comfortable with facing challenges head-on, she said, will help Malverne students continue to enter college with confidence and readiness. In addition, they can discover themselves in the process. “It’s important for children to Continued on page 6