_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
CommUNItY UPDAtE Infections as of July 2
6,096
Infections as of June 28 6,091
$1.00
HERALD
Davison’s essay contest winners
Honoring young civic leaders
A day full of science in W.H.
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Vol. 28 No. 28
JUlY 8 - 14, 2021
‘Ingenuity and innovation’ WHHS students recognized for research on biodegradable masks By NAkEEm GrANt ngrant@liherald.com
Courtesy Malverne School District
A good deed indeed Maurice W. Downing School Principal Ed Tallon, in white, with Student Council leaders Amanda Correia, to his right, and Katie Smyth, helped the Student Council with its annual Ronald McDonald House fundraiser. This year, the group raised $5,266.
For West Hempstead High School’s STEM team, being one of 75 schools in the county to be named semifinalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 202021 Education Contest in February was a thrilling moment. Last month, the group was contacted by scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Food and Drug Administration about their research on biodegradable masks. The STEM team’s research, on whether the effectiveness of a biodegradable mask can be
tested at home, is expected to be published by scientists from the NIST next spring. “It’s super cool to see them gain this kind of recognition,” said West Hempstead High research teacher Sal Trupia. “They’re really such humble kids, and it really makes me feel good to see that they’re doing so well.” Solve for Tomorrow addresses the nationwide academic challenge of improving students’ science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education. Students were tasked with showing how these subjects can be applied to help Continued on page 12
West Hempstead Library to hold Letterboxing event By NAkEEm GrANt ngrant@liherald.com
As coronavirus restrictions continue to loosen throughout Nassau County, the West Hempstead Public Library hopes to enhance community engagement through numerous programs this summer, including a new event called Letterboxing, which involves puzzle solving, treasure hunting and posting clues around the neighborhood. “Basically, we’re looking to get people back into the community to shop locally and to help the businesses out,” the library’s program coordinator, Roseann Dorfman, said. “It’s sort of like a
scavenger hunt, but we’re basing it on the letterbox phenomenon that’s going on right now.” Library employees have visited businesses throughout the community over the past few months to spark interest in the event, which will be part of its month-long summer reading program in August. Sixteen businesses have agreed to take part in Letterboxing, most of them on Hempstead Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike. For patrons, registration starts on Thursday. For Dorfman, the event falls in line with the library’s initiatives. “The library is all about the community,” she said. “It’s about staying in touch with the
I
wanted for us to reach a bigger scope and get the community involved.
rosEANNE DorfmAN Program coordinator, W.H. Library
community and bringing people together, and that’s what we’re trying to do with this project.” Dorfman added that while the library’s virtual programs have been successful over the past year, she wanted to launch one designed to get people outdoors and to encourage them to visit
lesser-known businesses. “I’ve lived here in West Hempstead for 38 years, and I came across businesses that I’ve never seen before,” she said. “There might be other people in the community that don’t about these businesses, too.” One of the newer businesses in the community, Gotham Barbershop, at 558 Hempstead Ave.,
hopes to attract some interest by way of the Letterboxing event. Melanie Caloger, Gotham’s creative director, said that she and her husband, barber Daniel Torres, are eager to make a mark for themselves in the community. “We’re open to everything this community has to offer,” Caloger said. “I thought the LetContinued on page 12