_____________
Infections as of June 29
2,328
Infections as of June 22 2,326
$1.00
____________
C a l l fo r a no obligation Qu ote!
HERALD
AUTO • HOME • lifE
Dunn to play for Team USA in Tokyo
Business hosts grand opening
Page 3
Page 7
VOL. 32 NO. 27
4.9
AlEx AndEr 18/21 sOn
itc FG 516.544.2728 530 Merrick rd. Demi Condensed
Across from Pantry Din er
Page xx om
Aanderson8@allstate.c
CheCk OuT MY Revie
JULY 1 - 7, 2021
113 111 102660 8 7
COMMUNITY UPDATE
ROCKVILLE CENTRE
ws!
United Church celebrates Pride Sunday apart. “We have a unique message that hopefully will continue to spread as people realize that If the last year has taught God’s love is for all people,” Resspeople anything, it is how to man said. make the best of difficult cirPride flags and rainbow balcumstances. United Church of loons adorned the interior of the Rockville Centre did just that on church, which was nearly full. June 27 as members celebrated The turnout was encouraging Pride Sunday, only a for a parish that was few days after their recently the focus of LGBTQ+ flag was a hate crime and had torn down. to have a police vehiMore than 100 cle stationed outside people attended the the church to prechurch’s 9:30 a.m. vent further vandalservice, which ism during the serfocused on inclusivevice. ness in the United Seventeen years Church of Christ. ago, the leadership “Our church of United Church LORI DUNNE believes in being an started conversaopen and affirming Chairwoman of tions about welcomchurch,” said Lori Christian education, ing the LGBTQ+ Dunne, chairwoman United Church community and lost of Christian educasome members as a tion, “which means result, but the deciwe accept LGBTQ+ people into sion has also attracted new our church.” United Church is parishioners. Ressman, who has part of the United Church of been at the church for more than Christ, which allows full partici- two decades, said he hoped it pation for LGBTQ+ people. would continue to be a place to Dunne and United Church’s celebrate, rather than simply tolpastor, the Rev. Scott Ressman, erate, all people. said they were excited to provide “We want to claim our mesinstitutional support for the sage without apology,” he said. “I LGBTQ+ community, especially think it’s important to have a after the last year forced people CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
By TOM CARROZZA tcarrozza@liherald.com
O
Tom Carrozza/Herald
MEMBERS OF THE South Side class of 2021 celebrated after receiving their diplomas.
South Side seniors look ahead Class of 2021 reflects on a difficult year By TOM CARROZZA tcarrozza@liherald.com
After a tumultuous year that saw students jump from virtual to hybrid and back to in-person learning because of the coronavirus pandemic, South Side High School’s class of 2021 had its moment in the sun as seniors gathered at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium for gradation. “I know it’s early and it’s outdoors and it’s even a little rainy, but at least it’s not a Zoom call,” Salutatorian
Sophia Romanello said. “Tonight, celebrate all your accomplishments with your loved ones, and appreciate all the little moments that have made you who you are.” Valedictorian Ethan Steere challenged his classmates to become the new captains of industry, citing Elon Musk in his speech. “We are all stuck on this planet,” Steere said. “We are all that we have, and that makes us a team, whether we like it or not.” Board of Education President Tara Hackett likened the
lessons that students, faculty members and their families have learned this year to those in the musical “Rent.” “How do you measure a year?” she asked, quoting from the musical. “As you reflect on this past year, you’ll undoubtedly remember what you overcame to get here, but I urge you to focus on what you had to celebrate this year instead.” South Side Principal John Murphy echoed those sentiments, urging the students to CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
ur church believes in being an open and affirming church.