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UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
May 16, 2024
with a focus on programs and activities
Track team looks to finish season strong
NUMC heroes help a hero
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MAY 16 - 22, 2024
Standing out at Uniondale High Mayessy Castro Ramirez and Jarred Mercado top Class of 2024 ematical prowess,” Uniondale High math teacher Candice Sands-Mani wrote in an email. “Jarred isn’t just an amazing Jarred Mercado and Mayesstudent, he’s a testament to the sy Castro Ramirez have been limitless potential of dedicanamed the valedictorian and tion and intellect.” salutatorian, respectively, of Mercado is also an accomUniondale High School’s Class plished violinist, and has perof 2024, which numbers more formed with the than 480 seniors. high school orches“It makes me tra, at the Chamber feel like all my Music Center of hard work has paid New York and with off,” Mercado said. the Metropolitan Mercado is a Youth Orchestra. member of the “Even though I math, music and was top of the science honor sociclass, I feel like it eties, and has was an even bigger taken 10 Advance honor to be named Placement classes. concertmaster of He will attend Corall-county and the nell University in Long Island String the fall, and plans JARRED MERCADO Festival in 11th and to pursue his two valedictorian 12th grade,” Mercafavorite subjects — do said. music and math. As the Nassau “When I’m Music Educators Association doing math, it doesn’t feel like All-County Division 5 symphoI’m doing work, like for other ny orchestra concertmaster, classes,” Mercado said, adding Mercado was the violin section that calculus is his favorite leader, and the instrumentbranch of mathematics. playing leader of the orchesHis biggest motivators, he tra. said, have been the teachers Since he took up the violin who have challenged him in nine years ago, he said, music the classroom. “Jarred Mercado epitomizes has brought balance to his life. academic excellence and mathContInUEd on PagE 9
By DANIELLE SCHWAB
dschwab@liherald.com
W
hen I’m doing math, it doesn’t feel like I’m doing work, like for other classes.
Tim Baker/Herald
Volleyball takes off Mitchel Field, in Uniondale, hosted the start of the 18th annual Volleyball Long Island summer season with the first of nine tournaments played on grass through September. East Meadow resident Jason Siriban, aims to score a point. Story, more photos, Page 10.