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UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
It’s career day at Academy Charter
Batters, bowlers begin tourney
Appreciating those who protect
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JUNE 6 - 12, 2024
First Tee golfers get front-row seats at LPGA tourney 1969 World Series-winning New York Mets. “The primary goals of the Nelly Korda’s one-stroke Sands Cares Youth Empowervictory over Hannah Green ment Initiative include providduring last month’s Mizuho ing young people with access to great role modAmericas Open, els, unique learngave crowds gathing opportunities, ered at the Liberty and the resources National Golf Club they need to make i n N ew Je r s e y a positive contribuchance to see tions to their comtoday’s LPGA elite m u n i t i e s, ” s a i d w i t h wh a t c o u l d Ron Reese, senior ve r y we l l b e i t s vice president of future stars. Las Vegas Sands, And seeing all of in a release. “By it were dozens of par tnering once young Long Island again with First golfers and their Tee, we continue families — all able to give new energy to attend thanks to and motivation to t h e L a s Ve g a s some of Long Sands. Island’s future Some 140 tickets golfers to reach for were issued to memtheir dreams.” bers of First Tee First Tee works — an organization focuses on minorithat draws young RON REESE ty and under-privigolfers between 7 senior vice president, leged young peoand 18 from commu- Las Vegas Sands ple in the area as a nities like Unionway to instill good dale, Hempstead, East Meadow values, develop character, and and Garden City — through the Sands Cares Youth Empow- promote healthy choices — all while using golf. erment Initiative. The organization first partLaunched last year, the ininered with Sands last Septemtiative has hosted sessions for young local athletes to meet ber with a golf clinic led by with sports stars like “Miracle two-time Major champion ColMet” Art Shamsky from the Continued on page 2
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO
jdalessandro@liherald.com
B
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
the uniondale High cheerleaders sashayed toward the new field, followed by the marching band, to kick off Monday’s celebration.
Uniondale unveils its new field of dreams
By JEFFREY BESSEN
jbessen@liherald.com
The bleachers were packed, the cheerleaders and the marching band strutted down a walkway, and the high school principal was decked out in face paint, fueled by school spirit, as Uniondale High celebrated its brand new artificial-turf football field and track on Monday. In what school officials described as “an extensive year of construction” the field was built as part of a $158 million bond. The $3.85 million project was one of the last to be funded by the bond, which was approved by in 2018 and included major allocations for building expansions, new facilities, renovations and other upgrades in schools throughout the district — including a
renovated science wing at the high school, modernized gyms, new libraries, and new locker and weight rooms. The bond was approved after a larger one, for $199 million, was voted down in 2017. District Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil credited the community for the support that allowed the district to move forward with the new field. “We want to thank you for being you and coming now and supporting this event,” she said. “We thought that a day like this is historic, and we wanted something historic to recognize the opening of our new Uniondale High School track ad field.” With blue skies and a hot sun overhead, the celebration reminded everyone that the school year is ending, but student athletes Continued on page 4
y partnering once again with First Tee, we continue to give new energy and motivation to some of Long Island’s future golfers to reach for their dreams.