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Valley Stream Herald 06-08-2023

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Vol. 34 No. 24

JUNE 8 - 14, 2023

$1.00

Amid pandemic, dance studio reinvented itself By JUAN lASSo jlasso@liherald.com

The financial disruption fueled by the pandemic burdened businesses across many industries, particularly in the arts and culture sector. That’s something Anayo Michel, owner of Layla’s Dance & Drum, knows all too well. Michel said the past three years have been “a frightening time” for her dance studio in Valley Stream. A veteran dance instructor specializing in African, Latin and Caribbean dance, Michel says the pandemic’s financial toll on her fellow artists, performers and instructors has been staggering. Between 2019 and 2020, the arts economy shrank at nearly double the rate of the overall economy, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. At the peak of the pandemic, as the financial fortunes of Michel’s business colleagues and arts friends Tim Baker/Herald

PHoENix MErCEr, 7, of Lynbrook, busts a move at Layla’s Dance & Drum.

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Meet the vals and sals of V.S. Central High School District By CAroliNE KElly Intern

As the school year draws to a close, the Valley Stream Central High School district community announces its 2023 valedictorians and salutatorians. With an advanced course load and multiple after school activities, these students pushed themselves to the top of their academic class. Hannah Lee, valedictorian of Valley Stream North High School’s Class of 2023, spent her high school career not only excelling academically, but also dedicating herself to various extracurricular activities.

“Time management and communication are very important. Sometimes I have to choose between things because I just don’t have the time,” Lee said. “Being involved in a lot of different clubs can be hard, so it’s important to communicate with other members if I know I’m too busy to get something done.” She plans to go to Dartmouth University in the fall majoring in mathematics. Alyssa Garufi is the salutatorian of Valley Stream North. She knew from a very young age that she wants to go into medicine. Over the summer, she volunteered at Northwell Long Island Jewish Hospital; and because

she is interested in working with children in the future, she is also a camp counselor for Malibu Beach Camp. “Don’t be afraid to try new things,” said Garufi, a member of the varsity tennis and badminton teams. She uses the sports for fun and to balance out the rest of her school responsibilities. Garufi has been accepted into the BS/MD program at Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. At Valley Stream Central High School, Michaela Sinclair is the valedictorian of Valley Stream Central High School’s Class of 2023. She has thrown herself into the world of STEM

throughout her education and it has paid off. She participated in MITES (MIT Introduction to Engineering and Science) as well as the Columbia Science Honors Program. Sinclair is currently a member of the New York Academy of Science and is also an active member of Central High School National Honor Society. “Take risks and focus on your

own journey,” Sinclair advises her fellow graduates. It has worked out for her as she plans to attend Harvard University this fall to study chemistry. Then there’s Steven Huang of Valley Stream South High School who rose to the top of the academic ladder as its valedictorian. The community serviceContinued on page 15


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Valley Stream Herald 06-08-2023 by Richner Communications, Inc - Issuu