_________________ WANTAGH ________________
Edition Graduation Keepsake
June 22, 2023
HERALD
GRADUATES the C L A S S
OF 2023
the best and brightest
Vol. 71 No. 26 BAL
Middle school graduation
Helpers at Harbor School
Page 3
Page 10
JUNE 22 - 28, 2023
$1.00
Book spurs controversy at Wantagh High and asked about the school’s vetting process for library books. “I’m not sure who’s giving Parents have demanded that (the school) the right to detera controversial book hitting on mine the maturity of my chilthemes of sexual orientation dren,” Rich said. “My husband and suicide be removed from and I are the only two adults the Wantagh High that can determine School library. which faculty memThe outraged bers are going to parents expressed have a conversation their opinions durwith minor children ing the final Board on such adult matof Education meetters in this book, ing of the school including oral sex, year. h o m o s e x u a l i t y, The book, “Fun pedophilia and suiHome: A Family cide. The images Tragicomic Book,” from this book were wh i c h w a s p u b flagged for violating lished in 2006, is a community stangraphic memoir by CHriStiNa dards on Facebook, cartoonist Alison NiColEtti yet they are availBechdel. The book able to our children Wantagh parent, addresses themes of in the library.” sexual orientation, Copiague librarian Carol-Ann Wingender roles, suia n s , Wa n t a g h ’ s cide, emotional director of curricuabuse and dysfunctional family lum, said materials in the high life. school library are made availThe high school has received able to students only on request, several formal complaints about after they “have demonstrated the book, which first entered the their understanding of the conschool’s library in 2016. Want- text of the material and meet agh resident Marilynne Rich, the level of maturity required.” one of the parents calling for The book tells the story of the its removal, questioned why the author Bechdel, a young gay the book was made available Continued on page 4
By KEPHErd daNiEl kdaniel@liherald.com
Y
Courtesy Northwestern University Athletics
WaNtagH grad MadiSoN Taylor scored four goals in Northwestern’s 18-6 national title game victory over Boston College on May 28.
A Taylor-made championship Wantagh grad stars in Northwestern’s title win By aNdrEW CoEN & toNY BElliSSiMo of the Wantagh Herald
As the final seconds ticked away in the NCAA Division 1 women’s lacrosse final game cementing Northwestern University’s first national title since 2012, the championship moment was particularly special for Wantagh’s Madison Taylor, after many near misses on the high school level. Taylor, who reached the county finals each season at Wantagh High School, was a big part of Northwestern’s title run as a freshman. That run culminated May 28 in an 18-6 championship win over Boston College in Cary, North Carolina.
“We made it to the county finals every year in lacrosse and lost every single time, and just could never get over that hump,” Taylor, a twotime All-American at Wantagh in 2021 and 2022, recalled, “so to come in as a freshman and win a national championship just made all of it worth it. It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.” The Wantagh native quickly adjusted to lacrosse on the collegiate level, tallying five goals in her debut for Northwestern on Feb. 11, jump-starting a season in which she would win the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Taylor, who was switched from her usual midfield role to attack prior to the game against Continued on page 2
ou may not want your kids reading it, so might I suggest you not read it?