_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD Students find their passions
Exploring career opportunities
learning about their world
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Vol. 71 No. 51
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023
$1.00
A powerful message for extra credit players on her own team. Sensing her struggles, Elisa’s basketball coach helps her by sharing Seaford High School junior with her the negativity from Emily Scimeca turned an extra others that he has experienced. credit writing assignment in The coach’s words lift Elisa’s class into a life lesson — and got spirits, and during a game she excels as the leading scorer and the piece published to boot. In October, Scimeca had a earns recognition for her defensive skills. short story, “The Struggles of Scimeca said she Life,” published in based the coach on Teen Ink, a website Giannis Antetokand magazine ounmpo, a basketdevoted to teen art, ball player for the poetry and writing. NBA’s Milwaukee The story follows Bucks, because he the main character, grew up being Elisa, a high school teased for his skinstudent struggling n y a p p e a r a n c e. with anxiety and EMily SCiMECA According to Scimedepression. EveryJunior, ca, portraying the thing seems hopecoach as a motivaless for Elisa until Seaford High School tional figure in the she discovers basstory was imporketball, which gives her the confidence to believe in tant, providing young people herself. According to Scimeca, with someone to look up to and the story is about overcoming shape their mindset around. Scimeca expressed hope that bullying and emotional strugher short story woulf be read, gles. “Don’t let others tear you urging others to move on from down or put limits on you,” negativity and get ahead in life. At the end of the story, Elisa is Scimeca said. Throughout the story, Elisa drafted into the WNBA, and finds solace in playing basket- Scimeca offered encouraging ball while facing challenges in words for people to believe in high school, including losing themselves and not get torn friends and being bullied by the Continued on page 5
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
Mike Monahan/Herald
And chocolate for all! Children at Temple B’Nai Torah in Wantagh performed in ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ last Saturday. The show is a colorful children’s production based on the iconic story of an eccentric chocolate factory owner and his search for an heir. Story, more photos, age 3.
Finding light in the darkness: Hanukkah celebrations begin By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Members of the Jewish community joined he Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh at its annual menorah lighting on Dec. 7, signifying the beginning of Hanukkah. The evening underscored the idea of bringing light into the world, especially amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war — which has affected Jews around the world. “Tonight’s evening is dedicated to the safety and security of our family members, our brothers and sisters in Israel,” Richard Soleymanzadeh, who led the evening’s proceedings, said. “Tonight we will join together in unity, and each one of us will bring more light to Israel.” Hundreds gathered to witness the lighting of
the Chabad’s grand menorah, at the intersection of Broadcast Plaza and Merrick Avenue in Merrick, alongside the gazebo and adjacent to the Long Island Rail Road station. Joined by elected officials, community leaders and members of the Jewish clergy, the Chabad’s rabbi, Shimon Kramer, assisted in lighting the shamash — the tallest candle in the menorah — and used it to light a smaller candle, marking the first night of the holiday. The eight-day Hanukkah celebration, referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple. Hanukkah, which began at sundown on Dec. 7, is celebrated with holiday music, food and rituals. Continued on page 10
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on’t let others tear you down or put limits on you.