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VOLUME 4, NUMBER 8

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JUNE 2017

RABBI RONALD BROWN TO RETIRE

38TH CULTURAL ARTS LUNCHEON HELD

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SUPERINTENDENTS GRADUATION MESSAGES

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NEWS

Your NewsMag

JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 №8

Rabbi Ronald Brown to Retire from Temple Beth Am Forever grateful at opportunity to lead

by Rabbi Ronald Brown

A

s a child, I grew up at 33 Wright Avenue in Malverne. We lived only a half-block away from Our Lady of Lourdes church.

Sunday mornings, as the bells chimed, I would look out of my window to see the sidewalks filled with people, mostly families, dressed in their Sunday best, hurriedly walking to church. It could have been a scene out of a 1950s Norman Rockwell painting.

Fast forward to the present. This year marks 33 years of serving as rabbi at Temple Beth Am. What strikes me most about my tenure here are the people I've met along the way.

Some people I haven't seen for so long, and yet their impact on me is still felt, as

though it were just yesterday. Some people were generous with their time and wisdom, and taught me what I could never find in a book or a classroom.

In those early years, clergy from different local churches offered guidance or simple camaraderie by inviting me out for coffee. I have been blessed by amazing colleagues, rabbis from Merrick and Bellmore, whom I hold in the highest esteem. Indeed their synagogues are fortunate to have such gifted clergy.

But mostly, I am grateful to the members of temple Beth Am who have allowed me to reach out beyond the walls of our building. We worked together to find jobs for the unemployed, sustenance for the hungry,

and an outreach to those who were lonely. We worked together with Protestant, Catholic and Muslim religious leaders to underscore the point that we share more in common than that which divides us.

We reached out to political and religious leader in many counties abroad and brought a message that we believed needed to be heard. But it wasn't only with people in high places that we sought to engage: in Poland, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, etc. we taught children in classrooms, and college students that would themselves one day be tomorrow's leaders.

People now ask me, "What's the next chapter?" I can only answer: Life is like

Bellmore Attorney Jeff Gold Announces Run for Nassau’s 19LD

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a mystery novel that you can turn only one page at a time.

And so I started in zip code 11565. Over the past 33 years I've moved up one digit, 11566. But it's not the numbers that count. Great paintings are not done by numbers but with varied colors, engaging landscapes, and interesting people... people who not only pass by the window, but come into your life.

aying Bellmore and Merrick residents can expect a property assessment “surprise” on January 1 when the Republican majority announces new property assessments, Democrat Jeff Gold, an attorney at Bellmore’s Gold and Benes LLP law firm, announced his candidacy for Nassau County’s 19th Legislative District “to help correct the broken assessment system in Nassau County.”

Gold, once a member of the Nassau County Board of Assessors and a Commissioner of the Assessment Review Commission, said the Mangano Administration fired over 40 people from the assessment office who could have “defended any assessments, and now people can simply grieve their assessments and get a reduction.” He maintained that a fully employed assessment department would have greatly reduced the number of grievances that now plague the office, by prov-

ing the assessments were correct.

Gold said residents of the Bellmores and Merricks can, by and large, expect their assessments to rise in January, especially those who have grieved their taxes for years and won. “The tax rates won’t necessarily go up,” he said, “but assessments will.”

If elected, he said that while he would not be able to stop the new tax rolls coming out on January 1, he would “conduct my own study to delay or repair the rolls” - as he once did 15 years ago as a board member.

[CONT. ON PAGE 13]

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14.06.2017 02:04:11

NEWS

VOL.4 №8 | JUNE 2017

Your NewsMag

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Bellmore-Merrick Cultural Arts Foundation Holds 38th Annual Awards Luncheon

by Emily Schreiber

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he 38th Annual Cultural Arts Luncheon of the Belllmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Cultural Arts Foundation was held at the Uniondale Marriott last month.

Since the 1978-1979 school term exceptionally talented students from the five schools in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have been chosen to perform musically, dramatically, or to showcase their artistic and photographic creations.

As in the past, auditions were held at each of the district's five schools, and the adjudicators — members of

the Bellmore-Merrick Cultural Arts Foundation and several faculty members — considered each candidate’s performance and/or display.

Those who were selected performed and/or exhibited, while the attendees — students, family members, friends, teachers and administrators — enjoyed the entertainment and luncheon.

Everyone left the decorated dining room feeling energized by the creativity that permeated the air.

Emily Schreiber is President of the Bellmore-Merrick Cultural Art Foundation photos by Emily Schreiber

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: Cayla Conley, Edward Grimes, Francesca Collado

CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL: Alaina Anderson, Olivia DelGandio, Thomas Ransom

MERRICK AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL: Isabella Oliver, Tara Fuscillo

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GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL: Karlie Willix, Sidney Wang

MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL: Emily Garone, Natalie Mahabir, Rebecca Morawski

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JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 №8

Your NewsMag

☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGES 2-5: NEWS Temple Beth Am’s Rabbi Ronald Brown to retire, Bellmore attorney Jeff Gold runs for Nassau County’s 19th Legislative District seat, Central High School District celebrates 38th annual Cultural Arts luncheon, Phountain celebrates Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores ribbon cutting

PAGES 6, 14 VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS Find out who this year’s valedictorians and salutatorians from the three high schools and the Meadowbrook Alternative Program are, and what they plan for their futures

PAGES 8, 10, 12 AND 14: GRADUATES A list of the names of all the high school and MAP graduates

PAGES 9 AND 16: GRADUATION MESSAGES Bellmore’s Dr. Joe Famularo, CHSD’s John DeTommaso, Merrick’s Dr. Dominick Palma, North Bellmore’s Marie Testa and North Merrick’s Dr. Cynthia Seniuk offer words of encouragement and a hearty good luck to all graduates PLUS: Financial tips for graduates that could get them started more smartly on their careers, Merrick Kiwanis celebrates its 50th year of recognizing the best students from the area high schools and MAP

WHO’S WHO AT YOUR NEWSMAG Advertising and Publishing

Online Erin Donohue

Jill Bromberg

Editing and Reporting Doug Finlay

Contributing

Emily Schreiber Rabbi Ronald Brown

Contact us with story ideas and news at: edit@yournewsmag.com info@yournewsmag.com To advertise, Jill@yournewsmag.com

Phone: 516-633-8590 P.O. Box 15, Bellmore, New York 11710

Bellmore • Merrick

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Congratulations 2017 Graduates!

With the school year coming to a close, graduating students are looking forward to their next chapter in life. As many parents know, it will become a wonderful journey of living, learning and taking on new responsibilities. In this issue you will find the names of each student graduating high school in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District as a tribute to the hard work and effort required to reach this significant milestone. Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians and find out what schools they plan to attend.

During senior recognition night many high school seniors were honored for their efforts, achievements and citizenship. The school administrators take a great deal of time and effort to match the qualities of the deserving students to the spirit that each generous scholarship donor represents.

The opportunities to express creativity, learn and grow are plentiful for students in the Bellmores and Merricks. The Bellmore-Merrick Cultural Arts Foundation celebrates the arts each year with a showcase of talented students from each of the five schools in the Central High School District who were selected to share their artistic and musical talents. It is indeed an honor to be selected to participate at this event.

Superintendents of Schools reflect on their experiences with graduating students and offer their message of congratulations and best wishes for a bright future.

On a reflective note, after 33 years serving as rabbi at Temple Beth Am, Rabbi Dr. Ronald Brown is retiring. During his tenure, Rabbi Brown initiated several unique programs, including “Thanksgiving” (a joint project among Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and Jews) to help the needy, and the first synagogue network system in New York to help the unemployed. He was also instrumental in starting the first Hebrew High School in Merrick that combined the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagogues in our community.

In 1999 Rabbi Brown established the North American Board of Rabbis (N.A.B.O.R) which unites boards of rabbis across the country under one umbrella organization. NABOR is the

largest organization of its kind, which brings Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform rabbis together to discuss issues of common concern. He was also instrumental in establishing Synagogue Connect, a program that allows Jewish college students to attend services free of charge at participating temples during the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur while they are at college and away from home. Rabbi Brown made numerous contributions over the years, too many to list them all.

As a member of Temple Beth Am, my family has come to know and appreciate Rabbi Brown for all he has done for the community and our family, from helping my son Harrison prepare for his Bar Mitzvah to phoning me on the loss of my dad to making a Shiva call on behalf of my husband's mother, to the wonderful inspirational sermons that we always look forward to hearing.

The Long Island Film/TV Foundation of the Nassau County Film Commission presents the 20th Annual Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE), July 13–20 at the historic Bellmore Movies and Showplace on Pettit Avenue in Bellmore. This is an event you won’t want to miss. Look for more details in the coming issue.

Your NewsMag is delivered to every home in the Bellmores and Merricks free of charge because you live here and are residents in the communities. Advertising support pays for your newsMag, so please support participating businesses by shopping locally. If you know something that is newsworthy, please let us know. If your business is having an anniversary or someone in your family is celebrating a special occasion, we want to know. After all, your news is our news. Please join us on Facebook and visit www.YourNewsMag.com for updates throughout the month. I hope that you enjoy the June issue of Your NewsMag. Jill Bromberg PUBLISHER 516-633-8590 Jill@YourNewsMag.com

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VOL.4 №8 | JUNE 2017

NEWS

PHOUNTAIN CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING RIBBON-CUTTING

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Congratulations Class of 2017

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Your NewsMag

VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS

JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 №8

TOP OF THEIR CLASS:

MEET THE VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL

JULIA LOSNER -VALEDICTORIAN

ALIXANDRA WILENS–VALEDICTORIAN

RACHEL JOZWIK–VALEDICTORIAN

A professional television actress, valedictorian Julia Losner is capable of commanding the stage – and the best from herself educationally.

Also an accomplished pianist, Julia has attained countless music honors, including Festival Disney Outstanding Accompanist Award and National Association for Music Educators All-Eastern/All-State/AllCounty Vocalist.

“Playing the piano has fostered collaborative relationships with others; it calms me down if I’m upset and cheers me up if I’m having a bad day,” she explained. “Being an accompanist has had a profound impact on me, and I am proud of the work that other musicians and I have done.”

Julia is also editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, Hoofbeats, a junior EMT and member of the Bellmore-Merrick EMS, and a section leader in the Crescendo Show Choir.

Role models and mentors include teachers Jason Boland, Kim Lascarides, Sanford Sardo and Mary Reinhardt.

“They have all inspired me in various ways and have played an integral role in shaping me not only as a student but also as a human being,” she added.

Academic accolades include AP Scholar with Distinction, French, Math, Tri-M, Science, Social Studies and English honor societies, Students Building Bridges Award recipient, St. John’s Women in Science Award recipient, National Merit Letter of Commendation, National Merit Corporate Award winner, three-time Durrell Blank Scholarship winner, New York Press Association High School Journalism award winner 2014, 2015, 2016 and the Le Grand Concours Certificat d’Honneur Laurete National – 2015 and 2016 Award winner.

She will attend Harvard University in the fall, with a focus on human developmental and regenerative biology.

Alixandra Wilens has a way with words. She used her pen – and insatiable thirst for learning – to lead the Kennedy Class of 2017 as valedictorian.

Editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, the Cougar Crier, Alixandra’s biggest academic accomplishment was being named a Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Medal Writing Portfolio recipient earlier this year.

“I was chosen as one of eight recipients out of 330,000 national submissions,” she said. “This is the culmination of everything I have worked toward as a writer, and it is only the beginning.”

Alixandra is a National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar with Honor, a member of Mu Alpha Theta and a member of the National, National English, National Foreign Language and New York State Science honor societies. She is also a board member of the National Honor Society and Mock Trial.

She attributed some of her academic successes to teachers who influenced and inspired her; including her writing mentor and English teacher Vivian DiGennaro. “I wish her class had lasted all four years. I will never see literature the same way again.”

Another teacher who made a positive impression on her was social studies teacher Erin Coman. “She made history sound like a best-selling novel,” Alixandra said.

Alixandra will double major in history and psychology at the Hofstra University Honors College. Her advice to incoming seniors is to slow down.

“When you are on a tightrope between high school and college, do not rush to either side. Just walk.”

Valedictorian Rachel Jozwik worked tirelessly to juggle her regular course load in addition to being a part of Mepham’s Advanced Science Research Program. Her payoff was being named a Regeneron STS Semifinalist earlier this year.

Rachel was one of among 300 nationally recognized semifinalists in the country’s most prestigious pre-college science competition often considered the “Junior Nobel Prize.”

“I submitted a paper I’d been working on over the past three years and I was really proud of the research I’d completed,” she said.

Her research was about a specific gene receptor and its connection to stress levels in high school students. Rachel said she learned a great deal under the mentorship of science teacher, Dr. David Kommor.

“He’s always been so supportive and encouraging and has helped me a lot over the past three years,” she added.

Other accolades include being a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society (member and officer), Science National Honor Society, English National Honor Society, French National Honor Society and a Bausch and Lomb Award recipient. Rachel was also one of three students in the district to be named a National Merit finalist. Approximately 15,000 students nationwide achieve this distinction.

She plans to study biology at Johns Hopkins University in the fall.

“It’s good to get started early on college applications and to stay on track with them,” she advised incoming seniors. “It makes the first half of senior year really busy, but once they’re submitted, things get easier.”

MATTHEW GARBER–SALUTATORIAN

As salutatorian, Matthew Garber has maintained an impressive level of academic accomplishments. In addition to his class rank, he received a National Merit Scholarship Commendation, and is a member of the National Honor Society and Math, Italian and Science honor societies. In an effortless way, he excels in everything, all the while contributing an enormous number of hours to his leadership and service commitments.

Matthew’s extracurricular interests run the spectrum from baseball to Book Club to Science Club to Math Team.

Yet, he will tell you his most meaningful pursuit is his leadership position as District Governor of New York District Key Club. He is the top Key Club officer in New York State, leading over 13,000 Key Clubbers from 240 organizations through a year of service.

“It has given me the opportunity to fall in love with service again,” he said. “The experiences I have gained in Key Club have helped me to grow as a leader and a person.”

For his work in the Key Club, he was recently honored as a Student of Recognition by the Merrick Kiwanis Club for his community service.

As a school and community leader, Matthew has had the opportunity to lead thousands of Key Clubbers toward a common goal. It has taught him public speaking and leadership skills, and has exposed him to people from literally all around the state, country and world who are different in all but one their love to make the world a little bit better.

Matthew plans to study applied mathematics/political science at the University of Pennsylvania this fall.

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REBECCA STEKOL – SALUTATORIAN

Salutatorian Rebecca Stekol makes sweet music with her violin to accompany her stellar academic career at Kennedy High School.

“Throughout high school, I have tried to contribute as much to the arts programs as possible,” Rebecca said. “Whether I was acting in the plays, playing violin in my school’s string ensemble, or putting together volunteer performances with my chamber group, I love how the arts are a uniting force. I am so grateful to have been able to work with so many of my talented classmates.”

She performs with her school orchestra and the Long Island Youth Orchestra, founded an extracurricular chamber orchestra, is the president and editor of the school’s literary magazine, Magnum Opus and is a four-year member of the Drama Club, Pit Band and Mock Trial.

“Being a member of Magnum Opus for the past four years and the editor for the past two years was so much fun and allowed me to appreciate, learn from, and celebrate the artistic work of the students at JFK,” she added.

Rebecca was a National Spanish Exam gold medalist in her first three years of high school, a National Merit Commended Student, on the executive board of the National Honor Society, president of National English Honor Society, as well as a member of the Tri-M, New York State Science and Spanish honor societies, and Mu Alpha Theta.

She will study international relations at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

KRISTINA SCHWAB–SALUTATORIAN

Kristina Schwab, Mepham’s Class of 2017 salutatorian, immersed herself in high school life throughout the years, joining several teams and clubs – all while keeping academics at the forefront.

She is on the varsity tennis team and is captain of the badminton team, is a Relay for Life Leadership officer and captain, the S.A.D.D. (Students Againt Destructive Driving) Club treasurer, a member of Leo Club (the district’s first such club for Lions’) and a member of the Math team.

Kristina has been named to the Math, French, National Science, Art and National English honor societies. She attributes her endless pursuit of knowledge to a special educator at Mepham who helped foster her resilience and commitment.

“I’d like to thank Betsy Siegelaub, who has inspired a passion for learning that continues to drive me to pursue new goals,” she noted of the now retired French teacher.

This fall, Kristina plans to study neuroscience at the Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh. She offered the following advice to next year’s seniors: “Things are not always going to work out in the way you expect, but you just have to keep moving forward and grab the opportunities presented to you.”

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Your NewsMag

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GRADUATES

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Lindsay Abrahams Alicia Abramson Andrew Ackerman Chad Ackerman Ryan Adcock Benjamin Adelberg Osama Ahmad Esha Ahmed John Alayo Caleigh Alfarone Brittney Allen Marissa Ammirata Alaina Anderson Sarah Arbesfeld Hadi Aziz Francesca Bagnasco Michael Barbieri Emily Battaglia Devon Bayer Margaret Bayern John Beck David Bekore Angela Berdon Elizabeth Berkoff Henry Bey Ashley Bielski-McDermott Isaac Bloch Robert Bowe Katherine Bowley Alexa Bristoll Dana Brown Michael Bulzomi Gregory Burke Alexis Bush Tara Callahan Julissa Camacho Nicholas Cantalupo Paul Cartagena Anthony Casamassima Jessica Catapano Mark Cerenzia Jacob Chamberlin Quinn Chao Sierra Chasin Anthony Cicchetti Michael Ciriaco Julissa Clark William Clarke

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Natalie Cohen Joseph Coluccio Christian Concepcion Thomas Condon Morgan Connelly Paul Conroy Alexander Cruz Thomas Cummings Brooke D'Alto Emily D'Antonio Thomas Darlington Julina Darmanin Ryan Dateno Emma Davie Jeremy Davis Kyle Davis Matthew DeFalco Kailey Delgado Olivia DelGandio Julia DelPozzo Dominick DePalo Amanda DePasquale John DeSarno Sean Dever Victoria DeVito Mallory Dillworth Brittany Donnelly James Donohue Justin Drexler Grace Dwyer Michael Dwyer Jessica Ehrlich Joseph Ehrlich Rebecca Eisenberg Ryan Elliott Jonathan Ellison Krista Eyerman Nicholas Failla Michael Farber Jason Faso Sophy Feldman Jordan Fischer Ryan Flash Braden Flax Gianna Florez Samantha Foley David Foschino-Hernandez David Futterman

Drake Gallo Victoria Gallo Callie Ganca Christina Garbarino Matthew Garber Patrick Gardner Michael Giangregorio Kristen Giannuzzi Nealsen Gil Kaitlyn Gillespie Kayla Girardin Peter Gladkowski Jacob Gochman Daniel Goetz Jack Goldstein Rachel Gonzales Maximos Goodman Wanda Gornell Timothy Graber Erin Grgas Daniel Haddock Cole Haile Michael Harten Douglas Hayden Samantha Hernandez Matthew Hill Victoria Hoffmann Rebecca Holtz Colette Holzmacher Saffron Hughes-McTurk Rebecca Hunt Megan Hunter Elizabeth Hwang Zahrah Ibrahim Anthony Ingenito Raheel Iqbal Anastasia Irodotou James Ivory Ryan Jacoby George Jaghab Dylan Jainchill Mary Johnson Matthew Kahles Austin Kaider Sean Kallman

2017 Zachary Kaminski Sarah Kaplan Giana Kapoosuzian Jason Karp Victoria Katla Megan Keener Joseph Kennedy Stephanie Kennely Jonathan Kessler Jared Kesten James Kiel Elizabeth Kishinevsky Christopher Kraemer Ryan Kurlanchik Taylor Kurz Tristen Kurz Alex Kuschner Edward Kwon Casey Lagueras Dylan Larkin Brianna LaViola Matthew Leigh Olivia Levy Xin Lian Victoria Librizzi Amber Lievre Angel Linares Ty Louis Lipkin Louis Liu Frank Lobascio Brianna Locoteta Anthony LoGuidice Ashely Lopez Michael Losak Julia Losner Lisa Lovelidge Robert Lynott Christina Macaluso Tobin Maher

Sarah Malfa Nicole Mancini Ryan Mancini Nicholas Mangino Sydney Marchese Lisa Margaria Lauren Marinello Ayla Martinelli Olivia Martino Kaitlyn Matalevich Dominic Maurer Colleen McKenna Michael Meglio Brianna Mikes Aldin Miller Angela Mitsas Jonathan Molina-Estrada Chloe Morales Corrine Morales Ricardo Morales Dylan Mulcahy Caroline Murphy Justin Neugebauer Douglas Newman Regan O'Driscoll Alexa O'Kane Nicolette O'Keefe Robert Oliver Michael Ostermann Javier Otalora Kaitlyn Paeth Marc Parisi Alex Park Nicholas Pata Sarah Paymer Amanda Pellegrino Michael Pellegrino Michael Pena Kayla Persaud Samantha Pichler Alison Pick Nathaniel Pine Destiny Pineda Rebecca Ponticello Julia Presti

JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 â„–8

Mark Proano Raymond Pusateri Thomas Ransom Gabrielle Rebmann Colin Rehm Liam (J) Reilly Raul Reyes Alicia Riggio Peter Roberto Jack Roberts Cristin Rodriguez Jesse Rogers Eric Rooney Nicholas Rosado Ryan Rosenblum Michael Ruan Justin Ruppert Kaitlyn Saade Teressa Sambolin Stacey Samedi Sara Samir Shane Sanders Jolie Sangiorgio Andrew Santaniello Taylor Savoca Julia Scheffler Corinne Schmid Melissa Schmidt Daniel Schmitz Olivia Schneider Sophie Schnell Dana Schwab Ronni Schweitzer Kyle Schwemle John Scopo Lauren Segal Maxwell Seisser Emily Sena Kate Serkisyan Jared Seyfert Ashley Sgambati Sarah Shakeel Elizabeth Shein Frank Sims Gursaif Singh Holden Smith John Smith Andrea Soto

Anthony Stabile Gillian Stapler Mikayla Starr Jesse Stasio Ollie Steil Michelle Steinberg Eric Stewart Nicholas Strezenec Logan Strobing Justin Strull Olivia Sturiano Joseph Thomann Kevin Thomas Shereen Thomas Brittany Tocco Breanna Tock Caitlyn Tolchin Jaclyn Tommer Samantha Trabold Anargiros Tsempelis Kyle Tucker Azaan Umer-Ratcher Rebecca Unz Steven Vacnin Haylee Vadnais Gerard Vergel Medelene Vergel Christian Vignola Georgia Vourou Jordan Walley James Weinblatt Hariet Weltz Elana Wilk Isabel Wilkes Ivan Williams Sydney Wolfson Ian Wolin Jessica Wynne Shih-Hsuan (ERIC) Yeh Jacob Yilmaz Georgeanne Zimmerman

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VOL.4 №8 | JUNE 2017

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GRADUATION MESSAGES

Message from Merrick Schools Superintendent Dr. Dominick Palma

he sixth-grade class from the Merrick School District is very excited to move up and take the next step in their educational careers.

As we do each year, our district has worked closely with the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District to ease the transition for our students to middle school. Recently, the sixth-graders visited Merrick Avenue Middle School for Buddy Day, during which they

were each paired with a seventh-grade student to shadow throughout the day in school.

Furthermore, the Central High School District has coordinated with the elementary component districts to align subject area curriculum, most recently in science. On behalf of the entire Merrick School District, I congratulate our sixth-grade students and wish them much success as they move ahead!

Message from CHSD Superintendent John DeTommaso

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raduating from any one of the high schools in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is a tremendous accomplishment to be celebrated by all the residents in our wonderful communities!

The whole communities share in this amazing time of year as we get to recognize the students in the Class of 2017. We come together to acknowledge their accomplishments in all areas of school life… academically, artistically, athletically and as change agents helping to make the world a better place.

We come together to wish them well in all

their future endeavors as they leave the CHSD for new paths that they will travel.

We come together to let them know how proud we are of them, as individuals and as the unforgettable Class of 2017.

Finally, we will let them know that the Bellmores and the Merricks will always be home and that when any of us are needed, we will be with them to guide, advise and to comfort just as we have been for the last 13 years!

Congratulations Class of 2017. The CHSD is a better place now than it was when you first walked through our doors all those years ago!

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14.06.2017 02:04:18

10

GRADUATES

Your NewsMag

JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 №8

JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL Chloe Abramovich Jake Abrams Julia Abrams Samantha Adams David Aiello Gabriella Albertina Steven Alexander Breena Ambroselli Anthony Ammerman Noah Atsidakos Lauren Auersperg Joseph Bagnasco Sarah Baio Rebecca Banilover Christian Barr Joslyn Barrera Brandon Basile Maximilian Bazil Jade Beauharnais Ruth Bergman Skylar Berkley Joseph Bernstein Joshua Bigman Nicholas Blouin Amanda Borell Tyler Boyer Eric Brach Owen Bradley Domenic Brocco Jessica Broder James Brooks Francis Bruno Alex Buchbinder D’Andre Cabrera Ramses Cabrera Paige Caleca Joseph Calvaruso Nicole Cannizzaro Daniel Casazza Emilee Celeiro Liana Chait Matthew Chait Michael Chertock Hannah Choset Kobe Chukwuka Anthony Citarelli Alexa Cohen Francesca Collado Candice Collins Cayla Conley Michael Corrao Emily Cotter Adele Covelli Thomas Cox

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Patrick Cullin Ryan Cummings Gurkamal Dadra Jared Dans Thomas Danza Chloe Davis Alec Deane Juliana Deeb Anthony Del Giudice James Delsignore Charles DeLuca Jr. Deanna DeMarco Brandon Desatnick Jordan Deutsch Keith Dickes Kevin Diebold Meghan Dorn Oscar Edwards Joshua Eisner Jessica Ench Jesse Eplan Rebecca Epstein Nicole Esposito Santino Esposito Michael Fealey Casey Feigeles Max Feigelman Emily Fenton Giancarlo Firriolo Peyton Fishman James Forchelli Andrei Forman Arin Forstadt Margaret Freed Gabriella Furman Catie Fuschillo Andrew Gallagher Daniel Gavigan Melanie Gaynor David Geistrikh David Geraci Jason Gerand Jordan Gerand Nicole Gibson Jacob Giller Lauren Gochman Joshua Goldberg Jillian Goldhirsch Allison Goldstein Brianna Gomez Jessica Graber Alexa Greenberg Edward Grimes Phallan Grossman

GRADUATING

CLASS OF

Scott Haimson Christopher Ham Stephanie Hanna Stephen Harris Julian Hecker Erica Heffez Timothy Herlihy Emily Herrera Zoe Hiller Melissa Himelfarb Tamia Holder Brendan Hondema Brett Horn Jasmine Hyman Tyler Iannelli Nikki Indelicato Benjamin Jacobs Noah Jacobs Abigail Jellinek Alex Jones Dennis Jones Jr. Jack Jones Justin Jung Salim Kaileh Burak Kanbur Stephanie Kaplan Alyssa Kassim Sophia Katz Michael Kavanagh Sydney Kay Juliette Kealy Claire Kelly Elliott Korgood Nicolette Kosowski Rebecca Koumourdas Garrett Krassner Matthew Kreuder Benjamin Krochmal Nicole Kurzweil Elizabeth Kutil Sammy Laissoui Chase LaMagna Jordan Lambert Jacob Lamonsoff Ran Lampert

Ryder Lampert Joseph LaRocca IV Christopher Lau Sarita Lavehim Gianna Leavey Lauren Lentini Alessandro Leo Jason Lerner Joshua Levine Joshua Levine Nicole Levine Lauren Levit Lauren Levy Jack Lido Madeline Lido Samantha Lobel Erica LoGiudice Jeffrey Lowell Anthony Luchs Domenico Maffei Anthony Maffucci Brendan Malin Vincent Maltese Seth Manger Matthew Marziliano Toi Kwan McAree Katelyn McCormick Antonino Messina III Lauren Miksits Samuel Miller Dylan Mittleberg Matthew Montera Brandon Moore Allison Moss Matthew Muscarella Sean Nanos Brian Needle Alix Negrin Taylor Niola Amanda Nossen Taylor Occhipinti Robert Oginsky Megan O’Reilly Justin Orenstein Zachary Ostroff

Daniel Oszust Kenneth Pabon Diego Palacios Max Palladino Raphael Palladino III Nicholas Pandolfi Michael Papillo Anthony Passarella Valeria Paz Vincent Pedone Marisa Pellegrino Alex Penchuk Evan Penchuk Stephanie Person Jake Piskin Meriel Pitarka Brianna Plass Eric Platt Arthur Pope Sydney Press Matthew Raber Gabrielle Rabinowitz Kristin Raider Jennifer Rakhimov James Rand Danielle Raskin Nicole Rezak Adriana Ritchie Ashley Rizzo Ryan Rodriguez Vanessa Rodriguez Robert Romeo Sydney Root Bailey Rosen Evan Ross Jillian Rossi Brittany Rothblut Michael Rubinfeld Amanda Rudolf Jack Ryan Victoria Sallows William Sasson Morgan Satcowitz Alexandra Savas Jennifer Scharfman Kristin Scheel Hunter Scheinkopf Connor Schmidt Allison Schuster Danielle Schwartz Samantha Schwartz Cole Sciandra Mary Scott Justin Seidman

Kelly Seidman Cory Seisser Frank Senatore Jacob Shapiro Shelby Siegel Matthew Siegler Mariah Simone Allison Singer Nolan Slovinsky Andrew Smith Taylor Stefandel Damion Stein Rebecca Stekol Jordan Sternbach Michael Sternbach Kaitlyn Stevens Thomas Stoerger Zachary Stone Samantha Stracher Nicholas Suarez Breanna Sullivan Nicole Surkis Anthony Taldi Noah Tepper Hayley Tesser Nicholas Tiongson Chynna Tomastyk Nicolina Torchia Lauren Trentham Alexander Triantis Khaleel Tribble Alina Tucker Jessica Vanore Gabriella Vargas Russell Waltuch Sydney Weltman Alixandra Wilens Riley Williams Jillian Wolfson Rachel Wolk Jacqueline Yackow Asli Yetim Trevor Zampetti Maggie Zaretz Julia Zeltmann Brian Zharov Perri Zilberman Thomas Ziminski Katie Zuckerman Sarah Zuckerman

14.06.2017 02:04:19

VOL.4 â„–8 | JUNE 2017

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BELLMORE | $659,000

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L IA LO CO L

AL

MERRICK | $749,000 ER CI CO

M

M

CO LO

N IA

AN R M R

MERRICK | $599,000

N

CH LA N

MERRICK | $749,000

CH

MERRICK | $799,000

FA

SP CA LA M N EO CH

MERRICK | $979,000

SP

CH LA N SP

LA SP ND LA SN EN CH D

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUSAN SORID FOR HAVING THE HIGHEST SALES VOLUME IN MERRICK FOR 2016 AS AN INDIVIDUAL AGENT OVER $11,500,000 IN CONTRACT AND CLOSED SALES SO FAR IN 2017 #1 AGENT IN LOCAL SALES 2013, 2014 AND 2015 OUT OF OVER 90 AGENTS*

MERRICK | $499,000

N. BELLMORE | $499,000

14.06.2017 02:04:19

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GRADUATES

Your NewsMag

JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 â„–8

Wellington C. Mepham High School Abdullah Abdulrazzaq Gabrielle Abramowitz Alec Acri Matthew Affrunti Burak Aksu Nina Alfaro Alaina Aloni Aaron Aloni Amanda Amalfitano Emily Amato David Amaya Hana Amin Sydney Antener Samantha Arcese Kevin Arispe Sean Arizaga Mishal Atiq Anthony Bagonis Robert Bancke Kayla Barbieri Sean Bateman Christopher Bauer Frank Bellantoni Alannah Belmonte Amber Benevento Matthew Berlin Hannah Bienstock Elena Bonilla Danielle Borrelli Sam Bradeen Helena Bradley Leonard Brandenberg Jake Brief Mackayla Brown Meghan Brown Matthew Brown Shannon Budgell Brendan Buehler Kimberly Buell Stephanie Burns Vincent Buscarino Madison Cahlstadt Larissa Caluori Matthew Cannon Hailey Canonico Alexa Caputo Andrew Carrano Anthony Carrieri Katherine Carron Victoria Caruso Jaclyn Casale Cassidy Casimir Stefania Castaldo Francesca Cencioni

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Lindsay Cesarano Anthony Cestaro Kevin Chaimowitz Julia Chanice Reina Chicas Ayman Choudhury Alaina Ciorra Emily Coffin Shanice Collick Robert Commisso Jack Condy Matthew Connelly Nicholas Connors Matthew Conry Jordan Cooksey Daniel Corona Brenna Corr Valerie Corrado Matthew Coster Michael Coveny Angelo D'Alessandro Priscilla D'Alessandro Lauren D'Avanzo Malik Daniels-Baines Andrew Davila Bryan Davis Armando Daza John DeCanio Kyle Decena Justin De La Rosa Sylvana DelPrete Christian Del Valle Jenna DeRosa Ricky Derosena Jessica Dijkstra Chelsea Dillon Jake Dougherty Samantha Doyle Taylor Drew Kelly Earley Kayla Egan Molly Egland Brian Emery James Falci Anne Fallon Jake Faught Harris Fink Jessica Finkelstein Reid Flaumenbaum Frank Flynn Sean Flynn Emily Fontanetta Robert Ford Katelin Forte

GRADUATING

CLASS OF

Jaani Gandhi Joice Garcia Christina Gargano Emily Garone Matthew Gemma Nicholas Gerardi, II Ciara Giocoli Rebecca Glasser Sierra Glicker Daniel Goldsmith Cameron Gonsowski Julia Grandville Karlee Greco Michelle Greenfield Owen Haeseker Benjamin Hanley Michael Hartung Carolyn Hayes Seamus Healey Albert Hernandez Marilena Hilas Hallie Horowitz Davin Jones Jordan Jones Rachel Jozwik Lauren Juchem Carissa Kahn Tiera Kahn Jeremy Kaplan Timothy Karp George Kemerson Ammad Khan Christopher Kondogianis Michael Korn Joshua Koshy Hope Kotowski Jonathan Krakoff John Kulins Jason Kurtz Hannah Kuzminski Jonathan Lainez-Molina Kristina Lane Electra Langan Michelle Lapidus Matthew Lashin

Kristin Lasker Joseph Lent Steven Liriano Jeremy Lissade Julia Losciale Alyssa Lyman Carl Macchio William Maddaluno Natalie Mahabir Brendan Malek Bilal Malik Diana Marcello Kimberly Martorella Emily Marzigliano Daniela Mathieu Alana Matison Braden Mayer Jack McCarthy Carol McGoff Jamie McGovern Sean McGrath James McManus Meagan McNulty Tyler McPartland Monica Melgar Anthony Melia Alex Melian Immanuel Mellis Zachary Miller Amna Minhas Joseph Miranne James Moehringer Matthew Molloy Christopher Monge Rebecca Morawski Nicole Morea Samantha Morgan Erik Mounts Selena Moussa Vasilios Moutafis Matthew Munro Aida Musallam Alexa Muscat Zarnab Naqvi Amanda Navarro

Dante Niedfeld Matthew Nilsen Sean Nolan Mark Novak Jon Olson Michael O'Shea Dylon Parzych Pavan Patel Jeremy Pekoff Christian Pekoff Nicholas Pellechia Samantha Pepe Felix Perez Emily Pernice Maxwell Perry Morgan Petersen Paige Petersen Erin Pfundstein Michael Pioli Melissa Ponton Brian Porricelli Danielle Preattle Jake Putman Amina Quadri Niamh Quigley Jennifer Raclaw Christian Ragusa Ian Randman Gianna Rath Nicholas Reichard Dylan Reilly Matthew Renton Samantha Rodriguez William Rosen Melissa Rosenberg Christopher Rosenthal Kayla Rutkowski Tristan Saade Kayla Samala Melissa Sanchez Jake Santiago Matteo Saylor Nicole Scher Ciro Schiavo Kristina Schwab Iris Schwartz Anthony Scoca Andrew Serken Diane Shahin Uzair Siddiqui Nikoletta Sigalas Roseanna Skidmore Michael Smith Eric Solomon

Ryan Sonner Marquise Soto Rebecca Spear Nicole Stasio Lauren Stern Kathryn Stevenson Jonathan Stock Samantha Stockert Gabriella Stramera Anthony Stumpp Kristina Stumpp Michael Stutts Stephen Sullivan Isabella Tavolacci Maeve Testa Thomas Testa Kushal Thapa Thana Theodule Jordan Thompson Timothy Tracy Madison Uzwy Michael Valentino Nicole Valentino Nicholas Valeriano Michael Vasquez Christopher Velasquez Allison Velez Riya Verma Anna Vogel Michael Wachswender William Wachswender Jonathan Ward Emma Wasson Kevin Weber Sequoia Weber-Truitt Elizabeth Weigand Zachary Weiss Michael Wheeler Kelsey White Connor Wickline Dylan Wickline Anthony Williams Christopher Willis Jackie Wong Giovanna Wood Breanna Woolfson Dana Woolfson Jesse Wunderman Noah Yahney Christus Yodice Anthony Zuzzolo

14.06.2017 02:04:20

VOL.4 №8 | JUNE 2017

BELLMORE ATTORNEY JEFF GOLD ANNOUNCES RUN FOR NASSAU’S 19LD [CONT. FROM PAGE 2]

Because the Legislature has held no meetings to discuss the property evaluation crisis, and with no consultants to apprise it of the evaluations, Gold said he expects residents to continue to be able to grieve their assessments in the future.

He believes there are Republicans in the Legislature that are interested in working to fix the present assessment system , and he hopes to provide sensible solutions that can reach across the aisle to make a difference.

He added that Clean Air Water and Soil Ltd. of Merrick is requesting a tax exemption for NYAmerican Water properties to reduce water costs to ratepayers in the Bellmores and the Merricks, an exemption that would be controlled through the assessment department.

Claudia Borecky, a director of CAWS, and president of the North and Central Merrick Civic Association, supports Gold’s candidacy for legislator.

‘INCENTIVIZE’ VOLUNTEERISM

Gold is also running to increase volunteerism within the county by “incentivizing” it,

13

Your NewsMag

which he says could help defray property costs. “School leaders, civics, firefighters, auxiliary police, EMS personnel, blood donors” and many more that give countless hours of their time back to the community for free could receive 3-to-5% reductions in exemptions, he said.

Such an exemption could be “assignable,” he said, so that volunteers and those who donate organs and blood could get reductions from their landlords, or other fiscal reductions.

“An exemption for someone who could donate blood four times a year could help reduce the cost of any property tax increases,” he said.

Gold said if he wins, he will give back to the community half of the new salary of over $70,000 the current Legislature voted for itself last year. “I will open an office” to be staffed by local employees to provide local access to his services, he said.

Gold ran against Hempstead Town Councilwoman Angie Cullen many years ago, garnering a sizable voting block. He currently operates a facebook page with 9000 members that helps Nassau County residents file their own tax grievances.

The 19th Legislative District covers much of the Bellmores and the Merricks, as well as large areas of Wantagh, Seaford and south Freeport. Republican Steve Rhoads is current legislator for the district.

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Proud Member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores.

14.06.2017 02:04:26

14

GRADUATES

Your NewsMag

JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 №8

Meadowbrook Alternative Program GRADUATING

CLASS OF

Vincent Allongo Sean Bateman Marissa Battaglia Derek Baumann Joseph Calveruso Victoria Campagnuolo John DeCanio Jean DeRurange James Falci Julia Grandville Tamia Holder

YourNewsMag_V4_#8_SI.indd 14

Christopher Kondogianis Hannah Kuzminski

A

t the Meadowbrook Alternative Program, valedictorian Derek Baumann maintains an active and present role in the school. A representative to the monthly Board of Education meeting, Derek reports on happenings and achievements at MAP. He is vice-president of the school’s Key Club and has involved himself with several “One Voice, One Message” events and in a

Sammy Laissaoui Dylan Reilly Kristina Serrano Anthony Stumpp Stephen Sullivan Michael Wheeler Anthony Zimmardi

DEREK BAUMANN – VALEDICTORIAN

K

Habitat for Humanity Build.

“One of the highlights of my career has been watching Derek become the young man he is today,” said Principal Susan Ellinghaus.

“He has an incredible work ethic and gives 100 percent of himself to everything he does. He has been an officer in the MAP Key Club and is passionate about community service.

One of his favorite memories was a trip to the Bowery Mission, which really helped to open his eyes to the issue of homelessness and hunger in society today.

Derek looks forward to studying liberal arts at LIU Post in the fall. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t worth it, because at the end of the day, the person that decides your life is you,” he offered as advice for fellow MAP students.

HANNAH KUZMINSKI – SALUTATORIAN

nown as truly supportive of others at MAP, salutatorian Hannah Kuzminski is a driven individual. “Don’t be shy,” she advises underclassmen. “We are all one big support system.”

She is president of the school’s Key Club and a member of the Gay Straight Alliance. She has worked on various philanthropic projects including the Fall Harvest

Ball and a Habitat for Humanity Build. Hannah is also the recipient of a Merrick Kiwanis Student Recognition Award.

“Hannah is a compassionate young woman who is planning a career in nursing,” continued Ellinghaus. “She has worked very hard to get to where she is today and would probably tell you that her community service activ-

ities through Key Club are the things which keep her calm and focused. She has truly enjoyed the many hours which she has devoted to the Community Cupboard.”

Hannah is always surrounded by groups of friends drawn to her compassionate spirit and infectious laugh. She plans to study liberal arts at Nassau Community College in the fall.

14.06.2017 02:04:28

VOL.4 №8 | JUNE 2017

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Your NewsMag

CLOSED

IN CONTRACT

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14.06.2017 02:04:29

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GRADUATION MESSAGES

Your NewsMag

Message from North Merrick Schools Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Seniuk

I

t seems like only yesterday I was greeting students, parents and grandparents at the doors of the North Merrick schools - back in September. As I looked out into the crowd, there were many smiling faces, but unfortunately there were also several frowns and tears.

It was at that moment I witnessed several sixth-grade students go out into the crowd and take the hands of the “not so happy” younger students and guide them into the building. That’s when I knew our sixth-grade students were on the verge of being ready to move onto middle school.

To all of the sixth-grade young ladies and gentlemen, I am immeasurably proud of each and every one of you. I am so pleased

with how you have grown, not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

All of you have embraced the knowledge presented to you by your teachers and the guidance provided to you by your parents and principals; all who set the bar high and challenged you to live up to it. You did not let them down.

It is the combination of the behavior you exhibit each and every day and the excellence you display inside and outside of the classroom that is a true testament to who you are as a person. It is the extraordinary moments, such as the one described earlier, that remind each of us of what makes North Merrick School District such a special place…… ...a place that is truly dedicated to children.

I know you will continue to soar as you move along your educational journey to the middle school. You will share your thoughtfulness and kindheartedness, as well as your academic distinction, with others as you enter the next chapter of your life. I challenge each and every one of you to rise up and reach your full potential, and I know as North Merrick students you have never backed down from a challenge placed before you.

Make the most of the future that lies ahead of you, but never forget where you came from and the people that have made a difference in your lives; they have instilled in you the core values that have made you who you are today!

Message from Bellmore Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Famularo

W

hen our sixth-graders first entered Reinhard they were filled with wonder, an innate curiosity for the unknown and an eagerness to learn. It is my hope that as they move on in their educational journey they are still filled with wonder, their curiosity continues to grow and that eagerness to learn stays forever.

During their years as Bellmore Stars, they

have been given the knowledge and the tools to succeed far into their futures. Our district’s leadership principles and core values have provided them with a solid foundation to reach their academic, social and human potential. They have been encouraged to explore, question and problem-solve. I encourage them to use those tools as they move forward to make good, smart choices.

I wish to extend my congratulations to our Shining Stars and their families! It is now their time to move on from elementary school and become young adults. However, they will always be part of our Bellmore “Community of Learners.”

Before I go, I leave them with one final piece of advice: Remember to “read every day you eat.”

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JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 №8

Message from North Bellmore Schools Superintendent Marie Testa

W

hen our sixth-graders graduate from the five elementary schools of the North Bellmore School District, they will leave as well-rounded students who are poised to meet the challenges ahead. Filled with curiosity and confidence, they will enter the next stage of their educational journeys ready to explore their passions and further their unique talents.

North Bellmore students have experienced the joy of learning throughout their elementary years. Whether it was exploring topics of their own interests or working collaboratively to solve problems, children were actively engaged in their educations.

Our graduates experienced the expansion of technology, the addition of a personalized writing program and constant exposure to the arts.

They now stand ready to take the next step to middle school.

Our students understand that all human life is precious and they learned from an early age, and with the steadfast guidance of their parents, to respect one another, to lift up their friends and to stand tall for what is true and right.

Through service organizations such as Student Council and Students Against Destructive Decisions they organized school-wide drives to support meaningful community and global causes. This next generation of student-leaders at the Central High School District is ready to make a difference.

On behalf of myself, the administration and the Board of Education, I wish the best of the luck to the North Bellmore Class of 2017, and the high school class of 2023!

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14.06.2017 02:04:29

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14.06.2017 02:04:30

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JUNE 2017 | VOL.4 №8

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Congratulations Graduates & Merrick Chamber Scholarship Winners!

Thank you for making the Kids Fest a success!

Save the dates Sept 8 -10 for the Merrick Street Fair SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER MEMBERS Ace’s Wine & Spirits 516 379 3090 All Dazzel Boutique 516-442-5900 Ambassador Protection Services 223-4500 American Coin & Stamp Brokerage 516-546-2300 Andrew S. Nachamie, PC 516-678-7110 Ann Parry Photography 516-732-9454 Astoria Bank 379-3444 Bagel Plaza 516-378-3455 Bags N Things 516-509-5068 Beautiful People Salon 341-0276 Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers 516-992-1068 Benzoni OD PC, Dr. Jaclyn 516-546-3227 Bridgehampton National Bank 623-1600 Bullseye Collectibles of Merrick, Inc. 516-379-8300 Cathy’s Touch Inc. 516-377-1127 Century 21 American Homes Arlene Gregory 516-302-8500 Betty Lippai 516-302-8500 Children’s Nest 867-7404 Chocolate Promises 516-299-6400 Cipriano Landscaping & Nursery 516-542-0499 CMC Design Architect, PC 378-9000 CMIT Solutions of South Nassau 516-208-4161 Coldwell Banker Homes Realty 809-1000 Coleman Country Day Camp 620-4300 Companions Animal Hospital 431-1133 Cross Fit Strong Island 516-868-7767 CSM Engineering 516-378-4887 David J. Jacobs, Co., Inc. 516-295-3600 Debbie’s Boutique 516-996-2818 DeMarco & Nesi CPA’s, LLC 516- 245-5000 Dime Bank 516- 868-9200 Donna Carbone’s Dance Arts 516-377-7733 Douglas Elliman Margaret Biegelman 516-510-9290 Susan G. Helsinger 516-236-7723 Louise Pitlake 516-297-5260 Seth Pitlake 516-623-2250 Drobbin Chiropractic 516-379-8500 Elisa’s Restaurant 516- 679-4805 Esquire Tuxedos 516-378-6060

Expedia Cruise Ship Centers/Merrick 516- 900-5483 Feldis Florists 516-771-1070 First National Bank of Long Island 516-771-6000 FJF Remodelers, Inc 516-379-4043 Flowers by Voegler 516-481-1277 Gadget Rx 516-379-7979 Gateway Inn 516-378-7100 Genius Design Lab, LLC 516-378-0035 Grace Christian Academy 516-379-2223 Greystone Properties 516-667-0777 Homes Instead Senior Care 516-826-6307 Hucreative Services Inc. 516-754-0404 Income Tax Plus 516-785-3046 J & D Invitations, Etc. 516-378-3636 Kaplan, CPA, PC, Steven 516-868-6300 Khan Orthodontic Group 516-378-1033 Kiddsmiles 516-365-5439 Kona Ice of LI South Shore 516-342-5757 Krohn, Rosenblum and Rosenblum 516-868-0808 Kumon of Merrick 516-206-4200 Landrio, Dr. Lori 516-546-8400 La Strada of Merrick 516-867-5488 Land & Home Design, Inc. 516-378-1840 Little Kitchen Creations by Wendy 516-448-5126 Long Island Tech 516-874-5483 LuLaRoe Simon Sisters 516-654-5853 LuLaRoe Suzanne Sanidad 646-250-1236 Matilda Jane Clothing:Christa Hughes 404-723-3266 Merokee Day School & Summer Program 516-378-6333 Merrick Bicycles 516-544-4770 Merrick Collision & Towing 516-623-9259 Merrick Community Nursery School 516-868-1071 Merrick Crystal Nails 516-868-3298 Merrick Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Wantagh 516-868-4400 x1119 Merrick Flower Shoppe 516-378-4309 Merrick Herald Life 516-569-4000 Ext. 272 Merrick House & Gardens 516-378-5128

Merrick Library 516-377-6112 Merrick Master Locksmiths 516-868-3434 Merrick Oral Surgery 516-546-1544 Merrick Pediatric Dentistry 516-547-1997 Merrick Physical Therapy 516-223-4300 Merrick Surgical Supplies & Home Care Inc. 516-378-0119 Merrick Theater and Center for the Arts 516 868 6400 Merrick Wines & Liquors 516-544-4859 Merrick Woods Country Day School 516-483-7272 Mirror Mirror Hair Boutique 516-415-7681 Moms & Tots 516-623-4099 Mortgage Professionals 516-223-5623 MP Family Health 516-375-5904 Nassau County Craft & Gift Shows 516-442-6000 New Leaf Wellness Center 516-307-0850 New York Life & Annuity 516-909-5813 New York Wellness Solutions 516-986-9512 Nor - Bel Service Center Inc 516-868-0840 North Merrick Public Library 516-378-7474 ext.10 On Point Land Services Corp.

516-600-9750 Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Associates 516-992-4700 Printing Emporium 516-223-2220 Progressive Dentistry 516-378-8600 Puglisi Family Dentistry 516 378 1551 Queen of Hearts 516-377-1357 Realty Connect USA Ed Maniscalco 516-458-6882 Roslyn Savings Bank 516-223-0088 RS Jones Restaurant 516 378 7177 S. Robert Kroll, Esq. 516-378-3051 Saf-T-Swim of Bellmore 516-557-2114 Salon at Emerald City 516-409-5365 Sandra G. Johnson, CPA PC 516-409-1120 Santorini Greek Restaurant 516 867 5175 Scott Russ Music 516-377-7907 Seibert, Dr. Richard 516-867-8585 Select-A-Home/ Island South Realty Corp.

Marian Fraker-Gutin 516-868-6660 Charlie Greco 516-223-9464

Erin Donohue, President

Selective Associates, Inc. 516-546-5500 Serene Hair & Makup 516-544-2277 Serengeti Design Studios 516-623-2828 Sharper Image Vending 516-652-3633 Signature Premier Properties Gregg Catalano 516-546-6300 Lynn Karp 516-659-2291 Specialty Rarities 516-826-4444 St. John’s Lutheran Church 516-379-3858 Star Smile Orthodontics 516-705-8900 Starfish Creations 516-445-1605 State Farm Insurance, Agent Scott Hermann 516-783-5522 Sukoff Orthodontics 516-868-3131 Sunrise Chiropractic & Wellness 516-378-0404 Swirlz World 516-307-1792 T Mobile of Merrick 516-597-4500 Teachers Federal Credit Union 631-698-7000 x6944 Temptations for Her 516-623-5772 The Annex Wellness & Fitness Center 516-623-4386 The Art Academy of Long Island 516-605-3600 The Best Kept Secret 516-581-7825 The Dover Group 516-933-4444 The Geller Dental Group 516-785-4744 The Needlepaint Nook 516-623-0250 The Red Door Salon and Spa 516-679-4374 The Vine Wine Bar 516-812-7883 Therapeutic Solutions Physical Therapy 516-623-4388 Ultimate Champion Tae Kwon Do 516-223-5425 United Realty 516-320-7704 USA Insulation 516-265-6530 Valley Ornamental Iron Works 516-377-6684 Vanity Salon 516-605-3988 Vassallo Insurance 516-546-3077 Win Home Inspections 516-221-2023 Your NewsMag 516-633-8590 Zuckerman’s Fine Jewelry 516-546-8688

www.merrickchamber.org • merrickchamber@aol.com • 516-771-1171

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In & Around …

TRAIN TO HELP: The Bellmore-based Long Crisis Center asks the community to get involved and become a lifesaving partner to those youth at risk for suicide. No counseling experience is necessary and the hours are flexible to accommodate the individual needs of volunteers. Completion of the Counselor Assistant training is a prerequisite for the Crisis Center’s Counselor Training, which begins in September. The free, comprehensive orientation training program takes place over 3 threehour sessions at the Crisis Center’s office in Bellmore. July’s training will be held on three successive Wednesday evenings from 7-10 p.m. on July 5, 12 and 19. August’s training will be held on three successive Tuesday evenings from 7-10 p.m. on August 8, 15 and 22. For complete details check out the website, www. longislandcrisiscenter.org and click on “Volunteer;” then call 826-0244 … JFK 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Kennedy High School’s 50th year celebrations continue as the JFK High School Alumni Association will hold a 50th Anniversary Celebration and Multi-Year Reunion on Saturday, September 9, from 4-11 p.m. at Tropix on the Mile, 395 Woodcleft Ave-

nue in Freeport. A buffet will be served continuously from 4-8 p.m. Graduates and their guests from the school’s first graduating class of 1968 up to those who graduated in 2016 are all welcome to attend. There will be plenty of room for the Class of 1977 to celebrate its 40th reunion, the Class of ‘87 to celebrate its 30th reunion, the Class of ‘97 to celebrate its 20th reunion and the Class of 2007 to celebrate its 10th year reunion, because the venue can hold over 1000 people! There will be retired and current JFK teachers and coaches in attendance, with more expected to attend the reunion.Advance registration is highly recommended and required by September 1, at $40 per person, and includes the buffet and a JFK 50th Anniversary Commemorative Alumni T-Shirt. After September 1, registration will be $50 per person and includes the buffet and a JFK 50th Anniversary Commemorative Alumni T-Shirt. At the door the day of the event the price will $50 per person, and include a JFK Alumni T-Shirt The rain date is Saturday September 16. There will be no refunds or cancellations on early registration after September 1.

For more information, or to register and pay online, use this link: http://bellmorejfkalumni. org/event-2437379. Or, contact JFK Alumni publicist Ron Steiger at rsteiger@bellmorejfkalumni.org…

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Financial Gifts – and Tips – for New Graduates

t’s Graduation Season again. If your child is graduating from high school or college, you have reason to celebrate. But what should you give to your newly minted diploma holder?

What sort of gifts and tips to consider?

• Give a few shares of stock. Everyone is better served when understanding the financial markets and how they work. One great way to encourage this interest is to give your child a few shares of stock. Young people enjoy owning a piece of a company that makes the products and services they like – and the very act of ownership can inspire them to learn more about investing and to ask questions: What causes the stock price to go up or down? How long should I hold this stock?

Over time, in learning the answers to these and other questions, your child can become familiar with investing and how to make the best choices.

• Encourage your graduate to open an IRA. Your child can open an IRA as long as he or she has some earned income. You might want to suggest that

your child consider a Roth IRA. With a Roth IRA, children can access their contributions at any time, tax- and penalty-free. They can’t touch the earnings without incurring both taxes and penalties, however, until they reach 59½.

• Provide some financial education.

Unfortunately, most young people don’t receive any kind of formal financial education. However, you might get better results if you arrange for your recent graduate to meet with a financial professional.

Owning stocks, and following their progress, can teach your children a great deal about investing, but a financial professional can paint the “big picture” and explain how all aspects of money management – such as borrowing, budgeting, saving and investing – fit together to help individuals stay in control of their finances.

Most of us can think of several money-related mistakes we’ve made over the journey of many years. But, by providing them with some appropriate financial gifts and valuable advice upon

their graduation, they may well be better prepared to keep those mistakes to a minimum – while maximizing their

ability to make good decisions.

The Edward Jones financial advisor Bellmore.

STUDENT RECOGNITION NIGHT: Merrick Kiwanis Club named the 2017 senior recipients of its Student Recognition Night Awards, held recently at Gino’s In Bellmore. The recognition is the club’s 50th such year in recognizing deserving community-minded students from the three high schools and MAP. From left, Kiwanis President Michael Reid, MAP’s Hannah Kuzminski, Matt Garber of Calhoun, Joshua Levine of Kennedy, Taylor Drew of Mepham and Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads. The students hold both a Citation from Nassau County and a Proclamation from New York State

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New Cafteria Mural The cafeteria at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District will soon get a new splash of color following the completion of a mural that was truly a schoolwide effort.

After Saw Mill welcomed Joyce Raimondo as an artist-in-residence, the author of several children’s art books helped the students design a mural in the style of pop artist Keith Haring that also spotlighted the school’s character education program.

The colorful mural, which was completed on five large panels, features the words optimism, responsibility, perseverance, citizenship and cooperation along with human caricatures and symbols like stars, hearts and peace signs. It also contains artistic messages about innovation, imagination, creativity, exploration, physical fitness and protecting the environment.

Saw Mill Road Elementary School art teacher Amy Lopez, center, was joined by sixth-graders, from left, Haley Hepworth, Sarah Kennedy, Paul Martino and Paul Pedota.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH BELLMORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Each of the school’s more than 700 students got to paint a section of the mural in art class with teacher Amy Lopez.

SPLASH Makes Waves in Bellmore Classrooms S

hore Road School environmental club members visited students in Stacy Reiner’s third-grade class at Winthrop Avenue School in Bellmore to demonstrate ways to protect Long Island’s waterways, as instructed by Operation SPLASH. The sixth-grade environmentalists have been working with the grassroots environmental organization Operation SPLASH, which maintains a boat dock for the Bellmore chapter, by clearing storm drains around their community streets and writing to the town about environmental problems and issues.

The Operation SPLASH volunteers, under the direction of advisers Carolyn Acevedo and Kelly Popielaski, led the younger students in a variety of games, lessons and activities to drive home the value of being savvy environmentalists.

The third-graders learned which everyday items should be recycled or placed in the trash, read Footsie and Lunko by Michael Kruger, Ed.D., and

Shore Road Environmental Club students discussed with Winthrop Avenue third-graders items that are recyclable.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BELLMORE SCHOOL DISTRICT

watched a demonstration on how animals react to pollution in a salt marsh.

At the end of the lesson, the students collectively played a game of environmental bingo, created by the environmental club.

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Mepham’s Voices from the Past

L

ast month Mepham High School's Voices from the Past class in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District presented their student-crafted, original work of theater titled “Voices from the Past.”

The production was designed and directed by the students of Voices from the Past, and the piece was performed in conjunction with student actors from Mepham's Skull and Bones Drama Club. Co-teachers Edward Grosskreuz and Stu Stein produced and oversaw the entire undertaking.

“Voices from the Past showcases the voices of victims, survivors, perpetrators and witnesses — be they bystanders or upstanders — of genocide and human rights abuses stretching from 1915 Armenia to the present,” said Stein. “The entirety of

the play, with the exception of bits of added narration, comprises their real and true testimonies. The play does not portray characters; it portrays people.”

The students conceived this play as their final project for the current school year. Over the course of the year, they studied the genocides in Armenia, Nazi Europe and Rwanda, to name a few, while also becoming informed about human rights violations including the Japanese internment camps of 1940s United States, modern slavery, child soldiers and human trafficking. What the students realized is that history continues to repeat itself as the lessons of the past are forgotten or ignored.

While the students understand that they cannot go out and entirely change the world, they hope they could use their

newfound knowledge to inspire others to reconsider the way they treat others. Compassion and empathy are the best defense against hatred and apathy, Grosskruez and

Stein explained.

“Ultimately, it is our responsibility to hear the voices from the past and to listen to their stories,” said Grosskreuz. “By using our voices in the present

to echo these tales, we aim to inspire our audience — the voices of the future — to remember these people, the hardships they endured, and the lessons they gift to us.”

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations on your graduation! Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world. Always follow your dreams and believe in yourself.

Presiding Officer NORMA GONSALVES Legislative District 13

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Legislator STEVE RHOADS Legislative District 19

Councilwoman ERIN KING-SWEENEY Council District 5

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Congratulations Graduates

DO YOU SUFFER FROM A PAINFUL BUNION?

BY Dr. Leon Livingston, Dr. Douglas Livingston and their Associates at Livingston Foot Care Specialists.

Now there’s a new technologically advanced surgical procedure that will allow you to walk immediately after the procedure, with minimal down time, no crutches, no cast and early return to work. The surgeons at Livingston Foot Care Specialists have extensive training and experience in this technologically advanced procedure. A bunion is a poorly aligned big toe joint. The big toe may point toward the second toe causing a bump on the outside edge of the toe. This poorly aligned joint will lead to many complications including arthritis including inflammatory or degenerative forms, causing the protective cartilage that covers your big toe joint to deteriorate. This is why it is so important to treat your bunion deformity.

Bunions are often caused by an inherited foot type, foot injuries, and certain deformities and can be exacerbated by high heels or ill-fitting shoes. This may lead to swelling, redness, or soreness around the big toe joint, thickening of the skin at the base of the big toe, corns or calluses, pain, and restricted movement of the big toe.

By pushing the big toe inward, a bunion can squeeze your other toes into abnormal positions.

Over time, this crowding can lead to contractures of the other toes known as hammertoes.

A bunion may be treated conservatively with such modalities as utilizing wider shoes with a higher toe box, paddings, strappings, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, custom molded foot orthotics, and injection therapy, which can help alleviate the symptoms associated with a bunion.

If these conservative modalities fail to resolve the symptoms then surgical management is an option and the new technology available today can fix this condition with minimal down time and early return to work.

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