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AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
College and career day at AMHS Page 11
Babylon Town officials recognize Jewish culture and heritage Page 10 VOL. 130 NO. 24
JUNE 4 - 10, 2025
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Rev. Dale Van Wormer named Rector-elect of St. Mary’s, Amityville By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Mike Polansky/Herald
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at press conference at Massapequa High School as Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Massapequa School District Board President Kerry Wachter, right, listen.
U.S. Education Secretary McMahon backs Massapequa in mascot dispute By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Massapequa High School last week and declared that New York State’s ban on indigenous mascot names violates federal civil rights law In addressing the ongoing dispute between local school districts and the state over the use of Native American logos and symbols, McMahon said her office reviewed the Massapequa School District argument that the state mandate violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and vowed federal support. “The president took this issue seriously. I am taking this issue seriously, and we will not toler-
ate a civil rights violation by New York State,” McMahon said. She announced a 10-day window for the state to pass a resolution allowing Massapequa and other districts to retain their chosen mascots. If not, McMahon said the matter would be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for enforcement. The fight over the Chiefs name in Massapequa rose to national prominence in April after President Donald Trump backed the school district’s stance. At the press conference with McMahon, N.C. Exec. Bruce Blakeman criticized the state’s policy as an overreach. “Long Island has some of the best schools CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
The Rev. Dale Van Wormer is joining the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church parish as rectorelect beginning Aug. 10. He will serve alongside the Rev. Randolph Jon Geminder for about two months before officially becoming rector on Sept. 28. A native of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Van Wormer attended the Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. He has served as a priest for five years and has Rev. Dale Van Wormer been in parish leadership for six. He was ordained by Bishop William H. Love in the Episco- liturgy, music and sacred art to his ministry at St. Mary’s. pal Diocese of AlHe expressed his bany. excitement about Before coming this new chapter in to St. Mary’s, he ministry: served as associ“It’s truly an ate rector of St. honor to accept the John’s Church in call as St. Mary’s the historic Hyde next rector. My Park neighborhood wife, Samantha, of Tampa, Florida. and I are looking Prior to that, he was forward to joindeacon-in-charge ing you in a few and later rector of months’ time, two rural parishes getting to know in Sidney and Unyou, and walking adilla, New York. alongside you in Fr. Van Wormour shared life in er brings a deep REV. DALE Christ,” he said. love for Catholic
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It’s truly an honor to accept the call as St. Mary’s rector. My wife Samantha and I are looking forward to joining you.
VAN WORMER