_________________ BALDWIN ________________
HERALD FREE!
YOU ARE INVITED!
FAMILY FUN
Spring concert drew a crowd
Food Truck Fest makes its return
Page 10
Page 20
Vol. 33 No. 23
JUNE 4 - 10, 2026
$1.00
GAMES RAFFLES MU SIC
Saturday, June 6th, 2026 12pm to 2pm
FOOD
Scan here to join the fun and win big!
2485 GRAND AVE., BAL DWIN, NY 11510
We’re your local paper
Courtesy Baldwin High School
Baldwin High School Valedictorian Luna Questelles earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT college admission exam and received a National Merit Scholarship from Stony Brook University. Questelles will attend Stony Brook this fall and major in computer science.
Senior turns curiosity into excellence By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
This spring, Baldwin High School’s vale‑ dictorian, Luna Questelles, joined a tiny fraction of students nationwide to earn a perfect score on the ACT college admissions exam. Questelles, who uses collective pro‑ nouns, also received a National Merit Schol‑ arship from Stony Brook University, cement‑ ing their place among the country’s highest‑ achieving high school seniors. According to ACT, only 2,958 seniors across the nation earned a perfect composite score of 36, and the National Merit Scholar‑ ship program recognizes some of the coun‑ try’s top students based on their academic achievements and standardized test scores. “Luna has a way of making perfection look effortless, not only on the ACT, but as the incredible Valedictorian of the Class of 2026,” Baldwin High Principal Neil Testa said in a release sent to the Herald. “This achievement is a true reflection of the dedi‑ cation, talent and character that makes Bald‑ win so special.” AP Physics teacher Maurice Hayon said Questelles stands apart even among the strongest students he has taught. “Luna possesses a level of insight, intu‑ ition and intelligence in AP Physics C that I have encountered only one other time in more than two decades of teaching,” Hayon
said in an email to the Herald. “They stand far beyond even the strongest students I typi‑ cally teach, yet carry themself with remark‑ able humility and respect.” Questelles said the scholarship serves as validation for years of hard work and dedi‑ cation to learning. “It’s gratifying to see my hard work pay off,” they said. But Questelles said their academic suc‑ cess has always been driven less by competi‑ tion than by curiosity. Economics teacher Corinne Campos said curiosity is one of Questelles’s defining qualities. “Luna is a true scholar, possessing both incredible academic ability as well as sin‑ cere intellectual curiosity,” Campos wrote in an email. Questelles said they rarely felt the weight of academic competition because of the sup‑ port they received from family, friends, teachers and classmates. “My only real source of pressure has been myself,” they said. “As I look back on how much I’ve achieved throughout my high school years, though, that voice is starting to quiet down.” Their interest in math, physics and com‑ puter programming comes from a fascina‑ tion with problem‑solving and understand‑ ing how things work, they said. “My drive to learn for the sake of it has CoNTiNUed oN pAge 7
There’s no place like Bald‑ win — but you don’t need us to tell you that. It’s a community defined by pride, connection, and a long list of reasons resi‑ dents are happy to call it home. Want to spend the day out‑ side? Head to Baldwin Park, one of the best parks in the area, whether you’re looking to play ball, take a stroll, or enjoy time with family and friends. Looking for something to do this season? There’s always an event on the hori‑ zon here, from live music perfor‑ mances to holiday celebrations and everything in between, bring‑ ing neighbors together year‑round. And speaking of schools — Baldwin has some of the best. With award‑win‑ ning programs, dedicated teachers, and students who shine in academics, the arts, and athletics, education is truly at the heart of this com‑ munity and a source of local pride. This week’s Baldwin Herald is being mailed to every home and includes our annual Bald‑ win Community Guide. Inside, you’ll find the places, people, schools, organizations,
and events that help make this community such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. If you’re not a subscriber, we hope this week’s edition persuades you to become one. Each week, in these pages and online, we cover the stories that matter most — from important local decisions to the everyday moments that bring the commu‑ nity together — and bring you the local news you can’t find any‑ where else. To keep quality local journalism strong in Baldwin, subscribe today at LIHerald.com/ subscribe or call (516) 569‑4000, ext. 7. You can also support our work with a one‑time or recurring dona‑ tion at LIHerald.com/donate. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you for your continued support. If you’re new to the Baldwin Herald, welcome — our mission is to cover all the news of your neighborhood: from schools to sports, houses of worship to acts of kindness, and everything in between. Enjoy the paper — and thanks for reading! Allyson Ferrari, Reporter