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Vol. 29 No. 19
MAY 7 - 13, 2026
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Bellmore runner completes global marathon quest “I remember taking my first run — about five miles — and I was gassed,” he said. “It was For Robert Wilson, what really tough. But I had time, began as a way to pass time and I just wanted to get a little during the pandemic turned bit better each day.” At the time, Wilson was back into a journey across the globe — and ultimately, a finish line on Long Island after leaving his in Boston that marked the com- apartment in Long Island City. pletion of one of running’s What started as a daily routine most prestigious quickly evolved into achievements. something more. The 36-year-old He ran his first B e l l m o r e n a t ive marathon, the New crossed the finish York City Maraline of the Boston thon, in 2021, Marathon on April expecting it to be a 20, ear ning the one-time experiAbbott World Maraence. thon Majors Six “I thought I’d be Star Medal after one and done,” he completing all six said. “But after that of the world’s major first race, I immediRoBERT WilSoN marathons. ately signed up for “It’s definitely a Bellmore the next one.” special moment,” It wasn’t until he Wi l s o n s a i d . “ I traveled overseas think that’s the best word to for the London Marathon in describe it.” 2023 that Wilson began to conWilson, who attended Win- sider a larger goal. With each throp Avenue School, Shore race, he was drawn not only to Road School and Grand Avenue the challenge, but to the experiMiddle School before going on ence of running through some to Kellenberg Memorial High of the world’s most iconic citSchool, discovered distance ies. running late. A former soccer That journey eventually took and baseball player, he didn’t him to all six World Marathon begin running seriously until Majors — including Tokyo, Berthe early days of COVID-19.
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
B
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
A number of student bands performed at John F. Kennedy High School last Friday to raise funds for mental health programs at South Oaks Hospital. Above, JFK Rock Band White performed Paramore’s “Misery Business” before an energetic crowd.
Student bands rock on to raise money Local musicians help fund hospital program By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
One of the best ways to take care of your mental health is to express yourself, socialize and pursue a hobby; for the music students of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, rock, metal and grunge serve as a perfect outlet. A number of bands from across the district performed in a two-hour concert at John F. Kennedy High School last Friday, celebrating the beginning of Mental Health Month with a student-organized fundraiser. JFK seniors and event organizers Ben Roth and Jordan Siegel are longtime musicians who played in the concert. The duo came up with the idea for a music fundrais-
er, and worked with school staff to make it a reality. “We’re spreading our love of music in order to help people redirect their energy productively,” Roth said. “This way, they’re also able to generate that same catharsis for music, just like we’ve been able to do over the last several years … We wanted to bring people together.” The concert raised well over $6,000 in donations to benefit Northwell Health’s adolescent care programs — including those at South Oaks Hospital in Amityville — a cause near and dear to Roth and Siegel. “We’re here to raise money for South Oaks Hospital through Northwell,” Siegel explained. “We’re supporting the adolescent COntinued On PAge 10
ut after that first race, I immediately signed up for the next one.
COntinued On PAge 5