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Derek Yormack is a Gatorade player of the year classroom. “My whole class was kind of reacting to it,” he said. “Everyone was going Jo h n F. Ke n n e dy H i g h nuts.” While the award highlights School rising senior Derek Yormack added another milestone his accomplishments on the to a historic baseball season by field, Yormack said he apprecibeing named the 2025-26 Gato- ates that it also recognizes who rade New York Baseball Player he is away from baseball. “To of the Year, an honor recogniz- me, I just feel like it means a lot ing excellence in athletics, aca- more than baseball,” he said. demics and commu“It means they see nity involvement. me as not just an The award overall good player, capped a standout but an overall good s p r i n g i n wh i ch person.” Yo r m a c k h e l p e d Kenndy High lead the Cougars to va r s i t y b a s e b a l l a 19-4 record, the Coach Mike Gattus program’s first Nassaid the recognition sau County Class is well deserved for AA baseball chama p l ay e r w h o s e p i o n s h i p a n d a DEREk yoRMAck w o rk e t h i c h a s Long Island title, Rising senior, fueled the team’s establishing Kenne- John F. Kennedy success. “I was just dy as one of the High School p u re e xc i t e m e n t state’s premier proand pure joy,” Gatgrams. tus said. “So happy Yor mack lear ned of the for Derek, because he worked honor in an unexpected place. so hard. He deserves all the “I was in science class at the accolades and ear ns all the time,” he recounted. “I didn’t accolades that he gets.” even know about it. Ryan, my Gattus added that the award brother, was scrolling through puts Yormack among some of Instagram, and he saw the post, the nation’s most accomplished so he was freaking out before I high school athletes. “They’re was. That was a cool moment.” talking about so many profesT he excitement quickly sional athletes and big-time spread throughout Yormack’s ConTinued on page 19
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
The Office of Senator Steve Rhoads
The event collected food donations for the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard.
Rhoads hosts charity volleyball event, benefitting local cupboard By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Volleyball and community service once again went hand in hand as State Sen. Steve Rhoads hosted his second annual 4-on-4 Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Jones Beach volleyball courts on June 28, bringing together dozens of players to support the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard. The tournament featured 16 teams, each sporting matching uniforms, for an evening of friendly competition, while collecting nonperishable food donations to help support local families experiencing food insecurity. According to Rhoads’ office, players and spectators donated two full boxes of food, helping to replenish the Community Cupboard’s shelves during the summer months, when donations typically decline. Lenox
Hill provided snacks and water for participants and spectators throughout the event. “It was incredible to see our community come together for a great evening of volleyball while making a real difference for our neighbors in need,” Rhoads said in a news release. “This tournament is about more than competition — it’s about giving back and supporting families right here in our community. I want to thank everyone who participated, donated, volunteered, and helped make this year’s event such a tremendous success.” The Community Cupboard, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, operates through the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and provides food twice each month to 30 to 45 local families. Although school is out for the summer, the pantry remains open with distribution days in July and August before returning to its ConTinued on page 9
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o me, I just feel like it means a lot more than baseball.