________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD Sweet treats fill Nassau Coliseum Page 5 Vol. 28 No. 15
APRIl 9 - 15, 2026
$1.00
Jon Johnson shapes future of the youth of the program since it was launched in October 2016, works alongside a dedicated At Elmont Memorial High leadership team that includes School, a quiet but powerful guidance counselor Mike Fleumovement is shaping the next ry and mathematics teacher generation of young men. One Joseph Meli. Together, they mentor students not of the leaders at the just academically center of it is Jon but personally, helpJohnson Sr., of the ing them navigate Men of Elmont, a the transition to grass-roots mentormanhood. ing initiative dedi“T his is about cated to guiding stuguiding young men dents from seventh through life,” said grade through high Johnson, “We’re not school. their parents, but Meeting weekly we are adult menfrom October tors they can rely through June, the on.” program brings The program regtogether about 30 CURTIS JoHNSoN ularly hosts events students every Mentor, like Breaking Wednesday afterMen of Elmont Bread, in which stunoon in the school dents sit down over library. But Men of Elmont is more than just a a shared meal with guest speakmeeting — it’s a structured, ers from a variety of profesvalues-driven brotherhood. At sions. These sessions, somei t s c o r e i s t h e a c r o n y m times held jointly with the LDRSHIP, standing for loyalty, school’s female mentoring duty, respect, selfless service, g roup, Leading Ladies of honor, integrity and personal Elmont, allow students to intercourage — principles that par- act with accomplished people ticipants carry with them in and hear firsthand about their journeys to success. school and beyond. Johnson’s path to mentorJohnson, 58, an adult volunteer leader, who has been a part Continued on page 8
By HAIlEY FUlMER
hfulmer@liherald.com
J
Thomas/Herald photos
Third annual hunt draws a crowd Nearly 1,000 participants and more than three dozen volunteers gathered at Elmont Road Park last Saturday for the Elmont Cultural Center’s third annual egg hunt, celebrating Easter and the arrival of spring. Meera Empowerment, a nonprofit focused on giving back to the community and encouraging young people to get involved, partnered with the cultural center for the second straight year to host the event. The festivities included a visit from the Easter Bunny, face painting and relay races, and families and children from across the area took part. Story, more photos, Page 10.
on Johnson has been one of the driving forces for the MOE program at the high school.