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Vol. 90 No. 25
JUNE 19 - 25, 2025
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Freeport seniors graduate with joy and cheer By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Deliah Roberts/Herald
Freeport High School seniors stood and cheered as they prepared to turn their tassels and celebrate their graduation.
The members of Freeport High School’s class of 2025 turned their tassels and stepped into the next chapter of their lives last Saturday at a jubilant graduation ceremony at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The event brought together hundreds of families, faculty and dignitaries to mark the district’s 132nd commencement ceremony. Amid the sea of red caps and gowns, Assistant Principal Gleni Peña welcomed attendees with an introduction of board members, school leaders and special guests. The moment was steeped in tradition, beginning with a presentation of colors and renditions of “The StarSpangled Banner” and “God Bless America” before the seniors took center stage. Principal Gisselle Campbell-Ham set the tone for the morning with an uplifting address. “As I stand before Continued on page 10
What do Roosevelt residents need to feel safe? By MASHIAT AZMI Intern
Cuts to public safety programs and new concerns over immigration enforcement have prompted residents in Roosevelt and Freeport to feel more uneasy about their community, according to local elected officials, who are determined to turn that perception around. Assemblyman Noah Burroughs, who represents the District 18 communities of Freeport and Roosevelt, is calling for increased federal investment in Roosevelt, particularly for programs like SNUG, an evidence-based violence reduc-
tion initiative launched in New York State in 2009. T h i s p ro g r a m s e e k s t o engage high-risk individuals who are causing violence in communities with high rates of violent crime, address the issues that may be causing high-risk individuals to engage in gun violence, and share with the community how violence is spread. Gun Buy Back, which aims to remove illegal firearms from the streets, is another program Burroughs cited. It’s an initiative where individuals can voluntarily surrender firearms to law enforcement or other authorized organizations in
I
’m particularly concerned right now with the ICE raids. DEBRA MUlé Nassau County Legislator exchange for compensation, often in the form of cash or gift cards “Those programs are designed to take illegal guns off the street, make it safer for people in the community,” Burroughs said. “It’s been very successful over the past few years.” But federal budget cuts have
reduced funding for these initiatives, raising alarm among elected officials. “I think that’s terrible,” Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé, whose district encompasses Roosevelt, said. “I think that is part of an effort to give tax cuts to wealthy people.” Bur roughs stressed that maintaining these crime pre-
vention programs is crucial to keeping Roosevelt safe. Mulé echoed that sentiment, referring to Roosevelt as a “safe community” and adding that the community is often unfairly portrayed in the media. Mulé said she backs countylevel initiatives that support public safety, including those Continued on page 13