_________________ Glen COVe ________________
June 26, 2025
HERALD Remembering Juneteenth
Meet the
GRADUATES 2025
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VOL. 34 NO. 26
JUNE 26 - JULY 2, 2025
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Salutatorian at G.C. High is on to UConn connections there.” She describes chemical engiramid@liherald.com neering as a versatile and interdisciplinary field. “There are so Natalia Piasta, 17, is the many jobs I could do — climate salutatorian of Glen Cove High change, machinery, food indusSchool’s class of 2025, ranking tries,’ Piasta said. “I’m not sure second out of 297 graduating exactly what I want to do yet, seniors with a weighted grade but I know I have options.” That openness to explore has point average of 105.89. An AP been central to her Capstone diploma academic journey. recipient and an In a science AP Scholar with research class, she Distinction, Piasta created an indepencompleted 12 dent project on Advanced Placemoss and lichen, ment courses, and collecting and anais already charting lyzing samples. She a path to a career also worked as a in chemical engidraftsman for her neering. This fall father’s company, she will attend the LICO Contracting, University of Conadjusting cabinetry necticut. designs and learn“I was always a KRISTEN SCHNALL ing the technical technical person,” Guidance counselor, she said. “I thought Glen Cove High School precision required in engineeringI’d be a computer based roles. science major, but “It was tedious, difficult when I took chemistry, I realwork,” Piasta said. “But it gave ized how much I loved it.” Piasta was drawn to UConn me a real sense of what adults not just for academics, but also do, compared to my earlier for the breadth of opportuni- summer jobs like working at a ties. “It’s a big experience, a big snack bar.” Her achievements extend school,” she said. “They have lots of clubs and organizations, well beyond the classroom. She and I know I can make strong CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
By ROKSANA AMID & KEILYN ZAVALA
Joanne Yee/Herald
Sunshine and smiles at the parade The battalion block party and parade at the city firehouse on Saturday featured a friendly competition for best-appearing band and junior firefighters, aimed at strengthening camaraderie among North Shore first responders. Jessica, Linda and Nicole Ninesling, center left above, won the contest.
Morgan Park music festival set to open next Sunday with local star By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Glen Cove’s shoreline will echo with the sounds of Billy Joel’s greatest hits on July 6, the first day of the summer concert series, as the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival kicks off its 66th season with a performance by Richie Cannata and the Lords of 52nd Street. The concert will begin at 7 p.m., marking Cannata’s first appearance battling cancer last year. “I’m so happy to be alive. I’m a walking miracle,” Cannata said. “I was given a 1 percent chance to live and to survive. Here I am driving, doing gigs and having a great life.” The legendary saxophonist, best known for
his work with Billy Joel, will be joined by fellow members of Joel’s original band, including Liberty DeVitto, Russell Javors, Anthony Bambino, Malcolm Gold, Doug Kistner and Dan Orlando. Together they’ll deliver a one-hour set of classic Joel hits. Due to the shared bill, Cannata said the band won’t be performing its usual 90-minute show. “I’ve been asked to only do a short set because we’re sharing it with an opening act,” he told the Herald. “So I won’t be able to do my normal oneand-a-half-hour show. I’ll only be able to do maybe one hour. Because of that, we will be doing the hits, of course, people want to hear.” Cannata, who has performed at the Suffolk CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
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’m excited to see the impact that she will leave on the world of chemical engineering.