INCORPORATING THE WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON VOL. 76 No. 25
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Gun survivors share their support are easily modified into rapid-fire weapons, holding software companies accountable for 3D printed weapons, On Gun Violence Awareness Day, a and Francesco’s Law, which requires field of orange hearts surrounded a firearm owners to lock up all weapons statue in Eisenhower Park of a young if a person under the age of 18 is in the girl hiding beneath a school desk, each home. one representing one of the 130 lives In America, about 130 people die to lost to gun violence every day. gun violence every day. Orange is the color of gun safety. “I think it's sad that we still have to Over 100 activists gathered wore the do this,” said Amanda Geist of Mercolor on June 5, sharing information rick. “The consequences of gun viowith gun violence survivors and speak- lence are very real and very evident. It ing about their personal history with really shouldn't be a debate anymore… the topic. it is absolutely heartbreaking for famiEast Meadow’s Janet Klein Gold- lies and for survivors, and I admire the stein is a fierce advocate for gun vio- courage it takes to continue and to lence victims. She is a leading member channel that into activism.” of Moms Demand Action for Event organizer Stephanie Gun Sense in America’s New Draine and George Graydon York chapter. She invited are the founders of Life After local elected officials to the Loss A.N.D.R.E., a nonprofit event to remind them of gun that focuses on helping gun le gislation’s life-or-death violence survivors through stakes. the recovery process. The “We want them to hear the couple lost their son, Andre, voices of survivors,” she in 2014. said. “We want to honor the “We started this in 2020, victims of gun violence, and JANET KLEIN trying to deal with the trauthat's why we invite them GOLDSTEIN ma of losing a child through Moms Demand here.” gun violence,” Draine, a resiGoldstein and her col- Action for Gun dent of Hempstead, said. leagues take their advocacy Sense in America “Not having that type of supon the road, heading all the Chapter Leader port back in 2014 motivated way to Albany to push for us to start an organization to “common sense” legislation, she said. support and advocate families who are “We were in Albany three or four impacted as we are and advocate speak times these past seven months, and we out against gun violence.” advocated for two bills that the goverDraine and Graydon spent the past nor signed into law just recently,” Gold- six years supporting families through stein said. “A third one she signed into mental, medical and legal challenges. law (days) ago, and she's signing the “We just didn't want nobody to go fourth into law as we speak. It's break- through what we went through, as far ing news.” as the court system goes, and not knowThese bills include prohibitions against manufacturing firearms that COntinued On Page 5
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO
jdalessandro@liherald.com
Mashiat Azmi/Herald
Students filled the Hempstead High School auditorium on June 11 with high energy for the pep rally.
Hempstead High School shines with ‘Wild ’N Out’ Students celebrate spirit with MTV partnership By MASHIAT AZMI As the school year comes to an end, on a bright, sunny day, Hempstead High School entered into a partnership with “Wild ’N Out,” MTV’s hit entertainment franchise, to partner with students and community leaders for a high-energy pep rally. The hour-long June 11 event aimed to celebrate school spirit, youth empowerment, and community pride. It featured music, entertainment, student participation, with special guests — Zeddy Will, Fabolous, Boosie, Bobby, Shmurd, and Soulja Boy as Hempstead High received national attention through one of television’s most recognizable youth-focused brands. The event is mostly focused on entertainment, highlighting the creativity, talent, and energy of the Hempstead students while bringing them together in a positive and uplifting environment, school officials said. Kristin Kelly, assistant principal at Hempstead High School, said that the goal of this event was to re-engage students as they prepare for their upcoming state examination. She emphasized
the importance of students engaging with each other beyond academics. Ke l ly s a i d t h at t h e eve n t w a s designed to foster a sense of community among students. She noted it was an opportunity for the students to enjoy time together in the hallway and the classroom. “I think the messa g e is we go through struggles together, and we also get to experience amazing times together, whether we're crying or we're laughing,” Kelly said. “We're a family, and it's always a blessing when we all get to come together.” Junior Allison Moreno, a snare drummer in the school drumline, expressed her excitement about this show, highlighting Nick Cannon’s comedic talent and influence as an American actor, comedian, rapper, producer, and TV host. Monero described this show as a platform where everyone can express their true selves. She believes this event will positively impact students' personalities and encourage them to embrace their uniqueness. “It's honestly amazing that these stuCOntinued On Page 3
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e want them to hear the voices of survivors.