INCORPORATING THE WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON VOL. 75 No. 52
Second Class Postage paid at Post office at Hempstead, N.Y. 11550
December 25 - 31, 2025
2 Endo Blvd, Garden City NY 11530
$1 per copy
Subscription $50
Students lead massive winter coat drive
Life Skills teens serve up civic pride regular academic classes, but when they graduate high school, they will receive a special certificate rather than an academSheila Inestroza, Adrian Mejia, Patrick ic diploma. Graduation is years in the future, Gunter and Bayron Alvarado waited quietly near the exterior door to their class- though, and for these hard-working young people, the day’s main event was about to room as noon approached on Dec. 17. The four are Alverta B. Gray Schultz start. Middle School students. They were about Shortly after noon, the classroom door to see the fruit of weeks of work: examin- opened. More than 100 older adults, heads ing more than 400 donated winter coats of families, and parents with small chilfor flaws and dirt; washing many of the dren were waiting outside. Coles and a coats; then helping to arrange them by crew of school staff members joined the size on long racks. four students, showing recipients where The occasion was the middle school’s to pick up a food bag, choose coats, and massive inaugural coat drive, select toys from overflowing and the four were looking fortables. ward to it. “One adult coat and one “In winter it gets very child coat per family,” the cold,” Gunter said. “It feels staff repeated as the crowd great giving people coats, and flowed in and out. saying good afternoon to them Small artificial Christmas when they come in.” trees, ornaments, and a nativi“Giving out food bags ty scene decorated the space. makes me smile,” Inestroza Holiday music floated gently said. The coat drive, which through the air. An amiable included a toy drive, was comhubbub arose as people chatbined with ABGS’s monthly ted to each other in English, student-run food pantry. Spanish, and Kreyol. “I like giving out toys,” TIARA ADAmS By 1p.m., about 100 coats, Alvarado said. “It feels excit- community schools 50 food bags, and quite a few ing. We’re helping people save director ABGS Middle toys were gone. New recipimoney.” ents kept coming until the disSchool “My favorite part is saying tribution closed 90 minutes hello in Spanish and translatlater. ing,” said Mejia, who is bilingual. Community Schools Director Tiara The teens are participants in ABGS’s Adams, who organized the distribution, Life Skills program. surveyed the room with satisfaction. “This is a special ed class that teaches “We want people to know that there are these students the skills to live indepen- great things coming out of the Hempstead dently and have jobs in the community,” Public Schools,” she said. “And we want explained teacher Evette Coles explained. people to know that anytime there’s a “They learn about hygiene, money and need, our doors are open. If we don’t have time management, sewing, nutrition and what you need, trust me, you give me 24 cooking. They become productive mem- hours and I will get it.” bers of society. And by running the She also spoke of her plans for the 2028 monthly pantry, they also learn about Olympics in Los Angeles, and offered the empathy and compassion for others.” young swimmers in the audience some The scholars’ daily schedule includes COntinued On Page 4
By REINE BETHANY
Special to the Herald
W
Deliah Roberts/Herald photos
uniondale High’s Rhythm of the Knight show choir lit up the stage in festive sweaters during act 1 of their two-part Holiday Spectacular: gospel edition.
Uniondale High hits the high notes Gospel edition of spectacular show shines By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
The Uniondale High School Show Choir, Rhythm of the Knight, brought holiday cheer — and a whole lot of soul — to the school’s stage last Friday and Saturday for their annual Holiday Spectacular: Gospel edition. They added hip-hop flair and powerful vocals, to the delight of a cheering crowd. The performance featured students and community members of all ages. Gabriella Young, a special education teacher at the high school, took the stage as Mom to sing “O Holy Night.” Uniondale resident Pat Watts, portraying Grandma, performed ‘Santa Clause is Coming to Town.”
And among the youngest cast members were two 9-year-old twins: Reuben Alexander Campbell Jr., known as RJ, and Ava Janae Campbell. Ava sang in the ensemble, while RJ took two solo turns. “I introduced the gospel version of this year’s Christmas theme, and this is about believing in yourself,” said longtime Uniondale High music teacher Lynnette Carr-Hicks. “That’s what I want to do for them, so they can believe in themselves.” Carr-Hicks founded the show choir in 2010, and added the holiday theme concept a couple of years later. Her daughter Joynell Carr — both are from Westbury — was the show’s choreographer. They have worked together for roughly 20 years, and while Carr was nervous at COntinued On Page 3
e want people to know that there are great things coming out of the Hempstead Public Schools.