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Vol. 26 No. 37
SEPTEMBER 5 - 11, 2024
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Rameezah Naz is a Sewanhaka High ‘Hero’ ing elementary students,” according to its website. The program partners with schools Rameezah Naz, a Sewanha- throughout New York City, ka High School senior, hopes to Long Island and the lower Hudbecome an elementary school son Valley. Naz was the third-place winteacher. Her experience teaching local elementary students ner in the program’s essay comin June reinforced that aspira- petition last month. Her essay will be featured on tion. the Junior AchieveShe wrote an ment website and essay about her in other related wo rk w i t h N e w publications. She Hyde Park Road was also awarded a School fourth$100 scholarship by grade students, in Ju n i o r A ch i eve which they focused ment. on community ser“It was, overall, vice, financial litera really gratifying acy and what it RAMEEzAh NAz experience,” Naz means to be a good Senior, said. citizen. Sewanhaka She was one of “We taught them High School 24 students from how they can help Sewanhaka and in the community as well and make a difference,” Elmont Memorial High School Naz said. “I believe that at the who volunteered to teach the end of the day, it helped them, younger students as part of the too, because they gained knowl- Junior Achievement program, edge about how to save up their in collaboration with their money to buy things they schools’ Future Business Leaders of America clubs. This was might like.” Naz was taking part in the the first time the program Junior Achievement High worked with those clubs. The School Heroes program, which “High School Heroes” worked “provides high school students in teams of two or three, teachthe opportunity to become role ing the elementary students models by teaching and inspirContinued on page 16
By NIColE WAGNER
nwagner@liherald.com
I
Eric Dunetz/Herald file photo
attendance at the Belmont park has fluctuated over the years, but on average, it is down 88 percent since 1978, according to the end Horseracing Subsidies Coalition.
Animal activist appeals Belmont suit decision By NIColE FoRMISANo nformisano@liherald.com
Belmont Park, in Elmont, is a fixture on Long Island — but does its cost to taxpayers outweigh its benefits? John Di Leonardo, who lived in Malverne for 30 years, alleged in a lawsuit against New York state and the New York Racing Association that the state’s $455 million loan to the park is an unconstitutional use of taxpayer money. The suit, which was backed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal, was originally filed last year, but was dismissed in court by New York Supreme Court Judge Peter Lynch in October. Di Leonardo, an
anthrozoologist and the founder of animal advocacy nonprofit Humane Long Island, and co-plaintiff Jannette Patterson filed an appeal in May, to which NYRA responded on July 8. The case is currently being reviewed in appellate court. The suit alleged that it is unconstitutional for state funds to be used to subsidize a private corporation. However, NYRA is a not-for-profit organization run by the state. Further, the court ruled that because Belmont operates on state land, any improvements made to it are benefiting the state. Further, courts have established in the past that the state may loan money to a private Continued on page 4
t was, overall, a really gratifying experience.