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Page 3 VoL. 60 No. 2
JANuARY 9 - 15, 2025
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Tom Lehman is named 2025 Citizen of Year prised.” L e h m a n , 4 5 , m o ve d t o Oceanside in 2008, and became Tom Lehman, Oceanside the school district’s athletic School District’s athletic direc- director in 2019. A native of tor, has been named the Ocean- Queens, Lehman started his side Chamber of Commerce’s career in education in 2003, after ear ning a 2025 Citizen of the bachelor’s’ degree Year in a celebraand then a master’s tion of his dedicain physical education, leadership and community spirit. tion from Queens “He can never do College. His early enough for anybody positions included in the community,” physical education said Chamber memteacher, coach and ber Joe Cibellis. “I assistant principal personally think in Queens and, he’s one of the biglater, athletic direcgest assets the tor in Westchester. Oceanside School “Oceanside was District has had in almost like a dream a long time.” job when it became Lehman will be FRANK LuIsI available,” Lehman honored during the said. “I didn’t say Oceanside High chamber’s annual anything to anySchool teacher cocktail reception body until I finally at Temple Avodah got the word that I on Feb. 13. Lehman’s recogni- was going to get it, which was tion highlights his remarkable an honor.” contributions to the community Under his leadership, the over the past four years. Oceanside athletic program has “I was taken aback because, I flourished, emphasizing acafeel like I just do my job and try demic excellence, community to support as many kids or peo- service and mentorship. Initiaple as possible,” Lehman said tives like peer tutoring, leaderabout his recognition. “That’s ship development through the just how I operate. It’s hum- Scholar-Athletes in Service to bling, and I was definitely sur-
By KEPHERD DANIEL
kdaniel@liherald.com
T
Courtesy New York Giants
Oceanside’s Ali Berke sang the national anthem before the Giants’ game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 29.
Oceanside’s anthem star shines in biggest stadium yet, Giants’ MetLife By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
For many artists, the journey to stardom is a marathon, not a sprint, and for Ocean side’s Ali Berke, 2024 proved to be a pivotal year in her career. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter ended the year on a high note, singing the national anthem before the New York Giants-Indianapolis Colts game on Dec. 29 at MetLife Stadium, the largest venue in which Berke has performed. “To be singing for an NFL team is the biggest deal to me,” she said last week. “The Giants were so accommodating and kind, which isn’t something you experience everywhere. It’s something I’ll cherish forever.” Berke’s 2024 schedule included perfor-
mances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in major sports arenas including Madison Square Garden, before a Knicks game, Wrigley Field for the Cubs and Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park, for the Reds. While she has enjoyed every moment, the Giants game now occupies a special place in her heart. “It was my biggest venue yet, and being a lifelong New Yorker, getting to sing for local teams is always special,” Berke, a 2018 graduate of Oceanside High School, said. “Madison Square Garden was also incredible, because that’s a huge bucket-list item for me. The Knicks are a great team to sing for, and any time I get to sing for New York is always going to be special.” “The Giants organization runs like clockwork,” Ali’s father and manager, Jack Berke, COntInueD On pAGe 7
om is one of the most special people we’ve had in Oceanside ever. It’s been an honor to work with him.
COntInueD On pAGe 8