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Vol. 33 No. 6 FEBRUARY 5 - 11, 2026
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Cheer team showcases ‘Ram Pride’ pete at regional competitions and achieve a score high enough to qualify. The Rams The varsity cheerleading have been invited to the nationteam at West Hempstead Sec- al championships every year ondary School traveled to Flori- since 2017, but this time the da after receiving an invitation girls competed in the intermeto compete in the National diate division, which is new to High School Cheerthe UCA competileading Championtion program. ship. “The skills that The team repreare required are sented the Rams in not as complex as the Universal the regular compeCheerleaders Assotition’s skills ciation’s competirequire,” Kristen tion, hosted by DisLynch, co-coach of ney World in the t h e We s t H e m p ESPN Wide World stead team, of Sports Complex explained. “Our in Orlando, from routine is good, but Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. the skills aren’t too “I’m really excitcomplex, so we ed to go because I decided to go into feel like we have DEStINY SMAllS this division such a big chance Cheer captain because an intera t w i n n i n g a n d West Hempstead mediate space is going to semis this Secondary School where we’re at.” year,” Sophia Rae After competing Montes, 15, a sophoin a more difficult more on the team, said before division last year and failing to competing. “I feel like this advance to the semifinals, the year’s routine is a lot more team’s coaches expressed hope energetic and interactive than that competing in the intermelast year’s routine. And we’re diate division this year would all excited to go.” improve their opportunity to To reach the nationals, advance in the competition. teams must receive a bid, and “Going into this year, we’re West Hempstead had to comContinued on page 11
By MADISoN GUSlER
mgusler@liherald.com
W
Madison Gusler/Herald
Malverne Mayor tim Sullivan listened closely as Malverne Mel shared his annual prognostication.
Mel predicts six more weeks Groundhog sees his shadow, and no sign of spring By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com
Dozens of people gathered in Malverne’s Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park on a frigid Monday morning for the village’s annual Groundhog Day celebration. Mayor Tim Sullivan listened intently as groundhog Malverne Mel whispered a prognostication into his ear that surely came as no surprise to anyone in attendance. “I do today proclaim that on the second day of February, in the year 2026, I was witness to Malverne Mel, who prognosticated to me that upon looking for his shadow it could surely be seen,” Sullivan said on the marmot’s behalf. “I must now announce that
there will be six more weeks of winter.” Mel wasn’t the only groundhog in the Northeast to predict a long winter instead of an early spring: To the east, Holtsville Hal was in agreement, and to the west, Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow as well. Deputy Mayor Scott Edwards and village Trustee Megan O’Rourke-Schutta joined Sullivan to witness the prediction, as did U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages. “This tradition will forever be near and dear to my heart,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick told the Herald, whose father helped begin Continued on page 15
e overcame so many obstacles and so many challenges, and we continue to grow everyday.