__________________ Merrick _________________
Rhoads’ tourney a huge success
Fans flock for ‘80s hits
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Vol. 28 No. 33
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HERALD $1.00 $1.00
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2025
Principal takes leave of absence Hollings’ letter cites “personal issues” In the letter, Hollings wrote that she will be taking the leave “for a period of time as I naviof Herald Community Newspapers gate the personal issues I am Sanford H. Calhoun High facing.” She added that being the CalSchool Principal Nicole Hollings announced that she will houn principal is “too imporbe taking a leave of absence tant a job for any distractions effective immediately, accord- to detract from its mission — to ing to an emailed letter sent to serve our children, families, and staff with comthe families of high plete dedication, school students. and focus.” The Herald H o l l i n g s, wh o received a copy of was about to enter the letter of Aug. 5, her 12th year as which was written principal, stated a little over a s h e “ w i l l w o rk month after Holcl o s e ly w i t h my lings, 52, was replacement to arrested and ensure a smooth charged with drivtransition and that ing while intoxicatour community ed following a remains fully supmotor vehicle acciported throughout dent in Rockville the process.” Centre, according The announceto village officials. NIColE HollINGS ment comes exactly Hollings pleaded Calhoun High School four weeks before not guilty to the principal classes resume at charges at Nassau Calhoun. District Court in An interim principal has yet Hempstead on July 25. She returned on Aug. 7, where it to be announced. The Bellmore-Merrick Cenwas revealed that she had a blood alcohol content of .25, tral High School District has which is over three times the yet to respond to repeated requests for comment or conlegal limit in New York. She had her driver’s license firm the details written in the suspended and faces three letter. Hollings was represented years of probation and up to 32 days in jail. Continued on page 12
By BRIAN KACHARABA & JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo
I
Courtesy Robbie Rosen
Calhoun High School alum Robbie Rosen is giving back with his musical matchmaking venture.
Rosen helps events find their sound Idol alum grows L.I. musical matchmaking venture By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
More than 14 years after capturing the hearts of America as a top 24 finalist on “American Idol,” Calhoun High School alumnus Robbie Rosen is giving back to the Long Island music scene in a personal way. A little over 14 months ago, the Merrick native launched OneStopVox, a service that connects clients with the right performers for any occasion. Whether it’s a jazz vocalist for a restaurant, a high-energy band or DJ for a lively venue, or a ballad singer for weddings, Rosen takes a personalized approach to match each event with the ideal talent. After his “Idol” run, Rosen became involved in nearly every facet of the music industry, especially recording vocals and writing songs for producers of electronic
dance music. Often, those projects weren’t the right fit for him personally. Some called for a different style or even a female vocalist, so he began recommending and booking other singers and musicians he knew for the work. “That’s kind of when the idea hit me,” Rosen said. “Why limit it to just studio work when we have so many Long Island venues in need of musicians and singers?” What began as a behind-the-scenes effort to connect producers with vocalists soon grew into a full-fledged platform. Rosen said it took only a few weeks for the concept to become reality, and it didn’t cost him anything to get started. He began reaching out to different venues to assess their needs and connect them with the right talent. Today, Rosen’s roster of about 100 clients Continued on page 15
have decided to take a leave of absence for a period of time as I navigate the personal issues I am facing.