Players and fans of the Pat Agresti Foundation team celebrate after capping the Rockville Centre Little League’s “Championship Saturday” with a 6-3 win over Maple Lanes in the National League title game at Hickey Field on June 13. Story, more photos, Pages 14 and 15.
By AlySSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
The South Side High School gymnasium became a living classroom for inquiry and analysis when 81 junior International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates presented their annual Theory of Knowledge Exhibition, turning abstract questions about truth, ethics and certainty into real-world exploration through personal and academic artifacts.
The event, which took place on June 5, is part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a rigorous two-year curriculum taken by South Side students in their junior and senior years. Students may participate as full diploma candidates or enroll as course candidates.
Those pursuing the full diploma complete coursework across six academic “groups,” with at least three — and no more than four — studied at the Higher Level and the remainder at Standard Level. Higher Level courses span two years of study, while Standard Level courses vary in length from one to two years depending on the subject.
The high school now offers 26 IB courses, giving students a wide range of options to align their studies with individual strengths and interests.
The Theory of Knowledge Exhibition is a key component of the program. Students selected one of 35 prompts provided by the International Baccalaureate Organization and used three
By AlySSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre community rallied in a powerful show of support as firefighters turned their North Centre Avenue firehouse into a fundraiser space for 6-year-old Layla Crews, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia.
AHosted by Alert Engine & Hose Company No. 2 of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, the June 13 event on June 13 featured raffles, silent auction items, a 50/50 drawing and direct donation opportunities, with proceeds aimed at easing the financial burden on the Crews family as Layla continues long-term medical care.
s
you hear the word cancer, your heart
began in August 2025 when she started experiencing recurring fevers and was frequently sent home from school. Initially believed to be the result of a virus or common illness, the symptoms persisted into September, prompting doctors to order blood tests. The results revealed abnormal blood counts, and Layla was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in early October.
just drops
SEAN CREwS Layla’s father
“As you hear the word cancer, your heart just drops,” Sean said. “We’ve gotten into a routine where things have become a little easier day to day, but still have our challenges.”
Layla is the daughter of Sean and Lauren Crews. Sean has been a member of the Rockville Centre Fire Department for more than 20 years, responding to emergencies across the village while serving in the same department now supporting his family.
Layla’s health challenges
The diagnosis came after an already difficult year for the family. Following a recent move from New York to the Steele Creek area of Charlotte, North Carolina, Layla became seriously ill in February 2025. What initially appeared to be the flu developed into a blood infection and necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and severe bacterial infection sometimes referred to
Continued on page 11
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought in part by two Rockville Centre parents challenging a state guidance letter addressing harassment and bullying at school board meetings, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked standing to pursue the case.
In a June 8 decision, U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci of the Northern District of New York granted a motion by state officials to dismiss the complaint and denied the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction as moot.
The lawsuit, filed in December 2025, was brought by Massapequa Board of Education President Kerry Wachter, Rotterdam-Mohonasen school board member Danielle Ciampino, and Rockville Centre parents Sarah Rouse and Issac Kuo, who reside within the Rockville Centre Union Free School District and have children attending district schools.
The plaintiffs named New York Attorney General Letitia James, State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and members of the state Board of Regents as defendants.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, at podium, was among the defendants in a lawsuit dismissed by a federal judge on June 8.
jurisdiction.”
The court found that the guidance letter did not impose penalties or create binding rules and that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated a credible threat of enforcement. The decision also stated there was no sufficient causal connection between the guidance and any alleged injury.
Because the court determined it lacked jurisdiction, it did not address the merits of the constitutional claims and denied the request for a preliminary injunction.
Nardacci ordered the complaint dismissed without prejudice, leaving open the possibility that the plaintiffs could refile if they are able to establish standing in the future.
According to the ruling, the letter noted that some school board members had made or encouraged comments that “demean and stigmatize LGBTQ+ students” and referenced state laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Rouse and Kuo argued the guidance had a chilling effect on speech and said they feared potential repercussions for expressing views during public comment periods at Rockville Centre school
The suit challenged a May 8, 2025 “Dear Colleague” letter issued jointly by James and Rosa, which provided guidance to school districts on addressing harassment and bullying during public school board meetings, particularly comments directed at LGBTQ+ students.
board meetings. The plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the guidance, alleging it violated First Amendment free speech protections.
However, Nardacci concluded that the plaintiffs failed to establish the concrete injury required for Article III standing.
“Plaintiffs lack standing to challenge the constitutionality of the Guidance Letter,” Nardacci wrote. “Accordingly, the complaint is dismissed without prejudice for lack of subject matter
When reached by the Herald on Monday, Kuo referred questions to his legal team. In a statement provided by Chipper Beal, who handles communications for the Southeastern Legal Foundation, the organization said it was reviewing the court’s decision but remained committed to the case’s underlying issues.
“We are currently reviewing the court’s decision, but we stand by our clients and will continue to fight for the rights of parents and school board members to speak their minds without fear of removal from office,” the statement said.
Rouse did not return a call from the Herald seeking comment.
of the Independent Order
The sound of bean bags thudding against wooden boards and the cheers of friendly competition filled Fireman’s Field at South Side High School as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows’ Rockville Centre Lodge hosted its sixth-annual cornhole tournament fundraiser.
Proceeds from the June 13 event benefited several local organizations that support children and families, including SIBS Place, The Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation and the Rockville Centre Mayor’s Community Fund.
Cornhole, once considered a simple backyard pastime, has grown into one of the nation’s fastest-growing recreational sports. The game is played by tossing small fabric bags filled with corn kernels or synthetic pellets toward an elevated board with a hole near the top. Players score points by landing bags on the board or through the hole, with matches often featuring a mix of strategy, accuracy and friendly rivalry.
The sport’s accessibility has helped fuel its popularity, attracting participants of all ages and skill levels at parks, tailgates, breweries and organized tournaments across the country.
Beyond the competition, the Rockville Centre tournament offered a festival-like atmosphere. Families enjoyed live music, food and beverages throughout the day, while local Long Island breweries provided craft beer selections for attendees.
The tournament is organized by the Rockville Centre Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization with roots in the village dating back to 1888.
–Brian Kacharaba
On June 18, the owner of a store on North Centre Avenue reported that someone kicked the front door of his business, damaging the glass.
On June 18, the Director of the Rockville Centre Housing Authority reported that fraudulent checks were written using the Housing Authority’s checking account information.
On June 16, a Bethpage resident reported that her vehicle was struck and damaged while it was parked in the vicinity of the LIRR station.
On June 18, a contractor was finishing work at a Berkshire Road residence when he was approached by two men he used to work with. One of the men showed a knife and demanded the victim’s property before fleeing.
On June 17, a South Park Avenue resident reported that he sent nude photos of himself to someone on a dating app who then demanded money or else the photos would be made public.
On June 15, Andre Bailey, 38, of Hempstead, was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation after he was observed driving on Lincoln Avenue with a revoked license from a prior DWI.
On June 16, Brandon Chambers, 29, of Island Park, was arrested near King Kullen after an investigation revealed he had two open Nassau County bench warrants.
On June 19, Elijah Moore-Williams, 23, of Rosedale, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after he was involved in a single-car accident on Chester Road.
On June 19 Kevin Samuels, 54, of Baldwin, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
The Rockville Centre Fire Department is always looking for help in serving our community. If you live here or in any one of the adjacent communities and are interested in joining or just
June 14 – June 21
General Alarms – 6 Still Alarms – 5
Rescue – 7
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 44
Mutual Aid Fire – 2
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0
Total – 64
have questions, please visit any firehouse on Sunday mornings and speak with one of the officers or call (516) 6789320. For emergencies dial 911 or (516) 766-0400.
Year To Date
General Alarms – 262 Still Alarms – 155
Rescue – 105
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 1,225
Mutual Aid Fire – 38
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 4
Total – 1,789
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
New York City just complete its best possession of the 2nd Annual National Football Foundation’s All-Star Football Classic, driving 60 yards on 11 plays following a takeaway to cut Long Island’s lead to four points with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter.
However, it didn’t take long for momentum to swing back in favor of Long Island.
Thirteen seconds, to be exact.
Mount Sinai’s Dontae Spadaro took the ensuing kickoff in stride and blazed down the sideline 73 yards for a touchdown to extend Long Island’s advantage to two scores and it held on for a 21-13 victory before a crowd of 1,500 at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium June 17.
“It meant a lot to me to score that touchdown and help our team win,” Spadaro said. “It’s pretty emotional.”
Long Island won last year’s inaugural All-Star Classic, 33-15, as the senior showcase game made its return for the first time since the Boomer Esiasion Foundation’s Empire Challenge completed a fantastic 24-year run in 2019.
The new version, with a special touch featuring some of college football’s most renowned rivalries (Long Island wore Notre Dame uniforms; New York City wore USC), also honors Esiason, a former East Islip High School and NFL star quarterback, with the game’s MVP trophy named in his honor.
East Islip’s Jovan Bonilla was named MVP. He had a tremendous night leading a Long Island defense that allowed only one touchdown —Eagle Academy quarterback Aaron Smith’s 20-yard run up the middle that brought NYC within 14-10 before Spadaro’s special teams heroics. Bonilla batted down a pass on the opening play of the second quarter to hold NYC to a field goal and racked up 8 tackles.
“It was a great experience,” Bonilla said. “Our defense was relentless the whole game. The energy was high and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Long Island’s first scoring drive answered the first of two Jake Borrowes (Monsignor Farrell) field goals. Quarterback Simmon Blisset (Northport) directed a 10-play, 57-yard drive capped by his 6-yard touchdown pass on a backfield screen to Huntington’s Yasir Jones. It was 7-3 after kicker Justin Jones’ (Chaminade) first of three successful extra points.
Carle Place’s Ryan Leary kept the drive alive, hauling down a 16-yard pass from Blisset on fourth-and-8 from Long Island’s 45. Jones added a 22-yard reception.
“There was so much talent on the field,” said Leary, who had three recep-
William Floyd’s Ja’Quan Thomas, right, had a 23-yard
tions for 43 yards. “One thing that struck me was the size of the linemen. It was a lot of fun and great to be targeted.”
Long Island led 14-3 at halftime following an impressive 89-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 23-yard scoring strike from Miller Place quarterback Shane Kiernan to William Floyd running back Ja’Quan Thomas.
It was back to a one-possession game with 6:18 remaining in the fourth quarter after Borrowes nailed a 24-yard field goal. New York City got the ball back with 3:22 left, but East Islip’s PJ Gannon’s interception sealed the outcome.
“The kids were class acts for weeks, became a team and really showed up and played for each other,” said longtime Wantagh coach Keith Sachs, who along with Garden City’s Dave Ettinger, Roosevelt’s Joe Vito, Massapequa’s Kevin Shippos, St. Anthony’s Joe Minucci, Ward Melville’s Chris Boltrek, Cold Spring Harbor’s John Mendreski, Bayport’s Mike Zafonte, East Islip’s Sal Ciampi, Smithtown West’s Craig Perrino, West Islip’s Steve Fasciani was part of a Long Island staff led by Sayville’s Rob Hoss.
At Mercy Hospital, putting patients first means delivering better outcomes—through advanced technology, a growing option of surgical services, greater cardiac services provided by St. Francis Heart Center, an enhanced Emergency Department, and exceptional family and maternity care.
This focus on better care defines us—and has earned national recognition, including a CMS 5-Star rating and an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Group.
Because better is something we live every day. And it never stops.
Learn more at chsli.org/mercy-hospital
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
New York City held a ticker-tape parade celebrating the Knicks’ NBA championship win over the San Antonio Spurs last week — the Knicks’ first title since their 1973 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lower Manhattan was packed on June 18, with paradegoers clamoring for space along the route up Broadway from Battery Park to City Hall. Each Knicks player had his own float, atop which he and a group of team staff celebrated.
Star center Karl-Anthony Towns had a special guest on his float: Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who gave a speech congratulating the team at a ceremony at City Hall after the parade, where the team was presented with keys to the city.
Mamdani told the crowd that the oddsmakers had given the Spurs a 99.6 percent chance of winning Game 4 of the championship series. “A 99.6 percent chance of tying up the series 2-2 …,” the mayor said. “But there is one thing that the pundits don’t get about this city: It is in that .4 percent that we go to work.
“It’s in that .4 percent that the Knicks do what New Yorkers have always done when we are told that something is impossible,” Mamdani added. “We find a way. We win.”
Actor Timothée Chalamet, film director and Knicks superfan Spike Lee, and rapper Fat Joe were also on floats with the Knicks players.
According to city officials, the parade attracted a crowd of over 2 million, but when the estimates of the number who didn’t make it into the viewing area are included, the approximate totals were much larger. Among those in both categories were a number of Long Islanders, who took the LIRR into the city to support the team’s historic win.
Brothers Bryan and Christian Rosado, of Long Beach, made it into Manhat-
tan by 6 a.m., but that wasn’t early enough for them to get a good view of the parade. But they said they appreciated the experience nonetheless.
“I’d love to say we stayed to watch the whole thing, but we really weren’t going to see much,” Bryan Rosado said. “It might have felt like hell on earth, but it was worth celebrating the Garden becoming Eden again.”
“The parade was an unorganized mess — it was so chaotic,” his brother said. “I still think being with so many other New Yorkers, laughing, chanting and celebrating, made it worth it.” The unity Christian described spread through the streets, and many Knicks fans were wearing Yankees and Mets caps as well.
Jacquelle Lainez, of Freeport, managed to get a better view than the Rosados. Her plans were also altered by how early paradegoers began gathering in
Lower Manhattan. “My friend I was supposed to go with said her phone fell off her nightstand, lost power and died before her alarm could go off,” Lainez said. “I waited for her from 4 to 5:30 a.m., but after that I just went. It’s her loss.”
The unity was palpable on Church Street, parallel to the parade route. Fans who couldn’t get a view of the parade flooded the street, climbing on sanitation trucks, crowding subway entrances and climbing lampposts. Chants of “Knicks in 5!” “Let’s go Knicks!” and “Jalen Brunson” rang out regularly.
Even after the parade, Lower Manhattan was still full of Knicks fans buying shirts from street vendors, getting much-needed drinks at delis, and congratulating one another as if all were members of the team. New Yorkers’ connection to the Knicks was clearly as strong as it has been in decades.
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
A graduating eighth-grade student with a lifelong connection to the late Mary Ruchalski has been named the 2026 recipient of the Mary Ruchalski Memorial Scholarship at St. Agnes School.
Established by the Ruchalski family following Mary’s death in 2018, the scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating eighth-grade girl who plans to attend a Catholic high school and exemplifies the qualities that defined her life, including kindness, faith, sportsmanship, academic excellence and service to others.
This year’s recipient, Kitt O’Neill, was selected not only for embodying those values but also because of her unique personal connection to Mary. Family members believe she is the last St. Agnes student to receive the award who personally knew Mary and shared a friendship with her.
Kitt’s most important role models. As Kitt prepared to graduate from St. Agnes and continue her education at Sacred Heart Academy this fall, she said she has reflected many of the same goals and aspirations Mary once held. Mary had dreamed of attending Sacred Heart Academy and following in the footsteps of her older sister, Ashley. Now, Kitt is beginning that journey herself.
“She was everything that was good in the world,” Kitt said. “I want to be like her and make an impact on the world because that’s what she did, even though she was still only my age.”
I want to be like her and make an impact on the world because that’s what she did.
KItt O’NeILL recipient
2026 Mary Ruchalski Memorial Scholarship
“We believe she’s the last student at St. Agnes who really knew Mary,” said Carol Ruchalski, Mary’s mother and cofounder of the scholarship. “She’ll really help us continue Mary’s legacy into that next age group.”
The connection between the two began when Mary, then a fourth grader, became a mother’s helper for the O’Neill family after they returned to Rockville Centre in 2014. A friendship quickly formed, and even after Mary became ill, Kitt continued visiting her. Through arts and crafts, conversations and shared time together, their bond remained strong.
“Mary has been such a big presence and motivating factor,” said Deirdre O’Neill, Kitt’s mother. “Mary made it cool to be kind. Mary made it cool to be inclusive.”
Over the years, Mary became one of
The scholarship presentation on June 5 carried special meaning for both families. Mary’s sisters, Ashley Ruchalski-Allen and Lyndsey Ruchalski-Robinson, returned to St. Agnes to present the award for the first time since Mary’s passing. Having once babysat Kitt when she was younger, the moment marked a fullcircle experience and a reminder of the lasting relationships Mary helped create.
For the O’Neill family, receiving the scholarship was both humbling and emotional. They view the award as recognition of the values Mary represented and an opportunity to continue sharing her story. As a student leader, athlete and advocate for kindness, Kitt has embraced the responsibility of carrying that legacy forward.
“Everyone knows who Mary was,” Deirdre O’Neill said. “That she didn’t die in vain, that she didn’t suffer for all of that for nothing, and that her family knows we are behind her. Not just us, but the St. Agnes community, the South Side community, the Wilson community, the Rockville Centre community. We are behind them and this is just the beginning.”
For more information, visit TheMaryRuchalskiFoundation.org.
The Rockville Centre School District’s spring concert season brought music, celebration and community spirit to auditoriums across the district, showcasing months of preparation by student musicians from elementary through high school.
From beginning band students to advanced ensembles, the performances highlighted steady growth in skill, confidence and collaboration.
Floyd B. Watson Elementary School opened the series in early May. Concerts continued later in the month with South Side Middle School’s seventh-grade performance, followed by the eighth-grade concert, Riverside Elementary School, William S. Covert Elementary School and Francis F. Wilson Elementary School. The South Side Middle School sixth-grade concert took place near the end of May.
Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School kicked off June, and the season concluded with back-to-back concerts at South Side High School.
The fourth and fifth grade band at Francis F. Wilson Elementary School showcased their growing musicianship during a spirited, well-rehearsed concert performance.
Throughout the series, audiences were treated to a wide range of musical selections that reflected the district’s emphasis on comprehensive arts education. Students demonstrated not only technical development, but also important life skills gained through music, including discipline, collaboration, goal-setting and perseverance. Each performance served as a culmination of classroom learning and rehearsal time, bringing together students, teachers, families, friends and neighbors in support of the arts.
A highlight of this year’s concerts was the RVC Sponsors of the Arts
awarding five new scholarships for the first time to graduating fifth graders at each elementary school. Students were selected by their elementary music teachers in recognition of their dedication and musical growth.
This year’s inaugural scholarship
recipients were Kenneth Middleton III from Covert, Jarrod “J.J.” Murphy from Hewitt, Everly Byon from Riverside, Rebecca Sorvillo from Watson, and Vivian Philbin from Wilson.
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
What may have been an unused suit in one closet could soon help a veteran land a job interview.
Representatives from the Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center visited Mount Sinai South Nassau on June 12 to collect donations gathered through the hospital’s Suits on Soldiers clothing drive, which provided professional attire for veterans and other individuals seeking employment.
The donation effort encouraged community members to contribute new or gently used business attire to help military veterans dress professionally for job interviews and career opportunities. Donations were accepted throughout June at the hospital’s Security Office in Oceanside before being picked up by representatives from the Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center, including program director June Kirby.
The clothing will be distributed through Career Couture, a nonprofit clothing boutique Kirby founded in 2014 at the Suffolk County Department of Labor in Hauppauge. The organization provides free professional clothing to men and women preparing for interviews, attending job fairs or beginning new jobs.
“We provide business attire for both men and women, free of charge,” Kirby said. “People who are interviewing, job fairs, on-site recruitments, when they gain employment, they’re also welcome back.”
According to Kirby, the boutique was created to help remove one of the often-overlooked barriers to employment: access to professional clothing. Since its founding, Career Couture has relied entirely on donations from individuals, businesses and community organizations.
The pickup showcased the generosity of local residents and hospital employees who donated dozens of suits, dresses, shirts, ties and other workplace attire.
June Kirby, right, of Career Couture joined Mount Sinai South Nassau staff members and volunteers on June 12 as they gathered donated professional clothing collected through the hospital’s Suits on Soldiers drive.
The garments will now be made available to veterans and others seeking employment through the Career Couture program.
Kirby said the organization serves a diverse group of clients, including veterans, survivors of domestic violence, residents of shelters and formerly incarcerated individuals working to rebuild their lives.
“This excites me,” Kirby said. “This totally, it makes me feel so good because so many people are willing to help people and make sure that clothes that they spend money on is not just thrown into a bin and it’s going to a good cause.”
Professional attire can play a significant role in
helping job seekers make a strong first impression and feel more confident during interviews. For many clients, receiving a suit or professional outfit can provide both practical assistance and an emotional boost.
“For us, it’s also a good feeling that in a small way, we can help,” said hospital volunteer Naginder Singh. “Things are so expensive these days.”
Kirby said a lack of appropriate clothing can sometimes prevent people from pursuing employment opportunities altogether. She believes drives like these help remove those barriers.
“A lot of people cancel their interviews because they have nothing to wear,” she said.
as flesh-eating disease. She spent about a month recovering from that illness before later receiving her leukemia diagnosis.
Since then, Layla has undergone extensive treatment and is currently in the maintenance phase of her care. She receives treatment at Cohen Children’s Medical Center and has adapted to many of the routines that now accompany her medical care.
“It was really hard in the beginning, just emotionally adjusting to a child with cancer, especially so young, and having to change our whole life,” Lauren said. “She could no longer go to school, so socialization and things like that were really hard for her.”
The diagnosis dramatically changed daily life for the family. Sean left his job to become Layla’s full-time caregiver while Lauren continued working, reducing the household from two incomes to one while facing the financial demands of long-term medical treatment.
The family has also worked to maintain a sense of normalcy for her 14-yearold sister, Kyla, while balancing the needs of a child undergoing cancer treatment. Along with the medical challenges, the emotional toll of the diagnosis has required the family to adapt to an entirely new routine.
“It feels good to know that we’re not alone, and I’m really proud of my sister,
because I know that’s not something easy for a six-year-old to deal with,” Kyla said. “She’s so strong, she’s braver than me.”
In recognition of Sean’s decades of service, the officers and members of Alert Engine & Hose Company No. 2 organized the fundraiser to support the family. Planning began months in
advance, with firefighters reaching out to local businesses and organizations for donations and assistance.
“We knew once we heard the diagnosis that we needed to do something to help out,” Captain Jesse Keane said.
“This is all for Layla.”
Nearly 50 local businesses contributed items for raffle baskets and auction
prizes, while volunteers helped coordinate donations and prepare for the event.
Firefighters and community members worked together to ensure the fundraiser would provide meaningful support while demonstrating the village’s appreciation for the Crews family.
Throughout the afternoon, the firehouse remained busy as residents purchased raffle tickets, bid on auction items and stopped by to offer encouragement to the family.
The event raised around $8,500 through donations, fundraising efforts and an online campaign. While the financial support was significant, family members said one of the most meaningful parts of the day was seeing Layla enjoy herself.
“I was happy with everyone that showed up and supported us,” Sean said. “We were overwhelmed with the support that Layla got.”
The turnout exceeded expectations and reflected the strong sense of community in Rockville Centre and the close bonds shared among members of the fire department and the families they serve.
As Layla continues in the maintenance phase of her treatment, which is expected to last about two years, the family remains focused on her recovery.
To donate, visit the Crews’s page at FundTheFirst.com.
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
The Propel NY Energy project, the installation of nearly 90 miles of underground transmission lines across a number of counties in New York state, is continuing the process of securing permits from the state. Representatives of New York Power Authority and NY Transco, the partners on the project, have provided an update on its progress and outlined the next steps.
Developers are required to secure a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need from the state Public Service Commission. Propel has not yet received that certificate, but Transco Project Director Steve Hatchard said the team is aiming to receive it by summer’s end.
Construction on the $3.2 billion project is slated to begin later this year and expected to last four years, with completion anticipated in May 2030. Crews are expected to progress 50 to 150 feet per day. The new transmission lines would augment existing lines. In 2023, the New York State Independent System Operator chose the project as a solution to problems like increased demand on the state’s power grid and its vulnerability in severe weather.
A NYISO report from June 9 highlighted the challenges of aging infrastructure. “This report made it clear
that modernizing and expanding our transmission network is essential for long-term reliability,” Tia Santoro, NYPA’s senior director of government and community affairs, said, “especially in the downstate region.”
New York has 11,000 miles of transmission lines, including 241 miles of underground 345-kilovolt lines similar to those proposed for the Propel project.
The new transmission lines would not be built to carry energy generated by any one source. The energy that flows on the lines would be determined by NYISO.
A joint proposal — an agreement among Propel, state agencies and other parties that determines site, environmental impact and construction requirements to which the project must adhere — was filed with the Public Service Commission in April. The next step is the creation of a series of Environmental Management and Construction Plans, which must demonstrate compliance with the parameters established in the joint proposal. They will be opened for public comment before they are reviewed by the PSC. Hatchard said that if there is feedback that needs to be incorporated into the plans, they will be amended and a new public comment period will open.
Other components of the plans include descriptions of construction methods, emergency response proce -
dures and the responsibilities of contractors, inspectors and environmental monitors.
“The purpose of the environmental monitors,” Hatchard explained, “is to be a third-party set of eyes out there that is ultimately responsibility to the regulators from an environmental compliance perspective.”
There are five proposed phases of Environment Management and Construction Plans, each dealing with a different aspect or location of the project. Pre-filings have already been submitted for the first two phases.
“We have started to receive some
The Propel NY Energy project will span several downstate counties.
comments back on the E.M. and C.P. Phase One,” Hatchard said, “and we are looking forward to the comments back for Phase Two as well.”
The plans are scheduled to be filed for public comment this summer, and Hatchard said the team is planning for approvals to begin in the fall. Construction is slated to start late this year on part of the project in New Rochelle, in Westchester County, followed by work in the Town of Oyster Bay.
Hatchard said that during construction, residents can receive information through the mail, text messages and updates from the Propel NY Energy app.
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre Little League crowned champions across three divisions at Hickey Field, as American, National and Minor League teams all secured titles on a full day of championship baseball.
In the American League 10-year-old division, Palmieri Orthodontics capped an undefeated season with a 12-7 victory over Durnan Group on June 13 in a game defined by momentum swings and a decisive late rally.
Palmieri finished the spring unbeaten at 12-0-1, surviving a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple lead changes before breaking it open with a five-run fifth inning to seal the win.
"The game was up and down," coach Justin Dunphy said. "We were up 5-0, then it was tied at 5, then we were down 6-5, then up 7-6, then tied at 7, and then we took the lead for good with five runs in the fifth inning to make it 12-7."
Junior Budhai provided key relief pitching, working three innings while yielding just one run and one walk. Declan Cowan and Everett Farley powered the offense, combining to go 5-for-8 with six RBIs from the heart of the lineup.
Dunphy credited R.J. Sieling as the team’s workhorse throughout the season and his coaching staff of Kevin Cowan, Jim Nash, Pete Sieling, and Nevash Budhai as the defining factors in his team’s success.
"One of the things I love about the team is that they're always there when someone made an error or if someone struck out,” he said. “They would always have each other's backs.”
In the National League 11-12 division, the Pat Agresti Foundation team earned a 6-3 win over Maple Lanes behind an early offensive surge and strong pitching depth.
Pat Agresti scored once in the first inning, twice in the second, and three times in the third to build a 6-0 lead that proved decisive.
"We got on the board early scoring in the first three innings," coach Brian Fairbrother said.
Carter Petrone had a strong pitching game with four innings of three-hit, seven-strikeout baseball. Joseph Quinlan added a scoreless inning in relief, while Phoenix Santoro closed the door in the final frame.
At the plate, Petrone, Quinlan, Santoro, August St. John, Aiden Orlando and Keegan Moravich all contributed timely offense during the early outburst that ignited the win.
Fairbrother credited the team’s ability to finish strong after an uneven start to the season.
"It feels great that the boys were able to pull it off after a bit of a slow start during the season,” he said. “We got hot at the end when it mattered the most."
In the Minor League championship game, Daniel J. Hannon and Associates completed a dominant postseason run with a 6-1 victory over Pioneer Hair Design, powered by strong pitching, time-
ly hitting and a defining defensive sequence in the opening inning. The game turned early in the first inning when the defense erased a scoring threat with a strikeout-throw out double
play that set the tone for the afternoon.
"Our strong pitching, yes strong pitching," coach Dan Hannon said when asked about the key to the win.
Tyler Aiello opened the game with
three innings of work before Brady Garson closed it out over the final three frames, forming a steady two-pitcher rotation that kept control throughout the game.
Offensively, Daniel J. Hannon struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning and four in the second. The key blow came in the second when Paul Leonardi opened the inning with a double before Finn Hannon delivered a two-run double after the bases were loaded.
"In the bottom of the second inning
Paul Leonardi led off with a huge double down the left field line and then, after we loaded the bases, Finn Hannon ripped a two RBI double to put us ahead for good," Dan Hannon said.
A major defensive highlight came in the first inning when Aiello struck out a batter and catcher Teddy Henry threw out a runner attempting to steal second, preserving momentum and preventing an early deficit.
"That strike them out-throw them out play really set the tone for the rest of the game," Hannon said.
Hannon also pointed to the team’s growth and unity over the course of the season, particularly the development of players such as Leonardi and James Meagher, and the consistent effort shown by the group.
"I’m really proud of the team's resilience and the way that they came together, especially toward the end of the season. Everyone always showed up ready to play," he said.
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
The Long Island Association hosted its Centennial Spring Luncheon wit Rahm Emmanuel, former White House chief of staff for President Barack Obama, former mayor of Chicago and the 31st United States ambassador to Japan, and Kevin McCarthy, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, were guest speakers on the June 15 panel with LIA President and CEO Stacey Sikes.
Sikes, Emmanuel and McCarthy discussed the American political climate and the standing of the Democratic and Republican parties. They spoke about how each party can improve itself, work toward collaboration, and “reach across the aisle” rather than stoke further division.
Sikes asked McCarthy about President Trump’s potential influence over the upcoming midterm elections, and how that influence is more prominent than most previous presidents. “He controls the party — he can make you win or lose by an endorsement alone,” McCarthy said. “He governs differently. Most presidents want to do everything through the House and Senate, but he’s happy doing executive orders.”
Emmanuel and McCarthy were asked
about how the suburban vote could swing the midterms, particularly on Long Island.
“Democrats control urban elections and seats; Republicans control rural,” Emmanuel said. “The battleground will be in the suburban districts. That has been the truth for the last 20 and 30 years.”
“I’d have never been speaker if it wasn’t for the guys up in Long Island, and suburbs everywhere else,” McCarthy said. “Democrats have the advantage now, but anything can happen.” Emmanuel decried the negative impact of political division, and how it is a detriment to America’s performance on the global stage. “While
we’re spending all our time, all our energy on redistricting and trying to figure out how to screw each other, China’s doubling their research funding,” he said. “They’re spending money on research in China, and we’re spending primary resources on redistricting. You tell me, which one’s going to get you ahead?”
Sikes asked the panelists about the political brand the Democratic party has built up over the past decade, and what they think Democrats can do to remake that brand. “Across the country, 48 to 49 percent of the country describes themselves as independents,” Emmanuel said. “It’s basically a rejection of both parties.”
McCarthy agreed, but extended the criticism to the Republican party. “Both parties aren’t solving problems,” he said. “That’s why you’re getting flips in control — that’s why people aren’t believing in the system. I like campaigns about ideas.”
Despite the talk of division and political strife, the conference ended on a positive note when Emmanuel said, “Whatever our experiences are, we both know one thing: We won the lottery ticket of life. This is the greatest country in the world, as long as we don’t turn our back on what makes it the greatest country in the world.”
of
Museum
characters are part of the experience. Cosplayers will enchant visitors with a UFO dance party before the 300 drone light show.
A 300-drone light show serves as the day’s finale. The displays are inspired by aviation, space exploration and extraterrestrial lore.
Visitors learn how E.T. travels by creating a comet and launching film-canister rockets powered by dry ice and Alka-Seltzer while exploring the science of propulsion and space travel.
By Stacy Driks
Some questions have a way of capturing the imagination no matter how much time passes. Are we alone in the universe? What lies beyond our understanding of the cosmos? For those drawn to such mysteries, the Cradle of Aviation Museum offers an opportunity to explore the unknown through presentations, discussions and stories that examine some of the most intriguing phenomena ever reported.
The museum hosts “UFOlogy: Close Encounters at the Cradle,” on Saturday, a daylong event featuring investigators, astronomers, interactive exhibits and a 300-drone light show. Visitors can examine reports of unidentified aerial phenomena while exploring the curiosity, science and speculation that have fueled interest in the subject for decades.
“We thought it was a good opportunity because there’s been so much in the news and media over the past few years,” says Jen Baxmeyer, the Cradle of Aviation’s executive director. “Everyone’s been talking about it. We said, ‘Let’s use this as an opportunity to talk about some of the science and technology occurring out there and even some of the fun science that goes into investigating these things.’”
Throughout the day, everyone can explore demonstrations involving drones, astronomy and investigative technology. Activities range from comicbook creation and face painting to an alien autopsy — an alien-themed version of the classic game Operation.
Many of the elements Baxmeyer noted, are designed to disguise STEM lessons inside entertaining experiences.
“They’re not going to realize that they’re actually learning science,” she says.
One station demonstrates the physics of buoyancy and air pressure through a hovering UFO-inspired craft, while others allow visitors to experiment with drones and discover how modern aerospace technology works.
The Allmost Brothers
Keep your summer of music rolling along with a killer evening of jams with the Allmost Brothers Band at the iconic Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park. They’re part of a double bill with Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Sons of Skynard. The Almost Brothers headlines at 8:30 p.m. with their rocking vibe. The popular progressive tribute act honors the tradition of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. Working within the framework of ABB’s incredible and vast songbook, The Allmost Brothers inject something new, fresh and exciting into the material. In a matter of words: high level musicianship, authentic improvisational interplay, dedication to the high octane performance, and power that established the original ABB back in 1969, and sustained their 45-year career. Bandmates Sean McGrath and and Dave Filloramo on lead guitars, Joe Wasserman on vocals and keys, Dave Losee and Dan Roth on drums, and Tom Hooker on bass truly consider themselves a band of brothers. They thrives on chemistry and improvisation, bringing a unique fire to the song book of the ABB during every performance.
The event also has a distinctly Long Island flavor. Organizers intentionally selected local experts to participate.
Featured speakers include UFO investigator Ben Hansen, who discusses how researchers draw on fields such as physics, meteorology and mathematics to analyze sightings and videos, including cases from New York City and Connecticut.
Long Island-based researchers the Tedesco Brothers showcase the cameras, sensors and field equipment they use to document and study unusual aerial observations, offering visitors a firsthand look at the technology behind modern UFO investigations.
• Saturday, June 27, noon9:30 p.m.
• Tickets are $25, $20 children, $75 for family four-pack, also $40 for Spaceballs/ UFOlogy combo; available at cradleofaviation.org
• Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City
“We’re trying to keep it Long Island,” Baxmeyer says. “Most of our organizations are local, and they’ll be talking about incidents that are very specific to Long Island.”
Among those participating are members of the Amateur Observers’ Society, who will set up solar and nighttime telescopes for public viewing. Visitors have an opportunity to learn more about astronomy while observing celestial objects through equipment operated by local enthusiasts.
As daylight fades, attention will shift outdoors for one of the day’s most anticipated attractions: a 300-drone light show produced by Grizzly Entertainment, the company behind the recent aerial display at Jones Beach on Memorial Day.
The synchronized drones create a series of aviation, aerospace and space-themed images in the night sky, with a few extraterrestrial surprises mixed in.
“We’re going to have some fun, exciting stuff,” Baxmeyer says. “We’ll have a DJ, we’re going to have our own E.T. doing kind of a kickoff dance party.
“A lot of people in the sciences shy away from talking about these types of topics. But people are interested in them. They’re talking about them on social media. Why not have the conversation here and give everyone the opportunity to learn about the science too?”
Visitors will also enjoy watching — or re-watching — “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” participate in themed activities and meet costumed characters inspired by popular science-fiction franchises and other extraterrestrial characters.
The museum also welcomes everyone to a pre-show on Friday, when visitors can screen“Spaceballs,” the 1987 sci-fi parody.
While UFOlogy makes its debut this year, museum officials are already looking ahead. A strong turnout could pave the way for the event to become an annual fixture on the museum’s calendar, much like the widely attended Cradle-Con convention.
”We’ll probably give it a few years to catch on,” Baxmeyer adds. “If people enjoy it and it grows, we’d love to keep doing it.”
For now, she — and her team — are betting that a mix of curiosity, discovery and a little extraterrestrial fun is enough to bring everyone together for a day that is, quite literally, out of this world.
Friday, June, 26, 7 p.m. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Contact nassaucountyny. gov for more.
Hop aboard that “Midnight Train to Georgia” when the legendary soul chanteuse returns Westbury Music Fair. Gladys Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential, beloved, and important living singers on the planet. And while the Empress of Soul may have been in the business for more than 60 years now, that hasn’t stopped her from continuing to rock that beat as only she can do. The great ones endure, and Knight has long been one of the greatest.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s fierce vocal power, elegant precision, and heartfelt performances have cemented her as one of music’s unquestionable icons. For sure, very few singers over these many years have matched her unassailable artistry. If you’re a fan of her classic Motown-style R&B, then you’ll surely want to see her perform — on more time.You know all her hits, now hear her bring them to life once again in her inimitable style.
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at livenation.com. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury.
The Paul Effman Band will present a patriotic concert celebrating America’s 250th birthday as part of the Rockville Centre Public Library’s summer reading kickoff. Hear patriotic favorites and popular hits spanning multiple decades in a musical tribute to the nation’s cultural history. Registration is now open.
• Where: 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: rvclibrary.org or (516) 766-6257
Music on the Green Rockville Centre’s popular Music on the Green summer concert series returns with a performance by Those Damn Neighbors on the Village Green. The concert marks the first of three shows scheduled as part of the village’s summer music series, a longtime community tradition that brings residents together for an evening of live entertainment under the stars. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a relaxing summer night with family, friends and neighbors.
• Where: Village Green, Maple Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: l(516) 678-9300
26
‘The American Revolution: Ep. 4’ Rockville Centre Public Library’s Friday Flicks series will feature Episode 4 of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, titled “Conquer.” The episode explores the British capture of Philadelphia and the Americans’ pivotal victory at Saratoga, which helped secure French support during the Revolutionary War. The screening is intended for adult audiences.
• Where: 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Contact: rvclibrary.org or (516) 766-6257
Tunes with Krush
Rock band Krush returns to the Tap Room for another memorable show.
• Where: T47 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 10 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 594-4000
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes all to picnic, stroll and relax on the longest nights of the year.
Stewart Copeland, world-famous drummer, founder of the most successful rock band of the 1980s, The Police, heads out on his first American spoken-word tour: “Have I Said Too Much - The Police, Hollywood, and other adventures.” The accomplished frontman, also a composer of film scores, video games and operas — in addition to his accolades as multi-Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, writer and film maker — is ready to talk about it all in his usual funny, intelligent, sharp, and unique way. He became an all-time great after recruiting Sting and Andy Summers into his band in 1977. They enjoyed four consecutive number one studio albums, winning Grammy and BRIT Awards, and selling a cool 75 million records. Enjoying number-one hits with “Message In A Bottle,” “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” and the multi-platinum “Every Breath You Take.” Copeland has spent the subsequent near-four decades at the forefront of contemporary music, as a rock star and acclaimed film composer, and across the worlds of opera, ballet, chamber and world music. There were two books that dealt with his remarkable life, which are all part of this evening of conversation, with photos, videos and a Q&A.
The Gardens will be illuminated with lanterns and decorated with wreaths and floral arrangements. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food and beverages on site from Café in the Woods. $25 general admission, $12 children 7-17.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Gates open at 6 p.m., also June 27-28
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
JUN 27
Freestyle Meets Salsa
Get in the groove at Eisenhower Park with Brenda K. Starr, Tito Puente JR., TKA/ K7, Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495 and Forever Freestyle Band.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Point Lookout Independence Day Fireworks/Concert Hempstead Town celebrates our nation’s 250th Birthday with its annual Concert and Fireworks spectacular. Residents should anticipate travel delays — Loop Parkway and Lido Boulevard are
typically closed in all directions by 9 p.m. and will remain closed until the conclusion of the Fireworks, around 10:30 p.m. There will be no vehicular access to enter or exit Point Lookout during this time. In the event of inclement weather, rain date is June 28.
• Where: Point Lookout Town Park, Point Lookout
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 292-5000 ext. 4304
JUN 28
‘Yeoman of the Guard’
The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company stages “Yeoman of the Guard.” The romantic tale unfolds in the Tower of London during the reign of Henry VIII, blending romance, humor and drama. The story follows Colonel Fairfax, unjustly condemned, who escapes execution moments after secretly marrying Elsie Maynard, leaving her torn between love and loyalty as danger closes in. Long a favorite of the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire, The Yeomen of the Guard features some of W.S. Gilbert’s most beautiful lyrics, paired with Arthur Sullivan’s sweeping, romantic music. Its songs include the yearning “I
The ensemble performs fourpart a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like — join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
JUL
1
• Where: 140 Shepherd St., Rockville Centre
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Have a Song to Sing, O,” the bouncy patter song “A Private Buffoon Is a Light-Hearted Loon,” the ravishingly beautiful quartet “Strange Adventure,” the lyrical “Is Life a Boon?” and the comical “Hereupon We’re Both Agreed.”
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Rock on with reggae
Reggae is the vibe at Eisenhower Park. The concert series continues with Inner Circle, Wayne Wonder and IRIEspect.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
JUN
30
Harmonize with Long Island Harmonizers
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 255-8947
Blood Drive
12 BOE meets The Rockville Centre Board of Education holds its reorganizational meeting in the South Side High School Commons Room. Newly-elected Christa Dorrego and Mary Beth Joyce will officially join the board.
JUL
The St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council No. 2548 hosts a community blood drive at the St. Agnes Parish Center. Organizers encourage both regular and first-time donors to take part, noting that just three percent of the community currently provides 100 percent of the blood supply. New donors are welcome to join that effort.
• Where: 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre
• Time: 8:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
• Contact: John Madson at (516) 306-9217
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Compiled by Herald Staff
Verna Smith, Hewlett, age 7
To take our boat to the city with our dogs.
Tim Baker/Herald
Pia Tallarico, Rockville Centre, age 9
I want to go to sleep-away camp for the first time and I love to volunteer to help kids with special needs if I can.
Dylan Shuman, Glen Cove, age 11
Going to my hockey camps, swimming in the pool, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family. Courtesy Eric Shuman
Emree Tucker, Freeport, age 6
I would like to go on a bike ride at Jones Beach and to go on a boat this summer to see lots of fishes.
Joe Reilly, Massapequa, age 3
To go in the pool.
objects to support their arguments. The exhibition serves as the official internal assessment for the course and contributes to students’ final IB scores.
“The course explores both how we create knowledge and how we interpret it, how we determine whether claims are credible, and how knowledge functions across different disciplines,” Andrea Darbee, South Side’s assistant principal and IB Diploma coordinator, said.
The exhibition featured a wide range of topics reflecting students’ interests and lived experiences. Throughout the day, freshmen toured the displays to learn more about the diploma program and observe examples of student research and inquiry.
“I don’t expect them necessarily to grapple with the epistemological ins and outs of the program or the course,” Bruce Hecker, Theory of Knowledge teacher said of the visiting freshmen. “I just want them to feel like the diploma program is something worth pursuing.”
Junior Harper Falibene, 17, examined whether some types of knowledge are more open to interpretation than others. One of her key objects was a recording of the jazz standard “Autumn Leaves,” which she used to demonstrate how artistic meaning can shift as different musicians reinterpret the same work over time.
“This is a jazz standard, and jazz is open to interpretation,” Falibene said. “It depends on the person playing it, it depends on the time period, and it’s meant to change over time.”
Basim Jamaf, 17, explored whether all knowledge carries ethical obligations for those who possess it. Using a stethoscope as a central object, he discussed the responsibility that comes with specialized medical knowledge and the moral duties that can accompany expertise.
danielle Lu, 17, left, focused on the relationship between knowledge and culture, while Joanna medidha, 16, questioned whether absolute certainty is ever attainable.
■ The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous two-year academic curriculum for students ages 16 to 19 that is recognized by colleges and universities around the world.
“I tried to connect different psychological theories and ideologies represented through each of these objects with the stethoscope,” Jamaf said. “I talked about the obligation that doctors have to use their knowledge for the betterment of mankind and to help people who are sick.”
For Danielle Lu, 17, the exhibition focused on the relationship between knowledge and culture. Her most personal object was a diary written by her mother during the 1989 Tiananmen
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Square protests in China. The journal provided a firsthand account of a pivotal historical event and allowed Lu to examine how personal experience and cultural background shape understanding of history.
“It represents the differences between my culture and my mom’s culture,” Lu said. “She experienced this event herself and was really uncertain about the future afterward, whereas when I learned about it, I did so with an understanding that Chinese censorship is still going on today. I had a more thorough understanding of it because we grew up in different countries and have different experiences.”
Joanna Medidha, 16, tackled the question of whether absolute certainty is ever attainable. She compared a real photograph with an AI-generated image to explore how rapidly advancing technology is making it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fabrication.
“AI evolves more rapidly than methods created to identify it,” Medidha said.
Taken together, the projects reflected the central purpose of the Theory of Knowledge course: encouraging students to move beyond memorizing information and instead examining how knowledge is constructed, interpreted and applied.
■ Students in the program take courses across six subject areas, including English, world language, history, science and mathematics, while also completing several core requirements designed to develop critical thinking, research and community engagement.
■ In addition to their coursework, diploma candidates complete a 3,500- to 4,000-word Extended Essay, participate in Creativity, Activity and Service projects and take Theory of Knowledge, a course that examines how knowledge is created, interpreted and evaluated across different disciplines.
■ The program aims to develop students who are academically well-rounded, globally minded, and capable of thinking critically about complex issues. IB students are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives, study more than one language, and make connections between different areas of learning.
■ The IB Diploma Programme is offered in more than 150 countries and is widely regarded as one of the most challenging collegepreparatory programs available to high school students.
Help Wanted
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Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City.
We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com
Call 516-569-4000 X286
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Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key.
Apartments For Rent
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space When Available. For Details Call 516-860-6889/ 516-852-5135/ 516-582-9978
Q. We’re looking for a home — first-time buyers — and are interested in something we can make into a net-zero residence. Is it possible, and what are the things we’ll need to consider? Net zero is our hope, but we know we may have to settle. Some things may be way out of our price range.
A. Net zero for a home means producing as much energy as it consumes, bringing a utility balance to no expense. It’s possible, and the first thing you should look for is the orientation of the building and the location relative to problems. For example, a home near saltwater won’t allow for a well pump that will save hundreds on irrigation, and the home would need to be higher off the ground to avoid flooding, leaving greater surface exposure to cold.
You want to find a home where the back faces south and, if there’s a garage, it’s at the northeast corner, to act as a wind block. A home whose back faces south brings more daylight to kitchens, dining and recreation rooms, which are used more during the day and oriented to the backyard. Trees make a difference, too, because they provide a wind block, to reduce the time you run the boiler in the winter, as well as shade, reducing the heat on the home in summer and reducing air conditioning demand.
Make sure the property has drainage away from the home, and that shrubs are kept slightly away from the exterior walls. Where there’s more moisture, there’s more need for running a dehumidifier, which erases utility cost savings. Thermal operable window shades are helpful, but remember to open the blinds for daylight. The more sun-lit the rooms are, the lower the electric bill for lighting. And the better the windows (newer and more energy-efficient), the less heat and cool will be lost.
Look at the attic to see if insulation is uniform and thick. If you really want to save energy and dramatically reduce costs, consider re-insulating with closed-cell foam. It’s costly to install, but will pay you back in two to three years and for the rest of the time you’re in the home. Open-cell foam is less costly but also less insulating. Foam insulation is also a great sound reducer if you’re looking near a busy roadway or airport. You can also generate power and reduce utility bills substantially with solar panels, but understand that the time period to pay back is several years, often seven to 10.
What’s great is that these upgrades pay for themselves. Not many products can do that. Installing new roofing before putting up solar panels is highly recommended and, if you manage another expensive upgrade, consider a standing seam metal roof. Less-sightly solar panels can be placed on the south (rear) roof, attached to the standing fins of each roof section, and there will be no roof penetration. Going net zero saves energy and money. Good luck!
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At a time when some loud voices are questioning the value of college, I thought of my own experience.
In 11th grade, while other students were making college plans, I was uncertain of my future. Neither of my parents had gone to college. My mother died when I was 9 and my father, bankrupt from medical bills, was a single parent of two young children.
One day, my 10th-grade biology teacher, Joe Leone, stopped me in the hallway and asked, “Bobby, why haven’t you signed up for the SATs?” Why, indeed? No one had encouraged me. The guidance office, knowing my family’s circumstances, had urged me to apply to a non-selective Midwestern public university that didn’t require scores and was eager for students. With Mr. Leone’s encouragement, I took the SATs, earned a scholarship to Bucknell University, and the rest is history — a history whose critical hinge was a teacher who cared enough
to ask a question.
As a sophomore at Bucknell, I had doubts about why I was there and whether I could afford to stay, even while working 20 hours a week in the library and having saved money from summer jobs. Fortunately, my adviser, English Professor Mildred Martin, talked me into rethinking my decision to leave, and urged me to see the dean about additional scholarship aid. Together they helped me understand why I should stay, academically, and how I could stay, financially. I’ve been indebted to them ever since. Here I am, an educator who cares about students, like them.
Hing point and a foundation.
Research indicates that earning a college degree results in more career options, better health outcomes, lower rates of unemployment and greater citizen engagement. It is also reported to yield an average annual rate of return on investment of 9 to 10 percent more than a high school diploma.
igher education isn’t just about providing credentials for work.
My career path wasn’t a straight line, however. I went to college to be a minister, majored in English, got interested in advertising, joined Procter & Gamble, served in the Navy, returned to Bucknell in admissions rather than enter law school, attended an institute at Harvard and was recruited to be a junior dean at Cornell, where I earned my Ph.D. and taught sociology. Then I served in the top three posts in higher education, leading a state coordinating agency, a public college and a private university. Life can be like that. College is a start-
The goals of higher education aren’t limited to providing credentials for work. It helps students cultivate the judgment, creativity and character traits needed for success in a future no one can fully imagine. The intent is to prepare citizens with the judgment needed to advance a free society.
The purpose of any college education is to advance in knowledge, both expert in a major and general in electives and required courses; skills such as writing with coherence, grace and precision, and speaking with clarity and persuasiveness; abilities such as reasoning and leadership; and values such as regard for others and respect for diverse opinions.
College is, or should be, as much about character development and active citizenship as it is about preparation for
careers and advancement in commerce.
In recent years, about 2.5 million students have started their first year at one of the nearly 6,000 two- and four-year colleges and universities in the country. Of these, about 1,800 are private institutions and 1,900 are public. There are also about 2,300 for-profit colleges.
Unfortunately, nearly one-quarter of the students who start each year at fouryear colleges don’t continue to the second year, and before graduation, nearly another quarter will drop out. Twentyfive percent of undergraduate students are raising children or caring for dependents, and 73 percent work full time. Talk about pressure. Concerns about student success are among the reasons that many institutions have started first-year college programs designed to help students navigate and succeed in college.
These courses are designed to help students get the most out of college, to learn how to live a life of meaning and become one’s best self. I know they work because I’ve observed them and taught in them — one way of saying thank you to Professor Martin.
Dr. Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author, with Dr. Drew Bogner, of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate.”
sometime around May, something shifts for Long Island parents. One morning you glance at your phone and realize that between now and the last day of school, you’re expected to attend a spring fling, coordinate field day gear, buy a prom corsage, RSVP to three birthday parties, survive finals week alongside a teenager who sleeps until 2 p.m. — or a toddler who wakes up at 2 a.m. — label 14 pairs of camp socks with permanent marker, and, somewhere in there, actually exhale. As a mom of two and as someone who works alongside Long Island families every day, I want to say plainly: This is a lot. Joy stacked on top of more joy, on top of logistics, on top of a full-time job and dinner and everything else — that’s not a celebration. That’s a stress response in a party hat.
Parental stress doesn’t stay tucked inside. It moves through families. The short-tempered answer at dinner, the
argument over a permission slip, the exhaustion that makes it hard to be present for the moments you’ve been looking forward to — these are the quiet consequences of end-ofyear overwhelm. And yet we’ve normalized it to the point where parents feel guilty for being overwhelmed.
p arental stress doesn’t stay tucked inside. It moves through families.
That’s why the EAC Network’s Long Island Parenting Institute exists. LIPI has been offering free and low-cost workshops and classes to parents across Nassau and Suffolk counties for years — practical, judgment-free spaces to build skills, find community, and be reminded that the village is still out there. You just sometimes need an invitation. Last year, LIPI served nearly 750 parents across the region.
Its programming director, Kathryn Cannino, helps oversee programs on positive parenting, child development and strengthening family relationships. Asked about parents feeling stress this time of year, Cannino’s response was, “End-of-year stress is real, but parents don’t have to push through it alone, or perfectly. The families we work with often find that turning point is treating
themselves with the same compassion they offer their loved ones — recognizing burnout is a signal to slow down and ask for support. Reaching out for support is a strength, and it also helps build the kind of connected village and supportive community that so many parents are longing for.”
So if you’re not the one managing the balancing act right now, look around. Someone near you probably is. Here are three simple ways to support parents in your community this season.
1. Be specific when you offer to help. “Let me know if you need anything” is easy to say, and almost impossible to act on. Instead, try, “I’m picking up dinner Friday — I’ll grab extra for you,” or “I can take the kids to Field Day.” Specific offers get accepted. Vague ones get politely declined by people who are too tired to ask.
2. Check in on the parent who seems like they’ve got it together. They don’t. At least not entirely. The parent who shows up at every event with snacks and a smile is often running on fumes by 9 p.m. Texting, “How are you actual-
ly doing?” can mean more than you know.
3. Say the quiet part out loud. We love our kids, and will do anything for them — but that doesn’t mean we have to do everything all the time, or that we have to do it silently and alone. When one parent names the overwhelm, others feel less alone in it. You don’t need to fix anything. Just being willing to say, “This time of year is genuinely hard” is a gift.
The LIPI team and community may be one of the best-kept secrets on Long Island, but the programs they offer are open to all. If you’re looking for your village, consider joining us for the sixweek Common Sense Parenting workshop series in July. Learn more and register at eac-network.org/li-parentinginstitute.
The end of the school year is supposed to feel celebratory — and it can, once we stop pretending the sprint to get there is effortless. So hang in there. Check on your people. Go to the concert. Cry a little at graduation. And when you’re ready to come up for air, we’ll be here.
Neela Mukherjee Lockel is president and chief executive officer of EAC Network and a Long Island mother of two.
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s America approaches its 250th anniversary, there will be no shortage of celebrations.
There will be fireworks, parades, concerts, historical exhibits and ceremonies commemorating the nation’s founding. Those traditions are important, but the semiquincentennial should also be a moment to reflect on something deeper: the ideas, institutions and values that have enabled the United States to endure for two and a half centuries.
That reflection was encouraged recently at a Long Island Association event featuring former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, and Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat whose career has included service in Congress, as mayor of Chicago, ambassador to Japan and chief of staff to President Barack Obama.
The two men represent different political philosophies, and often disagree on public policy. Yet they shared a stage, exchanged ideas and demonstrated that debate does not require hostility, and disagreement does not require contempt.
In today’s political climate, that lesson is worth revisiting.
The United States was never intended to be a nation of uniform opinions.
From the earliest days of the republic, Americans have argued over the role of government, economic policy, foreign affairs and social issues. The nation’s founders themselves often disagreed vigorously.
What made the American experiment remarkable wasn’t the absence of conflict, but the ability to manage it with democratic institutions, civic engage-
ment and a commitment to a larger common purpose.
As the country turns 250, Americans would benefit from remembering that principle.
The strength of the U.S. has never come from everyone thinking alike. It comes from people bringing different experiences, perspectives and beliefs to the table while remaining invested in the success of the nation as a whole. Diversity of thought is not a weakness to overcome; it is one of the country’s greatest assets. It fuels innovation, challenges assumptions and helps communities solve problems that no single viewpoint can address alone.
And a healthy democracy requires more than debate. It requires its citizens to respect one another. That doesn’t mean surrendering convictions or avoiding difficult conversations. It means recognizing the humanity of those with whom we disagree. It means listening before responding. It means accepting that reasonable people can reach different conclusions while still caring deeply about their communities and their country.
Americans see examples of that shared connection every day, often outside politics. They gather to support local businesses, volunteer at food drives, coach youth sports, attend school concerts and celebrate community milestones. They cheer together when their favorite teams compete for championships. They fill venues like Jones Beach for summer concerts. They rally around neighbors after storms, tragedies and hardships. Those moments matter because they remind us of a simple truth: We need one another.
To the Editor:
As members of the Rockville Centre community and board members of the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation, we write to express our strong support for the continuation of the Rockville Centre School District’s partnership with Northwell Health — a collaborative effort that provides students and families with direct access to timely, community-based mental health services. We believe this partnership is one of the most meaningful investments our district has made in the well-being of its students and families.
Rockville Centre holds a special distinction in this effort: We were a founding partner. In 2021, this collaboration led to the opening of the first Long Island Behavioral Health Center, at 100 Merrick Road. Since then the model has expanded to serve 54 school districts across Long Island, with five behavioral health centers now operating to meet regional needs. Our community should take pride in helping to lead the
No individual succeeds entirely alone. Families depend on support networks. Businesses rely on workers and customers. Communities thrive when residents contribute their time, talents and energy. The same principle applies to the nation. America’s greatest accomplishments have been achieved when people from different backgrounds worked toward a common goal despite their differences.
The story of the United States is, in many ways, a story of perseverance. Generations have faced wars, economic downturns, social upheaval, natural disasters and political divisions. Each challenge tested the country’s resolve. Time and again, Americans found ways to adapt, rebuild and move forward. That spirit remains essential today. The metaphor is simple but powerful: We are all in the same boat. Some may sit on different sides. Some may prefer a different course. Some may disagree about how fast to move or where to steer. But if everyone rows in opposite directions, the boat goes nowhere. Progress requires effort, cooperation and a recognition that our destinies are linked.
As America celebrates 250 years, the occasion should inspire more than nostalgia. It should renew our commitment to civility, perseverance and community. The ideas that divide Americans from one another are not the ideas that will shape the nation’s future.
Citizens who engage respectfully, work together and share the belief that the next chapter of the American story can be even stronger than the last will build that future. Ours is a legacy worthy of celebration.
Victory used to be something that happened before anyone announced it. Increasingly, the order has been reversed.
In sports, the concept remains reassuringly clear. The game ends. Officials post the score. The winner (How ’bout those knicks?) celebrates. The loser explains. Fans may dispute a referee’s call, but nobody expects a news conference to change the outcome.
beyond sports, however, victory has become remarkably elastic.
Political leaders launch wars with grand objectives and sweeping promises.
Months or years later, after spending enormous amounts of blood, treasure and political capital and often achieving far less than they promised, those same leaders still claim victory. They point to a ceasefire, a withdrawal, a temporary calm or a return to the conditions that existed before the conflict began and call it success. In some cases, the conditions that prompted the war remain unchanged. The victory speech, however, arrives right on schedule.
The pattern extends beyond warfare. Governments champion policies that
way.
disproportionately benefit the affluent, and market those policies as victories for working families. Advocates promote programs that fail to meet their stated objectives, and then redefine success around some narrower achievement. Military officials destroy a handful of targets while leaving a much larger criminal enterprise intact, and then describe the operation as a victory over the enterprise.
Politicians lose elections and declare victory anyway. Some candidates refuse to acknowledge defeat, cast the winners as impostors and recast themselves as the rightful victors.
Cvictory, as does the candidate who loses. The nation that prevails claims victory, and the nation that withdraws claims victory because it has endured. The official who succeeds claims victory, and the official who fails does so, too, because the effort itself was noble.
ontests no longer center on what happened, but on who defines what happened.
Different arenas, same strategy: When reality fails to cooperate, just redefine success.
Somewhere along the way, victory drifted away from accomplishment and attached itself to assertion. Public figures learned that they no longer needed to achieve victory before claiming it. They only needed to persuade enough people that victory had occurred. The announcement became the accomplishment.
For most of human history, victory and defeat described opposing conditions. One side won because another side lost. The concepts depended on each other.
Today, the candidate who wins claims
The impact of this partnership is reflected in the numbers. In the first half of the 2025–26 school year, the district recorded 19 crisis calls between August and January, with an average of four appointments at the center each month. These figures represent real students and families who reached out and received help. The center provides urgent and same-day mental health support, short-term stabilization, risk assessments and connections to ongoing care — all outside an emergency room setting, which too often leaves children without the coordination they need to fully recover.
This partnership works because it meets families where they are, reducing wait times, connecting parents to resources and taking a proactive approach before situations escalate. Mental health is directly tied to attendance, academic performance and a child’s ability to thrive.
That belief is central to the mission of the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation. We know firsthand that accessible, community-based mental health support saves lives, and that partnerships woven into the fabric of our schools are among the most powerful tools we have. We appreciate the District’s continued commitment to this partnership, and look forward to ongoing work with Northwell Health on behalf of our students and families.
RyAN PATRIck O’SHeA FOuNDATION bOARD Rockville Centre
We have not expanded the meaning of victory. We have abolished its opposite.
The legendary football coach Vince Lombardi famously declared, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Today that means something entirely different: When I win, I win. When I lose, I win. When I fail, I win. When I withdraw, I win. When I refuse to compete, I win. When my actions harm others, I still win.
Victory no longer describes an outcome. It has become an entitlement.
George Orwell saw the danger nearly 80 years ago. In “1984,” citizens drink Victory gin, smoke Victory cigarettes, and hear incessant reports of triumph while enduring scarcity, deprivation, surveillance and endless war. The irony extends beyond the products themselves. Orwell’s Party has detached the word “victory” from any recognizable condition. It no longer describes success, achievement or conquest. It simply means whatever the Party needs it to mean at any given moment.
The regime has not expanded the
meaning of victory. It has dissolved meaning itself.
That insight reaches far beyond Orwell’s fictional world. Today’s most consequential victories often occur not on battlefields, in legislatures or even at ballot boxes. They occur in the narrow space between an event and the carefully crafted narrative that follows it.
The contest no longer centers on what happened. It centers on who gets to define what happened. We once assumed that victories produce compelling stories. These days, the stories themselves — whether true, false, wild, even idiotic — produce the victories, or at least the appearance of them.
Maybe that explains the enduring appeal of sports. The scoreboard remains stubbornly indifferent to rhetoric. No coach can transform a loss into a win through messaging alone. No athlete can claim a championship into existence. Reality gets the final vote.
Much of public life now operates according to a different principle. There, assertion masquerades as accomplishment. Narratives compete with outcomes. Leaders claim victory before they achieve it, or after they fail to achieve it, or even when the opposite has occurred.
Which raises an uncomfortable question: If everyone is victorious, who, exactly, is winning?
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of interdisciplinary studies at City University of New York.
At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.
We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.
That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.
When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.
Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau