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2025 HIGH SCHOO L S P O RT S P R E V I E W April 10, 2025
HERALD
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BROOKE MAZZEI
OWEN DONNELLAN
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VoL. 73 No. 16 FOR THE
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Top scholars lead the class Hong and Tian are MacArthur High’s valedictorian and salutatorian dents earned the recognition. “These two phenomenal young ladies possess all the necessary With grade point averages traits, skills and empathy that above 104 and 102, respectively, are paramount not only for sucGeneral Douglas MacArthur cess, but also for truly embodyHigh School seniors Melody ing all the characteristics that make up the ideal Hong and Katherine role model for othT i a n h ave b e e n named valedictoriers,” Sheehan said. an and salutatorian Over the course of the class of 2025, of her high school earning top honors career, Hong took at the Levittown 11 Advanced Placeschool after years ment courses, and of academic dedicaTian completed 10. tion. For Hong, AP PhysHong and Tian ics 2 stood out as a lear ned of their defining challenge. honors in February. As a junior, found While both had a herself in a class feeling they were filled with seniors. near the top of their “It was definiteclass, they were still ly eye-opening surprised when the knowing nothing MELody HoNg news became offiab o u t i t b e fo re Valedictorian, General hand, and then havcial. Fo r T i a n , t h e Douglas MacArthur ing to keep up with a n n o u n c e m e n t High School the class,” she said, marked the realiza“but I’m really tion of a goal she had envi- grateful that I did.” sioned since her sophomore She credited her teacher, year. “There are a lot of really George Donavan, and her classsmart students that are compet- mates for encouraging her to itive here,” she said. “It was a s k q u e s t i o n s a n d w o rk happy news. Definitely not through problems. what I was expecting.” For Tian, AP Calculus BC, MacArthur Principal Joseph which she took this year, Sheehan said that both stu-
By CHARLES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
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Courtesy Seaford School District
Now, fill the one on top Students at Seaford Harbor Elementary School took on a cup-stacking challenge as part of the annual STEAM night on April 3, after they took part in science, technology, engineering, arts and math activities throughout the event. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Students spread ‘Word on the Street’
Wantagh Middle School hosts an evening of poetry recital By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Wantagh Middle School cafeteria was decorated to resemble a city street on April 10, as the school hosted its 10th annual “Word on the Street” literacy celebration. Lamppost cutouts and skyline posters set the scene for an evening of student and faculty performances celebrating the written word. The English department organized the event, featuring more than 20 students, in the sixth through eighth grades, as well as faculty members, who took turns reciting poetry. Some shared original poems, lyrics or short stories,
while others read favorites from well-known poets, including Shel Silverstein and Robert Frost. English teacher Christine Hult, who has organized the event since its inception, said it offers a valuable opportunity for students who may be hesitant to speak in front of a crowd. “That’s all I want,” Hult said, “is for them to have an experience speaking in front of people, because they’re going to be doing that in the high school.” Poems ranged from humorous — such as a piece explaining lab safety using visual props like beakers and flasks — to more serious works Continued on page 7
e’re really grateful for all the love and care we’ve received from our teachers, but also our amazing friends here.
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