__________________ SEAFORD _________________
HERALD Kiwanis Spring Festival 2026
Seaford seniors clapped out
Harbor students are moving up
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VOL. 74 NO. 25
JUNE 18 - 24, 2026
$1.00
Wantagh family passes down love of baseball players. While many baseball families eventually drift away from the For Barry Poris, watching his sport, the Poris family’s connecgrandsons play baseball for tion has only deepened. “I don’t force anything on Wantagh’s Little League and travel teams has much greater them,” Barry said. “The key is meaning than just wins and loss- making it fun. If they’re having es — it’s about seeing a family fun, they’ll want to keep playtradition continue. ing.” The 78-year-old According to former professional Brad, the brothers ballplayer, who was rarely need encourdrafted by the St. agement to pracLouis Cardinals in tice. On most days, 1969 and later they’re outside played and coached throwing, hitting or professionally, now working on drills spends much of his together in the time watching his backyard. grandsons, Liam “What stands and Luke Poris, out is the way they develop their own practice on their love for the game. own,” Brad said. “Third genera- BARRY PORIS “I’ve never really tion? It’s unbeliev- Former St. Louis needed to push able,” said Barry Cardinal them. They’re conPoris, who, as a stantly out there teenager, was drafted out of playing baseball.” school by the Cardinals and Both boys began playing at spent years pursuing his profes- age 3 and quickly developed a sional dream before later coach- passion for the sport. Asked ing at the collegiate level. what inspired him to play, Liam Today, the game remains a credits his family’s influence. central part of family life, with “Grandpa Barry, Justin and his son, Brad Poris, coaching in Jake,” he said. Wantagh Little League and his Luke’s answer was a bit difgrandsons, Liam, 10, and Luke, 8, ferent. “So 5 million people could emerging as young, standout
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
B
Courtesy Seaford School District
Valedictorian Matthew Kind, second from left, and Salutatorian Brian Karaman received the Seaford Middle School/High School PTSA Academic Award from SHS Assistant Principal Alex Mantay, far left, Assistant Principal Melanie Judson and Principal Nicole Schnabel.
Seaford class of 2026 graduates
Seniors celebrate achievements and ponder the future By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
As 165 seniors reached a major life milestone, the theme was fitting at Seaford High School’s graduation ceremony on June 12 at the LIU Post Tilles Center. Milestones, Principal Nicole Schnabel said, define every stage of life and of history. “Graduation is not a milestone to be treated lightly,” she said. “It is a marker that stands between what has been and what is yet to come.” The graduates, in their green and white caps and gowns, proudly walked in to “Pomp and Circumstance,” played by the Seaford High School band’s freshmen, sophomores and juniors. They heard congratulatory remarks and words of wisdom from
State Sen. Steve Rhoads and Town of Hempstead Councilman Christopher Schneider. Schnabel noted one important milestone in history, the invention of the telephone, because it changed communication forever. In an era of texting and sending emojis, she encouraged graduates to “bring back the phone call” because, as they begin a new chapter, “someone will be waiting to hear from you.” Superintendent Adele Pecora spoke about how the milestone was literally a stone to mark a mile, dating back to Ancient Rome, before it took on a more figurative sense to describe significant events, achievements and turning points. However, she said, milestones do not provide direction. That comes from a compass, which CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
aseball is a thinking game.You have to know what you’re going to do before the ball gets hit to you.
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