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HERALD BEACON
Students preview TeD-ed talks
Celebrating at lICM
Main Street project advances
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VOl. 76 NO. 16
APRIl 16 - 22, 2026
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Public Library hosts its first spring carnival promote and sponsor the library’s programs with a total of 84 members at the library. Throughout the Following a long, harsh winter, planning process, group members the Junior Friends of the Union- were able to work together to dale Public Library welcomed in decide on the games and prizes and to determine how spring by hosting the the ticket system library’s first-ever would work. carnival on April 4, “There was a lot offering plenty of of decision-making games and prizes to and agreeing with over a dozen commueach other,” Amanda nity members. Borgia, the library’s The carnival, head of teen services which was held from and adult program2 to 4 p.m., transming coordinator, formed the library’s said. “There was also lawn into a festive discussion about how environment for chilmuch each prize dren to play games, would be worth, so earn tickets and there was a lot of exchange them for compromise.” prizes. Prizes includIn choosing the ed lanyards, bubbles, COle lAwRY carnival activities, foam gliders, bouncy Junior Friends Junior Friends were balls, croc accessomember able to balance their ries known as Jibbcreativity with practiitz, silicone bracelets, resin animals and mini figurines. cality. “Some of it was what we could The balloon animal creations added to the excitement as chil- find and what we could create,” dren were able to carry around Borgia said. “There were some fun balloons like dogs and flowers. suggestions that weren’t feasible Planning for the carnival began this year, but we’re going to figure in January during the Junior them out for next year.” For Junior Friend Cole Lawry, Friends’ regular meeting. Junior Friends is a group of tweens and 15, the carnival was about creating teenagers in grades 6-12 that helps
By ABBY GIBSON
Intern
T
Photos courtesy Frantz Dorsainvil
Board members of the Gift of Writing Foundation and honorees, clockwise from upper left Vicki Sylvain, treasurer; Uniondale High School soccer coach Cohen Nelson; Rhonda Taylor, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction; Wendy Gregg; Herold Dasque; Natasha Ulysse; Stephanie Bailey; Frantz Dorsainvil; Lenore Pringle; Adeola Tella-Williams; Mindes Dorleans and Erline Dorsainvil.
Raising funds to help kids in Haiti By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
More than 200 guests gathered to support the Gift of Writing Foundation last month at a fundraising event celebrating the nonprofit, which was founded by a Uniondale assistant principal who turned his journey from Haiti into a mission to give back. The 12th annual Fundraising Dinner Dance Celebration was held March 21 at Verdi’s, in Westbury. The event featured performances by the Haitian American Student Association, and honored eight individuals for their contributions to the foundation. Frantz Dorsainvil, assistant principal of Northern Parkway Elementary School, who grew up in Haiti, established the nonprofit in
2013. It provides school supplies, meals and educational support to students abroad, while also offering scholarships to local students. “The gala was excellent — it was well attended,” Dorsainvil said. “We always have a nice program.” The fundraiser, he said, generated about $25,000 from ticket sales and donations, though a last-minute venue change and associated costs reduced the amount the foundation will keep to about $5,000. “We had to change the venue midway through the event,” Dorsainvil said. “That kind of got in the way of our goal — it was a space issue they just couldn’t accommodate.” The event was originally planned for Mirelle’s Restaurant and Catering Hall in WestCoNTiNUED oN PAGE 7
he Junior Friends Carnival is a day where everyone comes outside to have fun, play some games and entertain the little kids.
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