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The governor talks up her cellphone ban have young people who are finally liberated from the addictive qualities of social of the Herald media and the cellphone they never seem able to put down,” Solidifying plans to imple- she said. “Across the country, ment the state’s arrival-to-dis- 74 percent of teachers have missal school cellphone ban, said it is impossible to teach and connect with Gov. Kathy Hochul our young people met on Long anymore because Island last week they’re competing with school leadwith TikTok dance ers from Nassau videos, and that and Rockland kids aren’t learncounties as well as ing the way they New York City. used to.” The new disUniondale traction-free poliSchools Superincy, which was part tendent Monique of the latest state Darrisaw-Akil budget, goes into held the district’s effect on Aug. 1. It first Cell Phone will dramatically Task Force meetrestrict the use of ing in March to smartphones in discuss implemenschools across tation strategies to New York. At a gathering GOV. KATHY HOCHUL c u r b p h o n e u s e during school at the Hicksville hours. She echoed school district offices on June 24, Hochul said the governor’s concerns about she is a firm believer that the teachers having to compete p o l i c y w i l l h e l p c h i l d r e n with social media. “Cellphones are a constant become more engaged and, ultimately, high-functioning distraction, even beyond social media,” Darrisaw-Akil said. “It adults. “I believe that as a result of is the constant communication this cellphone ban, we will
By STACY DRIKS & BRIAN NORMAN
I
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Over 500 Uniondale High School graduates celebrated at Hofstra University last Saturday.
Seniors mark a milestone
First class to finish four years in person since Covid By ALEXIA CROLL Intern
Over 500 Uniondale High School seniors celebrated their graduation on Saturday at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Complex, marking the close of the 2024-25 school year. Speeches throughout the ceremony reflected students’ hard work, the dedication of faculty, a deep sense of community pride and hopes for the future. This year’s valedictorian, Alison Nieto, dedicated her speech to her friends, who, she said, made important contributions to her success. She reminded her classmates that they were the first seniors since the coronavirus pandemic to complete all four years in person — a journey shaped by
both unexpected challenges and hardearned triumphs. “Don’t lose your hope — the world right now can feel unpredictable and heavy, but positivity is one of the most powerful tools,” Nieto said. “Even if you find one thing — just one thing — to be happy about in your day, you’ll be OK. That joy, that spark, is what keeps us going.” Nieto was a member of the national, science, math, Spanish and Tri-M Music honor societies. She plans to study chemistry and optometry at Columbia University this fall. This year’s salutatorian, Katherine Molina Medrano, gave a teary-eyed speech reflecting on her high school journey and CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
believe that as a result of this cellphone ban, we will have young people who are finally liberated from the addictive qualities of social media.
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