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UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
Knights wins Homecoming
Learning safety, having fun
new team comes to Uniondale
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oCToBeR 23 - 29, 2025
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It was cupcakes and cocktails at the museum
eral grants. Half of the museum’s revenue comes from donations, and the other half The Long Island Children’s from its gift shop and activiM u s e u m ’ s s i g n a t u r e g a l a , ties such as theater birthday “Cupcakes & Cocktails,” was parties. In past years, the museum a night to remember, raising more than $1 million to sup- has received consistent federport the museum’s exhibits, a l s u p p o r t — i n c l u d i n g a educational programs and $250,000 grant in 2023 from the Institute of Museum and community outreach. More than 300 guests filled Library Services for a new permanent exhibit the building on titled “Saltwater Oct. 9, exploring Stories.” But with hands-on exhibits no new grants listand enjoying a fesed for 2024 or 2025, tive evening of that pipeline now games, live music appears to be in and immersive jeopardy. experiences. The museum “We are proud has not confirmed to share that this whether any year’s Cupcakes & grants were Cocktails fundrais- Jeff HAnSon but e r e x c e e d e d o u r Founder and president, r e v o k e d , nationally, nearly ambitious $1 mil- Hanson Advisors 10,000 institutions lion stretch goal — have lost federal an extraordinary show of support from hun- funding this year due to execdreds of individuals and busi- utive actions targeting culturnesses across our communi- al agencies. The shift underty,” the museum’s president, scores the importance of local Erika Floreska, wrote in an support — including fundraising efforts like Cupcakes & email. The funds raised at the Cocktails — to sustain educagala account for 16 percent of tional programming. “This level of generosity their facility’s annual operating budget — and will also is more than financial — it’s a help mitigate the loss of fed-
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
Stu Goldman/Herald photo
Head coach Dan Splendore, far left, with the Uniondale High School girls’ varsity volleyball team and assistant coach Amanda Prescia, right.
Lady Knights serving for a cause
Volleyball raises money for breast cancer awareness By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
When the Uniondale High School girls’ volleyball team recently took the court dressed in pink and black — a bold shift from their usual black-and-gold uniforms — the gesture was more than just about trying to win a game. The teammates were remembering, supporting and playing for something much bigger than individual or team achievements. On Oct. 11, both varsity and junior varsity teams hosted Westbury High School for a special Breast Cancer Awareness matchup. The Uniondale players wore custom pink uniforms — funded through the school’s budget — as a tribute to survivors, fighters, and those lost to the disease. The uniforms will be worn throughout October. The desire to make an impact came from the team, but athletic director Peter Cardone helped bring it to life — securing funds and
ensuring the uniforms arrived in time. “The girls wanted to do a special volleyball game this year, an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer,” Cardone said. “I thought it’d be a great idea to make sure our girls have uniforms that represent Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Head coach Dan Splendore met with Cardone a few times to go over some uniform options and what they came up with was a pink and black color scheme, with pink as the dominate and black only their jersey number. Cardone noted this was the athletic department’s first event of its kind since he began in 2021. He said it made him proud to see the initiative come from the students and coaches themselves. He continued to praise the school staff and district superintendent Monique DarrisawAkil, calling them “awesome,” while also lauding Splendore, assistant coach Amanda PresContinUeD on PAge 24
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e were incredibly excited, and I’m optimistic in the future.
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