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VOL. 37 NO. 26
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V.S. South marks 70 years Students, staff, families celebrate milestone in a special way at Valley Stream Central High School. The school was formally dedicated in December 1955, As Valley Stream South and its first full academic year High School celebrates its 70th began in 1956. This year marks anniversary, students, faculty 70 years since the school’s and school volunteers gathered opening and the beginning of in the building’s cafetorium on its legacy in the community. Organized by the June 11 to commemschool’s Parent orate the milestone. Te a c h e r S t u d e n t The event Association, the celb ro u g h t t o g e t h e r ebration featured current members of music, which was the school communiplayed throughout ty and longtime supthe event, as attendporters to honor ees enjoyed refreshSouth’s past while ments and received looking ahead to its South-themed merfuture, reflecting on chandise, including its history while precommemorative serving memories keychains. Red and that highlight how MATThEw white cupcakes far the community SwINSON arranged in the has come over the Principal, shapes of a “7” and a decades. Valley Stream “0” marked the occa“It’s unbelievably sion, adding a festive exciting,” Matthew South High School touch to the afterSwinson, the noon. school’s principal, One of the most meaningful said. “I’m a part of history now, right? And I think it’s a very aspects of the celebration was proud moment and experience the display of school history on the cafetorium stage. Multiple to be part of history.” South traces its history to ye a r b o o k s f r o m p r ev i o u s 1955, when the building was decades were available to completed, and students moved browse alongside trifold boards into the new campus after pre- featuring programs, newspaper viously attending split sessions Continued on page 3
By JANE BAGATTA
Intern
Christine Rivera/Herald
Celebrating Freedom Day Autumn Ekpanya, 5, left, and Scarlett Crockett, 6, received tutus at the Yes Girls tent during Valley Stream’s second annual Juneteenth Jubilee last Friday at Valley Stream State Park, where the community gathered for historical presentations, cultural performances and family-friendly activities honoring the national holiday. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Paw it Forward turns to community to keep doors open By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
What began as an effort to support animal rescues and food banks has grown into a lifeline for pet owners facing financial hardship, but the future of the organization is increasingly uncertain. Paw it Forward, a volunteer-run, home-based pet pantry, was founded by Valley Stream resident Danielle Scala in 2016 and provides temporary assistance to pet owners who are struggling to afford food for their dogs and cats. Operating from Scala’s home, the pantry distributes dog food, cat food, treats and cat litter to help families keep their pets during difficult times.
“It has been the hardest to purchase most food items, and pet food is no exception,” Scala said. “Prices have gone sky high. It breaks our hearts hearing the hardships that people come and tell us that they can’t feed their pets.” Paw it Forward’s mission differs from that of many traditional food pantries. Rather than providing long-term assistance, the organization offers short-term support. It encourages recipients to “paw it forward” by donating back to the pantry when their circumstances improve so that others can receive help. The organization first operated as a resource for Long Island food banks and animal rescues, then expanded its efforts following the 2017 hurContinued on page 7
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think it’s a very proud moment and experience to be part of history.