_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD Kiwanis ready for food drive
Honorary patriots announced
Giving back with yoga
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Vol. 73 No. 9
FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5, 2025
$1.00
She’ll play ball in Germany this summer in Florida last year. For her, the opportunity to compete in another country is an incrediMegan Martone, a Wantagh ble experience. “ I w a s re a l ly e xc i t e d , ” Middle School student, will travel to Germany this summer Megan said. “I didn’t believe to represent the United States it.” She said she has played softin an inter national softball tournament, which ball since she was 6, runs from July 28 to and her primary Aug. 5. position is catcher, Competing with with shortstop as the 18 and under her secondary positeam, the 14 year tion. Megan, who is old will be one of a sw i t c h h i t t e r, the youngest athplays for the Phoeletes on the roster. nix Fire Fastpitch, Me g an will be a non-profit, Long playing on AmeriIsland-based travel ca’s Team, an orgafast pitch softball nization dedicated pro g ram, on the to providing athTeam PF Showcase letes with opportuElite. Her father nities to explore has been coaching new cultures the team for three through sports. The years, but the core g r o u p a r r a n g e s NiCK MARtoNE g roup has been international tours Megan’s father and to gether for five so that players can coach years, previously compete against playing under a diflocal teams while ferent organization. experiencing the host country’s According to her father, culture. Each team is led by col- Megan has played with athletes lege coaches, ensuring a high from the West Coast to the level of mentorship and compe- South and has built lasting tition. friendships with many of them. According to Nick Martone, Martone said playing in Gerher father and coach, Megan many should be a smooth tranwas recruited to play for AmerContinued on page 4 ica’s Team during a showcase
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
S
Courtesy Wantagh school district
Nemo must be here somewhere
he’s been fortunate that she’s played in a lot of situations where she’s played with kids from all over the country.
Easy. Honest. Accurate. Garramone hits the right notes Wantagh Elementary School’s Theater Club staged four performances of ‘Finding Nemo Kids’ on Feb. 11 and 12, based on the popular Disney animated movie. Story, more photos, Page 20.
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MacArthur junior wins at international piano competition
eighth grade. The Andrey Stoyanov competition, held annually in Sofia, draws young pianists from around Years of mastering the piano have paid off for the world. “It was a mix of emotions,” Garramone said Levittown’s Felicia Garramone, who won a first place diploma in the prestigious Andrey Stoya- of her win. “I was shocked at first, but then I was nov International Piano Competition in Sofia, really overjoyed, because I was happy that all my hours that I spent working on piano really paid Bulgaria, in November. Garramone, 16, a junior at General Douglas off.” The competition, named for the Bulgarian MacArthur High School in the Levittown school district, has played piano since she was 4 years pianist and composer Andrey Stoyanov, took old. In the years since, she has taken part in New place Nov. 14-17 at the Community and Cultural online at mptrg.com/heraldwrap or call Music 516.715.1280 Academy Hall in York StateApply School Music Association competi- Center and the National tions, and even performed with the All-State Sofia. Garramone competed in the 15-to-19 age Orchestra at Carnegie Hall when she was in Continued on page 10
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
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