_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD
IS IT TIME FOR A HEARING CHECK-UP?
Temple hosts Purim party
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Vol. 74 No. 11
MARCH 12 - 18, 2026
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Seaford student is National Merit contest finalist between significance and success,” Kind said when asked about the subject of his essay. Seaford High School senior “Living a significant life — Matthew Kind has been named a impacting others rather than finalist in the prestigious just focusing on yourself.” That idea, he said, has shaped National Merit Scholarship Program, placing him among the his outlook both in and outside nation’s top high school stu- the classroom. “Significance is dents. making an impact on others,” The competition recognizes while success is more individualexceptional achievement on the istic, he explained. His guidance PSAT exam, which students take counselor, Suzanne Cosenza, in their junior year. said that mindset Each year, the proreflects the type of g r a m re c o g n i z e s student Kind has about 50,000 students been since he nationwide, includarrived at the high ing roughly 34,000 school. Commended Stu“From the dents and 16,000 moment I met Matsemifinalists, nearly thew in ninth grade, all of whom become MATTHEw KiNd I knew he was somefinalists. The winone truly exceptionSenior, Seaford High ners of just under al,” Cosenza said. School 7,000 scholarships “While his academic will be announced achievements are beginning in April, according to remarkable, what stands out the National Merit Scholarship even more is his character. In my Corporation. 28 years as a guidance counselKind, Seaford High’s valedic- or,” she added, “Matthew is torian this year, scored 1510 out among the most genuine, sincere of a possible 1520 on the exam. and respectful students I have “That qualified me to pursue the ever had the privilege of worknext step,” he said of an applica- ing with.” tion process that required supPrincipal Nicole Schnabel port from school administrators echoed that sentiment, describand a personal essay. ing Kind as a student whose “I talked about the difference
By lUKE FEENEY
lfeeney@liherald.com
Herald file photo
Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line Wantagh Avenue this weekend, when the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns
Thousands are expected for celebration of Irish culture By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line Wantagh Avenue on Sunday as the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Irish heritage on Long Island. The parade, now in its sixth year, draws spectators from across Nassau County and beyond. Chamber officials expect attendance to be similar to previous years, when the crowd of marchers, officials and spectators has grown to an estimated 50,000 people, and filled the streets of Wantagh. The parade will step off from Wantagh High School and head south on Wantagh Avenue before ending near Park Avenue, where post-parade festivities typically continue with live entertainment. “We’re expecting it to be on par with prior years,” Marilynne Rich, the chamber’s first vice president, said of the expected attendance. This year’s collective grand marshal is
the entire Wantagh Fire Department, in recognition of the volunteer department’s longstanding service to the community. Founded in 1899, the department now has about 200 members and operates out of five firehouses, responding to roughly 2,000 ambulance calls and more than 1,000 fire calls each year. At the chamber’s Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration last September at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, where the parades grand marshal is annually announced. Then Chamber President Kathy McGrory Powell said the decision to honor the entire department, reflected the collective dedication of its members. The department was represented at the dinner by Assistant Chiefs Bill Stevens, Paul Krussmann and Chris Dolley, and Stevens called the department’s selection an honor. “We’ve worked hand in hand with the chamber the past few parades,” Stevens said at the time. “We’re just honored to be recognized as grand marshals.” McGrory Powell described the department as the unsung heroes of the communiConTinueD on PAge 2
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ignificance is making an impact on others.
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