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INSPIRED SPACES TIMELESS DESIGN AL EFFORTLESS APPE
VOL. 74 NO. 25
JUNE 18 - 24, 2026
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Wantagh family passes down love of baseball 8, emerging as young, standout players. While many baseball famiFor Barry Poris, watching lies eventually drift away from his grandsons play baseball for the sport, the Poris family’s Wantagh’s Little League and connection has only deepened. “I don’t force anything on travel teams has much greater meaning than just wins and them,” Barry said. “The key is losses — it’s about seeing a making it fun. If they’re having family tradition fun, they’ll want to continue. keep playing.” The 78-year-old According to former professionBrad, the brothers al ballplayer, who rarely need was drafted by the encouragement to St. Louis Cardinals practice. On most in 1969 and later days, they’re outplayed and coached side throwing, hitprofessionally, now ting or working on spends much of drills together in his time watching the backyard. his grandsons, “What stands Liam and Luke out is the way they Poris, develop practice on their their own love for BARRY PORIS own,” Brad said. Former St. Louis the game. “I’ve never really “Third genera- Cardinal needed to push tion? It’s unbelievthem. They’re conable,” said Barry Poris, who, as stantly out there playing basea teenager, was drafted out of ball.” school by the Cardinals and Both boys began playing at spent years pursuing his pro- age 3 and quickly developed a fessional dream before later passion for the sport. Asked coaching at the collegiate level. what inspired him to play, Liam Today, the game remains a credits his family’s influence. central part of family life, with “Grandpa Barry, Justin and his son, Brad Poris, coaching in Jake,” he said. Wantagh Little League and his Luke’s answer was a bit difgrandsons, Liam, 10, and Luke,
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
B
Courtesy Wantagh School District
Gathering before their graduataion on June 12, Wantagh High School seniors were excited to close one chapter of their lives and begin another.
WHS class of 2026 graduates
Seniors share memories and reflect on milestones By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
With the sun shining bright on their gold accented gear, the Wantagh High School class of 2026 proudly received their diplomas on June 12 as the seniors officially became graduates. With family members cheering from the bleachers, the class of 2026 processed onto the Wantagh High School field to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” while Joseph Riso, Corline Feyrer and Luka Sumberac led the presentation of colors. Senior drum majors Madison Rodriguez and Olivia Scherer conducted the band while Emily McHale sang the National Anthem. Senior class President Daniel Donahue addressed his peers and emphasized the
importance of looking forward to seizing opportunities ahead of them. “I hope you can say, ‘I was there, I lived it, and I appreciated every moment while I had it,’” he said. Ethan Chen, the class of 2026 salutatorian, encouraged comfort and confidence as him and his peers move forward into the unknown. “The reality is that most of us are about to enter a period of our lives with new people, new opportunities and experiences we can’t predict – it’s just part of growing up,” he said. “That’s why I’ve started to think that maybe the goal isn’t to have everything figured out. Maybe the goal is to stay curious long enough to find out.” In her valedictory address, Victoria FerCONTINUED ON PAGE 2
aseball is a thinking game. You have to know what you’re going to do before the ball gets hit to you.
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