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VOL. 74 NO. 28
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Lilah Diaz, 16, is crowned Miss Wantagh
teerism and academic achievement. Finalists are judged on community involvement, As applause erupted on the school activities, public speaksteps of Beech Street Elementa- ing and poise while presenting ry School following Wantagh’s service initiatives they hope to annual Fourth of July Parade, lead during the coming year. “It started off really as a 16-year-old Lilah Diaz looked toward her mother before hear- beauty pageant,” Executive ing the words that would Director Ella Stevens said. “But change the next year of her life. it evolved into community ser“I looked at my vice.” mom and I saw how Stevens, who has happy she was,” overseen the proDiaz recalled. “It gram since 2007, was just such an said the organizaamazing moment. It tion has expanded was also a lot of far beyond its origishock and just pure nal mission. Today, excitement.” girls from third Moments later, grade through high Diaz was crowned school participate Miss Wantagh 2026, in leadership activibecoming the newest ties, volunteer proja m b a s s a d o r o f a LILAH DIAZ ects and educational community tradi- Miss Wantagh 2026 programs throughtion now entering its out Nassau County. eighth decade. This year the This year’s ceremony car- organization featured 67 girls ried extra significance. The across all age groups and reguMiss Wantagh Pageant cele- larly partners with schools, brated its 70th anniversary elected officials, law enforcewhile coinciding with Ameri- ment agencies and local nonca’s 250th birthday, linking two profits. milestones rooted in communi“We work with these girls,” ty pride and civic service. Stevens said. “Really, the judgUnlike traditional beauty es’ jobs are to judge them as if p a g e a n t s , M i s s W a n t a g h they were going for a job interemphasizes leadership, volun-
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald photos
The national colors flew high in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Jones Beach Air Show soars on America’s 250th birthday By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
The roar of fighter jets echoed across Jones Beach on Sunday as thousands of spectators packed the shoreline for the FourLeaf Air Show, turning Long Island’s iconic beachfront into one of the nation’s largest celebrations of America’s 250th birthday. Under sunny skies and summer heat, beachgoers filled the sand hours before the first aircraft took to the air, with parking fields filling early as families settled in for a full day of aerial demonstrations, patriotic displays and military flyovers. The annual air show, paired this year with Saturday night’s fireworks spectacular, served as one of New York’s signature events commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Before the first planes launched overhead, attendees stood together during the national
anthem, many waving complimentary American flags distributed along the beach. The day’s program opened with the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team descending onto the beachfront carrying the American flag before Farmingdale State College’s aviation program took to the skies. Search-and-rescue demonstrations by the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing highlighted the capabilities of military rescue crews before international performers, including the United Arab Emirates’ Fursan Al Emarat demonstration team and Britain’s Royal Air Force Red Arrows, thrilled spectators with precision flying. Historic aircraft from the American Airpower Museum also made appearances, connecting generations of aviation history during the patriotic weekend. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds added another international flair with their trademark formation flying before the Golden CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
I
just joined for the community service aspect because I love helping people.
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