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Mostly Cloudy H-W Alumni Association to induct nine into its Hall of Fame
The Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Association’s selections for its annual Hall of Fame inductions include three executives, three doctors, two authors and one lawyer. These individuals are being recognized for their accomplishments in their individual fields, dedication to advocacy and helping others.
The 16th annual Alumni Hall of Fame Brunch and Induction Ceremony will be held Sunday, April 29 at Hewlett High School. The fee for reservations is $35 per person.
Please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and the names of the persons expected to attend with a check made payable to the Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Association (HWAA), 60 Everit Ave., Hewlett, NY 11557.
For more information, visit www.hewlett-woodmere.net and click the “Our District” button at the top of the page to access the “Alumni Association” link, or contact Teena Ditchek Korman at tkorman@optonline.net. Net revenues benefit the HWAA's scholarship fund.
John S. Ruskay
John S. Ruskay, Ph.D. class of 1964, is the executive vice president and chief executive officer of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Federation of New York. Ruskay promotes Jewish philanthropy. Through his experiences at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and the 92nd Street Y in New York City he has cared for communities and individuals.
Art Koch
Focusing on helping others through today’s food ingredient and nutritional federal labeling laws and regulations, Art Koch, class of 1965, has also handled consumer-oriented legal matters, and held positions as counsel of Food Operations and assistant secretary for Giant Food Inc. during his legal career. In addition, Koch donates many of his fine art and commercial photography to such charitable organizations as the Nature Conservancy and Oyster Bay Main Street Association.
Ira J. Friedman
A visionary in Hewlett-Woodmere’s community-wide fundraising effort, “Project Bulldog” which sought to raise money for the school’s Art Department, Ira J. Friedman, class of 1971, also is the vice president of New Product Development and Global Licensing at Topps, a sports and entertainment card company. Friedman has been involved with creation and marketing of countless trading cards and novelties including Pokémon, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.
Dr. Paula R. Schwartz-Pervil
Dr. Paula R. Schwartz-Pervil, class of 1970, was named by Castle Connolly (a listing of top doctors) New York Metro Top Doctor and received the Top 50 Women with Congressional Recognition Award. As a North Shore-LIJ Health System board member for Syosset and Plainview hospitals, a board member of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program, and member of the North Shore-LIJ Health System Oncology Task Force, Schwartz-Pervil has worked as a sub-investigator on several studies, trials, and evaluations.
Jill Santopolo
Jill Santopolo, class of 1999, grew up in Hewlett, her grandfather was former district superintendent Michael Santopolo. She began writing at 3 and has never stopped from creating a sequel to the movie version of “Grease” to writing for her school newspaper. This passion continues as the author and publisher of the Alec Flint Mystery Series that includes “The Niña, the Pinta and the Vanishing Treasure,” and “The Ransom Note Blues.” Santopolo has shared her love for writing and reading with children through mystery writing presentations at Hewlett and Ogden Elementary schools and the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library.
Dr. Dean Giannone
Dedicated to advocacy of health and wellness, Dr. Dean Giannone, class of 1988, has held positions at Staten Island University Hospital and worked as a clinical instructor at the SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn College of Medicine. His book “That’s It, I Quit: A Guide to Quitting Smoking Forever” helps to further fulfill his objective provide information to the public.
Laura Mazur Norman
Founder of Laura Norman Holistic Reflexology Centers and author of “Feet First: A Guide to Foot Reflexology,” Laura Mazur Norman, class of 1968, donates her services and products to numerous wellness-oriented charities for fundraising purposes. Norman also hosts comprehensive reflexology training programs in wellness centers, universities, hospitals, spas and salons across the nation.
Robert Bleifer
Robert Bleifer, class of 1983, began working for the Food Network 16 years ago and is responsible for Food Network Kitchens which include hands-on food styling, cooking for special events, and coordinating with network production teams, guest chefs, photographers and network departments.
Dr. Jason A. Gluck
Dr. Jason A. Gluck, class of 1994, is board certified in Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology, and Internal Medicine. As director of Emergency Cardiac Care and Heart Failure/Transplant specialist at Hartford Hospital where he is director of Emergency Cardiac Care, he trains health care providers in life support, CPR, and basic first aid. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Hewlett Bay Fire Department for the last several years.
