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Mostly Cloudy A new name for Malverne High School?
Some residents are petitioning to rename school for former teacher
After former Malverne teacher Elizabeth Carol Cherry was honored posthumously at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Malverne High School in January, Lakeview resident Rener Reed submitted a letter to rename the high school in Cherry’s honor.
Reed said her request to rename the school E. Carol Cherry Malverne High School was received on Jan. 14 by the Board of Education and that was told by school board President Dr. Patrick Coonan that her request would be discussed at the February board meeting. Reed said she requested a response from the board in writing, which she never received.
In a Facebook group called “I Love Malverne But Want More From Our Schools!” Reed said, “I felt her impact on all of our lives would be best honored by naming Malverne High School after Ms. Cherry.”
In an excerpt from her letter to the board, Reed said she wrote, “This renaming would not replace the Malverne name but embrace the spirit of dedication and devotion that Carol gave to our children. Please consider this renaming as a tribute to Carol Cherry.”
The issue was rekindled last week by West Hempstead resident Lynn Singleton, who, through the same Facebook group, encouraged area residents to sign an online petition in support of renaming the school. Cherry, a graduate of the Malverne school district herself, had taught at the Maurice W. Downing school for more than 30 years. “Malverne schools ran through her blood,” Singleton said.
She went on to describe Cherry’s unique personality as a tool of unification. “Carole created a community of teachers, students, parents and friends,” Singleton said. “Through her love and diligence she inspired and instilled a resounding sense of pride in each and every one that knew her.”
Judging by the comments posted on the Facebook page in Cherry’s memory and honor, that certainly seems to be true.
“She was amazing,” wrote Jeanne D’Esposito, whose son Cherry had once taught. “Her untimely death was truly tragic and a terrible loss. I think it is lovely that a proposal was made to name the high school after her.”
