To graduate high school in New York, every student must pass a variety of Regents exams. In principle, the exams are a good thing. They ensure that graduates know enough of the basic concepts from each subject to pass a test. In practice, however, the Regents exams show nothing. more

John F. Kennedy High School recently named one student from each academic department to receive Student of the Month recognition for October. more

Editor’s note: Shulman is a Herald student columnist from Kennedy High School, which has students from Bellmore and Merrick. From the time that we are children, we are told to be ourselves –– to be unique. Students show their unique natures daily. How they dress, how they act and how they learn are all different. But there is one part of school where most students do not try to be themselves: their schedule. Why does this happen? Students constantly ask their guidance counselors the question, “What looks good for college?” instead of the asking themselves the obvious question, “What do I actually enjoy?” more

The work of Bellmore artist Barbara Epstein is featured in a Town of Hempstead show at the Merrick Library. The show is ongoing through Oct. 28. Above, Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray greeted Epstein at a Meet the Artists reception at the library recently. more

Editor’s note: Shulman is a Herald youth columnist from Kennedy High School, which has students from Bellmore and Merrick. Most juniors will take the SAT for the first time this spring. Therefore, a common topic of discussion in the halls of Kennedy High School now is SAT preparation, and for a majority of students, the main method of preparation is a tutor. From a small survey that I conducted among my classmates, the median cost of their one-on-one SAT tutors was $95 per hour. The maximum cost was an exorbitant $300 per hour. more

The Kennedy High School Student Government granted its September C.A.R.M.A. Award to Ross Shulman, a Herald student columnist. The “Cougars As Role Model Americans” Program was established by the Student Government in 2009 to showcase the efforts of members of the school community to promote volunteerism. The program has recognized Kennedy students and staff members who have helped the poor, sick, elderly and underprivileged. more

With the school year complete and with summer upon us, bullying won’t be a problem for a couple of months, right? Wrong. more

After two years, I have reached the end of my days as a Herald student columnist. I will graduate Kennedy High School on Sunday. More than anything, I hope my columns have urged the Bellmore-Merrick community to think differently about world issues. With so many formidable challenges facing us today, there might be a tendency to grow pessimistic and hopeless. But what I've tried to do is showcase the impressive efforts of different organizations-especially youth-so that my readers see plenty of reason for optimism. more

Seniors and students cut a rug at the Kiwanis Club Spring Fling on May 23. "There's nothing better than seeing the interaction between the young people and the seniors," Kiwanis Senior Spring Fling Chairwoman Anne Burke said. more

Mepham High School senior Michelle Dimino is the recent recipient of two prestigious Long Island language awards. more