Chamber honors Island Park students

Two Island Park students, Hayden Smith and Ashley Egan received several awards at the Island Park Business and Residential Chamber meeting June 21.

Village Mayor Michael McGinty presented the pair with the McGinty/Cooke award in honor of the Mayor’s late son. Cooke is the Mrs. McGinty’s maiden name. The Mayor said the award is not about best grades but about “Well Rounded Citizens” of the community.

Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and Republican Senatorial Candidate Chris McGrath representing Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino made other presentations.

Chamber President Terry Reichel said, “Hayden Smith is a thoughtful and dedicated young man. Throughout the years he has demonstrated true leadership qualities, especially when he is around younger children. He is a peacemaker, exhibiting excellent sportsmanlike conduct whether on or off the field This summer Hayden is volunteering for six weeks at a camp in New Hampshire working with kids eight and younger. He will be attending Long Beach High School. Your parents are very proud of you and the school as well because they recommended you for the scholarships.”

Reichel said Egan is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, on the High Honor Roll at Lincoln Orens Middle School [LOMS], one of the top 10 winners of the LOMS Science Fair in seventh grade, and in the top five in eighth grade, when she was selected to present at the Long Island Science Congress. She played volleyball at LOMS and softball on several teams. Reichel added that Egan volunteered building the Island Park Kaboom Park on Waterford Road, raised money for the Canine Foundation for the Handicapped, assists painting over graffiti in the Village of Island Park, volunteers for the PTA and took part in the Jimi Gubelli 5K Walk/Run.

McGinty said “I like it when kids come and talk to me in the streets. I watch Hayden, I notice that everything is peaceful around him, and I notice that when he stops to talk to me all the other guys he is with stop what they are doing and talk to me. That’s leadership. To walk up to an adult and talk to them. You’re a good guy.”

McGinty said he was afraid when he heard Egan’s family was moving out of Island Park the Village was losing a cornerstone. “So I am glad to see you around here, he said to Egan. “In addition to the scholarship the Village wants to present you with a Certificate of Merit as well.”