Malverne High School renaming meets opposition

A great debate has risen over the potential name changing of Malverne High School.

Residents of the Malverne and Lakeview communities who recently signed an online petition requesting that the school be named for the late Elizabeth Carol Cherry — a former district teacher — have met opposition.

Two Facebook groups sprung up last week denouncing the movement to rename the high school. Members of the groups —  "Malverne High School Stand Loud and Proud" and "Don't Change The Name of Malverne High School" — also created an online petition to garner support for their cause.

"Malverne High School has been known by no other name since it opened its doors to students in 1957," said Kathe Schwarz, an alumna opposed to the renaming. "'Malverne' is unique in that it is the only one of its kind, spelling Malverne with the final 'e.' We are a school that has gone through integration, wars, economic changes and experienced riots that transitioned into cultural acceptance and unity. Malverne is a beacon for us that we will always refer to as 'home.'"

Lynn Singleton, a Lakeview resident who is among those spearheading the fight to rename the school, doesn't see how changing the name would affect the school's historical significance. She did, however, say that she and her supporters would be willing to compromise to include both Cherry's name and the name "Malverne."

But Schwarz was unwilling to hear of compromise. "There are many other teachers, past and present, that have impacted students' lives in a positive way," she said. "We do not take away from Ms. Cherry her dedication to her students and the community. This opposition would take place regardless of the proposed name. It should remain Malverne High School, period."

There are alternatives to honoring Cherry, Schwarz added. A scholarship could be established in her name, or a library or assembly room at the Maurice W. Downing Primary School, where Cherry was a teacher, could be dedicated to her. Others opposing the name change said it makes no sense to name the high school for a teacher who did not teach there.