Malverne’s districtwide MLK celebration

Students, parents and residents in the Malverne Union Free School District honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the district’s annual celebration on Jan. 18 in the Howard T. Herber Middle School auditorium. The event also recognized Davison Avenue Assistant Principal Stephen J. Benfante and community leader Dr. Patrick Coonan as they received this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.
As an educator for 27 years, Benfante was honored for impacting the lives of students of all ages, from pre-kindergarten through the graduate level. While at Malverne, he had the opportunity to work with students on every grade level, from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Coonan was first elected to the Malverne Board of Education in 1997 and served one term. After taking a short hiatus, he ran again in 2007 and was elected to his second term, where he remained and served as board president through 2012. Coonan was recognized for his support of the music and marching band program for more than 20 years, and for organizing other band parents to get involved.
Performers from students in each of the district’s four schools also took part in the celebration.

–Nakeem Grant