Conte follows Pirrone’s lead

Dr. Lisa Conte, principal of the Robert W. Carbonaro School in Valley Stream, says she is very much like the late Diana Pirrone. She strives to be a positive role model for children, and fosters the ideas of kindness, caring, acceptance and respect for others.

Those traits, and others, earned her the first Diana Pirrone Distinguished Service award from the Lynbrook Rotary Club. Conte was presented the award at a ceremony on May 23 at Villa Umberto’s in Elmont.

“I felt truly honored because Diana was such an outstanding person,” Conte said. “I consider this award to be very prestigious.”

Pirrone lost her battle with cancer last year at 67. She was a former principal of the William L. Buck School and assistant superintendent in District 24, retiring in 2003.

Up until her death last July, Pirrone was an active member of the Rotary Club. She served on the board of directors for nearly two decades, and had terms as president and secretary. Incoming Rotary President Barbara Lean said Pirrone’s loss was difficult for all. “Diana was the most giving person,” Lean said. “She felt your life isn’t complete unless you do for others.”

Lean said that Conte is of the same mold. Conte and Pirrone both shared the same love of literacy, a desire to educate the next generation of teachers, and placed significant value on the ESL program, Lean explained.

“Lisa and Diana have so much in common,” she said. “Diana would be very proud that Lisa is receiving this award.”

Conte has been in the education field for 27 years. She has been a principal for 18 of those, including the past seven at Carbonaro. Lean noted that Conte has coordinated several partnerships with community organizations, businesses and senior living centers.

Additionally, Conte is a liaison between District 24 and the Valley Stream Teachers’ Center, and organizes several character education events in the schools each year. Pirrone and Maureen Florio began the character education program several years ago, and Pirrone remained a consultant with the district even after her retirement.

Conte was also instrumental in establishing the summer Read and Run program at Carbonaro, which encourages students to exercise their bodies and minds while out of school.

For Conte, she does not consider being principal a job and she does treat her many duties as just work. Rather, she said, it’s an educational journey. “It’s about giving more than 100 percent on a daily basis,” Conte said, “not because you think it is the right thing to do, but because you want to make a difference in someone’s life. I work hard on behalf of everyone, like Diana did.”

Lean said that the Diana Pirrone service award will be given every year. She could think of no one more deserving for the first one than Conte. “She goes out of her way for the students, not just as principal,” Lean said. “She’s a woman that doesn’t say no.”