Memorial students honor their heroes

Seventh graders, teachers and administrators of Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School took time out of their Friday morning and gathered in the gymnasium to pay tribute to people who have positively impacted the lives of the students as part of “Hero Day.”

All seventh graders, approximately 300 of them, were told to write an essay about their personal hero — someone who has helped them through a great tragedy, pushed them to be better, or has been kind to everyone — not the people who society and history books tell them are heroes.

Of the students, 10 were chosen and, accompanied by their hero, read their essays for the entire grade on May 23. Some of the other heroes students wrote about were in attendance and were able to sit with the student who selected him or her.

Kim Cazzetto, a seventh- and ninth-grade teacher at Memorial, organized the event after bringing the idea with her three years ago when she came from South High School.

“We force an opportunity on them for them to think about the people in their lives and acknowledge that there are good people in their lives that they should appreciate,” she said.

Islam Ghanem chose his father, Ahmed, who is a police officer, as his hero because of how his father was able to overcome the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and how he helped Islam become one of the top students in his class after struggling in school.

“Even though my dad does not fly, wear a mask or shoot lasers from his eyes, he is a superhero to me,” he said.

Asma Azam chose her father because he is persistent, helped her family through Hurricane Sandy and continues to push her to be better.

“A hero is someone who tells you to shoot for the stars and be unique,” she said. “This individual tells you the sky is the limit.”

Amanda Lakharam’s teacher, Lisa Asaro, from Howell Road Elementary School, was her hero because of all she did for the Lakharams while Amanda’s brother, Nick, was diagnosed with Stage 4 bone cancer.

“The only day Lisa would be satisfied was when she saw a smile on my face, Nick’s face and on my mom and dad,” she said.

Lakharam said that her teacher was there for her family when her brother died and has continued to stay in her life as a friend to the family.

Niyah Armstrong selected her mother as her hero for being a provider of the family while sacrificing her time for her children.

Emely Cruz Martinez acknowledged her mother in her essay for being “supportive, honest and loving,” encouraging her to chase her dream of being a doctor.

Juliana Hernandez chose her sister, Ashley Inoa selected her art teacher, Christelle Jean-Baptiste acknowledged her brother, Amanda Seltzer chose her great grandmother, Christopher Williams picked his aunt and Khadija Zahid honored her aunt for all the personal tragedies she has been through, yet continued to keep a positive mind.

Principal Anthony Mignella said that this day is an important one for the students, because it allows the school to show them that their growth in schools isn’t always about academics. “We still want to emphasize that the emotional growth of students is just as important as the academic growth of students,” he said.

In the spirit of acknowledging heroes, two individuals who work at the school were honored as “Memorial Heroes.”

Anthony Spezio, who has served Valley Stream as the president of both the PTSA and Valley Stream Teachers Association, and Lisa Famighetti, who greets students in the morning and helps ensure the safety of students, were recognized.