Neighbors

A year of service for Miss Wantagh

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Miss Wantagh 2014 and her court are busy planning a host of service activities for the 2014-15 school year. Kayla Knight, Miss Wantagh 2014, and her court were at the community’s Sept. 11 ceremony. First-runner up, Kaitlyn Von Runnen, made a quilt in honor of the victims, made from strips of paper to read “I will remember.”

“This was our first project,” Knight said. “We are planning many more projects.”

Additionally, Miss Wantagh and her court paid a visit to the Berkshire Nursing Home, where they sang and made new friends. “We sang songs from older musicals, something that the residents would recognize,” Knight said. “We thought this could provide them with some happy memories. I think they were very happy to have us there.”

Another visit was planned for the end of September, and they may extend to the Bellaire Nursing Home as well. “We want to reach more seniors,” she said.

This month, Miss Wantagh and her court will work on Unity Day at Wantagh High School and Middle School. Unity Day is a national program that tries to combat bullying in the schools. Haley Orgass, Miss Wantagh 2012, championed this program. She urged students to speak out against bullying and its detrimental effects on students and the community. Everyone will be encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day, explained Knight, who added that the 10th grade students will have a guest speaker. She said the court will work with the schools to make the event a success.

While other activities are planned, none were finalized. A meeting was held last month to review potential projects and complete Unity Day plans. “Each of us have our pet projects and we are excited about helping each other,” said Knight.

In the meantime, Knight said she has been chosen to sing at the All-State Music Competition this December. She is a soprano. Additionally, Knight is auditioning for a part in Wantagh High School’s 2014-15 musical, “How to Succeed in Business.”

“It’s going to be a busy year,” Knight said, “but a worthwhile one, too.”