Friday, July 18, 2025
The Rockville Centre Education Foundation’s 2025 Gala, set for April 26, will honor two exceptional individuals whose contributions to the community have had a profound impact on both the local business landscape and the field of education.
This year’s honorees, Lisa Umansky and Melissa Rice, are celebrated for their dedication, innovation, and commitment to the betterment of Rockville Centre.
Lisa Umansky: Gala Honoree
Lisa Umansky, owner of the beloved Polka Dot Pound Cake in Rockville Centre, has made a lasting mark on the local community as a passionate small business owner and dedicated civic leader. A long-time member and past president of the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce from 2023 to 2024, Umansky has worked tirelessly in support of fellow small businesses, ensuring that Rockville Centre thrives.
“I’m honored and thrilled to be this year’s Rockville Centre Education Foundation Gala honoree,” Umansky said. “I’ve always believed in a strong relationship between the business community and the school district, and I think it’s a win-win for the entire community.”
For years, Umansky has been a steadfast supporter of the Foundation, as well as the South Side High School drama program, and has provided a platform for local high school musicians to showcase their talents. Her unwavering dedication to the success of these initiatives has helped solidify her role as a true community champion. Also, Umansky was named “Rockville Centre’s 2018 Businessperson of the Year” by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce for her invaluable efforts.
“Lisa has always been a supporter of the Foundation,” Jean Harris, vice president of the Education Foundation, said, “but more importantly she understands the benefits of commerce and community working together.”
The story of Polka Dot Pound Cake is just as rich and warm as the baked goods it creates. After relocating to Rockville Centre in 1993 and spending time raising her two daughters, Umansky began sharing her baked goods at local farmers’ markets. Over the course of several years, Umansky’s business grew from a small side endeavor to a beloved bakery.
When Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012, Umansky saw an opportunity to open a full-fledged bakery, and in 2013, Polka Dot Pound Cake opened its doors on Long Beach Road. Along with her husband, Paul Umansky, who joined the business in 2013, she transformed her passion for baking into a thriving business.
In 2016, Umansky expanded her business’s reach by partnering with Old Westbury Gardens to operate Café in the Woods, offering event catering services. By 2019, she expanded once again, adding a café and event space to the bakery. The success of Polka Dot Pound Cake is a testament to Umansky’s unwavering dedication to both her craft and the community she loves.
Melissa Rice: 2025 Ruth Fins Award Recipient
Melissa Rice, a teacher at Floyd B. Watson Elementary School in Rockville Centre, is the recipient of the 2025 Ruth Fins Award, an honor recognizing an individual who exemplifies the spirit of dedication, advocacy, and belief in the transformative power of education. Rice’s career spanned over two decades, during which she has had a profound impact on her students, colleagues, and the broader educational landscape in Rockville Centre.
Throughout her 23-year teaching career, Rice has remained steadfast in her commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in the classroom. Her innovative approach to curriculum design, coupled with her ability to inspire students of all abilities, has earned her widespread recognition and admiration.
“I used to try and say that teaching was just my job,” Rice said, “but teaching, particularly in RVC, is who I am at my core. I have been incredibly blessed to work amongst the best of the best and to teach hundreds of children that I will love forever.”
In addition to her work in the classroom, Rice has been an active participant in the Rockville Centre Education Foundation, using grants to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences for her students. These grants have enabled her to bring innovative educational projects to life, enriching the classroom environment and sparking curiosity in students.
This year’s Ruth Fins Award is named in honor of Ruth Fins, a tireless advocate for public education in Rockville Centre, and Rice embodies the same spirit of dedication and belief in the power of education to change lives. Rice’s influence extends far beyond the classroom — her compassion, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the success of her students has left a lasting imprint on Rockville Centre.
“Melissa Rice takes advantage of what the Foundation has to offer,” Harris said. “She is a repeat grant recipient who brings innovation to education while enhancing student learning.”
Outside of her teaching career, Rice is also a proud mother. Together with her husband, Mike, they raise two dynamic daughters who are an integral part of the Rockville Centre community. Their family’s commitment to education and community service reflects the values that Rice has instilled in her students throughout her career.
“The Rockville Centre Education Foundation has made so many of my educational endeavors come to fruition,” she said, “and I am incredibly humbled and proud to be recognized at this year’s gala.”
For more information on the Education Foundation and their Benefit Gala, visit RVCEdFoundation.org.
