Thursday, October 1, 2026
Friends, family and the community celebrated Sea Cliff residents Sal Spina, Renee Swanson and Kristine Janusas as they received the 2025 White Cap Award from the Sea Cliff Civic Association. The winners were honored Sunday at Foster Restaurant.
The White Cap Award, given annually since 1969, goes to at least one Sea Cliff resident who goes “above and beyond” in their contributions to the village. Its name comes from a nautical term for the froth that forms on top of waves, rising above the water.
According to Ann DiPietro, president of the civic association, the organization receives letters or text messages each year from village residents and organizations nominating individuals for the award. The civic association board reviews the nominations and chooses one or more recipients. Only one resident, Karen Papasergiou, was chosen for 2024.
“We feel humbled when we hear about what people have done,” DiPietro said, “and then we’re so delighted that we can, in a small part, honor them for what they’ve done.”
Spina, a Sea Cliff resident of more than 30 years, was honored primarily for his work with the Sea Cliff Fire Department. He has been a member for more than 15 years and currently serves as a fire medic unit officer.
“His leadership, professionalism and commitment have made him a respected and trusted presence within the department, and yet his service doesn’t end when the sirens are silent,” she said. “Sal’s dedication to this position extends far beyond his official duties.”
According to DiPietro, the civic association tries to keep the winners unaware that they have been chosen until the announcements at the gala.
Spina said, in an interview the following day, that while it was nice to receive the award, he did not expect to be considered.
“You can probably throw a dart,” he said, “and hit 20 other people that are more deserving of the award than me.”
Swanson, whose selection for the award was announced by friend and village resident Ines Powell, moved to Sea Cliff in 1971 when her husband, John, was teaching at Hofstra University. Her involvement in the community began when she started taking her daughters, Monica and Catherine, to story time at the library. Swanson said she and others in the community wanted more books to be available at the library amid a shortage.
In response, they organized a thrift store in the library basement. The money made at the thrift store was used to buy more books. At Mini Mart, they set up a Café Bibliothèque which also raised funds for the library.
Additionally, Swanson has been a part of the village’s Tree Commission and has organized events such as a 5K and a fashion show. She currently volunteers for NOSH Delivers!, a food pantry based in Glen Cove.
Swanson described Sea Cliff, in an interview, as “an amazing village” and said that she was surprised to receive the award.
“It was just very sweet,” Swanson said, “and I’m very grateful, and I’m grateful to be part of this village.”
Sea Cliff Village Museum Director Courtney Chambers read her nomination letter for Janusas at the gala. Janusas became a museum docent roughly 25 years ago and continues to serve on the museum board of trustees. She is also a member of the vestry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she organized Burns Night, a celebration of Robert Burns and Scottish culture, in January.
Chambers praised Janusas for her work at the museum and collaboration with other organizations like the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor and the Sea Cliff Arts Council.
In an interview, Janusas said she was surprised to win and that she works to make Sea Cliff an enjoyable place to live.
“I love Sea Cliff so much,” she said, “and I always want it to be the best place it can be.” Janusas added that she felt honored to win alongside Spina and Swanson.
DiPietro described seeing the winners’ reactions as “so much fun” and said it was great to see a crowd spanning multiple generations at the gala.
The civic association will advertise later in the year for nominations online in the Village Bulletin, in the Sea Cliff Circle newsletter and on Facebook. Nominations can be emailed to sccivicassociation@gmail.com.
