By: Brian Zanzonico
Residents from Lakeview, Lynbrook and Malverne filled the Howard T. Herber Middle School auditorium to near capacity as students from the four district schools paid homage to the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his part in the civil rights movement. In recognition of locals who have dedicated their lives to community service, Allen Lewis, William 'Bud' Robinson and Frank Zabatta were awarded Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.
Construction paper hearts with King's likeness adorned the walls and stage curtains of the auditorium. Drawings made by Davison Avenue and Maurice W. Downing elementary school students featuring children of different races joining hands lined the hallways. Davison Avenue kindergartners kicked off the evening with a spirited rendition of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough/Put a Little Love In Your Heart" that brought the crowd on its feet.
The Maurice W. Downing Elementary School Family Chorus, which features students and parents, performed "Let the River Run" while images of children embracing were projected behind them.
Maxine Pina, Jasmine Young, Yanique Joachim, Michael Myers, Javon Lane and Tarrika Rodney recited the poem "What Color Is Love?" by West Hempstead resident Gloria Virgile and the Howard T. Herber Choir performed "Yes You Can" by Donie McClurkin.
Malverne High School senior Kenneth Kruger read his essay "How Does Martin Luther King, Jr. Impact Our Lives Today?" which won second place in a statewide contest. Kruger, who is white, said without King's civil rights movement, his aunt and uncle would have never been able to adopt a biracial baby almost 20 years ago. Kruger and his cousin are now best friends. The entry earned him money for college, the amount of which will be determined at a later date.
True humanitarians
Since 1987, the district has awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award to individuals who "exemplify the positive attributes of King - perseverance, commitment, dedication, compassion and service."
Allen Lewis, a 37-year resident of Lakeview, spent 34 years as an educator in New York City Public Schools. He was principal of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Junior High School for 16 years before retiring in 1992. He initiated the Gifted and Talented Program and Chess team that won the 1991 National Junior High School Chess Championship.
He received the New York City Council of Supervisors and Administrators Service Award and was named Administrator of the Year in Community School District 5 in 1991.
Locally, Lewis is a lifetime member of the Lakeview N.A.A.C.P. and received the Community Service Award in 2000. He also served as the Lakeview N.A.A.C.P. Political Action Chairman and is a charter member of the Lakeview Youth Federation.
Lewis also served on the Superintendent's Advisory Committee for selection of a Malverne High School Principal and was a member of the Better Education Organization. He also was a member of the committee that renamed the Malverne High School gymnasium the Hank Williams Memorial Gymnasium and is the chairman of the Hank Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund. He currently serves as a volunteer academic advisor for the Malverne High School Boys Basketball team.
William 'Bud' Robinson graduated from Davison Avenue School in 1937 and Malverne High School in 1943 before joining the Navy. He returned to Lynbrook after World War II and attended Hofstra University before helping establish W.H. Robinson and Sons Insurance Company.
For 43 years, Robinson has been an usher at 11 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. In 1972 he founded Link Center for Drug Information in Lynbrook. In 2001 he helped raise thousands of dollars for the Make-A-Wish foundation. In 2003, he began volunteering at the Howard T. Herber homework center and chaperoning field trips.
Malverne resident Frank Zabatta, a World War II veteran, joined the local VFW after the war and helped compile the honor roll of Malvernites lost in battle that rests near the gazebo behind the Malverne train station.
He is the chairman of the Malverne Youth Board, volunteers with the Girl and Boy Scouts and for 35 years has visited veterans at the Franklin Medical Center.
Past winners of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award include Assemblywoman Earlene Hill and Senator Dean Skelos (1997), Olympic-medalist Derrick Adkins (2000) and late Malverne High School boys basketball coach Hank Williams (posthumously, 2001).
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