By Marley Seaman
Donald, who plays soccer and softball for the Mules, took home an Outstanding Physical Education award in January. The honor, given by the Nassau Zone of New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, goes to students who excel in sports and in academics while displaying leadership. As an All-County soccer star, a member of the National Honor Society and a first lieutenant with the Lynbrook Fire Department, she more than fits the bill.
Malverne principal Glenda Good called Donald ³One of our most well-liked students ‹ well-liked, well-respected. A positive force.²
Many students obviously agreed with her assessment. In October, Donald was voted the school¹s Homecoming Queen.
³I was joking around [with friends]- wouldn¹t it be funny if I was Homecoming Queen,² Donald said, perhaps a bit embarrassed. Her friends decided to nominate her, and much to her surprise, she took home the crown.
But she¹s no typical queen ‹ she¹s a competitor who isn¹t afraid to get her hands dirty. In addition to her feats on the field, she gives back to the community with her fire department volunteer work. Every Sunday, Donald and other junior Fire Department members go to meetings. They also drill with local fire departments to learn the basics of fire fighting.
³My whole family [has been] in the department for generations,² she said, going as far back as a great-grandfather. The tradition includes people on both sides of her family, as well as an older brother who was a captain in the junior department. Donald said that she¹ll become a full-time volunteer some time after college.
As a center-halfback on the soccer team, she provided a critical link between the team¹s forward and defenders. She was named the most improved player on the team, which went undefeated in 2005 and won the Conference championship. Last spring, she was the MVP of the softball team.
Softball season is only a few weeks away now, and Donald is looking forward to getting back on the field as a shortstop. She has been going to the gym twice a week to prepare, mostly running to increase her endurance.
³I think the season will be fun,² she said. ³We have a lot of seniors and they want to have fun.²
The team combines players from Malverne and East Rockaway High Schools, and Donald said she has enjoyed the opportunity to meet ³all kinds of people.²
After she graduates in the spring, Donald will head upstate to Paul Smith¹s College in the Adirondacks. The school awarded her a $5,000 academic scholarship for her achievements at Malverne. She plans to major in hotel management, and has also considered studying forestry.
³I enjoy the Adirondacks,² she said. ³I [used to] spend the summer with my grandparents at Loon Lake.² At their cabin north of Lake George, she skied, fished, went wakeboarding and developed a love of the outdoors and the country.
Although she¹s seen a good deal of the region, she said she hasn¹t found that perfect spot for her bed and breakfast just yet. There¹s a lot more exploring to do.
³I¹ve yet to find somewhere nobody knows about,² she said. ³Somewhere I can call my own place.²
Comments about this story? Mseaman@liherald.com or (516)569-4000 ext. 282.
