By:Jerry Burke
Luckily, this is Elmont, and there are a lot more dedicated and civic-minded women where the first group of honorees came from.
Welcoming hundreds of guests last Friday to the warm but beautifully decorated Gotham Avenue School gymnasium, Alfano explained his rationale for creating theses awards. "There are so many unsung heroes in the community who volunteer and make things happen in Elmont," said Alfano. "This program is my way of saying thank you, and keep up the great work."
The awards, Alfano explained, were designed to honor the numerous contributions that women from all walks of life make to the mosaic of Elmont. "The honorees today are the backbone of the community," said Alfano. "They're at the PTA meetings, civic association affairs and volunteering for church and synagogue."
That diversity was on display as Parkhurst Civic Association President Cheryl Lee, herself honored at last year's event, announced the names of this year's 31 honorees. The packed house, filled with friends, relatives and thankful residents, applauded each one as they entered the room.
After Sewanhaka High School's Billy Rothwell sang the national anthem, Elmont High students Ian Feurtado, Jessica Diaz, Samantha Pagan, Jessica Macean, Latoya Lamb and Tiffany Pierre-Louis read letters of congratulation from various public officials, including President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Gov. George Pataki and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Elmont Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Palandra co-hosted the event. "When I look around this room, I see the reason why Elmont is a great place to live -- it's because of all of you," she said.
The keynote speaker, educator and United Nation envoy Dr. Marsha Darling of Adelphi University, gave a stirring speech on the importance of lifting others up and the effect it has on a community, whether it be the global village or Elmont itself. "These women and their contributions make the multicultural tapestry of Elmont what it is," said Darling. "They are the strength, serving as mentors and inspiring others." Darling, herself a woman of distinction, is currently the director of African-American and ethnic studies at Adelphi and has traveled to South Africa, Croatia and India on behalf of the U.N., bringing her expertise to summits on tolerance.
After Darling's speech, Theresa Weston Morris and Sandra Smith, each honored at last year's ceremony, read small biographies of each of this year's recipients. Among those honored was Mary McRae, the first African-American woman elected to the Elmont school board. Her grandson Pauly, an intern in Alfano's office, presented her with her award.
Many of the recipients were true to their altruistic nature, praising Elmont even as Elmont praised them. "The diversity of Elmont is what I love best," said Valmont Civic Association member Natalie Roberts. "If I had know about Elmont sooner, I would have raised my kids here."
"It's a wonderful place because it is made of special people from all different places," said longtime Stewart Manor teacher Carolyn Tyler. "Elmont has been and always will be home."
Recent Elmont graduate Princess Lopez served as emcee for the event, and the Elmont Summer Music Academy, directed by Xavier Rodriguez, performed.
After each of the honorees was presented with her award, there was a reception outside the school, with food and drinks courtesy of the event sponsors, Cinelli's Pizza, Coca-Cola and Home Depot. Disc jockey Michael Clarke provided the music.
Alfano said afterward that it was the presence of people like the honorees that made representing Elmont special to him. "In all my activities in Elmont, I see many people who volunteer their time selflessly and never get the recognition they truly deserve," he said. "This is a small way to say thank you for all their hard work in improving our quality of life."
