By Paul J. Condra
About 370 people turned out to fill the auditorium and take part in the festivities, said Glenda Good, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Malverne High School. Good helped coordinate the event along with Maria Murray, the chairperson for social studies at the school.
During the evening, awards were given to two members of the community who best exemplify the ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr.: civic service, equality and commitment to helping the community.
This year's recipients were two people who have been working in the school district for many years.
One award went to Margaretta Smith, who has been a librarian in the district for over 20 years. Good said Smith, who never ever ever misses a day wasn't able to attend the assembly because of the flu.
The other award went to Clayton Hairston who, after 40 years as a custodian in the district, is retiring this year. Goode said Hairston's mother and grandchildren were in attendance for the honor.
The humanitarian awards were given by Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, who is the first black councilwoman in Hempstead.
In addition to the service awards, two students were recognized for how they answered the question, What does Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. mean to me? in an essay.
The winners were Robert Marmolejos and Lindsey Schmidt, both seniors at Malverne High School.
There was also plenty of entertainment for the evening.
The kindergarten through second grade students at Maurice W. Downing performed a skit called, Voices for Peace, and a poem entitled A Preacher's Son from Georgia, which was written by the father of a member of the faculty.
Kindergarten students from Davison Elementary did a skit called The Peacemakers, and music was performed by the Howard T. Herbert Jazz Ensemble.
The evening was a success, Good said, and there was plenty of entertainment for everybody.
