Thursday, October 1, 2026
Alan Diaz, a student from the Valley Stream Central High School District who attends the Nassau BOCES Rosemary Kennedy School program at West Hempstead, has been recognized with the George Farber Outstanding Student Award, an honor presented to students who demonstrate exceptional character, perseverance, scholarship and a commitment to helping others.
The annual award, now in its 19th year, commemorates former Nassau BOCES Board President George Farber, whose decades of service focused on improving educational opportunities for students.
“I feel happy to receive that award,” Diaz said.
Diaz attends the Achievement, Career and Education program, which serves students ages 18 to 22 as they prepare for life after school. He has attended the Rosemary Kennedy School program since 2018 through the Valley Stream Central High School District and is working toward employment and adult services after completing the program in early 2027.
Diaz has met every goal outlined in his individualized education program while making significant progress in social-emotional development, daily living skills, problem-solving, mathematics and language development. He is also known for consistently helping classmates and greeting students and staff with enthusiasm.
“I want to improve when I leave the school,” Diaz said. “I’m working towards getting a job.”
His teacher, Judith Litvaitis, who nominated him for the award, has worked with Diaz at different points throughout his education and said one of his most significant accomplishments has been his personal growth. She described his transformation from a student who initially struggled with social interactions to a leader among his peers, building friendships throughout the program and regularly assisting classmates with daily routines and responsibilities.
“He recently went to the prom with his classmates, and he really wanted a traditional prom experience,” Litvaitis said. “He invited a date to the prom, and he really enjoyed himself. He even invited his classmates, and they invited the gym teacher from the West Hempstead School District to come, and she came to the prom too. So, a huge social event for him, and for somebody who I know had a very difficult time being social when he first got here, he’s like a completely different person. He’s just a terrific young man.”
Litvaitis also pointed to Diaz’s growing independence. She recalled an instance in which he independently completed a multi-step task to obtain a replacement identification badge for another student, navigating several offices in the building without assistance.
Outside the classroom, Diaz has developed vocational skills through the program’s work-based learning experiences. He has worked in the school’s coffee house, completed library tasks and gained restaurant experience, including in the prep kitchen at Applebee’s in Elmont. There, he prepares ingredients while following food safety procedures and inventory requirements.
Cooking has become both a strength and a career goal for Diaz. He enjoys preparing meals and hopes to work as a chef after leaving the program. His favorite school subjects include science and physical education, and he enjoys coming to school because of the friendships he has built with classmates and teachers.
Litvaitis said recognizing students through awards such as the George Farber Outstanding Student Award helps highlight their achievements and contributions while giving the broader community an opportunity to celebrate their success and future potential.
