After three years of planning and fundraising, the Wantagh School District and community congregated on April 17 at the newly dedicated James Lodato Field of Dreams, located at Forest Lake Elementary School, to honor former student James Lodato (2010-2018), whose life was cut short but whose legacy will always be remembered. The dedication attracted students, Wantagh Little League players, school district administrators, PTA members and community residents who not only worked diligently to see a dream come true but who watched as a young student demonstrated hope, courage and strength during his illness.

Former Forest Lake Elementary School Principal Anthony Ciuffo, whose idea to honor James resulted in the baseball field, explained that the new and much anticipated venue is more than a baseball field. “This field will serve as a reminder of how fragile life is and how something so beautiful can come from the most horrendous of life’s tragedies,” Mr. Ciuffo said. “We hope to see this field bring joy, laughter, memories and many life lessons to the children of Wantagh. This field is about our hero James Lodato. May his spirit live on and guide those who are lucky enough to play on it.”

Former Wantagh Little League President Ray Whitaker worked with Mr. Ciuffo to make the James Lodato Field of Dreams project come to fruition. He explained that he never had the privilege of meeting James but knows they would have been good friends since they were both Mets fans. “I would like to thank James Lodato for the friends I have made along the way [during the project] and for bringing us all together.”

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder was also on hand and announced that there are plans to build a scoreboard. He reminded the students to be respectful when playing on the field. ”It is important that you remember James and what he stood for,” Commissioner Ryder said. “To remember James is to remember what he brought to the community.”   

Nassau County Legislator Steven Rhoads noted that the field is a “great reminder of what the Wantagh community is, neighbor knowing neighbor.” He added, “It’s a special and hallowed place and a [baseball field] generations will be able to enjoy.”

Superintendent of Schools John C. McNamara congratulated Mr. Ciuffo for his passion for the project and his knowledge of what it would mean for the healing process. “This is a special day for the community,” Mr. McNamara said. “We will learn terrific life lessons [on the field] and honor James Lodato as we do.” 

Parents Christine and Jimmy Lodato then threw a first pitch to Wantagh Little League players Justin Pabon and Lincoln Kelly, respectively, to officially celebrate the opening of the James Lodato Field of Dreams.   

 

Photo captions:

A: Prior to the dedication of the James Lodato Field of Dreams, Forest Lake Elementary School students in art teacher Laura Capozzi’s class colored a banner marking the occasion.    

 

B: On April 17, the Wantagh community came together to celebrate the dedication of the James Lodato Field of Dreams located at Forest Lake Elementary School. 

 

C: Wantagh Middle School student Veronica Familio played the national anthem at the start of the James Lodato Field of Dreams dedication.

 

D and E: Parents Christine Lodato and Jimmy Lodato threw the first pitch during their son’s dedication ceremony for the James Lodato Field of Dreams. From left, Wantagh Little League players Lincoln Kelly and Justin Pabon caught the first balls thrown by parents Christine and Jimmy Lodato. 

 

F: Former Forest Lake Elementary School Principal Anthony Ciuffo addressed members of the Wantagh community who attended the dedication of the James Lodato Field of Dreams.

 

Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District

 

Photo caption: The Bethpage High School girls volleyball program recently raised more than $1,700 for Dig Pink. Dig Pink is a program associated with the Side-Out Foundation, a nonprofit research organization committed to providing life-extending solutions for those with stage 4 breast cancer. Dig Pink brings together players, coaches, parents, and communities, all committed to being a voice for the underserved and bettering the lives of the stage 4 community. 

 

Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District 

 

Nominations from school staff, students and families

Natalie Palmeri is a scholar athlete who has proven herself both in and out of the classroom. She has earned First and Second Honors, as well as the Principal’s List, throughout her high school career and is a college recruited lacrosse athlete. She has played lacrosse all four years of high school and taught the sport to younger peers in her free time.  

Natalie has been involved in volunteer work for the past several years through the UFT: Coalition for the Homeless. She first shared her compassionate nature with the Class of 2021 when she organized an annual coat drive two years ago. When the pandemic hit and schools were shut down, Natalie united her classmates by coordinating a mobile food drive. Together, the students collected over 300 bags of food, which Natalie delivered to the local food pantry. This year, she collaborated with her peers to again host food and coat drives, resulting in over 15,000 pounds of food being donated to the Mary Brennan INN. 

As shared by faculty members, “Natalie has shown us all how important it is to appreciate what we have and how rewarding it is to come together for the sake of others who are less fortunate than us.” She is described as determined, focused and resilient across all domains. 

 

Submissions are from staff, students, or parents. To nominate a GCHS senior, please contact Assistant Principal for Guidance and PPS Mandi Stefankiewicz at stefankiewiczm@gcufsd.net.

 

Photo Courtesy of Garden City Public Schools

 

Students in the Environmental-Recycling Club at Robert Moses Middle School came together to help clean up Phelps Lane Park in North Babylon. Middle schoolers and their families filled garbage bags with trash to help protect the park wildlife and ultimately better the community.

The purpose of the Environmental-Recycling Club is to educate students on the importance of the environment and how to protect earth as the valuable resource that it is. Students have learned one of the best ways of doing this is through recycling. The club even collects and recycles paper, bottles and cans within Robert Moses Middle School to prevent these items from being taken as regular garbage.

 

Photos courtesy of North Babylon Union Free School District

 

Seventh graders at Nesaquake Middle School in the Smithtown Central School District participated in a walk to raise awareness about the water crisis in South Sudan during the first two weeks in April.

The seventh graders recently read the novel “A Long Walk to Water.” The main character Nya is one of the many girls in South Sudan who walks from morning to night gathering water from ponds and lakes to bring back to their families. Most times, the water is muddy and filled with contaminants. 

The book inspired students to help raise money for Water for South Sudan, which builds wells in villages so the girls can go to school instead of walking for water every day and helps eliminate diseases from drinking contaminated water as well. The students walked a mile, raising more than $1,700. 

 

Photo caption: Seventh graders at Nesaquake Middle School in the Smithtown Central School District participated in a walk to raise awareness about the water crisis in South Sudan during the first two weeks in April. They raised more than $1,700.

 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown Central School District