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Hundreds of ninth graders lined the front driveway at the Massapequa High School Ames Campus on May 9 as the ALS Ride For Life came through. The students were there to raise awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Ride For Life was founded in 1997 by Christopher Pendergast as he was battling ALS, and the first wheelchair ride took place a year later. Every year, ALS patients, ride their power wheelchairs across Long Island to help raise funds for a cure. 

Ames students held signs of support as Ride For Life arrived a little after 10 a.m. Principal Tania Willman noted the primary message of the event is hope. That’s why the school has been a stop on the ride for several years. Before Ames, the ride also passed by Unqua Elementary School. 

This year’s ride featured two “road warriors” who are battling ALS along with other representatives from the organization. They emphasized to students their belief that a cure is out there and that it would eventually be found. Thanks to the effort of students, more than $10 million has been raised for ALS research since Ride For Life began. 

Members of student government followed the road warriors, holding up banners that honored people who lost their lives from ALS. They also presented Ride For Life with a $150 donation from a lollipop sale fundraiser they held during lunch periods. Class officers, as well as students from the National Junior Honor Society, Chiefs Challenge and the Career and Community Connections class, made the signs and posters. 

In March, Barbara Brown and Paul Weisman attended an Honor Society meeting to talk about ALS Ride For Life, explain the mission of the organization and educate students about the disease. Mr. Weisman, who has ALS and was part of the May 9 ride, inspired students with his message of overcoming adversity. 

Ames students said that Ride For Life was a touching event and they hope that it helps make a difference.

“It’s a disease that not many people know about,” said student government Vice President Olivia Mazzola. “It’s something that we need to get a cure for soon.”

Keira Stealey said it was inspiring to see how people battling a disease as serious as ALS can still maintain a positive mindset. As a student, it gives her perspective on overcoming challenges. Kiera Conaghan added that she was glad the student government could do a small part by hosting a fundraiser to help raise money for a cure. 

 

Photo captions:

1: Two road warriors, who are battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, were part of the ALS Ride For Life which passed by the Massapequa High School Ames Campus on May 9.

2: Ames student government officers presented a $150 donation to ALS Ride For Life. 

3: Ride For Life was led by a Massapequa fire truck as it arrived at the Ames Campus. 

4: Students show their support for people battling ALS. 

 

Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District

 After extensive donation drives by students, members of the ALS Ride for Life Foundation visited Marion Street Elementary and Lynbrook North and South middle schools on May 8.

The tour of the community began at the middle schools, where ALS Ride for Life were cheered on by students and staff around the North Middle track and outside the South Middle front entrance. They made their way to Marion Street, where they were again greeted by signs and cheers, as well as a heartfelt singing performance by students. Each school presented a donation to the organization which works toward finding a cure for ALS. The annual visit by ALS Ride for Life has become a tradition that began at Marion Street, and the students look forward to welcoming them again next year.  

 

Photo captions: 

1. Marion Street Elementary School students welcomed ALS Ride for Life to their school on May 8. 
2. Marion Street students presented a donation to ALS Ride for Life, which works toward a cure for ALS.
3. The Marion Street community was ready with signs and cheers. 
4. North Middle School students also cheered on their ALS Ride for Life guests. 
5. The South Middle School community had a great time joining together to show their support. 

 

Photos courtesy of Lynbrook Public Schools

Members of Southampton Elementary School’s Community Service Club and Southampton High School’s track team were recognized on May 1 for their participation in Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. 

For their part, the Community Service Club members created inspiring artwork that was displayed at the hospital. Their work aimed to encourage others to increase their activity and walking. High school track members participated in a step competition where they worked to take as many steps as possible during the month of April. 

During the recognition ceremony, held on the high school track, participating students were honored for their efforts with certificates of achievement. Those who took the most steps were awarded gift cards.    

 

Photo caption: Southampton students and community members helped bring awareness to Parkinson’s disease during the month of April. 

 

Photo courtesy of the Southampton Union Free School District

Members of Elwood-John H. Glenn High School’s World Language Honor Society recently met to complete a community service project together.

To honor the memory of her Aunt Rhona, who had pancreatic cancer, junior Madelyn Katzman created the concept of “Rhona’s Rainbows.” These no-sew fleece blankets are donated to chemotherapy centers in children’s hospitals to bring smiles and comfort to those going through a difficult time. Every blanket kit has a special message tag on it to write messages of positivity and inspiration for those in need. Last summer, Katzman donated blankets to the Pediatric Oncology Center at Columbia University. 

For this recent project, WLHS students gathered to make blankets together for the next round of donations. 

“The students had a lot of fun learning how to make these no-sew blankets and loved knowing it was going to a great cause,” adviser Nicole Gendjoian said.

“To me, rainbows signify positivity, happiness and hope,” Katzman said. “My wish is that Rhona’s Rainbows continues to bring these feelings to many children and adults in need.”

 

JGHSRR (5), JGHSRR (7): Elwood-John H. Glenn High School’s World Language Honor Society recently met to complete a community service project making Rhona’s Rainbows no-sew blanket for children’s hospitals.

 

Photos courtesy of Elwood School District

Garden City Middle School’s Miracle Club collected more than 40,000 lollipops for children with cancer and delivered them to NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids in Mineola. 

Years ago, a Garden City Middle School student was treated at the center and shared with other students that treatment can leave a bad taste in one’s mouth. Because of this, the cancer center likes to always have lollipops available for patients and students decided this would be the perfect item to collect for patients in need. 

After two weeks of collecting, Mrs. Castoro’s class collected the most lollipops for one class, totaling 6,641. Overall, the Miracle Club’s whopping donation of more than 40,000 lollipops hopes to ease the treatment process for as many patients as possible.

 

Photo captions:

1: Garden City Middle School’s Miracle Club collected more than 40,000 lollipops for the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids. 

2: Mrs. Costoro’s class singlehandedly collected the most lollipops of any class at Garden City Middle School with a total of 6,641. 

 

Photos courtesy of Garden City Public Schools