December 22, 2025 Nassau Zone 1 by Long Island Media Group

Seaford Runner Strides To Prestigious Award

A six-year running career for Myles Munro has culminated in the highest honor, as the Seaford High School senior received the Bill Ott Memorial Award. It recognizes one cross country athlete each year who displays the qualities of scholarship, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship, as well as prowess in the sport.

Myles joined the varsity squad in seventh grade and has been making his mark ever since. As a senior, he placed second in Nassau County in the 5K followed by a 10th place finish at the state competition.

He is a six-time AllCounty athlete and has earned two All-State selections. The Bill Ott Memorial Award, which is presented by the Nassau County Officials Association, not only reflects his athletic abilities but also shows that he is a well-rounded

student. Myles is a member of the Athletic Leadership Council, Leo’s Club, National Art Honor Society and winter and spring track teams, and was a 2023 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador.

Cross country coach Kim Cooke nominated Myles for the award because he checked all the boxes with good grades, exceptional athletic ability, a record of community service and strong leadership skills. She noted his character, grace, humility and maturity in her nomination letter. Members of the officials association then reviewed the applications and selected him as this year’s recipient.

“He’s well-known among the cross country officials and coaches not only for being a great runner, but just being a nice guy,” Cooke said of Myles, noting that he has made friends with fellow

runners from across the county. “Myles has always shown unwavering respect for opponents and genuine support for teammates. He sees each race as an opportunity to grow and learn, and use those lessons moving forward. Myles is a true team player, often looking for ways to elevate the whole team.”

Coach Cooke added that Myles is an invaluable leader who is invested in the future of the cross country program, evidenced by his support of younger athletes. She explained that he fosters an environment of positivity and inclusivity that will have an impact on the team well beyond his graduation in June.

Myles will continue with cross country and track at Temple University, where he plans to major in marketing.

SEAFORD RUNNER STRIDES TO PRESTIGIOUS AWARD - Seaford High School senior Myles Munro is this year’s recipient of the Bill Ott Memorial Award which recognizes one Nassau County cross country runner who displays scholarship, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District

MacArthur High School Senior Named Regeneron Semifinalist

General Douglas MacArthur High School in the Levittown School District is pleased to announce that senior Melody Hong was named one of 300 semifinalists in the prestigious 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the oldest science and math competition for high schoolers in the nation. Melody will receive $2,000 as well as $2,000 for her school.

Through her research, titled, “A Bayesian Exploration Into More Flexible trans-Methylation Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping,” Melody developed alternative statistical methodologies to better identify a genetic variant called trans-MQTL, which is tied to certain complex diseases like Alzheimer’s and Type 1 diabetes. Melody developed a software package that can simulate data which

showed a high level of promise – an important exploration into a relatively underappreciated level of research that provides a foundation for further study, Melody explained. Melody was inspired to pursue this research through her grandmother, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a disease that the treatment for which can be benefitted from her findings.

Melody performed her research under the guidance of her mentor Dr. Hélène Ruffieux of the University of Cambridge. At MacArthur, Melody is the captain of the Science Olympiad, a member in the Quiz Bowl and is a principal cellist in the orchestra. She received an early acceptance into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, her top choice where she hopes to study applied mathematics.

Melody thanked her family members, her science teachers Matthew Zausin and David Freeman as well as her local Korean community for their support. She takes pride in being one of four scholars of Korean descent named across New York and New Jersey, she added.

“It’s an affirmation that my hard work was worth it, and I’m glad to be recognized for that,” Melody said, “but it’s also been a tremendous win for the community – for my family, for Levittown and MacArthur, and also my church and my Korean American community.”

“Aside from being exceptionally intelligent, Melody is just a top-tier individual,” Principal Joseph Sheehan said. “She’s humble, and her care and compassion always shine through.”

General Douglas MacArthur senior Melody Hong was named a semifinalist in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search. She was joined by her science teachers Matthew Zausin and David Friedman and Principal Joseph Sheehan. Photo courtesy Levittown Public Schools

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Members of the Google Applied Digital Skills Club, which meets on Monday mornings before school, shared how they get to be innovative and creative through

technology. The club, in its second year, is advised by English as a New Language teacher Erin McCall. The purpose of the club is to promote creativity, digital literacy and problem-solving.

Students have access to their projects through the Google Classroom learning platform and create a digital portfolio as they make projects from the choice board. They shared some of their work this

year, including animations and comic strips made with Google Slides and photo journals completed in Google Docs.

Participants in the Google Applied Digital Skills Club describe themselves as a “community of innovators.” While projects are typically done independently, students worked collaboratively in helping each other learn the tools and capabilities of the different programs.

Recipe Of The Week: Deep-Fried Wontons

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with deep-fried wontons. The Chinese New Year is a unique celebration with a global footprint. While many of the more awe-inspiring celebrations may occur within China, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to commemorate this unique event elsewhere. Celebrations can even take place at home, where individuals can whip up homemade Chinese fare to lend their festivities a more authentic feel. This Chinese New Year, those who want to bring this unique event into their homes can try the following recipe for “Deep-Fried Pork Wontons” courtesy of Lines+Angles.

For the filling:

7 ounces minced pork

2 spring onions

1 green chili, deseeded

1 tablespoon grated ginger

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon lime juice

32 square wonton wrappers

Vegetable oil, for frying

To serve:

Mixed leaf salad; cabbage, lettuce and coriander

Add sweet and sour sauce

Directions:

1. Mix together the ingredients for the filling, stirring in one direction only.

2. Place double layers of wonton wrappers in front of you in a diamond shape. Place a little of the filling on the bottom half of the dough. Fold the bottom corner of dough over the filling and roll it once. Take the outside corners and bring them together, sealing with a little water. Stand the wontons on their flat bases and gently separate the two top flaps. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.

3. Heat about 4 inches oil in a deep pan until gently bubbling, then fry the wontons in batches for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels then serve on beds of the mixed leaves with the sweet and sour sauce alongside.

Tip: This recipe may also be steamed or boiled.

Senator Rhoads Is Hitting The Road Again To Meet With His Constituents!

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads is bringing his popular Mobile Office Hours program back for its third year, connecting directly with constituents at libraries throughout Senate District 5. This initiative provides a valuable opportunity for local residents to engage in one-on-one conversations with Senator Rhoads about the issues that matter most to their communities.

Over the past two years, Senator Rhoads hosted over two dozen successful Mobile Office Hours sessions, demonstrating his commitment to being accessible and understanding the diverse needs of his constituents.

The Senator invites all members of the community to schedule an appointment and share their perspective in the first series of one-on-one meetings.

Please call Senator Rhoads’ District Office at 516-882-0630 to make an appointment. Appointments required, but walk-ins welcome if time permits. Dates and times are subject to change without notice so

please call Senator Rhoads’ District Office to verify.

More dates and locations to be announced soon.

Although I legislate as a State Senator in Albany, my commitment to the hardworking residents of Senate District 5 remains

resolute. I strive to be an honest voice, readily accessible to hear your concerns, and effective in developing practical solutions that address the day-to-day challenges you face. From tackling issues from affordability to public safety and everything in between, I believe in transparency and open communication, and it’s this connection to the community that truly drives my fight for common sense in Albany.

meeting with the residents of the district I am very proud to represent, and I cannot wait to hear the ways in which I can better serve our communities. I hope to see you soon,” said Senator Rhoads.

I am excited to continue

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwords.

Students Circle The Earth At Wantagh Geography Bee

It took 16 rounds for a winner to emerge in the annual Wantagh Middle School Geography Bee on Jan. 9, during which students displayed impressive knowledge of the nation and the world. Ultimately, it came down to two competitors in a

spirited back-and-forth battle.

Eighth grader Paul Felice took first place after correctly answering Germany as the country in which lederhosen and dirndls are worn during Oktoberfest celebrations. The second-place finisher

was seventh grader Ahsan Saleem, who went headto-head with Paul for seven rounds. Third place went to eighth grader Joe Bianculli.

All three top finishers from the 2024 competition made it back to the finals this year. Last year, Ahsan

finished first and Paul tied for second.

The Geography Bee began with class competitions.

The 25 winners from sixth, seventh and eighth grade social classes then met in the library for the finals. Teacher David Cippoletti read aloud the

questions. Each round had a different focus, such as state nicknames, the seven continents and cities of the world. It was a doubleelimination tournament so students were out after two incorrect answers.

Director of Humanities

Julie Rosslee noted that

geography concepts are found across the curriculum. Students use their knowledge from English, social studies, science and world languages classes to answer challenging questions.

This year’s top three finishers were, from left, Joe Bianculli, third place, Paul Felice, first place, and Ahsan Saleem, second place. Photo courtesy of the Wantagh School District

Wantagh administrators and teachers congratulated the top students in the annual Geography Bee. Photo courtesy of the Wantagh School District

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