Massapequa's Leaders of Today and Tomorrow Honored

They gathered to honor distinguished citizens of Massapequa, while helping to pave the way for the community leaders of tomorrow.

The Massapequa Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony and golf outing, Monday night.

The organization  gives alumni, school staff members, and outstanding members of the community the ability to band together to support the students of Massapequa High School.

The volunteer-run group does not receive funding from the school's budget; all revenue is derived from fund-raising activities  such as the golf outing  and donations.

Back in 1995, the Hall of Fame awarded one Massapequa High School student a $500 scholarship. Each succeeding year, the Hall of Fame has added additional scholarships of increasing value.

The total number of scholarships has now swelled to twelve, each worth $2,000.

Many scholarships are donated by residents in memory of departed loved ones.

"We've been doing this for 15 years," said Michael Hanna, President of the Massapequa Hall of Fame. "To date, over $110,000 in scholarships have been awarded."

The evening's ceremony opened with a buffet dinner, followed by the presentation of the scholarships to the twelve Massapequa seniors. Afterwards, Linda Hanna, Director and Secretary of the Massapequa Hall of Fame, took over announcing duties in order to call out this year's list of new members.

"The goal of this event is to promote school and community pride," she said. "The inductees also provide a valuable resource for career guidance and networking for current and future students."

James Karpen, the first inductee into the Hall of Fame this year, is a Senior Pastor at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church and holder of multiple degrees, including a PhD in Ethics from Cornell. He credited the school with teaching him the importance of diversity during his time as a member of the class of '75.

"One thing I learned at Massapequa High School," he said, "it doesn't matter if someone's religion, sexual orientation, or background is different from mine...I'll always try to help that person. It's a lesson I think about almost every day."

Christie Welsh, class of '99 and well-known on the professional women's soccer circuit, relayed her fondest memory of playing for the Massapequa team.

"In 1997 we were playing for the State Championship," she said. "It was white-out blizzard conditions...nobody should have been playing. But it was the most fun I've ever had playing soccer, even though I could barely see two feet in front of my face!"

Several inductees were sadly unable to attend. Andrew McCaffrey is six months away from retiring from the Green Berets and couldn't get leave. Professional comedian Bob Nelson had recently lost his mother. And Vance P. Zider and Matthew J. Simeone were both inducted posthumously for their achievements in the Air Force and Law Enforcement, respectively. Accepting for Simeone was his wife, RoseAnn, who tried to keep a light mood as she was presented the award.

"I wish Matthew was still here," she said. "I'm getting tired of accepting all these things!"

Others honored were Cynthia Krieg for Teaching, Frank J. Flood Jr. for Health and Environmental Engineering, and John Devine for serving the Community and Nation.

Especially popular inductees with the crowd were class of '78 member Dr. Richard Cassaro, recognized for his achievements in Dentistry, and Susan Rosenberg, class of '76, for achievements in Science. Rosenberg accepted the award while flanked by her young daughter, who shyly clung to her mother during her speech.

"There were some really extraordinary teachers at Massapequa High School," Rosenberg said. "They managed to captivate and inspire me."