gets pressured by Tyler Reedy #11 of Carle Place during the first quarter of a Nassau Conference II girls lacrosse game at Carle Place on Wednesday
When you start as well as Lynbrook did on Wednesday
it doesn’t necessarily matter how you finish
The Lynbrook tandem of Brooke Mazzei and Sophie Deifel was rolling from the opening whistle as the Owls turned a seven-goal first quarter into yet another girls lacrosse victory
so it was definitely big that we got up early like we practiced and it really helped us come out with the win.”
Deifel had six goals and two assists and Mazzei added five goals and an assist to lead Lynbrook to a 16-13 victory over host Carle Place in Nassau Conference II girls lacrosse action on Wednesday
Lynbrook opened a 7-3 lead after the first quarter and led 14-6 less than two minutes into the second half in the victory
8-1) showcased their speed and high-powered offense with five goals over 2:14 to take a 6-2 lead with 3:19 left in the first quarter
They displayed turning draw controls into quick goals again by opening the second half on a 4-1 run over the first 1:50 of the third quarter for their 14-6 advantage
“I think our strength is in transition,” coach Joe LaBarbera said
“We always like to move the ball quick at practice
We like speed and having everything set up quick rather than the defense being able to set up and go
so we use our athleticism to our advantage.”
“It’s great when we can dictate the pace of the game,” Mazzei said
we realized we were able to push against them and we knew what we were able to do fast-break wise
The Frogs went on a 5-1 run over the final five minutes of the third quarter to cut Lynbrook’s lead to 15-11
The Reedy sister combination had 11 of Carle Place’s 13 goals with Tyler
Ava Gomes had four assists and Reese Aguilar scored two goals
Penelope Yaker had three goals for Lynbrook
Wednesday’s win keeps Lynbrook among the trio of teams in Conference II with one loss as the Owls look to win a conference championship and improve their seeding for a hopeful extended postseason run
We all love lacrosse and I think we’ll get there if we try hard enough.”
Owen O'Brien covers high school and college sports for Newsday
He's also covered professional teams such as the Mets
Jets and Giants since graduating from the University at Buffalo
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Lynbrook defeated Carle Place in a Nassau girls lacrosse matchup on Wednesday
and Madison Reedy #14 of Carle Place look to gain control of a draw during the second quarter of a Nassau County Conference II girls lacrosse game at Carle Place High School on Wednesday
gets pressured by Tyler Reedy #11 of Carle Place during the first quarter of a Nassau County Conference II girls lacrosse game at Carle Place High School on Wednesday
gets pressured by Payton Stalter #17 of Lynbrook during the fourth quarter of a Nassau County Conference II girls lacrosse game at Carle Place High School on Wednesday
makes a pass during the fourth quarter of a Nassau County Conference II girls lacrosse game against host Carle Place High School on Wednesday
makes a save during the fourth quarter of a Nassau County Conference II girls lacrosse game against host Carle Place High School on Wednesday
gains control of a draw during the first quarter of a Nassau County Conference II girls lacrosse game against host Carle Place High School on Wednesday
Jon Dowding
North Shore defeated Lynbrook in a Nassau girls lacrosse matchup on Saturday
Natalie Yoo #12 of North Shore scores on Delia Kirkpatrick #32 of Lynbrook during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Sophia Deifel #8 of Lynbrook and Lila Archer #11 of North Shore face off during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Natalie Yoo #12 of North Shore scores the game tying goal on Delia Kirkpatrick #32 of Lynbrook during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Natalie Yoo #12 of North Shore looks for an opening in the Lynbrook defense during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Brooke Mazzei #1 runs on a fast break against North Shore during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Aubrey Morales #7 of North Shore looks for an open teammate against Lynbrook during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Natalie Yoo #12 of North Shore dodges Addison DiFiore #23 of Lynbrook during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Erin Lily La Rosa #22 of North Shore advances the ball against Lynbrook during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Sophie Deifel #8 of Lynbrook looks to score as she splits the North Shore defenders during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Sophia Deifel #8 of Lynbrook defends Lila Archer #11 of North Shore during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Kelsey Ambrosio #28 of Lynbrook scores against North Shore during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
Natalie Yoo #12 of North Shore scores on Delia Kirkpatrick #32 of Lynrbook during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
North Shore celebrates after Natalie Yoo #12 of North Shore scores the game winning goal with under 2 minutes left during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
North Shore celebrates after a game tying goal by Natalie Yoo #12 of North Shore during a Nassau non-league girls lacrosse game on Saturday
is among 20 locations nominated to be on the state and national registers of historic places
the Lynbrook Public Library was threatened with demolition
Designed by architect Hugh Tallant and erected in 1929
was too small to accommodate its modern community
and librarians had to step over stacks of books to move around
rejecting a proposal to construct a new library at the former Village Hall on Merrick Road
the once-endangered building is on the pathway to be forever remembered
Kathy Hochul announced on March 21 that the library was among 20 nominated locations to be on the state and national registers of historic places
It was the only Long Island location nominated this year
"We're excited about it," library director Robyn Gilloon said
"We feel the building in its grandeur should be preserved and getting this would ensure that."
Lynbrook Village Administrator John Giordano
who helped lead the campaign to save the original library
said the library receiving this kind of recognition was decades in the making
the board passed a resolution to extend the original library
spurred in part by the campaign's efforts
The 11,000-square-foot ground-floor extension
which attempted to blend the historical character of the old building
Giordano said he knew that to secure the library’s future
he enlisted the help of Gilloon and adult librarian Kathleen Curran to ensure the library could meet historic register requirements
"Just because the building is old and glorious
doesn't mean it qualifies to be landmark," Giordano said of the register requirements
"You have to be able to find some type of national or social significance a building has had in a particular area."
In Curran’s two years of researching the library’s history
she found the Lynbrook Public Library was originally conceived in 1909 by a local women’s group
many of which were suffragist and volunteer associations
played a major role in the nationwide establishment of public libraries at the turn of the century
"We can trace the origins of the Lynbrook Library to an era of tremendous social change represented by the development of women's organizations
and its impact on society." Curran said in the preliminary application
As the railroad began to bring more people to Long Island
a public library was needed to accommodate a growing population
the Village Board hired architect Tallant to design the Eldert Street building
Tallant and his partner Henry Beaumont Herts were prominent figures in New York City architecture
having designed iconic theaters like the New Amsterdam Theatre
Curran said Tallant’s designs were a prime example of early 20th-century Beaux Arts style
known for its grandiose decorative details that channel Italian Renaissance elements
Intricate and Classical details like exterior carved depictions of Pallas Athena
oversees all who enter and exit the building
The library should find out if it is approved for the registry in the coming months
capturing a profound moment in time in U.S
continues to be an educational and cultural resource for the community — and part nostalgia for others
and I still see the children's desk when I was 6 years old
waiting for my mom to get out of work," Giordano said of his librarian mother
because I truly believe the library is an asset to the community."
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Original interior doors at the Eldert Street entrance
at the Lynbrook Public Library in Lynbrook
Credit: Lynbrook Public Library/William Marinaccio
The information desk at the Lynbrook Public Library
Maureen Mullarkey is a breaking news reporter at Newsday
She previously worked as a reporter for Patch
where she covered a range of Long Island stories on topics such as the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy and the Babylon School District abuse scandals
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gets congratulated by head coach Koren Pena as the final seconds tick down on the Owls' 83-53 win over Seaford in the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
“It’s Our Time” is the Lynbrook girls basketball team’s motto this season
Lynbrook has come so close to earning a county championship in recent years
but now the Owls finally seem ready to bring home the title for the first time since 1978
in the Nassau Class A semifinals on Thursday night at Farmingdale State College
Lynbrook (20-2) will play the winner of the semifinal between No
When the final buzzer sounded and coach Koren Pena looked at the scoreboard
“I knew we were going to come out here on a mission
but I could have never foreseen this,” Pena said
Seaford broke out of the gate quickly with a 12-4 run
but it didn’t take long for the Owls to take control
Senior Kaitlyn Benedict hit three three-pointers and totaled 11 points in the first quarter as Lynbrook brought a 25-19 lead into the second period
She finished with seven three-pointers and a season-high 23 points
“I just had faith in myself every time I got passed the ball,” Benedict said
“It’s a really exciting feeling to watch them fall.”
but it wasn’t until the third quarter that the Owls were really able to pull away
Senior Brooke Mazzei scored 11 of her 23 points and senior Cate Jennings had eight of her 18 to key Lynbrook’s 23-10 run
“I think the speed and the energy of it all at the beginning threw us off guard,” Benedict said
Senior Sophia Dwyer had 13 points and eight rebounds
Jennings had seven rebounds and Mazzei had six
CJ Block finished with 14 points for Seaford (15-7)
Mazzei said team chemistry is one of Lynbrook’s greatest strengths
“I think that’s what sets us apart from any other team in the conference,” she said
“We know each other better than anyone else
I’ve never doubted any of them to be able to play their games and help carry me when I’m down.”
Lynbrook lost in the county semifinals last season
in the county final two seasons ago and in the county semifinals three seasons ago
“From the second we started practicing this season
we knew this is what we were working towards,” Jennings said
“We know what it feels like to get this close
Scenes from a Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinal between No
looks to score from close range during the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
drains a three-pointer during the second quarter of the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
Sophia Dwyer of Lynbrook reacts as the final seconds tick down on the Owls' 83-53 win over Seaford in the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
Cate Jennings of Lynbrook scores from close range during the first quarter of the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
gets congratulated by head coach Koren Pena as the final seconds tick down on the Owls' 83-53 win over Seaford in the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
drives to the net for two points during first quarter of the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
and teammate Sophia Sirufo react as the final buzzer sounds in the Owls' 83-53 win over Seaford in the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
Cate Jennings of Lynbrook gets congratulated by teammates after exiting the game in the final minute of the Nassau Class A girls basketball semifinals against Seaford at Farmingdale State College on Thursday
and sophomore Emma Murphy are living their gymnastics dream for Lynbrook
When Lynbrook gymnastics named the team’s first-ever captains this winter
there were few more obvious picks than the athletes responsible for the program’s existence
Meet junior Gianna Marafioti and sophomore Emma Murphy
who helped Lynbrook gymnastics debut its team in the 2023-24 season
The duo met over a shared desire to compete for Lynbrook in gymnastics and began meeting with athletic director Joe Martilloti in 2022
“He was willing to work with us,” Marafioti said
“I would go into his office every day asking
‘Is the gymnastics team ready yet?’ I truly did harass him every single day.”
Lynbrook gymnast Gianna Marafioti performs on the beam during a Nassau gymnastics meet at Wantagh on Monday
Marafioti and Murphy provided the names of at least 20 students who were interested in joining a varsity gymnastics program
with Marafioti being one of two upperclassmen
Coach Dana Docar described her as someone who “leads by example.”
“I love all the younger girls we have on the team,” Marafioti said
Murphy was only an eighth grader when she helped Marafioti pitch the program
It’s quite the leap from the girl who grew up doing cartwheels around the house
leading her grandfather to put her in gymnastic classes
“I like to be able to help other girls and to encourage them to keep going,” Murphy said
The Owls would win their first meet before placing fourth in Nassau II
with five of the team’s 10 gymnasts earning eligibility for the state qualifying meet
because we put this together,” Murphy said
Combined with the fall 2022 opening of All-American Gymnastics in Lynbrook
a Long Island-based club gymnastics organization with locations in Bellmore and Oceanside
Marafioti and Murphy know that handstands and backflips are just beginning for the Owls
“I’m excited to see what’s to come,” Marafioti said
Being a multisport athlete is more common than ever
but two gymnasts are taking it a step further by being just that within the same season
Bethpage’s Autumn O’Britis and Addison Moerler compete for both Bethpage gymnastics and girls wrestling
the only two gymnasts in Nassau to do both
O’Britis joined the girls wrestling team with some familiarity in the sport as her siblings had wrestled in the past
there are girls’ wrestling teams,” O’Britis said
While the sophomore had never wrestled prior to this winter O’Britis noted how her gymnastics history helps her on the mat
“It’s definitely the flexibility for gymnastics that I bring into wrestling that makes it easier,” O’Britis said
and it helps me get into moves that need a lot of flexibility in your arms or legs.”
is on the boys’ team and helped her get into the sport
Moerler also hadn’t wrestled before this winter
it definitely brought down my nerves a lot,” Moerler said
“I wasn’t walking into a room with nobody I know.”
there’s a simple message to hear for those considering branching out to girls wrestling
“If you’re thinking about it,” O’Britis said
an annual fundraiser for the Madison Milio Tribute Fund
It’ll be the first time the Seahawks have hosted the event since its debut in 2022
a 9-year-old Massapequa girl who died in 2021 after a nearly three-year battle with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Donations should be directed to https://p2p.thecurestarts.now.org/1071
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday
He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023
A vegan linguine at Selita’s in Lynbrook is generously stacked with oyster mushrooms
It's hard to imagine Italian food without cheese. Thankfully, plant-based dairy products have come a long way since the '90s, and now it's possible to open a homestyle Italian restaurant where half the menu is vegan
Flip the one-page menu over and you'll see plant-based riffs on Italian American classics such as Caprese salad with cashew milk mozzarella
oyster mushroom "calamari" and even fettuccine Alfredo
who founded the popular mini chain of vegan-centric pizzerias 3 Brothers
which currently has locations in Rockville Centre and Farmingdale
and 3 Brothers on the same site in Lynbrook
but briefly rented the space out to a Colombian restaurant
he decided to get back in the game and open a new restaurant on his property
after his hometown of Selita in the Balkan country of Montenegro
he was flitting back and forth between the kitchen and the homey dining room
but reservations are recommended for the weekends
when the small space can get busy.) A web of twinkly lights surrounded a large boat installed upside down on the ceiling
The boat has been a hallmark of the space for years
and has been incorporated into several different restaurant concepts
And that conviviality carried over to the appetizers
which included a (non-vegan) mozzarella Caprese served on a fat block of pink salt ($14)
Astafa was enthusiastic about the meatier entrées
which included a $32 rib-eye steak as well as a veal chop
branzino and baked halibut with Cognac sauce
But another server was more about the back page of the menu
talking up dishes like an eggplant rollatini with plant-based ricotta cheese ($24) prepared in-house by grinding and soaking cashews until they form a paste similar to the Italian dairy product
We tried a pasta from each side of the menu
the vegan selection was the one worth going back for
The linguine with oyster mushroom scampi ($21) had a lemony butter sauce that was practically indistinguishable from the dairy version
Selita's Restaurant & Bar, 152 Union Ave., Lynbrook, 516-284-6047, selitasrestaurant.com
Wantagh defeated Lynbrook in the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Kayla Mannix (24) of Wantagh fouls Jessie Vuotto of Lynbrook during the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Julianna Cerasi (far left) of Wantagh waits for the rebound that ends the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Kayla Mannix seals the win for Wantagh with a shot from the foul line during the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Riley Forthofer of Wantagh chases down a loose ball during the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Kayla Mannix of Wantagh holds the ball and runs out the clock for a 44-43 victory over Lynbrook in the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Riley Forthofer of Wantagh takes control of a rebound during the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Julianna Cerasi of Wantagh brings the ball down the court during the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Julianna Cerasi of Wantagh puts up a two pointer during the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Wantagh celebrates beating Lynbrook in the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Wantagh celebrates beating Lynbrook 44-43 in the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
Wantagh wins the Nassau Class A girls basketball final on Monday
‘1’ GOAL.Senior point guard Brooke Mazzei leads hungry Lynbrook team going for its first county title since 1978
The Lynbrook senior point guard is one of those players who rarely comes off the court
Mazzei is the one the coaches and her teammates seek out to create a play for herself or facilitate someone open
Mazzei was pinned to the one place no athlete wants to be
a four-year varsity basketball player who is committed to play lacrosse at Temple
suffered a season-ending foot injury in the second-to-last game of the regular season
She was heartbroken to learn the injury would cost her the postseason
4 Wantagh in the Nassau Class A semifinals
“I would sometimes walk into practice and the games like
‘This is terrible; this isn’t even fun and I don’t want to be here.’ But I had to shift my mentality day in and day out and tell myself this isn’t about me anymore
Mazzei acted as another coach from the bench last postseason but this year
she’ll be where she’s at her best — on the court
She played an integral part in Lynbrook entering the Nassau Class A playoffs with the top seed yet again
on Thursday at Farmingdale State in the semifinals
“I often refer to her as fire,” coach Koren Pena said
She’s probably one of the most dynamic players in all of Nassau County
she’s basically an extension of me on the court and everything runs through her
and to not have her there last year was certainly a disadvantage to us.”
Mazzei is determined to have a different ending
“I have so much to make up for and we kind of have the perfect team this year,” Mazzei said
“We went in Day One knowing this was our only goal
The combination of seniors like Sophia Dwyer
Kaitlyn Benedict and Mazzei have the Owls in a position to win the program’s first county title since 1978
but we’ve been able to push through every single one and we only have a couple weeks left to finish what we need to do
It would be amazing if we could win a championship for the first time in that long.”
James Augustine made a splash with highlight-reel dunks during The Stony Brook School’s run
James Augustine doesn’t have a whole lot of experience playing team basketball
But it was hard to tell when he was playing for The Stony Brook School in the PSAA championship game against Long Island Lutheran Regional on Feb
Augustine scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 71-70 overtime loss
The athletic 6-6 junior forward — aka a stretch three — from Abuja
stuffed twice on alley-oop plays and rose to throw down a pair of offensive rebounds
in a 81-68 victory over Portledge in the semis
Augustine finished his first season here with averages of 8.3 points
8.1 rebounds and three blocks for a Bears team that ended up at 18-7 after bowing out in the NYSAIS semifinals
nine rebounds and three blocks for the final seven games
“This guy has been in the country for (six) months now
never played organized basketball,” coach Ron White said
“We began to empower him from the day that he was here of who he could be
“The Stony Brook School has really mobilized behind him to give him what he needs to progress
one of the stronger academic schools in the country
He’s an honor roll student and has certainly made a print on the conference and USA basketball right now.”
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If you’re looking for smoothies, boba tea, Mexican, Italian, Caribbean, rotisserie chicken or an elevated French fry experience, you’ll find it all under one roof at the new Crave Court
Crave Court, located at 38 Atlantic Ave. is a concept that combines concepts, all brought to you by celebrity chef Joe Ciminera
“Crave Court is more than just a food hall— it’s a culinary adventure that brings the best food concepts of the last five years under one roof,” Ciminera said
we’ve taken a simple comfort food and elevated it into a flavor-packed experience with our 22 signature dipping sauces
we’re proud to feature the best smoothies by Fresh by Day
Click here for the full list of what Crave Court calls chef partners
Crave Court is currently open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m
and is delivering to the area through all major third-party providers
has gained an name for himself over the years for his creative approaches to classic dishes and boundary-pushing in the kitchen
earning accolades for unique takes on comfort food to fine dining
The idea behind Crave Court was to bring together five years’ worth of recently successful food concepts
“Crave Court is where creativity meets quality
and we can’t wait to share it with the community,” Ciminera said
Tap here to see what’s happening
Xavier O’Brady rushed for 108 yards and two-first half touchdowns for the Knights on Saturday
Floral Park’s recipe for putting the finishing touches on a season-opening win was simple: hand the ball to Xavier O’Brady
Clinging to a six-point lead over Lynbrook
the Knights had the ball on their own 20 with 5:01 left
They fed it to O’Brady on the next nine plays
O’Brady ran for 47 yards and three first downs on the final drive
allowing Floral Park to take one final kneel and complete a 16-10 home win over Lynbrook in a Nassau Conference III football season opener on Saturday
He finished with 108 yards on 16 carries and two first-half touchdowns
“It’s just the instinct and just doing what I do,” O’Brady said
the hard work over the summer — it just pays off.”
a valuable role as a ballcarrier is available
one of the better linebackers in our conference
maybe even our county,” Floral Park coach Ron Pickett said
he didn’t really get the ball much with the guys we had
when we need to rely on somebody to get the tough yard
Floral Park (1-0) could have a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield with O’Brady and Tyreak Cobb
The Knights forced a Lynbrook fumble on the first play from scrimmage
O’Brady ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 7-0
Lynbrook (0-1) evened things with 11:30 left in the second quarter when Joseph McHale took a quarterback keeper 60 yards to the house
O’Brady added a 5-yard touchdown run with 7:21 left in the first half
though a missed PAT kept Floral Park’s lead at 13-7
Floral Park opened the second half with a 10-play drive capped by Rico Loftus’ 34-yard field goal to make it 16-7 with 6:44 left in the third
Luke Dantona hit a 24-yard field goal to cut it to 16-10 with 9:39 left
The Knights and Owls then exchanged punts before Floral Park’s final drive that iced the game
Floral Park named its press box after Mary Jane Morra
teacher and cross country and girls lacrosse coach
and she fought all the way to the end,” Pickett said
These kids embodied everything she means to Floral Park and the Floral Park community.”
2025 at 12:59 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Lynbrook middle school students are holding a fundraiser to assist victims of the California wildfires
NY — Students at the Lynbrook North Middle School are doing their part to assist victims of last month's devastating California wildfires
members of the student council are selling purple bracelets with messages of positivity
The fundraising project is advised by co-chairs Jocelyn Roslewicz and Shannon Ticas
The fundraiser will continue through Februrary 28 with bracelets available for purchase after school at Room 218
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including felony criminal possession of a firearm
after fleeing a traffic stop and firing a shot during his arrest in Elmont early Sunday
A Nassau County Police Highway Patrol vehicle
was stopped for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation near Hoeffner Avenue and Pelham Street at 12:50 a.m.
Lam fled on foot and was apprehended near Carnegie Avenue
but one detective sustained injuries during the struggle
Officers recovered the loaded weapon at the scene
2024 at 5:22 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A longtime member of the Genovese crime family was sentenced to 30 months in prison for racketeering
NY — A former acting captain in the Genovese organized crime family was sentenced on Friday to 30 months in prison
also known as "Carmine Polito" was sentenced for racketeering in connection to operating an illegal gambling business at the Gran Caffé in Lynbrook
also attempted to extort someone who owed him money stemming from a separate online sports betting business
"The cards did not favor Carmelo Polito's illicit gambling parlor or his extortionate methods,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy
“His illegitimate business and death threats financed the operations of two crime families
inducted member of the Genovese organized crime family
numerous members and associates of the Genoveseand Bonanno organized crime families operated several illegal gambling operations
The Genovese and Bonanno families jointly operated a lucrative illegal gambling parlor concealed inside a coffee shop called the Gran Caffé in Lynbrook
Polito is the first person sentenced in this case and a related case against four members and associates of the Bonanno organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra
Two local high school students have been named semifinalists in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search for research they conducted as part of Hofstra University’s Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP)
Four other Regeneron semifinalists were also HUSSRP participants.
The Regeneron program is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors
Alaina Pinto of The Wheatley School worked with Hofstra Associate Professor of Biology Michael Dores during the summer of 2023 on her project
“Visualizing the Impact of Interleukin-32 on Tight Junction Integrity and Nuclear Morphology from Glioblastoma Metastasis in Human Endothelial Cells.”
Eric Reilly, a student at Lynbrook High School, participated in HUSSRP in 2024. His project, “The Visible-Light-Induced Photocatalytic Oxidation of Aromatic Alcohols to Carbonyls and Peroxides Using Green Chemistry Principles,” was conducted under the mentorship of Hofstra Associate Professor of Chemistry Yalan Xing
“HUSSRP provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to access independent research experiences,” said Dr
it is very rewarding to work with students like Alaina to develop her own hypothesis-driven research project.”
Pinto and Reilly are among the 300 young scholars from 200 American and international high schools and homeschools in 33 states
to be recognized as Regeneron semifinalists
Both the scholars and their schools were awarded $2,000
Xing said it is “incredibly gratifying” to see Reilly recognized by Regeneron for his work on visible-light-induced photocatalysis
“Mentoring students like Eric is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work
as it showcases the potential of future scientists and the importance of collaborative discovery,” she said
For close to two decades, HUSSRP, directed by Gail Bennington, adjunct instructor of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability at Hofstra
has provided research-oriented high school students the opportunity to work with Hofstra science and engineering faculty from early July through mid-August
the co-directors of the program will be Assistant Professor of Chemistry Daniel Miller
and Lab Director and Adjunct Associate Professor of Chemistry Wendy Hom
“Students in HUSSRP work directly with faculty who excel at training emerging researchers in cutting-edge techniques across multiple science disciplines,” added Dr
“Our students have the opportunity to design and perform their own experiments while we guide them through data analysis and interpretation
I think this process is essential to succeeding as a Regeneron Scholar.”
the organization behind the Regeneron Science Talent Search
selects the semifinalists based on their outstanding research
and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original
According to Newsday
Long Island produced more Regeneron scholars this year than any other region in the country
HUSSRP reinforces the University’s dedication to community engagement, as outlined in the Hofstra 100 Strategic Plan
and and connects academic expertise with community needs