CURRAN PRESENTS AWARDS TO HEWLETT WINNERS OF THE 2016 FLAG DAY ART/ESSAY CONTEST

Assemblyman Brian Curran and Sen. Todd Kaminsky stand

with 2016 Hewlett Flag Day Contest winners and runners-up at Greis Park.

Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st AD) recently honored the winners of his annual Flag Day Art and Essay Contest at Greis Park in Lynbrook. Over 300 kids participated in this year’s contest.

“I am so proud of the children who participated in this year’s contest,” said Curran. “They showed true passion and patriotism for our American Flag, and exemplified this community’s dedication to raising civically-engaged children. Along with the 300 children who participated, I want to give a special thanks to our veterans who willingly gave up their morning to be judges. It is important to honor the symbol of our freedom as well as the individuals who have fought in our country’s armed forces. Today’s event not only represents an opportunity to give thanks, but also to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are to live in a country free from tyranny.”

Schools entered in the contest include: Robert W. Carbonaro School, Brooklyn Avenue School, and William L. Buck School in Valley Stream; St. Christopher’s School in Baldwin; Centre Avenue Elementary School and St. Raymond’s School in East Rockaway; Waverly Park Elementary School, the Kindergarten Center, Marion Street Elementary School, Our Lady of Peace School, and West End Elementary School in Lynbrook; Davison Avenue Intermediate School, Maurice Downing School, Howard T. Herber Middle School and Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School in Malverne; St. Thomas the Apostle School in West Hempstead; Ogden Elementary School and Hewlett Elementary School in Hewlett; and William S. Covert Elementary School in Rockville Centre.

Students from kindergarten to sixth grade were eligible to enter the contest. This year’s winners from Hewlett included: Second Grade Winner Bobby Fratti of Ogden Elementary School, Third Grade Winner Lauren Whitley of Ogden Elementary School, Third Grade Winner Suzie Hogue of Hewlett Elementary School, Third Grade Runner-up Emily Smuckler of Ogden Elementary School, Fourth Grade Winner Stella Fratti of Ogden Elementary School, Fourth Grade Winner Barbie Hogue of Hewlett Elementary School, Fifth Grade Winner Olivia Ginzburg of Ogden Elementary School, Fifth Grade Winner Jonluca Cavataio of Hewlett Elementary School, and Fifth Grade Runner-up Hiral Chavre of Ogden Elementary School.

All winners received a New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit, an American Flag and a Carvel ice cream gift certificate. Curran has held this event every year he has been a member of the New York State Assembly. This year’s contest posed the question: What does the American Flag mean to me?

Family and friends from the community attended the event to commemorate the American Flag. The ceremony featured the color guard unit from the Lynbrook American Legion, Lynbrook American Legion Commander Hank Speicher, and Alexa Ford, a Kellenberg graduate who performed the National Anthem. Also in attendance were Pat Nealon, Commander of Lynbrook VFW and Joseph McCarthy, member of East Rockaway VFW.

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