Manhasset Board of Education Honors Four with Awards for Excellence in Education and Community Service
At the Jan. 16 meeting, the Manhasset Board of Education was proud to honor a student and three community members who exemplify a commitment to excellence and make profound contributions to our school community and the Manhasset/Great Neck Adventures in Learning program.
Manhasset Secondary School senior Selvin Trejo was honored by the Board with the Dr. William A. Shine Student Award. Selvin was recognized for his exceptional commitment to his education and for always striving for excellence in all his pursuits, both in and outside of the classroom. His teachers praised him as a student who leads by example and consistently shows kindness and empathy in his interactions with others. Selvin has a thirst for knowledge, excellent work ethic and tackles daily challenges with enthusiasm and dedication that is second to none.
Longtime Manhasset residents Dee and Kevin Conway were both recognized with Dr. William A. Shine Community Member Awards and joined the meeting via Zoom. Mr. and Mrs. Conway are community leaders who have spent decades focused on charitable, civic and community service, including support for women battling breast cancer and charities addressing education, social services, food insecurity and the needs of the disadvantaged. They have both proudly served as supporters and friends of Adventures in Learning for nearly two decades. Together with their four children, they have mentored and provided scholarships for over 100 inner city high school students through the organization Student Sponsor Partners. Mr. Conway was a long-time member of the Executive Committee of Manhasset PAL and is a Manhasset Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee.
The 14th annual Dr. William A Shine Awards acknowledge the legacy of former Manhasset Superintendent Dr. Shine, whose progressive leadership embraced a commitment to providing the best educational opportunity for every student. The award celebrates people who believe in the rewards of an educated mind and have the courage to work towards fulfilling that vision for themselves and — through a strong humanitarian commitment — for others.
Finally, Manhasset resident Kathie Panzone was recognized by the Board with the Maggie Award, an annual honor that recognizes a member of the Manhasset community who, like the Award's namesake, has generously donated time and talents to benefit the children of the Spinney Hill community.
After raising three children in Manhasset, Ms. Panzone was driven by a strong desire to give back to the community. She found volunteering at Adventures in Learning to be incredibly rewarding and finds immense joy in greeting the children after school, assisting them with their homework and simply being there to support and listen to them.
The Maggie Award is named after longtime Manhasset educator Maggie Grundman, who was the driving force behind the Adventures in Learning program. Ms. Grundman also served Manhasset youth through after-school and summer programs.
The district congratulates each of the honorees. We thank them for their dedication to our school community and for helping to carry on the memory and legacy of our esteemed colleagues who are the namesakes of the prestigious awards.
- Secondary