April 2015 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2015
Merrick Force Wins
Disney Soccer Showcase
The Merrick PAL Girls U16 team, the Merrick Force, competed in the 2014
Disney Soccer Showcase held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in
Orlando, Florida, and took the championship trophy back to Long Island.
Hundreds of college coaches flock to the annual Disney Soccer Showcase
to scout the top teams in the country to recruit athletes for their schools. The Merrick
Force is the only known team to date from Long Island to be accepted to this
prestigious event, and winning it was that much more of an accomplishment – “a
once in a lifetime experience,” according to Merrick Force Coach/Manager David
Levine.
In their first game, which was on New Year’s Eve, the Force defeated the
Toledo Courage 2–1 in a very physical contest. On New Year’s Day, the Force shut
out the reigning Indiana state champions 2–0. On the morning of January 2, Merrick
defeated a team from Boca Raton, Florida, 3–0 and earned a place in the finals. The
Force was matched up against West Pines United, another team from Florida. After
taking an early 1–0 lead on a goal scored by team Captain Lauren Marinello, the
Force held West Pines scoreless to finish the tournament as champions, featuring
outstanding goalkeeping from Gillian Stapler and fantastic play from Nicole Levine,
Jackie Shand and Olivia Levy.
The Merrick Force athletes have been together since they were second and
third graders, and got their start playing in the Merrick PAL intramural league. They
proudly represent the Merrick community and the PAL organization in tournaments
and leagues extending from Maine to Florida – the only PAL team to have achieved
this level of success.
“Officer Ed Serrao and Unit President Rob Samuels have been wonderful
supporters of the Merrick Force,” said Levine, thanking the men for their commitment
to the players, the soccer program and to all of the athletic opportunities the Unit
provides. “They have provided the foundation for so many girls and boys in the
community to realize their potential in a soccer club they can be proud of – a team
they can call ‘home.’ Officer Serrao and President Samuels have created a rare
atmosphere in which teamwork, fun and competitive sports exist together – always
staying true to the PAL mission. And that’s what makes Merrick PAL such a unique
PAL Unit which the community can enjoy year round; a Unit that develops athletes
on and off the field, from kindergarten through high school.”
Photos by Chris Shand
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2015
2015 Wantagh Bowling
Awards Ceremony
The 2015 Nassau County PAL 5-18 Bowling season
culminated with the annual awards ceremony on March 7 at the
Wantagh Lanes Bowling Alley in Wantagh. The season, which
runs from September through March, saw 112 youths participate,
improving their bowling skills and competing in games over the
seven-month span.
“The competition this year was better than in any other
year that I have seen,” said Wantagh/Seaford PAL Bowling
Commissioner Elaine Anderson. “The kids have certainly stepped
up their games this past season in response. These players have
competed and worked so hard over the past season to achieve
these awards, and knowing they’ve succeeded gives everyone at
PAL and their coaches a strong sense of pride and fulfillment.”
Along with trophy presentations for top divisional and
bowling series scorers, each bowler was treated to a breakfast
arranged by PAL staff members and a free, non-competitive game.
Special awards went to the following high bowlers: Dominck
Romano (279 game, 729 series); Evelyn Woodworth (224 game,
625 series); Jesse Priest (258 game, 625 series); Chris Mirer
(265 game, 618 series); Alyssa Augello (256 game, 674 series);
Dominick Salamone (254 game, 674 series); Vincent Graziano (230
game, 611 series); and Nick Breidenbach (235 game, 662 series).
Left to Right: Chris Mirer (High Game 265),
Alyssa Augello (High Average 179),
Meghan Priest (High Game 221)
Left to Right: 1st Place Team 7 – Nick Breidenback,
Nick Shamenek, Sean Bobby
Award Cup Winners for Year
Evelyn Woodworth and Jared Abbate
PAL Jrs. 2nd Place
Mali Pedone
Siblings Sabrina and Stephen Albano
(high scorers in series division)
Left to Right: 1st Preps Team – Noah Yousha,
Mike DePace, Jack Puckhaber, Peter Raia
NEWSLETTER
Wantagh-Seaford-Bendetti Team Wins
Third NCPAL Hoops Title in 3 Years
The Wantagh-Seaford-Bendetti basketball team secured the 2015 Varsity Division I
championship with a 57-48 win over Wantagh-Seaford-Hegarty on March 21. The victory
capped off a full day of youth hoop championships at the Town of Oyster Bay Athletic
Center in Hicksville as part of the Nassau County PAL’s month-long March basketball
tournament. It was the third straight year that Wantagh-Seaford-Bendetti came away with a
PAL title.
A total of six teams – two junior varsity and four varsity-level teams – played three
games over the course of the day, beginning with the Hicksville-McAleese team triumphing
over Massapequa-Sanchez by a score of 59-42 in the junior varsity contest, while
Bethpage-Szynal narrowly defeated Hicksville-Stewart 51-50 during overtime in the Varsity
II game.
“Congratulations to the players and coaches of Hicksville-McAleese, BethpageSzynal, and Wantagh-Seaford-Bendetti on their championship victories in the tournament,”
said NCPAL President Frank DiVittorio, “as well as their respective opponents MassapequaSanchez, Hicksville-Stewart and Wantagh-Seaford-Hegarty for making it to the
tournament’s final round. I also want to extend my thanks to all the teams comprised of
upstanding young athletes and their coaches for participating in the tournament over the
past several weeks and putting their efforts and dedication into a game that they love.”
A total of 24 teams participated in the tournament, which held games on each
weekend during the month of March. Teams representing five PAL Units (Bethpage,
Hicksville, Massapequa, Plainview and Wantagh/Seaford) played on varsity and junior
varsity levels played in the tournament.
Danny Wilson of Hicksville-McAleese was named MVP for his performance against
Massapequa-Sanchez in the JV championship game. Carmine Szynal of Bethpage was the
MVP of the Varsity II game against Hicksville. Ryan DeVito of Wantagh-Seaford-Bendetti
received tournament MVP honors in the Varsity I game against Wantagh-Seaford-Hegarty.
To see photos from the games, please visit http://bit.ly/NCPALBBall
SPRING 2015
NEWSLETTER
Horseback Riding Recreation Program
The Nassau County PAL Special Needs Unit Riding
Recreation Program got its start in October 2013. Eleven children
have been taking riding lessons on a cyclical basis since the
program was initiated. Jeannine Mahoney, a professional horse
trainer and instructor at the New York Equestrian Center gives
the weekly riding lessons. She is assisted by several high school
students and adult volunteers. The lessons are geared to each
child’s size, age and ability.
As the summer drew to a close, the New York Equestrian
Center’s owner and proprietor Alex Jacobsen arranged to have the
children experience a “Trail Ride” at Coleman Country Day Camp.
Under Jeannine’s guidance the children were able to ride horses or
ponies at the day camp in a natural, woodsy environment along a
peaceful trail. The volunteers leading the horses and side walking
with the children were the familiar volunteers from the equestrian
center.
“The riding day at the day camp was a treat for the children
because all year long the riding lessons are given in a giant indoor
horse ring at the equestrian center. I really wanted them to have
the chance to enjoy riding in this safe, pleasant outdoor setting,”
Jeannine said.
“I was so excited to be a part of this program when it started
in October 2013. It has been a great experience for the children
and for me. The children were so happy to receive their certificates
of achievement in October 2014.”
SPRING 2015
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2015
NCPAL Special Needs Unit
Winter Indoor Lacrosse Clinic
Nassau County PAL Winter Indoor Lacrosse Clinic
for Special Needs players ran from January 17th through the
first weekend of March. Boys and girls of all abilities, ages 5
and up, participated in the weekend lacrosse clinic sessions
held at the Levittown Memorial Gym.
It was a great experience for the children taking
part in a sport for the first time as well as for the seasoned
players who had the opportunity to warm up for the spring
season.
Please contact Mike Nelson for information about our
spring NCPAL Special Needs Lacrosse program at
[email protected] or (516)241-3680.
A special thank-you to the PAL families and
players for donating nonperishable food items
for the Food Drive to help support the
St. Bernard’s (Levittown) Food Pantry!
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2015
Long Island Festival of Trees
This past holiday season, members of the Nassau
County PAL Special Needs Unit were asked to create a special
holiday tree ornament for the 25th annual Long Island Festival
of Trees, held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden
City, Thanksgiving weekend, November 28–30, 2014. The
Special Needs Unit participants created over 100 handcrafted
ornaments that reflected a quality or trait of each member. The
ornaments were placed on a special PAL tree to be displayed
during the festival. The tree was donated to the Festival of
Trees organization to be auctioned off. $300 was raised to
benefit United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County.
Left to Right: PAL Special Needs Unit volunteers –
Donna Simeone, Nancy Pope, Joan Crader
and Frank Simeone
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2015
2015-16 Nassau County PAL
Executive Board Installation
The 2015-16 Nassau County Police Activity
League (PAL) Executive Board Installation was
held on February 19 at the Wantagh Inn. Town of
Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes of Levittown
presided at the ceremony and administered
the oath of office to each of the incoming PAL
executive board members. He offered his thanks to
all the PAL board members as well as to staff and
volunteers for their dedicated service in providing
for the youth of the county and town through
PAL’s numerous wholesome, character-building
activities.
The executive board members, who will
serve two-year terms, include President Frank
DiVittorio, First Vice-President Arnold Palleschi,
Second Vice-President Michele Walker, Secretary
Roy Vasile, Treasurer Chris Kyriacou and Board
Member Alex Ipiotis. Councilman Hudes also
administered oaths of office en masse to trustees
and presidents representing all 29 local PAL units.
“It is a pleasure to continue to work with
my fellow board members on advancing PAL’s
mission of serving the youth of Nassau County and
providing a positive impact on their lives each day,”
said DiVittorio. “In the coming year we will continue
to build upon our past successes and ensure that
programs and activities are maintained and grown
across all our local units.
“I also want to thank each of the presidents
of PAL’s 29 units as well as their trustees and
welcome their new representatives who I am sure
will contribute their ideas and help Nassau County
PAL reach even greater heights of success in the
years to come.”
Sitting Left to Right: 1st Vice President Arnold Palleschi;
2nd Vice President Michele Walker; Secretary Roy Vasile
Standing Left to Right: NCPAL President Frank DiVittorio;
Board Member Alex Ipiotis; Treasurer Chris Kyriacou
NEWSLETTER
ABOUT NCPAL
In 1940, under the direction of Nassau County’s
first Police Commissioner Abraham Skidmore, the
Nassau County Police Boys Club was formed. Since
that time there have been several changes including
changing the name of the organization in 1987 to
the Nassau County Police Activity League (NCPAL).
While the name may have changed, the mission of the
organization remains the same today as it was back in
1940. Our mission is to prevent juvenile delinquency and
aid in development of good citizenship through positive
interaction of youths and police officers.
The NCPAL is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit
organization that is operated by an executive board, a
board of trustees, and with the tireless help of hundreds
of volunteers. Presently there are twenty-nine (29) units,
which cover over forty (40) different communities. The
Nassau County Police Department provides officers to
oversee these units and to interact with the youths of
these communities. Activities that are offered include
sports, crafts, educational, and other programs. These
activities vary from unit to unit and are based on the local
community is needs and interests
MISSION STATEMENT
To operate youth clubs and provide sports, crafts,
educational and other programs of a team and individual
nature for all boys and girls in Nassau County, N.Y.
regardless of race, religion, income or disability. The
intent of the activities is to prevent juvenile delinquency,
steer children clear from gang activity and to aid in the
positive interaction of Police Officers and Youth.
“IT IS BETTER TO BUILD YOUTH
THAN MEND ADULTS”
SPRING 2015
NCPAL Executive Board
President
Frank DiVittorio
1st Vice President
Arnold Palleschi
2nd Vice President
Michele Walker
Secretary
Roy Vasile
Treasurer
Chris Kyriacou
Board Members
Alex Ipiotis
Commanding Officer Sgt. Doug Kenah
Police Officer Jack Volpe
Police Officer Gary Biggers
Police Officer Jethro Cardona
Police Officer Edwin Philip
Police Officer Matthew Perlungher
Nassau County Police Activity League
[email protected]
www.nassaucountypal.org
167 Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801
Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.