PTA Council’s Founder’s Day honors child advocates

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The East Meadow Parent Teacher Association Council celebrates Founder’s Day each year for two reasons: to commemorate the PTA’s founding in 1897 as a volunteer group dedicated to advocating for children and to recognize those who are carrying out this mission today.

This year’s Founder’s Day brought together members of the community on March 18 at Leonard Palazzo’s in Great Neck. There, the East Meadow High School Jazz Ensemble entertained guests during a cocktail hour and the W.T. Clarke High School Chamber Chorale performed the National Anthem before PTA Council President Robin Fitzpatrick began the ceremony.

Honorees were invited up to a dais where they each lit a candle to signify the light they shine on the children in their community. But before they did, the top of their class from W.T. Clarke and East Meadow High School gave speeches thanking the 420 attendees for making an impact on their education.

“To me, what makes a group of people into a community is helping each other in our time of need,” said Jonathan Melkun, the valedictorian of East Meadow High School.

Growing up, Melkun saw his parents get divorced, his father die of suicide and, now, he supports his brother while his mother is in the hospital. With the help of his teachers and community, Melkun said, he was able to earn his spot at the top of his class and acceptance into Harvard University.

The Salutatorian of W.T. Clarke High School stood in for Valedictorian Christian Cang Cuesta and also shared thanks for the guidance he was given while balancing his education and extracurricular pursuits.

Following their speeches, the Fitzpatrick called on the PTA Council’s two honorees Kerry Dunne and Kristie Pagan. Dunne has helped the PTA Council spearhead the district’s full-day Kindergarten program, launched academic “summits” and “coffee talks” with staff and students and held many district roles in addition to being principal of McVey Elementary School.

Pagan is a 17-year member of the East Meadow School District with Meadowbrook Elementary School as her permanent home. She has led several extracurricular activities and is consistently attending workshops to improve her skills as a teacher and child advocate.

“This community works together to ensure that all of our children have the best education in the world,” said Superintendent Kenneth Card. “Thank you to all of our honorees for being the key ingredient in what makes East Meadow such a special place to live.”