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.
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