AIL Volunteers Honored

Adventures in Learning celebrated the end of the school year with a rousing visit at the EOC gym from Town of North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Anna Kaplan, Town Clerk Wayne Wink and Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman. They presented certificates of recognition to this year’s 22 high school volunteers to honor their outstanding accomplishments  and contributions to Adventures. These Manhasset and Great Neck high school volunteers created a myriad of exciting and remarkable projects throughout the year.
Among the volunteers recognized were two Manhasset Girl Scouts whose projects were part of their Girl Scout Gold Awards. Stephanie Palma’s project was titled “The Power of Dance in Easy Steps.” She created a dance program to encourage children to become more physically active. Girl Scout Regan Lavin, whose Gold Award project was the development of weekly science workshops for third- and fourth-grade students, also coordinated with the Science Museum to bring its programs to Adventures on Fridays.
There were several Manhasset Girl Scouts who received Scouting’s Silver Awards for creating and implementing various Adventures projects. Michaela Ryan created a crane origami recycled paper occupational therapy project, while Scouts Lindsay Ryan, Brianna Varnas and Kylie Morgano did a reading project with second- and third-graders.
For the past four years, Manhasset senior Andrew Moshova hosted science experiments with the children and Alec Wadhwani, another Manhasset student, taught fellow students karate.
The volunteers enthusiastically accepted their certificates from the public officials to rousing cheers from Adventures students and staff, and parents and guests. Following the ceremony, they munched on hamburgers and hot dogs that were flipped by Manhasset Master Chef Kurt Kiess and served by members of Adventures’ board of directors.
Diana Holden, Adventures in Learning’s executive director, offered her thanks. “First of all, I wish to thank Councilwoman Kaplan, Town Clerk Wink and Receiver Berman for attending our Volunteer Recognition Ceremony today. I would also like to show my appreciation for our fabulous volunteers who take time out of their busy schedules to mentor and help our students. Each one gives something unique to our program, enriching our students’ lives. The gleeful students’ faces were the absolute highlight of our party. They had so much fun, thanks to our staff and our committed board of directors who truly are the most loving, giving board an organization can have! We really have the cream of the crop when it comes to people involved with our organization. I can’t believe how wonderful everyone is! Again, thank you!”
Councilwoman Anna Kaplan urged the students to “dream big, work hard and make your dreams come true.” Thanking them, Councilman Wink noted how “the community and students appreciate your hard work.” Receiver Charles Berman congratulated “all of the Adventures volunteers receiving recognition awards today,” stating that their “record of community student service and achievement sets an example for others to follow.”
Founded 45 years ago in 1969 by the Congregational Church in Manhasset, Adventures in Learning is an after-school education and enrichment program, located in the Hagedorn Community Center at the Great Neck/Manhasset EOC building at 65 High St., Manhasset. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of children in Manhasset and Great Neck in need of after-school care and instruction.