Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Manhattan Beach
For the past eight years, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D–Sheepshead Bay) has made sure that the children in his district do not forget. Each year, the assemblyman sponsors the “Holocaust Essay, Poetry, Performance, and Art Contest” for students in his district from kindergarten to high school. The winners, chosen from more than 600 entries, had their works displayed around the Marine Academic Center at Kingsborough Community College.
The challenge was simple — a poem, an essay, a musical performance or piece of art work to commemorate the 6 million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. In his opening remarks, Standing O pal Assemblyman Cymbrowitz quoted the words of poet George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Students from Edward R. Murrow High School’s Madrigal Chorus and Chamber Orchestra performed an original song composed by local composer Cecelia Margules, students from PS 199 in Midwood read original poems accompanied by their exhibit “Suitcase Full of Sorrow and Hope,” and elementary students from PS 195 in Manhattan Beach interviewed survivors for their project and then created a DVD and book of thank you letters.
Luba Abramovich, a 93-year-old survivor, was the highlight of the event, as she shared her memories and experiences during World War II and as a member of the partisan unit Einheit 51.
The assemblyman handed out certificates to the winners and teachers, along with a computer and $200 in prize money for the top three first-place schools and second and third place winners received $100 and $50 respectively.
Standing O says “Thank you for remembering.”
Kingsborough Community College [2001 Oriental Blvd. at Pembrook Street in Manhattan Beach, (718) 368–5000].
Prospect Heights
100 days and counting
Yippeee! Who knew 100 days of school could be this much fun? Standing O sends out three cheers to the students at Exceed Charter school. During the whoop-de-do celebration students received awards for excellence in culture, academics and attendance at the ceremony. Standing O pal Curtis Palmore, principal, told his students to look forward to the next half of the school year with the same enthusiasm and excitement. “The 100th-day milestone is especially significant, as our school met challenges with grit in its first year of operation,” he explained to Standing O.
Exceed is now accepting applications for its kindergarten lottery due April 1. www.explorenetwork.org/exceed-charter-school.
Exceed Charter School [443 St. Marks Ave. at Classon Avenue in Prospect Heights, (718) 989–6702].
Borough Wide
A volt of congratulations
Three cheers to Rashal Mahamud, an associate engineer in Distribution Engineering at Con Edison, for winning the “Technology Transfer Award” from the Electric Power Research Institute. The man with the thousand watt idea developed a way to use smartphones and tablet personal computers to detect contact voltage on the streets. The quicker that contact voltage — or stray voltage, that’s what it’s called — is detected, the quicker a team can get there to correct the problem. And we all know what that means — better public safety and no more hurt pooches.
Unsung heroes
Congratulations to those selfless volunteers who rake leaves, pick up trash, plant trees and assist visitors in our most beautiful Prospect Park. The Prospect Park Alliance awarded these heroes of the forest at an awards ceremony held on March 9 at its annual Recognition Brunch.
Awards were presented to those with more than 500 hours of service in a lifetime, and those who donated 200 hours in one year received the “Mary Cregg” award, as well as certificates of appreciation and certificates of recognition.
Standing O says thank you for keeping our parks clean and pretty for all to enjoy.
A whole lot of bread
Special thanks to Panera Bread for donating more than $5,000 buckeroos to Gilda’s Club. The cafes in Staten Island, Queens, and Brooklyn, run by Doherty Enterprises, Inc., hosted the “Pink Ribbon Bagel” campaign to collect funds for this most worthy cause. Gilda’s Club NYC, named in honor of comedian Gilda Radner, provides free support for everyone living with cancer, along with their families and friends. This is the second year that Doherty Enterprises has participated in the event. “We hope that the monies we have raised will go a long way in helping to advance the good work they do in support of the social and emotional needs of individuals impacted by cancer,” said Greg George, veep at the company.
Read Standing O every Thursday on BrooklynDaily.com!