Educators, students, families, and community leaders gathered at Stonebridge Country Club in Hauppauge for a night of celebration and inspiration at the Inaugural Long Island School Hero Awards, hosted by The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying.
Designed to honor individuals within Long Island’s school communities who go above and beyond to foster kindness, inclusion, and safety, the School Hero Awards spotlight unsung heroes—those whose efforts often fly under the radar but leave a lasting impact. This year’s honorees ranged from superintendents and teachers to security guards and support staff, each nominated by peers, students, and families for their unwavering dedication to supporting children in meaningful and often life-changing ways.
“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story,” said Joe Salamone, LICAB’s Executive Director, quoting youth advocate Josh Shipp during his opening remarks. “These awards are our way of recognizing those caring adults—the people who create safe spaces, listen when it matters most, and make our schools better for every student who walks through their doors.”
The event was filled with emotional tributes and heartfelt speeches, as honorees shared their personal reflections and reaffirmed the importance of compassion, mentorship, and proactive advocacy in education. In addition to recognizing individual excellence, the evening also highlighted the growing network of schools, parents, and community partners committed to LICAB’s mission of combating bullying through education, empowerment, and mental health support.
The Long Island School Hero Awards have quickly become a signature event for LICAB, not only as a celebration of impact but as a call to action. As schools across Long Island continue to confront challenges related to bullying, mental health, and student well-being, the awards shine a light on what is possible when individuals rise above their roles to make a difference.
As Salamone noted in closing, “These heroes remind us that change doesn’t always come from policy or programs—it comes from people. One caring act at a time.”
The honorees were:
Michael Califano – Former DRVC Dept. Of Ed.
John DeBenedetto – William Floyd School District
Paul Defendini – Farmingdale School District
Michelle Dick – Commack School District
Jillian Edelman – Oceanside School District
Dr. James Foy – Sayville School District
Adele Gutierrez – SUNY Old Westbury
Vincent Healy – East Rockaway School District
Glen Johnson – Malverne School District
Caroline Kind – Levittown School District
Mary Kirby – Lynbrook School District
Kathryn Lake- Northport-East Northport School District
Allison Lepore – Babylon School District
Frank Naccarato, Jr. – Lindenhurst School District (Retd)
Michael Natale – Nassau BOCES
Patricia Natale – Lindenhurst School District (Retd)
Wendy Tepfer – Bellmore/Merrick CHS District
Kristen Wallace – Deer Park School District
Marisa Wanatick – Hauppauge School District
Dr. Sequoyah Wharton – Brentwood School District
Dennis Wickes, Jr. – Smithtown School District
Honorees for the 2025 Long Island School Hero Awards will be announced in early September, with their reception on October 20th, 2025.
