Long Island Proud: Sara Garland URI Class of 2020 Does it Right

This is yet another Long Island Proud story. On May 18th Sara Garland sought out the assistance of Rebecca Grella, Ph.D. Ecology & Evolutionary Biologist Rebecca to assist those in need. Dr. Grella besides being an educator is a photographer with many of her photographs of Long Island eagles published in many publications including Patch.com.

Rebecca photographed Sara and agreed to waive her fees in lieu of a donation to two Long Island Food Pantries, St. Anne’s and Northport. Food pantries have been playing a huge role all over Long Island over the years but more so during this coronavirus epidemic.

Since Sara Garland was unable to celebrate her graduation form the University of Rhode Island (Class 0f 2020) in a traditional way, Sara decided to celebrate by giving back. Sara and her family reached out to Rebecca and Rebecca agreed to photograph Sara in graduation gown at Seymour’s boatyard in Northport. Owner Dave Weber loved the plan and suggested a donation to the Northport Food Pantry. The Garland family also suggested St. Anne’s as Rebecca is an educator in the Brentwood Union Free School District on Long Island.

Dr. Rebecca Grella has a history of photographing the Garland Family since 2014, and therefore Grella was eager to help.

Sara Garland a Kings Park Resident, graduated class of 2020 from University of Rhode Island - Human Development and Family Studies Minor in Leadership. Kings Park resident always involved in the community. Heading off in the fall to potentially LIU to obtain a certification in guidance.

Sara is all about giving back, she plans to be a guidance counsellor in a high school and she applied to the LIU program. After working at a charter school in Rhode Island Sara understands the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). What she knows is most important is that kids can never go hungry and that was the impetus to her decision to team up with Rebecca to facilitate a donation to food banks. Sara said “Social and emotional learning is so important in these times, but more important is making certain students are never hungry.”

Sara knows that there are many people out there in need and encourages anyone who can to help. Dave Weber of Seymour’s boatyard stated “what a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate and make a difference in the community.” Dave and Rebecca are long-time Northport residents and active in the community.

Sara Garland sums up the best of how so many graduates feel this Spring because their traditional style graduations have been canceled due to the coronavirus. Sara said, “Today was a day to not only celebrate my graduation, but to give back. It’s such a good feeling to know that together we can help people. I have a compassion for helping others and I am happy that I could do this with Rebecca.”

This is what community is all about, this is what Long Island Proud is all about.