Malverne Superintendent To Be Honored At MLK Ceremony

MALVERNE-WEST HEMPSTEAD-LYNBROOK, NY - From The Malverne Union Free School District: Following a long-standing tradition, all students in the Malverne School District will participate in a special celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m., in the Howard T. Herber Middle School auditorium. The event will recognize Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Hunderfund and community leader Sheila Lake who will both be bestowed with the district’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. Performances from students in each of the district’s four schools will also be a part of the celebration.

With nearly 50 years of experience as a public-school educator, Dr. Hunderfund has been Malverne’s superintendent for the past 10 years. During his tenure, the high school was named a New York State Rewards School for the first time in history, made the National Achievement Honor Roll for Advanced Placement, was the only school in Nassau County to earn the National Policy Center’s Gold Award as a School of Opportunity, and has been ranked among The Washington Post’s Best High Schools in the U.S. for the past six years. Howard T. Herber Middle School and Davison Avenue Intermediate School have been recognized by the State of New York for “Better Outcomes” and “Best Instructional Practices.”

Under Dr. Hunderfund’s leadership, students’ academic achievement has greatly improved; all school facilities have been improved through the passage of two major bond issues; the district’s financial management has received the state’s highest rating and the school district has been restructured to provide a unified educational program, K-12.

With more than 20 years as an active member of Malverne’s school community, Sheila Lake started going to Parent Teacher Association meetings when she first moved to Malverne and never stopped being involved. Over the years, she served as president for each school’s PTA, as well as secretary for the Malverne Wildcats Football League. Ms. Lake was also involved in the creation of Ladies Night at Maurice W. Downing and continuing the tradition of the Haunted House at Howard T. Herber. She was also a member of the MWD Parent/Teachers Chorus. Currently, Ms. Lake serves as president of the Malverne High School PTA, secretary of the District 12 Central Council, secretary for the MHS Scholarship Committee and treasurer of the Booster Club.

“I’ve made lifelong friends through the PTA,” she said. “The parents, the teachers and the administrators … we all work together to get these kids what they need, when they need it,” explained Ms. Lake, whose sons Darrell Wonge, Christopher Lake II and Brandon Lake, as well as her nephew Kenneth Daniel, all graduated from Malverne. Her daughter, Alexis Lake, will be graduating this year. “My mom is at every game,” Alexis said. “Whether I’m playing in it or not, she is there. She is always taking pictures and everyone loves her.” Ms. Lake’s husband Christopher Lake, is always helping out, as well.

Ms. Lake and Dr. Hunderfund will be honored during the ceremony on Jan. 12. The entire community is welcomed and encouraged to attend the event.

Photo courtesy of Malverne Union Free School District