Socializing and dancing creates ‘wall to wall smiles’

For the fifth year in a row students danced, mingled and ate the complimentary food thanks to the Leaders Club at Hewlett High School. The club organized a fall-themed dance on Nov. 6, for the high school special needs students, not only from their district, but also from Lynbrook, Baldwin and Massapequa

“Everyone dances, they have fun, they hang out with people from other schools,” said Leaders Club co-president Samantha Panzarella.

Music blared from the speakers as Leaders Club members carried in stacks of pizza boxes to accompany the Dunkin’ Donuts munchkins and candy that covered the tables in the gymnasium.

One of the students, Zach Montelus, a senior said the free food was his favorite part, but he also agreed with his friend, sophomore Jared Bostoff, who said that he liked how all their friends attended the event.

As students entered the gym, they were announced by one of the club members and were showered with high-fives as they made their way down the red carpet. Then there were the snacks and attendees dances to the “Cha-Cha Slide” and the “Macarena.”

Panzarella’s co-president, Jared Lake, became involved with the club on a recommendation from his tennis coach when he was a freshman. Now a junior, Lake called that first dance he helped work on, “the best thing I ever did, I loved helping.”

Dozens of Leaders Club members were dancing with the students. Club members decorated the gym with fall and Halloween ornaments. “It means a lot to me and the helpers,” Lake said. “Giving back to these kids and it’s just great that they’re able to help out.”

Abby Samlin, a physical education teacher at Hewlett High and a Leaders Club adviser, both sides, the special needs students and the club members love the event, she said. “[The Leaders club students] come back and they thank us every year,” Samlin said. “It’s a win-win for everybody, [the special needs students] love it and [the Leaders Club] loves holding it for them.”

Wall to wall smiles were seen, whether they were on the conga line or enjoying the food it seemed like everyone was having the time of their life. “You really can see the happiness on the kids’ faces,” Panzarella said. “I think it’s one of the most important nights of the school year. It changes everyone.”