Fore-ty thousand raised for scholarship fund

Golfers raised more than $40,000 last week for future Valley Stream Central High School graduates in the name of one student who never made it that far. The seventh annual Columbus Day Johnny LaBarbera Golf Outing at the Douglaston Golf Course was indeed a success, organizer John LaBarbera said.

It was LaBarbera’s 16-year-old son who died on the basketball court at Central High School seven years ago after suffering a sudden cardiac arrhythmia. Since then, the annual golf outing has been held to raise money for a scholarship fund in Johnny’s name.

Each year, one Central High School graduate receives the scholarship. It is a $4,500 award, which Principal Dr. Joseph Pompilio says is one of the biggest scholarships given out annually. The student must display the same traits as Johnny LaBarbera — integrity, character, altruism and nobility.

So far, six graduates have received the award. “The standards and criteria for the scholarship have been upheld,” Pompilio said, adding that a committee of teachers and administrators pick the winner. “Much thought does go into the selection of the person. Over the years, we’ve come out right every time.”

Last week 162 golfers, split into 41 foursomes, hit the course to raise money for the scholarship fund. LaBarbera said there were many participants from the Valley Stream community, but golfers came from as far away as Brooklyn and New Jersey. There were competitions for team with the lowest score, longest drive and closest to the pin.

Though the weather was partly cloudy, the golfers stayed dry. LaBarbera said that is the work of his son, who he believes looks out for them every year. “Johnny did it again,” LaBarbera said. “Seven years in a row with no rain. You can’t ask for better than that. That’s John doing his magic.”

After the outing, golfers gathered at the American Legion Hall in Valley Stream for lunch. Many community members and school officials who didn’t make it to the green did come out for food, conversation and a chance to win some raffles. There were numerous big ticket items including golf club bags, coolers, signed baseballs and other sports memorabilia. LaBarbera said he received donations from all of the local sports teams.

Eagles varsity basketball coach Hayward Alfred helps LaBarbera organize the event every year. Alfred said the spirit of camaraderie that exists on the golf course is reflective of the spirit Johnny LaBarbera would show on the basketball court.

Alfred said that Johnny always volunteered to help other teammates improve their skills because he wanted to see others succeed. “He was selfless,” Alfred said. “All of our young people could learn a lot from him.”

Pompilio, who is in his 12th year as principal of Central and has seen thousands of students pass through the doors, still remembers Johnny LaBarbera very fondly. “It just goes to show you over time how a person’s legacy, despite mortality, can live on,” he said.

LaBarbera admitted he never thought the golf outing would last more than a few years, yet it gets bigger and better every year and is an event people anticipate every fall.

“It’s a testament to John and a testament to Valley Stream as a whole,” he said. “People come out to support it for the scholarship. It’s phenomenal. As people leave here they say, ‘I can’t wait until next year.’”