Neighbors

Young women honor local role models

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"I dwell in possibility,” wrote the poet and feminist Emily Dickinson. This is the very sentiment that might describe the eight women from Wantagh who were honored on March 30 by Miss Wantagh and her court, not only for their achievements in the community, but also for their ability to serve “as an inspiration to us all,” Kayla Knight, Miss Wantagh 2014, said.

The honorees were Karen Chowske, Ellen Cook, Elizabeth Greco, Fran Kaufmann, Clare Mundy, Dolores Persky, Daniela Tobie and Danielle Fehling-Wasnieski.

This was the first of what organizers hope will become an annual celebration called Women of Wantagh, or WOW, founded by Miss Wantagh and her court to honor exceptional women from the community during Women’s History Month. “These exemplary ladies display much more than grace and beauty,” Knight said. “These great women are intelligent and determined members of the community.”

Seven of the eight recipients attended the event at Wantagh Elementary School. There were about 100 people in attendance, who stayed after the presentation to sample desserts donated by the families of the Miss Wantagh Court.

“These women are truly the backbone of our community,” said Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney. Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad, who has taken the Miss Wantagh Court under her wing, called the event “a fantastic way of acknowledging the achievements of women in our town.”

A member of the Miss Wantagh Court introduced each recipient and spoke about how that woman had touched her life.

Karen Chowske, president of the Wantagh Preservation Society helps keep Wantagh’s history alive. Miss Wantagh court member Kaitlyn von Runnen spoke about Chowske’s hard work to raise money for the museum, which hosts numerous events. Chowske is also involved with the Girl Scouts and Eagle Scout projects, and helps raise money for the varsity gymnastics team.

Ellen Cook, a member and Regent for the Jerusalem Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, knows most everything there is to know about Wantagh. Nikoleta Mountanos spoke about Cook’s life-long efforts to preserve and provide information about American history. Cook, who has lived in Wantagh for more than 50 years and is a member of the first graduating class at Wantagh High School, is also a member of Wantagh’s Fourth of July Parade Committee, the Wantagh Republican Club and a former columnist for the Wantagh-Seaford Citizen.

Elizabeth Greco is a tireless educational advocate for Wantagh. She graduated from Wantagh schools and has served on countless committees through PTA, Sports Booster Club and in the PTA council. Nyatasha Jackowicz said her role model was “the adult who gives off the positive vibe, the one who always makes the time to stop and listen.”

Fran Kaufmann has a passion for music, for the human voice and for helping Wantagh’s children. Knight provided several highlights from Kaufmann’s illustrious career. Kaufmann founded the Forest Lake Variety Show, served as the 6-12 PTA president, worked in the Wantagh School District as a chorus and substitute teacher, and directed musicals such as “Fiddler on the Roof” for the middle school. Additionally, Kaufmann dedicates her time by performing with her own ensemble to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, and instructs students with physical and mental disabilities. She reassures these students that there are no disabilities that could ever limit one’s passion for music and for everything life has to offer.

Clare Mundy, who is known to most as “Miss Clare,” has touched the lives of hundreds of Wantagh girls the last half century by teaching dance, said Christine Parola. Mundy, owner of Clare’s Studio of Dance, teaches ballet, tap, acrobatics and twirl, but most of all nurtures her students. Additionally, Mundy is active at St. Frances de Chantal Church, where she oversees the annual Christmas pageant.

Dolores Persky is a breast cancer survivor who advocates for other women battling the disease through her website, longislandbreastcancer.com. Amanda Caso explained that Persky also raises money for women who cannot afford wigs while they are undergoing treatment. She also holds group sessions to teach women and teenage girls about early detection, breast cancer awareness, nutrition and exercise. In addition, Persky helps women fight for services from insurance companies.

Daniela Tobie is a passionate advocate for children and young adults with disabilities. Tobie’s 15-year-old son has severe cerebral palsy and she knows first-hand about the services children need, explained Knight, who spoke on behalf of Shayna Held, another Wantagh court member who could not be at the event. Tobie is SEPTA president at the Henry Viscardi School. She has two other children but still finds time to tutor ESL students, work as a soup kitchen volunteer, be a Girl Scout troop leader, class mom, fifth-grade coordinator, soccer coach and a small business owner.

Danielle Fehling-Wasnieski, who lost her first husband in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, knows how to overcome adversity. Tylar Benedetto talked about Fehling-Wasnieski’s life as a single mom who leads by example, always putting her daughters first. Fehling-Wasnieski remarried in 2005 and had a third child.

“It was a great event,” said Ella Stevens, pageant coordinator for Miss Wantagh. “There are so many wonderful and unrecognized women in our community who do so much. We hope to make this a yearly event and honor them all. But that will be up to the girls.”