SEPTA installs new officers, honors others

The Valley Stream Special Education Parents and Teachers Association recognized the recipients of their year-end awards and swore in their new executive board on June 10.

Darlene Hinds was installed as president, Petra Tarrant was appointed secretary and Audrey Jurena was named treasurer of the association, which works on behalf of special education students and their families in each of the village’s school districts. Outgoing President Tina Castelluzzo praised the new leadership, each of who was elected by unanimous vote of the roughly two dozen members in attendance.

“They are impressive and inspirational,” said Castelluzzo, who was honored for her contributions. “They stand out and have real potential to make some very positive changes.”

June Inella, the association’s council delegate, performed an induction ceremony before swearing Hinds and Tarrant into office. Jurena was absent due to an illness in her family, so Castelluzzo stood in for her. Before beginning the ceremony, Inella reminded Hinds of the responsibility of her office and praised Castelluzzo for her devotion to the association.

“As Tina certainly knows, when you are president, you are responsible for absolutely everything,” she said.

Hinds said that she looked forward to her new role.

“I certainly have some big shoes to fill, but I am very excited,” she said. “I want to continue the good work that this association has done, and I want to make sure I read and receive all the knowledge I can and spread it to the members of our community.”

Jurena, reached by phone after the ceremony, said she was proud to serve a leadership role in a group that fights for a good cause.

Tarrant said that as secretary, she would be well aware of the chapter’s history. Just a few years ago there were only a handful of members and the chapter was in danger of collapse, but membership has increased dramatically in recent months, and the association now boasts more than 290 members. She said she plans to work hard to ensure that the trend continues.

“I really want to help our SEPTA chapter continue to grow,” she said. “As a parent of a child with special needs, I know how important organizations like this are to those families.”

Congratulating the award winners

The Valley Stream SEPTA also distributed awards to their most outstanding members over the past 12 months.

Doreen Kealey-Sullivan received the organization’s “Special” Educator of the Year Award for her work with students at Valley Stream South High School. Daniel Achatz received the Real Life Hero Award for his work with extracurricular clubs and events at North High School. Tracy Alesia, chair of special education at Memorial Junior High School, was given the Outstanding Educator Award.

Each of the winners got a standing ovation as their accomplishments were listed. Alesia received an especially loud roar, and supporters surprised her with a banner bearing her name and face.

The group also recognized the winners of its annual Advocate in Action Awards. The awards are given each year to several members for their individual advocacy for the rights of special education students.

“SEPTA members know the value of being involved,” Castelluzzo said as she presented the awards. “We speak for every child with one voice. We can and do make a difference when it comes to educational reform and enacting new laws that protect and benefit children and youth. Our good work begins with the efforts of the individual members in our local units…Thank you for all you’ve done for our unit, or schools and our children.”

The winners of the Advocate in Action Awards were:

n Rise Kessler-Bitetto

n Patricia Farrell

n Darlene Hinds

n Christine O’Toole

n Mindy Simon

n Petra Tarrant