On Sunday, July 31, Mallory Simeone of North Massapequa graduated as salutatorian from Katharine Gibbs School with an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice.

Mallory, a survivor of domestic violence, achieved an almost-straight-A average despite being a single mother and facing the continual financial obstacles and court battles brought on by an absent, deadbeat former husband.

Mallory would like to devote her energies to educating the public on the massive problem of domestic violence and its effect, not only on victims, but also on communities and children; and to assist and counsel current victims of domestic violence.

She is often asked to speak on the topic and has appeared on the local cable television shows Exploring Your Emotions and Inner Sight and a number of local radio programs. She has recently completed an internship at HALT, a batterers' intervention program in Hauppauge. She also hopes to someday write a book on the subject.

Mallory would also like to work to change current child support laws that, in her view, favor the rights of deadbeat parents over those of custodial parents.

Mallory is a singer/songwriter and has performed on the cable television show Wes Houston Presents.