Superintendent of Schools for the Elmont School District Dr. Maria Palandra was selected to receive the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the highest honor for service that advances civil and human rights, making the school superintendent one of only four in New York State chosen for the honor.

In many ways, Dr. Palandra embodied the qualities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for. As an Italian immigrant who came to the United States with barely a word of English, Dr. Palandra educated herself as an English as a Second Language student and eventually pursued a career in education at a time when women didn't enjoy the same opportunities they do now.

The purpose of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award is to recognize New Yorkers who have made outstanding contributions in serving the community through their knowledge, skills and services. Consideration is given to a New Yorker whose professional involvement has provided a major benefit to the public as well as individuals who have made significant contributions to special populations such as those with disabilities, the disadvantaged or underprivileged or those who are members of a minority group.

"There is no one on Long Island that I know that deserves this award more than she does," said Elmont Board of Education member Aubrey Phillips, who nominated Dr. Palandra for the honor.

As the head of a school district, which numerous students of different cultural backgrounds attend, Dr. Palandra has succeeded in uniting all races for the common goal of knowledge.

In her quest to give all students in her district an equal opportunity, she instituted district-wide curriculum mapping, which dispels the notion that some schools get better resources and better materials than others. "Now, with district-wide mapping, she has taken our schools to a place that it doesn't really matter where in Elmont you live, the school that is in your neighborhood is performing for the most part at a level that is commensurate with those schools and districts that spend much more than we do," said Phillips. "Dr. Palandra believes that every child deserves a meaningful and substantial education."

In addition to the obstacles Dr. Palandra has had to overcome as a student herself, she has also had to meet challenges as a superintendent. In a community as diverse as Elmont, where 72 languages are spoken, she has had to find a way to educate children whose primary language is not English and has succeeded without financial abundance. The Elmont School District spends the least amount of money per pupil than any other school district in Nassau County.

Phillips points out, however, that two thirds of the Elmont schools perform at a level on par with or better than any district in Great Neck and Port Washington as well as high ranking schools. "She's taken this diverse community and proven to all that it is not the diversity of the community that is the issue, it is the expectations," he said.

Dr. Palandra has also been credited for creating a language academy on Saturdays, furthering the notion that she views the number of languages spoken in the Elmont Schools as a strength rather than an obstacle, Phillips added.

Board member Joy Madera, who also was involved in the nominating process, said that only a small number of candidates met the qualifications for the award. An individual is eligible for consideration if he or she has performed outstanding service on behalf of others or whose achievements have greatly enhanced the quality of life for their community or who has served as a role model for disadvantaged people. In working tirelessly to promote unity and equality in initiating programs and policies that benefit all, yet take away from none, Dr. Palandra met those qualifications, Madera said.

At the January 21 board of education meeting, Dr. Palandra was honored for her achievements as the leader of the Elmont School District. Board President Deanna Doreson called the board's hiring of Dr. Palandra the most important decision Elmont School Board made for its children. "This leader deserves to be identified with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King," Doreson said, adding that Dr. Palandra possesses the qualities needed to be a role model for students.

In many ways, Dr. Palandra can identify with many of the students of the Elmont School District since many of the students aren't familiar with the English language the way Dr. Palandra wasn't when she emigrated from Italy. But now, the school superintendent stands as a symbol to all of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.

At the ceremony, Dr. Palandra was presented with a painting entitled Vision, symbolic of the vision she has as a superintendent. When it came time for her to address the crowd of citizens at the board meeting who gave her a standing ovation, a humble Dr. Palandra deflected the praise from herself onto all the aspects of the school community, from the parents to the teachers and staff members to the board members. She called the award an award for Elmont, saying it was a team effort.

Dr. Palandra may have been across many miles of ocean in Europe when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had his dream of equality for all. But now, she continues to carry on his work.