The fourth annual "Women of Distinction Awards" packed the Clara H. Carlson School this past Saturday where Assemblyman Tom Alfano honored women for their professional, volunteer and unsung efforts at improving quality of life and being role models for our next generation of young people. Alfano called the fourth installment "the best yet and a true, positive community-building event for the community.

The ceremony kicked off with honorees being escorted into the historic Clara H. Carlson auditorium by young men in tuxedos to the Louie Armstrong hit What a Wonderful World. The escorts were, what Assemblyman Alfano termed, "bright stars in the Elmont community." Escorts Marcus Johnson, Timmy Levin, Bobby Odugbesan, Leon Lopez, John Havrylkoff, Anas Ghani, Ian Feurtado, Willie Williams, Joel Jackson and Ralph Esposito escorted the women down the Carlson aisles to their seats center stage. "These young men are some of the best and brightest we have in the community," said Cheryl Lee who introduced the promenade walkers to the audience.

The auditorium of Clara H. Carlson was bathed in light greens, blues and yellows with a banner hanging entitled "Elmont Honors Our Women of Distinction." Flowers and plants decorated the stage and orchestra pit area while special artwork pieces created by the Elmont Summer Academy covered the walls.

The ceremony began with Cheryl Lee and Carol Parker Duncanson welcoming community members to the annual celebration. Billy Rothwell, a student at Sewanhaka High School, sang The Star Spangled Banner to a visibly moved audience. Elmont's veterans from the VFW and American Legion led the Pledge of Allegiance with Jane Shrenkel and Gotham Avenue second-grade student Seiji Clark. Offering remarks were Elmont School Superintendent Al Harper, Sewanhaka Superintendent Warren Meierdiercks, Alden Terrace School Principal Amy Buchanan and Inter-School PTA President Cathy Fritz. Elmont School Board Trustee Pam Monteverde introduced dignitaries and community leaders. Rosemary Haigh, a Walt Disney World award-winning educator, spoke on the "Women of Distinction Ceremony" and its place in the community.

The program began with MC Carol Parker Duncanson offering some reflections and insight into the "Women of Distinction Program." She described the honorees and their place in the community to describe their special talents. During each interlude, she expanded on the theme and offered comments on the impact that honorees and former recipients have made in the community at large.

At the beginning of the program, a special mural was presented to the Elmont School District created by students from the Elmont Summer Academy and Elmont Memorial High School. The artwork mural centered on Assemblyman Alfano's "Women of Distinction Ceremony" and was unveiled by art teachers Alice Katz and Chris Yee. Students unveiled the piece led by Elmont Academy art student Mike Fritz to the delight of Superintendent Al Harper, Superintendent Warren Meierdiercks, Assemblyman Alfano and audience members.

During the program portion, Lisa Diaz, a former Women of Distinction honoree, introduced Assemblyman Tom Alfano by noting his work on empowerment, education and his "Mentors and Leaders Program." Alfano centered his remarks on the important role that women have in the community and being role models to our young people. He cited the profound impact that his mother had on him as a young boy and the continuing example she sets for him today. "She goes to work every day and strives to do the very best she can. She instilled valuable lessons to me and my sister and I do my very best as a parent to follow the great example she set. The women we honor today are the real role models. Not the professional athletes, the singing stars and actors - the real leaders are all of you." Alfano challenged audience members to get involved and follow their dreams.

Senator Hillary Clinton echoed those sentiments in her letter for the ceremony. She said, "These women have demonstrated excellence in their careers and their community work." Governor George Pataki added, "This special occasion salutes remarkable women from the area who effectively use their talents and influence to promote the advancement of all women in today's society and, thereby, further the course of human progress."

Next, the stage was set for the second installment of the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for leadership, service and character. Making the presentation for the award was former Elmont School Superintendent Dr. Maria Palandra. Palandra announced that the recipient was someone whom the community relies on each and every day. The winner of the award was none other than Norma DeBartolo. Both Assemblyman Alfano and Dr. Palandra presented DeBartolo with the honor. Alfano noted that "Norma is always there - in good times and sad ones. She's always there when Elmont needs her."

The guest speaker for the awards presentation was Anne Shybunko-Moore, president and CEO of GSE Dynamics. Shybunko-Moore was recently named one of the "Top 40 Under 40" business leaders on Long Island. Shybunko-Moore's speech centered on leadership and the unique role that women play in the workplace, community and home. Shybunko-Moore noted to audience members that the path they may be on today changes, and that the successful leaders change as well and follow their dreams and pursuits. The speech, according to many, was truly inspiring.

Before the presentation of the awards to the honorees, Elmont Memorial High School student Aliya Dorner sang a show-stopping performance of Wind Beneath My Wings to the audience. Dorner recently played 'Dorothy' in the Elmont Memorial performance of The Wiz.

The moment that audience members were waiting for arrived when the awards presentation had honorees come to the front of the stage while Judy Van Haaren and Theresa Weston Morris read their biography narratives for the audience. Assemblyman Alfano, Shybunko-Moore, Parker Duncanson and Superintendent Meierdiercks presented the honors. Applause rang out for each honoree as family members took pictures and cheered as each honoree came forward.

The honorees were: Educator and PTA member Lorraine Baker-Simon, Tudor Manor Civic Executive Board member Carolyn Busch, Alden Terrace volunteer and PTA member Clara Camal, pediatrician and Parkhurst Civic member Dr. Donna Copper, publisher and entrepreneur Monique Wilsondebriano, marketing consultant and Haitian American leader Dadie Delbrune, community volunteer Marge Dwyer, attorney and former Assembly Codes Committee Counsel Veronica Ebhuoma, physical therapist Dr. Emilian Emeagwali, American Legion Auxiliary Board and Covert Avenue School assistant Joanna Esposito, health care worker and counselor Frantzie Etienne, realtor Sandi Gerson, school volunteer and translator Nasreen Ghani, medical doctor and volunteer Dr. Leslie Joyner-Gray, community volunteer and coach Mary Jane Havrylkoff, nursing leader and legislative lobby coordinator Icilda Innocent, Elmont Memorial High School PTA leader Lydia Jameson, daycare center operator and arts enthusiast Selma Lopez, community volunteer and activist Barbara Rothstein Lynn, Eucharistic minister and health care expert Paula McCalla, Clara H. Carlson School PTA president and armed service activist Kathy McManus, Alden Manor Civic Association Executive Board member Dawn Palmer, Black History Month Chairperson and entrepreneur Allyson Phillips, nurse and health care coordinator Myldred Previl, Alden Terrace PTA president Cherry Redhead, surgical technician Joselina Almonte Rivera, Sewanhaka High School PTA president Judy Rocco, Gotham Avenue PTA activist Joan Ryan, GYO counselor and Elmont Soccer League volunteer Sherry Singh, Gotham Avenue School library specialist and volunteer Nancy Soevyn, AARP president Juana Thornhill, dietician and athletic league volunteer Sally Trye, church volunteer and civic activist Joyce Tucker-Smith, Elmont Fire Department EMT and community volunteer Harriet Verde and nurse and Elmont Cardinals cheerleading coach Ava Walker.

After the presentation, Dutch Broadway School student Jahnei Clarke closed out the ceremony by singing God Bless America. After the awards program, a reception, sponsored by Citibank, was held in the Clara H. Carlson School gymnasium.