New Hyde Park in the Dark
by Michael Lopez and Haley Spielberg
The effects of Hurricane Sandy included widespread devastation that affected everyone on the East Coast of the United States—including the students, parents and faculty of New Hyde Park Memorial.
Charles Purnel, a member of the Custodial services at New Hyde Park, was one of the members of New Hyde Park who was affected by Hurricane Sandy’s damage. Mr. Purnel, who lives in the Rockaways, witnessed many people lose their property—he himself lost his basement to flooding.
Assistant principal Ms. DeGennaro is another member of the staff who was affected by the storm and its aftermath. “It’s hard to look at my neighborhood the same way,” she said. A resident of Howard Beach, Ms. DeGennaro was overwhelmed at the flooding that occurred not only in her house, but also her elderly mother, whose home was also deemed uninhabitable.
“I realize how fast life can change—how fortunate we are and that even though we lost our possessions, we still have the people around us for support.” Ms. DeGennaro gave thanks for the opportunity to sit down at a table with her family, despite the unlivable condition of her mother’s house-- an opportunity that most people did not have.
Mr. DeJose, a member of the Social Studies department, also suffered damage and loss from the storm; he said that he had to leave town to find supplies, witnessing army trucks searching for bodies that were reported missing.
“I lost seven photo albums-- you can’t put a price on that,” said Mr. DeJose. “But, I’m going to be alright. When I look around at all the things that have happened and the destruction that others around me are going through, I feel fortunate.”
Though the number of staff whose lives were affected by the storm is high, the number of people at New Hyde Park supporting them is much higher. Ms. DeGenarro named all the people at New Hyde Park who helped her through her troubles. “Mrs. Padovano, Mrs. Beck, Mrs. Errante, Mrs. Kaspar and of course, my Assistant principal Mrs. Hecht have all been unbelievably accommodating and helpful in this time,” said Ms. DeGennaro.
Two months after the storm, the effects still linger. Though the trees have been cleared out of the roads and power has been restored, the change in lifestyle, as well as the life lessons that the storm brought to all of us, are never-ending.
“The storm has taught us that everyone should want to help—there’s no room to be selfish and take life as we know it for granted,” said Mr. Purnel.
Charles Purnel, a member of the Custodial services at New Hyde Park, was one of the members of New Hyde Park who was affected by Hurricane Sandy’s damage. Mr. Purnel, who lives in the Rockaways, witnessed many people lose their property—he himself lost his basement to flooding.
Assistant principal Ms. DeGennaro is another member of the staff who was affected by the storm and its aftermath. “It’s hard to look at my neighborhood the same way,” she said. A resident of Howard Beach, Ms. DeGennaro was overwhelmed at the flooding that occurred not only in her house, but also her elderly mother, whose home was also deemed uninhabitable.
“I realize how fast life can change—how fortunate we are and that even though we lost our possessions, we still have the people around us for support.” Ms. DeGennaro gave thanks for the opportunity to sit down at a table with her family, despite the unlivable condition of her mother’s house-- an opportunity that most people did not have.
Mr. DeJose, a member of the Social Studies department, also suffered damage and loss from the storm; he said that he had to leave town to find supplies, witnessing army trucks searching for bodies that were reported missing.
“I lost seven photo albums-- you can’t put a price on that,” said Mr. DeJose. “But, I’m going to be alright. When I look around at all the things that have happened and the destruction that others around me are going through, I feel fortunate.”
Though the number of staff whose lives were affected by the storm is high, the number of people at New Hyde Park supporting them is much higher. Ms. DeGenarro named all the people at New Hyde Park who helped her through her troubles. “Mrs. Padovano, Mrs. Beck, Mrs. Errante, Mrs. Kaspar and of course, my Assistant principal Mrs. Hecht have all been unbelievably accommodating and helpful in this time,” said Ms. DeGennaro.
Two months after the storm, the effects still linger. Though the trees have been cleared out of the roads and power has been restored, the change in lifestyle, as well as the life lessons that the storm brought to all of us, are never-ending.
“The storm has taught us that everyone should want to help—there’s no room to be selfish and take life as we know it for granted,” said Mr. Purnel.
