For the first time in two years, the Student Government Association (SGA) held its annual Human Relations Day (HRD) in-person on Feb. 17. English teacher and SGA advisor Mary Kirby, along with 50 SGA student members, pulled out all of the stops for the event, which was one of the biggest LHS has seen with more than 30 “Random Acts of Kindness” recipients and 30 guest speaker presentations.

This year’s theme was “Reach for the Stars,” and the SGA certainly did just that. On HRD, the LHS cafeteria was adorned with themed decorations including star-shaped balloons, a galaxy photo backdrop, fairy lights, and purple, black, and teal centerpieces. Additionally, space-themed music was played from speakers throughout the day, and members of the SGA created and ran games via Kahoot! for students to compete in trivia contests.

Senior and National Art Honor Society (NAHS) board member Olivia Ackerman designed the shirt worn by SGA members and staff during the event, which showcased a spaceship blasting off of Earth from Lynbrook, to go along with this year’s theme. Promotional social media posts on the SGA Instagram account (@lynbrooksga) also shared the hashtags #outofthisworld and #shinebright to create excitement for the event.

 The SGA slate – the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer of the LHS student body – “had their eyes on this theme for the whole school year,” Kirby said. She shared that this theme held a lot of meaning to the slate, and they hoped that it would serve as a lesson to the students of LHS. 

“When you ‘reach for the stars,’ you are controlling what you have the power to do in order to be successful,” Kirby said. “Whatever happened yesterday, you just keep moving forward, working toward your goals, and worrying about only yourself. I always say ‘today’s the first day of the rest of your life,’ and I truly believe in that.” 

The 30 total presentations covered a vast range of topics, some of which discussed drug abuse, organ donation, civil rights reform, social activism, and the experiences of first responders. Many speakers came to LHS in-person, but some presented virtually via Cisco Webex. 

This year’s guest list included exciting and prestigious leaders across several fields, such as Michael Knobloch, the president of global film, music, and publishing at Universal Studios. Knobloch has overseen the music for the highest grossing film of all time, Avatar, the Academy Award-winning film Titanic, oscar-nominated and multi-platinum film Pitch Perfect, Les Misérables, and Fast and Furious 6. He spoke to students about his illustrious Hollywood career and the lessons he has taken away from his experiences.

Kevin Ferguson – the current director of operations and partnerships for YouTube Shorts and the prior head of North America for the social media platform Musical.ly – spoke to students about his work in the social media field. Additionally, the SGA was able to score an inspirational video message from journalist, television personality, and co-host of NBC’s morning show Today Hoda Kotb. 

Kevin Maresca is the head of PET/molecular imaging in digital medicine for Pfizer’s Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical Organization. He specializes in both cancer and COVID-19 research, and his HRD presentation focused on his experience with the coronavirus pandemic.

Multiple speakers returned to LHS as alumni, including Knobloch, Ferguson, Joe Delia, and Larry Glenz. Delia is the social media and marketing director for Land of Lots, a new children’s book series, and a production manager at Gattie and Lopez, an editorial production company. This is his second year at HRD to discuss his work with the LGBTQ+ community. 

Glenz is a familiar face at HRD and around the halls of LHS, as he previously taught in Lynbrook for 36 years and coached the football, lacrosse, and wrestling teams. His son Kevin tragically passed away in 2010 at the age of 27 from a heroin overdose. Glenz returns to HRD each year to tell his and Kevin’s story, and to spread awareness about the life-threatening danger of drug addiction. His autobiography Forgiving Kevin: A Son’s Addiction Becomes a Father’s Greatest Teacher details Kevin’s years-long struggle with addiction and can be purchased wherever books are sold.

Some guests made presentations that were both moving and educational, such as Asher J. Matathias who shared his harrowing story of surviving the Holocaust. “As I am frequently called upon to give public testimony of humanity’s most heinous crime – people rarely hear about the tragedy of Greek Jews in the Holocaust – I shall deem it an honor and duty to avail of the opportunity to inform and educate,” Matathias said. Matathias now resides in Woodmere and is a professor at St. John’s University. 

Other familiar faces at HRD included the Feal Good Foundation, which helps emergency personnel that have been injured in the course of their duties; the Long Island Trio, an organization committed to advocating for organ donation and transplantation awareness; and students from the Henry Viscardi School, who speak to encourage perseverance, kindness, and fighting adversity.

HRD was sponsored by more than 20 local businesses including Lynbrook Deli, Hewlett Station, Angelina’s, Lynbrook Bagels, and Heavenly Coffee. The businesses donated gift cards for “Random Acts of Kindness,” a tradition of giving back to LHS students and staff who the SGA feels exhibit exceptional kindness every day of the year. Two lucky students received tickets to New York Islanders and Rangers games, respectively.

“HRD is such an incredible event that I look forward to every year,” said SGA Slate President Emma Leighley. “The SGA and Mrs. Kirby work so hard to make this day the best it can be, and there is so much that goes on behind the scenes to make it perfect. It makes me sad that this was my last HRD, but it was absolutely amazing,” Leighley added.