Following a tradition spanning more than a quarter of a century, students from all four of the district’s schools will participate in a celebration on Friday, Jan. 16 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The 29th annual celebration will feature two honorees, on whom will be bestowed the district’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. This year’s honorees are community advocate Phyllis Tinsley and Assistant Superintendent Rose Linda Ricca.

Tinsley has been a member of the Queens Alumni Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for more than 30 years, the NAACP of Lakeview and the Order of the Eastern Stars. She is also a Girl Scout leader for all Lakeview troops and president of the board of the Malverne After-School Center. Within the district itself, Tinsley serves as a member of the Supervisory Council, Booster Club, marching band and Parent Teacher Association. Her motto is: “If I can make a difference in someone’s life, I’m going to do just that.” She resides in Lakeview with her husband, W.P. Lawrence, and their three daughters.

A 27-year educator and advocate for children in the Malverne School District, Ricca began as a math teacher, became a chairperson, and currently serves as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She truly embodies what it means to be an educator and is always looking to make a difference in the lives of the students. During her tenure in the district, there have been profound improvements in all indicators of success, including SAT and Advanced Placement performance, as well as the advancement of the district’s technology initiative. Ricca is the recipient of the 2006 Town of Hempstead Pathfinder Award in Education and the 2001 Lakeview NAACP Educational Recognition Award.

Both will be honored at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Howard T. Herber Middle School auditorium.