Top West Hempstead School Stories of 2012

A superstorm, a potential revenue loss of $500,000 and the resignation of its school board president.

The West Hempstead School District had its fair share of obstacles to contend with in 2012. The district's students, staff and alumni also celebrated various accomplisments too.

Before a new year begins, let's take a look at the top 12 stories that came out of the West Hempstead School District this year.

1. Nassau BOCES Will Not Renew Lease With West Hempstead S.D.: The West Hempstead School District learned that Nassau BOCES would not renew its lease of the Eagle Avenue school building beyond the 2012-2013 school year, leaving the district with a possible $500,000 revenue loss if it doesn’t find a new tenant for the property.Click here for the latest update on this story.
2. West Hempstead Students Lose February Vacation: To make-up the school days lost due to Superstorm Sandy and the Nor’easter that hit the area in November, West Hempstead schools were among the first to announce that they would have to take away the February break in 2013.
3. West Hempstead Residents Call for DiMiceli's Resignation: In response to a letter that West Hempstead School Board Trustee Cynthia DiMiceli sent out to community members during the budget season, some residents and even one board member called for her to resign.
4. West Hempstead Bringing Aid to 'Forgotten' Island Park: Although West Hempstead High School and many of their homes were still without power days after Superstorm Sandy struck the area, students, faculty and their families banded together to collect supplies for classmates and other residents of Island Park, which suffered severe damage due to the hurricane.
5. West Hempstead Parent Asks School Officials to Beef Up Security: In response to the horrific mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., school officials in West Hempstead are reevaluating their security plans and received input from one concerned parent.
6. West Hempstead School Board Again Appoints Trocchia to Vacant Seat: After its president resigned to move his family to Florida, the West Hempstead Board of Education was once again tasked with having to fill a vacant seat.
7. West Hempstead Grad Natasha Vaduthala Dies at 19: The West Hempstead School District mourned the loss of a very young and recent graduate who died suddenly at the age of 19.
8. : Although graduation rates across Long Island declined, the West Hempstead School District was happy to report that the number of its students graduating continues to rise.
9. West Hempstead Alum Stars in Broadway's Evita: A West Hempstead High School graduate earned a starring role in the Broadway production of "Evita" this year.
10. West Hempstead Football Rolls Over Clarke in Quarterfinals: The West Hempstead High School varsity football team had an exciting post-season run, earning the Rams' first play-off victory since 1986.
11. West Hempsteaders Share Desires for Marian Delaney School:To assist school officials in making the best decision regarding one of its soon-to-be vacant school buildings, the West Hempstead Board of Education launched a Space Utilization Committe earlier this year. Through this, community members were able to learn more about the options available to the district and express their wishes for the future of the former Marian Delaney School.
12. West Hempstead Student Earns Gold in International Competition: West Hempstead High School science research student Chris McAvoy's research on wind turbines earns him yet another award, this time at the International Sustainable World Energy Engineering Environment Project Olympiad in Texas.