By Connor Adams Sheets
A couple of players from the New York Islanders hockey team trekked west last week from their home on the ice at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, L.I., in order to speak to Flushing’s youth.
Members of the team visited PS 24, where they held one of the school’s annual Islanders School Days. They spoke about their childhoods, backgrounds and the importance of doing well of school.
The squad splits up and stops in at elementary schools across Long Island every year, and the Nov. 18 visit continued that tradition, bringing smiles to kids’ faces, gifts for them to take home and autographs for their memorabilia.
“School Day is one of the best local events we go to every year,” forward Josh Bailey said in a statement. “We’re a big part of the Long Island community, so it’s gratifying that we give back as much time as we can. It’s fun to see how excited the kids get and it’s important to teach them about hard work and a good education.”
Goaltender Dwayne Roloson and forward Frans Nielsen were the two team representatives who visited the Flushing school at 141-11 Holly Ave.
The school was one of 10 selected to participate in this year’s event after teachers entered a contest on the Islanders@School website by explaining how their students would benefit from a visit by Islanders players.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
