Ashanna Archibald is an impressive young woman. She’s personable, articulate and hardworking. The teenager gets along with everyone. She has a wonderful sense of humor and classmates turn to her for advice and support.
Ms. Archibald is headed to Suffolk Community College to study liberal arts/humanities. She plans on transferring to Farmingdale State College to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
A member of the Blue Devil spring track and field team, Ms. Archibald was a contributing member of the squad. She also earned good grades and worked well with her teachers.
The Nassau Police Running Club presented a $500 scholarship to Ms. Archibald in honor of fallen Nassau Police Officer Luis A. Palermo, Jr. who passed away in September 2017 from a 9/11 related illness. He was 49 years old.
A 23-year Nassau Police veteran, Mr. Palermo raced to Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 to assist with search and rescue efforts. Like so many others involved in similar work, he was diagnosed with cancer six years ago and passed away from acute lung disease. Prior to his death, the Nassau Police Department promoted him to its elite Bureau of Special Operations.
Mr. Palermo and his wife, Deborah, sent all three of their children through the Huntington School District. Celine graduated with Huntington’s Class of 2017. Caitlyn will be entering her senior year in September while Caleb is headed to sixth grade.
“The Nassau Police Running Club hosts the Police Officer Memorial Run every year to honor our fallen officers,” retired Deputy Commanding Officer Kevin McPadden told the crowd in the Huntington High School auditorium during the senior academic awards night ceremony. “The proceeds from the run go to scholarships at a high school from where our fallen member has graduated or a high school that the family selects. The Palermo family has selected to have the scholarship in Police Officer Palermo’s name to be presented to a student from Huntington High School.”
A committee of Huntington High School faculty members selected Ms. Archibald for this year’s award. Officer Palermo respected hard work and without a doubt, he would hit it off with Ms. Archibald and be impressed by her work ethic.
