NEHS Chapter Welcomes Trustee as Honorary Member
Xavier Palacios is one of the newest members of Huntington High School’s Post Ellipsis chapter of the National English Honor Society. The Huntington School Board member was recently presented with an honorary membership in the organization.
During last month’s induction ceremony, English Honor Society President Sabrina Palacios called her father to the stage and inducted him into the organization that means so much to her and dozens of Huntington students.
Speaking before a crowd of several hundred, Ms. Palacios told her father that his “contributions to the Huntington school community have not gone unnoticed.” Mr. Palacios was elected to a second term on the Huntington School Board in May 2015. He has enjoyed a long association with the district.
A member of Huntington High School’s Class of 1988, Mr. Palacios earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Columbia University and a Juris Doctor at Boston University’s School of Law. He is the owner and managing partner of a Mineola-based law firm.
“As a prominent member of the Latin American community in Huntington and for your dedication to Huntington High School’s mock trial team, the National English Honor Society’s student/faculty executive board would like to recognize your commitment to furthering student opportunities in the local community,” Ms. Palacios told her father. “Your work truly shows your commitment to building a strong educational environment, not only with your endeavors to teach those around you, but also in the Blue Devil community in general.”
Mr. Palacios and his wife, Laura have three children, including Sabrina, who is a high school senior and two daughters at Flower Hill Primary School; a kindergartener and a second grader, both in dual language classes.
In 2008, Mr. Palacios purchased and renovated a distressed property in Huntington Station where he established a satellite law office along with a community revitalization non-profit organization.
Mentoring has been a priority throughout Mr. Palacios’ life. At Columbia, he taught SAT prep and biology courses to inner city students. He has continued mentoring young people and families in the community and encouraged parents to be actively involved in their child’s education. He has been recognized for his work in the community and his efforts to strengthen opportunities for young people.
Mr. Palacios has spent many hours working behind the scenes with coaches and athletes to help spur participation and promote excellence in the Blue Devil athletic program.
During his time on the Huntington School Board, Mr. Palacios has strived to be a problem-solver, contributing to solutions regarding pressing issues facing students, teachers and taxpayers.