South Queens, NY – Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-South Queens) joined the students, staff and family members of those attending The Scholars’ Academy in Rockaway Park for the annual Parent Associations Boardwalkathon.The annual event was started years prior by Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato while she was PA Co-President at The Scholars’ Academy before she was elected to the New York State Assembly. The Boardwalkathon had been halted for two years due to the pandemic but was back in full swing this year.

The school holds this event annually as a way to celebrate school pride. This year was especially important due to the past years of remote and hybrid learning endured by students and teachers. Students, grade 6-12, march down the boardwalk in shirts that show their “Seawolf Pride” with residents and members of the community cheering for the students. “I am so proud to see this tradition continue after a two-year break. These students deserve the chance to celebrate their hard work with a little fun on our gorgeous boardwalk. It was wonderful to see the smiles and I’m grateful for all the volunteers that made this happen,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato.

Irene Dougherty, who will end her tenure as Co-President of The Scholars’ Academy Parent Association after a remarkable 10 years, was happy to celebrate with one last event. “It’s bittersweet but I am glad that we were able to have our Boardwalkathon and have the chance to be together and enjoy the beautiful weather. None of this would have happened without the many parents that generously volunteered their time to chaperone and distribute snacks and water. The teachers, faculty and of course the PA are so proud of the students at our school.,” said PA President Irene Dougherty.

The Boardwalkathon is one of the highlights of the school year and a clear indicator that the end of the school year, and the start of summer break, is just around the corner. “The students are fantastic and are so happy to have the opportunity to celebrate themselves and be celebrated by their community. It’s wonderful to see this tradition continue and that no matter what occurs in the Rockaways we are resilient and do not give up,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.