- Lynbrook will soon launch Lynbrook Legends, a new program honoring alumni who have made meaningful contributions in their fields and communities.
- As the program launches for the first time, four honorees will be selected from 18 nominations submitted this semester.
- Selected alumni may participate in speaker events or appear in online videos, offering students insight into life beyond high school.
As part of an effort to connect students with inspiring alumni, the Lynbrook Legends award program, set to launch later this year, aims to highlight diverse paths to success and recognize graduates who exemplify perseverance, creativity and leadership.
The program was initiated by Principal Maria Jackson as one of her final projects before her forthcoming retirement. Rather than emphasizing traditional measures of success like status or popularity, the program seeks to recognize alumni for positive differences they have made in their communities and careers.
“I felt that students often don’t have perspectives on what their life could be later, and it would be meaningful to have someone from the future come tell them, ‘This is what I was like in high school and this is where I am now,’” Jackson said. “It’s about encouraging the kids who are here and also giving graduates the chance to reflect on what they would tell their high school selves.”
Nominations for the first-ever Lynbrook Legends opened in February of the 2024-25 school year, and was open to input from students, staff, alumni and the broader community. To be eligible for the award, alumni must have graduated at least 10 years ago and attended Lynbrook for a minimum of two years.
Eighteen alumni were nominated this year, and four will be selected as the first Lynbrook Legends honorees. The selection process will be carried out by a committee of six to eight members composed of a graduating student, a current student, several teachers who are also alumni and other staff connected to the program’s development.
“There are so many different ways someone can live their legend,” Jackson said. “It really takes a group of people to make that decision because we’re not just looking at one kind of success.”
As part of the program, honorees will also be invited to speak to students to reflect on their journeys and share advice. While the exact format is still in the works, Jackson hopes the honorees will participate in events such as Zoom calls, club visits and other in-person activities to make their experiences accessible and meaningful to students.
“I think it’s a really great opportunity, whether you’re a freshman or a senior, to get insights on what it’s like to be a Lynbrook graduate,” sophomore Shreshta Ramji said. “It’s nice to hear from alumni who are already in the industry or currently in college, especially for seniors who are about to go through that transition themselves.”
Beyond speaker events, Jackson envisions making alumni stories accessible through videos on Lynbrook’s website — a convenient option for students who may be unable to attend events or want to explore at their own pace.
“I hope students can see a little bit of themselves in someone,” Jackson said. “That they can think, ‘Oh, I’m kind of like that and maybe I can do something like that too.’ That will open them up to opportunities they might never have considered before.”
While Jackson is spearheading the launch, the long-term legacy of the Lynbrook Legends program will be decided by Lynbrook’s next principal, Dr. Janice Chen, who will take over starting in the 2025-26 school year. Jackson plans to help set up the early logistics, but whether the program will host nominations annually, every other year or continue running at all will be left to the new principal.
“I think once something has started and has momentum, it’s easier to keep going,” Jackson said. “The challenge has been defining what it’s going to be and how it’s going to work, but I’m hopeful the committee and future leaders will keep it alive.”
For now, Lynbrook students can look forward to connecting with alumni whose stories are meant to bridge generations and celebrate success.
“It’s all about inspiring today’s students through the stories of past students that have gone to live very interesting lives,” Jackson said. “It’s not about being the wealthiest or most famous person — it’s about living your legend and sharing that with students.”
