OUR 2023 INDUCTEES

For Extraordinary Service as a New York State Court Officer. After working in the corporate world as a graphic artist in ad design for 10 years, Peter entered the New York State Court Officers Academy.  A New York State Court Officer is a peace officer and must possess the intuitive sense to resolve conflicts before they escalate, while also protecting all that enter the courthouse, from judges and attorneys to the litigants there for both civil and criminal cases.  After graduating from the Academy in June 1997, Peter worked in the Bronx Housing Court and the Queens Civil Court before finally transferring to the Nassau County District Court. Peter consistently displayed sound judgement and depth of knowledge in the execution of his responsibilities.  One of his strengths is his ability to work collaboratively with all employees which aided in his nomination as the delegate for the Court Officers Benevolent Association of Nassau County (COBANC) in 2001.  COBANC is a union of 800 members and represents over 90 job titles. Peter’s reputation as someone who cares deeply about people and how to resolve conflicts led to his election to Second Vice President in 2011.  Three years later, Peter was elected to First Vice President.  Then, in 2018, Peter was elected President by the most votes in the union’s history, signifying that the membership elected a leader who believes that there is no job too big or too small and that every member is important and deserves their attention.  Being a president of a major metropolitan union is not an easy task, and Peter relies on communication with the other 11 court unions to continue to grow the benefits the union provides to active and retiree members.  While Peter is the recipient of several awards, the Meritorious Service Award sums up the mission of this court officer to come to the aid of anyone in need.  This award was presented to Peter after he reacted to a serious, two car accident, where an infant was trapped under one of the vehicles.  Peter immediately went into action calling on the people at the scene to assist in lifting the vehicle to extract the child.  His quick thinking and calm demeanor saved the child’s life and exemplifies the character of NYS Court Officer Peter A.Piciulo.

For Extraordinary Achievement as a Model Athlete and in Service to the Community. Cara Scanio’s lacrosse coach refers to her as a “beacon of light” who inspires her team, coaches, classmates, and just about anyone who knows her. After two surgeries to repair her ACL, Cara was determined to get back to the playing field. Her positive attitude was nothing short of inspiring. However, that spirit was tested when she learned that her mother Suzanne, a popular teacher at Unqua School, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. She succumbed to the disease during Cara’s sophomore year at Hofstra. Cara, along with her father Chuck and brothers Thomas and Chris, turned their grief into a plan to establish a lasting memorial to Suzanne and at the same time help others undergoing medical hardship. They established the Suzanne M. Scanio Foundation to assist grieving families facing hardship and to raise funds for breast cancer research. Since its inception in May 2021, the Foundation has donated over $75,000 to help families in need. Cara and her family wrote letters of hope and solidarity to each family to let them know they were not alone. The Foundation also established a scholarship at Massapequa High School and at St. John the Baptist where Suzanne attended high school. Today, besides maintaining a full academic program and fulfilling the demands of an NCAA Division I athlete, Cara continues to raise funds through various events. Cara also helped organize Hofstra University’s involvement in Morgan’s Message which strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health illness issues in the athletic community. As a result of her work, Cara received the NCAA’s Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award that recognizes those who have made a positive impact beyond the field of athletics. Cara was also the recipient of the prestigious John H. Randolph Inspiration Award presented by the Colonial Athletic Association to players whose spirit inspires others. It should come as no surprise that Cara plans to become a registered nurse and has been accepted into Molloy University’s Accelerated Nursing Program.  

On February 15, 2013, Congressman Darrell Issa took the floor of the House of Representatives to read into the Congressional Record his recognition and commendation of the work of Donald McKinney, a 13 year District Representative in Issa’s Vista California office. Don’s primary responsibility was the oversight of several communities that included the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. He began a series of visits to the Camp and surrounding area that revealed appalling living conditions. Don documented his findings and included evidence of poor medical care as well. Don met repeatedly with base officials and began to document housing issues as well as medical care and transportation issues. Tenacity and determination to do the right thing for the military personnel and their families resulted in an appropriation from Congress of 4.6 billion dollars for the total renovation of base housing, office and medical facilities at Camp Pendleton. Don’s advocacy on behalf of the Marine community resulted in improved medical care for autistic children that would ensure access to effective treatment. Don expanded his talent as a negotiator to settle a 50 year dispute between Fallbrook Public Utilities and Camp Pendleton. This resulted in 10,000 acre feet of water to be used by both parties which would provide a renewable water supply that will save millions in water purchases. When Congress was not in session, Don’s local work began. He attended over 8,000 events and 4,000 speaking engagements on behalf of Representative Issa. In addition he handled many problems for constituents who had not been properly served by federal organizations who were supposed to help them and had failed. He also served as Chairman of the Oceanside Police and Fire Commission, and was a member of the Oceanside Rotary for over 9 years and served on its board for 5 years. The Oceanside Teen Pregnancy Committee was also fortunate to have Don as a member. Throughout his career, Don has been a dedicated member of his community. When approached to lend his time and expertise he has never said no. Don McKinney is now retired and lives in Aurora, Colorado where he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.

For Extraordinary Service in the Fields of Finance and Community Service. Joe Reda thrived at Massapequa High School as a two sport scholar-athlete in both football (USA Today Honorable Mention All-American) and baseball (All County) and served as Captain of both teams his senior year.  Joe is most proud of his role as wide receiver for the undefeated 1989 Rutgers Cup Championship team. After being actively recruited while at MHS, Joe chose to continue his football career at the University of Pennsylvania winning the 1993 Ivy League Championship.  When not running routes on the field, Joe earned a degree in Economics with a concentration in Finance from Penn’s Wharton School of Business.  Joe began his investment career in 1994 at Oppenheimer & Co. as a High Net Worth broker.  In 2002, Joe founded the Special Equities Group (SEG) at C.E. Unterberg Towbin. Joe continues to run SEG which is now one of the most well-respected Micro-cap Capital Markets Group on Wall Street.  Although Joe played college football, his passion has always been baseball.  After graduating college, Joe dedicated 25 years to playing and coaching baseball and supported the Massapequa R. Baseball Travel Baseball Program providing elite players from the area an opportunity to play college baseball. Continuing his family legacy of philanthropy, Joe also established the Joe Reda Scholarship Fund in memory of his father. The Fund has provided college scholarships for dozens of student athletes at MHS.  Joe is considered a role model who inspires, motivates and gives back to his community.  He is affectionately known on Wall Street and in life as “COACH” earning him a cameo appearance as “Coach incREDAble” in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s animated series Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten.  Joe and his wife Jen are proud of their five amazing kids and currently live in Pelham Manor, New York.

For Extraordinary Leadership and Service to the Massapequa School Community. After 45 years as a teacher and administrator, Lucille Iconis retired from the Massapequa School District as Superintendent of Schools in 2021. She began her career in education as a second grade teacher and reading/literacy specialist in Franklin Square. In 1999, Lucille arrived in Massapequa as the assistant principal at East Lake School and became principal a year later. Under her leadership, East Lake was named a “National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence” by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2005 Lucille was appointed assistant superintendent for elementary curriculum and instruction. During the next eight years, her position evolved, eventually overseeing the entire K-12 curriculum as well as special education. She spearheaded the transition from half day to full day kindergarten and created the Eagle program for children with special needs. Eagle started with two classes at East Lake School and has since expanded to the secondary level where students learn life skills in the Career and Community Connections program. She also initiated the Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLES) Program which includes Spanish instruction for elementary students. In 2013, Lucille was appointed Superintendent of Schools. During her years in that position, she initiated the move of the 6^th grade to Berner Middle School where middle schoolers are offered a more robust curriculum. Other initiatives include an engineering program in partnership with Hofstra University and the Advanced Placement Capstone Program which offers students a challenging curriculum that culminates in an alternative path to a typical high school diploma. In 2017, MHS was designated as a “National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence” by the U.S. Department of Education which recognizes the hard work of students and staff in a safe and welcoming environment. Recognizing the importance of creating programs that promote social and emotional literacy, she attended training offered by the Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence which focuses on the RULER Approach that “Emotions Matter”. Lucille also made it a priority to enhance the athletic fields at Berner and MHS and renovate every elementary classroom.  Lucille considers herself fortunate to have been a life-long educator who proudly kept students and their interests at the centerpiece of all decision making. She thanks the Massapequa community for its support over the last 22 years.