Way to Go: Robert Ward, Uniondale

A Uniondale fifth-grader was honored recently for his slam-dunk performance in a Hofstra University financial literacy program.

Robert Ward, who attends Northern Parkway Elementary School, was recognized during a Hofstra men's basketball game for his work in the university's "Money & Me" program. The interactive program enables elementary school pupils to learn personal money management skills from undergraduate and grad students at Hofstra.

Robert was selected from about 120 students in his grade for his outstanding work, he said. He was presented with a commemorative basketball inscribed with his name, and he and his family were honored guests at the game.

"When you get older, you need to have learned what I learned in that program to be successful," said Robert, 10.

The program's curriculum incorporated math and English concepts in a series of about 12 lessons, with one lesson presented each week. It is coordinated by Hofstra's Frank G. Zarb School of Business and School of Education, Health and Human Services, in partnership with Capital One Bank.

Robert also is a member of his school's basketball team.