Oyster Bay's Ryan Radecki, after surviving car accident, is homecoming grand marshal
Oyster Bay High sophomore Ryan Radecki wears his grand marshal hat at the school's homecoming pep rally. (Sept. 27, 2013) Credit: Ursula Moore
After surviving a near-fatal car accident on Aug. 13, 2012, Ryan Radecki feels lucky to be alive.
The Oyster Bay High School sophomore was in a coma for two months.
“I had to learn to read and write again. It’s been hard,” said the 16-year-old student.
Using a cane, Radecki proudly walked to the center of the school gymnasium to thunderous applause during a homecoming pep rally Friday. He will serve as grand marshal for Saturday's homecoming parade, leading up to the football game at 7 p.m. He admitted he was thankful for the support.
“I am glad to be with my friends,” said Radecki.
Students showed off painted faces as a sign of their school spirit. The school's student council advisers Danielle Urtheil and Andrea Pellicane were thrilled to watch the event, which featured seniors Andrew Galgano, 17, and Olivia Agostinello, 17, crowned homecoming king and queen.
“This entire week has been very exciting for the students," Urtheil said. “Every day this week has been a different theme — we had pajama day, children’s cancer awareness day, decade day, character day and sport a jersey day.”
The pep rally also highlighted cheerleaders and a lip-sync competition. Each class had to pick a city for their lip-sync dance routine theme — Miami, Hollywood, New York and Las Vegas. The senior class’ Gotham theme took the victory, earning a trophy and the opportunity to perform at Saturday’s football game during halftime.
'Democrats say this is a misuse of taxpayer funds' Nassau Republicans awarded over $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal contracts to the one-man law firm of Sheharyar Ali, a longtime GOP ally. Ali's father is an adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan have the story.
'Democrats say this is a misuse of taxpayer funds' Nassau Republicans awarded over $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal contracts to the one-man law firm of Sheharyar Ali, a longtime GOP ally. Ali's father is an adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan have the story.
