VSN's Levy, Voltaire good deed prevails
Erin Parker #9 of Roosevelt runs the ball against Kendel Levy #52 and Stephen Giuliante #8 of Valley Stream North during their Nassau High School Conference IV football game at Shuart Stadium. (Nov. 10, 2011) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Valley Stream North's Kendel Levy always assumed his fame would stem from his exploits on the gridiron.
But in February, the senior linebacker inadvertently assured that his athletic career would be little more than a footnote. Along with then-classmate Marvin Voltaire, Levy helped an elderly couple, Mark and Elaine Treske, push their dead car from an icy driveway; that allowed Mark to drive the couple's running car to work.
Voltaire and Levy then proceeded to push the dead car back up the driveway. The story quickly circulated, appearing in Newsday the following day. Voltaire and Levy became symbols of random acts of kindness.
"People would come us and say, 'good job,' but Marvin and I, we're nice kids," Levy said before Wednesday's Nassau County All-Star Game at Mitchel Athletic Complex. "We always help if somebody needs help."
Levy saw the field one last time as a high schooler, posting a tackle as his Conference I/IV All-Stars lost to the Conference II-/III team, 41-13. Elmont's Kyle Johnson caught a 38-yard TD pass from Herricks QB Tom Graef to put the II/III team ahead 21-13 with 8:23 left in the third quarter.
Carey tailback Rob Zorn had 43 yards and two touchdowns on nine rushes and was named the Conference II/III offensive MVP.
For Levy, he is still reminded of that snowy February day.
"All of the teachers had the article and posted it around the school," said Ed Dietrich, the game's other VSN representative. "It made the football team look really good."
The football team's play caught up with its improved reputation. After a 1-7 record in 2010, VSN improved to 7-3 this season, defeating four-time defending champion Seaford Nov. 5 in the Conference IV quarterfinal. Levy had a season-high 15 tackles in the victory. Five days later, VSN lost to Roosevelt in the semifinal, 27-21.
"I was excited to make the playoffs and beat Seaford, but honestly, I expected us to go to the Long Island championship," Levy said. "Besides the article and being remembered as a great person, I want to be remembered for sports, especially football."
