Events To Be Held In Memory Of Hero Teacher

Scott J. Beigel among a crowd of his students. (Photo courtesy of The Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund)

By Joseph Marasciullo
info@longislandergroup.com

A pair of upcoming events will be held in memory of a Dix Hills native who was among those killed in the Parkland, Florida mass shooting earlier this year.

Scott Beigel, a teacher and coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where he and 16 others were shot and killed in February, will be remembered back home, first later today with a memorial 5K run at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, and then on Tuesday with a fundraiser at Tropix on the Mile restaurant in Freeport for the memorial fund established in his name.

Linda Schulman, Beigel’s mother, said her son was “truly a one of a kind.” He was a “humble person who would never have believed such an event would be held for him.”

The Half Hollow Hills High School East graduate taught geography and coached cross country at Stoneman Douglas. He’s regarded as a hero, having unlocked his classroom door during the shooting to let students hide from the shooter.

The Scott J Beigel Memorial Fund was established to help send underprivileged children to summer camps.

Beigel himself enjoyed his time at summer camp as both a camper and a counselor, and his family felt that this was a positive experience children should be able to experience. Rather than partnering with a specific summer camp, children are sent to a summer camp that best suits their needs and personality.

Similarly, the Scott Beigel Memorial 5K was inspired by Beigel’s love of running.

Schulman, one of the organizers of the event, said her son enjoyed running, along with getting others into it.

The run will begin at 7 p.m. from the Eisenhower Park field house. More information and registration information is available on the memorial fund’s website, Scottjbeigelmemorialfund.com.

This coming Tuesday, the fundraiser at Tropix on the Mile will feature a 50/50 drawing, a Chinese raffle, both a silent and live auction, and blackjack. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 at the door.

Before the event, the Long Island Cuban Cigar and Bourbon Experience will be on site beginning at 3 p.m.

The fundraiser kicks off at 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. (the rain date is June 26).

Schulman said the fund plans to host more events in the future, not only to benefit underprivileged children, but also to keep her son’s memory alive.