Malverne UFSD is proud to recognize two of our own with the MLK Jr. Humanitarian Award, which will be presented at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Thursday night at HTH.
Dr. Romano and Mr. Wilson were selected based on their dedication to our students and our school community and for exemplifying qualities and characteristics associated with Dr. King.
Congratulations to both our honorees. Read more about them below.
Dr. Vincent Romano
Principal, Malverne High School
Vincent A. Romano is a 19-year veteran of the Malverne School District, having served as districtwide chairperson for social studies, assistant principal at both the middle and high schools, is currently serving as the principal of Malverne High School, a role he has held since 2013.
His exceptional leadership has generated a cultural transformation, characterized by high expectations, open access, strong academic performance, and pro-social behavior. Malverne’s diverse student body has received national recognition for superior effort and high achievement. During his tenure, Malverne High School has been celebrated as a turn-around school, was named to the National AP Honor Roll two times, consistently ranked in the top 11% of Best High School in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and was featured for exemplary teaching, leadership and teamwork leading to improved student success in the book “Schools That Succeed” by Karin Chenoweth. In the book, Dr. Romano stated, “We strive for an atmosphere of excellence and equity. Everyone here embraces that – the teachers, students, support staff, counselors, librarians you name it – and that’s what makes the difference. Everyone plays a role, and everyone gives 110 percent.”
A lifelong learner, Dr. Romano earned both his Bachelor of Arts in History and his Master of Science in Secondary Education from SUNY Stony Brook and his Doctorate in Administration and Instructional Leadership at St. John’s University. He has presented at many national, state, and local conferences and was the recipient of several awards including the SCOPE Education Award for Exemplary Leadership, the Phi Delta Kappa “Friends of Education” award, and honored for outstanding achievements in education by St. John’s University.
Never one to rest on his achievements, Dr. Romano continues to work tirelessly with colleagues to make Malverne High School an exemplar for education in the 21st century.
Vincent met his wife Jill at Elmont Memorial High School. Jill is currently a teacher with BOCES. Today they live in Oyster Bay with their three children Jagger (16), Chloe (14) and Hudson (9).
“Coach” Tyrell Wilson
Community Leader and Malverne High School alumni, Class of 2000
Tyrell Wilson, or “Coach” as he’s affectionally referred to, wears his Malverne roots as a badge of honor. He is a proud product of Malverne Public Schools, attending Maurice W. Downing Primary School, Howard T. Herber Middle School and Malverne High School.
Throughout his school years, his passion for football was eclipsed only by his love of family and community, so following graduation he decided to stay close to home. Mr. Wilson enrolled at Nassau Community College where he studied education and played for the Lions, until he was sidelined by an injury. Faced with the prospect of life after football and considering personal reinvention, he continued his studies at Morgan State in Maryland and eventually went to work with special needs and at-risk youth upstate. Before long the gravitational pull of Malverne was too strong to resist, and he found himself back where it all began working directly with kids in his beloved community.
In 2014, Mr. Wilson rejoined the Mules as the coach of JV Football. Never having been a coach, he credits the coaches who took him under their wing and gave him the knowledge and confidence to create his own style. He believes in being a beacon of light for his players, getting them ready for winning at life, as well as football, by teaching them discipline, teamwork and to be good human beings.
Looking for other ways to share his love of football and motivate kids, in 2020 Mr. Wilson founded of the Lakeview/Malverne Lions football little league, introducing the game and bringing his positivity and spirit to the community’s 5-12 year olds.
When he’s not coaching, helping with homework or just giving a reassuring fist bump, Mr. Wilson can be found at Davison Avenue serving as a monitor, where he says the younger generation provides him with the perspective and motivation that keeps him going strong. “I believe there is greatness abound in the Malverne community. My goal is to contribute to the strength of character and good energy that every child needs to live their best life.”
Date Added: 1/11/2023