In Honor of Black History Month, District Spotlights a Community Trailblazer
ROOSEVELT, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2026)—In honor of Black History Month, the Roosevelt School District celebrated an integral member of the community whose legacy has come full circle through his involvement in the Roosevelt school system.
Todd Parrish, a graduate from the class of 1984 and a Stony Brook University alumnus, came back to Roosevelt High School with a mission to support and uplift its current students. He reached this goal through launching a support program called Success through Academic Readiness (S.T.A.R).
Funded by Manhasset-based nonprofit Institute for Community Development and run by the late Gerard Leeds, the S.T.A.R. program provides support, extra help and college readiness opportunities for students after school.
About 25 students from each grade are held to a very high standard through their involvement in the program and have graduated and achieved greatness, such as Sabrina Thompson who is now an N.A.S.A. engineer and Tamika Stewart who is the administrator of a Charter school.
Mr. Parrish has played and coached football, baseball and basketball at the Roosevelt School District. He came back to this district as a high school social studies teacher and continues to make a positive input to the District’s youth across all ages.
In addition to launching the S.T.A.R. program, he has run the Roosevelt P.A.L. and created another program called Roosevelt Rising Stars. This was founded on the idea that parents want their children to attend after-school programs that focus on educational enrichment, such as computer clubs, arts classes, music courses and community service.
“Mr. Parrish knew that they want a voice in determining the programs, services and opportunities,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Wightman. “They want to learn and practice new skills. They want to spend more quality time caring for adults and with other young people. They want to contribute to the work of the larger society. And, yes, they want to have fun. The harmony between what young people need to grow toward. We know that this task is great and we all support your effort. For this we salute Mr. Todd Parrish.”
