The Westhampton Beach School District inducted two new members — Mark Raynor and Lynn Schwartz — to its Wall of Fame during a ceremony on Sept. 26. The pair now join 30 previously inducted members.
Mark Raynor is being posthumously awarded for exemplifying the spirit of service and dedication that defines Westhampton Beach. He was a four-year varsity football starter from 1968-1972 and competed in wrestling and baseball. His commitment to community began at 18 when he joined the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, where he served for 39 years as volunteer and as chief from 1989-1992. As a Southampton Town police officer for 15 years, he earned the 1992 New York State Police Officer of the Year award for his heroic rescue of a family from their burning home. After a line-of-duty injury ended his career in law enforcement, he continued to serve as a Westhampton Beach Village trustee for six terms and as deputy mayor from 1995-2005. His Hurricane pride never wavered — he became a beloved fixture at every football game, standing in his signature spot in the visitors’ bleachers to cheer on his sons and countless other Hurricane athletes. Raynor dedicated his life to protecting, serving and supporting the Westhampton Beach community until his passing in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and unwavering Hurricane spirit.
Lynn Schwartz dedicated nearly two decades of exceptional service to the Westhampton Beach School District, beginning as a beloved social studies teacher and coach before ascending to assistant superintendent and ultimately superintendent for 10 transformative years. Under his visionary leadership, the district flourished academically and physically, with Schwartz successfully securing multiple bond initiatives that modernized facilities across all three schools, including new science labs, an auditorium, a gymnasium and a state-of-the-art turf field. His unwavering belief that all students can achieve excellence led to dramatic increases in Regents diploma rates, as well as expanded Advanced Placement offerings and innovative programs that prepared students for college success. Beyond academics, Schwartz fostered unprecedented community engagement through coffee hours, advisory committees and the Hurricane Education Foundation while maintaining the district’s financial health and establishing lasting partnerships. Selected as Westhampton Beach High School’s Man of the Year by the Class of 1984, his legacy lives on in the enhanced educational opportunities and modern facilities that continue to serve Westhampton Beach students today.
The Westhampton Beach School District’s Wall of Fame was established in 2002 and memorializes extraordinary achievements of Westhampton Beach alumni, as well as former faculty and staff members.
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