The Rev. Matthew J. van Maastricht, Altamont

Frank Wozniak, Altamont

Iris Broyde, Guilderland

Shirley Unser, Publicist Capital District Christian Women’s Connection

I felt the Guilderland students understood that, in the United States of America, our greatest strength lies in our diversity. They understood this even though many of them were hurting because of the prejudices they had suffered. Despite their pain — or maybe because of it — they had the courage to speak.

A gala celebration honoring Rabbi Donald P. Cashman, rabbi emeritus of Albany’s B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, is set for Sunday, June 26, at the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center at 340 Whitehall Road in Albany, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

GUILDERLAND — On May 24, the day that an 18-year-old in Uvalde, Texas gunned down 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School, the Guilderland School Board started its evening meeting with a moment of silence to honor and mourn the dead.