‘Mile 26 is for my husband.’

Meghan Rodriguez, Selden

“My husband battled with addiction when he was in his 20s, and back midway through the pandemic, right about 2021, he relapsed.

“I didn’t know he was using for a while; then everything started coming to light. I had to get my family involved, and we had to do an intervention. When he tried to get help, he’d get on a seven- to eight-month waiting list for treatment. I wanted to get involved with Partnership to End Addiction to try to help end the drug epidemic.

“I applied last year to run the New York City Marathon for them and didn’t get in. And they recommended that I apply again. I was surprised that I got in because they only take about 12 people a year, and they said that about 10,000 people apply … They said my story was touching and compelling.

It definitely relaxes me and clears my mind.

“I’m trying to raise $4,500, that’s the minimum you must raise to participate. So far, I’ve raised about $2,000.

“The money goes to all their programs — their researchers, 24/7 counselors; they help families learn about programs, therapies and meetings.

“I ran throughout high school. I was county champion in 2009 in my high school, Newfield High School, for steeplechase … I took a break from running once I had kids, but I’ve always been a runner.

“It definitely relaxes me and clears my mind. I train three times a week, usually short runs during the week. On the weekends, I do longer runs. By the time the marathon comes, I’ll max out at 18 miles. If I can do 20 miles, I can have it in my head that I can do six more. It’s really more of a mental game, to get it into my head that I can do the whole thing.

“The race is Nov. 3, and that will be exactly one year since I had a bunion-ectomy on my left foot. That was major surgery. After I had surgery and PT, they told me running might be impossible because you have screws and a plate. In the beginning, it was a challenge, but I’ve learned to adapt.

“My daughter made me friendship bracelets, and I’m going to wear them during the race. Once I get my [marathon] jersey, I have someone who will embroider all the names of people I’m running for on the back in order from mile 1 down to mile 26. Mile 26 is for my husband.”

Interviewed by Rosemary Olander-Beach

‘I believe that any profession can be done with desire and eagerness. I also believe that my education is my duty and critical to my success.’

Selden

“I always wanted to be an artist, but I just didn’t know how I would make a living of it. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11, so my mother always told me to make sure I have a job that has benefits.

“Being a driven individual has always been a quality that I’ve wanted others to mention about me. I worked my way up in a company starting from an accounts receivable clerk to assistant project manager of a demolition company. Then I took on a more demanding role as a warehouse manager of a plumbing company.

“Despite some good decisions, the passing of my close friend solidified the determination to become what I’ve always wanted to be, an art educator. Overall happiness, instead of just financial happiness, became my motivation to attain a career in the arts.

“During the last weeks of my friend’s life, I sat next to him, pressed up against his hospital bed, hearing every inhaling and exhaling sound of his life support. At the time, I was 30 and going through my own personal struggles.

What motivated me about the study of art education is how I will be able to help students navigate their future, opening their minds to the endless opportunities that life has to offer.

“My new job was exhausting. The night shift I worked took a noticeable toll on my body, and I was losing things I’ve worked so hard for. None of my struggles compared to what my dear friend was enduring. I learned a valuable life lesson from this heartbreaking experience.

“There are many things he wanted to accomplish that were left unfinished. I decided I want to accomplish those unfinished things in my life before it’s my time to go.

“I went back to school for my degrees. I believe that any profession can be done with desire and eagerness. I also believe that my education is my duty and critical to my success.

“What motivated me about the study of art education is how I will be able to help students navigate their future, opening their minds to the endless opportunities that life has to offer.

“Being a teacher, I’m able to be involved in the arts and motivate people and have that security my mom wanted for me. I teach high school studio arts and media in Brentwood High School. My students have won national awards.

“What I want people to know is the perseverance I’ve gone through, just constantly pushing through to get to where I want to be, and all the hard work it took to get here.”

Interviewed by Liza Burby

‘Starting later in life, I don’t feel I missed out. I’m a firm believer that everything happens in its time.’

Selden

“I was told I was singing in the stroller, so music has always been part of my life. My dad was a FDNY lieutenant, but also sang professionally, so there was always music in our house. I performed as a teen, but there was resistance against singing as a career. My family said, ‘you need to have something solid, you need to take civil service exams,’ and that having a pension and benefits was important. I did go to college but took the exams too, and the Nassau County Police Department was the job I chose, and I loved it. I started in the Fourth Precinct, then worked at District Court and retired as a Detective-Sergeant.

“While in law enforcement, I did manage artists and worked as a concert promoter. So, while I stayed in music, at that point I wasn’t center stage. I fell back on that dream for a while, but I was the Department Vocalist. I’d come out with the Color Guard, and I sang the National Anthem at Nassau Coliseum! It provided opportunities to do what I love, while doing what I loved.

In 2014, I recorded my first single. I thought ‘You only live once, let me give it a try,’ and it turned out to be a great first try, because the song ended up on the radio.

“In 2014, I recorded my first single. I thought ‘You only live once, let me give it a try,’ and it turned out to be a great first try, because the song ended up on the radio. I took it from there, while still working in law enforcement, doing both careers simultaneously. My supervisors were supportive, because I always did what I was supposed to be doing, so it was never an issue.

“Starting later in life, I don’t feel I missed out. I’m a firm believer that everything happens in its time. If I didn’t listen to my parents, I wouldn’t be where I am. When I was younger, sometimes I would wonder what if, but today I don’t. My evolution in life has made me better artistically. I haven’t performed live since before the pandemic, but I’m getting ready to do some shows.

“I only retired in April, so I was still an officer then. My former coworkers still check in, and let me know that I’m missed, which makes me feel good, that I did my job. It was time for me though, I’m big on not staying past your expiration date with anything in life. I’m grateful for having worked with the NCPD. I have no complaints. I loved it while I did it, and I love where I am. What can I complain about? Nothing.”

Interviewed by Ian J. Stark