Senator Jack M. Martins was back in Elmont recently to tour Elmont Memorial High School and meet with faculty and students as part of his district tour. Principal John Capozzi led the Senator around the school meeting with students and teachers. This is the fourth visit to Elmont for Senator Martins since January to meet with community members and leaders.
Mr. Capozzi gave Senator Martins a briefing on the school, the student body and the goals that the different classes have this year. In addition, Martins visited classrooms, the Science Research lab and school facilities. Along the way, Senator Martins spoke to students, faculty and community members about the school.
“Elmont Memorial is a very special place where students and teachers have positive interactions and work together to make a successful academic program. This is a school where it’s clear to me that not only are the students being given vigorous courses of study, but that high expectations and discipline have been motivating factors in academic success,” he said.
High School senior Aaron Dennis stopped and spoke to the Senator about his college plans and his experience at Elmont Memorial that helped him earn an academic and athletic scholarship to Villanova University. Dennis is a soccer star at Elmont and a school leader. “Students like Aaron and many others I met at Elmont Memorial today make me very proud of the community,” said Martins.
Senator Martins spoke to an 8th grade Social Studies class about the role of State government and pending issues being debated. Students asked questions about economic development, jobs and the State budget deficit. “One thing was very clear to me about my visit with the Elmont Memorial students, just as the community at large is looking for revitalization and job creation locally, young people recognize the importance of it right in the classroom. It was refreshing to me and gave me another perspective on the community that is critically important as we work this session in Albany.”
Students also took the opportunity to talk to the Senator during lunch periods about the community as well as current issues impacting the school and neighborhood. Mr. Capozzi also took the opportunity to introduce Senator Martins to respected faculty and staff who also took the time to discuss issues impacting public education and the greater community.
Students Jonathan Peck, Daniel Alexis, Cameron Goulbourne, Kyle Johnson, Brandon Brown and Patrick LaRoque spoke to Senator Martins at length about school sports, community and academics at Elmont Memorial. “Elmont has a very rich history locally of having a strong academic base for young people and for having some of the most competitive and strong teams in athletic arena. I can see why. These young people are focused and determined to be the best,” Martins said.
“My visit to Elmont Memorial High School was very educational and inspiring to me. When you have such committed young people who have very specific goals and are going the extra mile to realize their dreams, you understand how important it is that State government get it right. Our challenge is to make sure that schools like Elmont Memorial are not shortchanged and forgotten as they have been over the past couple of years by State government,” Senator Martins concluded.
