Úquot;Today we celebrate Our Lady of Victory and all that we do,Úquot; Monsignor Charles Nosser, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish, said during the Feb. 1 celebration of the school's recent accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools. Úquot;It's a compliment to the staff. The team of principals, teachers, parents and students worked very hard on this,Úquot; he continued. Úquot;It's a great honor for them and they deserve every inch of it.Úquot;

Our Lady of Victory School has been in existence for 65 years. This is the first time it's been named a school of excellence. Úquot;For the past 65 years, Our Lady of Victory has provided a solid Catholic education for residents of Floral Park and Bellerose,Úquot; Bellerose Village Mayor Donna Sherrer said. Úquot;Our Lady of Victory has truly lived up to its affirmation.Úquot;

Floral Park Mayor Phil Guarnieri congratulated the teachers and administrative staff who Úquot;provided the foundationÚquot; for such an honor. Úquot;If you want to touch the past, pick up a rock, hold it in your hands and think of all the years it took for that rock to solidify; if you want to touch the present, touch a rose, take in the sweet smell of its scent and wonder at the beauty of the world, but if you want to touch the future, touch a life. Over these so many years at Our Lady of Victory, so many lives have been touched and so many futures blessed because of the commitment and dedication and the caring of your parents, your teachers, the clergy, your principals.Úquot;

Floral Park Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene and Trustee Tom Tweedy, a 1970 graduate of Our Lady of Victory School, also attended the ceremony. Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray presented citations to Monsignor Nosser, Our Lady of Victory Principal Peg Augello and Our Lady of Victory Assistant Principal Mary Earvolino. Accreditation is for 10 years and incites a school's commitment to goal setting, planning and continued academic excellence.