I would like to congratulate the class of 2001 and wish them luck and much success in their future endeavors. I am a mathematics teacher and track coach at the high school. Three years ago I came to teach at Glen Cove High School because I felt something special about this high school and this city

I moved here because I wanted to be a part of the community. In that first year I had two classes of sophomores for Sequence II, then some more of the same students took my Sequence III class as juniors till finally as seniors I had them again. Some survived me for three years. I will miss them a lot.

Many students put up with my demanding classes for multiple years. My students will always be, "my kids," the ones who make it easy to get up and teach every day. While people can point out problems in public schools, we should point out those kids who make the school a great place to teach at and to learn. Those are the kids who work hard, not just the ones who do well in class. It is the ones who try to better themselves, those who work to overcome problems. Many students serve as ambassadors of Glen Cove as they compete in sports and academics. They bring pride and honor to the school and the city.

The future of Glen Cove is coming from the graduating classes. Some students will continue to be residents and one day they will be Glen Cove's doctors, lawyers, police officers, store owners, teachers (even math teachers!) and maybe even the future mayor of the city of Glen Cove, and much more. I am very proud of the class of 2001. I will miss a lot of them dearly.

I want to thank my students for making it fun to teach. (Well, fun and frustrating and fun.) These seniors have left an impression on me. I congratulate them for their hard work and efforts and I hope that they keep in touch. I will miss you. Peace.

Joseph Robert Vignolini